U.S. patent application number 10/248240 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-10 for vehicle inspection enforcement system and method offering multiple data transmissions on the road.
Invention is credited to Geilen , Lothar, Tripathi , Pradeep R..
Application Number | 20030130774 10/248240 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23355377 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030130774 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tripathi , Pradeep R. ; et
al. |
July 10, 2003 |
VEHICLE INSPECTION ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD OFFERING MULTIPLE
DATA TRANSMISSIONS ON THE ROAD
Abstract
A vehicle inspection, diagnosing and maintenance system and
method of inspecting, diagnosing and maintaining a vehicle includes
providing a vehicle unit and a communications network. The vehicle
unit receives vehicle data, such as exhaust emission data, and
includes a wireless communication transceiver and a control for
controlling the wireless communication transceiver. The control
includes memory for storing vehicle data from the vehicle
diagnostic system. A communication network provides wireless
communication with the vehicle unit. The communication network is
made up of a plurality of geographically dispersed generally
stationary wireless communication transceivers. The vehicle unit
communicates the exhaust emission data in its memory to a
stationary transceiver in the vicinity of the vehicle.
Inventors: |
Tripathi , Pradeep R.; ( Ann
Arbor, MI) ; Geilen , Lothar; ( Ann Arbor,
MI) |
Family ID: |
23355377 |
Appl. No.: |
10/248240 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60/345,524 |
10, 200 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
701/31.4 ;
340/438 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C 5/085 20130101;
G07C 5/008 20130101; G08G 1/205 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/33 ; 701/29;
340/438 |
International
Class: |
G06F 019/00 |
Claims
Claims
1. A vehicle inspection system, comprising:a vehicle unit
comprising a vehicle wireless communication transceiver and a
control for controlling said wireless communication transceiver,
said control including memory for storing vehicle data including
exhaust emission parameters from a vehicle diagnostic system; anda
communication network for two-way wireless communication with said
vehicle unit, said communication network made up of a plurality of
geographically dispersed generally stationary wireless
communication transceivers, wherein one of said stationary
transceivers activates said vehicle wireless communication
transceiver when in a vicinity of that stationary transceiver to
communicate vehicle data in said memory to that stationary
transceiver.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said communication network
including network connection at said stationary wireless
communication transceivers with a wide area network, said wide area
network retrieving vehicle data from said stationary wireless
communication transceivers and providing access to the retrieved
vehicle data at locations remote from said stationary
transceivers.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said communication network
includes a host computer system on said wide area network operative
to receive data from said stationary transceivers and a database
for storing historical vehicle data from said vehicle unit.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein current vehicle data is compared
with historical vehicle data to determine if the vehicle is
operating outside of normal operation.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein environmental authority is
provided access to said communication network for compliance
verification.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein a vehicle owner is provided access
to said communication network for vehicle performance
monitoring.
7. The system of claim 1 including a unique vehicle identification
code, wherein said identification code is transmitted with the
vehicle data to that stationary transceiver.
8. The system of claim 6 wherein said vehicle data includes
auxiliary data in addition to the exhaust emission parameters.
9. The system of claim 2 wherein said network connection comprises
at least one chosen from a high speed installed connection, a
wireless connection and a satellite connection.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein said control is programmable
through said vehicle transceiver with code received from said
stationary transceivers.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein said communication network tracks
the geographic location of said vehicle unit.
12. The system of claim 1 wherein said communication network
includes cameras with said stationary transceivers operable to
capture images of vehicles communicating exhaust emission data.
13. A vehicle inspection system, comprising:a vehicle unit
comprising an adapter configured to connect with a vehicle
diagnostic port of a vehicle diagnostic system for receiving
vehicle data including exhaust emission parameters, a vehicle
wireless communication transceiver and a control for controlling
said adapter and said wireless communication transceiver, said
control including memory for storing vehicle data from the vehicle
diagnostic system; anda communication network for two-way wireless
communication with said vehicle unit, said communication network
made up of a plurality of geographically dispersed generally
stationary wireless communication transceivers, wherein said
vehicle wireless communication transceiver communicates vehicle
data in said memory to a stationary transceiver in a vicinity of
that said vehicle unit.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein said communication network
including network connection at said stationary wireless
communication transceivers with a wide area network, said wide area
network retrieving vehicle data from said stationary wireless
communication transceivers and providing access to the retrieved
vehicle data at locations remote from said stationary
transceivers.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein said communication network
includes a host computer system on said wide area network operative
to receive data from said stationary transceivers and a database
for storing historical vehicle data from said vehicle unit.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein current vehicle data is compared
with historical vehicle data to determine if the vehicle is
operating outside of normal operation.
17. The system of claim 13 wherein environmental authority is
provided access to said communication network for compliance
verification.
18. The system of claim 13 wherein a vehicle owner is provided
access to said communication network for vehicle performance
monitoring.
19. The system of claim 13 including a unique vehicle
identification code, wherein said identification code is
transmitted with the vehicle data to that stationary
transceiver.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein said vehicle data includes
auxiliary data in addition to the exhaust emission parameters.
21. The system of claim 14 wherein said network connection
comprises at least one chosen from a high speed installed
connection, a wireless connection and a satellite connection.
22. The system of claim 13 wherein said control is programmable
through said vehicle transceiver with code received from said
stationary transceivers.
23. The system of claim 13 wherein said communication network
tracks the geographic location of said vehicle unit.
24. The system of claim 13 wherein said communication network
includes cameras with said stationary transceivers operable to
capture images of vehicles communicating exhaust emission data.
25. A method of inspecting a vehicle, comprising:providing a
vehicle unit comprising a vehicle wireless transceiver and a
memory;storing in said memory vehicle data including exhaust
emission parameters from a vehicle diagnostic system;providing a
communication network for two-way wireless communication with said
vehicle unit, said communication network made up of a plurality of
geographically dispersed generally stationary wireless
communication transceivers;activating said vehicle wireless
communication transceiver with one of said stationary transceivers
when said vehicle wireless communication transceiver is in a
vicinity of that stationary transceiver to communicate the stored
vehicle data to that stationary transceiver.
26. The method of claim 25 including providing a network connection
at said stationary wireless communication transceivers with a wide
area network; andretrieving vehicle data from said stationary
wireless communication transceivers with said wide area network and
providing access to the retrieved vehicle data at locations remote
from said stationary transceivers.
27. The method of claim 26 including providing a host computer
system on said wide area network for receiving data from said
stationary transceivers and a database for storing historical
vehicle data from said vehicle unit with said database.
28. The method of claim 27 including comparing current vehicle data
with historical vehicle data to determine if the vehicle is
operating outside of normal operation.
29. The method of claim 27 including providing access by
environmental authority to said database for compliance
verification.
30. The method of claim 27 including providing access by a vehicle
owner to said database for vehicle performance monitoring.
31. The method of claim 25 including providing a unique vehicle
identification code and transmitting said identification code with
the vehicle data.
32. The method of claim 31 wherein said vehicle data includes
auxiliary data in addition to the exhaust emission.
33. The method of claim 26 wherein said network connection
comprises at least one chosen from a high speed installed
connection, a wireless connection and a satellite connection.
34. The method of claim 25 including programming said vehicle unit
through said vehicle transceiver with code received from said
stationary transceivers.
35. The method of claim 25 including tracking the geographic
location of said vehicle unit with said communication network.
36. The method of claim 25 including providing cameras with said
stationary transceivers and capturing images with said cameras of
vehicles communicating exhaust emission data.
37. A method of inspecting a vehicle, comprising:providing a
vehicle unit comprising an adapter and a vehicle wireless
transceiver;connecting said vehicle unit with a diagnostic port of
a vehicle diagnostic system and receiving vehicle data including
exhaust emission parameters with said vehicle unit;storing vehicle
data from the vehicle diagnostic port;providing a communication
network for two-way wireless communication with said vehicle unit,
said communication network made up of a plurality of geographically
dispersed generally stationary wireless communication transceivers;
andcommunicating the stored exhaust emission data to that
stationary transceiver in a vicinity of that vehicle unit.
38. The method of claim 37 including providing a network connection
at said stationary wireless communication transceivers with a wide
area network; andretrieving vehicle data from said stationary
wireless communication transceivers and with said wide area network
and providing access to the retrieved vehicle data at locations
remote from said stationary transceivers.
39. The method of claim 38 including providing a host computer
system on said wide area network for receiving data from said
stationary transceivers and a database for storing historical
vehicle data from said vehicle unit with said database.
40. The method of claim 39 including comparing current vehicle data
with historical vehicle data to determine if the vehicle is
operating outside of normal operation.
41. The method of claim 39 including providing access by
environmental authority to said database for compliance
verification.
42. The method of claim 39 including providing access by a vehicle
owner to said database for vehicle performance monitoring.
43. The method of claim 37 including providing a unique vehicle
identification code and transmitting said identification code with
the vehicle data.
44. The method of claim 43 wherein said vehicle data includes
auxiliary data in addition to the exhaust emission.
45. The method of claim 38 wherein said network connection
comprises at least one chosen from a high speed installed
connection, a wireless connection and a satellite connection.
46. The method of claim 37 including programming said vehicle unit
through said vehicle transceiver with code received from said
stationary transceivers.
47. The method of claim 37 including tracking the geographic
location of said vehicle unit with said communication network.
48. The method of claim 37 including providing cameras with said
stationary transceivers and capturing images with said cameras of
vehicles communicating exhaust emission data.
49. A vehicle diagnosing and maintenance system, comprising:a
vehicle unit comprising a vehicle wireless communication
transceiver and a control for controlling said wireless
communication transceiver, said control including memory for
storing vehicle data including exhaust emission parameters from a
vehicle diagnostic system; anda communication network for two-way
wireless communication with said vehicle unit, said communication
network made up of a plurality of geographically dispersed
generally stationary wireless communication transceivers, wherein
said vehicle wireless communication transceiver communicates
vehicle data in said memory to a stationary transceiver in a
vicinity of that said vehicle unit;said communication network
automatically determining if the vehicle data is out of
specification and automatically notifying a vehicle owner
thereof.
50. A method of inspecting a vehicle, comprising:providing a
vehicle unit comprising a vehicle wireless transceiver and a
memory;storing in said memory vehicle data including exhaust
emission parameters from a vehicle diagnostic system;providing a
communication network for two-way wireless communication with said
vehicle unit, said communication network made up of a plurality of
geographically dispersed generally stationary wireless
communication transceivers;communicating the stored exhaust
emission data to that stationary transceiver in a vicinity of that
vehicle unit; andautomatically determining with said communication
network if the vehicle data is out of specification and
automatically notifying with said communication network a vehicle
owner thereof.
Description
Cross Reference to Related Applications
[0001] This application claims priority from United States
provisional patent application Serial No. 60/345,524, filed on
January 3, 2002, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
Background of Invention
[0002] Mandated by USEPA and other government agencies throughout
the world, OBD II (EOBD in Europe) was primarily developed for
monitoring the vehicle's emission control systems by the Engine
Control Module (ECM), which will typically display a general
warning to the operator (the check engine light, or Malfunction
Indicator Light-MIL) when a fault is detected. It also provides a
means by which a mechanic or vehicle inspector can access engine
parameters, readiness status and specific fault codes related to
engine hardware that can affect emissions and engine performance.
The OBD II system is accessible via a standardized communications
link and cable, and a microprocessor device that implements various
standardized communications protocol. Such device is known as a
scan tool. Data from on-board sensors can be accessed by the scan
tool at a rate of up to 50 Hz.
[0003] The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
currently taking a very clear stand in favor of OBD II (On-board
Diagnostic) testing for vehicle emissions inspections, requiring
all non-attainment areas to introduce OBD II testing for all
vehicles (gasoline and diesel powered), model year 1996 and newer
in lieu of tailpipe testing. OBD II interfaces for all vehicles
model year 1996 and newer are standardized to allow for
communication with an external microprocessor-based system. Canada
has adopted OBD II standardization for all vehicles 1998 and newer.
A very similar international system, called EOBD, is required for
model year 1998 and newer vehicles in Europe. Similar systems are
currently being placed in vehicles in Asian markets as well.
[0004] Current new and existing vehicle emission inspection
programs typically all follow the following procedure:
[0005] 1. The motorist drives to an inspection station when the
vehicle's emission inspection is due.
[0006] 2. The vehicle enters a dedicated inspection station.
[0007] 3. The inspection station may charge a per test fee to the
motorist.
[0008] 4. The inspector identifies the vehicle (bar code, manually,
etc.).
[0009] 5. The inspector connects the OBD II scan tool to the
vehicle's Data Link Connector (DLC) and performs the OBD download
according to EPA and program regulations.
[0010] 6. The inspector disconnects the scan tool from the
vehicle.
[0011] 7. The inspection results are logged, a VIR may be issued
and the data may automatically be transmitted to a centralized
database typically through a modem.
[0012] Current vehicle emission inspections are time consuming for
the motorist, and expensive (rates vary between $15.00 to $25.00
and more per test). Therefore, inspections are only performed
annually or biennially in order to reduce the burden for the
motorist to a minimum. Vehicle performance and compliance between
two inspections is not known and cannot be tracked.
Summary of Invention
[0013] The present invention addresses the disadvantages resulting
from current inspection programs. The invention has the capability
of providing much more data than is presently available to
enforcing authority, such as authority charged with enforcing
vehicle pollution compliance, as well as reducing cost and
increasing convenience to the consumer. While the present invention
is useful in enforcing compliance with vehicle emission
regulations, it may be useful in processing vehicle data other than
vehicle exhaust emission parameters in areas without emission
testing requirements.
[0014] A vehicle inspection system and method of inspecting a
vehicle, according to an aspect of the invention, includes
providing a vehicle unit and a communications network. The vehicle
unit receives vehicle data and has a wireless communication
transceiver and a control for controlling the wireless
communication transceiver. The control includes memory for storing
vehicle data from the vehicle diagnostic system. A communication
network provides wireless communication with the vehicle unit. The
communication network is made up of a plurality of geographically
dispersed generally stationary wireless communication transceivers.
The vehicle unit communicates the vehicle data in its memory to a
stationary transceiver in the vicinity of the vehicle.
[0015] The vehicle data may include exhaust emission parameters.
The vehicle unit may be an adapter that is configured to connect
with a diagnostic port of the vehicle diagnostic system for
receiving the vehicle data. The communication network may provide
two-way wireless communication with the vehicle unit. In this
manner, one of the stationary transceivers may activate the vehicle
wireless communication transceiver when the vehicle is in the
vicinity of that stationary transceiver to communicate the vehicle
data to that stationary transceiver. The communication network may
include a network connection at the stationary wireless
communication transceivers with a wide area network, such as a
global network, or the like. This provides for retrieving data from
the stationary wireless communication transceiver. The wide area
network provides access to the retrieved data at locations remote
from the stationary transceivers.
[0016] The communication network may further include cameras with
the stationary transceivers. The cameras are operable to capture
images of vehicles communicating the exhaust emission data. The
communication network may include a host computer system on the
wide area network that is operative to receive data from the
stationary transceivers. The communication network may further
include a database on the wide area network for storing historical
vehicle data from the vehicle unit. Current vehicle data may be
compared with historical exhaust emission data to determine if the
vehicle is operating outside of normal operation. Environmental
authority may be provided access to the database for compliance
verification. Additionally, a vehicle owner, such as an individual
owner or a vehicle fleet operator, may be provided access to the
database for vehicle performance monitoring.
[0017] A unique vehicle identification code may be provided wherein
the vehicle code is transmitted with the vehicle data. The vehicle
wireless communication transceiver may communicate auxiliary data,
in addition to the other vehicle data in the memory, to the
stationary transceiver. The network connection may include at least
one chosen from a high-speed installed connection, a wireless
connection, such as a cellular connection, or a satellite
connection. The control in the vehicle unit may be programmed
through the vehicle transceiver with code received from the
stationary transceivers. The communication network may track the
geographic location of the vehicle unit.
[0018] These and other objects, advantages and features of this
invention will become apparent upon review of the following
specification in conjunction with the drawings.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0019] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a vehicle exhaust emission
inspection system and method, according to the invention;
[0020] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a vehicle unit;
[0021] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating communication between a
stationary unit and a vehicle unit;
[0022] Figs 4a and 4b are flowcharts of a control program at a
vehicle unit; and
[0023] Figs 5a and 5b are flowcharts of a control program at a
stationary unit.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0024] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative
embodiments depicted therein, a vehicle exhaust emission inspection
system 10 includes a vehicle unit 12 positioned within a vehicle 14
and a communication network 16 for wireless communication, shown at
18, with vehicle unit 12 (Fig. 1). Communication network 16 is made
up of a plurality of geographically dispersed generally stationary
units 20, each having a wireless communication transceiver, such as
a two-way transceiver. Vehicle unit 12 communicates with a
stationary unit 20 that is in the vicinity of the vehicle.
Generally stationary units 20 may be positioned at various
locations including airports, tollbooths, malls and other publicly
accessible areas along roadways. Communication between the vehicle
unit and the stationary unit may be by one of various wireless
techniques, such as radio frequency (RF) techniques, and may
utilize particular commercially available protocols such as
Bluetooth, or the like. The hardware elements used to implement the
stationary units and the vehicle units, such as the controls and
the transceivers, are conventional and within information available
to those skilled in the art.
[0025] Vehicle unit 12 includes a wireless communication
transceiver 22, such as a two-way transceiver, and a control, such
as a microprocessor-based control 24, for controlling communication
transceiver 22. Control 24 includes memory 26, such as a flash
memory, for storing vehicle exhaust emission data from a vehicle
diagnostic system 28. Such diagnostic systems are conventional with
modern vehicles and provide various vehicle operating data
including vehicle speed, various engine parameters, and various
exhaust emission parameters. In the illustrative embodiment,
vehicle diagnostic system 28 is illustrated as an on-board digital
(OBD) II computer system, although other diagnostic systems are
available.
[0026] Vehicle unit 12 may include an adapter 30 in the form of a
reader circuit configured to connect with vehicle diagnostic system
28, such as through a diagnostic port, or vehicle diagnostic link
connector (DLC), for receiving at least exhaust emission data from
diagnostic system 28. Such reader circuits are well known in the
art and are commercially available in various diagnostic scan
tools. Microprocessor 24 issues commands to the adapter 30 for it
to issue commands to and receive data from the vehicle diagnostic
system 28. Memory 26 stores relevant data, which may include
vehicle exhaust emission parameters, for subsequent transmission to
communication network 26, as will be explained in more detail
below. Vehicle unit 12 is powered through a connection with a
vehicle power source 32 which may be a separate connection or may
be a connection through the vehicle diagnostic link connector
(DLC). In this manner, vehicle unit 12 is powered whenever the
vehicle is running. When the vehicle is powered up, vehicle data is
stored in memory 26. When the vehicle is powered on, control 24 may
check to ensure that the adapter is on the same vehicle by
comparing current and old data. In the illustrative embodiment,
vehicle unit 12 is adapted to be connected with the vehicle
diagnostic link connector and, therefore, may be installed in
existing vehicles. However, the invention comprehends incorporating
vehicle unit 12 in the manufacturing of a vehicle.
[0027] Stationary unit 20 includes a wireless transceiver 34 for
wireless communication 18 with vehicle unit 12 and a control system
36 for controlling transceiver 34. When a vehicle unit 12 is in the
vicinity of stationary unit 20, vehicle unit 12 communicates data,
such as vehicle exhaust emission parameters, via wireless
communication 18 to that stationary unit 20. To assist this
function, stationary unit 20 may serve as a beacon to activate a
vehicle unit 12 in its vicinity to transmit its data. This may be
accomplished by the two-way wireless communication capability of
stationary unit 20. Therefore, a stationary unit 20 may
repetitively send out a wireless beacon signal, which is received
by a vehicle unit 12 in the vicinity of that stationary unit. In
response to the wireless beacon signal, the vehicle unit 12
transmits vehicle data obtained from the vehicle diagnostic system
and stored in memory26, via wireless communication 18 to that
stationary unit 20. The use of transceiver 34 to emit a beacon
signal may minimize the requirement for communication regulatory
controls and facilitates wireless communication 18 with vehicle
unit 12 without recurring communication charges as may occur with a
cellular system, or the like.
[0028] Stationary unit 20 may include an image capture device 38,
such as a camera, in order to capture images of the vehicle 14
whose vehicle unit 12 is communicating exhaust emission data via
wireless communication 18. The images may be still or may be video
images of the vehicle and may serve the purpose of providing
additional vehicle authentication, if required. Vehicle
identification may include vehicle outline, vehicle color,
structural details, and the like. License plate information could
also be captured. Communication network 16 may include a network
connection 40 with a wide area network, 42, such as a global
network such as the Internet or other such network. Network
connection 40 may be via a high-speed installed connection, such as
cable, DSL, T1, or the like, or may be a wireless connection, such
as a cellular connection, or may be a satellite connection, or the
like. This connection with wide area network 42 allows data from
each stationary unit 20 to be retrieved remotely at locations
remote from the stationary units 20. Retrieving data from
stationary units 20 may be done in real time or through batch
processing.
[0029] Such remote retrieving may be in the form of a host computer
system (HCS) 44 consisting of an enterprise network environment
made up of one or more servers. Such HCS may provide a computing
environment that is scalable to be used for vehicle fleets or
geographical regions, such as city, states, or nations, or the
like. Host computer system 44 may support a database 46 of
historical vehicle data of vehicle 14, as well as other vehicles
utilizing a vehicle unit 12. In this manner, when current vehicle
data is retrieved from vehicle unit 12 via wireless communication
18, HCS 44 may compare the current vehicle data with the historical
vehicle data for the vehicle. HCS 44 may utilize this comparison to
determine if the vehicle is operating outside of normal operation
as disclosed in detail in commonly assigned International
Application Publication No. WO 01/86576, published on November 15,
2001, entitled MONITORING OF VEHICLE HEALTH BASED ON HISTORICAL
INFORMATION, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein
in its entirety by reference.
[0030] In addition, a government computer 47, incorporating an
environmental protection database, may utilize vehicle exhaust
emission data retrieved via wireless communication 18 and
stationary unit 20 via global network 42 in order to determine
compliance of the vehicle 14 with exhaust emission regulations. In
this manner, the government may receive many data points from a
vehicle, rather than once every one or two years as with
conventional exhaust emission inspections.
[0031] Other users may utilize the data retrieved from the
stationary units 20. By way of example, a vehicle owner, such as an
individual owner or a fleet operator 48, may monitor vehicle data
retrieved from unit 12 in order to monitor vehicle performance and
identify vehicles that require maintenance. Additionally,
communication network 16 may provide the ability to track the
geographic location of unit 14 which may also be of interest to
fleet operator 48.
[0032] Rather than utilizing separate access points 47 and 48,
various users including the government, vehicle fleet operators and
individual vehicle owners may be provided selective access to
database 46 at HCS 44. Access to these various parties may be via a
personal web page for each user that allows restricted access to
that user as well as requires proper verification of the
identification of that user. In this manner, by way of example, an
individual vehicle owner may have access to vehicle data for that
owner's vehicle and a fleet operator can have access to the data
pertaining to the vehicles in that fleet. Governmental authorities
may have a more global access to all records for the appropriate
jurisdiction. However, such authority may be restricted from
various information, such as account information, which will be
discussed below, and the like.
[0033] Vehicle unit 12 may additionally be assigned a unique
vehicle identification code. This unique vehicle identification
code may be transmitted along with the vehicle data to the
stationary unit. With the ability to uniquely identify the vehicle
unit making the transmission, auxiliary data may also be
transmitted along with the vehicle exhaust emission data for other
purposes. By way of example, the auxiliary data may be utilized to
perform automatic banking transactions pertaining to user operation
of system 10, such as with an institution, illustrated as a bank
50. Such access may be for the purpose of charging the user for use
of the system, such as on a transactional basis, including test
fees, subscription fees, and the like. Other auxiliary data may be
utilized for commercial applications, such as EZ-pass and other
tollbooth-type applications, paying for food at take-out windows of
fast-food restaurants, and the like. The ability to carry out such
transaction is made possible by the use of a unique identification
code that is matched to a particular vehicle. The personal web page
set up with HCS for each user may also provide tools for managing
the account set up for that user.
[0034] Inspection system 10 may incorporate other useful features.
By way of example, communication network 16 may download, through
wireless communication 18 to vehicle unit 12, code that may be used
to program the vehicle unit 12. Additionally, self-testing may be
incorporated into the inspection system in order to provide
diagnostics for determining that the vehicle unit is properly
operating. However, system 10 is not limited to exhaust emission
inspections. It may be useful for general diagnostics and
maintenance of vehicles. By way of example, the vehicle owner may
be notified automatically, such as by E-mail if the owner's vehicle
data is out of specification. All of this can be accomplished in a
fully automated manner without any effort on behalf of the owner.
Thus, the present invention provides a full, self-service
paperless-based system.
[0035] Advantageously, inspection system 10 may perform vehicle
exhaust emission inspections without manual intervention. Not only
does this minimize the cost of determining compliance, but reduces
inconvenience to the driver. Advantageously, inspection system 10
may be field retrofitted into existing vehicles thereby extending
the advantage of a data collection system to older vehicles. Such a
retrofit solution may be financed, for example, by incentives
provided by the Government Compliance Agency.
[0036] An example of communication between stationary unit 20 and a
vehicle unit 12 is illustrated in Fig 3. Stationary unit 20 sends
out, repetitively, a beacon 56 during a Beacon Slot. When the
vehicle is within range of the beacon, the vehicle unit responds
during a Session Slot with a BACK signal 58. The stationary unit
then responds by sending a RBACK signal 60, which identifies which
vehicle data the stationary unit wishes to receive. The vehicle
unit responds by sending various data packets 62a, 62b of vehicle
data. If the data is successfully received by the stationary unit,
using conventional error checking techniques, an acknowledge signal
64 is sent. In the illustrative embodiment, the range of
transmission of the stationary unit is 250 meters, but a greater or
lesser range may be used.
[0037] Operation of the vehicle unit is set forth in more detail in
Figs 4a and 4b. Upon power-up at 68, the unit is initialized at 70
and attempts are made to receive a beacon at 72. Once a beacon is
received, the vehicle unit synchronizes with the beacon at 74 and
76. The vehicle unit then sends a BACK signal at 78, switches to a
receive mode at 80 and looks for the RBACK signal at 82. After a
number of attempts (84, 86) communication is ended at 88. Once the
RBACK signal is received, the unit is switched to transmitting at
90, packets 62a, 62b are sent at 92 and the unit is switched to
receiving at 94 to look for the acknowledge signal at 96 and 98.
After a number of attempts at 102, communication is terminated at
104. If acknowledge is received at 98, communication is terminated
at 100.
[0038] Operation of the stationary unit is set forth in more detail
in Figs 5a and 5b. After power-up at 112 and initialization at 114,
the beacon 56 is repetitively transmitted at 116. The unit then
switches to a receive mode at 118 and waits at 120 for a BACK
signal (122, 124, 126). Once received, the unit switches to a
transmit mode at 128 and sends an RBACK signal at 130. The unit
then switches to a receive mode at 132 and receives, at 134, data
packets sent by the vehicle unit. They are checked for validity at
140 and either an acknowledge signal is sent (142, 144, 150) or a
non-acknowledge signal is sent (146, 148, 150).
[0039] Changes and modifications in the specifically described
embodiments can be carried out without departing from the
principles of the invention which is intended to be limited only by
the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the
principles of patent law including the Doctrine of Equivalents.
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