Vehicle inspection enforcement system and method offering multiple data transmissions on the road

Abstract

Abstract of Disclosure 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.

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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

Problems solved by technology

Current vehicle emission inspections are time consuming for the motorist, and expensive (rates vary between $15.00 to $25.00 and more per test).

Vehicle performance and compliance between two inspections is not known and cannot be tracked.

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