SMART PHONE APP-BASED REMOTE VEHICLE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

Provided is a remote vehicle diagnostic system which utilizes a smart phone as a centralized communication hub between a vehicle and several remote resources. The system includes a program downloadable onto the smart phone to program the phone to perform desired functionality. The smart phone app may allow the smart phone to operate in several different modes, including a diagnostic mode and an emergency mode. In the diagnostic mode, the smart phone may relay vehicle data from the vehicle to a remote diagnostic center. The smart phone may also query the user to obtain symptomatic diagnostic information, which may also be uploaded to the remote diagnostic center. In the emergency mode, the smart phone may be configured to upload critical information to a remote diagnostic center, as well as an emergency response center. The emergency mode may be triggered automatically in response to the vehicle being in an accident, or alternatively, but user actuation.

主权项

1. An automotive diagnostic system for use with a remote diagnostic center, a smart phone having a sensor for detecting a prescribed vehicle operational condition, and a vehicle having an onboard vehicle computer which generates and stores vehicle data including operational data and an accident indicator generated in response to a vehicle accident event, the automotive diagnostic system comprising:
a data storage unit connectable with the onboard vehicle computer for retrieving vehicle data from the onboard vehicle computer and storing the vehicle data, the data storage unit being configured to generate a first emergency initiation signal in response to receipt of the accident indicator from the vehicle; and computer executable instructions downloadable onto the smart phone for configuring the smart phone to:
communicate with the data storage unit;receive a second emergency initiation signal from the user;generate a third emergency initiation signal in response to detection of the prescribed vehicle operational condition by the smart phone; andoperate in a diagnostic mode and an emergency mode;
in the diagnostic mode, the smart phone uploads vehicle data to the remote diagnostic center when the vehicle data includes predetermined operational data, and initiates a symptomatic question sequence for the user when the vehicle data does not include the predetermined operational data and there is no accident indicator received from the vehicle; andin the emergency mode, the smart phone uploads vehicle data to the remote diagnostic center automatically in response to receipt of one of the first, second, and third emergency initiation signals.