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  Vehicle diagnostic systemUSPTO Application #: 20060089768Title: Vehicle diagnostic system Abstract: The present invention provides a vehicle diagnostic system comprising an electronic control unit for controlling and monitoring vehicle equipment, a radio communication means for transmitting a vehicle diagnostic information to a telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle or for communicating between the vehicle and the telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle and for transmitting a communication diagnostic signal to the electronic control unit and receiving a response signal to the communication diagnostic signal, and a communication line for connecting the electronic control unit and the radio communication means wherein the response signal is utilized to determine if the communication line is properly functional. (end of abstract) Agent: Dickstein Shapiro Morin & Oshinsky LLP - Washington, DC, US Inventors: Kohei Sakurai, Nobuyasu Kanekawa, Minoru Ohsuga, Masatoshi Hoshino, Yoichi Iihoshi, Yutaka Takaku USPTO Applicaton #: 20060089768 - Class: 701029000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Data Processing: Vehicles, Navigation, And Relative Location, Vehicle Control, Guidance, Operation, Or Indication, Vehicle Diagnosis Or Maintenance Indication The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060089768. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a diagnostic system in a vehicle such as an automobile, and more specifically, to a vehicle diagnostic system that transmits a diagnostic information or signal of a vehicle by means of radio communication. DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART [0002] Vehicle diagnosis pertains to self-diagnosis of an abnormality of an engine, a transmission, and the like. The OBD II (On-Board Diagnosis II) system of the United States is one example of this vehicle diagnostic system. The system is particularly suited to detecting deterioration in exhaust emissions using an engine electronic control unit, and then notifying the vehicle user of the failure. The diagnostic information at this time is stored in a memory in the engine ECU as a code corresponding to the failure. The diagnostic information can be read by connecting an external scan tool to the engine ECU via a diagnosis connector at a repair shop. In the repair shop, repair in response to the failure code is performed. [0003] Currently, for reducing diagnostic costs and shortening a period from failure to repair, an OBD III system, which is a system further developed from the OBD II system, is being reviewed by the California atmospheric resource bureau in the United States. The OBD III system is characterized in that a monitor station, base station (collectively refer to as "telecommunication equipment") and the like, automatically collects diagnostic information radio-transmitted from each vehicle. In this regard, the integrity of the diagnostic information becomes crucial. Unfortunately, either through vehicle operator's manipulation or diagnostic system failure, the diagnostic information is not always accurate. [0004] Conventionally, a mechanism to judge whether or not vehicle diagnostic information is correctly transmitted toward a telecommunication equipment is both costly and unreliable due to the numerous components necessitated by previous systems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention provides a vehicle diagnostic system capable of transmitting diagnostic information or signal of a vehicle to outside of the vehicle by means of radio communication like OBD III, detecting abnormality of the vehicle diagnostic system, which is caused by a failure of the vehicle diagnostic system itself or by manipulation of a vehicle operator and notifying the vehicle operator and/or a telecommunication equipment about the abnormality of the vehicle diagnostic system. In addition, the present invention provides a vehicle diagnostic system at low cost without newly adding a s dedicated radio communication means for transmitting diagnostic information or signal of a vehicle to a telecommunication equipment by means of radio communication. In this way, it becomes possible to produce vehicles, which support OBD III, and the like, while minimizing costs. [0006] In an object of the present invention a vehicle diagnostic system is provided comprising an electronic control unit for controlling and monitoring vehicle equipment, a radio communication means for transmitting a vehicle diagnostic information to a telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle or for communicating between the vehicle and the telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle and for transmitting a communication diagnostic signal to the electronic control unit and receiving a response signal to the communication diagnostic signal, and a communication line for connecting the electronic control unit and the radio communication means wherein the response signal is utilized to determine if the communication line is properly functional. [0007] In another object of the present invention a vehicle diagnostic system is provided comprising an electronic control unit for controlling and monitoring vehicle equipment, a radio communication means for transmitting a vehicle diagnostic information to a telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle or for communicating between the vehicle and the telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle, and a communication line for connecting the electronic control unit and the radio communication means; wherein the transmitted vehicle diagnostic information is returned back to the radio communication means by the telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle and compared to the vehicle diagnostic information stored in the electronic control unit to determine if the radio communication means is properly functional. [0008] In yet another object of the present invention a vehicle diagnostic system is provided comprising an electronic control unit for controlling and monitoring vehicle equipment, a radio communication means for transmitting a vehicle diagnostic information to a telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle or for communicating between the vehicle and the telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle, and a communication line for connecting the electronic control unit and the radio communication means; wherein the radio communication means transmits or receives information other than the vehicle diagnostic information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The above advantages and features of the invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description which is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings. [0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to the first embodiment of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to the second embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to the third embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 5 is a block diagram for stopping an engine in a case where a vehicle user does not carry out repair or improvement within a predetermined period of time in the vehicle diagnostic system of FIG. 4; [0015] FIG. 6 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIG. 8 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 9 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 10 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention; [0020] FIG. 11 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention; Continue reading... Full patent description for Vehicle diagnostic system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Vehicle diagnostic system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Vehicle diagnostic system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Systems and methods for control of an unmanned ground vehicle Next Patent Application: Vehicles fault diagnostic systems and methods Industry Class: Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Vehicle diagnostic system patent info. 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