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.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:  
     
         1 . 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 said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle, and for transmitting a communication diagnostic signal to said electronic control unit and receiving a response signal to said communication diagnostic signal; and    a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means wherein said response signal is utilized to determine if said communication line is properly functional.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein if said communication line is determined not to be properly functional a notification signal is transmitted to said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle by said radio communication means.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said transmitted vehicle diagnostic information is returned back to said radio communication means by said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle and compared to the vehicle diagnostic information stored in said electronic control unit to determine if said radio communication means is properly functional.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein if said communication line is determined not to be properly functional a notification signal is transmitted to a vehicle operator.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein if said communication line is determined not to be properly functional for a predetermined period of time said system disables said vehicle equipment from operation.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said communication line signifies a serial communication line or a radio communication.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said radio communication means transmits or receives information other than said vehicle diagnostic information.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said radio communication means is included in an on-vehicle information equipment.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said radio communication means is included in a cellular phone.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said radio communication means is included in a vehicle anti-theft system.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein said vehicle anti-theft system utilizes an ignition key as said radio communication means.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said radio communication means is included in a keyless engine starting system.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said keyless engine starting system utilizes an ignition key as said radio communication means.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 7  wherein said radio communication means is included in a radar device.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said radio communication means is capable of connecting to an external scan-tool connector.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  wherein a radio communication means is provided in an engine compartment of said vehicle.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said system utilizes a harness which connects said electronic control unit to said vehicle equipment as an antenna for transmitting said vehicle diagnostic information.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said telecommunication equipment is located on a road.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said system complies with an On Board Diagnosis III system.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said vehicle diagnostic information is transmitted through the internet.  
     
     
         21 . 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 said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle; and    a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means;    wherein: 
 said transmitted vehicle diagnostic information is returned back to said radio communication means by said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle and compared to the vehicle diagnostic information stored in said electronic control unit to determine if said radio communication means is properly functional.  
   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein if said radio communication means is determined not to be properly functional a notification signal is transmitted to a vehicle operator.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein if radio communication means is determined not to be properly functional for a predetermined period of time said system disables said vehicle equipment from operation.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said communication line signifies a serial communication line or a radio communication.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said radio communication means transmits or receives information other than said vehicle diagnostic information.  
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said radio communication means is included in an on-vehicle information equipment.  
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said radio communication means is included in a cellular phone.  
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said radio communication means is included in a vehicle anti-theft system.  
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 28  wherein said vehicle anti-theft system utilizes an ignition key as said radio communication means.  
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said radio communication means is included in a keyless engine starting system.  
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 30  wherein said keyless engine starting system utilizes an ignition key as said radio communication means.  
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 25  wherein said radio communication means is included in a radar device.  
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said radio communication means is capable of connecting to an external scan-tool connector.  
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 21  wherein a radio communication means is provided in an engine compartment of said vehicle.  
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said system utilizes a harness which connects said electronic control unit to said vehicle equipment as an antenna for transmitting said vehicle diagnostic information.  
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said telecommunication equipment is located on a road.  
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said system complies with an On Board Diagnosis III system.  
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 21  wherein said vehicle diagnostic information is transmitted through the internet.  
     
     
         39 . 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 said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle; and    a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means;    wherein: 
 said radio communication means transmits or receives information other than said vehicle diagnostic information.  
   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein said radio communication means is included in an on-vehicle information equipment.  
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 39  wherein said radio communication means is included in a cellular phone.  
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 39  wherein said radio communication means is included in a vehicle anti-theft system.  
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 42  wherein said vehicle anti-theft system utilizes an ignition key as said radio communication means.  
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 39  wherein said radio communication means is included in a keyless engine starting system.  
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 44  wherein said keyless engine starting system utilizes an ignition key as said radio communication means.  
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 39  wherein said radio communication means is included in a radar device.  
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 39  wherein said system complies with an On Board Diagnosis III system.  
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 39  wherein said vehicle diagnostic information is transmitted through the internet.  
     
     
         49 . 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 said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle, and for transmitting a communication diagnostic signal to said electronic control unit and receiving a response signal to said communication diagnostic signal; and    a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means wherein said response signal is utilized to determine if said communication line is properly functional;    wherein: 
 said transmitted vehicle diagnostic information is returned back to said radio communication means by said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle and compared to the vehicle diagnostic information stored in said electronic control unit to determine if said radio communication means is properly functional; and  
 said radio communication means transmits or receives information other than said vehicle diagnostic information.  
   
     
     
         50 . A vehicle comprising a diagnostic system said 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 said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle, and for transmitting a communication diagnostic signal to said electronic control unit and receiving a response signal to said communication diagnostic signal; and    a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means wherein said response signal is utilized to determine if said communication line is properly functional.    
     
     
         51 . A vehicle comprising a diagnostic system said 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 said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle; and    a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means;    wherein: 
 said transmitted vehicle diagnostic information is returned back to said radio communication means by said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle and compared to the vehicle diagnostic information stored in said electronic control unit to determine if said radio communication means is properly functional.  
   
     
     
         52 . A vehicle comprising a diagnostic system said 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 said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle; and    a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means;    wherein: 
 said radio communication means transmits or receives information other than said vehicle diagnostic information.  
   
     
     
         53 . A vehicle comprising a diagnostic system said 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 said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle, and for transmitting a communication diagnostic signal to said electronic control unit and receiving a response signal to said communication diagnostic signal; and    a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means wherein said response signal is utilized to determine if said communication line is properly functional;    wherein: 
 said radio communication means transmits or receives information other than said vehicle diagnostic information.  
   
     
     
         54 . A vehicle comprising a diagnostic system said 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 said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle; and    a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means;    wherein: 
 said transmitted vehicle diagnostic information is returned back to said radio communication means by said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle and compared to the vehicle diagnostic information stored in said electronic control unit to determine if said radio communication means is properly functional; and  
 said radio communication means transmits or receives information other than said vehicle diagnostic information.  
   
     
     
         55 . A vehicle comprising a diagnostic system said 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 said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle, and for transmitting a communication diagnostic signal to said electronic control unit and receiving a response signal to said communication diagnostic signal; and    a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means wherein said response signal is utilized to determine if said communication line is properly functional;    wherein: 
 said transmitted vehicle diagnostic information is returned back to said radio communication means by said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle and compared to the vehicle diagnostic information stored in said electronic control unit to determine if said radio communication means is properly functional; and  
 said radio communication means transmits or receives information other than said vehicle diagnostic information.  
   
     
     
         56 . A method of diagnosing a vehicle comprising the steps of: 
 providing an electronic control unit for controlling and monitoring vehicle equipment;    providing a radio communication means for transmitting a vehicle diagnostic information to a telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle or for communicating between said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle, and for transmitting a communication diagnostic signal to said electronic control unit and receiving a response signal to said communication diagnostic signal; and    providing a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means wherein said response signal is utilized to determine if said communication line is properly functional.    
     
     
         57 . A method of diagnosing a vehicle comprising the steps of: 
 providing an electronic control unit for controlling and monitoring vehicle equipment;    providing a radio communication means for transmitting a vehicle diagnostic information to a telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle or for communicating between said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle; and    providing a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means;    wherein: 
 said transmitted vehicle diagnostic information is returned back to said radio communication means by said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle and compared to the vehicle diagnostic information stored in said electronic control unit to determine if said radio communication means is properly functional.  
   
     
     
         58 . A method of diagnosing a vehicle comprising the steps of: 
 providing an electronic control unit for controlling and monitoring vehicle equipment;    providing a radio communication means for transmitting a vehicle diagnostic information to a telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle or for communicating between said vehicle and said telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle; and    providing a communication line for connecting said electronic control unit and said radio communication means;    wherein: 
 said radio communication means transmits or receives information other than said vehicle diagnostic information.