System for interfacing with an on-board engine control system in a vehicle

Abstract

An in-vehicle device data communicates with Internet based data processing resources for the purpose of transacting e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business. The in-vehicle device and the Internet based data processing resources can effectuate a wide variety of e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business including accessing auto part databases, warranty, customer, and other remote databases. In addition, e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business transactions can include vehicle security and vehicle service management, data communicating Internet based radio, audio, MP3, MPEG, video, and other types of data. Furthermore, e-mail, e-commerce, and e-business transactions can include interactive advertising, promotional offers, coupons, and supporting other remote data communications. The in-vehicle device can also include functionality for remote monitoring of vehicle performance, data communicating and accessing remote Internet based content and data, and effectuating adjustments and control of vehicle operation. Remote monitoring and control of vehicle operation can be by way of an Internet based data processing resource and can include engine control system programming and setting adjustment, vehicle monitoring, and transmission of vehicle telemetry and metric data. Vehicle telemetry and metric data can include global positioning system (GPS) data, vehicle operational data, engine performance data, and other vehicle data. The in-vehicle device can also wirelessly data communicate with a communication interface device (COM device) or an Internet appliance. Such COM devices or Internet appliances can data communicate wirelessly with an in-vehicle device and simultaneously data communicate in a wired or wireless mode of operation to Internet based data processing resources, and to other data processing resources.

1 . A system for interfacing with an on-board engine control system in a vehicle, wherein the on-board engine control system monitors engine performance data, the system comprising: 
 an in-vehicle device which during use communicates with the vehicle's on-board engine control system, said in-vehicle device comprising a wireless communication component and a data-collection component, said wireless communication component configured to download from a wireless network a signal identifying selected data of the engine performance data that are monitored by the on-board engine control system, said data-collection component configured to perform selected functions on the downloaded signal and to collect from the vehicle's on board engine control system data of the identified selected data and to collect from the vehicle's on-board engine control system data of the identified selected data, said wireless communication component being further configured to transmit said collected data over the wireless network to a computer system.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer system is configured to transmit the signal identifying the selected data.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is an ASCII or binary data file.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a computer system that includes at least one web-hosting computer that hosts an internet-based web site, and at least one, separate computer that receives outgoing data and sends incoming data.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the separate computer that receives the outgoing data and sends the incoming data is connected to the wireless network.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the separate computer is connected to a digital communication line that is connected to the wireless network.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operation characteristics include at least one of the following: 
 diagnostic data, vehicle speed, fuel level, fuel pressure, miles per gallon, engine RPM, mileage, oil pressure, oil temperature, tire pressure, tire temperature, engine coolant temperature, intake-manifold pressure, engine performance data, alarm status, accelerometer status, cruise-control status, fuel-injector performance, spark-plug timing, and a status of an anti-lock braking system.    
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer system is further configured to send an electronic mail message that comprises all or part of the vehicle diagnostic data.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the in-vehicle device is configured to send an outgoing data packet that indicates a vehicle's location.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the computer system comprises software that analyzes the vehicle's location and displays it on a map.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data-collection component is configured to repeatedly collect said data from the vehicle's on-board diagnostic computer data at times determined by a first schedule.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication component is configured to repeatedly transmit the collected data over the wireless network to the computer system at times determined by a first schedule.