Remote diagnostic and repair system

Abstract

A system for remotely diagnosing and repairing a computer controlled asset includes an access point connected to a computer controlled asset thereby allowing electronic access to the computer system of the computer controlled asset. A service center remotely connected to the access point provides diagnostic review and repair of the computer controlled asset. An interface linking the access point to the service center allows the service center to communicate with the computer controlled asset via the access point.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A system for connecting a computer controlled asset to a service center for remotely diagnosing and repairing the computer controlled asset comprising:
 an access point operable to be connected to the computer controlled asset thereby allowing electronic access to a computer system of the computer controlled asset; and   a network in communication with the access point and the service center for linking the access point to the service center so that the service center remotely communicates with the computer system of the computer controlled asset via the access point for providing remote diagnostic review and repair of the computer controlled asset through the network,   the service center being operable to remotely transmit a software update through the network to the access point based on the remote diagnostic review, and   the access point being operable to transmit the software update to the computer controlled asset for repairing of the computer controlled asset.   
     
     
         22 . The system of claim  1  wherein the computer controlled asset is a home appliance. 
     
     
         23 . The system of claim  1  wherein the computer controlled asset is one of an elevator and an escalator. 
     
     
         24 . The system of claim  1  wherein the access point is removeably connected to the computer controlled asset. 
     
     
         25 . The system of claim  1  wherein the network is in communication with a plurality of service centers, the access point being operable to transmit a service request having asset identifying information to the network, and the network is operable to receive the service request and route the service request to an appropriate service center based at least in part on the asset identifying information. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the network is operable to link the access point to two or more of the plurality of service centers so that multiple appropriate service centers provide remote diagnostic review of the computer controlled vehicular asset. 
     
     
         27 . The system of claim  1  wherein the access point comprises a camera controlled by at least one of the multiple appropriate service centers for capturing video of the computer controlled asset, the video being operable to be transmitted to the at least one of the multiple appropriate service centers thereby facilitating the diagnoses and repair of the computer controlled asset. 
     
     
         28 . The system of claim  1  wherein the access point comprises a microphone controlled by at least one of the multiple appropriate service centers for capturing sound from the computer controlled asset, the sound being operable to be transmitted to the at least one of the multiple appropriate service centers thereby facilitating the diagnoses and repair of the computer controlled asset. 
     
     
         29 . A method of remotely diagnosing and repairing a computer controlled asset comprising the steps of:
 providing an access point connectable to a computer system of the computer controlled asset;   connecting the access point to a network upon connection of the access point to the computer system of the computer controlled asset;   connecting the network to a plurality of service centers, each of the plurality of service centers having at least one asset specific skill set;   receiving a service request at the network from the access point, the service request having asset identifying information corresponding to the computer controlled asset connected to the access point;   routing the service request through the network to at least one appropriate service center chosen among the plurality of service centers, the at least one appropriate service center being chosen by the computer system based at least in part on matching the asset identifying information of the service request to the at least one asset specific skill set of the at least one appropriate service center;   connecting the at least one appropriate service center to the computer controlled asset through the access point for the at least one appropriate service center to remotely diagnose the computer controlled asset;   receiving a software update at the access point, the software update communicated remotely from the at least one appropriate service center; and   transmitting the software update from the access point to the computer system of the computer controlled asset for repairing a malfunction of the computer controlled asset.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the vehicular asset identifying information includes an identification of one or more manufacturers of components of the computer controlled asset and the at least one asset specific skill set of each of the plurality of service centers includes providing remote diagnosis and repair of a particular manufacturer software. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the step of routing the service request further comprises routing the service request through the network to a plurality of appropriate service centers chosen among the plurality of service centers, each of the plurality of appropriate service centers being chosen by the computer system based at least in part on matching the one or more manufacturers of components identified in the asset identifying information to the at least one appropriate service center having the at least one asset specific skill set for providing remote diagnosis and repair of the particular manufacturer software. 
     
     
         32 . A method of remotely diagnosing and repairing a computer controlled asset comprising the steps of:
 providing an access point connectable to the computer controlled asset;   connecting the access point to a network;   connecting the network to a service center, the service center being remote from the computer controlled asset;   receiving a service request having asset identifying information and routing the service request through the network to at least one of the plurality of service centers based at least in part on the vehicular asset identifying information;   connecting electronically the at least one service center to the computer controlled vehicular asset through the network and access point for the at least one service center to remotely diagnose the computer controlled vehicular asset;   receiving a software update at the access point, the software update communicated remotely from the at least one service center; and   transmitting the software update from the access point to the computer controlled vehicular asset for repairing a malfunction of the computer controlled vehicular asset.   
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising transmitting a work order report generated by the at least one service center to an access point user summarizing the diagnosis and repairs conducted. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33  further comprising transmitting a parts authorization request to an access point user indicating replacement component parts needed to repair the computer controlled vehicular asset. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  further comprising notifying the access point user when the replacement component parts are available for installation. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the at least one service center is connected to the access point via the internet. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the at least one service center is connected to the access point via wired technology. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the at least one service center is connected to the access point via wireless technology. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the access point comprises a camera controlled by the at least one service center for capturing video of the computer controlled asset, the video being transmitted to the at least one service center thereby facilitating the diagnoses and repair of the computer controlled vehicular asset. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the computer controlled asset is one of a home appliance, an elevator, and an escalator.