Wireless network and methodology for automotive service systems

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for forming a wireless communications network using a standard communications link between a master controller and at least one slave device. In one example, a list of available slave devices for the network is generated, valid slave devices are determined from the list of available slave devices based on an identification protocol of the standard communications link, and the at least one slave device is selected from the valid slave devices. A network identification is established between the master controller and the at least one slave device, and the network identification is used to establish a network comprising only the master controller and the at least one slave device.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A vehicle service system comprising:
 a camera comprising a main processor and a camera subsystem; and   at least one slave device,   wherein:
 the camera subsystem comprises a master controller configured for wireless communication with the at least one slave device using a standard communications link, 
 the main processor of the camera and the master controller of the camera subsystem are in communications with each other, 
 the slave device is configured to gather vehicle data and transmit the vehicle data to the master controller via the standard communications link, and 
 the master controller performs a service system host functionality including pre-processing of the vehicle data collected by the at least one slave device. 
   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the vehicle data comprises measurement data, and the master controller and main processor are configured to calculate results based on the measurement data. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the vehicle service system is a vehicle wheel alignment system, the measurement data is sensor data, and the master controller and main processor are configured to calculate vehicle wheel alignment angles. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the master controller further comprises a memory storing vehicle specification data, and the master controller is configured to retrieve and process the vehicle specification data. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the slave device is configured to gather sensor data, and the master controller calculates vehicle alignment angles from the sensor data and serves the calculated vehicle alignment angles as a web page to a browser-based client. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein each slave device of the at least one slave device comprises a camera. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the master controller provides a communications link between the vehicle service system and a management system of a vehicle service facility. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the master controller is configured to provide the vehicle data to the management system of the vehicle service facility, and to receive information from the management system of the vehicle service facility. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein the master controller is configured for wireless communication with one or more of a vehicle's internal sensors, external tire pressure sensors, ride height sensors, and steering wheel angle sensors. 
     
     
         40 . the system of  claim 31 , wherein the master controller is configured for wireless communication with the at least one slave device using a Bluetooth communication protocol. 
     
     
         41 . the system of  claim 31 , wherein the master controller is configured for wireless communication with the at least one slave device using a Wifi communication protocol. 
     
     
         42 . the system of  claim 31 , wherein the master controller is configured for wireless communication with the at least one slave device using a Zigbee communication protocol. 
     
     
         43 . the system of  claim 31 , wherein the master controller is configured for wireless communication with the at least one slave device using an ultra wide band (UWB) communication protocol.