Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system and method of performing vehicle diagnostics includes a local system that is adapted to connect with a vehicle and a remote system that is adapted to connect with the local system via an Internet. The local system has a vehicle interface and a local computer system operatively connected with the vehicle interface. The local computer system operates a diagnostic program specific to the vehicle under test. The remote system has a remote diagnostic control program. The remote diagnostic control program interfaces with the local computer system for performing a diagnostic evaluation of a vehicle under test. The remote system controls the local system to perform the diagnostic evaluation of the vehicle under test exclusive of the local system operator.

Abstract: A system and method to rapidly perform emissions measurements of in-use vehicles being driven by the general public under normal driving use for determining whether the vehicles are performing in accordance to the regulatory standards by which they were certified. The system and method require no recruitment testing of in-use vehicles with potentially detectable connections, but instead incorporate a vehicle emissions remote sensing device that does not require mechanical or electrical connection to the vehicle, with the measured values being recorded and the vehicles identified, including based on, for example, make and model, engine size, engine combustion management technology and/or pollution control technology.

Abstract: A system and method to rapidly perform emissions measurements of in-use vehicles being driven by the general public for comparison with vehicle inspection OBD emission fault code testing results for determining if the inspection results indicate that false failures are being generated for a particular vehicle group, such as based on make and model, engine size, engine combustion management technology and/or pollution control technology, or determining if the inspection results correlate with increased in-use emissions. The system may access or integrate with a database of vehicle inspection OBD emission fault code testing results that may be analyzed to evaluate the existence of higher than normal or expected OBD failure rates for emissions related items. The system and method require no recruitment testing of in-use vehicles with potentially detectable connections, but instead incorporate a vehicle emissions remote sensing device that does not require mechanical or electrical connection to the vehicle.

Abstract: The transport authentication system and method includes an electronic vehicle identification device configured to connect to a vehicle that is registered for on-call or scheduled transportation use with a service provider organization (“SPO”) to obtain vehicle identification information from the vehicle, such as by being connected to the OBD port of the vehicle. The obtained vehicle identification information is transmitted to a SPO for comparison with identification authentication information retained by the SPO. A notice may then be transmitted to a potential passenger or package owner to notify the individual that the vehicle is an authentic, authorized vehicle for transport service. Driver identification information may additionally be obtained for comparison to driver identification authentication information retained by the SPO. Notification may thus also be transmitted to the potential passenger or package owner that the driver is the authorized, registered driver.

Abstract: The transport authentication system and method includes an electronic vehicle identification device configured to connect to a vehicle that is registered for on-call or scheduled transportation use with a service provider organization (“SPO”) to obtain vehicle identification information from the vehicle, such as by being connected to the OBD port of the vehicle. The obtained vehicle identification information is transmitted to a SPO for comparison with identification authentication information retained by the SPO. A notice may then be transmitted to a potential passenger or package owner to notify the individual that the vehicle is an authentic, authorized vehicle for transport service. Driver identification information may additionally be obtained for comparison to driver identification authentication information retained by the SPO. Notification may thus also be transmitted to the potential passenger or package owner that the driver is the authorized, registered driver.

Abstract: The transport authentication system and method includes an electronic vehicle identification device configured to connect to a vehicle that is registered for on-call or scheduled transportation use with a service provider organization (“SPO”) to obtain vehicle identification information from the vehicle, such as by being connected to the OBD port of the vehicle. The obtained vehicle identification information is transmitted to a SPO for comparison with identification authentication information retained by the SPO. A notice may then be transmitted to a potential passenger or package owner to notify the individual that the vehicle is an authentic, authorized vehicle for transport service. Driver identification information may additionally be obtained for comparison to driver identification authentication information retained by the SPO. Notification may thus also be transmitted to the potential passenger or package owner that the driver is the authorized, registered driver.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring operation of vehicle automation systems utilizes an electronic vehicle monitor configured to connect to a computer system of a vehicle via the on board diagnostics (“OBD”) port of the vehicle. The electronic vehicle monitor is configured to obtain operational status information of the activation or use of vehicle automation systems of the vehicle, such as of an automated braking system, automated acceleration system, automated steering system, automated vehicle navigation system, automated collision avoidance system, and an automated cruise control system. The electronic vehicle monitor transmits the obtained operational status information to a computing device, such as a mobile computer of a passenger or the vehicle driver, or to a remotely located computer.

Abstract: The transport authentication system and method includes an electronic vehicle identification device configured to connect to a vehicle that is registered for on-call or scheduled transportation use with a service provider organization (“SPO”) to obtain vehicle identification information from the vehicle, such as by being connected to the OBD port of the vehicle. The obtained vehicle identification information is transmitted to a SPO for comparison with identification authentication information retained by the SPO. A notice may then be transmitted to a potential passenger or package owner to notify the individual that the vehicle is an authentic, authorized vehicle for transport service. Driver identification information may additionally be obtained for comparison to driver identification authentication information retained by the SPO. Notification may thus also be transmitted to the potential passenger or package owner that the driver is the authorized, registered driver.

Abstract: A system and method to rapidly perform emissions measurements of in-use vehicles being driven by the general public under normal driving use for determining whether the vehicles are performing in accordance to the regulatory standards by which they were certified. The system and method require no recruitment testing of in-use vehicles with potentially detectable connections, but instead incorporate a vehicle emissions remote sensing device that does not require mechanical or electrical connection to the vehicle, with the measured values being recorded and the vehicles identified, including based on, for example, make and model, engine size, engine combustion management technology and/or pollution control technology.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use at a motor vehicle emission test station, providing wireless communication between a computer and a technician. The computer includes a sound card and voice recognition software, and is housed in a console, having test equipment, video and audio transmitters, and an audio receiver. The technician wears a portable user interface, including a communications pack with a video receiver, an audio receiver, an audio transmitter, and a battery pack. The interface also includes a special helmet, equipped with a video display, a microphone, and headphones. The wireless communications link established by these transmitters, receivers, and interface components enables the technician to carry out testing and inspection procedures on a motor vehicle in a location remote from the computer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-intrusive testing of the rate and total amount of vapor flow through the canister purge line in a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a clamping structure, adapted for temporary attachment to the purge line leading from the evaporative canister to the engine's intake manifold. A vapor flow sensing system is provided within the structure. Both thermal loss and acoustical phase shift detection based sensing systems are disclosed herein. An operator secures the clamp over any portion of the purge line, and the vehicle's engine is put through a driving test cycle. The output of the sensing system is displayed, recorded, and integrated, for a subsequent pass/fail determination using predetermined vapor flow values.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the non-intrusive testing of evaporative fuel vapor systems of motor vehicles. A portable pressure control and monitoring unit is inserted into the fuel filler neck of a vehicle. The vapor vent line, leading from the fuel tank to the charcoal canister of the evaporative system, is temporarily clamped off. Pressurized gas is introduced into the unit from an operator's console, expanding a ring bladder and sealing an annular volume between the unit and the filler neck. Gas is then passed through the unit into the contained volume of the evaporative system. After the neck cap is replaced, an automatic timer deflates the ring bladder, charging the remaining volume of the evaporative system. Pressure decay data is collected and stored in the unit's digital storage device. Initially, this data is used in a pass/fail determination made by a microprocessor in the unit. Later, the data is downloaded into a separate computer for archival purposes.

Abstract: A two dimensional light beam array from which a plume of smoke, such as from a diesel engine, passes. Beams of light are projected across the array by light sources for detection by light detectors in order to measure the transmittance or opacity of the beam of smoke between any given source and detector. By projecting beams of light in two dimensions across the array, the diameter and length of intersection of the light beam which projects through the diameter may be determined. To determine this length enables a calculation of a smoke density value for that plume of smoke. Also, by projecting beams of light in two dimensions across the array the position of the smoke plume within the array may be determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the concentration of one or more emission gases in the exhaust of a vehicle, including a conventional gas analyzer and a transducer for monitoring at least one parameter directly related to the operating condition of the vehicle. Samples of gas emissions are supplied to the gas analyzer and the transducer is monitored while the vehicle is operated in a convention manner. A running history of readings of exhaust gas concentration(s) of interest is maintained during vehicle operation with earlier readings being supplanted by recent ones. Upon the occurrence of a predetermined event, the running history is preserved in order to provide a correlation between the exhaust gas concentrations and known operating parameters of the vehicle.