Determining Repair Needed To Correct Fault Patents (Class 701/31.6)
  • Patent number: 8793048
    Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for analyzing operation of a multiple-state device, such as a vehicular automatic transmission under multiple-fault occurrence. An identifier identifies all possible path sequences of an initial state responsive to occurrence of all possible faults and all possible remediation actions. The paths are identified for a multiple-fault occurrence of two or more faults. For each of the possible paths, a hazard level is assigned, and the hazard levels are sorted to obtain preferred path sequences. Analysis of the possible paths and their associated hazard levels is made, and a state control scheme is formulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas E. Mathews
  • Patent number: 8768563
    Abstract: A test apparatus is for electric vehicle supply equipment. The test apparatus includes an enclosure; a processor; and an interface to at least the electric vehicle supply equipment. The processor is structured to test that the electric vehicle supply equipment is functioning properly and to provide at least one of: a number of causes of failure of the electric vehicle supply equipment, an indication of how to correct the failure, automatic correction of the failure, and predictive maintenance of the electric vehicle supply equipment prior to a failure thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Jason-David Nitzberg, Phillip J. Speeks, Matthew S. Piers, Paul D. Seff, Jonathan K. Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20140088819
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a visual reporting system generates a 3-dimensional (3D) interactive vehicle inspection report comprising 3D model data and inspection data for a particular vehicle. The inspection data, such as recommended repair items, are associated with graphical vehicle sections in the 3D model. Further, additional inspection data, such as instructional videos or inspection photographs, can be provided to a user desiring additional detail. By providing an interactive visual representation of inspection data, the 3D inspection report provides a report that can be customized to provide different levels of detail to different users. In addition, the 3D model can provide a visually compact summary of the inspection data by marking on the 3D model the repair items for the vehicle. Use of the 3D inspection report can raise the likelihood that the vehicle owner understands the need for repair, leading to more repair orders for repair facilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Service Repair Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Darek Easterly, David A. Boyle, David Leland Preece, Jennifer Ada Real, Leslie J. Silver, Marcus Isaac Daley
  • Patent number: 8676432
    Abstract: A vehicle fault diagnosis and prognosis system includes a computing platform configured to receive a classifier from a remote server, the computing platform tangibly embodying computer-executable instructions for evaluating data sequences received from a vehicle control network and applying the classifier to the data sequences, wherein the classifier is configured to determine if the data sequences define a pattern that is associated with a particular fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Debprakash Patnaik, Pulak Bandyopadhyay, Steven W. Holland, Kootaala P. Unnikrishnan, George Paul Montgomery, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8645019
    Abstract: A method and system for comparing and merging fault models which are derived from different data sources. Two or more fault models are first represented as bipartite weighted graphs, which define correlations between failure modes and symptoms. The nodes of the graphs are compared to find failure modes and symptoms which are the same even though the specific terminology may be different. A graph matching method is then used to compare the graphs and determine which failure mode and symptom correlations are common between them. Finally, smoothing techniques and domain expert knowledge are used to merge and update the fault models, producing an integrated fault model which can be used by onboard vehicle systems, service facilities, and others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Satnam Singh, Steven W. Holland, Pulak Bandyopadhyay
  • Patent number: 8600831
    Abstract: A system includes a database that stores an expert knowledgebase, and one or more servers configured to implement an expert system. The one or more servers receive sensor data associated with sensors from automobile maintenance systems associated with respective ones of multiple automobiles, and analyze the sensor data, using the expert system and the expert knowledgebase, to diagnose whether the multiple automobiles require maintenance and/or repair. The one or more servers send, via a network, results of the analysis of the sensor data to service stations for scheduling maintenance and/or repair of the multiple automobiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Hong Xiao, Afshin Moshrefi, Rahul Khushoo, Dongchen Wang
  • Patent number: 8600611
    Abstract: A system for measuring fatigue of a component of an aircraft subject to mechanical stresses includes: a plurality of stress sensors mounted on the component, each sensor being configured to detect a predetermined mechanical stress threshold and to deliver a data signal representative of exceeding of the threshold; and a mechanism for recording the data and the sensors configured to detect different stress thresholds so as to make it possible to calculate, on the basis of the data recorded by the system, an estimation of fatigue of the component due to the mechanical stresses. It is thus possible to optimize overhaul of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: SNECMA
    Inventor: Guilhem Seize
  • Patent number: 8600627
    Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring device and to a method for monitoring the function of the components of an agricultural implement, with a vibration sensor for providing signal values containing information on mechanical vibrations generated by moving components of the implement, an operating state detecting device for providing a signal containing information on the operating state of components of the implement, and a calculating device for generating state information on the basis of the state of the components of the implement. The calculating device can be operated to divide the signal values of the vibration sensor on the basis of the corresponding signals of the operating state detecting device into different classes, which correspond to different combinations of the operating states of the components in the detection of the signal values, and to compare the signal values divided into classes or data derived from these signal values with comparison values for generating state information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Folker Beck, Lutz Bischoff
  • Publication number: 20130317694
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing. In an example, the computing device may be configured to receive vehicle information including identification information of a vehicle and/or information describing condition of the vehicle. The computing device also may be configured to match the vehicle information to content of a vehicle repair database so as to identify repair information relating to the vehicle. The computing device further may be configured to receive geographic information identifying a geographic location relating to the vehicle. The computing device also may be configured to provide, to a communication network, a subset of the identified repair information based on the geographic information. The service advisor may be able to access the subset of the identified repair information on a display device coupled to the computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, R. Steven Brozovich
  • Publication number: 20130297143
    Abstract: A method of processing vehicle diagnostic data is provided for identifying likely vehicle fix(s) associated with a diagnostic data, and identifying a repair procedure(s) for correcting the likely fix(s). The process receiving vehicle diagnostic data from a vehicle onboard computer at a remote diagnostic database, the database being arranged to map vehicle diagnostic data to possible vehicle fix(s). The possible vehicle fix(s) are prioritized in accordance with ranked matches of the received diagnostic data to combinations of diagnostic data stored in a prior experience database. The prior experience database having an identified fix associated with each stored combination of diagnostic data. The fix associated with the highest ranked combination of diagnostic data is identified as the most likely fix. The most likely fix is mapped to a vehicle repair database, the most likely fix being directly mapped to an associated repair procedure for repairing the most likely fix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: INNOVA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ieon C. Chen, Robert Madison, Keith Andreasen
  • Patent number: 8565959
    Abstract: Multiple leak rate methodologies are combined and operate in parallel in a system for providing optimal results under different tire conditions. The methodologies may operate continuously or alternatively. Tandem large leak rate and low leak rate algorithms and methodology, for example, may deployed in a system in which, for large leak rates, a large leak rate methodology is employed and used to trigger a warning. At some pre-designated low leak rate threshold value, the system employs a low leak rate methodology either as an exclusive diagnostic monitor or in parallel with the companion large leak rate methodology. In the low leak rate analytical system, a change in tire pressure is correlated to a change in energy within a vehicle system pursuant to the algorithm W=??P*dx and derivative algorithms are used to calculate a final time and pressure drop at the final time as a basis for issuing a low pressure warning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventor: Jack Edward Brown, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8560159
    Abstract: In order to monitor and wirelessly signal data (D, D*) containing information (DRK) about the pressure conditions present in pneumatic tires of wheels of a vehicle, it is proposed to transmit the data from electronic modules (wheel electronics) disposed in the wheels wirelessly to a controller disposed in the vehicle, wherein no data is transmitted during a stopped mode of the vehicle, and wherein the data (D*) is transmitted in the form of datagrams (DT*) during at least one further mode, which is preferably associated with a starting mode of the vehicle, in that at least intermittently a plurality of, preferably shortened, datagrams (DT*) containing the same data (D*) are consecutively transmitted in a cumulative manner to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Markus Wagner
  • Patent number: 8560164
    Abstract: A vehicle-based complex event processing (CEP) engine executes on a hardware computer processor in a vehicle. The CEP engine receives a first input stream onto which vehicle information related to the vehicle is published, and applies at least one query to the first input stream. The CEP engine then assesses, based on application of the query/queries, if a vehicle-related event has occurred and, if so, the CEP engine publishes an indication of occurrence of the vehicle-related event on at least one output stream of the CEP engine. In one example, the CEP engine may receive a second input stream onto which image information is published, wherein the image information is based at least in part on data provided by at least one on-board vehicle camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: CertusView Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Patent number: 8552838
    Abstract: A passive wireless system for monitoring a protected area. The passive wireless system comprises at least one passive sensor for sensing an event, a reader for receiving signals from the at least one passive sensor, a plurality of exciters disposed within the protected area for transmitting a radio frequency pulse at a variable time interval to the at least one passive sensor, and a controller for controlling each of the plurality of exciters to transmit the radio frequency pulse at the variable time interval. The radio frequency pulse powers the passive sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Addy
  • Patent number: 8527133
    Abstract: The present invention lies in the field of embedded flight management systems on board aircraft. The invention relates notably to a system for managing alerts and procedures, and more precisely to a device for managing piloting tasks carried out by a crew of an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Fabien Guilley, Gabrielle De Brito, Gilles Francois
  • Patent number: 8509963
    Abstract: The present invention includes system and methods for managing information systems on an aircraft through the use of a remote management center. At the management center, the status information from aircraft computer systems is monitored for fault conditions. The management center then performs maintenance on the computer system when a fault condition is noticed. Exemplary systems include a remote management center that manages several different computer systems on several different manned aircraft. The management center connects to the aircraft and computer system through data links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey J. Barnes, Richard G. Moore
  • Publication number: 20130190968
    Abstract: A test apparatus is for electric vehicle supply equipment. The test apparatus includes an enclosure; a processor; and an interface to at least the electric vehicle supply equipment. The processor is structured to test that the electric vehicle supply equipment is functioning properly and to provide at least one of: a number of causes of failure of the electric vehicle supply equipment, an indication of how to correct the failure, automatic correction of the failure, and predictive maintenance of the electric vehicle supply equipment prior to a failure thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: JASON-DAVID NITZBERG, Phillip J. Speeks, Matthew S. Piers, Paul D. Seff, Jonathan K. Hamilton
  • Patent number: 8489275
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for selective activation of vehicle multimedia functions may include receiving a passenger occupancy signal indicative of an occupancy of a passenger seat from a passenger detection sensor. A gear signal indicative of a gear ratio of a transmission may be received from a vehicle gear sensor. Access to a medium interaction level function of a vehicle multimedia system may be prevented, when the passenger occupancy signal indicates that the passenger seat is unoccupied and the gear signal indicates that the gear ratio of the transmission corresponds to a motive gear. Access to the medium interaction level function of the vehicle multimedia system may be allowed, when the passenger occupancy signal indicates that the passenger seat is occupied with a passenger and the gear signal indicates that the gear ratio of the transmission corresponds to the motive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Erik Anthony Wippler
  • Patent number: 8478457
    Abstract: A fatigue management system for determining the individual life of an aircraft, particularly the individual life of components of a helicopter, by means of an on board virtual load sensor and a method of operating a fatigue management system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Bendisch, Falk Hoffmann, Antoine Rabourdin
  • Patent number: 8473148
    Abstract: A fleet management complex event processing (CEP) engine executes on at least one hardware computer processor. The CEP engine receives at least a first input stream onto which first vehicle information related to a first vehicle is published, and a second input stream onto which second vehicle information related to a second vehicle is published. The CEP engine applies at least one query to the first input stream and the second input stream, and assesses if a fleet-related complex event has occurred. If it is determined in that the fleet-related complex event has occurred, the CEP engine publishes an indication of occurrence of the fleet-related complex event on at least one output stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Certusview Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Patent number: 8473145
    Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool includes indicators to indicate the condition of the vehicle using a database and the DTCs present in the vehicle. The tool indicates for each DTC retrieved from the vehicle, the level of repair urgency. The tool also can indicate if the vehicle can be driven without damaging the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Service Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Shilpi Biswas, Jennifer Grabowski, Phillip Freshour, Hamid Namaky, Robyn Merchant
  • Patent number: 8467932
    Abstract: A vehicle-based complex event processing (CEP) engine executes on at least one hardware computer processor in a first vehicle. The CEP engine receives a first input stream onto which vehicle information related to the first vehicle is published, and applies one or more queries to the first input stream to assess if a vehicle-related event has occurred. If it is determined that the vehicle-related event has occurred, the CEP engine publishes an indication of occurrence of the vehicle-related event on an output stream of the vehicle-based CEP engine, and transmits the indication of occurrence of the vehicle-related event from the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Certusview Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Patent number: 8463487
    Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of complex event processing engines including a first complex event processing engine set at a first tier and a second complex event processing engine set at a second tier. Each of the plurality of complex event processing engines executes on at least one hardware computer processor. The plurality of complex event processing engines are configured such that at least one complex event processing engine in the second set communicates with only some of the other complex event processing engines in the second set. The plurality of complex event processing engines further are configured such that at least one complex event processing engine in the first set communicates with each complex event processing engine in the second set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Certusview Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven Nielsen, Curtis Chambers, Jeffrey Farr
  • Patent number: 8452475
    Abstract: A system for scheduling aircraft maintenance includes communications electronics configured to receive data from systems onboard one or more aircraft while the aircraft are in flight. The system further includes computing electronics configured to receive the data from the communications electronics and to update a maintenance schedule for the one or more aircraft based on the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. West, Mark W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8447462
    Abstract: A diagnosis management system for a hydrostatic displacement unit, including a control unit for controlling a drive motor, a hybrid control unit for controlling the motor control unit on the basis of at least one desired acceleration signal and one desired deceleration signal for the drive motor, a gear control unit for controlling the motor control unit on the basis of at least signals derived from a continuously variable gear, and a control unit for a digital displacement unit, for controlling at least one pump motor as the digital displacement unit is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Alejandro Lopez Pamplona, Bjoern Beuter
  • Patent number: 8433472
    Abstract: A parameter identification-based fault isolation technique is provided for improving fault code settings and isolating faults. DTCs and PIDs are retrieved from a current serviced vehicle. PID data is obtained from prior serviced vehicles having same vehicle specifications as and under substantially similar operating conditions as the current serviced vehicles. A plurality of clusters is formed using PID data of the prior serviced vehicles using mutual dependence to one another. A joint probability distribution is determined as a function of a mutual dependence of the PID data. PID data is selected of the current serviced vehicle having coherence to the PID of the prior service vehicles. A mutual dependence of the PID data of the current serviced vehicle is projected on onto the corresponding joint probability distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Satnam Singh, Aurobinda Routray, Aparna Rajaguru
  • Patent number: 8428810
    Abstract: A system for on-site collection of evaluation data at a vehicle repair installation site is disclosed. Generally the system includes a computing tool connected to a database, a workflow operations guiding module that runs on the computing tool, an evaluation module, a comparison module, a data-mining module, a certification module, a legal compliance module, and a repair procedure compliance module. As a vehicle is repaired, the workflow operations guiding module prompts a coach with questions. The evaluation module performs a quantitative analysis of the answers provided by the coach and the comparison module compares the result of the quantitative analysis against aggregated or averaged information. The certification module compares information from the comparison module against predetermined certification criteria and the data mining module identifies correlations, trends or patterns in collected data by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Verifacts Automotive, LLC
    Inventors: Farzam Afshar, Cynthia L. Granse, Mark E. Olson
  • Publication number: 20130079972
    Abstract: Methods and maintenance systems for use in analyzing data related to maintenance of at least one vehicle are disclosed. One example method includes receiving at least one fault message, receiving a maintenance event log for a vehicle. The maintenance event log including at least one maintenance event associated with the at least one fault message. The example method further includes automatically identifying a corrective action within a most recent maintenance event of the at least one maintenance event and storing a diagnostic entry including the at least one fault message and the identified corrective action, such that the diagnostic entry is retrievable from the computing device to evaluate a subsequent like fault message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventors: Peter James Lake, Davis Scott Kinney, Anne Kao, Stephen R. Poteet, Steven C. Runo, Jay Kevin McCullough, Steven D. Chapman, Yun-Ho Sikora, David Charles Augustine
  • Patent number: 8370018
    Abstract: A method of processing vehicle diagnostic data is provided for identifying likely vehicle fix(s) associated with a diagnostic data, and identifying a repair procedure(s) for correcting the likely fix(s). The process receiving vehicle diagnostic data from a vehicle onboard computer at a remote diagnostic database, the database being arranged to map vehicle diagnostic data to possible vehicle fix(s). The possible vehicle fix(s) are prioritized in accordance with ranked matches of the received diagnostic data to combinations of diagnostic data stored in a prior experience database. The prior experience database having an identified fix associated with each stored combination of diagnostic data. The fix associated with the highest ranked combination of diagnostic data is identified as the most likely fix. The most likely fix is mapped to a vehicle repair database, the most likely fix being directly mapped to an associated repair procedure for repairing the most likely fix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Innova Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Andreasen, Robert Madison, Ieon Chen
  • Patent number: 8370046
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a gas turbine includes a memory containing information from comparable gas turbines and an input device that generates a unit data signal and a risk signal. A processor in communication with the memory and the input device incorporates the unit data signal into the database, projects information for the gas turbine, and calculates a conditional risk that the gas turbine will reach a limit. An output signal includes repair or maintenance schedules. A method for monitoring a gas turbine includes receiving information from comparable gas turbines, adding information from the gas turbine to the information from comparable gas turbines, and projecting information for the gas turbine. The method further includes calculating a conditional risk that the gas turbine will reach a limit and generating an output signal containing repair or maintenance schedules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Xiaomo Jiang, Michael Edward Bernard, Sameer Vittal
  • Publication number: 20130030641
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for managing fault codes triggered by one or more vehicles during operation. In general, various embodiments of the invention involve recording and analyzing fault codes triggered during a particular time period while a vehicle is in operation. As a result of the analysis, various embodiments of the invention may set a state for each of the identified fault codes, the state indicating a level of action to address the identified fault code. In particular embodiments, the states may be one of a caution state indicating one or more components or sub-systems of the vehicle should be monitored, a critical state indicating one or more components or sub-systems of the vehicle should be repaired, or an environmental state indicating failure or potential failure of one or more components or sub-systems of the vehicle may affect one or more environmental conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED PARCEL SERVICE OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: John A. Olsen, III, David L. Bradley, Matthew S. Hendrix
  • Publication number: 20130013143
    Abstract: A tire cornering power estimation and monitoring system may include a steering torque sensor, a steering wheel angle sensor, a yaw rate sensor, a lateral acceleration sensor, and a speed sensor. The system may further include at least one controller configured to receive signals from the steering torque sensor, steering wheel angle sensor, yaw rate sensor, lateral acceleration sensor, and speed sensor and send a notification if the signals indicate that one or more of the vehicle's tires need to be checked or serviced. The system may further include a notification system configured to receive a signal from the controller and indicate that one or more of the vehicle's tires need to be checked or serviced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Dexin WANG, Rena Hecht Basch
  • Patent number: 8352117
    Abstract: A turbine component tracking system is provided. The turbine component tracking system is advantageously adapted to determine the remaining life of individual turbine components based on how and where they are used as well as if and how they are repaired. The turbine system is also advantageously adapted to track and analyze design, manufacturing and repair changes or modifications performed on turbine components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Martin
  • Patent number: 8332094
    Abstract: A vehicular passenger detection system includes a load detection device configured to detect a load that acts upon a seat that is installed upon a vehicle, a passenger seating detection device configured to determine whether or not a passenger is seated upon the seat, in accordance with a result of a detection of the load detection device, and a fault recording device configured to record an information of a fault that has occurred upon either the load detection device or the passenger seating detection device. The fault recording device includes a fault determination device configured to determine whether or not the information of the fault is information of a fault for which a repair is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Calsonic Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Masatoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8306689
    Abstract: A net-centric avionics diagnostics and automated maintenance environment system includes a storage medium on which is stored diagnostic data concerning the operation of systems of an aircraft and diagnostic data of aircraft systems, including BIT data, an organizational level automated maintenance environment server to transport maintenance and diagnostic information throughout the automated maintenance environment. The system also includes an organizational level diagnostics avionics tester that has a processor to execute diagnostics software for gathering, storing, and processing avionics diagnostics information. The tester is linked to an interface device that includes data acquisition hardware, standard interfaces for an avionics unit under test, and instrumentation for troubleshooting the unit under test. The organizational level diagnostics avionics tester is in network communication with the organizational level automated maintenance environment server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Craig Koepping, Russell Shannon, Thomas Richardson
  • Publication number: 20120239243
    Abstract: A database, contained in a computer system onboard the industrial vehicle, stores repair information and as built information about the specific optional features incorporated into that particular industrial vehicle. For example, the database contains one or more of a repair manual, a parts manual, an operating manual, and service bulletins. Upon occurrence of an operating problem, the industrial vehicle generates a fault code designating the operating problem. The computer system uses the fault code to access the database and obtain the as built information and the repair information associated with the operating problem. The repair information may describe a process for diagnosing a cause of the operating problem, a process for identifying a defective component, and a process for replacing the defective component. The computer system also may place an order for a replacement component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Steve Medwin, Paul P. McCabe
  • Patent number: 8260527
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a CPU, a throttle sensor, a shift actuator, and fuel injectors. When the CPU detects a control failure of the throttle valve with a value detected by the throttle sensor, the CPU adjusts the output of the engine by controlling the fuel injectors such that the motorcycle runs with a previously set negative target acceleration. Also, the CPU controls the shift actuator such that the transmission is shifted down in steps as the speed of the motorcycle decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Arai
  • Publication number: 20120215398
    Abstract: A method of processing system diagnostic data is provided for identifying likely device fix(s) associated with a diagnostic data, and identifying a repair procedure(s) for correcting the likely fix(s). The process receiving diagnostic data from a system onboard computer at a remote diagnostic database, the database being arranged to map system diagnostic data to possible vehicle fix(s). The possible device fix(s) are prioritized in accordance with ranked matches of the received diagnostic data to combinations of diagnostic data stored in a prior experience database. The prior experience database having an identified fix associated with each stored combination of diagnostic data. The fix associated with the highest ranked combination of diagnostic data is identified as the most likely fix. The most likely fix is mapped to a system repair database, the most likely fix being directly mapped to an associated repair procedure for repairing the most likely fix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: INNOVA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ieon C. Chen, Robert Madison, Keith Andreasen
  • Patent number: 8239093
    Abstract: An analysis tool which extracts all the available parameter identifications (i.e. PIDS) from a vehicle's power train control module for diagnostic decisions. This is done by checking these PIDS and other information (e.g., calculated PIDS, Break Points, charts and algorithms) in three states; key on engine off, key on engine cranking, key on engine running. In all three modes the tool is comparing the live data from PIDS and voltage to the other information (e.g, Break Points). If any of this data are outside the programmed values a flag is assigned to the failure or control problem. The relationship between a particular PID and its associated preprogrammed value(s) may be indicated by a light. The depth of the problem (if any) is conveyed by the color of the light. Also included are tests/charts for fuel trim, engine volumetric efficiency, simulated injector, power, catalyst efficiency, and engine coolant range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Inventors: Bernie C. Thompson, Neal R. Pederson
  • Patent number: 8190322
    Abstract: A system and method for providing autonomous and remote vehicle maintenance and repair. The system employs an on-board diagnosis and prognosis module that monitors one or more vehicle buses to identify trouble codes and other information indicating a vehicle problem. The on-board module causes a telematic device on the vehicle to broadcast a message including a problem code that identifies the problem the vehicle is having. A remote repair center may receive the message and may identify a software upgrade patch associated with the problem that can be transmitted to the vehicle to upgrade its software to correct the problem. Also, the message may be received by another vehicle that is part of a broadcast network that has previously received the software upgrade patch to fix a problem on that vehicle, where the receiving vehicle may transmit the software upgrade patch to the vehicle having the problem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William C. Lin, Bakhtiar Brian Litkouhi, Ansaf I. Alrabady, Balarama V. Murty, Xiaodong Zhang, Steven W. Holland, Mutasim A. Salman, Rami I. Debouk, Yuen-Kwok W Chin
  • Patent number: 8160769
    Abstract: An analysis tool which extracts all the available parameter identifications (i.e. PIDS) from a vehicle's power train control module for diagnostic decisions. This is done by checking these PIDS and other information (e.g., calculated PIDS, Break Points, charts and algorithms) in three states; key on engine off, key on engine cranking, key on engine running. In all three modes the tool is comparing the live data from PIDS and voltage to the other information (e.g, Break Points). If any of this data are outside the programmed values a flag is assigned to the failure or control problem. The relationship between a particular PID and its associated preprogrammed value(s) may be indicated by a light. The depth of the problem (if any) is conveyed by the color of the light. Also included are tests/charts for fuel trim, engine volumetric efficiency, simulated injector, power, catalyst efficiency, and engine coolant range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Bernie C. Thompson, Neal R. Pederson