Abstract: A decentralized method and system for vehicle emissions testing uses the OBD unit of the vehicle to be tested and includes a remote data storage location in communication with a plurality of decentralized inspection stations or test locations. Each inspection location is designed to allow for “self-service” inspection through a kiosk that includes all of the hardware and software necessary to carry out the testing process and to communicate test data and information to the remote storage location.
Abstract: A vehicle emissions inspection commences when a vehicle owner connects an OBD scanning device to the OBDII system of the vehicle. Once the OBD scanning device is connected, it interrogates the vehicle to solicit the necessary information and data from the OBDII system of the vehicle. After the necessary information and data has been collected from the vehicle's OBDII system, it is encoded and encrypted into a alphanumeric character string displayed on the OBD scanning device. This alphanumeric character string is then reported to a central data storage location for evaluation and determination as to whether the inspection was valid and whether the vehicle passed or failed its inspection.
Abstract: A method and system for vehicle emission testing measures pollutant concentration, but then provides for conversion of the measured pollutant concentration into its corresponding pollutant mass, thereby allowing for the calculation of a vehicle's emission test scores for one or more common pollutants in units of mass per distance. Through the use of the method and system of the present invention, significantly more accurate results can be obtained as compared to prior art test methods, and without the implementation, operating, and maintenance costs of comparable test methods.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 5, 2003
Date of Patent:
July 4, 2006
Assignee:
Gordon-Darby Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Robert J. Tefft, S. Jay Gordon, Clifton Mahaffey, Thomas C. Austin, Thomas R. Carlson
Abstract: A decentralized method and system for vehicle emissions testing preferably uses the OBD unit of the vehicle to be tested. A preferred implementation of the method and system includes a remote overview or supervisory location in communication with a plurality of decentralized inspection stations or test locations. Supervisory personnel at the remote overview location are in video and data communication with the inspection location and thus are able to monitor and audit all aspects of the OBD testing process, including a review of the actual test data.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 8, 2002
Date of Patent:
August 10, 2004
Assignee:
Gordon-Darby Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
S. Jay Gordon, Jr., Clifton Mahaffey, Robert J. Tefft, Robert Kennedy, Jess Yowell
Abstract: A method and system for vehicle emission testing measures pollutant concentration, but then provides for conversion of the measured pollutant concentration into its corresponding pollutant mass, thereby allowing for the calculation of a vehicle's emission test scores for one or more common pollutants in units of mass per distance. Through the use of the method and system of the present invention, significantly more accurate results can be obtained as compared to prior art test methods, and without the implementation, operating, and maintenance costs of comparable test methods.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 8, 2001
Date of Patent:
September 23, 2003
Assignee:
Gordon-Darby Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Robert J. Tefft, S. Jay Gordon, Clifton Mahaffey