(12) United States Patent
`Breed
`
`111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006738697B2
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`May 18,2004
`
`(54) TELEMATICS SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE
`DIAGNOSTICS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: David S. Breed, Boonton Township,
`Morris County, NJ (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Automotive Technologies
`International Inc., Denville, NJ (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 27 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/188,673
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 3, 2002
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2003/0009270 A1 Jan. 9, 2003
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`( 63) Continuation-in-part of application No. 09/753,186, filed on
`Jan. 2, 2001, now Pat. No. 6,484,080, which is a continua(cid:173)
`tion-in-part of application No. 09/137,918, filed on Aug. 20,
`1998, now Pat. No. 6,175,787, which is a continuation-in(cid:173)
`part of application No. 08/476,077, filed on Jun. 7, 1995,
`now Pat. No. 5,809,437, application No. 10/188,673, appli(cid:173)
`cation No. 10/079,065, filed on Feb. 19, 2002, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 09/765,558, filed on
`Jan. 19, 2001, application No. 10/188,673, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 10/174,709, filed on
`Jun. 19, 2002.
`( 60) Provisional application No. 60/304,013, filed on Jul. 9,
`2001, provisional application No. 60/291,511, filed on May
`16, 2001, provisional application No. 60/269,415, filed on
`Feb. 16, 2001, and provisional application No. 60/231,378,
`filed on Sep. 8, 2000.
`Int. Cl? ............................ G01N 17/00; G06F 7/00
`
`(51)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................ 701/29; 701/34
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,128,005 A
`4,418,388 A
`4,817,418 A
`4,989,146 A
`
`12/1978 Amston et a!. ............ 73/117.3
`11/1983 Allgor et a!. .......... 364/431.01
`4/1989 Asami eta!. .............. 73/118.1
`1!1991 Imajo .......................... 701!29
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`wo
`
`3839959
`00/29257
`
`11/1988
`5!2000
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Liubakka et al., "Failure Detection Algorithms Applied To
`Control System Design For Improved Diagnostics and Reli(cid:173)
`ability", SAE Technical Paper Series, 02~29 To 04--04,
`1988, pp. 1~7.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Primary Examiner-Yonel Beaulieu
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Brian Roffe
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Vehicle diagnostic system which diagnoses the state of the
`vehicle or the state of a component of the vehicle and
`generates an output indicative or representative thereof. A
`communications device transmits the output of the diagnos(cid:173)
`tic system to a remote location, possibly via a satellite or the
`Internet. The diagnostic system can include sensors mounted
`on the vehicle, each providing a measurement related to a
`state of the sensor or a measurement related to a state of the
`mounting location, and a processor coupled to the sensors
`and arranged to receive data from the sensors and process
`the data to generate the output indicative or representative of
`the state of the vehicle or its component. The processor may
`embody a pattern recognition algorithm trained to generate
`the output from the data received from the sensors and be
`arranged to control parts of the vehicle based on the output.
`
`(58) Field of Search .............................. 701!29, 33, 34,
`701!36; 340/438, 439
`
`62 Claims, 38 Drawing Sheets
`
`860 ~----
`
`10
`
`815
`
`852
`
`Vibration Sensor
`CJ
`(
`
`- ~- 880
`
`)
`
`S nsor
`
`"?/fr(r
`
`802
`~ -:::==:::::
`
`(
`
`\
`I
`
`--804
`
`850
`
`840
`
`100
`
`--870
`
`IPR2013-00412 - Ex. 1001
`Toyota Motor Corp., Petitioner
`
`1
`
`

`

`US 6, 738,697 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,041,976 A
`8/1991
`* 10/1991
`5,056,023 A
`6/1992
`5,123,017 A
`11/1992
`5,164,901 A
`5/1994
`5,313,407 A
`6/1994
`5,325,082 A
`7/1994
`5,333,240 A
`5,400,018 A
`3/1995
`5,406,502 A
`4/1995
`5,420,794 A
`5/1995
`5,442,553 A
`8/1995
`5,481,906 A
`1!1996
`* 12/1996
`5,581,464 A
`1!1997
`5,594,740 A
`5/1998
`5,754,965 A
`9/1998
`5,809,437 A
`11/1998
`5,829,782 A
`9/1999
`5,955,942 A
`2/2000
`6,028,537 A
`11/2000
`6,144,859 A
`1!2001
`6,175,787 B1
`7/2001
`6,263,268 B1
`9/2001
`6,295,492 B1
`1!2002
`6,339,736 B1
`3/2002
`6,356,822 B1
`2002/0103622 A1 * 8/2002
`
`Marko et a!. . .. ... ... . 364/424.03
`Abe ............................ 701!32
`Simpkins et a!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 714/26
`Blackburn et a!. ............ 701!47
`Tiernan et a!. .............. 364/508
`Rodriguez .................. 340/438
`Matsumoto et a!.
`.......... 706/20
`Scholl et a!.
`.......... 340/825.54
`Haramaty et a!.
`..... 364/551.01
`........................ 701!117
`James
`Parrillo . .. . .. ... ... ... ... 364/424.04
`Nagayoshi et a!.
`........... 73/116
`Woll et a!. .................... 701!35
`LaDue ........................ 379/59
`Hagenbuch ... ... ... ... ... .. . 701!35
`Breed ... .. . ... .. ... ... ... ... .. . 701!29
`Breed et a!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280/735
`Slifkin et a!. ............... 340/436
`Suman et a!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 340/988
`LaDue ....................... 455/511
`Breed ... .. . ... .. ... ... ... ... .. . 701!29
`Nathanson . ... ... ... ... ... .. . 701!29
`Lang et a!.
`................... 701/33
`Moskowitz et a!.
`.......... 701!29
`Diaz et a!. .................... 701/33
`Burge ......................... 702/183
`
`01HER PUBLICATIONS
`
`James et al., "Microprocessor Based Data Acquisition For
`Analysis Of Engine Performance", SAE Technical Paper
`Series, Feb. 23-27, 1987, pp. 1-9.
`Engine Monitoring Based on Normalized Vibration Spectra,
`NASA Tech Briefs, MFS-26529, 1994.
`V.K. Varadan et al., "Conformal MEMS-IDT Gyroscopes
`and Their Comparison with Fiber Optic Gyro, Smart Struc(cid:173)
`tures and Materials 2000", Smart Electronics and MEMS,
`Proceedings of SPIE vol. 3990 (2000), pp. 335-344.
`
`H.K. Tonshoff et al., "Using Acoustic Emission Signals for
`Monitoring of Production Processes", Ultrasonics 37
`(2000), pp. 681-686, 2000.
`
`Design and Development of a MEMS-IDT Gyroscope, V.K.
`Varadan et al., Smart Mater. Struct. vol. 9, Jul. 21, 2000, pp.
`898-905.
`
`Microsensors, Microelectromechenical Systems (MEMS),
`and Electronics for Smart Structures and Systems, V.K.
`Varadan et al., Smart Mater. Struct., vol. 9, Feb., 1999, pp.
`953-972.
`
`Abstract of Wireless Remote Accelerometer, V.K. Varadan et
`al., in Physics of Semiconductor Devices, vol. 1: Proceed(cid:173)
`ings of the 9'h International Workshop on Physics of Semi(cid:173)
`conductor Devices (IWPSD), Delhi, India, Dec. 6-20, 1997.
`
`Using Remote Diagnostics and Prognostics in the R&D
`Environment, Maggy Blagrove, no earlier than Jan., 2002.
`
`Vetronix Corporation, WirelessRoad System Description, no
`earlier than Jan. 1, 2002.
`
`Wingcast to Market Remote Vehicle Diagnostic and Prog(cid:173)
`nostic Solutions with HP, Press Release dated May 15, 2002.
`
`ATX Unveils Direct Telematics Link from Vehicle to Car
`Dealer, Press Release, Jan. 23, 2002.
`
`Cosworth Technology, Inc. and North American Bus Indus(cid:173)
`tries (NABI) to Unveil the CompoBus TM Suited with the
`Revolutionary i3000 {R} Predictive Diagnostic System at
`APTA Conference in Ft. Worth, Texas, Oct. 28-31, 2001.,
`Press Release, Oct. 28, 2001.
`
`Telematics Integrated with Tire Pressure Monitoring, Press
`Release, Oct. 3, 2001.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 38
`Sheet 1 0f 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`US 6,738,697 132
`
`
`
`
`~il
`\0
`)
`
`(
`
`
`
`
`
`I
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 18, 2004
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 0f 38
`Sheet 2 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`US 6,738,697 132
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`N
`~
`""-l
`\0
`'0-,
`00
`~
`
`e
`
`0'1
`rJ'l
`
`CIO
`~
`0 ......,
`~
`~ ......
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`~
`
`N c c
`~CIO
`"""'
`'-<
`~
`~
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`\Jl .
`d .
`
`~-416
`\
`
`,~426
`
`1-----,
`
`Means
`
`Determining
`
`Presence
`
`Processor
`
`/~414
`
`or Part Thereof
`
`of Occupant
`
`Location (&Velocity)
`
`Determining
`Means for
`
`Means
`
`Determining
`Health State
`Occupant
`
`412
`
`~422
`
`or Subsystem
`Component
`Vehicular
`
`FIG. 3
`
`418 -~-
`
`Unit
`
`Communications
`
`~-[K1Tcrophone 1-
`
`420 ~ L.' ~....;;....;.....:........_
`Microphone
`
`420--
`
`~--J-~Mi":"'\'.-cr-o....,phL"o::n:-;:e
`
`~~ Microphone I
`
`-
`
`420
`
`420~ .
`
`Means
`
`Determining
`
`Position
`Vehicle
`
`424 --~
`
`~ ""--
`
`Means
`
`Determmmg
`
`Prese~c~
`
`'\,-------1
`
`410 ~,
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 18, 2004
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 4 0f 38
`Sheet 4 of 38
`
`US 6,738,697 B2
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`
`
`I.1I
`
`I"
`
`iQI
`
`nN
`
` FIG.4
`
`6
`
`

`

`N
`~
`""-l
`\0
`'0-,
`00
`~
`
`e
`
`0'1
`rJ'l
`
`CIO
`~
`0 ......,
`Ul
`~ .....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`~
`
`N c c
`'"""'
`~CIO
`'-<
`~
`~
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`\Jl .
`d .
`
`820
`
`/)
`
`851
`
`815
`
`~ 852
`
`860
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Current Sensor
`Voltage or
`I
`
`)
`
`840
`
`850
`
`~_/--804
`
`I
`
`870
`
`~
`
`100
`'\
`~
`
`-853
`
`830~
`
`•
`
`Component
`
`Vibration Sensor
`
`~ ~ -::::::=::::::
`\ ~ 802
`/ ~ I
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 6 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`
`
`8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 7 of 38
`Sheet 7 0f 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`US 6,738,697 132
`
`0\
`0
`0\
`
`0 r(cid:173)
`oo
`
`30
`
`
`3/0
`,mmm
`
`//am
`
`m.DNK
`
`9
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 8 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`901
`
`CRASH SENSOR
`
`902 MICROPHONES
`
`903
`
`904
`
`COOLANT THERMOMETER
`on.. PRESSURE SENSOR
`
`905 Oll... LEVEL SENSOR
`
`906 AIR FLOW METER
`
`907 VOLTMETER
`
`908 AMMETER
`
`909 HUMIDITY SENSOR
`910 ENGINE KNOCK SENSOR
`
`911 Oll... TURBIDITY SENSOR
`
`912 THROTTLEPOSniTONSENSOR
`
`913 STEERING TORQUE SENSOR
`
`914 WHEEL SPEED SENSOR
`
`915 TACHOMETER
`
`916 SPEEDOMETER
`
`917 OXYGEN SENSOR
`918 PITCH & ROLL SENSOR
`
`919 CLOCK
`
`920 ODOMETER
`
`921 PWR STR PRESSURE SENSOR
`
`922 POLUTION SENSOR
`
`923 FUEL GAGE
`
`924 CABIN THER.OMETER
`'KANNMl:S:SION FLD LVL SNSR
`925
`
`926 YAW SENSOR
`
`927 COOLANT LEVEL SENSOR
`
`928 TRANS. FLUID TURBIDITY
`
`929 BREAK PRESSURE SENSOR
`
`930 COOLANT PRESSURE SENSOR
`
`931
`
`!ACCELEROMETERS
`
`990 I CELLULAR PHONE I
`
`_..., ~DIAGNOSTIC
`
`MODULE
`
`9801 DISPLAY
`
`FIG. 8
`
`10
`
`

`

`N
`~
`""-l
`\0
`'0-,
`00
`tj
`-..a-..
`\Jl
`e
`
`CIO
`~
`0 ......,
`'0
`~ .....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`~
`
`N c c
`'"""'
`~CIO
`'-<
`~
`~
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`\Jl .
`d .
`
`FIG.9
`
`S
`
`... YE
`
`.,.
`
`'
`
`56
`
`454
`
`(DIRECT VEHICL;--......_ .......
`
`ALONG PATH
`
`...
`T
`
`OFF ROADWAY
`
`LOCATION
`LOCATION TO r----...-...
`FROM CURRENT
`DETERMINE PAil
`
`t
`
`52
`
`ROADWAY
`
`LOCATION OFF
`VEHICLE AND
`LOCATION OF ~
`
`CURRENT
`
`DETERMINE
`
`-.
`
`..
`
`,NO
`
`GUIDANCE SYSTEM
`DIRECT SIGNAL TO
`
`ROADWAY
`
`OFF
`
`OPERATION
`ABNORMAL
`INDICATING
`
`SIGNAL
`
`GENl RATE
`
`~,.
`
`YES
`
`.... ? . .,.
`
`'
`
`446 ~/
`/
`
`VEHICLE
`
`444~
`
`~,.
`
`SYSTEM TO GUIDE
`OPERATE GUIDANCE
`
`"""
`
`450 ....... ,
`
`..
`DIRECT 448~ +
`
`' ABNORMALL ~ .,.
`
`/------> COMPONENT '
`
`'
`
`IS
`
`.,.
`
`442 -~ "'-
`_
`
`OPERATING
`
`MONITOR OPERATION 1 ~
`
`OF COMPONENT
`
`.,. t
`
`"""
`
`.J
`
`440 --
`
`I NO
`
`.,.
`
`'
`
`,.,.
`
`1.
`
`FIXED
`
`a....._.,. ABNORMALITY
`
`COMPONENT
`
`'If
`
`458
`
`ROADWAY
`
`VEHICLE OFF
`
`~.,.IS '
`
`....
`
`'
`
`ONTOROADWA
`
`PREVENT I
`
`IIIII(
`
`OF VEHICLE
`RE-ENTRY
`
`460
`
`11
`
`

`

`N
`~
`""-l
`\0
`'0-,
`00
`~
`
`e
`
`0'1
`rJ'l
`
`CIO
`~
`0 ......,
`'"""' c
`~ .....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`~
`
`N c c
`'"""'
`~CIO
`'-<
`~
`~
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`\Jl .
`d .
`
`FIG.JO
`
`SYSTEM
`
`GUIDANCE
`
`~
`
`LOCATION DETERMINING
`BASED/GROUND-BASED
`OPTIONAL SATELLITE-
`
`SYSTEM
`
`MONITORING
`OPERATION
`COI\1PONENT
`
`SYSTEM
`
`464
`
`462
`
`12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 11 of 38
`Sheet 11 0f 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`US 6,738,697 132
`
`0
`N
`
`
`
`FIG.11
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`N
`~
`""-l
`\0
`'0-,
`00
`~
`
`e
`
`0'1
`rJ'l
`
`FIG.12
`
`00
`~
`0 ......,
`'"""' N
`~ .....
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`N c c
`'"""' ~
`'-<
`~
`~
`
`~
`
`~ = ......
`~ ......
`~
`\Jl .
`d .
`
`,~1016
`
`Manufacturer
`
`1010------/
`
`/~
`
`1012
`
`~'-------1018
`
`Facility
`
`Dealer/Repair
`
`Conferencing
`
`Video
`
`Vehicle
`)
`~-c
`
`Authorities
`
`Law Enforcement
`
`1008
`
`1004
`
`Sensors
`
`Environmental
`
`\
`1006-~"
`
`1002-
`
`System
`Sensing
`Occupant
`
`1000-~~-
`
`14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 13 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`5
`
`.____2
`
`FIG. 13A
`- - - -u
`15
`~~~~m
`
`FIG. 13B
`
`15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 14 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`FIG. 14A
`
`24
`
`21
`
`23
`
`24
`
`FIG. 14
`
`33
`
`32
`
`FIG. 14B
`
`16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 15 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`I ;"----40
`
`FIG. 15A
`
`~~--~41
`
`FIG. 15
`
`17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 16 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`T"'?'"--- 52
`
`~--51
`
`53
`
`~-55
`
`FIG. 16
`
`54
`
`\_50
`
`51
`
`55
`
`------55
`
`FIG. 16A
`
`51
`
`FIG. 16B
`
`18
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 17 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`65 --------, ', ·.'-
`
`··'-.
`
`FIG. 17B
`
`;-62
`i
`I
`I
`I
`
`60_/
`
`FIG. 17A
`
`/
`
`60__./
`
`FIG. 17
`
`19
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 18 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`FIG. 18A
`
`PRIOR ART
`
`FIG. 18
`PRIOR ART
`
`20
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 19 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`101
`~
`
`/
`
`_7
`
`-
`-
`
`---
`
`/
`
`102-
`
`104 ~~
`
`1 05 ----------
`
`103
`I~
`
`/
`------::~
`.......J==
`
`.J Interrogator
`no
`
`1
`
`FIG. 19A
`
`106
`
`--- ~
`
`1
`107
` ~
`
`---
`
`FIG. 190
`
`/~ 103
`I
`1$1
`
`1 02
`
`--
`
`-
`
`---
`
`104
`
`FIG. 19B
`
`FIG. 19C
`
`21
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 20 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`104
`
`102
`
`FIG.19E
`
`22
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 21 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`120
`
`FIG. 20A
`
`~--- 123
`
`' '
`
`\ -......____122
`
`,, ____ 124
`
`FIG. 20B
`
`----- -126
`
`/.----- 128
`
`/
`
`/
`
`--------- 127
`
`/
`
`FIG. 20C
`
`;-- 125
`
`/
`
`/
`
`23
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 22 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`X
`
`/"' 130
`
`I
`
`FIG. 21A
`
`/
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`/
`
`...... , ___ _
`
`FIG. 21B
`
`24
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 23 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`Prior Art
`
`,
`
`7
`
`FIG. 22
`
`25
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 24 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`Mixer
`
`FIG. 23A
`
`IIFI~~~
`~~'OJ~
`
`LO
`
`M:xer
`
`FIG. 23B
`
`26
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 25 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`Single Superhet
`
`(F1+F2)
`
`fF
`
`(Fl+F2)
`(Fl)
`
`Mixer
`
`Controller/Processor
`
`Passive Saw device Freqqnency f2
`
`!Viner
`
`F2
`
`X
`
`i'
`(2.Fl +F2)
`~
`
`SA\V
`
`'FHter
`
`p
`-
`
`0
`v
`
`SAW
`
`\f) Mixer
`~ F2
`~~H· ------1
`(F1+F2)
`
`SAW
`
`.Filter
`
`/1 F2
`'.!
`
`SAW
`
`~
`F1+F2
`- - { ] - - -
`.F2fmm Saw
`---------D-----
`---o-
`
`Fl +F2 to Antenna
`
`FIG. 23C
`
`27
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 26 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`201 ~-
`
`201
`
`201
`
`201
`
`FIG. 24
`
`201/t:i§
`
`201
`
`<)---~ 200
`
`20l~f0
`
`201
`
`FIG. 24A
`
`28
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 27 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`[_-_ - - - - - ,
`
`[[Tid
`
`~ 279
`
`FIG. 25
`
`279 ---------~-
`
`'·,.
`·--...
`
`FIG. 25A
`
`29
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 28 0f 38
`
`US 6,738,697 B2
`
`.cm.65
`
`30
`
`30
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 18, 2004
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 29 0f 38
`Sheet 29 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`US 6,738,697 B2
`
`/31 0
`
`A A
`
`301
`301
`320
`
`
`30~--~
`
`302
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 27
`FIG. 27
`
`31
`
`31
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 30 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`FIG. 28
`
`_/]
`328 325 u
`
`325
`
`322 ~- 321
`I
`/ ~
`~--~~·-·-·-·
`A
`
`· ,
`
`320
`
`FIG. 28B
`
`FIG. 28A
`
`32
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 31 of 38
`Sheet 31 0f 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`US 6,738,697 B2
`
`0mm
`
`33
`
`33
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 32 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`352
`
`350
`
`FIG. 30A
`
`/35 2
`
`t I >c- 353
`
`\
`
`I
`(
`....
`
`I
`
`352~
`
`\
`;J
`
`FIG. 30B
`
`352
`
`34
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 33 of 38
`Sheet 33 0f 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`US 6,738,697 132
`
`/
`
`363
`
`063
`
`360
`
`364
`
`FIG. 31
`FIG. 31
`
`35
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 34 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`/~l-1 -i-~
`v~...,.,.._.--,....L.___...---....i~ ---~~ L ~
`
`FIG. 32
`
`400
`
`F/ ~ 32A
`
`36
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`
`Sheet 35 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`--------403
`/"
`
`FIG. 33
`
`402
`
`402
`
`FIG. 33A
`
`37
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 36 of 38
`Sheet 36 0f 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`US 6,738,697 132
`
`500
`
`502
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 34
`FIG. 34
`
`38
`
`38
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`May 18,2004
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 37 of 38
`Sheet 37 0f 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`US 6,738,697 132
`
`
`
`513
`
`515
`
`511
`
`FIG. 35
`
`39
`
`39
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 18, 2004
`
`Sheet 38 of 38
`
`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`Prior Art
`
`Sensors
`(wired)
`
`ECU
`(wireless)
`
`Air bag
`Module
`
`FIG. 36A
`
`Sensors
`(wireless)
`
`ECU
`(wired)
`
`Air bag
`Module
`
`FIG. 36B
`
`40
`
`

`

`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`1
`TELEMATICS SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE
`DIAGNOSTICS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/753,186 filed Jan. 2, 2001, now U.S.
`Pat. No. 6,484,080, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/137,918 filed Aug. 20,
`1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,787, which in turn is a
`continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`08/476,077 filed Jun. 7, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,437.
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 10/079,065 filed Feb. 19, 2002 which in
`turn is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 09!765,558 filed Jan. 19, 2001, which claims priority
`under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent appli(cid:173)
`cation Ser. No. 60/231,378 filed Sep. 8, 2000.
`This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) 20
`of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/269,415
`filed Feb. 16, 2001, U.S. provisional patent application Ser.
`No. 60/291,511 filed May 16, 2001 and U.S. provisional
`patent application Ser. No. 60/304,013 filed Jul. 9, 2001
`through U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/079,065 filed 25
`Feb. 19, 2002.
`This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 10/174,709 filed Jun. 19, 2002 and
`claims benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/269,
`415 filed Feb. 16, 2001.
`All of the above-mentioned patents and applications are
`incorporated by reference herein in their entirety as if they
`had each been set forth herein in full.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`to obtain information about the occupancy of the passenger
`compartment and uses this information to affect the opera(cid:173)
`tion of one or more systems in the vehicle, including an
`occupant restraint device, an entertainment system, a heating
`and air-conditioning system, a vehicle communication
`system, a distress notification system, a light filtering system
`and a security system.
`Of particular interest, Breed et al. mentions that the
`presence of a child in a rear facing child seat placed on the
`10 right front passenger seat may be detected as this has
`become an industry-wide concern to prevent deployment of
`an occupant restraint device in these situations. The U.S.
`automobile industry is continually searching for an easy,
`economical solution, which will prevent the deployment of
`15 the passenger side airbag if a rear facing child seat is present.
`Another important aspect disclosed in Breed et al. relates
`to the operation of the cellular communications system in
`conjunction with the vehicle interior monitoring system.
`Vehicles can be provided with a standard cellular phone as
`well as the Global Positioning System (GPS), an automobile
`navigation or location system with an optional connection to
`a manned assistance facility. In the event of an accident, the
`phone may automatically call 911 for emergency assistance
`and report the exact position of the vehicle. If the vehicle
`also has a system as described below for monitoring each
`seat location, the number and perhaps the condition of the
`occupants could also be reported. In that way, the emergency
`service (EMS) would know what equipment and how many
`ambulances to send to the accident site. Moreover, a com-
`30 munication channel can be opened between the vehicle and
`a monitoring facility/emergency response facility or person(cid:173)
`nel to determine how badly people are injured, the number
`of occupants in the vehicle, and to enable directions to be
`provided to the occupant(s) of the vehicle to assist in any
`35 necessary first aid prior to arrival of the emergency assis(cid:173)
`tance personnel.
`Communications between a vehicle and a remote assis(cid:173)
`tance facility are also important for the purpose of diagnos(cid:173)
`ing problems with the vehicle and forecasting problems with
`the vehicle, called prognostics. Motor vehicles contain com-
`plex mechanical systems that are monitored and regulated
`by computer systems such as electronic control units (ECUs)
`and the like. Such ECUs monitor various components of the
`45 vehicle including engine performance, carburation, speed/
`acceleration control, transmission, exhaust gas recirculation
`(EGR), braking systems, etc. However, vehicles perform
`such monitoring typically only for the vehicle driver and
`without communication of any impending results, problems
`50 and/or vehicle malfunction to a remote site for trouble(cid:173)
`shooting, diagnosis or tracking for data mining.
`In the past, systems that provide for remote monitoring
`did not provide for automated analysis and communication
`of problems or potential problems and recommendations to
`the driver. As a result, the vehicle driver or user is often left
`stranded, or irreparable damage occurs to the vehicle as a
`result of neglect or driving the vehicle without the user
`knowing the vehicle is malfunctioning until it is too late,
`such as low oil level and a malfunctioning warning light, fan
`60 belt about to fail, failing radiator hose etc.
`In this regard, U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,018 (Scholl et al.)
`describes a system for relaying raw sensor output from an off
`road work site relating to the status of a vehicle to a remote
`location over a communications data link. The information
`65 consists of fault codes generated by sensors and electronic
`control modules indicating that a failure has occurred rather
`than forecasting a failure. The vehicle does not include a
`
`40
`
`The present invention relates to methods and apparatus
`for diagnosing components in a vehicle and transmitting
`data relating to the diagnosis of the components in the
`vehicle and other information relating to the operating
`conditions of the vehicle to one or more remote locations
`distant from the vehicle, i.e., via a telematics link.
`The present invention also relates to systems and method
`for diagnosing the state or condition of a vehicle, e.g.,
`whether the vehicle is about to rollover or is experiencing a
`crash and whether the vehicle has a component which is
`operating abnormally and could possibly fail resulting in a
`crash or severe handicap for the operator, and transmitting
`data relating to the diagnosis of the components in the
`vehicle and optionally other information relating to the
`operating conditions of the vehicle to one or more remote
`locations, i.e., via a telematics linlc
`The present invention further relates to methods and
`apparatus for diagnosing components in a vehicle and deter(cid:173)
`mining the status of occupants in a vehicle and transmitting 55
`data relating to the diagnosis of the components in the
`vehicle, and optionally other information relating to the
`operating conditions of the vehicle, and data relating to the
`occupants to one or more remote facilities such as a repair
`facility and an emergency response station.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`It is now generally recognized that it is important to
`monitor the occupancy of a passenger compartment of a
`vehicle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,782 (Breed et al.)
`describes a vehicle interior monitoring system that utilizes
`pattern recognition techniques and wave-receiving sensors
`
`41
`
`

`

`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`3
`system for performing diagnosis. Rather, the raw sensor data
`is processed at an off-vehicle location in order to arrive at a
`diagnosis of the vehicle's operating condition. Bi-directional
`communications are described in that a request for addi(cid:173)
`tional information can be sent to the vehicle from the remote
`location with the vehicle responding and providing the
`requested information but no such communication takes
`place with the vehicle operator and not of an operator of a
`vehicle traveling on a road. Also, Scholl et al. does not teach
`the diagnostics of the problem or potential problem on the
`vehicle itself nor does it teach the automatic diagnostics or
`any prognostics. In Scholl et al. the determination of the
`problem occurs at the remote site by human technicians.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,754,965 (Hagenbuch) describes an appa(cid:173)
`ratus for diagnosing the state of health of a vehicle and
`providing the operator of the vehicle with a substantially
`real-time indication of the efficiency of the vehicle in
`performing as assigned task with respect to a predetermined
`goal. A processor in the vehicle monitors sensors that
`provide information regarding the state of health of the
`vehicle and the amount of work the vehicle has done. The
`processor records information that describes events leading
`up to the occurrence of an anomaly for later analysis. The
`sensors are also used to prompt the operator to operate the
`vehicle at optimum efficiency.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,955,942 (Slifkin et al.) describes a method
`for monitoring events in vehicles in which electrical outputs
`representative of events in the vehicle are produced, the
`characteristics of one event are compared with the charac(cid:173)
`teristics of other events accumulated over a given period of
`time and departures or variations of a given extent from the
`other characteristics are determined as an indication of a
`significant event. A warning is sent in response to the
`indication, including the position of the vehicle as deter(cid:173)
`mined by a global positioning system on the vehicle. For
`example, for use with a railroad car, a microprocessor
`responds to outputs of an accelerometer by comparing
`acceleration characteristics of one impact with accumulated
`acceleration characteristics of other impacts and determines
`departures of a given magnitude from the other character(cid:173)
`istics as a failure indication which gives rise of a warning.
`Every automobile driver fears that his or her vehicle will
`breakdown at some unfortunate time, e.g., when he or she is
`traveling at night, during rush hour, or on a long trip away
`from home. To help alleviate that fear, certain luxury auto- 45
`mobile manufacturers provide roadside service in the event
`of a breakdown. Nevertheless, unless the vehicle is equipped
`with OnStar® or an equivalent service, the vehicle driver
`must still be able to get to a telephone to call for service. It
`is also a fact that many people purchase a new automobile 50
`out of fear of a breakdown with their current vehicle. This
`invention is primarily concerned with preventing break(cid:173)
`downs and with minimizing maintenance costs by predicting
`component failure that would lead to such a breakdown
`before it occurs.
`When a vehicle component begins to fail, the repair cost
`is frequently minimal if the impending failure of the com(cid:173)
`ponent is caught early, but increases as the repair is delayed.
`Sometimes if a component in need of repair is not caught in
`a timely manner, the component, and particularly the 60
`impending failure thereof, can cause other components of
`the vehicle to deteriorate. One example is where the water
`pump fails gradually until the vehicle overheats and blows
`a head gasket. It is desirable, therefore, to determine that a
`vehicle component is about to fail as early as possible so as 65
`to minimize the probability of a breakdown and the resulting
`repair costs.
`
`4
`There are various gages on an automobile which alert the
`driver to various vehicle problems. For example, if the oil
`pressure drops below some predetermined level, the driver
`is warned to stop his vehicle immediately. Similarly, if the
`coolant temperature exceeds some predetermined value, the
`driver is also warned to take immediate corrective action. In
`these cases, the warning often comes too late as most vehicle
`gages alert the driver after he or she can conveniently solve
`the problem. Thus, what is needed is a component failure
`10 warning system that alerts the driver to the impending
`failure of a component sufficiently in advance of the time
`when the problem gets to a catastrophic point.
`Some astute drivers can sense changes in the performance
`of their vehicle and correctly diagnose that a problem with
`15 a component is about to occur. Other drivers can sense that
`their vehicle is performing differently but they don't know
`why or when a component will fail or how serious that
`failure will be, or possibly even what specific component is
`the cause of the difference in performance. The invention
`20 disclosed herein will, in most cases, solve this problem by
`predicting component failures in time to permit maintenance
`and thus prevent vehicle breakdowns.
`Presently, automobile sensors in use are based on specific
`predetermined or set levels, such as the coolant temperature
`25 or oil pressure, whereby an increase above the set level or a
`decrease below the set level will activate the sensor, rather
`than being based on changes in this level over time. The rate
`at which coolant heats up, for example, can be an important
`clue that some component in the cooling system is about to
`30 fail. There are no systems currently on automobiles to
`monitor the numerous vehicle components over time and to
`compare component performance with normal performance.
`Nowhere in the vehicle is the vibration signal of a normally
`operating front wheel stored, for example, or for that matter,
`35 any normal signal from any other vehicle component.
`Additionally, there is no system currently existing on a
`vehicle to look for erratic behavior of a vehicle component
`and to warn the driver or the dealer that a component is
`misbehaving and is therefore likely to fail in the very near
`40 future.
`Sometimes, when a component fails, a catastrophic acci(cid:173)
`dent results. In the Firestone tire case, for example, over 100
`people were killed when a tire of a Ford Explorer blew out
`which caused the Ford Explorer to rollover. Similarly, other
`component failures can lead to loss of control of the vehicle
`and a subsequent accident. It is thus very important to
`accurately forecast that such an event will take place but
`furthermore, for those cases where the event takes place
`suddenly without warning, it is also important to diagnose
`the state of the entire vehicle, which in some cases can lead
`to automatic corrective action to prevent unstable vehicle
`motion or rollovers resulting in an accident. Finally, an
`accurate diagnostic system for the entire vehicle can deter(cid:173)
`mine much more accurately the severity of an automobile
`55 crash once it has begun by knowing where the accident is
`taking place on the vehicle (e.g., the part of or location on
`the vehicle which is being impacted by an object) and what
`is colliding with the vehicle based on a knowledge of the
`force deflection characteristics of the vehicle at that location.
`Therefore, in addition to a component diagnostic, the teach(cid:173)
`ings of this invention also provide a diagnostic system for
`the entire vehicle prior to and during accidents. In particular,
`this invention is concerned with the simultaneous monitor(cid:173)
`ing of multiple sensors on the vehicle so that the best
`possible determination of the state of the vehicle can be
`determined. Current crash sensors operate independently or
`at most one sensor may influence the threshold at which
`
`42
`
`

`

`US 6, 738,697 B2
`
`20
`
`5
`another sensor triggers a deployable restraint. In the teach(cid:173)
`ings of this invention, two or more sensors, frequently
`accelerometers, are monitored simultaneously and the com(cid:173)
`bination of the outputs of these multiple sensors are com(cid:173)
`bined continuously in making the crash severity analysis.
`Marko et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,976) is directed to a
`diagnostic system using pattern recognition for electronic
`automotive control systems and particularly for diagnosing
`faults in the engine of a motor vehicle after they have
`occurred. For example, Marko et al. is interested in deter- 10
`mining cylinder specific faults after the cylinder is operating
`abnormally. More specifically, Marko et al. is directed to
`detecting a fault in a veh