US-12623679-B2 - Moving vehicle diagnostic system with console display integration and contextual warning management

Abstract

A moving vehicle diagnostic system with console display integration includes a mobile device and an onboard diagnostic interface that receives vehicle status data via a vehicle data link connector. The system determines one or more vehicle conditions from received vehicle status data and then determines a severity of each determined vehicle condition. The system communicates structured vehicle status information, warnings or instructions to show on the integrated vehicle console display. Display information is provided to from the mobile device to the vehicle console display a wireless data connection such as Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), WiFi or WiFi direct or via a wired data connection, such a USB cable.

Inventors

• Tai Nguyen
• Quan Nguyen
• Thuan Huynh

Assignees

• INNOVA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date

20260512

Application Date

20240828

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A moving vehicle diagnostic system with console display integration comprising a mobile device including: a processor and associated memory; and an onboard diagnostic (OBD) data input configured to receive vehicle status data via an associated vehicle data link connector (DLC); wherein the processor is configured to establish a data link to an associated vehicle infotainment system console display, determine one or more vehicle conditions from received vehicle status data, determine a severity of each determined vehicle condition, communicate a warning to show on the console display for each vehicle condition determined to have a severity that requires immediate remedial action, generate an expanded explanation for one or more determined vehicle conditions, determine remedial action for one or more determined vehicle conditions, determine when the vehicle is stopped in accordance with received vehicle status data, and communicate one or more of a generated expanded explanation and determined remedial action to show on the console display when the vehicle is determined to be stopped.
2. 2 . The moving vehicle diagnostic system with console display integration comprising a mobile device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to communicate a persistent vehicle status indicator to show on the console display corresponding to the received vehicle status data.
3. 3 . The moving vehicle diagnostic system with console display integration comprising a mobile device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to: determine if a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) signal is present in the received vehicle status data; determine a cause of the MIL; generate a concise explanation of the MIL; communicate the generated concise explanation of the MIL for immediate showing on the console display.
4. 4 . The moving vehicle diagnostic system with console display integration comprising a mobile device of claim 3 wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether supplemental OBD information corresponding to one or more determined vehicle condition is obtainable by a query transmitted via the data link; initiate one or more queries via the data link when supplemental OBD information is determined to be available; receive secondary vehicle data responsive to the one or more queries; and generate the one or more expanded explanation in accordance received secondary vehicle data.
5. 5 . The moving vehicle diagnostic system with console display integration comprising a mobile device of claim 4 wherein the processor is further configured to retrieve historical OBD data from the memory corresponding to one or more previously determined vehicle conditions; perform contextual analysis on the one or more determined vehicle conditions in accordance with retrieved historical OBD data; and determine the severity of one or more of the determined vehicle condition in accordance with the contextual analysis.
6. 6 . The moving vehicle diagnostic system with console display integration comprising a mobile device of claim 5 wherein the processor is further configured to: receive environmental data regarding a current weather environment of the vehicle from associated vehicle sensors or via mobile device cellular connection; receive location data corresponding to a location of the vehicle via a mobile device Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver; and perform the contextual analysis on the one or more determined vehicle conditions in accordance with one or more of the environmental data and the location data; and determine the remedial action in accordance with the contextual analysis.
7. 7 . The moving vehicle diagnostic system with console display integration comprising a mobile device of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to establish the data link via a wireless data connection comprising one or more of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), WiFi or WiFi direct.
8. 8 . The moving vehicle diagnostic system with console display integration comprising a mobile device of claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to establish the data link via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection.
9. 9 . A method of providing structured, real-time driver information through a vehicle display console comprising: receiving vehicle status data via an onboard diagnostic (OBD) data input via an associated vehicle data link connector (DLC); establishing a data link to an associated vehicle infotainment system console display; determining one or more vehicle conditions from received vehicle status data; determining a severity of each determined vehicle condition; showing a warning on a vehicle console display for each vehicle condition determined to have a severity that requires immediate remedial action on the console display; determining an expanded explanation for one or more determined vehicle conditions; determining remedial action for one or more determined vehicle conditions; determining when the vehicle is stopped in accordance with received vehicle status data; and communicating one or more of a generated expanded explanation and determined remedial action for showing on the console display when the vehicle is determined to be stopped.
10. 10 . The method of providing structured, real-time driver information through a vehicle display console of claim 9 further comprising: determining if a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) signal is present in the received vehicle status data; determining a cause of the MIL; generating a concise explanation of the MIL; showing the generated concise explanation of the MIL for immediate showing on the console display.
11. 11 . The method of providing structured, real-time driver information through a vehicle display console of claim 10 further comprising: determining whether supplemental OBD information corresponding to one or more determined vehicle condition is obtainable by a query transmitted via the data link; initiating one or more queries via the data link when supplemental OBD information is determined to be available; receiving secondary vehicle data responsive to the one or more queries; and generating the one or more expanded explanation in accordance received secondary vehicle data.
12. 12 . The method of providing structured, real-time driver information through a vehicle display console of claim 11 further comprising: retrieving historical OBD data from the memory corresponding to one or more previously determined vehicle conditions; performing contextual analysis on the one or more determined vehicle conditions in accordance with retrieved historical OBD data; and determining the severity of one or more of the determined vehicle condition in accordance with the contextual analysis.
13. 13 . The method of providing structured, real-time driver information through a vehicle display console of claim 12 further comprising: receiving environmental data regarding a current weather environment of the vehicle from associated vehicle sensors or via mobile device cellular connection; receiving location data corresponding to a location of the vehicle via a mobile device Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver; and performing the contextual analysis on the one or more determined vehicle conditions in accordance with one or more of the environmental data and the location data; and determining the remedial action in accordance with the contextual analysis.
14. 14 . The method of providing structured, real-time driver information through a vehicle display console of claim 13 further comprising communicating a persistent vehicle status indicator for showing on the console display corresponding to the received vehicle status data.
15. 15 . The method of providing structured, real-time driver information through a vehicle display console of claim 14 further comprising establishing the data link via a wireless data connection comprising one or more of Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), WiFi or WiFi direct.
16. 16 . The method of providing structured, real-time driver information through a vehicle display console of claim 14 further comprising establish the data link via a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection.
17. 17 . A computer program product comprising one or more non-transitory program storage media on which are stored instructions executable by a processor or programmable circuit to perform operations for providing structured, real-time driver information through a vehicle display console, the operations comprising: receiving vehicle status data via an onboard diagnostic (OBD) data input via an associated vehicle data link connector (DLC); establishing a data link to an associated vehicle infotainment system console display; determining one or more vehicle conditions from received vehicle status data; determining a severity of each determined vehicle condition; showing a warning on a vehicle console display for each vehicle condition determined to have a severity that requires immediate remedial action on the console display; determining an expanded explanation for one or more determined vehicle conditions; determining remedial action for one or more determined vehicle conditions; determining when the vehicle is stopped in accordance with received vehicle status data; and communicating one or more of a generated expanded explanation and determined remedial action for showing on the console display when the vehicle is determined to be stopped.
18. 18 . The computer program product for providing structured, real-time driver information through a vehicle display console of claim 17 , the operations further comprising: determining if a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) signal is present in the received vehicle status data; determining a cause of the MIL; generating a concise explanation of the MIL; showing the generated concise explanation of the MIL for immediate showing on the console display.
19. 19 . The computer program product for providing structured, real-time driver information through a vehicle display console of claim 18 , the operations further comprising: determining whether supplemental OBD information corresponding to one or more determined vehicle condition is obtainable by a query transmitted via the data link; initiating one or more queries via the data link when supplemental OBD information is determined to be available; receiving secondary vehicle data responsive to the one or more queries; and generating the one or more expanded explanation in accordance received secondary vehicle data.
20. 20 . The computer program product for providing structured, real-time driver information through a vehicle display console of claim 18 , the operations further comprising: retrieving historical OBD data from the memory corresponding to one or more previously determined vehicle conditions; performing contextual analysis on the one or more determined vehicle conditions in accordance with retrieved historical OBD data; and determining the severity of one or more of the determined vehicle condition in accordance with the contextual analysis.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Not Applicable STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT Not Applicable BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle diagnostic testing and repair. The disclosure relates more particularly to systems for providing drivers with minimally disruptive, structured real-time vehicle driver warnings, alerts and diagnostic information derived from a vehicle onboard diagnostic port using a vehicle's built in console display. 2. Description of the Related Art A concept of vehicle onboard diagnostic systems began in the 1960s and 1970s, driven primarily by a need to monitor and control vehicle emissions. Early electronic fuel injection systems required basic diagnostics to ensure proper functioning. In 1970, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Clean Air Act, leading to the development of emission control technologies. In the 1980s, the first generation of onboard diagnostic (OBD) systems, known as OBD1, was introduced. These systems were manufacturer-specific and primarily focused on emissions monitoring. In 1988, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandated OBD systems for all vehicles sold in California. The introduction of OBD2 systems in 1994 marked a significant advancement. These systems provided a standardized set of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and a universal Data Link Connector (DLC), allowing real-time monitoring of various engine and vehicle parameters while driving. By 1996, OBD2 became mandatory for all cars and light trucks sold in the U.S., enabling more comprehensive real-time diagnostics. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, real-time data from OBD2 could be accessed via scan tools connected to the DLC, allowing drivers and technicians to monitor engine RPM, vehicle speed, and other sensor outputs in real-time. The 2000s saw the integration of more advanced sensors and vehicle Electronic Control Units (ECUs), providing comprehensive real-time monitoring of data such as oxygen sensor readings, fuel trim levels, and misfire counts. The emergence of early telematics systems provided the capability to transmit real-time OBD data to external devices and cloud platforms. The 2010s witnessed the rise of wireless communication technologies, enabling real-time transmission of OBD data to remote servers and smartphones. This allowed for real-time vehicle health monitoring and diagnostics while driving. Consumer applications that could plug into the DLC and communicate with smartphones became popular, allowing drivers to receive real-time alerts and performance data. Modern OBD systems offer comprehensive monitoring of a wide range of parameters in real-time, such as fuel efficiency, emissions, engine load, and coolant temperature, providing immediate feedback to drivers and technicians. In a conventional smartphone DTC analysis, a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi-enabled OBD2 adapter is plugged into the vehicle's OBD2 port, reading data from the vehicle's OBD system and transmitting the data wirelessly to the smartphone. The driver may install an OBD2 app on their smartphone, which is designed to receive data from the OBD2 adapter, possibly interpret the data, possibly communicate with a remote resource for data analysis, and display the data and/or diagnostic results derived from the data in real-time. The app may provide a dashboard with various digital gauges, graphs, and meters. The interface displays real-time data such as engine RPM, vehicle speed, fuel consumption, coolant temperature, and more. As the vehicle is driven, the OBD2 adapter may continuously transmits data to the smartphone. The app processes this data and updates the smartphone display in real-time, showing metrics like engine RPM on a tachometer gauge or current speed on a speedometer gauge on the smartphone display. Smartphones are frequently mounted on a dashboard or windshield mount within the driver's line of sight. The smartphone display typically works concurrently with a vehicle's built-in display. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sets standards and guidelines for automobile displays through the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). These regulations cover various aspects of vehicle safety, including display systems. One of the critical considerations is minimizing driver distraction. NHTSA's guidelines suggest that in-vehicle displays should not require drivers to take their eyes off the road for more than a few seconds. Additionally, SAE International's recommended practices, such as SAE J2364, offer further guidance on the design of these displays to ensure they do not overly distract drivers. Infotainment displays, heads-up displays (HUDs), and rearview camera displays all fall under these regulations, with specific requirements to enhance safety and usability. In Europe, the European Union follows UNECE regulations, with UNECE Regulation No. 125 specifying field