CA1165878A

CA1165878A - Automotive diagnostic system

Info

Publication number: CA1165878A
Application number: CA000391290A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Ronald L. Wilkerson; John S. Hurt; John F. Mcguire
Original assignee: Chevron Research and Technology Co
Current assignee: Chevron USA Inc
Priority date: 1980-12-02
Filing date: 1981-12-01
Publication date: 1984-04-17
Also published as: DE3148309A1; JPS57141531A; US4404639A; FR2495321B1; GB2088569A; GB2088569B; FR2495321A1

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A method and apparatus are disclosed for facili-tating the diagnosis and servicing of automotive vehicles wherein a communicating network computer interfaces between a plurality of service agencies and a vehicle data base plus a record storage system. The service agencies have diagnostic test equipment that are provided with unique vehicle specifications and diagnostic information from the vehicle data base through the network computer.
Measured diagnostic data from the diagnostic test equip-ment is supplied to the record storage system through the network computer as well as to display and printing equip-ment at the service agency. The data stored and displayed and the unique vehicle specifications are sorted by the unique identification of the vehicle. The apparatus per-mits data base access for improvements and changes to the data base. The storage permits retrieval of data by vehicle, type of service, and summary records to provide improved service agency operation.

Description

~ :7 6~78 01 AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTE~

BACKGROUND O~ Tl1E INVENTION
Field of the Invention 05 This invention relates to a system for facili-tating the diagnosis and servicing of an automotive vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a system that makes equipment or vehicle identificatioh, specifications, service history and present condition readily available to those involved in diagnosing and servicing the equipment and provides a means for advising the equipment owner and the servicing agency wi~h informa-tion on the present status of the diagnosis and service activities being performed.
Prior Art The servicin~ of modern automotive vehicles has become extremely complicated andl to some extent, virtu-ally impossible ~or some persons because of the complexity of the vehicle, the inadequacy of available specifications on the vehicle and the changes in regulatory requirements applicable to the vehicle. Furtherj the capahility of some diagnostic equipment used in diagnosing and servicing vehicles has not kept pace w~th changes in the vehicles.
Added to these complications is a growing scarcity of personnel trained in servicing such complicated equipment.
For example, whereas it had been possible to service many vehicles with internal combustion engines by checking the condition of ignition parts, adjustmen~s of carburetors, or condition of electrical systems and replacing some or all parts, the newer vehicles have enyines that do not have the older conventional iynition parts, the ~uel supply is not easily adjusted, and the electrical system is sometimes separately controlled by its own built-in computer. ~urther, some governmental regulatory agencies prohibit some adjustments or have established operating ~ ~ .
.

1 ~ 7 8 01 conditions for vehicle engines that require adjustments to an engine's operation that can only be accomplished with special test equipment.
In addition to the corrlplexity of individual 05 parts of a vehicle's drive system, the specifications for some vehicles are further complicated by the many options that are available to the vehicle owner in body style, engine size and type, transmission, and accessory equip-ment. Some vehicles have different speci~ications depend-ing upon the factory where the vehicle was assembled orthe time in the model year when the vehicle was completed.
In some cases manufacturers have chan~ed speciications on particular vehicle engines because of design improvements, original errors or changes in regulations.
Communication of these original specifications, the changes, and other pertinent information relating to groups of engines or specific vehicles has become dif~i-cult. It is both difficult to get the information to the vehicle owner and to get the information to the vehicle services agency. Sometimes it is even more difficult to get the person to whom the information is sent, to read and apply the information to the diagnostic and servicing unction.
It has been known to provide manuals for service information and, more recently, to provide the service information in microfilm form for review on a view screen.
Such microfilm systems require updating by physical replacement of outdated information and therefore have the same problem of communication dependent, to some extent, upon the interest of the receiver of the inforrnation.
Most manufacturers supply sorne essential vehicle specifications in readable form ~ixed to the vehicle.
Such specifications provide identification for the vehicle and other pertinent information that will enable a person , ~ ~ 65~78 .

01 servicing the vehicle to identify vehicle and engine spe-cifications. If changes are made in the vehicle, the ~ identification fixed to the vehicle may no longer apply.
; Further, i the manufacturer or a regulatory agency makes 05 changes that apply to a particular vehicle, those changes will not be known from a reference to the specifications ` fixed to the vehicle.
Engine analyzers are also known, some are gen-eral purpose for use with many vehicles and some are spe-cific to a particular manufacturer's vehicle, and somemanufacturers have built microprocessers into the vehicle so as to provide part or all of the engine analysis func-tion. Some engine analyzers merely measure existing con-ditions in a vehicle and are unable to compare the measured conditions to a standard on a particular specifi-cation. Other analyzers provide complete diagnostic capa-; bilities including advising the operator on what correc- tions should be made.
; The summary of the foreyoing with regard to the state of the prior art in the modern complicated and regu-lated vehicle engine diagnosis and service business, is that there is a growing need for a system that will permit an operator or vehicle owner to know the operating speci-fications for a vehicle, the present condition of the vehicle, the recommended servic.~s that couId be performed on the vehicle to improve its operation, and the service that has previously been performed on the vehicle.
The system of the present invention is intended to satisy tha~ need and ~o provide the vehicle owner and ~ service operator with a means for communicating with ` records on the owner's vehicle to determine the specifica~
tions for the vehicle, what has previously been done to the vehicle, and what is recommendecl to be done to the vehicle.

, 1 ~ 6~37~3 The system further provides the owner with a visible and/or printed record of what services are recommended and a record showing that the services are in progress or have been completed. The system provides the service operator wi.th a record o-f individual vehicle services being recommended and performed, all services of a particular class or type being performed on vehicles in that service location, and recap capabilities on daily or other time intervals to assist in record keeping, scheduling and inventory control.
According to a first broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for facilitating the diagnosing and servicing of an automotive vehicle from service request to completed servicing and invoicing comprising:
a) diagnostic test equipment including means for attaching said equipment to said vehicle and means for measuring operating conditions of said vehicle;
b) a display means;
c) means for entering into said display means vehicle identifi-cation data unique to said vehicle;
d) data base storage means, said data base including specifica-tions for automotive vehicles including said vehicle to be serviced;
e) means for selecting from said data base the specification data unique -to said vehicle in accordance with said vehicle identification data and means for transferring said selected specifications to said diagnostic test equipment attached to said vehicle;
f) means for transferring measured data representing the current operating condition of said vehicle from said diagnostic test equipment to said display means;
g) means for producing a printed record and a stored record of said transferred measured data and said specification data;
h) means for selecting service manual index data unique to said vehicle from said data base in accordance with said vehicle identification 3 7 ~3 data and n~eans for transferring said indices to said display means;
i) means for selec-ting parts data unique to said vehicle from said data base in accordance with said vehicle iden~ification data and means for transferring said parts data to said display means;
j) means for selecting diagnostic and service remarks unique to said vehicle from said data base in accordance with said vehicle identifi-cation data and means for transferring said diagnostic and service remarks data, to said display means, and k) means for producing a stored record and a printed record of said data supplied to said display means.
According to a second broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for facilitating the diagnosing and servicing of an automotive vehicle having a unique identification with apparatus including diagnostic test equipment, storing means for storing and retrieving data pertaining to said vehicle and measured with respect to said vehicle, a vehicle data base including vehicle specifications and diagnostic data pertaining to operation of said diagnostic test equipment, a communicating network computer for interconnecting said diagnostic test equipment, said storing means and said data base, display means for displaying data from said diagnostic test equi.pment, said storing means and said vehicle data base, and printing means for producing a printed record of said retrieved data, said method comprising the steps of:
a) connecting said vehicle to said diagnostic test equipment, said diagnostic test equipment having the capability of sensing a plurality of conditions representing the operating condition of said vehicle, b) supplying to said diagnostic test equipment from said data base the specifications that apply to operation of said vehicle in accor-dance with said vehicle identiication, c) supplying to said diagnostic test equipment from said data base any unique sequence of diagnostic tests :for operating said diagnostic test equipment in sensing said conditions representing the operation of -4a-said vehicle, d) measuring data with said diagnostic test equipment in accordance with said unique sequence of diagnostic tests to produce a first set of data representing the current operating condition of said vehicle, e) displaying and storing said first set of data measured in step d) in a manner permitting comparison to said specifications that apply to operation of said vehicle, f) determining from said display and comparison the diagnosis and services to be performed on said vehicle to accomplish servicing of said vehicle, g) storing said diagnosis and services to be performed with respect to said vehicle, h) deriving from said data base information pertaining to said vehicles and said diagnosis and services to be performed with respect to said vehicle, i) based on said diagnosis and services to be performed, servicing said vehicle to change said operating conditions and measuring said data with said diagnostic test equipment to produce a second set of data repre-senting serviced operating condition of said vehicle, j) displaying and storing said second set of data measured in step i), k~ supplying to said storing means data pertaining to parts and services involved in servicing said vehicle including pricing data appli-cable thereto, 1) retrieving at least part of said data stored in said storing means and producing a printed record of said retrieved data, m) and maintaining a record of said stored data wi~h respect to said unique vehicle identification.
The objects and features of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the appended drawings and specifi-cation illustrated preferred embodiments.

-~b-. ~

~ ~ 65~3'~

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~IE DRAWINGS
FIG~RE 1 is a block diagram illustrating the relationship of the several elements of the system of the present invention.
FIGURES 2A, 2B and 2C are a flow chart diagram of the system of the present invention.
This invention relates to the work flow involved in diagnosing and servicing a vehicle from the time a customer arrives for an estimate of charges until the invoice has been completed for that vehicle. FIGURE
1 illustrates, in block diagram formJ the relationship of an individual service station to the vehicle and the data available regarding that vehicle.
FIGURES 2A, 2B and 2C graphically depict the work flcw.
In accordance with the presen~ invention an individual service station has available a group of separate equipment pieces that function together to assist the station operator in providing service to his custo-mer. As here shown, the service station 10 includes equipment in the form of a printer 12, a video display device 14 with keyboard 15, an analyzer 16, and a viewer 18 which most ~ -4c-i 16~78 01 likely will be adapted to view micro~ilm records now supplied in a form known as microfiche. The station 10 will have its own records and files 20 pre~erably in the form of microfiche files which may include the microfiche OS records as well as ot~er information generally concerning vehicle servicing or specific to certain service or cer~
tain vehicles. As shown in this illustration, the station equipment, and particularly the motor analyzer, is attached, in at least a functional sense, to a vehicle 22~ A mechanic 23 completes the minimum essential ele-ments within the service station.
As previously stated, it i.5 now r~cognized that the complexity of individual vehicles and their perfor-mance specifications have made it very difficult for indi-vidual service station operators to have access to thedata they need to diagnose and service an individual vehicle. To alleviate that problem and to provide the station operator or mechanic with the most accurate and up-to-date vehicle specifications on an-individual vehicle, the system shown in FIG. 1 illustrates the sta-tion 10 connected, by a communication link 24 to a network computer 26 which functions to address, process, route, prioritize, ~nd other data processing functions between the station lO and sources of supply information.
- 25 FIG. 1 further illustrates several sources of information which may be accessed by the service station.
Those sources include, as here illustrated, include vehicle data and information 28 service station data 30, and a vehicle s~ecialist resource 34. By way of explana-tion and without limitation blocks 2~, 3~ and 34 shown in FIG. 1 are intended to contain the followiny:

vehicle data and inormation (28) contains the detail specifications on each vehicle model made available ~rom the manufacturer including electrical, mechanical and 01 operational specifications on all available combinations of body, engine, drive train and accessories. It is expected that this single source o~ specifications will be as up-to-date as possible and it will be constan~ly moni-05 tored by vehicle specialists shown as block 34 to maintainaccuracy, to effect changes as supplied by the manufac-turer and to supply footnote or reference data as may be helpful to the station operator in diagnosing or servicing speci~ic vehicles.
Service Station data (30) contains in~ormation _ which is available to individual service stations concern-ing shared data on either an individual vehicle or a group of vehicles with regard to, for example, past service on a vehicle or recommendations for specific vehicles as well as information on local or regional parts or service availability. The individual station data may also include an individual station's accounting or service records which are machine-stored and retrievable through the network computer link.
The vehlcle specialist ( 3~ ) is a source oE
information and operational responsibility for management of the vehicle data and information. The specialist can be expected to be aware oF details on a nar~ow class of vehicles, any changes in specifications or regenerations with regard to that narrow class and any trends that might develop indicating needs for particular or peculiar service for those vehicles.
In each o~ the communication links 24, 27 and 29 there is shown a security block marked S which is intended to illustrate the protection of the particular data from tampering or access from unauthorized persons or sources.
It should be understood that specifications mus-t be depen-dable and accurate to serve the function here illustrated.
Further, some shared data and customer data must be pro-tected from unauthorized access.

8 7 ~3 ' 01 One additional communication ]ink is illustrated by dotted line 36 connecting the service station 10 and the vehicle specialist 34. This line is intended to illustrate the accessibility of the specialist to the 05 local station operator or mechanic by conventional commu-nication link such as telephone for consultation with regard to a specific vehicle. While such contact is expected to be minimal, it is helpful to an individual station operator or mechanic or vehicle owner to make such 1~ a contact route available.
The information communicated from the various sources 28, 30 and 34 through the network computer 26 to the service station 10 can be supplied to each of the equipment devices 12, 14 and 16 to permit "hard copies" to be made, to permit visual displays, and to permit the analyzer to be supplied with "down loaded" vehicle speci-fications. Dotted line communication link 37 between each of the devices is intended to illustrate the potential interaction between each of these pieces of equipment as will be further explained hereinafter.
FIG. 1 further illustrates by extension of com-munication link 27 that the vehicle data and information is available to other network computers and by the do~ted connections to communication link 24 that the network computers 26 illustratëd may also service a number of other ser~ice stations within the same regional area.
The system functions are referred to as options to the user. These options, or functions, appea~ to the user on the cathode ray tube (CRT) 14 adjacent to the analyzer 16. These options are:
Service invoice generation . Service invoice update Service invoice history . Vehicle identification and specifications . Daily bulletin I l B587~

01 . Daily recap Vehicle remarks display Operator information udpate.
As with most data processing systems, there is a os need for providing an identification that functions as an address for each separate transaction. In the present ; invention that identification is the service invoice num~
ber and is the key to entering a new vehicle into the system. When a customer's vehicle arrives at the station ~or either a diagnosis and/or a tune-up, basic information is entered into the system and on an inspection form, containing a preprinted invoice number.
The operator uses the keyboard 15 for display on CRT 14 to enter the customer information into the system.
This is accomplished by requesting a 5ervice Invoice Generation option which displays on the CRT the form of the service order. A preassigned invoice number on the form is ertered into the system to become the work order number. Those blanks on the work order that will require an entry by the operator are identified by prompting marks on the CRT.
The information for each new service invoice will be:
. Date , Customer Name Address (street, city, state, and zip code) Business and/or home phone numbers Estimate service order number . Estimate amount . Method of payment Charge authorization number Mileage License number and state . Make, year, and model . Vehicle identification number (VIN) - from vehicle 1 ~ 65~'~8 01 Other optional informatioll may be added to the service order at this time, such as:
Warranty num~er ~ Time wanted (a.m. or p.m.) 05 . Deliver?
Job taken and estimated by Customer remarks Last tune-up (mileage an date) . Road tests (with or without the customer) ~ . Motor vehicle inspection certiEication required I . Fuel type (regular, unleaded, premlum, diesel) ro assist dealers in servicing their reyular customers! new work orders may be qenerated from existing invoice history file records for the same vehicle. By lS entering the VIN, selected customer and vehicle informa-tion may be supplied to the CRT for the dealer to modify.
This will allow the dealer to use the existing vehicle specification record, after entering current work order information, to:
Print the tune-up parts list ~ Print the addresses to selected sub-system service manuals Download englne specifications to the analyzer Once the work order has been entered into the system, it becomes a "work order in progress," thus acces- I
; sible by several keys Work order ~umber . Customer name Ma~e/year/model . Vehicle identification number License number Assuming that the vehicle has not been pre-viously serviced at a service station that has collected vehicle identification information, the next step of data capture for diagnasis and servicing is the identification ~ 1 65878 01 of the engine for speci~ication selection. Because of the wide range of engine, ignition, and carburetion combina-tions for a particular make, year, and model vehicle, automobile manufacturers affix decals to engines denoting 05 the specification particulars for each engine, such as:
Federal or State, i.e. California, etc.
Carburetor Design level Air conditioning equipped . Calibration number . Revision levels Further distinguishing specifications will also be located on various underhood decals.
By requesting the Vehicle Identification option ` 15 on the CRT, the dealer will key in the work order number of the vehicle to be identified and the system will respond with a printed data capture form, constructed by the Vehicle~Specialist. This form will direc~ the dealer on engine identification data capture. Since the work order in the "work order in progress" file already contains the make/year/model, and VIN number, the dealer will not be required to reenter this information. How-ever, should the dealer wish to perform an analysis on a vehicle for which a wor~ order has not been created, the dealer may enter the vehicle's make/year/model and VIN and proceed as above.
The Speciication Compare option of the Vehicle Identification menu will confirm the work order number, make/year/model, and VIN of the last vehlcle for which a capture form was generated. This will eliminate the need for reentering the confirming informatLon; however, it will give the dealer the flexi~ility of preparing capture forms for multiple vehicles awaiting tune-ups. Should a capture form have been subsequently generated for other 3~

-~ 1 6~78 -lL-01 than the currellt vehicle, the dealer need only reenter the work order number.
Considering only those vehicles existing at the time of filing of this application, over 800 combinations o5 of make, year, model, and vehicle identification number have been identified, with a structured break~own of approximately 4,000 individual vehiele specification records. By entering all the inormation requested on the capture form, the selection o~ a vehicle specification record from the dis~1ayed list o~ m~tchinc3 criteria records at the c~r will be reduce~1 significantly.
When ~ match h~s ~een ou~1 hetween the informa-tion captured on the capture Eorm ~nd the in~ormation displayed for a vehicle specification record on the CRT, the dealer will sel~ct the record number displayed adja-cent to the vehicle speci~ic~tion recor-3. Thi.s record number will be stored in the respecti~e work order record.
The dealer will then select one or more of the following options:
~0 Print the tune-up parts list Select the vehicle su~system (e.g., ignition) - Display an index of the manufacturer's service manual on the CRT

- Print the manufacturer's service manual indexes on t1ze printer Download the engine specifications to the ana-lyzer The last option is valid only if the analyzer is not cur-rently in use.
Diagnosis and Repair -The do~nloading o~ engille spe~iLil.ltion-; to the analyæer has transmittecl dia~Jnostic information to the analyzer and the analyzer is reatly to l~c connecte(l to ~he :," ~ " ' 37P~

01 vehicle. The analyzer will be provided with the necessary linking connections that will permit the analyzer to have all o~ the necessary condition signals that will permit the analyzer to diagnose the condition of the engine.
05 Most analyzers require connections to the electrical sys-tems, the timing systems, the fuel and carburetion systems, the exhaust system, and other systems which will be known to those skilled in this art. When all the connectors have been attached to the vehicle, the dealer will then begin the initial diagnosis.
A representative series of tests on an engine are as follows:
STATIC VOLTAGE
Measures _.
Battery surface voltage Ignition primary voltages (coil ~ and -) and amperage CRANKING
Measures ".
Battery voltage drop Ignition primary voltages Cranking RPM
Cranking amperage by cylinder Oil temperature ALTERNATOR
Measures Alternator voltage and ampera(3e ~ loaded and unloaded Engine RPM
Field terminal voltaye Ripple Oil temperature .

8 7 ~

Measures .
Engine RPM
Dwell - percent and degrees S Ignition primary voltages ; Cam error Distributor variation Oil temperature IGNITION TIMING
10 Measures Engine RPM
Basic timing - Engine vacuum Advance at specified RPM
Advance curves Vacuum Centrifugal.
Oil temperature IGNITION SECONDARY
Measures Engine RPM
Spark plug firing voltage and duration by cylinder at specified RPM and snap acceleration Maximum firing voltage by cylinder Coil output Oil temperature EXHAUST GAS

Measures Engine RPM and variation :; Oil temperature - Exhaust temperature - minimum and maximum Fuel pump presure, volume and vacuum HC

1 J 65P~78

2 CYLINDER POWER BALANCE
Measures 05 By cylinder Engine ~PM drop HC
CO

Oil te~perature Exhaust temperature CYLINDER SUMMARY
.
Display by Cylinder Cranking amps HC change Power balance The results of each test will be transmitked back to the network computer 26 to be stored for that work order in progress.
At the dealer's option, the printer 12 may be activated so that results from each test will not only be transmitted back to the network computer, but also dis-played on the printer. This function is also useful should a diagnosis be performed, for a vehicle without a valid accompanying work order since the test results will not be transmitted to the network computer, but will be optionally available on the printer for future reference.
At the end of the initial diagnosis, a vehicle for which only a diagnosis is being performed would be disconnected from the analyzer and the custorner advised of that service only. A vehicle 22 for which a tune~up is to be performed would remain connectecl to the analyzer 16 and the operator would then place the analyzer into manual mode. These tests may be performed in any sequence and, 1 1 6~7~

01 as each test is completed and a new test is requested, the results of each test will be available on the printer.
The reason for retaining the printed display of each test is so that if a change is made in a subsequent test, the 05 dealer can refer back to the prior test to see what effect that modification or adjustment had made.
As part of the vehicle identifica~ion proce-dures, a list of parts required for tune-up is printed by the printer 12. With this parts list, the mechanic can then remove from stock and assign to the vehicle beiny serviced those parts necessary for a tune-up. During the repair mode of a vehicle being serviced, the operator can access the Service Invoice Update function of the system using the CRT 14 adjacent to the analyzer 16. By entering the work order number, the dealer can update the parts record with those parts that have been added to the vehicle being serviced. The dealer need only enter the part number and the quantity for each item and the system will display a confirmation of the quantity and the part number, followed by a description of the part, its unit retail price, and the total price for that part. If the part replacement was due to failure, or if the part was detected to have failed during use, the dealer will note this accordingly in the part failure column. This infor-mation will be transmitted to the vehicle specialist 34through the network computer 26 for evaluation of parts failure. By requesting the labor update option, the dealer can enter the number of hours assigned to that ; vehicle and the labor rate from the dealer's labor ~ile will be applied to that work order for later invoicing.
By re~uesting the sublet work uudate option, the 3caler can enter the purchase order number, the subcontractor's name, and the sales amount.
Upon completion of the repair mode or tune-up mode, the anal~zer is placed back in the automatic mode 9 :1 6~,78 -16~

0l for the final diagnosis. This is to ensure that the vehicle is now in compliance with the speci~ications.
Again, the results o each test are transmitted back to the network computer for retention within the Work Order 05 In Progress file. When it has been verified that the services to the vehicle have been completed, the motor analyzer is disconnected from the vehicle and invoicing from that vehicle is ready to be completed.
Invoicing An invoice can be generated for any vehicle in the Work Order In Progress file at any stage durin~ the vehicle 1 5 servicing should the dealer select to close out that work order. Since all information regarding that vehicle has been entered from the time that work order was initiated, the dealer has a complete record of all parts, ; labor, and sublet work associated with that vehicle. As an option, the dealer can run a subtotal on all parts and labor to date to verify that the original estimate has not been exceeded. Both the customer and the dealer may wish to be aware that an estimate has or may be exceeded so as to avoid conflict with consumer protection legislation which has been enacted in several states of the United States. The dealer may contact the customer for addi-tional repairs authorization and then note either a con-firmation or refusal of the additional repairs.
Should the work order be complete, the dealer would proceed with invoicing. All information pertaining to that invoice would be displayed upon the CRT. The dealer has the option to use the prices in the dealer price ~ile and the dealer's labor file for total invoicing or, should the dealer elect, to alter any price. When all the charges for labor, parts, and sublet work repairs have been tallied and accepted by the dealer, the system will calculate the applicable state and local tax and genera-te ; 35 the total amount for that invoice. When an invoice has 7 ~

01 been accepted as complete by the dealer, it will be marked as such and retained in the Work Order In Progress file for daily recap purposes.
When an invoice has been completed, it will be 05 printed on the printer~ I an analysis was performed on the vehicle, the diagnostic report may be printed, start-ing on a new page, following the invoice. The distribu-tion of the printed output will be as follows:
. The original of the system generated service invoice and diagnostic report will be attached to the customer's invoice copy of the Tune-Up and Emission Inspection form for the customer The copy of the system generated service invoice and diagnostic report will be attached to the station file copy of the Tune-Up and Emission Inspection form for the dealer.
Daily Recap _ The daily recap can be performed at any time, although it is assumed that the daily recap will be per formed at the end of a working day or at the beginning of the next working day. This will be a batch procedure initiated from the service station. The daily recap goes through the Work Order In Progress file and tallies items such as:
` 25 . Tires Batteries Accessories Parts . Lubrication Labor . Other products Sales tax Total sales . Work orders completed . Work orders outstanding 1 1 65~78 01 For those jobs that are incomplete, the original date of the work order will be printed. This recap may be printed on the printer in one of the following modes~ a daily recap and a month-to-date recap. When a daily recap S has been displayed and printed, the dealer may be asked if he wants to close his daily recap. If the dealer elects to close the daily recap, that informa~ion may be carried forward in the month-~o-date recap. On a month-to-date recap, the dealer may be asked if he wishes to close his monthly recap. If a monthly recap has not, as yet, been printed, the dealer may be asked if he wishes to print the monthly recap prior to closing the monthly recap. ~hen a recap is printed, the closing on a monthly recap record will be cleared to start a new month.
If the dealer elects to close the daily recap, all completed work orders will be transferred to the Service Invoice History file. Extracted information from the completed work orders will be transferred to the Master History file. Parts failure data will be recorded for evaluation by the Vehicle ~pecialist 34.
Service Invoice History_File The dealer's Service Invoice History file will contain a copy of all completed service invoices.
Print Formats The printer 14 is used for the generation of:
Invoices . Vehicle data capture forms Vehicle diagnostic reports . Recap reports ; 30 . Tune-up parts lists Vehicle subsystem manual microfiche title labels and index address references . Bulietins ~~

P, 7 ~

-19- ' 01 Video Formats When the dealer wishes to perform diagnos~ic and service function, the system will prompt the dealer for the correct entry. At any time during system operation, 05 the dealer may return to the Master Menu, or "log off" ~he system.
In addition to the password re~uired to "log on"
the security S in the communication links 24, 27, 29 and 35 in the system requires a dealer-supplied password for:
. Recap . Dealer file update The purpose of the two-level password access is to prevent ` unauthorized personnel from using the system. The system security access passwords are preferably centrally con-trolled, service station financial data access security in station data 30 may be controlled by the individual dealer.
FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate the system of the present invention in relative time sequence from left to right through FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, and FIG. 2C.
As illustrated in the upper left corner of FIG. 2A, the customer 40 and vehicle 22 arrive at the station with a known or unknown operational problem. As previously described, the customer supplies some informa-tion pertaining to the vehicle 22 to the station operatoror dealer to create an initial service estimate with a copy 41 for the station records, a copy 42 for the cus-tomer, and the original 43 for working within the system.
Dotted lines illustrate the expected use of the estimate copies.
From the information on original copy 43 an entry is made in~o the system of this inven~ion by select-ing the option service invoice generation for creating a work order against which all work on the specific vehicle 22 will be recorded. This selection is implemented by I 1 6 ~

01 displaying on the CRT 14 the available options and by the dealer or operator selecting the function o~ service in-voiee generation thrbugh keying an appropriate key on keyboard 15.
05 The entry of a service invoice generation com-mand with appropriate customer identifieation will permit the network eomputer (NET. COMP.) to search for previous serviee orders for the same eustomer in the serviee sta-tion data 30 (FIG~ 1) to provide details to complete the service invoice generation and to provide background information, if available, on the eusto~er and vehiele being serviced. As shown in FXG. 2A, the network computer enters information into and derives information from a storage disk 46 in serviee station data 30 containing work order in progress information. Available information is displayed on the CRT 14 screen with blanks for unavailable informa~ion. If customer or vehicle information is not available on storage in disk 46, the dealer or operator enters sueh information through keyboard lS to complete the serviee invoiee.
At this time the vehicle identification number (VIN) is determined from inspeetion of the vehicle. All ~ vehiele manufaeturers are required to install, in an i aeeessible loeation, a vehicle identifieation number ` 25 plate, a vehiele eertifieation label, and a series of various underhood tags, plates, deeals and labels. The information contained on these supplies an observer with the:
~1) consecutive unit number for the vehicle (2) body serial eode

(3) model year eode

(4) assembly plant eode

(5) body type code (~) engine eode (7) color eode , -~ 3 ~ 8 01 (8) trim code ~9) transmission code (10) rear axle code (11) district -- special equipment 05 (12) vehicle type.
With that code information the dealer may refer to the manufacturer's manuals to identify details for a particular car. The dealer must also identify the exhaust emission specification decal on a vehicle being serviced.
Having produced the vehicle identification num-ber and entered it into th~ service invoice ~orm through keyboard 15, the dealer has identified complete details on the customer and vehicle and has caused that information to be entered into the work order in progress disk 46.
That information may then be printed at printer 12 to produce a "hard copy" reference to be attached to the vehicle. The identification of a vehicle by its vehicle identification number (VIN) has also permitted the system to access the specifications for that particular vehicle through the network computer 26 to the storage disk 2 where complete vehicle specifications for each vehicle have previously been stored.
FIG. 2B depicts the system functions for diag-nosis and repair for a vehicle. With the vehicle 22 con-nected to an analyzer 16 and both connected through thenetwork computer 26 to the vehicle data and information 28 (FIG. 1) including vehicle specifications storage disk 2, the engine specifications for a particular vehicle may be "down loaded", i.e. transferred, to the motor analyzer 16 for retrievable storage. The specification stored in the disk 2 may also contain a listing of parts associated with the tune-up of that vehicle and an index or menu of other available visual data that may be accessed for that vehicle. The parts list may be down loaded through the network computer 26 to the printer 12 for access by an -~ ~ 6~378 01 operator and the index or menu of other data may be displayed on the CRT 14. ~Jith that in~ormation an operator will have operation specifications for the vehicle, a parts list, and a re~erellce chart of other 05 available vehicle information.
- The other available vehicle information may include such necessary items as a wiring diagram or mechanical diagram of engine elements that may be viewed through an appropriate viewer. In FIG. 2B the menu is displayable on CRT 14 to inform the operator where the desired diagram can be ~oun~ in a suitable manuaI or station miarof*che f~1,e 2;0 fPIG. lJ.
At this point in the process of the present invention the operator or dealer has the vehicle 22 attached to the motor analyzer 16, the motor analyzer has supplied to it the specifications for tune-up of the par-ticular vehicle 22, and the operator has a means for iden-tifying and viewing additional information concerning the vehicle 22. It is contemplated that the analyzer is capa-ble~o~ measuring and providing an output display or signalthat will show the present operating condition of the vehicle and/or the difference between the present condi-tion and the manufacturers specifications ~or operation o~
the vehicle. Condition and operation are contemplated to include motor operation as well as electrical and mecha-nical conditions on the vehicle that are capable of being measured and compared to established specifications. The output from the analyzer 16 should be most, if not all, o the conditions stated under the heading of "DIAGNOSIS ~ND
REPAIR". The comparative data may be select~d items which will permit the dealer or operator to establish a prelimi~
nary diagnosis of any changes in vehicle operating condi-- tions that would be expected to improve vehicie operation or bring the vehicle into conformance with the specifica-tions for that vehicle, .

1 3 6 ~

01 Engine analyzers of the type contemplated herein are available from manufacturers s~ch as Bear Automotive Service Equipment, Inc., Sun Electric Co., Allen Equipment Co., and United Technologies.
S The comparative information from the analyzer 16 will be supplied to a printer 12 where the operator may analyze the information from the analyzer and recommend remedial action to the vehicle. Some of the analy2ers listed above provide diagnostic output information that will supplement or assist an operator in providing a diag-nosis. If parts are required or adjustments are to be made to the vehicle, those actions may be taken and the operation of the vehicle measured again. The initial diagnosis of the vehicle condition will have been supplied to the work in progress disk 46 and stored in accordance with the ~ork order that identifies vehicle being ana-ly~ed. When the repairs have been completed for that vehicle, the then operating conditions are supplied to the work in progress disk 46 in accordance with work order so that a comparison may be supplied for any particular vehicle.
It is also contemplated that the status of any work order in~progress can be viewed by the operator by accessing that information on the CRT 14. The work order is continuously updated with any activity with respect to , that work order including entering parts, lahor and sublet ! work as well as any comments that the operator may want to enter with regard to separate reports such a~ parts Eail-ure or other vehicle conditions not covered by the work order in progress.
~ he system of the present invention allows the analyzer 16 to be programmed from the vehicle specifica-tion disk 2 through the network computer 26. In that mode it is possible to control the sequence of tests performed by the analyzer 16 on the vehicle 22 and to control the -~ ~ 6~78 01 display of measured data from the vehicle with respect to specification data ~upplied to the analyzer 16 from the vehicle specification data. This feature of the present invention permits the diagnosis and analysis of an automo-OS tive vehicle in many diferent operating conditions andpermits the vehicle specialist 34 shown in FIG. 1 to be able to optimize the operation of the motor analyzer 16.
The analyzer 16 must either be capable of accepting these "downloaded" instructions or the mechanic may view the recommendations on a CRT 14 and manually control the ana-lyzer accordingly.
Also shown in FIG. 2B is a Vehicle Remarks File disk 3 containing pertinent information for the operator with regard to specific or classes of automotive vehicles.
The information from disk 3 constitutes a part of the vehicle data and information 28 shown in FIG. l and is accessible through the network computer 26 for viewing on the CRT 14.
The diagnosis or analysis produced by the motor analyzer 16 by measuring data from the motor vehicle with respect to specifications supplied from the vehicle speci-fication disk 3 i~ made available to the printer 12 where a "hard copy" of measured and specification data may be produced for further analysis by a mechanic. That data is also supplied to the work order in progress disk 46 through the network computer 26 where it is stored with respect to the particular vehicle in accordance with its individual work order n~mber.
The system of the present invention has so far supplied to a mechanic or service station operator the present condition of the vehicle, the specifications for proper operation of the vehicle, the operating routines for an analyzer if needed, and an indication of the differences between the present vehicle condition and specifications.

, ~ 1 65878 01 The invention may also indicate the preferred change in vehicle condition to bring the vehicle into agreement with the specifications. Whether ~hat change is automatically supplied by the analyzer 16 or whether the 05 differences between present condition and specification is analyzed by a mechanic makes no difference in the present invention, it is only important that the vehicle be ser-viced or "tuned-up" to change its operating condition.
When a change in vehicle operation has been accomplished the vehicle is again attached ~o the analyzer and its operating condition determined and further com-pared to specifications. It i9, of course, expected that the vehicle's operation will come into conformance with the specifications supplied to the analyzer. The final operating conditions are supplied to the work in progress disk 46 from the analyzer through the network computer 26. That final diagnosis is viewable at the CRT 14 through the network computer 26 and a "hard copy" is pro-ducable at the printer 12 directly from the analyzer 16.
The printer output can include all parts, labor and sublet work charged to the service order identifying the vehicle and may also include additional remarks concerning part failures or service remarks concerning the vehicle.
FIG. 2C illustrates the final record keeping and summaries that are producable with the method and appara-tus of the present invention. In producng an invoice for the customer after the servicing has been completed, the CRT 14 displays the information containe~ in the work in progress disk 46 through the network computer 26. That disk contained the original service estimate so that the customer and operator can now compare the estimate with the final services. That same information is supplied to the service station files to maintain a record of the work performed and may be converted to microfiche record storageO

i ~ 65~8 01 The foregoing operations of the system as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B and the initial part of FIG. 2C have been mostly related to an individual vehicle, customer and service order. The system permits the operator to produce 05 a tally of daily operations and work in progress to assist in maintaining an efficient service operation. The CRT 14 may provide a display o many categories of records main-tained in the storage capacity available through the net-work computer. As illustrated, the operator may access the disk 4~ through the network computer 26 to display a daily recap of work in progress, a monthly summary of work performed, a service history for individual vehicles or a class of vehicles, a display of present work in progress, and a recap of parts failure history. The foregoing summaries and up-dates are representative of the type and kind of information available. By separately identifying particular parts and servi~es supplied by the dealer, the record can supply a recap of categories such as tires and batteries, tune-up, wheel and brake services, or any other separate item.
As illustrated in the right-most side of FIG. 2C, an end-of-the day display is available at the CRT 14. This function permits the operator to access information within the dis~ storage at any CRT 14 that may be attached to the disk through the network computer 26.
That location need not be at the actual service location but may be at any CRT 14 having access to the network computer 26. An operator having several service locations may access the information at a single location and thus avail himself of summary inormation in preparation for parts or mechanic labor requirements.
As herein described, the system permits an accu-rate record to be kept on each service order in progress and completed. Because the records are acc~ssed through a net~ork computer, it is possible to reproduce a record oE

~ 1 ~5~7~

01 previous services performed on a vehicle at another service location. Having the vehicle iden~ification number (VXN) it is possible to retrieve the record o~ pre-vious services stored in the service station data 30.
05 Access to such information may require entry through a ; security screen established to provide security for both the vehicle owner and the service operator.
It is contemplated that the system of the pre-sent invèntion will benefit the vehicle owner, the service operator and the general public in many ways. The vehicle owner i5 benefited by having a clear estimate of services to be performed based on the actual up-to-date manufac-turers specifications applicable to that particular vehicle. The service operator is benefited by having an accessible, dependable set of specifications to which he can perform services. The system also provides access to a specialist for the unusual or complex service request.
The operator also gets a system that can supply his record keeping demands. The general public is benefited by having up-to-date vehicle specifications available to the service operator so that the services supplied can be expected to meet the specifications that have been esta-blished for satisfying environmental protection regula-tions.
While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been specifically disclosed, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto as many variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation within the terms of the following claims.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An apparatus for facilitating the diagnosing and servicing of an automotive vehicle from service request to completed servicing and invoicing comprising:
a) diagnostic test equipment including means for attaching said equipment to said vehicle and means for measuring operating conditions of said vehicle;
b) a display means;
c) means for entering into said display means vehicle identification data unique to said vehicle;
d) data base storage means, said data base includ-ing specifications for automotive vehicles including said vehicle to be serviced;
e) means for selecting from said data base the specification data unique to said vehicle in accordance with said vehicle identification data and means for trans-ferring said selected specifications to said diaghostic test equipment attached to said vehicle, f) means for transferring measured data represent-ing the current operating condition of said vehicle from said diagnostic test equipment to said display means, g) means for producing a printed record and a stored record of said transferred measured data and said specification data, h) means for selecting service manual index data unique to said vehicle from said data base in accordance with said vehicle identification data and means for transferring said indices to said display means, i) means for selecting parts data unique to said vehicle from said data base in accordance with said vehicle identification data and means for transferring said parts data to said display means, j) means for selecting diagnostic and service remarks unique to said vehicle from said data base in accordance with said vehicle identification data and means for transferring said diagnostic and service remarks data, to said display means, and k) means for producing a stored record and a printed record of said data supplied to said display means.

2. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said data base storage means includes means for controlling said diag-nostic test equipment in accordance with data unique to said vehicle.

3. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said means for controlling said diagnostic test equipment is selected in accordance with said vehicle identification data unique to said vehicle.

4. The apparatus of Claim 3 wherein said means for controlling said diagnostic equipment transfers control functions including control of said means for measuring operating conditions of said vehicle and said means for transferring measured data to said display means, and wherein said means for controlling transfers said control functions from said data base storage means to said diag-nostic test equipment.

5. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said means for controlling said diagnostic test equipment also includes service manual index data; means for selecting parts data, diagnostic and service remarks for vehicles;
and control functions for control of said diagnostic equipment comprising:
i) diagnostic tests for vehicles, ii) display of diagnostic test results, and iii) control means transferable to said diagnostic test equipment to cause said test equipment to perform said diagnostic tests and display said diagnostic test results.

6. The apparatus of Claim 1 wherein said means for transferring measured data from said diagnostic test equipment to said display means includes means for trans-ferring digitized waveform said measured data.

7. The apparatus of Claim 1 including means for comparing said transferred measured data with said speci-fication data unique to said vehicle transferred to said display means, and means for identifying differences between said measured data and said specification data.

8. The apparatus of Claim 7 including means for producing a printed record and a stored record of services performed and to be performed on said vehicle based on said differences between said measured data and said spe-cification data.

9. The apparatus of Claim 8 including means for storing and retrieving said record of said services per-formed and to be performed for access according to said vehicle identification data.

10. The apparatus of Claim 8 including means for retrieving said stored record of services performed and to be performed according to degree of completion.

11. The apparatus of Claim 8 including means for storing and retrieving said record of services performed and to be performed according to types of services per-formed.

12. The apparatus of Claim 2 wherein said means for controlling said diagnostic test equipment includes a microprocessor, and said data base storage means includes software routines for said microprocessor in said diag-nostic test equipment, and means for transferring said software routines to said microprocessor in said diag-nostic test equipment.

13. The apparatus of Claim 5 including means for accessing said data base storage means to change the data base stored in said storage means including at least:
(i) said specifications for automotive vehicles and (ii) said means for controlling said diagnostic test equipment, and (iii) said index data, parts data, diagnostic and service remarks, and control functions.

14. The apparatus of Claim 1 including means for entering to said display means the identification and quantity of parts, labor hours by labor category, and description and amount of sublet service work performed in servicing said automotive vehicle.

15. The apparatus of Claim 14 including means for storing pricing data with respect to parts, services and sublet service work for services performed in servicing said vehicle and means for supplying said pricing data to said display means.

16. The apparatus of Claim 15 wherein said means for producing a printed record includes means for producing a final invoice based on said data supplied to said display means with respect to servicing said vehicle.

17. The apparatus of Claim 1 including a network computer for communicating between at least said data base storage means and said diagnostic test equipment, said display means, and said means for producing said printed record and stored record.

18. A method for facilitating the diagnosing and servicing of an automotive vehicle having a unique iden-tification with apparatus including diagnostic test equip-ment, storing means for storing and retrieving data per-taining to said vehicle and measured with respect to said vehicle, a vehicle data base including vehicle specifica-tions and diagnostic data pertaining to operation of said diagnostic test equipment, a communicating network compu-ter for interconnecting said diagnostic test equipment, said storing means and said data base, display means for displaying data from said diagnostic test equipment, said storing means and said vehicle data base, and printing means for producing a printed record of said retrieved data, said method comprising the steps of:
a) connecting said vehicle to said diagnostic test equipment, said diagnostic test equipment having the capa-bility of sensing a plurality of conditions representing the operating condition of said vehicle, b) supplying to said diagnostic test equipment from said data base the specifications that apply to operation of said vehicle in accordance with said vehicle identifi-cation, c) supplying to said diagnostic test equipment from said data base any unique sequence of diagnostic tests for operating said diagnostic test equipment in sensing said conditions representing the operation of said vehicle, d) measuring data with said diagnostic test equip-ment in accordance with said unique sequence of diagnostic tests to produce a first set of data representing the current operating condition of said vehicle, e) displaying and storing said first set of data measured in step d) in a manner permitting comparison to said specifications that apply to operation of said vehicle, f) determining from said display and comparison the diagnosis and services to be performed on said vehicle to accomplish servicing of said vehicle, g) storing said diagnosis and services to be per-formed with respect to said vehicle, h) deriving from said data base information pertain-ing to said vehicle and said diagnosis and services to be performed with respect to said vehicle, i) based on said diagnosis and services to be per-formed, servicing said vehicle to change said operating conditions and measuring said data with said diagnostic test equipment to produce a second set of data represent-ing serviced operating condition of said vehicle, j) displaying and storing said second set of data measured in step i), k) supplying to said storing means data pertaining to parts and services involved in servicing said vehicle including pricing data applicable thereto, 1) retrieving at least part of said data stored in said storing means and producing a printed record of said retrieved data, m) and maintaining a record of said stored data with respect to said unique vehicle identification.

19. The method of Claim 18 wherein said supplying of unique sequence of diagnostic tests from said data base is a set of software routines unique to said vehicle being serviced and wherein said routines are retrievably installed in said diagnostic test equipment to control operation of said diagnostic test equipment.

20. The method of Claim 19 wherein said software routines are supplied to a microprocessor in said diag-nostic test equipment and said software routines control operation of said microprocessor in performing diagnostic tests on said vehicle.

21. The method of Claim 18 wherein said communi-cating network computer is the interface between one vehicle data base, one storing means, and a plurality of diagnostic test equipment, display means, and printing means, said network computer routing said communicating in accordance with said unique vehicle identification.

22. The method of Claim 18 wherein said storing means contains separate storage for each vehicle being serviced, each vehicle previously serviced, and records pertaining to servicing of vehicles; said vehicle data base contains vehicle data and information pertaining to classes of vehicles and unique vehicles; and said commu-nicating network computer accesses said storing means contents and said vehicle data base in accord with said unique vehicle identification to control said diagnostic test equipment, to cause display at said means, and to produce printed records at said printing means.

23. The method of Claim 18 with the addition of access to said data base for changing said data base whereby a single data base change provides vehicle speci-fication and diagnostic data to a plurality of diagnostic test equipment through said communicating network compu-ter.

24. The method of Claim 18 wherein said communicat-ing network computer accesses said storing means and said vehicle data base in accord with said unique vehicle identification, wherein said retrieval of stored data is in accord with said unique vehicle identification, and wherein services performed on a vehicle are maintained in accord with said unique vehicle identification for future retrieval.

25. The method of Claim 24 wherein said stored information is further identifiable by type of services performed and each unique vehicle stored record is main-tained current with services performed, and wherein said stored information is accessible through said communicat-ing network computer to permit display at said display means and printed record at said printer of status reports of at least work in progress, work completed, work by type of service, inventory control, on substantially any time.
period report.