Mobile Phone OBD-II Interface for Vehicle Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive diagnostic systems require costly proprietary hardware and return native codes that are not descriptive, making it inefficient for vehicle owners and repair services to access and interpret vehicle data, often necessitating vehicle transport for diagnosis, which can lead to damage and inefficient resource allocation.
Innovation Solution
A system that interfaces mobile phones with a vehicle's on-board diagnostic computer, processing and displaying data in human-readable form on the phone while transmitting it over the internet for immediate repair and roadside assistance, using a microcontroller to bridge communication protocols between OBD-II and mobile phone formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If proprietary hardware and software are used to access OBD-II data, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but device cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mobile phone as an intermediary device between the vehicle's OBD-II system and the user. The mobile phone connects to the OBD-II port via a simple adapter, eliminating the need for complex proprietary diagnostic hardware. The phone's existing processing capabilities and display serve as the intermediary to retrieve, interpret, and present diagnostic data, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a software-based copy of diagnostic functionality that runs on the mobile phone instead of requiring dedicated hardware. The application on the phone replicates the functions of expensive diagnostic tools by communicating with the ECU through the OBD-II interface, using the phone's processor and display to present data in human-readable form, thus avoiding the need for complex proprietary hardware.
2Productivity
If native diagnostic codes are returned without translation, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of descriptive information
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile phone application serves as an intermediary that receives raw diagnostic codes from the ECU and automatically translates them into human-readable descriptions. The application maintains efficient data transmission by using standardized OBD-II protocols while simultaneously providing interpreted information to the user, bridging the gap between machine-readable codes and user-understandable diagnostics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically retrieving, translating, and displaying diagnostic information without requiring external assistance. The mobile phone application independently communicates with the ECU, interprets the codes using built-in translation capabilities, and presents the results to the user, eliminating the need for technicians or specialized equipment to interpret diagnostic data.
3Measurement precision
If vehicles are transported to diagnostic locations, then comprehensive analysis capability is improved, but loss of time and potential vehicle damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the vehicle owner to perform comprehensive diagnostic analysis themselves using their mobile phone. By bringing the diagnostic capability to the vehicle rather than requiring vehicle transport, the owner can immediately retrieve, translate, and analyze diagnostic data at the breakdown location, eliminating vehicle downtime and preventing potential damage from prolonged immobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent shifts the diagnostic capability from a fixed location (service center) to a mobile platform (vehicle owner's phone). This dimensional change allows comprehensive diagnostic analysis to occur anywhere the vehicle is located, transforming the diagnostic process from location-dependent to location-independent, thereby eliminating transport requirements and reducing downtime.
4Speed
If diagnostic information is stored locally only, then data access speed is improved, but adaptability deteriorates as information cannot be shared with repair services or manufacturers
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile phone application provides multi-functional capability by serving both as a local diagnostic tool and as a communication bridge to external systems. It can store and display data locally for immediate access while simultaneously transmitting information to repair services and manufacturers through wireless networks, enabling both rapid local access and broad information sharing without compromising either function.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a system for interfacing mobile phones with an on-board diagnostic computer in a vehicle, wherein the on-board diagnostic computer monitors a set of operational characteristics of a vehicle. The information derived from this system will be processed on the mobile phone coupled with additional information and displayed on the mobile phone's screen, while simultaneously transmitting this information over the internet to be stored in a database.