Vehicle Diagnostic Reset via Optical VIN Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanics face inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need to manually search for vehicle-specific diagnostic reset procedures, which vary by vehicle make, model, and year, requiring time-consuming searches through manuals and databases to reset diagnostic indicators in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A device and method using a mobile communication device with an image capturing capability and optical character recognition module to capture vehicle identifying information, such as the VIN or license plate, and communicate it to a database to access and display or electronically implement vehicle-specific diagnostic reset procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If mechanics manually search through maintenance manuals and databases to find vehicle-specific diagnostic reset procedures, then they can obtain the correct reset instructions, but the process consumes excessive time and increases repair costs
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows the diagnostic device to automatically obtain vehicle identifying information from the vehicle's electronic control unit or through optical recognition, and automatically access the appropriate reset procedures from a database without requiring mechanics to manually search through manuals. The system serves itself by autonomously completing the information retrieval process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of searching through physical manuals and databases with an automated electronic system. The diagnostic device electronically queries the vehicle for identifying information, automatically accesses a database using vehicle-specific identifiers (VIN, license plate), and retrieves the appropriate reset procedures, eliminating the need for manual information seeking.
2Ease of repair
If mechanics manually execute vehicle-specific reset procedures by searching documentation, then they can reset diagnostic indicators, but the process increases repair costs and reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic device automatically performs the information retrieval and procedure selection functions, allowing the mechanic to focus solely on executing the reset procedures. The system provides step-by-step instructions directly to the mechanic, eliminating the need for manual documentation research and enabling faster service delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a database and diagnostic device as intermediaries between the mechanic and the vehicle reset procedures. The database stores pre-prepared reset procedures for various vehicle types, and the diagnostic device acts as a mediator to match the specific vehicle with the appropriate procedures, streamlining the repair process.
3Speed
If the system uses optical character recognition to capture vehicle identifying information, then it can quickly identify the vehicle, but it requires additional device capabilities and processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing multi-functionality of mobile communication devices, which already possess cameras for optical recognition and processors for data handling. By utilizing these pre-existing capabilities, the system achieves rapid vehicle identification without requiring specialized equipment, making the solution universally applicable with common devices.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution streamlines the diagnostic reset process by allowing mechanics to quickly access and implement vehicle-specific procedures, reducing time and costs by eliminating the need for manual searches through extensive documentation, and enabling efficient communication with a vehicle's electronic control unit for electronic implementation.
Implementation Method 1
an image capturing device for capturing an optical image of a VIN or license plate
Implementation Method 2
an optical character recognition module in communication with the image capturing device for converting the captured image into a data signal
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a device, system, and method for generating vehicle-specific diagnostic reset procedures using a data signal representative of vehicle identifying information. Diagnostic reset procedures corresponding to a vehicle are generated in response to converting vehicle identifying information into a data signal representative of the vehicle's VIN or license plate number, and matching the data signal with corresponding diagnostic reset procedures stored in a diagnostic reset procedure database. The vehicle-specific diagnostic reset procedures may be displayed on a mobile communication device, such as a smart phone, for instructing the user to manually perform the corresponding diagnostic reset procedures. Alternatively, the corresponding diagnostic reset procedures may be communicated directly to the vehicle's electronic control unit for electronically implementing the corresponding diagnostic reset procedures.