Vehicle Diagnostic Scan Capture for Chain-of-Custody Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for capturing and storing diagnostic scan results from vehicles, especially at salvage auctions, are inefficient and prone to human error, with technicians manually inputting data into databases and facing issues with email spam and data integration.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing a web browser extension to automatically capture and transmit diagnostic scan results to a centralized database, eliminating the need for manual input and enhancing data integration across different vehicle manufacturers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If technicians manually input diagnostic scan results into databases, then data can be stored and tracked, but the process is time-consuming and prone to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses email attachments as copies of diagnostic scan results. The system automatically captures these attached files and copies the data into the database, eliminating manual typing while maintaining data accuracy through automated file processing and validation
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically processing email attachments containing diagnostic data. The automated extraction and database population processes eliminate the need for manual data entry, reducing both time consumption and human error while maintaining reliable data capture
2Ease of operation
If technicians use email to transmit diagnostic scan results, then data can be shared, but emails may be caught in spam filters and data integration becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that sits between email transmission and database storage. This intermediary automatically processes incoming emails with attachments, validates them, and integrates the data into the database, eliminating spam filter issues and data integration difficulties while maintaining easy email-based transmission
3Loss of information
If a centralized database is implemented to store diagnostic results, then data integration and tracking improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal database system that handles multiple functions: storing diagnostic results, tracking chain of custody, managing component histories, and enabling data retrieval. This multi-functional approach consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into one unified platform, improving data integration without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Briefly, one or more embodiments are direct to a process, system, and article for transmitting a request for a diagnostic scan of a vehicle from a diagnostic application running on a computing device to an On-Board Diagnostic (OBD) system of a vehicle. A file may be received, by the diagnostic application, from the OBD system of the vehicle in response to the OBD system performing the diagnostic scan. The diagnostic application may launch a web browser application to display results stored in the file. A web browser extension of the web browser application may copy the file to generate a file copy. The file copy may be transmitted by the web browser extension to a diagnostic test results database.