Wireless Access Point for Automotive Service Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wheel alignment systems face challenges with proprietary wireless technologies that become obsolete quickly, leading to reliability and service issues, and standard technologies often require complex setup procedures, which can be detrimental to performance and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A wireless network utilizing standard technologies, managed by a custom wireless access point, which establishes a proprietary, non-adaptable network using pre-approved devices, ensuring only known components communicate, and coordinates data transfer to maintain performance and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proprietary wireless technologies are used in automotive service systems, then specific technical requirements are met and product functionality is achieved, but the technologies become obsolete quickly and constrain product performance and reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling the automotive service system to support multiple wireless communication protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee) within a single system architecture. This allows the system to adapt to different technology standards over time, preventing obsolescence while maintaining reliable communication. The system can switch between protocols as technologies evolve, ensuring long-term reliability without being constrained to a single proprietary standard.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard wireless technologies are used to avoid obsolescence, then adaptability and market compatibility are improved, but setup procedures become complex and may affect performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through automatic protocol detection and configuration mechanisms. When a wireless device joins the network, the system automatically detects the communication protocol being used and configures the appropriate settings without requiring manual user input. This eliminates complex setup procedures while maintaining support for multiple standard wireless technologies, allowing the system to adapt to different protocols seamlessly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the form of a wireless communication manager that sits between the hardware and the application layer. This intermediary handles protocol detection, translation, and configuration automatically, shielding users from the complexity of multiple wireless standards while enabling broad technology compatibility. The intermediary manages the complexity internally while presenting a simple interface to users.
3Ease of manufacture
If proprietary wireless technologies are used, then product functionality is achieved, but installation and service become expensive and lead to reliability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the wireless communication subsystem to support multiple industry-standard protocols through a unified architecture. This allows the system to maintain full functionality while using widely-supported, cost-effective wireless standards rather than proprietary technologies. The multi-protocol capability ensures that replacement and repair can use common components available in the market, reducing service costs and improving ease of repair.
4Adaptability or versatility
If standard wireless technologies are used, then market compatibility is improved, but the technologies are designed for broad markets and may require frequent design changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the wireless communication functionality into distinct modular components, each supporting a specific protocol. This modular architecture allows individual protocol handlers to be updated or replaced independently without affecting the entire system. When design changes are needed due to evolving wireless standards, only the relevant protocol module needs to be modified, reducing overall system complexity and making updates more manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary abstraction layer that standardizes access to different wireless protocols. This layer provides a unified interface to the application while handling protocol-specific implementations underneath. When standard wireless technologies evolve, changes are contained to the intermediary layer's protocol handlers rather than propagating through the entire system, reducing the impact of frequent design changes and maintaining stability in the core functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for forming a wireless communications network using a standard communications link between a master controller and at least one slave device. In one example, a list of available slave devices for the network is generated, valid slave devices are determined from the list of available slave devices based on an identification protocol of the standard communications link, and the at least one slave device is selected from the valid slave devices. A network identification is established between the master controller and the at least one slave device, and the network identification is used to establish a network comprising only the master controller and the at least one slave device.