(12) United States Patent ao) Patent No.: us 6,556,899 Bi
Harvey et al. (45) Date of Patent: Apr. 29,2003
(54) BUS DIAGNOSTIC AND CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD
(75) Inventors: Lee Harvey, Winnipeg (CA); Eugene Pachet, Winnipeg (CA)
(73) Assignee: New Flyer Industries, Manitoba (CA)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ol this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 09/722,283
(22) Filed: Nov. 28, 2000
Related U.S. Application Data
(60) Provisional application No. 60/225,736, filed on Aug. 17, 2000.
(51) Int. CI.7 G08G 1/123
(52) U.S. CI 701/29; 701/2; 701/35;
701/117; 342/357.09; 340/989
(58) Field of Search 701/29, 2, 33,
701/35, 117; 342/357.07, 357.09, 357.1;
340/989
(56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,257,190 A * 10/1993 Crane 340/459
5,450,321 A * 9/1995 Crane 307/10.6
5,619,412 A * 4/1997 Hapka 123/179.2
5,815,071 A * 9/1998 Doyle 340/439
5,922,037 A * 7/1999 Potts 701/29
5,949,330 A * 9/1999 Hoffman et al 340/438
6,028,537 A * 2/2000 Suman et al 340/426
6,055,468 A * 4/2000 Kaman et al 340/439
6,112,152 A * 8/2000 Tuttle 340/5.61
6,208,948 Bl * 3/2001 Klingler et al 701/29
6,339,736 Bl * 1/2002 Moskowitz et al 340/988
6,339,745 Bl * 1/2002 Novik 342/357.07
* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner—Michael J. Zanelli
Assistant Examiner—Eric M Gibson
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Dorsey & Whitney LLP
(57) ABSTRACT
A system and method allow for remote control ol a bus or other vehicle and lor collection ol bus operating and diagnostic data collected from an bus onboard data collection and control system. The system allows for wireless communication between the bus and a local bus operating center. The bus operating center may include an Internet web site and an Internet server that receives the data from the bus. The data may be aggregated for several buses, or may be retained on an individual bus basis. The system and method provides for non-intrusive diagnosis ol the bus or other vehicle. The system includes an onboard computer that contains vehicle operating and diagnosis programs. The computer may be interlaced locally at the bus, or remotely from another location. Parameter values ol bus components may be displayed using human to machine interlaces. The interlaces may include virtual objects that represent actual bus components or that are used to display component parameters in a readily readable lashion.
33 Claims, 81 Drawing Sheets
