Robert J Tefft

US Patent:

6775602, Aug 10, 2004

Filed:

Jul 8, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/190987

Inventors:

Clifton Mahaffey - Louisville KY
Robert J. Tefft - Crestwood KY
Robert Kennedy - Louisville KY
Jess Yowell - Louisville KY

Assignee:

Gordon-Darby Systems, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

G01M 1700

US Classification:

701 33, 701 29, 701 30, 701 32, 701 35, 340438, 25033905, 250372, 250338

Abstract:

A decentralized method and system for vehicle emissions testing preferably uses the OBD unit of the vehicle to be tested. A preferred implementation of the method and system includes a remote overview or supervisory location in communication with a plurality of decentralized inspection stations or test locations. Supervisory personnel at the remote overview location are in video and data communication with the inspection location and thus are able to monitor and audit all aspects of the OBD testing process, including a review of the actual test data.

US Patent:

7071002, Jul 4, 2006

Filed:

Sep 5, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/656515

Inventors:

Robert J. Tefft - Crestwood KY, US
S. Jay Gordon - Louisville KY, US
Clifton Mahaffey - Louisville KY, US
Thomas C. Austin - El Dorado Hills CA, US
Thomas R. Carlson - Roseville CA, US

Assignee:

Gordon-Darby Systems, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

G01N 33/22
G01N 33/00
G01N 7/00
G01N 33/497
B32B 5/02

US Classification:

436137, 422 83, 73 2331, 73 116, 436143

Abstract:

A method and system for vehicle emission testing measures pollutant concentration, but then provides for conversion of the measured pollutant concentration into its corresponding pollutant mass, thereby allowing for the calculation of a vehicle's emission test scores for one or more common pollutants in units of mass per distance. Through the use of the method and system of the present invention, significantly more accurate results can be obtained as compared to prior art test methods, and without the implementation, operating, and maintenance costs of comparable test methods.

US Patent:

7469171, Dec 23, 2008

Filed:

Feb 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/054790

Inventors:

Robert J. Tefft - Crestwood KY, US
S. Jay Gordon - Louisville KY, US

Assignee:

Gordon-Darby Systems, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

G07C 5/00
G05B 23/02

US Classification:

701 29, 701 33, 701 30, 701 35, 701 31, 180270, 324378

Abstract:

A decentralized method and system for vehicle emissions testing uses the OBD unit of the vehicle to be tested and includes a remote data storage location in communication with a plurality of decentralized inspection stations or test locations. Each inspection location is designed to allow for “self-service” inspection through a kiosk that includes all of the hardware and software necessary to carry out the testing process and to communicate test data and information to the remote storage location.

US Patent:

20070250231, Oct 25, 2007

Filed:

Apr 19, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/379296

Inventors:

Robert Tefft - Crestwood KY, US
S. Gordon - Louisville KY, US
Richard Joy - Louisville KY, US

Assignee:

Gordon-Darby Systems, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

G01M 17/00

US Classification:

701033000

Abstract:

A vehicle emissions inspection commences when a vehicle owner connects an OBD scanning device to the OBDII system of the vehicle. Once the OBD scanning device is connected, it interrogates the vehicle to solicit the necessary information and data from the OBDII system of the vehicle. After the necessary information and data has been collected from the vehicle's OBDII system, it is encoded and encrypted into a alphanumeric character string displayed on the OBD scanning device. This alphanumeric character string is then reported to a central data storage location for evaluation and determination as to whether the inspection was valid and whether the vehicle passed or failed its inspection.

US Patent:

6623975, Sep 23, 2003

Filed:

May 8, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/851192

Inventors:

Robert J. Tefft - Crestwood KY
S. Jay Gordon - Louisville KY
Clifton Mahaffey - Louisville KY

Assignee:

Gordon-Darby Systems, Inc. - Louisville KY

International Classification:

G01N 3322

US Classification:

436137, 436127, 73116

Abstract:

A method and system for vehicle emission testing measures pollutant concentration, but then provides for conversion of the measured pollutant concentration into its corresponding pollutant mass, thereby allowing for the calculation of a vehicles emission test scores for one or more common pollutants in units of mass per distance. Through the use of the method and system of the present invention, significantly more accurate results can be obtained as compared to prior art test methods, and without the implementation, operating, and maintenance costs of comparable test methods.