US Patent 6993421 Equipment service vehicle with network-assisted vehicle service and repair

A method of ordering parts for an equipment service vehicle comprises performing a diagnostic test on the equipment service vehicle, the performing step being performed by an on-board computer system of the equipment service vehicle and transmitting a request for a replacement part for the equipment service vehicle, the request being transmitted from the on-board computer system to an off-board computer system by way of a wireless radio-frequency (RF) communication link. A method of scheduling maintenance for an equipment service vehicle comprises performing a diagnostic test on the equipment service vehicle using an on-board computer system of the equipment service vehicle, and transmitting a request to schedule the equipment service vehicle for maintenance. The request is transmitted from the on-board vehicle computer system to an off-board computer system by way of a wireless radio-frequency communication link.