Repair information providing apparatus and repair information providing method

Abstract

A repair information provision device (10) is provided with: an information acquisition unit (11) that acquires first information including a fault code of a vehicle transmitted from vehicles (20a, 20b) having a fault diagnosis function, and acquires second information including the time and content of repair performed on the vehicle input by an operator; a correspondence relationship establishment unit (12) that associates the failure code included in the first information with the repair content included in the second information on the basis of the time when the first information has been transmitted and the repair time included in the second information; an information storage unit (15) that stores a correspondence relationship between the fault code and the repair content for which the correspondence relationship has been established by the correspondence relationship establishment unit; and an information output unit (14) that, after the correspondence relationship has been stored in the information storage unit, when the first information has been acquired by the information acquisition unit, outputs repair information relating to the content of the repair corresponding to the failure code included in the acquired first information on the basis of the correspondence relationship.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a repair information providing device and a repair information providing method for providing information related to vehicle repair. Background Art

[0002] As such a device, there is a system that provides information related to a repair method for a device after sale. For example, in the system described in Patent Document 1, a fault code and a repair procedure for the fault indicated by the fault code are stored in a server in advance in a corresponding relationship, and when a fault code displayed on the device to be repaired is input from a mobile phone to the server via a network, the repair procedure for the fault indicated by the fault code is replied from the server to the mobile phone.

[0003] However, in general, a vehicle is equipped with a fault diagnosis function (OBD (On-Board Diagnostics)), and the result of the fault diagnosis is output in the form of a fault code (DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code)). However, since there is no correspondence between DTC and repair content, even if DTC is output, it is difficult to perform appropriate repairs on the vehicle based on the DTC.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-228632 (JP 2003-228632 A). Summary of the invention

[0007] A repair information providing device according to one technical solution of the present invention comprises: an information acquisition unit, which acquires first information including a fault code of a vehicle sent from a vehicle having a fault diagnosis function, and acquires second information including the time and content of repairs performed on the vehicle input by an operator; a correspondence establishment unit, which establishes a correspondence between the fault code included in the first information and the content of the repairs included in the second information based on the time when the first information was sent and the repair time included in the second information; an information storage unit, which stores the correspondence between the fault code and the content of the repairs established by the correspondence establishment unit; and an information output unit, which, after the information storage unit stores the correspondence, outputs repair information related to the content of the repairs corresponding to the fault code included in the acquired first information based on the correspondence when the information acquisition unit acquires the first information.

[0008] A repair information providing method of another technical solution of the present invention includes the following steps executed by a computer: an information acquisition step, in which first information of a vehicle fault code sent from a vehicle with a fault diagnosis function is acquired, and second information containing the time and content of repairs performed on the vehicle input by an operator is acquired; a correspondence establishment step, in which a correspondence is established between the fault code contained in the first information and the content of the repair contained in the second information based on the time when the first information was sent and the repair time contained in the second information; an information storage step, in which a correspondence between the fault code and the content of the repair for which a correspondence is established in the correspondence establishment step is stored; and an information output step, in which, after the correspondence is stored in the information storage step, when the first information is acquired in the information acquisition step, repair information related to the content of the repair corresponding to the fault code contained in the acquired first information is output based on the correspondence. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further clarified through the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the overall configuration of a repair information providing system including a repair information providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 Is used to illustrate the Figure 3 A diagram of self-diagnosis information and repair information acquired by an information acquisition unit.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a flowchart showing an example of a multiple DTC clearing process executed by the repair information providing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing an example of the diagnostic machine DTC clearing process executed by the repair information providing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of the correspondence relationship establishment process executed by the repair information providing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of versatility evaluation processing executed by the repair information providing device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of a repair information providing process executed by the repair information providing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 7 An embodiment of the present invention is described. A repair information providing device according to an embodiment of the present invention provides information related to the repair of a vehicle. Usually, a vehicle is equipped with a fault diagnosis function (OBD (On-Board Diagnostics)), and the result of the fault diagnosis is output in the form of a fault code (DTC (Diagnostics Trouble Code). DTC indicates an abnormal state detected by a sensor installed on the vehicle, rather than indicating the cause of the abnormal state or an appropriate repair method for eliminating the abnormal state. For example, even if a DTC indicating a misfire state of a specific cylinder is output, it is impossible to know whether such a misfire state is due to a malfunction of the fuel injection system, a malfunction of the ignition system, or other reasons.

[0018] The operator who repairs the vehicle confirms the malfunction reported by the user of the vehicle and the DTC output from the vehicle, and checks the part that is considered to be the cause, determines the cause of the malfunction, and decides the repair content. The repair content includes the repair target parts that are the object of repair, and the replacement, cleaning, processing, etc. of the repair target parts. In the case of a specific malfunction of the vehicle, a certain abnormal state is usually detected and a certain DTC is output, and the operator determines a certain repair content. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to establish a correspondence between the DTC actually output from the vehicle in the past and the repair content at this time in advance, so that the vehicle can be easily properly repaired according to the DTC newly output from the vehicle, the repair information providing device is constructed as follows.

[0019] Figure 1 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the overall structure of a repair information providing system 100 including a repair information providing device (hereinafter referred to as a device) 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the repair information providing system 100 includes an apparatus 10, vehicles 20a and 20b, a diagnostic machine 30, and an information input terminal 40 installed in a repair shop where vehicle repairs are performed. The apparatus 10, the vehicle 20a, the diagnostic machine 30, and the information input terminal 40 are connected to each other in a communicative manner via a communication network 50 including a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet.

[0020] The device 10 is composed of a computer having a CPU (processor), a ROM (read-only memory), a RAM (random access memory), and other peripheral circuits. The device 10 has an information acquisition unit 11, a correspondence establishment unit 12, a correspondence evaluation unit 13, and an information output unit 14 as a functional structure of the processor, and an information storage unit 15 as a functional structure of the memory. That is, the processor of the device 10 functions as the information acquisition unit 11, the correspondence establishment unit 12, the correspondence evaluation unit 13, and the information output unit 14, and the memory of the device 10 functions as the information storage unit 15. The device 10 can be configured as a single server device, a distributed server device, or a distributed virtual server device set up in a cloud environment.

[0021] The vehicle 20a has a fault diagnosis device 21 that performs a fault diagnosis function, a positioning unit 22, and a telematics control unit (TCU (Telematics Control Unit)) 23. The positioning unit 22 receives a positioning signal transmitted from a positioning satellite, and determines the current position of the vehicle 20a based on the received positioning signal. When the TCU 23 generates a DTC as a result of the fault diagnosis of the fault diagnosis device 21, the DTC and the current position of the vehicle 20a (DTC generation position) measured by the positioning unit 22 are sent to the device 10 together with the identification information (vehicle ID) of the vehicle 20 at a prescribed transmission cycle. In other words, the TCU 23 sends the DTC generated in the latest transmission cycle and the DTC generation position together with the vehicle ID to the device 10 in units of a prescribed transmission cycle. The information sent from the vehicle 20a to the device 10 is managed on the device 10 side as self-diagnosis information via the TCU. Hereinafter, the DTC included in the self-diagnosis information via the TCU is sometimes referred to as a "communication DTC".

[0022] DTC also includes DTCs (provisional DTCs) that are temporarily generated due to errors, etc. When a provisional DTC is continuously generated for a predetermined number of fault diagnosis cycles or more, it becomes a DTC (determined DTC) whose fault state is determined. Information on whether each DTC is a provisional DTC or a determinate DTC is included in the DTC, and it is possible to determine whether it is a provisional DTC or a determinate DTC based on the DTC.

[0023] The vehicle 20b has a fault diagnosis device 21 that performs a fault diagnosis function.

[0024] The diagnostic machine 30 is composed of a dedicated device or a general-purpose computer, etc., and is communicatively connected to the fault diagnosis device 21 of the vehicle 20a, 20b to be diagnosed via a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication line, etc. When the fault diagnosis device 21 receives a diagnostic instruction from the diagnostic machine 30, it sends the DTC generated in the past and stored in the memory to the diagnostic machine 30, or sends the DTC generated by the new execution of the fault diagnosis function of the vehicle 20a, 20b to the diagnostic machine 30. The fault diagnosis device 21 sends the vehicle ID of the vehicle 20a, 20b together with the DTC to the diagnostic machine 30. When the diagnostic machine 30 receives the DTC and the vehicle ID from the fault diagnosis device 21, it sends the received DTC and the vehicle ID to the device 10 together with the reception time (DTC reception time). The information sent from the diagnostic machine 30 to the device 10 is managed on the device 10 side as self-diagnosis information via the diagnostic machine. Hereinafter, the DTC included in the self-diagnosis information via the diagnostic machine is sometimes referred to as "diagnosis machine DTC".

[0025] The information input terminal 40 is composed of, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, or other device that can be connected to the communication network 50 and is installed in a repair shop that repairs the vehicles 20a and 20b. Repair information related to the repair of the vehicles 20a and 20b is input to the information input terminal 40. The repair information includes identification information (repair shop ID) of the repair shop that repaired the vehicles 20a and 20b, the repair acceptance date, the vehicle ID, the adverse symptoms (symptom code) that are the subject of the repair, and the repair content (parts number of the repair object parts, specific processing content). In the repair information, as an adverse symptom, a DTC that is determined by the operator as a symptom related to the repair is sometimes included. The repair information input to the information input terminal 40 is sent to the device 10 via the communication network 50 and managed. Hereinafter, the DTC included in the repair information is sometimes referred to as an "input DTC".

[0026] Figure 2 1 is a diagram for explaining self-diagnosis information and repair information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 of the device 10. Figure 2 As shown, the information acquisition unit 11 of the device 10 acquires the self-diagnosis information via the TCU sent from the vehicle 20a (TCU 23), the self-diagnosis information via the diagnostic machine sent from the diagnostic machine 30, and the repair information sent from the information input terminal 40. The self-diagnosis information via the TCU, the self-diagnosis information via the diagnostic machine, and the repair information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 are stored and accumulated in the information storage unit 15. In the self-diagnosis information via the TCU stored in the information storage unit 15, information of the time (DTC acquisition time) when the self-diagnosis information is acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 is added.

[0027] <Multiple DTC clearing processing>

[0028] Figure 3 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the multiple DTC clearing process executed by the device 10 . Figure 3 The processing is repeated at a specified cycle. When multiple DTCs (multiple DTCs) are generated simultaneously in a vehicle 20a, 20b, other DTCs (slave DTCs) may be generated along with the DTC (main DTC) related to the cause of the problem. For example, when a specific sensor fails, a slave DTC indicating an abnormal state of other vehicle-mounted devices that use the output value from the sensor as an input value is sometimes generated together with the main DTC indicating the failure of the specific sensor. In the case of multiple DTCs, it is preferable to remove the slave DTCs and leave only the main DTC that should establish a correspondence with the repair content. In the information storage unit 15 of the device 10, the correspondence between the main DTC and the slave DTC is pre-stored.

[0029] like Figure 3 As shown, first, in step S1, as a process of the information acquisition unit 11, it is determined whether self-diagnostic information (self-diagnostic information via TCU, self-diagnostic information via diagnostic machine) has been acquired. When step S1 is affirmative (S1: Yes), the process proceeds to step S2, and when step S1 is negative (S1: No), the process ends. In step S2, it is determined whether the self-diagnostic information acquired in step S1 contains multiple DTCs. When step S2 is affirmative (S2: Yes), the process proceeds to step S3, and when step S2 is negative (S2: No), the process ends. In step S3, with reference to the correspondence between the main DTC and the subordinate DTC stored in the information storage unit 15, it is determined whether the multiple DTCs acquired in step S1 include the main DTC. When step S3 is affirmative (S3: Yes), the process proceeds to step S4, and when step S3 is negative (S3: No), the process ends. In step S4, the slave DTC corresponding to the master DTC determined in step S3 is deleted (information indicating that the corresponding relationship is not established is deleted or added) from the multiple DTCs included in the self-diagnosis information acquired in step S1, and the processing is terminated. Thus, the slave DTC is deleted from the DTCs (communication DTCs, diagnostic machine DTCs) included in the self-diagnosis information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 and stored in the information storage unit 15, and the self-diagnosis information is updated.

[0030] <Diagnostic machine DTC clearing process>

[0031] Figure 4 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the diagnostic machine DTC clearing process executed by the device 10 . Figure 4The processing is repeated at a specified cycle. During the period until the vehicles 20a, 20b are manufactured and delivered, a completion inspection is performed at a manufacturing plant, etc. The completion inspection includes generating a simulated fault state of the vehicles 20a, 20b while the diagnostic machine 30 is connected to the vehicles 20a, 20b, confirming whether a normal DTC is output from the vehicles 20a, 20b to the diagnostic machine 30 and displayed, etc. In this way, the diagnostic machine DTC (pre-delivery DTC) generated before the delivery date of the vehicles 20a, 20b should not be associated with the repair content, and is therefore preferably excluded. In the information storage unit 15 of the device 10, the information on the delivery date of each vehicle 20a, 20b is stored in advance in correspondence with the vehicle ID.

[0032] like Figure 4 As shown, first, in step S10, as a process of the information acquisition unit 11, it is determined whether the self-diagnosis information obtained by the diagnostic machine has been obtained. When step S10 is affirmative (S10: Yes), the process proceeds to step S11, and when step S10 is negative (S10: No), the process ends. In step S11, with reference to the information of the delivery date of each vehicle 20a, 20b stored in the information storage unit 15, it is determined whether the delivery date corresponding to the vehicle ID included in the self-diagnosis information obtained in step S10 is not recorded, but before the delivery date. When step S11 is affirmative (S11: Yes), the process proceeds to step S12, and when step S11 is negative (S11: No), the process ends. In step S12, the self-diagnosis information obtained in step S10 is deleted from the information storage unit 15 (delete or add information indicating that the object of the non-correspondence relationship is not established). As a result, the pre-vehicle delivery DTC is deleted from the DTC (diagnostic machine DTC) included in the self-diagnostic information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 and stored in the information storage unit 15, and the self-diagnostic information is updated.

[0033] The completion inspection of vehicles 20a, 20b using the diagnostic machine 30 is also performed after the repair of vehicles 20a, 20b. That is, before repairing vehicles 20a, 20b, fault diagnosis is performed using the diagnostic machine 30 in order to determine the repair content, and after the repair, a completion inspection is performed using the diagnostic machine 30 in order to confirm that the fault state has been eliminated. The fault diagnosis before the repair and the completion inspection after the repair are performed on the same day, and a specified time (for example, 30 minutes or more) passes from the fault diagnosis before the repair to the completion inspection after the repair. In the completion inspection after the repair, DTC (completion inspection DTC) is sometimes generated due to the processing during the completion inspection such as temporary disassembly of the battery terminals. The completion inspection DTC should not be associated with the repair content, so it is preferably excluded.

[0034] In step S13, the self-diagnostic information including the same vehicle ID as the vehicle ID included in the self-diagnostic information acquired in step S10 is extracted from the self-diagnostic information stored in the information storage unit 15 via the diagnostic machine. Then, it is determined whether there is self-diagnostic information including the DTC reception time on the same day as the DTC reception time included in the self-diagnostic information acquired in step S10 and more than a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) before. When step S13 is affirmative (S13: Yes), the process proceeds to step S14, and when step S13 is negative (S13: No), the process ends. In step S14, the self-diagnostic information acquired in step S10 is deleted from the information storage unit 15 (delete or add information indicating that the object of the non-corresponding relationship is not established), and the process ends. As a result, the completed inspection DTC is deleted from the DTC (diagnostic machine DTC) included in the self-diagnostic information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 and stored in the information storage unit 15, and the self-diagnostic information is updated.

[0035] The correspondence establishing unit 12 of the device 10 establishes a correspondence between the DTC included in the self-diagnosis information and the repair content included in the repair information based on the time when the self-diagnosis information stored in the information storage unit 15 is sent and the repair time included in the repair information stored in the information storage unit 15. The time when the self-diagnosis information is sent via the TCU is, for example, the time when the information acquisition unit 11 acquires the self-diagnosis information from the vehicle 20a (TCU23) (DTC acquisition time). The time when the self-diagnosis information is sent via the diagnostic machine is, for example, the time when the diagnostic machine 30 receives the self-diagnosis information from the vehicle 20a, 20b (fault diagnosis device 21) (DTC reception time).

[0036] <Correspondence Establishment Process>

[0037] Figure 5 It is a flowchart showing an example of the correspondence relationship establishment process executed by the device 10. Figure 5 The processing is repeatedly executed in a predetermined cycle. When the repair of the vehicle 20a, 20b is completed, the repair information including the repair content determined and actually performed by the operator is input into the information input terminal 40 and transmitted to the device 10 via the information input terminal 40. When the same failure occurs in the same vehicle, it is preferable to establish a correspondence between such repair content and the DTC (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) associated with the fault to be repaired in advance from the viewpoint of facilitating appropriate repair of the vehicle.

[0038] like Figure 5As shown, first, in step S20, as a process of the information acquisition unit 11, it is determined whether the repair information has been acquired. When step S20 is affirmative (S20: Yes), the process proceeds to step S21, and when step S20 is negative (S20: No), the process ends. In step S21, as a process of the correspondence establishment unit 12, self-diagnostic information containing the same vehicle ID as the vehicle ID contained in the repair information acquired in step S20 is extracted from the self-diagnostic information stored in the information storage unit 15. Then, it is determined whether there is self-diagnostic information in the extracted self-diagnostic information whose transmission period (DTC acquisition time, DTC reception time) is within a prescribed period from the repair acceptance date contained in the repair information acquired in step S20. Regarding the prescribed period, for example, the period from the DTC acquisition time of the communication DTC to the repair acceptance date is set to about 90 days, and the period from the DTC reception time of the diagnostic machine DTC to the repair acceptance date is set to about 60 days. When the step S21 is affirmative (S21: Yes), the process proceeds to step S22, and when the step S21 is negative (S21: No), the process ends.

[0039] In step S22, from the self-diagnostic information determined in step S21 to be within the prescribed period from the repair acceptance date, the self-diagnostic information with the latest transmission date (including the date of DTC acquisition time or DTC reception time) and the date immediately before the repair acceptance date is extracted. The self-diagnostic information extracted in step S22 may include a plurality of DTCs (communication DTCs, diagnostic machine DTCs).

[0040] When a repair shop or the like that repairs the vehicle 20a or 20b performs a fault diagnosis before repair or a completion inspection after repair using the diagnostic machine 30, self-diagnosis information via the TCU is sometimes transmitted together with self-diagnosis information via the diagnostic machine. In this way, self-diagnosis information (communication DTC) via the TCU generated during the repair process should not be associated with the repair content, and is therefore preferably excluded. The location of each repair shop or the like is stored in advance in an associated relationship with the repair shop ID in the information storage unit 15 of the device 10.

[0041] In step S23, it is determined whether the self-diagnostic information extracted in step S22 is self-diagnostic information via TCU and is generated within a specified range (e.g., within about 200 m) of the repair shop or the like corresponding to the repair information acquired in step S20. In other words, it is determined whether the DTC generation position included in the self-diagnostic information extracted in step S22 is within a specified range of the position of the repair shop or the like corresponding to the repair shop ID included in the repair information acquired in step S20. When step S23 is affirmative (S23: Yes), the process proceeds to step S24, the self-diagnostic information (communication DTC) extracted in step S22 is deleted (deleted or added with information indicating that the object of the non-correspondence relationship is not established), and the process returns to step S21. When step S23 is negative (S23: No), the process proceeds to step S25. Thus, the self-diagnostic information (communication DTC) via TCU generated during the repair process is deleted from the self-diagnostic information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 and stored in the information storage unit 15, and the self-diagnostic information is updated.

[0042] In step S25, it is determined whether the DTC (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) included in the self-diagnosis information extracted in step S22 is a provisional DTC. When step S25 is affirmative (S25: Yes), the process proceeds to step S24, and the DTC included in the self-diagnosis information extracted in step S22 is deleted (deleted or added with information indicating that the object of the non-correspondence relationship is not established), and the process returns to step S21. When step S25 is negative (S25: No), the process proceeds to step S26. Thus, the provisional DTC is deleted from the self-diagnosis information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 and stored in the information storage unit 15, and the self-diagnosis information is updated.

[0043] The correspondence evaluation unit 13 of the device 10 determines whether the input DTC is included in the repair information, whether the DTC (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) included in the self-diagnosis information is consistent with the input DTC included in the repair information, and evaluates the correspondence based on the judgment result. That is, in the case where the repair information input by the operator includes an input DTC determined to be related to the repair, the DTC (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) that is consistent with this is likely to be related to the repair content. On the other hand, the DTC (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) that is inconsistent with the input DTC is likely to be unrelated to the repair content. In the case where the input DTC is included in the repair information, by taking this into consideration, the reliability of the correspondence between the DTC (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) for which the system side automatically establishes a correspondence and the repair information can be evaluated.

[0044] In step S26, as a process of the correspondence evaluation unit 13, it is determined whether the repair information acquired in step S20 includes an input DTC. When step S26 is affirmative (S26: Yes), the process proceeds to step S27, and when step S26 is negative (S26: No), the process proceeds to step S29. In step S27, it is determined whether the DTC (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) included in the self-diagnosis information extracted in step S22 is consistent with the input DTC included in the repair information acquired in step S20. More specifically, it is determined whether any one of the DTCs (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) included in the self-diagnosis information extracted in step S22 is consistent with any one of the input DTCs included in the repair information acquired in step S20. When step S27 is negative (S27: No), the process proceeds to step S24, deletes (deletes or adds information indicating that the object of establishing a correspondence) the DTC included in the self-diagnosis information extracted in step S22, and returns to step S21. Thus, from the self-diagnostic information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11 and stored in the information storage unit 15 , DTCs that do not match the DTCs determined by the operator as being relevant to the repair and are likely to be irrelevant to the repair content are deleted, and the self-diagnostic information is updated.

[0045] When step S27 is affirmative (S27: Yes), the process proceeds to step S28, where the repair information acquired in step S20 and the self-diagnosis information extracted in step S22 are used as a combination of a first reliability indicating a high reliability as a process of the correspondence establishing unit 12, and a correspondence is established, and the process ends. In step S29, the repair information acquired in step S20 and the self-diagnosis information extracted in step S22 are used as a combination of a second reliability indicating an unknown reliability, and the process ends. The correspondence between the repair information and the DTC, for which the correspondence is established by the correspondence establishing unit 12, is stored in the information storage unit 15. In the correspondence stored in the information storage unit 15, reliability information is added to each combination of the repair information and the DTC.

[0046] <Generality evaluation process>

[0047] Figure 6 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the versatility evaluation process executed by the device 10. For example, each time a new correspondence is stored in the information storage unit 15, the versatility evaluation process is performed on all combinations of the part number of the repair target part and the DTC included in the repair information. Figure 6Processing. The correspondence evaluation unit 13 of the device 10 evaluates the correspondence stored in the information storage unit 15 for each combination of the part number of the repair object part and the DTC contained in the repair information. More specifically, it is determined whether a correspondence is established between the same DTC and the same repair object part across different vehicle models. In the case where a correspondence is established across different vehicle models, it is evaluated as a correspondence with high universality that is independent of the vehicle model. In addition, it is determined whether a correspondence is established between the same DTC and the same repair object part across different types of the same vehicle model. In the case where a correspondence is established across different types of the same vehicle model, it is evaluated as a correspondence with high universality that is independent of the type. In the information storage unit 15 of the device 10, the vehicle model and type of each vehicle 20a, 20b are stored in advance in correspondence with the vehicle ID (for example, a model number that determines the vehicle model and type).

[0048] like Figure 6 As shown, first, in step S30, as a process of the correspondence evaluation unit 13, it is determined whether the combination of the part number of the specific repair target part and the DTC is established in a correspondence relationship with a predetermined number of vehicle models or more. When step S30 is affirmative (S30: Yes), the process proceeds to step S31, and evaluation information indicating that the correspondence relationship is highly universal and has no relation to the vehicle model is added to the combination of the part number of the specific repair target part and the DTC in the correspondence relationship stored in the information storage unit 15, and the process ends. When step S30 is negative (S30: No), the process proceeds to step S32, and it is determined whether the combination of the part number of the specific repair target part and the DTC is established in a correspondence relationship with a predetermined number of types of the same vehicle model or more. When step S32 is affirmative (S32: Yes), the process proceeds to step S33, and evaluation information indicating that the correspondence relationship is highly universal and has no relation to the type is added to the combination of the part number of the specific repair target part and the DTC in the correspondence relationship stored in the information storage unit 15, and the process ends. When step S32 is negative (S32: No), the process proceeds to step S34, and evaluation information indicating a correspondence with low universality inherent to a specific type of a specific vehicle model is added to the combination of the part number and DTC of the specific repair object part in the correspondence stored in the information storage unit 15, thereby terminating the process.

[0049] <Repair information provision processing>

[0050] Figure 7 1 is a flowchart showing an example of the repair information providing process executed by the device 10 . Figure 7The processing is repeatedly executed in a predetermined cycle. After the information output unit 14 of the device 10 stores the correspondence between the repair information and the DTC in the information storage unit 15, when the self-diagnosis information is acquired by the information acquisition unit 11, the repair information corresponding to the DTC included in the self-diagnosis information is output according to the correspondence. More specifically, the repair information as information related to the vehicle 20a, 20b repaired in the repair shop is sent to the information input terminal 40 of the repair shop etc. responsible for the inspection, maintenance, repair, etc. of the vehicle 20a, 20b that outputs the self-diagnosis information. In this way, by providing the repair information based on the self-diagnosis information obtained in the fault diagnosis before the repair, the vehicle 20a, 20b can be easily repaired appropriately in the repair shop etc. In addition, when the repair information is provided based on the self-diagnosis information sent from the vehicle 20a to the device 10 via the TCU when a malfunction occurs in the vehicle 20a, the repair target parts can be grasped at the repair shop etc. as soon as possible, and the parts can be ordered as soon as possible. In the information storage unit 15 of the device 10, the repair shop ID of the repair shop in charge of each vehicle 20a, 20b is stored in advance in correspondence with the vehicle ID.

[0051] like Figure 7 As shown, first, in step S40, as a process of the information acquisition unit 11, it is determined whether self-diagnosis information (self-diagnosis information via TCU, self-diagnosis information via diagnostic machine) has been acquired. When step S40 is affirmative (S40: Yes), the process proceeds to step S41, and when step S40 is negative (S40: No), the process ends. In step S41, with reference to the correspondence between the repair information and the DTC stored in the information storage unit 15, the repair information corresponding to the DTC included in the self-diagnosis information acquired in step S40 is sent to the information input terminal 40 of the repair shop corresponding to the vehicle ID, and the process ends.

[0052] It is also possible to determine whether or not the repair information can be output by considering the evaluation result of the correspondence evaluation unit 13 stored in the information storage unit 15. For example, it is also possible to output the repair information on the condition that the correspondence is established as a combination of the first reliability. It is also possible to determine the vehicle model and type corresponding to the vehicle ID included in the self-diagnosis information obtained in step S40, and only output the repair information corresponding to the DTC included in the past self-diagnosis information of the same type of vehicle 20a, 20b of the same model. It is also possible to output the repair information corresponding to the DTC included in the past self-diagnosis information of different types of vehicles 20a, 20b of the same model on the condition that the evaluation information indicating that the correspondence is highly universal regardless of the type is added. It is also possible to output the repair information corresponding to the DTC included in the past self-diagnosis information of vehicles 20a, 20b of different models on the condition that the evaluation information indicating that the correspondence is highly universal regardless of the model is added.

[0053] According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0054] (1) The device 10 comprises: an information acquisition unit 11 for acquiring self-diagnosis information (self-diagnosis information via TCU, self-diagnosis information via diagnostic machine) including DTC (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) of the vehicle 20a, 20b transmitted from the vehicle 20a, 20b having a fault diagnosis function, and acquiring repair information including the time and content of repair performed on the vehicle 20a, 20b input by the operator; and a correspondence establishment unit 12 for establishing a correspondence relationship based on the time when the self-diagnosis information is transmitted (DTC acquisition time, DTC reception time) and the repair information. The information storage unit 15 stores the corresponding relationship between the DTC and the repair content established by the corresponding relationship establishing unit 12; and the information output unit 14 outputs the repair information (repair information) related to the repair content corresponding to the DTC included in the self-diagnosis information according to the corresponding relationship when the information acquisition unit 11 acquires the self-diagnosis information after the corresponding relationship is stored by the information storage unit 15. Figure 1 ).

[0055] In this way, regarding the DTC transmitted from a specific vehicle and the repair contents performed on the vehicle, by establishing a correspondence relationship between the DTC and the repair contents first performed after the DTC is transmitted, for example, according to the time period, it is possible to establish a correspondence relationship between the DTC and the repair contents. In addition, by providing repair information related to the appropriate repair contents corresponding to the DTC newly transmitted from the vehicle based on such a correspondence relationship between the DTC and the repair contents, it is possible to easily perform an appropriate repair of the vehicle based on the DTC.

[0056] (2) The device 10 further includes a correspondence evaluation unit 13, which determines at least one of whether the repair information includes the DTC and whether the DTC (input DTC) included in the self-diagnosis information and the DTC included in the repair information are consistent, and evaluates the correspondence stored in the information storage unit 15 based on the determination result. Figure 1 ). After the information storage unit 15 stores the correspondence, when the information acquisition unit 11 acquires the self-diagnosis information, the information output unit 14 further outputs the repair information related to the repair content corresponding to the DTC included in the acquired self-diagnosis information according to the evaluation result of the correspondence evaluation unit 13.

[0057] That is, when the repair information input by the operator includes an input DTC determined to be related to the repair, the DTC (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) that is consistent with the input DTC is likely to be related to the repair content. On the other hand, the DTC (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) that is different from the input DTC is likely to be irrelevant to the repair content. By considering the input DTC that may be included in the repair information, the reliability of the correspondence between the DTC (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) that the system automatically establishes a correspondence with and the repair content can be evaluated, and reliable repair information based on the purpose can be provided.

[0058] (3) The repair information includes the information of the repaired parts (parts number) Figure 2 The device 10 further includes a correspondence evaluation unit 13, which determines at least one of whether the same DTC is associated with the same repair target component across different vehicle models and whether the same DTC is associated with the same repair target component across different types of the same vehicle model, and evaluates the correspondence stored in the information storage unit 15 according to the determination result. Figure 1 ). After the information storage unit 15 stores the correspondence, when the information acquisition unit 11 acquires the self-diagnosis information, the information output unit 14 further outputs the repair information related to the repair content corresponding to the DTC included in the acquired self-diagnosis information according to the evaluation result of the correspondence evaluation unit 13.

[0059] That is, when a specific DTC and a repair target part have a corresponding relationship across different vehicle models and types, it is considered to be a highly universal corresponding relationship that is independent of the vehicle model and type, and is applicable to different vehicle models and types. In addition, when a specific DTC and a repair target part have a corresponding relationship only in a specific vehicle model and type, it is considered to be a corresponding relationship caused by a quality problem inherent in the specific vehicle model and type, and is applicable only to the specific vehicle model and type. In this way, appropriate repair information can be provided.

[0060] In the above embodiment, Figure 5 , etc., illustrate an example of automatically establishing a correspondence whenever repair information is obtained, but the correspondence establishing unit that establishes a correspondence between the fault code and the repair content is not limited to this. For example, the fault code included in the accumulated self-diagnosis information stored in the information storage unit 15 and the repair content included in the repair information may be established in correspondence according to an instruction from the outside. In other words, the correspondence may also be established according to the request of the person to whom the repair information is provided.

[0061] In the above embodiment, Figure 7The example of outputting repair information whenever self-diagnosis information is actually obtained is described in the examples, but the information output unit that outputs repair information related to the repair content corresponding to the fault code is not limited to this. For example, the corresponding repair information can be output based on the input of virtual self-diagnosis information (fault code, vehicle model, type), or a list showing the correspondence between fault codes and repair information can be output.

[0062] In the above, the present invention is described as a repair information providing device, but the present invention can also be used as a repair information providing method. That is, the repair information providing method includes the following steps executed by a computer: a repair information acquisition step, in which self-diagnosis information (self-diagnosis information via TCU, self-diagnosis information via diagnostic machine) including DTC (communication DTC, diagnostic machine DTC) of the vehicle 20a, 20b sent from the vehicle 20a, 20b with a fault diagnosis function is acquired, and repair information ( Figure 3 Step S1, Figure 4 Step S10, Figure 5 a step of establishing a corresponding relationship, in which, based on the time when the self-diagnosis information is sent (DTC acquisition time, DTC reception time) and the repair time (repair acceptance date) included in the repair information, the DTC included in the self-diagnosis information and the repair content (repair information) included in the repair information are established in a corresponding relationship ( Figure 5 S21 to S29); an information storage step, in which the corresponding relationship between the DTC and the repair content established in the corresponding relationship establishment step is stored ( Figure 5 S28, S29); and an information output step, in which, after the corresponding relationship is stored in the information storage step, when in the information acquisition step ( Figure 7 When the self-diagnosis information is acquired in step S40 of the embodiment, the repair information ( Figure 7 Step S41).

[0063] The above-described embodiment and the modified examples may be arbitrarily combined with one or more of them, and the modified examples may be combined with each other.

[0064] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily perform appropriate repairs on the vehicle based on the DTC.

[0065] The present invention has been described above in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, but it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure of the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. A repair information providing device (10), characterized in that: have: An information acquisition unit (11) that acquires first information including a fault code of the vehicle (20a, 20b) transmitted from the vehicle (20a, 20b) having a fault diagnosis function, and acquires second information including a time and content of a repair performed on the vehicle (20a, 20b) input by a worker; a correspondence establishing unit (12) for establishing a correspondence between the fault code included in the first information and the content of the repair included in the second information, based on the time when the first information was sent and the time when the repair was included in the second information; An information storage unit (15) for storing the correspondence between the fault code and the repair content established by the correspondence establishing unit (12); as well as An information output unit (14) which, after the information storage unit (15) stores the corresponding relationship, outputs repair information related to the content of the repair corresponding to the fault code contained in the acquired first information according to the corresponding relationship when the first information is acquired by the information acquisition unit (11).

2. The repair information providing device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The apparatus further comprises a correspondence evaluation unit (13) for determining at least one of whether the second information contains the fault code and whether the fault code contained in the first information is consistent with the fault code contained in the second information, and evaluating the correspondence stored in the information storage unit (15) based on the determination result. After the information storage unit (15) stores the correspondence, when the information acquisition unit (11) acquires the first information, the information output unit (14) further outputs repair information related to the repair content corresponding to the fault code contained in the acquired first information based on the evaluation result of the correspondence evaluation unit (13).

3. The repair information providing device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second information includes information of the repaired component. The apparatus further comprises a correspondence evaluation unit (13) for determining at least one of whether a correspondence is established between the same fault code and the same repair target component across different vehicle models, and whether a correspondence is established between the same fault code and the same repair target component across different types of the same vehicle model, and evaluating the correspondence stored in the information storage unit (15) based on the determination result. After the information storage unit (15) stores the correspondence, when the information acquisition unit (11) acquires the first information, the information output unit (14) further outputs repair information related to the repair content corresponding to the fault code contained in the acquired first information based on the evaluation result of the correspondence evaluation unit (13).

4. The repair information providing device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The information acquisition unit (11) acquires the first information through a remote information control unit (23) mounted on the vehicle (20a, 20b) or a diagnostic machine (30) connected to the vehicle (20a, 20b). The time when the first information is transmitted is the time when the information acquisition unit (11) acquires the first information from the remote information control unit (23), or the time when the diagnostic machine (30) acquires the first information from the vehicle (20a, 20b).

5. The repair information providing device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The information acquisition unit (11) acquires the second information via an information input terminal (40) for the operator to input the second information.

6. A method for providing repair information, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps executed by a computer: An information acquisition step, in which first information including a fault code of the vehicle (20a, 20b) transmitted from the vehicle (20a, 20b) having a fault diagnosis function is acquired, and second information including the time and content of repairs performed on the vehicle (20a, 20b) input by an operator is acquired; a correspondence establishing step, in which, based on the period when the first information is sent and the period when the repair is performed included in the second information, a correspondence is established between the fault code included in the first information and the content of the repair included in the second information; an information storing step, in which a correspondence between the fault code and the repair content for which a correspondence is established in the correspondence establishing step is stored; as well as An information output step, in which, after the correspondence is stored in the information storage step, when the first information is acquired in the information acquisition step, repair information related to the content of the repair corresponding to the fault code contained in the acquired first information is output based on the correspondence.

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