Fault determination method

Abstract

Provided is a failure determination method that improves technology related to failure detection of a vehicle. The failure determination method includes the following processes: sending an inspection start instruction from a first vehicle that is an inspection target to a second vehicle that is used in inspection of the first vehicle; the first vehicle performing an inspection action based on a predetermined pattern; the second vehicle recording the action of the first vehicle; and performing failure determination of the first vehicle based on the recorded action.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a fault diagnosis method. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, there was a known technology related to vehicle fault detection. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology that uses wireless communication to determine whether the taillights of a vehicle are illuminated.

[0003] Prior art literature Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 2015-212133 Summary of the Invention The problem that the invention aims to solve There is room for improvement in technologies related to vehicle fault detection.

[0004] The purpose of this disclosure, made in view of the above circumstances, is to improve the technology related to vehicle fault detection.

[0005] Methods for solving problems One embodiment of the fault diagnosis method disclosed herein includes the following processing: An inspection start instruction is sent from the first vehicle to the second vehicle used in the inspection of the first vehicle. The first vehicle performs the inspection action based on a predetermined pattern; The second vehicle records the actions of the first vehicle; and The fault diagnosis of the first vehicle is performed based on the recorded actions.

[0006] Invention Effects According to one embodiment of this disclosure, techniques related to vehicle fault detection can be improved. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the general structure of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 2 A sequence diagram representing the actions of a fault diagnosis system. Detailed Implementation

[0009] The following describes one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0010] (Summary of the implementation method) An overview of the fault diagnosis system 1 according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described. For example... Figure 1As shown, the fault diagnosis system 1 includes multiple vehicles 10. These vehicles 10 can be configured to communicate with each other directly or via a network. Furthermore, the structural elements of the leftmost vehicle 10 are illustrated as a block diagram. While block diagrams are not shown for the other three vehicles 10, they have the same structure.

[0011] Although in this embodiment, vehicle 10 is, for example, a car, it is not limited to this and can be any vehicle. The car can be a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), or FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle), etc., but is not limited to these. The number of vehicles 10 included in the fault diagnosis system 1 can be arbitrarily specified.

[0012] First, an overview of this embodiment will be given; details will be described later. The first vehicle 10-1, the object of inspection, sends an inspection start instruction to the second vehicle 10-2 used in the inspection of the first vehicle 10-1. Then, the first vehicle 10-1 performs inspection actions based on a predetermined pattern, and the second vehicle 10-2 records the actions of the first vehicle 10-1. The first vehicle 10-1 determines whether a malfunction has occurred based on the data recorded by the second vehicle 10-2.

[0013] Thus, according to this embodiment, the inspection actions of the first vehicle 10 are recorded by multiple second vehicles 10. Therefore, the first vehicle 10-1 can be inspected simultaneously from multiple directions. This reduces the number of personnel required for inspection and shortens the inspection time. Furthermore, since the person in charge of the inspection does not need to leave the inspection vehicle, safety during the inspection is improved. In addition, the second vehicles 10 record inspection actions based on a predetermined pattern. Therefore, in the event of a malfunction, the location of the malfunction can be determined by comparing the predetermined pattern with the actual actions. Therefore, technologies related to vehicle fault diagnosis can be improved in terms of increasing the safety and efficiency of vehicle inspections.

[0014] Next, the structure of the fault diagnosis system 1 will be described in detail. The fault diagnosis system 1 is equipped with multiple vehicles 10.

[0015] like Figure 1As shown, the vehicle 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, a camera unit 14, a positioning unit 15, and a lighting unit 16.

[0016] The control unit 11 includes one or more processors, one or more programmable circuits, one or more dedicated circuits, or combinations thereof. The processor may be a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor for specific processing, but is not limited thereto. The programmable circuit may be, for example, a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), but is not limited thereto. The dedicated circuit may be, for example, an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit), but is not limited thereto. The control unit 11 performs various processes related to the operation of the vehicle 10 and controls various parts of the vehicle 10.

[0017] The storage unit 12 includes one or more memories. These memories may be, for example, semiconductor memories, magnetic memories, or optical memories, but are not limited to these. Each memory included in the storage unit 12 may function as a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, or a cache memory. The storage unit 12 stores any information used in the operation of the vehicle 10. For example, the storage unit 12 may also store system programs, application programs, and embedded software.

[0018] The communication unit 13 includes one or more communication interfaces. These interfaces may correspond to, for example, mobile communication standards connected to a network, wired LAN (Local Area Network) standards, or wireless LAN standards, but are not limited to these and may correspond to any communication standard. In this embodiment, vehicle 10 communicates with other vehicles 10 via the communication unit 13 and the network. Vehicle 10 may also communicate directly with other vehicles 10 without going through the network.

[0019] The imaging unit 14 includes one or more cameras capable of capturing images of a subject. The cameras can be front-facing, side-facing, or rear-facing cameras, etc. The imaging unit 14 may also include distance measurement devices such as millimeter-wave radar or LiDAR (Laser Detection and Ranging). The images generated by the cameras can be one or more still images or one or more moving images.

[0020] The positioning unit 15 includes one or more devices for obtaining the location information of the vehicle 10. Specifically, the positioning unit 15 includes, for example, a receiver corresponding to GPS (Global Positioning System), but is not limited thereto, and may also include a receiver corresponding to any satellite positioning system.

[0021] The lighting unit 16 provides the lights required for the vehicle 10 to operate. The lighting unit 16 includes headlights, taillights, brake lights, and turn signals. The lighting unit 16 may include, for example, LED (Light Emitting Diode) light-emitting elements, organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) light-emitting elements, incandescent bulbs, etc. The operation of the lighting unit 16 can be controlled by the control unit 11.

[0022] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 The operation of the fault diagnosis system 1 according to this embodiment will be explained. For example... Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, multiple vehicles 10 are arranged in a longitudinal tandem. The vehicle 10 among the multiple vehicles 10 that is the object of inspection is the first vehicle 10-1. A second vehicle 10-2, which records the actions of the first vehicle 10-1, is arranged in front of and behind the first vehicle, sandwiching the first vehicle 10-1. The multiple vehicles 10 may also be parked in the above-described configuration before inspection. Figure 2 This is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the fault diagnosis system 1 in this embodiment.

[0023] S1: The first vehicle 10-1 determines its position and orientation. The determination of the vehicle's position and orientation by vehicle 10 can be achieved using any method. For example, the position and orientation can be determined based on position information obtained from GPS by the positioning unit 15. Alternatively, vehicle 10 can determine its position and orientation by obtaining LiDAR sensing information using the imaging unit 14, either based on or instead of the position information.

[0024] S2: The first vehicle 10 determines the vehicles 10 in front of and behind it, and sets the first vehicle 10 as the second vehicle 10.

[0025] The method for determining the vehicles 10 in front and behind can be any method. For example, the first vehicle 10-1 can obtain the location information and / or LiDAR sensing information already acquired by other vehicles 10. The first vehicle 10-1 can determine the vehicles 10 in front and behind by comparing the location information and / or LiDAR sensing information of its own vehicle with that of other vehicles 10, and designate them as the second vehicle 10-2.

[0026] As another example of the method for determining the vehicles 10 in front and behind, the first vehicle 10-1 may also instruct other vehicles 10 to take pictures of the vehicles 10 in front of and behind each other. The other vehicles 10 use the camera unit 14 to take pictures or videos and send them to the first vehicle 10. The control unit 11 of the first vehicle 10-1 performs image analysis on the received pictures or videos and extracts the pictures or videos of its own vehicle. The control unit 11 of the first vehicle 10-1 determines the vehicle 10 that is the source of the extracted pictures or videos as the vehicles 10 in front and behind, and sets it as the second vehicle 10-2.

[0027] Other vehicles 10 can take photos or videos of any vehicles 10 in front of or behind them, as long as they are visible. For example, other vehicles 10 can take photos or videos of the license plates of the vehicles 10 in front of or behind them. In this case, the control unit 11 of the first vehicle 10-1 can identify the vehicle 10 with a license plate number that matches its own as the vehicle in front of or behind it, and set it as the second vehicle 10-2.

[0028] Alternatively, the system can be configured such that the first vehicle 10-1 performs a specific action, and other vehicles 10 capture photographs or videos of the portion of the vehicle 10 in front of or behind that performs the specific action. For example, the first vehicle 10 can illuminate a specific light fixture 16. Other vehicles 10 can capture photographs or videos of that specific light fixture 16. The control unit 11 of the first vehicle 10-1 can identify the vehicle 10 that captures the illuminated specific light fixture 16 as the vehicle in front of or behind, and designate it as the second vehicle 10-2.

[0029] The first vehicle 10-1 can also be judged to determine whether the setting of the second vehicle 10-2 is correct by combining multiple of the above-mentioned methods for determining the front and rear vehicles 10.

[0030] S3: The control unit 11 of the first vehicle 10-1 sends an inspection start instruction to the second vehicle 10-2 via the communication unit 13.

[0031] S4: The control unit 11 of the first vehicle 10-1 performs inspection operations on each part of the first vehicle 10-1 based on a predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern may be, for example, the sequence in which the lights 16 of the vehicle 10 are turned on. In this case, the predetermined pattern may also have different sequences for the front lights 16-1 and the rear lights 16-2 of the vehicle 10. The inspection operation can be any operation. For example, it may be an operation that turns on the lights 16 of the first vehicle 10-1 based on the predetermined pattern. The predetermined pattern can be stored in the storage unit 12 of the first vehicle 10.

[0032] S5: Upon receiving the inspection start instruction, the second vehicle 10 begins recording the inspection actions performed by the first vehicle 10. The recording method performed by the second vehicle 10-2 can be any method. For example, it can also be a method of using the camera unit 14 of the second vehicle 10-2 to photograph the first vehicle 10-1.

[0033] S6: When the inspection operation of the second vehicle 10-2 ends, the control unit 11 of the second vehicle 10-2 sends the recorded data to the first vehicle 10-1 via the communication unit 13.

[0034] S7: The control unit 11 of the first vehicle 10-1 compares the recorded data received from the second vehicle 10-2 with a predetermined pattern and determines whether there is a fault in the part where the inspection operation was performed. If a fault is found, the routine proceeds to S8. If no fault is found, the routine ends.

[0035] When the recorded data is a photograph or video, the control unit 11 of the first vehicle 10-1 can perform image analysis on the recorded data and compare it with a predetermined pattern based on the detected inspection action of the first vehicle 10-1. Image processing can be performed, for example, using YOLO (You Only Look Once) or CNN (Convolutional Neural Network).

[0036] S8: The control unit 11 of the first vehicle 10-1 compares the recorded data with a predetermined pattern and determines the location of the fault. The comparison processing method can be the same as in S7. Then, the routine ends.

[0037] As described above, in this embodiment, the first vehicle, which is the object of inspection, sends an inspection start instruction to a second vehicle used in the inspection of the first vehicle. Then, the first vehicle performs inspection actions based on a predetermined pattern, and the second vehicle records the actions of the first vehicle. Based on the data recorded by the second vehicle, it is determined whether a malfunction has occurred in the first vehicle.

[0038] According to the above structure, the inspection actions of the first vehicle 10-1 are recorded by multiple second vehicles 10-2. Therefore, the first vehicle 10-1 can be inspected simultaneously from multiple directions. This reduces the number of personnel required for inspection and shortens the inspection time. Furthermore, since the person in charge of the inspection does not need to leave the inspection vehicle, safety during the inspection is improved. In addition, the second vehicles 10-2 record inspection actions based on predetermined patterns. Therefore, in the event of a malfunction, by comparing the predetermined pattern with the actual actions, the location of the malfunction can be determined. Thus, technologies related to vehicle fault diagnosis can be improved in terms of enhancing the safety and efficiency of vehicle inspections.

[0039] While this disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, it is important to note that various modifications and alterations can be made based on this disclosure if one is skilled in the art. Therefore, it is important to understand that such modifications and alterations are included within the scope of this disclosure. For example, the functions included in various structural parts or steps can be reconfigured in a logically consistent manner, and multiple structural parts or steps can be combined into one or divided.

[0040] For example, in the embodiments described above, it is also possible to adopt an embodiment in which the information processing device integrates part of the structure and operation of the vehicle 10. For example, the information processing device may also include part or all of the structural elements of the control unit 11 and storage unit 12 of the vehicle 10.

[0041] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, the driving routes and / or parking locations of multiple vehicles 10 can be preset. The first vehicle 10-1 can also obtain information about its location on the preset driving route and / or parking location by communicating with other vehicles 10 or information processing devices, thereby determining its position and orientation. Thus, the position and orientation of the vehicle can be determined without adding additional sensors.

[0042] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, multiple vehicles 10 can also receive input of their positional relationships and orientations from the outside.

[0043] Symbol Explanation 1: Fault diagnosis system; 10: Vehicle; 10-1: First vehicle; 10-2: Second vehicle; 11: Control unit; 12: Storage unit; 13: Communication unit; 14: Camera unit; 15: Positioning unit; 16: Lighting unit; 16-1: Front lighting unit; 16-2: Rear lighting unit.

Claims

1. A fault diagnosis method, wherein, This includes the following processing: An inspection start instruction is sent from the first vehicle to the second vehicle used in the inspection of the first vehicle. The first vehicle performs the inspection action based on a predetermined pattern; The second vehicle receives the inspection start instruction, captures images of the first vehicle's inspection actions, and sends the captured images back to the first vehicle; and The first vehicle detects its own movements based on images received from the second vehicle, and determines the presence or absence of a malfunction by comparing the predetermined pattern with the detected movements.

2. A fault diagnosis method, wherein, This includes the following processing: An inspection start instruction is sent from the first vehicle to the second vehicle used in the inspection of the first vehicle. The first vehicle performs the inspection action based on a predetermined pattern; The second vehicle records the actions of the first vehicle; and The fault diagnosis of the first vehicle is performed based on the recorded actions.

3. The fault diagnosis method as described in claim 2, wherein, The fault diagnosis includes the following processing: By comparing the predetermined pattern with the recorded actions, the presence or absence of a fault can be determined, and the location of the fault can be identified.

4. The fault diagnosis method as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein, The process of recording the actions of the first vehicle includes the following steps: The second vehicle photographs the inspection actions of the first vehicle; and The captured images are sent to the first vehicle. The fault diagnosis includes the following processing: The first vehicle performs image analysis on the image.

5. The fault diagnosis method as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein, The predetermined pattern includes the sequence in which the lights of the first vehicle are turned on. The inspection action includes illuminating the lamp unit based on the predetermined pattern.

6. The fault diagnosis method as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein, It also includes the following processing, namely: Before the first vehicle sends the inspection start instruction, multiple second vehicles are positioned in front of and behind the first vehicle; and Each of the multiple second vehicles records the area in front of and behind the first vehicle. The predetermined pattern includes the sequence in which the front and rear lights of the first vehicle are illuminated. The inspection action includes illuminating the front and rear lighting units based on a predetermined pattern.

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