A method for operating a maintenance and / or information system for a motor vehicle, a computer program product, a non-transitory computer-readable storage

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and program for operating a maintenance and / or repair information system 18 for a motor vehicle 10. The method comprises providing diagnostic information 28 about a m

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for operating a maintenance and / or repair information system for a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a corresponding information system. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] According to the state of the art it is known that a remote server may be used to diagnose a motor vehicle maintenance issue and to classify the ability of the motor vehicle to continue operation without assistance from a dealer and / or service specialist. Results from this diagnosis and classification may then be provided to a user. Up to now, the user has received neither an indication of the content of necessary assistance nor of the potential for independent repair by the user. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method, a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a corresponding information system, by which steps toward repair of the maintenance issue are determined.

[0004] This object is solved by a method, a corresponding computer program product, a corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a corresponding information system according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating a maintenance and / or repair information system for a motor vehicle. Diagnostic information about a maintenance issue of the motor vehicle is provided by an electronic computing device of the information system. The maintenance issue is then classified according to the potential for independent repair by the user depending on a classification criterion by the electronic computing device. In the next step, the instructions to further diagnose and / or to address the maintenance issue, depending on this classification by the electronic computing device, are provided by the electronic computing device.

[0006] Examples of the form of the diagnostic information include verbal descriptions, readings from a plurality of sensors, and fault codes from already-processed sensor readings.

[0007] The term “maintenance issue” may be understood as any deviation of the state of a motor vehicle from manufacturer-intended operation. Examples include low motor oil, low tire pressure, damaged door handles, worn-down spark plugs, and engine failure. Cases where a plurality of self-monitoring sensors of the motor vehicle malfunction may also be classified as a maintenance issue. Therefore, for example, a warning light in a motor vehicle may indicate a maintenance issue even if the light erroneously activated.

[0008] One example of a classification criterion may result in the classification of procedures involving the opening of a high-voltage battery as too unsafe to have potential for repair. Another example of a classification criterion may result in the classification of procedures requiring engine lifts as lacking potential for independent repair due to the high specialization of the tool. The classification may be explained to the user, assisting the user, for example, to understand why repair of the maintenance issue should not proceed without the assistance of a motor vehicle specialist.

[0009] The word “repair” is intended to include steps in the improvement, mitigation, and / or resolution of the maintenance issue, where the status as resolved or unresolved is assessed by a plurality of motor vehicle sensors and / or the user of the motor vehicle. However, the word “repair” is not here restricted to steps that may by themselves be so assessed. For example, “repair” may include a necessary replacement of a secondary part so that a malfunctioning primary part may be replaced, regardless of the impact of the replacement of the secondary part on the plurality of motor vehicle sensors and / or the user of the motor vehicle.

[0010] Therefore, the user may attain a better understanding of the maintenance issue. In particular, the user may be better positioned to decide whether to attempt to repair the maintenance issue and / or whether to take the motor vehicle to a specialist. For example, a user in the middle of a long road trip may learn from the information system that the maintenance issue may be temporarily mitigated by the user so that a consultation with a motor vehicle specialist may be safely postponed to the conclusion of the trip. The results of the classification process and the suggested steps toward repair communicate to the user the content of the necessary resolution of the maintenance issue as well as the potential for the user to independently advance toward this resolution, thereby resolving the challenge presented above.

[0011] In particular, the present invention describes a method for the classification of diagnostic information to assess the potential for independent repair and to communicate steps toward repair. This classification may, for example, depend on a backend server, accessed via a networking device, containing manufacturer-approved resources. The identified steps toward repair are communicated to the user to inform decision making about which of the steps to attempt independently, which to leave to a motor vehicle specialist, and when to visit a motor vehicle specialist.

[0012] The terms “providing” and “provided by” are intended generally, and do not restrict the present invention to such cases where the electronic computing device itself generates the diagnostic information. That is, these terms are intended to further include those cases where the electronic computing device receives the diagnostic information. For example, the user may enter the diagnostic information into the electronic computing device. As another example, the diagnostic information may be received from a plurality of vehicle-monitoring sensors and / or a plurality of further electronic computing devices of the motor vehicle.

[0013] The steps toward repair may appear in a variety of formats, including text, videos, diagrams, and audio. Furthermore, the steps toward repair may describe required components and tools, such as replacement spark plugs and a ratcheting socket wrench. Finally, the steps toward repair are not limited to actions like adding motor oil or replacing motor vehicle components, but may also involve further diagnostic steps such as examination of motor oil color.

[0014] According to an embodiment, the instructions for further diagnosis and / or repair of the maintenance issue are displayed to the user via a display device.

[0015] In another embodiment, the instructions for further diagnosis and / or repair of the maintenance issue are provided to the user via an auditory device.

[0016] In another embodiment, the information system receives the initial diagnostic information about the maintenance issue as a plurality of inputs from the user.

[0017] In another embodiment, the information system receives the initial diagnostic information about the maintenance issue from a plurality of vehicle-monitoring sensors and / or electronic computing devices of the motor vehicle.

[0018] In another embodiment, the classification of the maintenance issue is performed depending on a database containing various internet resources. The database may be accessed via a networking device.

[0019] In particular, the method is a computer-implemented method. Therefore, another aspect of the present invention relates to a computer program product comprising program code means for performing a method according to the preceding aspect.

[0020] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising the computer program product according to the preceding aspect.

[0021] A still further aspect of the present invention relates to an information system for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one electronic computing device, wherein the information system is configured for performing a method according to the preceding aspect. In particular, the method is performed by the information system.

[0022] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising the information system according to the preceding aspect.

[0023] An “electronic computing device” may in particular be understood as a data processing device, which comprises processing circuitry. The electronic computing device may therefore in particular process data to perform computing operations. This may also include operations to perform indexed accesses to a data structure, for example a look-up table, LUT.

[0024] In particular, the electronic computing device may include one or more computers, one or more microcontrollers, and / or one or more integrated circuits, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits, ASIC, one or more field-programmable gate arrays, FPGA, and / or one or more systems on a chip, SoC. The computing unit may also include one or more processors, for example one or more microprocessors, one or more central processing units, CPU, one or more graphics processing units, GPU, and / or one or more signal processors, in particular one or more digital signal processors, DSP. The computing unit may also include a physical or a virtual cluster of computers or other of said units.

[0025] In various embodiments, the electronic computing device includes one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more memory units.

[0026] A memory unit may be implemented as a volatile data memory, for example a dynamic random access memory, DRAM, or a static random access memory, SRAM, or as a non-volatile data memory, for example a read-only memory, ROM, a programmable read-only memory, PROM, an erasable programmable read-only memory, EPROM, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, EEPROM, a flash memory or flash EEPROM, a ferroelectric random access memory, FRAM, a magnetoresistive random access memory, MRAM, or a phase-change random access memory, PCRAM.

[0027] Further advantages, features, and details of the present invention derive from the following description of preferred embodiments as well as from the drawings. The features and feature combinations previously mentioned in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the following description of the figures and / or shown in the figures alone may be employed not only in the respectively indicated combination but also in any other combination or taken alone without leaving the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The novel features and characteristic of the present disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed principles. The same reference numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of systems and / or methods in accordance with embodiments of the present subject matter are now described below, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0029] The drawings show in:

[0030] Fig. 1 a schematic side view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle comprising an embodiment of an information system; and

[0031] Fig. 2 a schematic flow chart according to an embodiment of the method.

[0032] In the figures the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In the present document, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment or implementation of the present subject matter described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0034] While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed; on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0035] The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion so that a setup, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup, device, or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus preceded by “comprises” or “comprise” does not or do not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.

[0036] In the following detailed description of the embodiment of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawing that forms part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the disclosure may be practiced. This embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0037] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle 10 comprising at least one maintenance and / or repair information system 18. In this embodiment, the motor vehicle 10 includes the information system 18. However, the system may also be provided remotely. The information system 18 includes at least one electronic computing device 14. This electronic computing device 14 may, for example, be one of the plurality of electronic computing devices installed in motor vehicles as known from series vehicle construction.

[0038] According to an embodiment, a method for operating the maintenance and / or repair information system 18 for the motor vehicle 10 is provided, wherein diagnostic information 28 about a maintenance issue 12 of the motor vehicle 10 is provided by an electronic computing device 14 of the information system 18. A maintenance issue 12 is classified according to the potential for independent repair by a user 26 depending on a classification criterion by the electronic computing device 14. Instructions 30 to further diagnose and / or to repair the maintenance issue are provided depending on this classification by the electronic computing device 14.

[0039] These instructions 30 may be displayed to the user 26 via a display device 22. This display device 22 may, for example, be the same display device installed in motor vehicles, as known from series vehicle construction, to communicate global positioning system information to the user 26 and / or to provide an interface for music selection. Alternatively or additionally, the instructions 30 may be provided to the user 26 via an auditory device 24. This auditory device 24 may, for example, be the speakers installed in motor vehicles, as known from series vehicle construction, as a playback device for radio and / or other comparable signals.

[0040] The information system 18 receives the initial diagnostic information 28 about the maintenance issue 12 from a plurality of vehicle-monitoring sensors 16 and / or a plurality of further electronic computing devices 14 of the motor vehicle 10. For example, a tirepressure monitoring system, a TPMS, may transmit a plurality of air pressure measurements taken within at least one tire of the motor vehicle 10 to the electronic computing device 14. In this example, the electronic computing device 14 may then determine that the measurements are low enough to constitute a maintenance issue 12. In this example, the electronic computing device 14 may then provide the measurements to the information system 18. The reception of the diagnostic information 28 from a plurality of vehicle-monitoring sensors 16 and / or a plurality of further electronic computing devices 14 of the motor vehicle 10 may be transmitted to the electronic computing device 14, and the user 26 may directly input the diagnostic information 28 into the electronic computing device 14. For example, the user may use a keypad or keyboard of the motor vehicle 10, a mobile telephone application connected with the electronic computing device 14, to enter symptoms of the maintenance issue 12.

[0041] The classification of the maintenance issue 12 by the electronic computing device 14 of the information system 18 depends on a database 20 containing various internet resources. This database may be accessed via a networking device 32. For example, the database 20 may contain manufacturer-approved videos, supplementary texts, and diagrams explaining specific motor vehicle components or motor vehicle maintenance and / or comparable operations. Such an embodiment may be advantageous as the user 26 may potentially be assured of ways to repair the maintenance issue 12 without voiding the warranty of the motor vehicle 10 and without relying on potentially dangerous instructions contained in internet content produced by, for example, unaffiliated individuals.

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a schematic flow chart according to several embodiments of the method. In particular, fig. 2 shows a method for operating a maintenance and / or repair system 18 (Fig. 1) for a motor vehicle 10. According to one embodiment, the method involves a first step S1A in which the information system 18 receives the initial diagnostic information 28 about the maintenance issue 12 as a plurality of inputs from the user 26. According to another embodiment, the method involves a first step S1B in which the information system 18 receives the diagnostic information 28 from a plurality of vehiclemonitoring sensors 16 and / or a plurality of further electronic computing devices of the motor vehicle 10. In a second step S2 common to both aforementioned embodiments, the diagnostic information 28 is provided by the electronic computing device 14 of the information system 16. In a third step S3, the maintenance issue 12 is classified according to the potential for independent repair by the user 26 depending on the classification criterion by the electronic computing device 14. In a fourth step S4, instructions 30 to further diagnose and / or to repair the maintenance issue 12 are provided, depending on this classification by the electronic computing device 14. According to one embodiment, the method involves a fifth step S5A in which the instructions 30 are displayed to the user 26 via a display device 22. According to another embodiment, this method involves a fifth step S5B in which the instructions 30 are provided to the user 26 via an auditory device. Steps S5A and S5B are not mutually exclusive—an embodiment may feature both steps, in either order, without leaving the scope of this embodiment.

[0043] The classification step S3 may depend on a variety of classification approaches. For example, the diagnostic information 28 may be classified manually and remotely by a group of experts. Alternatively, a machine learning algorithm may be applied to trace related and / or unrelated diagnostic data from the maintenance issue 12 back to a tightly-localized region of the motor vehicle 10. signs motor vehicle maintenance issue electronic computing device vehicle-monitoring sensor information system database display device auditory device user diagnostic information instructions networking device steps of the method

Claims

1. A method for operating a maintenance and / or repair information system (18) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising the steps of:- providing diagnostic information (28) about a maintenance issue (12) of the motor vehicle (10) by an electronic computing device (14) of the information system (18);(S2)- classifying the maintenance issue (12) according to the potential for independent repair by the user (26) depending on a classification criterion by the electronic computing device (14); (S3) and- providing instructions (30) to further diagnose and / or to repair the maintenance issue, depending on this classification by the electronic computing device (14). (S4)2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe instructions (30) for further diagnosis and / or repair of the maintenance issue are displayed to the user (26) via a display device (22). (S5A)3. The method according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe instructions (30) for further diagnosis and / or repair of the maintenance issue are provided to the user (26) via an auditory device (24). (S5B)4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatthe information system (18) receives the initial diagnostic information (28) about themaintenance issue (12) as at least one input from the user (26). (S1A)5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in thatthe information system (18) receives the initial diagnostic information (28) about the maintenance issue (12) from at least one vehicle-monitoring sensor (16) and / or at least one further electronic computing device of the motor vehicle (10). (S1B)6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thatthe classification of the maintenance issue (12) is performed depending on a database (20) containing various internet resources.

7. A computer program product comprising program code means for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising the computer program product according to claim 7.

9. An information system (18) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising at least one electronic computing device (14), wherein the information system (18) is configured for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.13

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