A computing system internal to a motor vehicle, a computer-implemented method, at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and an onboard

Abstract

A computing system 8 internal to a motor vehicle 6 comprises a control circuit 10 configured to: operate an onboard diagnostic scanner 12 internal to the motor vehicle and obtain at least one diagnost

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of automobiles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a computing system for operating an onboard diagnostic scanner internal to a motor vehicle. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding computer-implemented method, at least one corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a corresponding onboard diagnostic scanner. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0002] According to the state of the art as exemplified in document CN112286818A, it is known that a fault clearing button, by which at least one diagnostic warning may be cleared, may be included in a vehicle diagnostic system.

[0003] According to the state of the art as exemplified in document CN108469802B, it is known that a vehicle diagnostic system may provide at least one solution concerning at least one fault code raised by the vehicle diagnostic system. It is furthermore exemplified in this document that a vehicle diagnostic system may communicate a location of at least one motor vehicle repair provider to at least one occupant of a motor vehicle through at least one GPS navigation system based on physical proximity of the at least one motor vehicle repair provider to the motor vehicle.

[0004] According to the state of the art as exemplified in document CN109976315B, it is known that a vehicle fault diagnosis system may be embedded inside a vehicle such that no external fault diagnosis equipment is necessary for the task of motor vehicle diagnostics. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Up to now, explanations of diagnostic results of a motor vehicle have inconvenienced users by requiring network access or equipment sold separately.

[0006] Several issues may arise due to reliance on portable hardware, especially if produced by at least one third-party. If a group of people such as a family has purchased one portable diagnostic scanner to be shared among multiple motor vehicles, the portable diagnostic scanner may not be present at an appropriate time in a motor vehicle that is suffering from an acute failure. Furthermore, portable hardware may be generalized, not taking into account specific attributes of the respective motor vehicle in which the portable hardware is used and / or relying on publicly available resources that may not be manufacturer approved. Portable hardware may also complicate warranty considerations. For example, an execution of a repair instruction provided by a portable diagnostic scanner may, unbeknownst to a user, void a warranty of a motor vehicle.

[0007] A server-based solution may also result in several issues for a user. A user may wish to perform a diagnostic scan on a motor vehicle while access to a server is unavailable, for instance if the motor vehicle is located in an underground garage where reception is poor. A server may also become unavailable for reasons independent of a user of legitimate intent, for example if the server is maliciously encumbered as a result of a distributed denial-of-service attack, a DDoS attack.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a computing system, a corresponding computer-implemented method, at least one corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a corresponding onboard diagnostic scanner, by which at least one detail about at least one diagnostic result of a motor vehicle may be provided by hardware internal to the motor vehicle.

[0009] This object is solved by a computing system, a corresponding computer program product, at least one corresponding non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and a corresponding onboard diagnostic scanner according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are presented in the dependent claims.

[0010] One aspect of the invention relates to a computing system internal to a motor vehicle. The computing system comprises a control circuit configured to perform several steps, including the following. An onboard diagnostic scanner internal to the motor vehicle is operated by the control circuit. At least one diagnostic result about the motor vehicle is obtained via an electronic computing device of the onboard diagnostic scanner, wherein at least the electronic computing device is arranged inside the motor vehicle. At least one detail about the at least one diagnostic result is provided to at least one occupant of the motor vehicle via the electronic computing device according to at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium internal to the motor vehicle. The at least one diagnostic result is classified via the electronic computing device according to at least one maintenance issue category retrieved from the at least one storage medium. At least one instruction regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result is provided to the at least one occupant via the electronic computing device through at least one device internal to the motor vehicle depending on the above classification.

[0011] The term “maintenance issue” in this document refers to a deviation of at least one state of a vehicle from a respective manufacturer-intended state.

[0012] A motor vehicle sensor reading is a diagnostic result regardless of whether a maintenance issue is thereby indicated. Examples of diagnostic results include a tire pressure reading such as from a TPMS device, a motor oil pressure reading, an engine temperature, an oxygen concentration reading near a catalytic converter, and an NOx reading from engine exhaust. A diagnostic result may also include a result of a processing of a sensor reading of the motor vehicle, for instance a fault code, regardless of whether the sensor reading is still available.

[0013] Examples of details about a diagnostic result include, where applicable, a description of what the diagnostic result quantifies, a location of a sensor with which the diagnostic result is associated, a range of values within which the diagnostic result is considered by a manufacturer to be in conformity with acceptable operation, a consequence associated with the diagnostic result falling outside of said range, and at least one potential cause of an abnormality in the diagnostic result.

[0014] The terms “arranged inside” and “internal to” imply an installation by a manufacturer of a device that is intended to be permanent. These terms may describe a device for which no provision for removal has been included by the manufacturer, except for, for example, a repair of said device by at least one qualified professional. These terms may describe a pre-installed device which is inseparably sold with a respective motor vehicle by a manufacturer.

[0015] A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, a solid-state drive, an SSD; a hard disk drive, an HDD; or a flash memory device such as a USB flash drive.

[0016] Examples of maintenance issue categories include a flat tire, a loose fuel cap, a burnt-out headlight, and a motor oil level low enough to effect damage to an engine.

[0017] Classifying the at least one diagnostic result may consist in, for example, comparing at least one observed diagnostic result against at least one range of values recorded in the at least one storage medium to be indicative of a particular maintenance issue. In the case in which a maintenance issue is recorded in the at least one storage medium as being indicated by diagnostic results from at least two different sources, a threshold for matching may be applied. For instance, a particular maintenance issue may be classified as present and / or a diagnostic fault may be triggered according to a condition specific to the particular maintenance issue and / or diagnostic fault. As an example, a particular diagnostic fault may be triggered if at least one condition to trigger the diagnostic fault is true for some fault maturation time particular to the particular diagnostic fault.

[0018] Examples of instructions regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result include purchasing a required item, such as a container of motor oil or a replacement tire or headlight bulb; uninstalling a faulty component such as a flat tire or a burnt-out headlight bulb; installing a replacement component such as a new tire or headlight bulb; tightening a fuel cap; and checking a color of motor oil in a motor oil reservoir.

[0019] The term “instructions regarding amelioration” is intended to include steps in a resolution of an anomalous diagnostic result, where a status as resolved or unresolved is assessed by at least one follow-up diagnostic result obtained in the same way as an original anomalous diagnostic result that prompted the provision of the at least one instruction regarding amelioration. However, the term is not here restricted to steps that may be by themselves so assessed. For example, “instructions regarding amelioration” 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 at least one follow-up diagnostic result.

[0020] As a consequence of this method, an explanation of at least one diagnostic result, containing at least one instruction regarding amelioration of at least one diagnostic result classified as indicative of at least one maintenance issue, is provided without reliance on external or third-party equipment, thus solving the problem formulated earlier.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the computing system, at least one of the at least one diagnostic result about the motor vehicle is a diagnostic trouble code.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the computing system, the onboard diagnostic scanner features at least one input mechanism by which at least one diagnostic warning is clearable, depending on the at least one diagnostic trouble code.

[0023] The term “warning” should be understood here to refer to any persistent and / or automatically repeated communication of a detected presence of a maintenance issue in a motor vehicle. This communication may be, for instance, a pop-up window of a digital user interface of a display device of the motor vehicle. As further examples, this indicator may be a warning light on a dashboard of the motor vehicle or a warning sound or message played for at least one occupant of the motor vehicle by an audio device of the motor vehicle.

[0024] This input mechanism by which at least one diagnostic warning is clearable may be, for instance, a touchscreen button embedded in a digital user interface of a display device of the motor vehicle. Alternatively, this input mechanism may be, for instance, a voice command captured by an audio input device of the motor vehicle and recognized by an electronic computing device of the motor vehicle.

[0025] This input mechanism depends on the diagnostic trouble code. For instance, if the at least one diagnostic trouble code is associated with endangerment of the at least one occupant of the motor vehicle and / or onset of permanent damage to the motor vehicle, this input mechanism may be disengaged. That is, the particular diagnostic warning so identified may not be clearable.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the computing system, the at least one detail about the at least one diagnostic result and / or the at least one instruction regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result is displayed to the at least one occupant via the electronic computing device through a diagnostic detail display device of the motor vehicle.

[0027] This diagnostic detail display device may be, for example, an LED screen, possibly a touchscreen. The diagnostic detail display device may be the same display device installed in motor vehicles as known from series vehicle construction to provide a user interface for a variety of other tasks, including music selection, navigation supported by global positioning system information, and telephony.

[0028] According to another embodiment of the computing system, the at least one detail about the at least one diagnostic result and / or the at least one instruction regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result is provided to the at least one occupant via the electronic computing device through an audio device of the motor vehicle.

[0029] This auditory device may be, for example, the same speaker installed in motor vehicles, as known from series vehicle construction, as a playback device for radio and Bluetooth signals.

[0030] According to another embodiment of the computing system, at least one vector bus view, visualizing at least one location within the motor vehicle associated with the at least one diagnostic result, is displayed to the at least one occupant via the electronic computing device through a vector bus display device of the motor vehicle.

[0031] For instance, the at least one vector bus view may consist of a graphical representation of various electronic devices such as diagnostic sensors connected to the onboard diagnostic scanner through a controller area network bus, a CAN bus. In such a representation, various devices of the motor vehicle may be labeled with diagnostic results originating from those devices.

[0032] The vector bus display device may be, for example, an LED screen, possibly a touchscreen. The vector bus display device may be the same display device installed in motor vehicles as known from series vehicle construction to provide a user interface for a variety of other tasks, including music selection, navigation supported by global positioning system information, and telephony. Furthermore, the vector bus display device may be the same display device as the diagnostic detail display device.

[0033] According to another embodiment of the computing system, the control circuit is configured to perform the additional step of scheduling at least one visit to an automotive maintenance provider via the electronic computing device, to address the at least one diagnostic result depending on the classification.

[0034] As part of this embodiment, the electronic computing device may access a list of automotive maintenance providers based on a physical location of the motor vehicle. The electronic computing device may then access, for example, an online appointmentbooking tool or send an automatically generated appointment-request email to a selected automotive maintenance provider. The selection of an automotive maintenance provider may be performed by the at least one occupant of the motor vehicle, for example after the electronic computing device displays a prompt to the at least one occupant.

[0035] Another aspect of the invention relates to a computer-implemented method for operating an onboard diagnostic scanner internal to a motor vehicle. At least one diagnostic result about the motor vehicle is obtained via an electronic computing device of the onboard diagnostic scanner, wherein at least the electronic computing device is arranged inside the motor vehicle. At least one detail about the at least one diagnostic result is provided to at least one occupant of the motor vehicle via the electronic computing device according to at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium internal to the motor vehicle. The at least one diagnostic result is classified via the electronic computing device according to at least one maintenance issue category retrieved from the at least one storage medium. At least one instruction regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result is provided to the at least one occupant via the electronic computing device through at least one device internal to the motor vehicle depending on the above classification.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the computer-implemented method, at least one of the at least one diagnostic result about the motor vehicle is a diagnostic trouble code.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the computer-implemented method, the onboard diagnostic scanner features at least one input mechanism by which at least one diagnostic warning is clearable, depending on the at least one diagnostic trouble code.

[0038] The input mechanism by which at least one diagnostic warning is clearable may be, for instance, a touchscreen button embedded in a digital user interface of a display device of the motor vehicle. Alternatively, this input mechanism may be, for instance, a voice command captured by an audio input device of the motor vehicle and recognized by an electronic computing device of the motor vehicle.

[0039] This input mechanism depends on the at least one diagnostic trouble code. For instance, if the at least one diagnostic trouble code is associated with endangerment of the at least one occupant of the motor vehicle and / or onset of permanent damage to the motor vehicle, this input mechanism may be disengaged. That is, the particular diagnostic warning so identified may not be clearable.

[0040] According to another embodiment of the computer-implemented method, the at least one detail about the at least one diagnostic result and / or the at least one instruction regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result is displayed to the at least one occupant via the electronic computing device through a diagnostic detail display device of the motor vehicle.

[0041] This diagnostic detail display device may be, for example, an LED screen, possibly a touchscreen. The diagnostic detail display device may be the same display device installed in motor vehicles as known from series vehicle construction to provide a user interface for a variety of other tasks, including music selection, navigation supported by global positioning system information, and telephony.

[0042] According to another embodiment of the computer-implemented method, the at least one detail about the at least one diagnostic result and / or the at least one instruction regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result is provided to the at least one occupant via the electronic computing device through an audio device of the motor vehicle.

[0043] This auditory device may be, for example, the same speaker installed in motor vehicles, as known from series vehicle construction, as a playback device for radio and Bluetooth signals.

[0044] According to another embodiment of the computer-implemented method, at least one vector bus view, visualizing at least one location within the motor vehicle associated with the at least one diagnostic result, is displayed to the at least one occupant via the electronic computing device through a vector bus display device of the motor vehicle.

[0045] For instance, the at least one vector bus view may consist of a graphical representation of various electronic devices such as diagnostic sensors connected to the onboard diagnostic scanner through a controller area network bus, a CAN bus. In such a representation, various devices of the motor vehicle may be labeled with diagnostic results originating from those devices.

[0046] The vector bus display device may be, for example, an LED screen, possibly a touchscreen. The vector bus display device may be the same display device installed in motor vehicles as known from series vehicle construction to provide a user interface for a variety of other tasks, including music selection, navigation supported by global positioning system information, and telephony. Furthermore, the vector bus display device may be the same display device as the diagnostic detail display device.

[0047] According to another embodiment, the computer-implemented method comprises the additional step of scheduling via the electronic computing device at least one visit to an automotive maintenance provider, to address the at least one diagnostic result depending on the classification.

[0048] Another aspect of the invention relates to at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, internal to a motor vehicle, which stores instructions that are executable by a control circuit of the motor vehicle to perform several steps, including the following. An onboard diagnostic scanner internal to the motor vehicle is operated by the control circuit. At least one diagnostic result about the motor vehicle is obtained via an electronic computing device of the onboard diagnostic scanner, wherein at least the electronic computing device is arranged inside the motor vehicle. At least one detail about the at least one diagnostic result is provided to at least one occupant of the motor vehicle via the electronic computing device according to the at least one storage medium. The at least one diagnostic result is classified via the electronic computing device according to at least one maintenance issue category retrieved from the at least one storage medium. At least one instruction regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result is provided to the at least one occupant via the electronic computing device through at least one device internal to the motor vehicle depending on the above classification.

[0049] A still further aspect of the invention relates to an onboard diagnostic scanner internal to a motor vehicle, comprising at least one electronic computing device arranged inside the motor vehicle, wherein the onboard diagnostic scanner is configured for performing a method according to any of the preceding aspects. In particular, the method is performed by the onboard diagnostic scanner.

[0050] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising the onboard diagnostic scanner according to the preceding aspect.

[0051] In the present disclosure, an electronic computing device may be understood as, for example, a data processing device, which comprises processing circuitry. The electronic computing device may therefore process data to perform computing operations. The computing operations may also include operations to perform indexed accesses to a data structure, for example a look-up table, LUT.

[0052] In particular, an 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 electronic computing device 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 electronic computing device may also include a physical or a virtual cluster of computers or other of said units.

[0053] In various embodiments, the electronic computing device includes one or more hardware and / or software interfaces and / or one or more memory units.

[0054] 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.

[0055] A control circuit is an electrical device that may be configured to carry out a series of instructions involving the coordination of a plurality of other electrical devices. For example, the electronic computing device may be the same device as the control circuit as long as the electronic computing device is connected, directly or indirectly, with each member of the plurality of other electrical devices to be coordinated and as long as the electronic computing device has an ability to control, directly or indirectly, the instructions executed by each member of the plurality of other electrical devices.

[0056] A computing system is a network of electrical devices where each electrical device is connected either directly or indirectly to a control circuit and where each electrical device is configured to execute at least one instruction received from the control circuit. For example, a user-facing electronic computing device and a speaker supporting media playback may represent a computing system if the speaker plays audio sent from the electronic computing device.

[0057] Further advantages, features, and details of the 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 can 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

[0058] The novel features and characteristic of the 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 numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. Some embodiments of system 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.

[0059] The drawings show in:

[0060] Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a motor vehicle comprising an embodiment of an onboard diagnostic scanner;

[0061] Fig. 2 a schematic flowchart according to an embodiment of a computing system internal to a motor vehicle;

[0062] Fig. 3 a schematic flowchart according to an embodiment of a computer-implemented method;

[0063] Fig. 4 a schematic flowchart according to an embodiment of at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium internal to a motor vehicle;

[0064] In the figures, the same elements or elements having the same function are indicated by the same reference signs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] 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.

[0066] While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail below. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0067] 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 or 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.

[0068] In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form parts hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are 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.

[0069] Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view according to an embodiment of a motor vehicle 6 comprising at least one computing system 8 comprising at least one control circuit 10. In this example, there is one of each. The computing system 8 is internal to the motor vehicle. The motor vehicle 6 furthermore comprises an onboard diagnostic scanner 12 internal to the motor vehicle 6. The onboard diagnostic scanner 12 comprises at least one electronic computing device 14 and at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium 16, both arranged inside the motor vehicle 6. In this example, there is one of each. According to this embodiment, a sensor 18 near a fuel door of the motor vehicle 6 detects an improperly tightened fuel cap. This detection is transmitted as at least one diagnostic result 20 that may be a diagnostic trouble code as well as a diagnostic trouble code 21 to the onboard diagnostic scanner 12. At least one detail 22 about the at least one diagnostic result 20 is provided to at least one occupant 24 of the motor vehicle 6 via the electronic computing device 14 according to the at least one storage medium 16. In this figure, the at least one detail 22 is displayed to the at least one occupant 24 via the electronic computing device 14 through a diagnostic detail display device 26 of the motor vehicle 6, here a touchscreen display device. Additionally, the at least one detail 22 is provided to the at least one occupant 24 via the electronic computing device 14 through an audio device 28 of the motor vehicle 6. Furthermore, a vector bus view, visualizing a location within the motor vehicle 6 which the at least one diagnostic result 20 is associated, is displayed to the at least one occupant 24 via the electronic computing device 14 through a vector bus display device 27 of the motor vehicle 6. The at least one diagnostic result 20 is then classified via the electronic computing device 14 according to at least one maintenance issue category 30 of the at least one storage medium 16. Consequently, for example, a warning light 32 on a dashboard of the motor vehicle 6 is activated by the onboard diagnostic scanner 12. At least one instruction 34 regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result 20, depending on this classification, is displayed to the at least one occupant 24 via the electronic computing device 14 through the diagnostic detail display device 26 and, for example, provided to the at least one occupant 24 through the audio device 28. The diagnostic trouble code 21 is identified as indicating a low-priority maintenance issue, so the onboard diagnostic scanner 12 has enabled an input mechanism 36, here a button on the diagnostic detail display device 26, by which the warning light 32 is able to be disabled.

[0070] Fig. 2 shows a schematic flowchart according to an embodiment of the computing system 8 internal to the motor vehicle 6 comprising the control circuit 10, which is configured for several steps, including the following. In a first step CS1, the onboard diagnostic scanner 12 is operated. In a second step CS2, the at least one diagnostic result 20 of the motor vehicle 6 is obtained via the electronic computing device 14 of the onboard diagnostic scanner 12. Ina first part CS3A of a third step, the at least one detail 22 about the at least one diagnostic result 20 is provided via the electronic computing device 14 according to the at least one storage medium 16 to the at least one occupant 24 of the motor vehicle 6. In a second part CS3B of a third step, at least one vector bus view, visualizing at least one location within the motor vehicle 6 associated with the at least one diagnostic result 20, is displayed to the at least one occupant 24 via the electronic computing device 14 through the vector bus display device 27. In a fourth step CS4, the at least one diagnostic result 20 is classified via the electronic computing device 14 according to the at least one maintenance issue category 30 retrieved from the at least one storage medium 16. In a first part CS5A of a fifth step, the at least one instruction 34 regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result 20, depending on the above classification, is provided via the electronic computing device 14 to the at least one occupant 24 through at least one device internal to the motor vehicle 6. In a second part CS5B of a fifth step, at least one visit to at least one automotive maintenance provider is scheduled via the electronic computing device 14 to address the at least one diagnostic result 20, depending on the classification.

[0071] Fig. 3 shows a schematic flowchart according to an embodiment of a computer-implemented method for operating the onboard diagnostic scanner 12. In a first step MS1, the at least one diagnostic result 20 of the motor vehicle 6 is obtained via the electronic computing device 14 of the onboard diagnostic scanner 12. In a first part MS2A of a second step, the at least one detail 22 about the at least one diagnostic result 20 is provided via the electronic computing device 14 according to the at least one storage medium 16 to the at least one occupant 24 of the motor vehicle 6. In a second part MS2B of a second step, at least one vector bus view, visualizing at least one location within the motor vehicle 6 associated with the at least one diagnostic result 20, is displayed to the at least one occupant 24 via the electronic computing device 14 through the vector bus view display device 26. In a third step MS3, the at least one diagnostic result 20 is classified via the electronic computing device 14 according to the at least one maintenance issue category 30 retrieved from the at least one storage medium 16. In a first part MS4A of a fourth step, the at least one instruction 34 regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result 20, depending on the above classification, is provided via the electronic computing device 14 to the at least one occupant 24 through at least one device internal to the motor vehicle 6. In a second part MS4B of a fourth step, at least one visit to at least one automotive maintenance provider is scheduled via the electronic computing device 14 to address the at least one diagnostic result 20, depending on the classification.

[0072] Fig. 4 shows a schematic flowchart according to an embodiment of the at least one storage medium 16, wherein the at least one storage medium 16 stores instructions that are executable by the control circuit 10 to perform several steps, including the following. In a first step 11, the onboard diagnostic scanner 12 is operated. In a second step I2, the at least one diagnostic result 20 of the motor vehicle 6 is obtained via the electronic computing device 14 of the onboard diagnostic scanner 12. In a third step I3, the at least one detail 22 about the at least one diagnostic result 20 is provided via the electronic computing device 14 according to the at least one storage medium 16 to the at least one occupant 24 of the motor vehicle 6. In a fourth step I4, the at least one diagnostic result 20 is classified via the electronic computing device 14 according to the at least one maintenance issue category 30 retrieved from the at least one storage medium 16. In a fifth step I5, the at least one instruction 34 regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result 20, depending on the above classification, is provided via the electronic computing device 14 to the at least one occupant 24 through at least one device internal to the motor vehicle 6. Reference signs 6 motor vehicle 8 computing system 10 control circuit 12 onboard diagnostic scanner 14 electronic computing device 16 storage medium 18 sensor 20 diagnostic result 21 diagnostic trouble code 22 detail 24 occupant 26 diagnostic detail display device 27 vector bus display device 28 audio device 30 maintenance issue category 32 warning light 34 instruction 36 input mechanism CS1-CS5B steps for which the control circuit is configured MS1-MS4B steps of the computer-implemented method 11-15 steps performed by instructions stored by the at least one local non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

Claims

1. A computing system (8) internal to a motor vehicle (6) comprising a control circuit (10) configured to:- operate an onboard diagnostic scanner (12) internal to the motor vehicle (6);(CS1)- obtain at least one diagnostic result (20) about the motor vehicle (6) via an electronic computing device (14) of the onboard diagnostic scanner (12), wherein at least the electronic computing device (14) is arranged inside the motor vehicle (6);(CS2)- provide at least one detail (22) about the at least one diagnostic result (20) via the electronic computing device (14) according to at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (16) internal to the motor vehicle (6) to at least one occupant (24) of the motor vehicle (6); (CS3A)- classify the at least one diagnostic result (20) via the electronic computing device (14) according to at least one maintenance issue category (30) retrieved from the at least one storage medium (16); (CS4) and- provide, via the electronic computing device (14), at least one instruction (34) regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result (20), depending on the above classification, to the at least one occupant (24) through at least one device internal to the motor vehicle (6). (CS5A)2. The computing system (8) according to claim 1, whereinat least one of the at least one diagnostic result (20) about the motor vehicle (6) is a diagnostic trouble code (21).

3. The computing system (8) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in thatthe onboard diagnostic scanner (12) features at least one input mechanism (36) by which at least one diagnostic warning is clearable, depending on the at least one diagnostic trouble code (21).

4. The computing system (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe at least one detail (22) about the at least one diagnostic result (20) and / or the at least one instruction (34) regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result (20) is displayed to the at least one occupant (24) via the electronic computing device (14) through a diagnostic detail display device (26) of the motor vehicle (6).

5. The computing system (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe at least one detail (22) about the at least one diagnostic result (20) and / or the at least one instruction (34) regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result (20) is provided to the at least one occupant (24) via the electronic computing device (14) through an audio device (28) of the motor vehicle (6).

6. The computing system (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatat least one vector bus view, visualizing at least one location within the motor vehicle (6) associated with the at least one diagnostic result (20), is displayed to the at least one occupant (24) via the electronic computing device (14) through a vector bus display device (27) of the motor vehicle (6). (CS3B)7. The computing system (8) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe method further comprises the scheduling via the electronic computing device (14) of at least one visit to an automotive maintenance provider to address the at least one diagnostic result (20) depending on the classification. (CS5B)8. A computer-implemented method for operating an onboard diagnostic scanner (12) internal to a motor vehicle (6), comprising the steps of:- obtaining at least one diagnostic result (20) about the motor vehicle (6) via anelectronic computing device (14) of the onboard diagnostic scanner (12), wherein at least the electronic computing device (14) is arranged inside the motor vehicle (6);(MS1)- providing at least one detail (22) about the at least one diagnostic result (20) via the electronic computing device (14) according to at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (16) internal to the motor vehicle (6) to at least one occupant (24) of the motor vehicle (6); (MS2A)- classifying the at least one diagnostic result (20) via the electronic computing device (14) according to at least one maintenance issue category (30) retrieved from the at least one storage medium (16); (MS3) and- providing, via the electronic computing device (14), at least one instruction (34) regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result (20), depending on the above classification, to the at least one occupant (24) through at least one device internal to the motor vehicle (6). (MS4A)9. The computer-implemented method according to claim 8, whereinat least one of the at least one diagnostic result (20) about the motor vehicle (6) is a diagnostic trouble code (21).

10. The computer-implemented method according to claims 8 and 9, characterized in thatthe onboard diagnostic scanner (12) features at least one input mechanism (36) by which at least one diagnostic warning is clearable, depending on the at least one diagnostic trouble code (21).

11. The computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 8 to 10 characterized in thatthe at least one detail (22) about the at least one diagnostic result (20) and / or the at least one instruction (34) regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result (20) is displayed to the at least one occupant (24) via the electronic computing device (14) through a diagnostic detail display device (26) of the motor vehicle (6).

12. The computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in thatthe at least one detail (22) about the at least one diagnostic result (20) and / or the atleast one instruction (34) regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result (20) is provided to the at least one occupant (24) via the electronic computing device (14) through an audio device (28) of the motor vehicle (6).

13. The computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in thatat least one vector bus view, visualizing at least one location within the motor vehicle (6) associated with the at least one diagnostic result (20), is displayed to the at least one occupant (24) via the electronic computing device (14) through a vector bus display device (27) of the motor vehicle (6). (MS2B)14. The computer-implemented method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in thatthe method further comprises the scheduling via the electronic computing device (14) of at least one visit to an automotive maintenance provider to address the at least one diagnostic result (20) depending on the classification. (MS4B)15. At least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium (16), internal to a motor vehicle (6), that stores instructions that are executable by a control circuit to: - operate an onboard diagnostic scanner (12) internal to the motor vehicle (6); (11) - obtain at least one diagnostic result (20) about the motor vehicle (6) via an electronic computing device (14) of the onboard diagnostic scanner (12), wherein at least the electronic computing device (14) is arranged inside the motor vehicle (6); (I2)- provide at least one detail (22) about the at least one diagnostic result (20) via the electronic computing device (14) according to the at least one storage medium (16) to at least one occupant (24) of the motor vehicle (6); (I3)- classify the at least one diagnostic result (20) via the electronic computing device (14) according to at least one maintenance issue category (30) retrieved from the at least one storage medium (16); (I4) and- provide, via the electronic computing device (14), at least one instruction (34) regarding amelioration of the at least one diagnostic result (20), depending on the above classification, to the at least one occupant (24) through at least one device internal to the motor vehicle (6). (I5)16. An onboard diagnostic scanner (12) internal to a motor vehicle (6), comprising at least one electronic computing device (14) arranged inside the motor vehicle (6), wherein the onboard diagnostic scanner (12) is configured for performing a method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

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