Vehicle Engine Audio Capture for Remote Condition Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle condition reports lack accurate data on engine sounds during start, idle, and revving, which are crucial for assessing a vehicle's condition, especially in wholesale and retail markets where in-person inspections are not feasible.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for capturing and processing vehicle engine audio using a mobile device with a microphone to record audio files, associating tags with the audio, and processing the files through a server to generate condition reports, including visual representations and predictive analysis using machine learning models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If vehicle condition reports are provided in written electronic form through third-party inspection services, then dealers can make purchasing decisions without in-person inspections, but the reports lack accurate data on engine sounds during start, idle, and revving
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with automated electronic audio capture and analysis. A mobile device with microphone automatically records engine sounds during start, idle, and revving operations, and uploads the audio data to a server for analysis. This substitutes the mechanical listening and assessment process with electronic capture and digital processing, eliminating the need for dealers to physically inspect vehicles while preserving critical engine sound information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary audio analysis system between the vehicle and the dealer. The system includes a mobile device that captures audio, a server that processes and analyzes the audio data, and a report generation component that delivers results to dealers. This intermediary infrastructure acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between remote vehicle inspection needs and accurate engine condition assessment, providing detailed audio-based diagnostics without requiring direct dealer involvement.
2Measurement precision
If audio capture equipment is placed near the vehicle engine, then comprehensive engine sound data can be collected, but the system requires manual operation and coordination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the mobile device automatically initiates audio capture when placed near the vehicle engine. The system autonomously records engine sounds during start, idle, and revving operations without requiring manual control. The device automatically processes the audio data, generates analysis results, and delivers reports to dealers. This self-service approach eliminates the need for operators to manually control the capture process while maintaining high measurement precision through automated positioning and recording.
3Reliability
If machine learning models are used to analyze audio files and predict engine conditions, then accurate diagnostic information can be provided, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-training machine learning models with extensive audio data from various engine conditions before deployment. The models are prepared in advance with knowledge of normal and abnormal engine sounds, enabling rapid real-time analysis when actual audio files are submitted. This preliminary training phase separates the time-consuming model development from the actual diagnostic process, allowing fast and accurate condition predictions during actual vehicle inspections without delaying report generation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for capturing and processing audio data of a vehicle engine. In one aspect, a vehicle audio capture system includes a mobile device configured to capture vehicle engine sounds in an audio file and to associate tags identifying one or more vehicle conditions observed during audio capture and reflected in the audio file, and a server configured to process the audio file and expose an application programming interface (API) to provide access to the audio file to one or more data consumer devices. In some instances, a condition report server is configured to access the application programming interface to retrieve a version of the audio file and include data describing the audio file within a vehicle condition report. Additionally, tags may be added to the audio file based on detected engine conditions. Detection of engine conditions may be based on use of trained models.