Multi-Stage Smartphone Diagnostic System for Remote Vehicle Troubleshooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drivers often face challenges in diagnosing vehicle issues when they break down in remote locations, as they lack access to diagnostic equipment, and existing devices are not readily available for multiple vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage diagnostic system using a smartphone to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes from a vehicle's onboard computer, and if none are found, it prompts the user with vehicle-specific symptomatic questions to gather information, which is then uploaded to a diagnostic database for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If diagnostic scan tools are used to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but device availability deteriorates when vehicles break down in remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling smartphones, which are already universally carried by drivers for communication purposes, to serve dual functions: their original communication function plus vehicle diagnostic function. This eliminates the need for dedicated diagnostic equipment while maintaining diagnostic capabilities through the smartphone's existing sensors, camera, and processing power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the smartphone as an intermediary device between the driver and the vehicle's onboard diagnostic systems. The smartphone captures images of the dashboard display, extracts diagnostic information through image recognition algorithms, and provides diagnostic recommendations, thereby mediating the diagnostic process without requiring direct connection to specialized equipment.
2Reliability
If specialized diagnostic equipment is used, then diagnostic capability is improved, but portability and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies copying by using the smartphone's camera to capture an image copy of the vehicle's dashboard display showing diagnostic trouble codes. The image recognition system then processes this visual copy to extract and interpret diagnostic information, eliminating the need for physical connection to specialized diagnostic equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service diagnostics by allowing drivers to independently diagnose vehicle issues using their own smartphones. The smartphone's existing capabilities (camera, processor, display) are leveraged to perform diagnostic functions without requiring external specialized equipment or professional assistance.
3Productivity
If multiple vehicles are diagnosed with a single diagnostic tool, then resource utilization is improved, but availability for each vehicle deteriorates when breakdown occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Each vehicle owner uses their own smartphone for diagnostics, eliminating the need to share a single diagnostic tool. The smartphone is already in the driver's possession, providing immediate availability whenever needed, while the system maintains high resource utilization by leveraging the existing smartphone hardware capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-stage diagnostic system and related method which seeks diagnostic information from a secondary information source when a first information source does not yield sufficient data for producing a diagnostic result. In particular, diagnostic process includes a first stage of communicating with an onboard vehicle computer to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes therefrom. If diagnostic trouble codes are received from the onboard computer, the diagnostic trouble codes are used to produce a diagnostic result. On the other hand, if no diagnostic trouble codes are retrieved from the onboard computer, the diagnostic process proceeds to a second stage wherein symptomatic diagnostic information is solicited from the user. A series of symptomatic questions may be presented to the user on a smartphone.