Pre-diagnostic Vehicle Repair Estimation via Sensor Data

Solution Overview

Problem

Automotive vehicles often require lengthy diagnostic processes before repair estimates can be provided, leading to inconvenience for customers and potential lost revenue for service centers due to limited technician resources and the need for physical evaluations.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a database and service logic to estimate vehicle repairs and costs pre-diagnostically, accessible through user interfaces at service centers or mobile devices, which calculates confidence levels for potential repairs based on historical data and ranks them for non-technical employees to present to customers, along with geolocation for nearest service centers and appointment scheduling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional diagnostic processes are used with technician evaluation and physical examinations, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but customer wait time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidcustomer wait time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary diagnostic actions by collecting vehicle data through onboard sensors and communication systems before the vehicle arrives at the service center. Historical data and machine learning models pre-evaluate potential issues, allowing the system to prepare diagnostic assessments in advance, thus reducing customer wait time while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through subsequent confirmation by technicians.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary diagnostic system that acts as a bridge between the vehicle and the technician. This intermediary system collects vehicle data, processes it through machine learning models, and provides preliminary diagnostic assessments to technicians, who then confirm or refine the diagnosis. This intermediary layer reduces the time technicians need to spend on initial assessments while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If comprehensive physical examinations and test drives are performed, then diagnostic reliability is improved, but service center productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic reliabilityVSAvoidservice center productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary diagnostic actions by collecting vehicle data through onboard sensors and communication systems before the vehicle arrives at the service center. Historical data and machine learning models pre-evaluate potential issues, allowing the system to prepare diagnostic assessments in advance, thus reducing customer wait time while maintaining diagnostic accuracy through subsequent confirmation by technicians.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the vehicle's diagnostic data and operational parameters through onboard sensors and communication systems. This digital twin or copy allows technicians to perform virtual assessments and preliminary diagnostics without physically examining every component, thereby maintaining diagnostic reliability while significantly improving service center productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If experienced technicians perform manual diagnostics, then diagnostic precision is improved, but service center operational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic precisionVSAvoidservice center operational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary diagnostic system that acts as a bridge between the vehicle and the technician. This intermediary system collects vehicle data, processes it through machine learning models, and provides preliminary diagnostic assessments to technicians, who then confirm or refine the diagnosis. This intermediary layer reduces the time technicians need to spend on initial assessments while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical diagnostic processes with automated electronic data collection and machine learning-based analysis. Onboard sensors, communication systems, and algorithms substitute for traditional manual inspection methods, reducing service center operational complexity while maintaining or improving diagnostic precision through consistent, data-driven assessments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9111264B2System and method for pre-evaluation vehicle diagnostic and repair cost estimation

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 OCT TRIPLE IND LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for estimating a diagnosis of a vehicle in need of repair in advance of performing any diagnostic tests on the vehicle. The invention further estimates the costs for a repair to a vehicle in need of repair in advance of performing any diagnostic tests to the vehicle. The system is particularly useful at a point-of-sale system in a vehicle repair center or in a off-site customer access tool.