EP2718908B1 - Mobile communications interface, system comprising a mobile communications interface, and a method for identifying, diagnosing, servicing, and repairing a vehicle - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a mobile communication interface, a system with a mobile communication interface and a method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle via a mobile communication interface, in particular in a motor vehicle workshop.

State of the art

The publication DE 44 46 512 A1 discloses a device for performing a vehicle test with a mobile radio part, which transmits diagnostic data from a vehicle to a workshop.

The publication DE 199 21 846 A1 discloses a diagnostic tester with a portable automotive tester.

The technical development of motor vehicle inspection technology has led to a large number of specific external test devices for different test areas and motor vehicle components. The vehicle testers used for this purpose are highly specialized and adapted to the corresponding vehicle components. Frequently, vehicle testers are used at specific workstations in a workshop or testing center, for example because the vehicle testers are permanently installed in the workshop. A vehicle which is located in the workshop for fault diagnosis and / or repair is moved from workstation to workstation, depending on the test or repair to be performed.

In today's motor vehicles many functions are performed by electronic control units that are connected to the vehicle electronics. The electronic control units often also take onboard diagnostic functions of the vehicle systems and store special diagnostic and / or operating status data. So that the data of the diagnostic functions are evaluated from the control units can, universal diagnostic tester have been developed, which allow communication with the in-vehicle control units. The functionality of the communication can be very different and relates, for example, to the reading out of stored error codes, the transmission of actual values, the execution of complex actuator tests, the resetting of the service intervals, the training of built-in spare parts and similar tasks.

Diagnostic testers usually include an assembly that is responsible for communication with the vehicle. This module is usually referred to as a vehicle communication interface or, as is customary internationally, as a vehicle communication interface, abbreviated to VCI. Such VCI can also be arranged in a separate housing, and wired or wirelessly communicate with universal control and display devices such as laptops, PDAs or smartphones. The diagnostic functionality of universal diagnostic tester or operating and display devices is ensured via a corresponding diagnostic software, which allows the operation, display, diagnostic sequence control and communication with the electronic control units via the VCI.

The specialization of vehicle test equipment today usually requires the combination of individual test and repair steps with communication steps and the evaluation of the data in the electronic control units.

In the design of the test equipment and the workshop runs so far two basic approaches have been established, which schematically in the 6 and 7 are shown.

Fig. 6 shows a vehicle 61 in a workshop. The vehicle 61 in this case comprises one or more electronic control units 62, which are installed in the vehicle 61. During a test or repair run through a workshop, the vehicle 61 is moved to different workstations 65a, 65b and 65c, which may be spatially separated. At each of the workstations 65a, 65b, 65c there is a specific vehicle test device or universal operating and display device 64a, 64b, 64c assigned to the respective workstation. The specific vehicle testers 64a, 64b, 64c may be connected to components of the vehicle 61, such as the exhaust, the engine, the air conditioner, or other components for testing purposes. In addition, each workstation has a respective workstation 65a, 65b, 65c associated universal diagnostic tester 63, with which the communication with the electronic control units 62 of the vehicle 61 is established via a standardized vehicle interface, not shown. Alternatively, the workshop only has a universal diagnostic tester 63, which is then passed on from work to work if necessary.

In a workshop run of the vehicle 61, it is necessary that the respective universal diagnostic tester 63 is connected to the standardized vehicle interface, not shown, at each workstation 65a, 65b, 65c. The operation of the diagnostic tester 63 and of the respective vehicle tester 64a, 64b, 64c takes place separately. This can lead to manual input errors by the users of the devices. In addition, with the repeated identification of the vehicle 61 at each of the workstations 65a, 65b, 65c by the diagnostic tester 63, a certain amount of extra time and labor is required.

Fig. 7 shows a different approach: A vehicle 71 with one or more installed electronic control units 72 passes through the workstations 75a, 75b, 75c in a workshop. At workplaces 75a, 75b, 75c there is a specific vehicle test device 74a, 74b, 74c. Each of the specific vehicle test devices 74a, 74b, 74c respectively comprises an integrated VCI 73a, 73b, 73c, by means of which a communication with the electronic control devices 72 in the vehicle 71 is established via a standardized vehicle interface (not illustrated). This eliminates the need to operate a separate universal diagnostic tester in parallel with the vehicle tester as in Fig. 6 , Furthermore, however, a separate identification of the vehicle 71 at the different work stations 75a, 75b, 75c by the respective integrated VCI 73a, 73b, 73c is necessary. In addition, the respective vehicle test devices 74a, 74b, 74c, in particular their test device software, must be adapted to the integrated VCI 73a, 73b, 73c. At a workstation without a specific vehicle tester, a universal diagnostic tester with integrated VCI can still be used.

Fig. 8 shows an improved vehicle inspection equipment in a workshop. A vehicle 10, in particular a motor vehicle, comprises one or more electronic control units 10a. The electronic control unit (s) 10a may include specific vehicle specific component control units or universal electronic control units 10a of the vehicle 10. The electronic control units 10a can, via a standardized vehicle interface, not shown, provide diagnostic data, Have error data, actual values, operating state data or similar vehicle-related data available for specific vehicle components and be put into specific operating states or processes.

The electronic control unit or units 10a are connected to a VCI 1 via a standardized vehicle interface (not shown). The VCI 1 can be connected to the vehicle 10 at the beginning of a workshop run, for example in the vehicle acceptance. The VCI 1 may be configured to store unique identification data of the vehicle 10, such as vehicle owner, registration number, vehicle brand, vehicle make, chassis number or similar identification data. The unique identification data can be reentered in the vehicle acceptance of the workshop by means of a universal control and display device or taken from a previous workshop visit from a central workshop database.

The VCI 1 is configured to be carried with the vehicle 10 in the workshop when the vehicle 10 passes through the workstations 42, 43, 44. At the workstations 42, 43, 44 are each specific vehicle test equipment or universal control and display devices 3a, 3b, 3c, which are equipped with a single diagnostic server device 2. The diagnostic server device 2 is in each case designed to establish communication with the VCI 1 and thus with the electronic control unit or devices 10 a of the vehicle 10. The specific vehicle testing devices 3 a, 3 b, 3 c can be connected to respective vehicle components of the vehicle 10 at each workstation for performing the diagnostic and / or repair work on the vehicle 10.

In this way, information about the vehicle 10 and identification data of the vehicle 10 at each workstation 42, 43, 44 are available quickly and easily. Data such as diagnostic data, repair data, maintenance data, measurement results, adjustment parameters and the like, however, must be backed up vehicle-specific. So far, this is a workshop network used to which all Fahrzeugprüfgeräte or universal control and display devices 3a, 3b, 3c are connected. Through the workshop network, workplace-specific and vehicle-specific data can be stored and retrieved from each workstation 42, 43, 44.

The workshop networking, however, is associated with costs, either through a required installation or for operation of such a network. There is therefore a need for efficient and cost-effective solutions to collect and store vehicle-specific data in a workshop run.

Disclosure of the invention

The identification of a vehicle, which is required for a variety of operations in a workshop or testing center, is performed only once at the beginning of the workshop run or the Prüfstellenendurchlaufs. Once the vehicle is identified via unique identification data, the unique identification data is stored in a VCI connected to the vehicle and carried along with the vehicle from workstation to workstation in the workshop. For this purpose, the VCI remains in the respective vehicle until the end of the workshop run.

The invention is based on the idea of using the VCI, which in any case is carried along with the vehicle in the workshop, as a temporary data memory for the customer order, diagnosis, maintenance and repair results or respectively associated data and parameters of the respective vehicle. For this purpose, at the beginning of the workshop visit data for the customer and his vehicle from the central customer database are read or recorded for a new customer, then the customer order agreed with the customer is added to the central customer database and then all now available in the customer database for the vehicle in question stored in the VCI, which is installed in the vehicle in question for the duration of the workshop stay or is already installed there.

This eliminates the need for a costly and expensive IT network in the workshop to provide the customer, customer order and vehicle data at each workstation in the workshop and to record the data to be stored during a workshop run at each workstation and their delivery to each other Workplace in the workshop throughput, since this initially stored vehicle-specific from the beginning to the end of the workshop stay in the mobile VCI, read at all workstations for all Fahrzeugprüfgeräte or universal control and display devices and only after completion of the workshop cycle then collected in a central, but not connected to the workstations of the workshop customer database can be transferred.

During the workshop run, existing vehicle test devices and / or universal operating and display devices can initiate communication with the VCI of the vehicle located at the workstation, retrieve the unique identification data of the vehicle, the customer order and already existing diagnostic results of temporally upstream work steps and, for example, diagnostic information replace with the vehicle control units. In addition, all results, data and parameters generated at the respective workstation can be stored in the VCI vehicle-specific. This saves the respective user of Fahrzeugprüfgeräts and / or the universal control and display both the installation and removal of the VCI and the times for a complex identification of the vehicle and for establishing communication with the built-in control units in the vehicle and the backup of Workplace-related data at a central location such as a shop server. In this way, the efficiency of work processes, especially in smaller workshops without its own workshop network can be significantly increased.

The present invention thus provides a method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing a vehicle in a workshop comprising the steps of: storing customer, vehicle, and shop order data for the vehicle from a central customer database into a working data storage device of a mobile communication interface; Connecting the mobile communication interface to the vehicle and connecting a first vehicle test device at least to the mobile communication interface at a first workstation; Reading out the customer, vehicle and workshop order data from the working data storage device of the mobile communication interface into the control computer of the first vehicle testing device; Performing first tests on the vehicle with the first vehicle test device and / or the mobile communication interface; Storing first test results in the working data storage device of the mobile communication interface by the first vehicle inspection device; Disconnecting the first vehicle inspection device from the vehicle; Connecting a second vehicle tester to the vehicle and reading the Customer, vehicle and workshop order data and the first test results from the working data storage device of the mobile communication interface in the second vehicle test device at a second workstation; Performing second tests on the vehicle with the second vehicle test apparatus and / or the mobile communication interface connected to the vehicle on the basis of the first test results; Storing second test results in the working data storage device of the mobile communication interface by the second vehicle test apparatus; and reading the customer, vehicle and workshop order data and the first and second test results of the vehicle from the working data storage device of the mobile communication interface in the central customer database.

According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a mobile communication interface for identifying a vehicle and communicating with the in-vehicle electronic control units in a workshop having a connection device configured to connect a vehicle in a workshop to the mobile communication interface; a communication device configured to receive customer, vehicle, and shop order data from a central customer database, a work data storage device configured to store the received customer, vehicle, and shop order data to the vehicle, the communication device further is configured to transmit the customer, vehicle and workshop order data read from the working data storage device to a first vehicle test device and to receive first test results from the first vehicle test device, wherein the work data storage device is further configured to store the received first test results, wherein the communication device is further developed to transmit the customer, vehicle and workshop order data read from the work data storage device and the first test results to a second vehicle test device and from the second vehicle test device to receive second test results, wherein the working data storage device is adapted to store the second test results and wherein the communication device is further adapted to transfer the read customer, vehicle and workshop order data and the first and second test results to the central customer database.

According to a further embodiment, the present invention provides a system for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle in a workshop, having a mobile communication interface according to the invention, a plurality of vehicle testing devices, each having a diagnostic server device for establishing communication with the mobile communication interface and by means of the mobile communication interface with electronic control units installed in the vehicle; an operating and display device for controlling the vehicle inspection device and the mobile communication interface; and different vehicle test modules configured to perform tester specific vehicle tests on the vehicle based on the test, diagnostic, and / or maintenance results data.

Preferred developments are the subject of the respective subclaims.

The above embodiments and developments can, if appropriate, combine with each other as desired. Further possible refinements, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features of the invention described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines VCI gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung der Softwarearchitektur eines VCI und einer Diagnoseservereinrichtung gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung des Aufbaus eines Werkstattarbeitsplatzes mit einem System gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung eines Verfahrens zum Identifizieren, Diagnostizieren, Warten und Reparieren eines Fahrzeugs in einer Werkstatt über ein VCI gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 5

eine schematische Darstellung eines Verfahrens zum Identifizieren, Diagnostizieren, Warten und Reparieren eines Fahrzeugs in einer Werkstatt über ein VCI gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform der Erfindung;

Fig. 6

eine schematische Darstellung eines herkömmlichen Fahrzeugprüfgeräteaufbaus in einer Werkstatt;

Fig. 7

eine schematische Darstellung eines weiteren herkömmlichen Fahrzeugprüfgeräteaufbaus in einer Werkstatt; und

Fig. 8

eine schematische Darstellung eines Fahrzeugprüfgeräteaufbaus in einer Werkstatt.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a VCI according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of the software architecture of a VCI and a diagnostic server device according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of the structure of a workshop workstation with a system according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of a method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle in a workshop via a VCI according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of a method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle in a workshop via a VCI according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6

a schematic representation of a conventional vehicle Prüfgeräteaufbaus in a workshop;

Fig. 7

a schematic representation of another conventional vehicle Prüfgeräteaufbaus in a workshop; and

Fig. 8

a schematic representation of a Fahrzeugprüfgeräteaufbaus in a workshop.

In the figures of the drawing are identical and functionally identical elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - each provided with the same reference numerals. It is understood that components and elements in the drawings are not necessarily to scale to each other for clarity and clarity.

Detailed description of the invention

Vehicle testing devices in the sense of this application are not specified on special vehicle testing devices. They may include, for example, wheel alignment testers, engine testers, emissions testers, brake testers, shock absorber testers, lane checkers, weighing devices, brake fluid testing devices, sound level meters, diesel smoke tester, chassis gauges, toe angle testers, steering angle testers, air conditioning testers, and the like. These vehicle testing devices can be used in workshops, in particular motor vehicle workshops, testing stations or similar facilities. In particular, the methods and devices of the invention are equally useful in these devices.

In the following, communication interfaces for vehicles are described, which in the context of this application are referred to as "vehicle communication interface", in short VCI. In particular, these communication interfaces are mobile interfaces that can be carried with the vehicle in a workshop from workplace to workplace.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a VCI 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The VCI 1 is arranged in a housing 11 and comprises a microprocessor 12, a connection device 13 with a connector 14 for connecting the VCI 1 to a standardized vehicle interface in a vehicle, a memory device 15 for storing unique identification data of the vehicle to be connected, a communication device 16 for establishing a communication link with diagnostic server devices 2 of specific vehicle testers, and a working data storage device 18 connected to the microprocessor.

The microprocessor 12 is designed to evaluate control commands for the VCI 1 and to control the connection device 13, the memory device 15, the communication device 16, and the working data memory device 18. The microprocessor 12 may of course also include a microcontroller, an ASIC or similar device.

The connection device 13 can be designed to have interfaces for diagnostic bus systems of the vehicle to be connected on a lower communication layer, in particular the physical layer provide. The diagnostic bus systems can be used to address vehicle electronic control units.

The storage device 15 may have an increased storage volume compared to conventional VCI in order to provide correspondingly much storage space for the unique identification data of the vehicle and to store configuration data of the microprocessor 12, the connection device 13 and the communication device 16. The memory device 15 comprises corresponding software 17, which is specific to the operation of the VCI 1. The software 17 is below Fig. 2 described in more detail.

The communication device 16 is designed to establish a communication link with diagnostic server devices 2 of specific vehicle test devices and the central customer database. For this purpose, the communication device 16 may comprise means for establishing a wired or wireless connection, for example a radio module for Bluetooth or WLAN, an infrared interface, an RFID transponder or the like.

The VCI 1 does not include any operating and display elements in the present example. The operating and display elements can be provided, for example, via the vehicle testers or universal operating and display devices to be connected to the VCI 1. Of course, it may also be possible to equip the VCI 1 with its own operating and display elements.

The working data storage device 18 is designed to store all the data necessary for carrying out all the diagnostic, maintenance and repair steps at workstations in a workshop. In addition to the unique identification data stored in the memory device 15, these are customer data, such as name, telephone number, mail address, address or the like, order data, such as the order number, the order date, information on agreed services and subsequently agreed steps and the like, information about the vehicle such as number plate, serial number, mileage, detailed operating parameters of the vehicle, such as year of manufacture, model series, transmission type, engine type, control parameters for built-in control units in the vehicle, already performed maintenance, information on replaced parts or the like, after-identification data of the vehicle, and Documentation data of all diagnostic, maintenance, test and repair results, such as sequence of operations, measurement parameters, replacement part numbers, adjustment parameters of newly installed, serviced or repaired vehicle components, and the like. The data stored in the work data storage device 18 are basically intended to provide all necessary information about the assigned vehicle at each workstation of the workshop for vehicle testers or universal display and operating devices located there and for the workshop computer with the central customer database, without an exchange of information on a Workshop network must be made. In particular, the vehicle data are also intended to uniquely identify the vehicle with regard to important operating parameters, setting parameters and control parameters of all components and components installed in the vehicle.

Alternatively, the working data storage device 18 can also be merged with the storage device 15, whereby, for example, a correspondingly larger storage volume and a storage division between data of the storage device 15 and data of the working data storage device 18 can be provided. The working data storage device 18 may also have software, similar to the software 17 of the memory device 15. It may also be provided that the software 17 is extended in a common embodiment of the memory device 15 and the working data storage device 18 so that both memory operated and controlled accordingly can be.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the software architecture of a VCI, in particular the VCI 1, and a diagnostic server device 2.

In this case, the software 17, which in a memory device 15 of the VCI 1 from Fig. 1 may be stored, a first communication layer 25, a memory software 26, a protocol software 27 and a second communication layer 28. The individual software components 25, 26, 27 and 28 may be combined in a software code. It is also possible that the software has 17 additional software components.

The first communication layer 25 is designed to establish a communication with a communication layer 24 of a diagnostic server device 2 or a communication layer of a central customer database, not shown, and to control the VCI. The storage software 26 is configured to receive, store, and manage unique identification data for the vehicle 10. The unique identification data can preferably be held for the duration of a workshop stay of the vehicle 10 and output as needed via the diagnostic server device 2 to specific vehicle test equipment. It may further be provided to transfer data from the working data storage device 18 as needed via the diagnostic server device 2 to the vehicle test devices.

The protocol software 27 is designed to provide necessary protocols for communication with the vehicle 10 and / or the diagnostic server device 2. The second communication layer 28 is designed to be connected via the connection device 13 in FIG Fig. 1 to control with the control devices in the vehicle 10 established communication links.

The diagnostic server device 2 comprises as software components a communication layer 21, a software interface 22, a diagnostic server software 23 and a second communication layer 24.

The second communication layer 24 may be used for communication with the first communication layer 25 of the software 17 of the VCI 1. The second communication layer 24 of the diagnostic server device 2 may further be configured to register which VCI 1 are within range of the vehicle testing device including the diagnostic server device 2. This information may change dynamically with the movement of a plurality of VCI 1 vehicles within a workshop. In particular, the VCI 1 can be designed via communication devices 16 to display their presence via beacon signals to the respective diagnostic server devices 2 in a workshop. The range of the VCI 1 can be predetermined.

The first communication layer 21 of the diagnostic server device 2 may be configured to provide an interface for specific vehicle test devices, in particular for the vehicle test device in which the diagnostic server device 2 is integrated. The first communication layer 21 may be configured to provide functions of the controller communication. This includes, for example, the reading out of errors, actual values, operating state data, the deletion and overwriting of values in control devices, for example service intervals, Error registers, actuator controls, performing complex test procedures such as steering angle calibration, ABS sensor testing, pump testing, brake circuit venting, and the like. The first communication layer 21 is further configured to forward unique vehicle identifications from the electronic controllers of the vehicle 10 to be connected to the specific vehicle testers and the VCI. The first communication layer 21 can be tuned to the specific vehicle tester, for example by a preconfigured tester parameter set, which can be retrieved from the vehicle tester.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the structure of a workshop workstation with a system with mobile communication interface.

Shown are a vehicle 10 to which a VCI 1 to Fig. 1 connected. The vehicle 10 is located on a workstation in a workshop or testing center on which a corresponding vehicle test device 3 is present. The vehicle test device 3 comprises a test module 31, a control computer 32 with control software 33, an operating device 34 and a display device 35. The vehicle test device 3 can be connected via cables, sensors, hoses and similar suitable connection means 37 to the vehicle 10 or to vehicle components of the vehicle 10 For example, be connected to the exhaust, the engine, the air conditioner, the brake system or the like. The vehicle inspection device 3 can be arranged in a housing 36. The vehicle testing device 3 may be housed, for example, in a carriage or be firmly connected to the workshop floor at the workplace.

The test module 31 may include a specific vehicle test module that may perform predefined tests or diagnostics on particular vehicle components of the vehicle 10, such as engine tests, chassis measurement, air conditioning maintenance, or the like. The control computer 32 may be configured to control the corresponding specific functions of the test module 31 using the control software 33.

The control software 33 is in the remote box in Fig. 3 shown in greater detail. The control software 33 comprises a software layer 33a for operating the vehicle test device 3 and for visualizing the test procedures and results, a software layer 33b for controlling the test procedures, a first communication layer 33d, which establishes communication between the test process control by the software layer 33b and the test module 31, a second communication layer 33e, which establishes communication of the test process control by the software layer 33b and the diagnostic server device 2, a diagnostic server device 2 according to FIG Fig. 2 and a detection software component 38.

The software layers 33a and 33b for operation, display and test sequence control can also be integrated in a common software layer 33c. The second communication layer 33e may include a software component for communicating with the user, a software component for establishing communication with the diagnostic server device 2, a software component for communicating the test flow control with the diagnostic server device 2 during a test procedure, and a tester parameter set.

The communication layer 33e may be configured to display to a user of the vehicle testing device 3 via the display unit 35 a list of vehicles 10 whose VCI 1 is within range of the diagnostic server device 2 or the respective workstation. Thus, the user can select the correct vehicle from the list of candidate vehicles 10 via the operating device 34. Preferably, by selecting a vehicle 10 on a vehicle test device 3, the corresponding VCI 1 can be disabled for selection at other workstations or with other vehicle test devices. Thus, advantageously, errors in a vehicle selection can be prevented.

At the beginning of the actual test sequence, the communication layer 33e can receive already stored identification data from the VCI 1 of the vehicle 10 in upstream working steps of the workshop sequence and forward it to the software layer 33b for test sequence control. As a result, the test procedure can advantageously be adapted automatically to the vehicle 10. Furthermore, during the test run, the communication layer 33e can control functions in electronic control units of the vehicle 10 and forward diagnostic data dynamically from the electronic control units of the vehicle 10 to the software layer 33b during the test run.

The communication layer 33e may further advantageously receive preconfigured parameters of the specific test module 31 to perform certain functions of the to selectively activate or deactivate electronic control units of the vehicle 10. As a result, the usually large range of functionality of the electronic control units can advantageously be broken down to the functions required for the respective test run in order to avoid errors in the operation of the vehicle test device 3 by the user.

Advantageously, the communication layer 33e can also be designed to store data, work results and parameters which occur when working with the vehicle test device 3 on the vehicle 10 via the diagnostic server device 2 in the working data memory device of the VCI 1. It may furthermore be possible to read data, work results and parameters already stored in the work data storage device, which have been stored at other work stations of the workshop in previous work steps, for example, via the communication layer 33e into the vehicle test device 3. The read-in data can be used, for example, as the basis for testing, maintenance or repair work with the vehicle test device 3.

Fig. 4 FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a method for identifying, diagnosing (testing), maintaining and repairing a vehicle 10 in a workshop with a VCI 1 Fig. 1 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The course of the procedure after Fig. 4 will be in relation to the steps of in Fig. 5 illustrated schematic representation of a method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle in a workshop via a VCI 1 according to another embodiment of the invention explained in more detail.

After a takeover of the customer or vehicle data in a customer record in the central customer database of a workshop computer (step 51 a) and the query of the error symptoms at the customer (step 51 b), a workshop order is created and stored in the customer record in the central customer database (step 51 c). The workshop order, for example, can be printed and signed by the customer. The customer record with the customer and vehicle data, the trouble symptoms and the shop order are stored in a working data storage device of the VCI 1 (step 51d). At a first workstation 41, for example the vehicle reception of a workshop, the vehicle 10 to be serviced or repaired can be connected to the VCI 1 (step 51 e). At the first workstation 41, a first vehicle testing device 3a may be provided be, which is equipped with a common diagnostic server device 2. The first vehicle testing device 3 a may, for example, be a universal operating and display device which is used for a quick diagnosis of the vehicle 10. At the first workstation 41, further unique vehicle identification data are determined (step 51f) and transmitted to the VCI 1 via the vehicle testing device 3a with the diagnostic server device 2 in which the identification data are stored at least for the duration of the workshop run (step 51f). Furthermore, for example, with a detection of all fault memory entries in the electronic control units of the vehicle 10 with the VCI 1 a quick diagnosis can be performed (step 51 g), after the completion of the diagnostic result in the working data storage device of the VCI 1 is stored (step 51 h).

Thereafter, the vehicle 10 is transferred to a second workstation 42 within the workshop. The VCI 1 is not separated from the vehicle 10 and carried along with the vehicle 10. The second workstation 42 may be, for example, a workstation for diagnosis and troubleshooting (step 52). At the second workstation 42 is a second vehicle inspection device 3b or a universal operating and display device 3b with an integrated diagnostic server device 2. The second vehicle inspection device 3b establishes communication with the VCI 1, and reads the stored unique identification data and those previously stored in the working data storage device of the VCI 1 stored vehicle-related data automatically from the VCI 1 (step 52a). The vehicle 10 may optionally be further analyzed and post-identified (step 52b). In this case, after performing the troubleshooting (step 52c) using the post-identification data, a faulty steering angle sensor may be identified (step 52d). In turn, a memory entry in the working data memory device of the VCI 1 is created via the result of the diagnosis and optionally the post-identification data (step 52e).

Thereafter, the vehicle 10, again together with the VCI 1, spent at a third workstation 43 with a third Fahrzeugprüfgerät or a universal control and display device 3c. The third workstation 43 can be, for example, a repair workstation. After obtaining a replacement part (step 53a), at the third work station, for example, a defective vehicle component, for example, a defective steering angle sensor, may be removed (step 53b) and replaced with a spare part (step 53c). About the vehicle tester 3c can use the diagnostic server device 2 communication with the VCI 1 and thus with a or several electronic control units in the vehicle 10 are produced, so that first all vehicle-related data from the VCI 1 can be read (step 53d) and then, for example, the new steering angle sensor in the corresponding electronic control unit of the vehicle 10 registered or trained (step 53e ). The result of the learning and adjusting step is again stored in the working data memory of the VCI 1 (step 53f).

After the repair, the vehicle 10 is moved to a fourth workstation 44, at which initially the previously stored data is read from the working data memory device of the VCI 1 again (step 54a). Thereafter, at the fourth work station after an optional post-identification, for example, the vehicle geometry of the vehicle 10 can be measured and the chassis can be adjusted (step 54b). For this purpose, a fourth vehicle test device 3d, for example a test device for chassis measurement, is provided at the fourth workstation 44. With the aid of the communication between the fourth vehicle tester 4d and the VCI 1, the newly installed steering angle sensor can be automatically calibrated by the vehicle tester 3d after completion of the wheel alignment and adjustment (step 54c), since the required identification and diagnostic result data of the vehicle 10 is already in the VCI 1 present. The identification data of the vehicle 10 can also be used already for the preparation of the measurement and adjustment of the chassis. After saving the measurement results and the setting parameters (step 54d), for example, a test drive (step 54e) may be performed. After a successful test drive, the VCI 1 can be disconnected from the vehicle 10 again upon completion of the workshop run (step 54f). All of the audit, maintenance, repair, diagnostic, and identification data collected in the scratch data storage facility of the VCI 1 until then may then be transferred from the VCI 1 to a customer database (step 54g). In a step 55, the shop order can then be completed and the data and result logs of the workshop run are stored in a central workshop system for reuse at a repeat visit to the customer or the vehicle 10.

The VCI 1 and the method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle in a workshop are associated with a number of advantages. The required for the ECU communication identification of the vehicle is performed only once per workshop visit and only when needed to individual jobs or with extended to individual vehicle testers. This leads to a considerable saving of time in the workshop cycle. The once recorded vehicle identification data are equally available at each workstation, since they are carried by the vehicle via the VCI from workstation to workstation. The risk of incorrect operation or incorrect entries in the identification of vehicles is reduced because on the one hand, the identification data can be automatically retrieved from the VCI and on the other hand, each vehicle in the workshop can be actively called for editing only at a single workstation. Specific vehicle testing devices and universal operating and display devices can be equipped with a uniform diagnostic server device, and no complex adaptation process to the particular circumstances of the individual vehicle test device is necessary.

Depending on the range of functions of the respective workstation, the control software of the vehicle tester can only activate those functions in the communication with the electronic control units of the vehicle, which are also required for the respective workstation. This allows a simple and convenient handling of the specific vehicle testers or universal operating and display devices at specific workstations in the workshop. For the users of the vehicle test equipment at the workplaces, the necessary qualification in dealing with the control unit communication is reduced, since the communication between the electronic control units in the vehicle and the vehicle test equipment can run largely automatically and in the background.

By storing all relevant vehicle-related data in the VCI's data memory device, a complex network solution within the workshop can be dispensed with. The central customer database can thus be operated, for example, as a minimal solution on only one or two workstations. It is of course also possible to provide a workshop network in addition to the storage of the data on the VCI, for example to provide greater data security or to keep a reserve solution available in the event of defects or failures.

The selection of job and / or vehicle to be performed at different workstations can be dispensed with since all necessary information for this is already carried in the VCI with the vehicle from workstation to workstation. In particular, a dynamic update of the order status is guaranteed, since at each Workplace achieved results and identified parameters can be stored in the VCI. As a result, redundant post-identification can be omitted at some workstations if this has already been done in an upstream work step.

With the help of the work data storage in the VCI an efficient workshop run can be ensured compared to network-bound solutions even under difficult boundary conditions. For example, there are no problems that can occur in wireless networks, such as strong interference, poor building topology, or the like. Furthermore, the system is independent of the distance to the workshop, so that, for example, during test drives outside the workshop, the vehicle-related data on the VCI are always available.

• Identifizieren eines zu einem Kunden und dessen zu diagnostizierenden, zu wartenden und/oder zu reparierenden Fahrzeugs in einer zentralen Kundendatenbank bereits vorhandenen Fahrzeugdatensatzes oder Erfassung der Kunden und Fahrzeugdaten in einem neuen Datensatz;
• Ergänzen dieses Fahrzeugdatensatzes um einen Kundenauftrag;
• Speichern des zu einem Fahrzeug zugeordneten Fahrzeugdatensatzes aus der zentralen Kundendatenbank in eine Arbeitsdatenspeichereinrichtung in einer mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle;
• Einbau einer mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle in das dem gespeicherten Fahrzeugdatensatz zugeordneten Fahrzeug;
• Anschließen einer mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle an das Fahrzeug und Verbinden eines ersten Fahrzeugprüfgeräts zumindest mit der mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle an einem ersten Arbeitsplatz;
• Auslesen des in der mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle gespeicherten Fahrzeugdatensatzes in das erste Prüfgerät;
• Ergänzen der Identifikationsdaten des Fahrzeuges mit dem ersten Fahrzeugprüfgerät bei Bedarf und Durchführen erster Prüfungen am Fahrzeug mit dem ersten Fahrzeugprüfgerät und/oder der mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle;
• Ergänzen des Fahrzeugdatensatzes mit den bei Bedarf ergänzten Identifikationsdaten und ersten Prüfungsergebnissen und Speichern des im ersten Fahrzeugprüfgerät erweiterten Fahrzeugdatensatzes in die Arbeitsdatenspeichereinrichtung der mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle durch das erste Fahrzeugprüfgerät;
• Trennen des ersten Fahrzeugprüfgeräts von dem Fahrzeug;
• Anschließen eines zweiten Fahrzeugprüfgeräts an das Fahrzeug und Auslesen des in der mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle gespeicherten Fahrzeugdatensatzes mit den ersten Prüfungsergebnissen aus der Arbeitsdatenspeichereinrichtung der mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle in das zweite Fahrzeugprüfgerät an einem zweiten Arbeitsplatz; Ergänzen der Identifikationsdaten des Fahrzeuges mit dem zweiten Fahrzeugprüfgerät bei Bedarf und Durchführen zweiter Prüfungen an dem Fahrzeug mit dem zweiten Fahrzeugprüfgerät und/oder der an dem Fahrzeug angeschlossenen mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle auf der Basis der ersten Prüfungsergebnisse;
• Ergänzen des Fahrzeugdatensatzes mit den bei Bedarf ergänzten Identifikationsdaten und den zweiten Prüfungsergebnissen und Speichern des im zweiten Fahrzeugprüfgerät erweiterten Fahrzeugdatensatzes in die Arbeitsdatenspeichereinrichtung der mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle durch das zweite Fahrzeugprüfgerät;
• Ausbau der mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle aus dem Fahrzeug zum Abschluss des Werkstattaufenthaltes; und
• Speichern des mit allen Ergebnissen des Werkstattdurchlaufes ergänzten, in der mobilen Kommunikationsschnittstelle gespeicherten Fahrzeugdatensatzes in die zentrale Kundendatenbank.

A further development of the present invention provides a method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle in a workshop, with the following steps:

• Identifying a vehicle record already existing in a central customer database for a customer and the vehicle to be diagnosed, serviced and / or repaired, or recording the customers and vehicle data in a new data record;
• Complete this vehicle data record with a sales order;
• Storing the vehicle data set assigned to a vehicle from the central customer database into a working data storage device in a mobile communication interface;
• Installing a mobile communication interface in the vehicle associated with the stored vehicle record;
• Connecting a mobile communication interface to the vehicle and connecting a first vehicle test device at least to the mobile communication interface at a first workstation;
• Reading the vehicle data set stored in the mobile communication interface into the first test device;
• Supplementing the identification data of the vehicle with the first vehicle test device if necessary and performing first tests on the vehicle with the first vehicle test device and / or the mobile communication interface;
• Supplementing the vehicle data record with the identification data and the first test results supplemented if necessary and storing the vehicle data record expanded in the first vehicle test device into the working data memory device of the mobile communication interface by the first vehicle test device;
• Disconnecting the first vehicle inspection device from the vehicle;
• Connecting a second vehicle test device to the vehicle and reading the vehicle data set stored in the mobile communication interface with the first test results from the working data memory device of the mobile communication interface into the second vehicle test device at a second workstation; Supplementing the identification data of the vehicle with the second vehicle test device if necessary and performing second tests on the vehicle with the second vehicle test device and / or the mobile communication interface connected to the vehicle on the basis of the first test results;
• Supplementing the vehicle data record with the identification data that has been supplemented if necessary and the second test results and storing the vehicle data record that has been expanded in the second vehicle test device into the working data memory device of the mobile communication interface by the second vehicle test device;
• Expansion of the mobile communication interface from the vehicle to complete the workshop stay; and
• Saving the vehicle data record completed with all the results of the workshop run and stored in the mobile communication interface into the central customer database.

According to another development, the present invention provides a mobile communication interface for identifying a vehicle and for communicating with the vehicle-mounted electronic control units in a workshop, with a connection device that is designed to connect a vehicle in a workshop to the mobile communication interface A working data storage device configured to store vehicle records from a central customer database or from a vehicle inspection device for additional vehicle identification data, inspection, diagnostic, and / or maintenance result data from vehicle inspection, diagnostic, and / or maintenance steps performed in the workshop on the vehicle , and a communication device that is adapted to provide these enhanced vehicle records to vehicle testers or the central customer database preferably to transmit wirelessly and to exchange information between the electronic control units installed in the vehicle and the Fahrzeugprüfgeräten at different workplaces in the workshop.

According to another embodiment, the present invention provides a system for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle in a workshop, having a mobile communication interface according to the invention, a central customer database and a plurality of vehicle test devices, each having a diagnostic server device for establishing communication with the mobile Communication interface and by means of the mobile communication interface with built-in electronic control units in the vehicle, an operating and display device for controlling the vehicle tester and the mobile communication interface, and different vehicle test modules, which are designed based on the examination, diagnosis and / or maintenance result data perform vehicle-specific vehicle tests on the vehicle.

Claims (8)

1. Method for identifying, diagnosing, servicing and repairing a vehicle (10) in a workshop, having the steps of:

   storage of customer, vehicle and workshop order data for the vehicle (10) from a central customer database in an operating data memory device (18) of a mobile communication interface (1);

   connection of the mobile communication interface (1) to the vehicle (10) and connection of a first vehicle tester (3a) at least to the mobile communication interface (1) on a first workstation (41);

   reading of the customer, vehicle and workshop order data from the operating data memory device (18) of the mobile communication interface (1) into the control computer (32a) of the first vehicle tester (3a);

   performance of first tests on the vehicle (10) using the first vehicle tester (3a) and/or the mobile communication interface (1);

   storage of first test results in the operating data memory device (18) of the mobile communication interface (1) by the first vehicle tester (3a);

   disconnection of the first vehicle tester (3a) from the vehicle (10);

   connection of a second vehicle tester (3b) to the vehicle (10) and

   reading of the customer, vehicle and workshop order data and of the first test results from the operating data memory device (18) of the mobile communication interface (1) into the second vehicle tester (3b) on a second workstation (42);

   performance of second tests on the vehicle (10) using the second vehicle tester (3b) and/or the mobile communication interface (1) connected to the vehicle (10) on the basis of the first test results;

   storage of second test results in the operating data memory device (18) of the mobile communication interface (1) by the second vehicle tester (3b); and

   reading of the customer, vehicle and workshop order data and the first and second test results of the vehicle (10) from the operating data memory device (18) of the mobile communication interface (1) into the central customer database.
2. Method according to Claim 1, additionally having the steps of:

   connection of a universal operated control and display device (3c) to the vehicle (10) and reading of the customer, vehicle and workshop order data and of the first and second test results from the mobile communication interface (1) into the universal operated control and display device (3c);

   performance of further tests on the vehicle (10) using the universal operated control and display device (3c) and the mobile communication interface (1) connected to the vehicle (10) on a third workstation (43); and

   storage of the third test results in the operating data memory device (18) of the mobile communication interface (1) by the universal operated control and display device (3c).
3. Method according to Claim 2, wherein the first vehicle tester (3a) and/or the second vehicle tester (3b) and/or the universal operated control and display device (3c) have a standard diagnosis server device (2) for setting up a communication with the mobile communication interface (1) and, by means of the mobile communication interface (1), with the electronic controllers installed in the vehicle (10).
4. Method according to Claim 3, wherein the first (41), the second (42) and the third (43) workstation are used to display identification data stored in mobile communication interfaces (1) from vehicles (10) in the workshop to the user of the respective first (3a) or second vehicle tester (3b) or universal operated control and display device (3c).
5. Method according to Claim 4, wherein the display of the identification data on the respective first (41), second (42) or third workstation (43) is effected on the basis of the proximity of the respective vehicle (10) with the mobile communication interface (1) connected thereto to the workstation (41; 42; 43).
6. Mobile communication interface (1) for identifying a vehicle (10) and for communicating with the electronic controllers installed in the vehicle (10) in a workshop, halving:

   a connecting device (13) that is designed to connect a vehicle (10) in a workshop to the mobile communication interface (1);

   a communication device (16) that is designed to receive customer, vehicle and workshop order data from a central customer data base,

   an operating data memory device (18) that is designed to store the received customer, vehicle and workshop order data for the vehicle (10),

   wherein the communication device (16) is further designed to transmit the customer, vehicle and workshop order data read from the operating data memory device (18) to a first vehicle tester (3a) and to receive first test results from the first vehicle tester (3a), wherein the operating data memory device (18) is further designed to store the received first test results, wherein the communication device is further designed to transmit the customer, vehicle and workshop order data from the operating data memory device (18) and the first test results to a second vehicle tester (3b) and to receive second test results from the second vehicle tester (3b), wherein the operating data memory device (18) is designed to store the second test results and wherein the communication device (16) is further designed to transmit the read customer, vehicle and workshop order data and the first and second test results to the central customer database.
7. Mobile communication interface (1) according to Claim 6, wherein the mobile communication interface (1) is designed to be carried along by the vehicle (10) that is to be connected in the workshop.
8. System for identifying, diagnosing, servicing and repairing a vehicle (10) in a workshop, having:

   a mobile communication interface (1) according to either of Claims 6 and 7; and

   a multiplicity of vehicle testers (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d), each having:

   a diagnosis server device (2) for setting up a communication with the mobile communication interface (1) and, by means of the mobile communication interface (1), with electronic controllers installed in the vehicle (10);

   an operated control and display device (34; 35) for controlling the vehicle tester (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d) and the mobile communication interface (1); and

   different vehicle test modules (31) that are designed to perform tester-specific vehicle tests on the vehicle (10) on the basis of the test, diagnosis and/or service result data.

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