JP2002053015A - Maintenance device and method for automobile inspection - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable an user to obtain the information on necessary matters such as repair and replacement without visiting a maintenance shop. SOLUTION: This automobile inspection maintenance device comprises a video camera 18 for picking up images of inspection parts of an inspected car 10, a monitor for displaying the images picked up by the video camera 18, and a talking device for connecting an inspector 12 inspecting the inspected car and the user watching an image of the monitor, and the user can exchange the information and speak his intension with the inspector while watching the images of the monitor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for vehicle inspection and maintenance, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for vehicle inspection and maintenance suitable for a user-selected new service.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Inspection and maintenance of automobiles is performed by a qualified mechanic at a designated maintenance shop. Inspectors will inspect legal inspection items and, if necessary, repair or replace parts.

[0003] With the amendment of the Road Transport Vehicle Law in July 1995, a "new service" of the user selection type will be implemented in vehicle inspection and maintenance in November 1996. In this “new service”, when an inspector finds a defective part or a failed part of a vehicle to be inspected, the inspector first notifies the user of the fact. Based on the explanation of the inspector, the user determines whether to replace the part, repair the part, or use the part without repair or replacement. In other words, the maintenance shop provides the user with information on the inspection location, but the user makes a decision on repair or replacement at his / her own risk.

[0004] In this way, the "new service" eliminates uncertainty in vehicle inspection and maintenance, and reduces unnecessary burdens on the user.

[0005]

In the "new service" of the user selection type, the user has to decide repair / replacement of a part or the like, so that the user needs to have sufficient information on the part. For that purpose, the user himself has to go to the maintenance shop where the vehicle inspection is being performed, observe the necessary parts such as repair and replacement, and listen to the explanation of the inspector.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to enable a user to obtain information on a necessary part such as repair and replacement without going to a maintenance shop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to prevent a user from having to go to a site where a user can observe an inspection location of a vehicle to be inspected when selecting a "new service" of a user selection type.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an automobile inspection and maintenance apparatus comprising: a video camera for imaging an inspection location of a vehicle to be inspected; a monitor for displaying an image captured by the video camera; A communication device for connecting an inspector to be inspected and a user who looks at an image on the monitor, wherein the user can exchange information and communicate intentions with the inspector while looking at the image on the monitor .

According to the present invention, in the vehicle inspection and maintenance device, the video camera can be mounted on a helmet of the inspector, and the video camera has a laser beam generating optical axis having an optical axis parallel to the optical axis of the video camera. The image pickup position of the video camera can be determined based on a beam spot on a subject generated by the laser beam generator.

According to the present invention, in the vehicle inspection and maintenance device, the video camera is mounted on a video camera moving device, and the video camera moving device moves the video camera to a desired position according to a command signal from a remote place. Is configured. Further, the video camera moving device includes a frame member, a moving member movable with respect to the frame member, and a moving table movable with respect to the moving member and supporting the video camera.

According to the present invention, in the vehicle inspection system, the video camera is mounted on a small model car,
The miniature model car is configured to move the video camera to a desired position according to a command signal from a remote place.

According to the present invention, in a vehicle inspection system, a check list including a check item to be inspected by the inspector and a bar code attached to each of the check items, and a bar code for reading the bar code are provided. And a reader.

According to the present invention, in the vehicle inspection system, the inspection items inspected by the inspector are classified into a predetermined number of areas of the engine room and a lower surface of the vehicle body, and the areas are sequentially inspected. By doing so, each of the inspection items is covered.

According to the present invention, an automobile vehicle inspection and maintenance method comprises:
A video camera captures an image of an inspection location of a vehicle to be inspected, an image captured by the video camera is displayed on a monitor, and an inspector inspecting the vehicle to be inspected and a user viewing the image on the monitor are connected by a communication device. And exchanging information and communicating intentions with the inspector while viewing the image on the monitor.

According to the present invention, in a vehicle inspection and maintenance method using a computer, in a vehicle inspection and maintenance method, inputting data of a vehicle to be inspected, displaying an inspection location captured by a video camera on a display device, When an abnormality is found at the inspection point, information on the inspection point is displayed on the display device by inputting a predetermined command, repair, replacement, or input that neither repair nor replacement is performed, and Displaying a fee when the inspection is completed.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. According to this example, the inspection location of the test vehicle 10 is imaged by the video camera 18 and the video signal is sent to the monitor 41 provided at a remote location. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, an image of the inspection location is displayed on the monitor 41.

The video camera 18 may be mounted on the helmet 16 of the inspector 12. When inspecting the lower surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle 10 to be inspected, the vehicle to be inspected is lifted by the lift 14 as illustrated. Preferably, the video camera 18 is provided with a small laser beam generator 20. The small laser beam generator 20 is mounted so that its optical axis is parallel to the optical axis of the video camera 18. Video camera 18
Moves, the corresponding small laser beam generator 20
Also moves. The light spot from the small laser beam generator 20 appears on the subject of the video camera. Inspector 12
By directly observing the inspection location with the naked eye and simultaneously confirming the position of the light spot, it is possible to know what the video camera 18 is capturing.

The inspector 12 further includes the portable wireless communication device 3
Has zero. As shown, the portable wireless communication device 30
It has a microphone 32, an earphone 33, and an antenna. This portable wireless communication device 30 is connected to a communication device on the monitor side. The communication device on the monitor side also includes a microphone 42, a speaker 43, and an antenna.

The inspector 12 observes the inspection points,
The details will be described. The audio signal from the microphone 32 is sent to the monitor together with the video signal or separately from the video signal. The user can listen to the explanation of the inspector 12 while watching the image on the monitor 41 and can ask the inspector 12 questions via the microphone 42 on the monitor side.

The inspector 12 uses a check sheet 22 and a bar code reader 24. The check sheet 22 displays a list of inspection items, and each item is provided with a barcode. The inspector 12 reads the barcode of the item whose inspection has been completed. For example, by checking the check items described in the check sheet 22 in order, leakage of the check items is prevented.

FIG. 1 illustrates a case where a wireless communication device is used as a portable communication device, but a wired communication device may be used. Although the case where a small-sized video camera that can be mounted on an inspector's helmet is used as the video camera has been exemplified, a video camera of a normal hand-held type may be used. In this case, a microphone built in the video camera may be used.

The video and audio taken by the video camera may be recorded on a recording medium such as a video tape. The user can observe the video taken by the video camera in real time online, but can also observe it offline at a convenient time.

The monitor 41 may be located anywhere remote from the vehicle inspection site, for example, it may be a separate room of a maintenance shop where the vehicle inspection is being performed, or may be a car dealership or a dealership shop remote from the maintenance shop. . The monitor 41 is set at a place convenient for the user.

A description will be given with reference to FIGS. In this example, the video camera moving device 50 is used for capturing an image of the lower surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle to be inspected by the video camera. The video camera moving device 50 is mounted on the floor of a maintenance shop.

As shown in FIG. 4, the video camera moving device 5
0 includes a rectangular frame member 52 and a moving member 54 that moves between two parallel members of the frame member 52. A first wire rail 52A on which a male screw is formed is disposed inside the frame member 52, and a first electric motor 52 for rotating the first wire rail is provided at both ends of the first wire rail 52A.
B is connected. The first electric motor 52B has a first
A first small computer or a control device 52D having the antenna 52C is connected.

The internal threads provided at both ends of the moving member 54 are engaged with the external threads of the first wire rail 52A. Inside the moving member 54, a second wire rail 54A on which a male screw is formed is disposed, and a second electric motor 54B for rotating the second wire rail is connected to the second wire rail 54A. I have. Second electric motor 54B
Is connected to a second small computer or control device 54D having a second antenna 54C. The external thread of the second wire rail 54A is engaged with the internal thread of the moving table 56, and the moving table 56 is equipped with a video camera 58.

The operation of the video camera moving device of this embodiment will be described. The inspector outputs a command signal via a transmitter (not shown). The command signal is transmitted to the first and second antennas 5.
2C, 54C, the first and second minicomputers or controllers 52D, 54D operate. The first and second small computers or controllers supply drive signals to the first and second electric motors 52B, 54B. Thereby, the first and second electric motors operate.

The operation of the first electric motor 52B causes the first wire rail 52A to rotate, whereby the moving member 54 moves with respect to the frame member 52. The operation of the second electric motor 54B rotates the second wire rail 54A, whereby the moving table 56 and the video camera 58 move along the moving member 54.

In this embodiment, the video camera 58 can freely move two-dimensionally inside the frame member.

A description will be given with reference to FIG. In this example, a model car 60 of a wireless or wired induction remote control system is used for capturing an image of the lower surface of the vehicle body of the test vehicle 10 with the video camera 62. The inspector 10 generates a command signal using a transmitter (not shown). The model car 60 moves according to the command signal, and the video camera 60 mounted thereon also moves.

The video camera shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is provided with a remote control type image pickup mechanism. An appropriate lighting device may be used for photographing. Furthermore,
The above examples of using the video camera may be appropriately combined. For example, when checking the engine room, use a video camera mounted on a helmet or a hand-held camera, and when checking the underside of the body, use a video camera moving device or remote control wireless or wired guidance. A video camera of a remote control system mounted on a model vehicle of the system may be used.

A description will be given with reference to FIGS. In this example, the engine room is divided into five parts as shown in FIG. 6, and the lower surface of the vehicle body is divided into 21 parts as shown in FIG. For example, E1 to E5 for the engine room and S1 to
S21 is assumed. The video camera sequentially captures images of the sections E1 to E5 of the engine room, and then the sections S on the lower surface of the body.
1 to S21 are sequentially imaged. Since each section includes a predetermined inspection location, all inspection items can be inspected by sequentially imaging all the sections.

Another example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The apparatus of the present example includes a video camera 70, a computer 72 for inputting a video signal from the video camera, and a display device 74 connected to the computer. An input device 76 such as a keyboard is connected to the computer.

As described above, the video camera may be mounted on the helmet of the inspector, may be mounted on a video moving device provided on the floor of the maintenance shop, or mounted on a wireless guided remote control model car. And, of course, the inspector may hold it in his hand. Further, these plural use modes may be used in combination. The use of a small laser beam generator and a communication device with a video camera is similar to the above-described example. A check sheet 22 and a barcode reader 24 may be used.

Also in this example, the engine room is divided into five sections E1 to E5, and the lower surface of the vehicle body is divided into 21 sections S1.
To S21. Inspections may be made in this order.
Therefore, the video camera is first installed in each section E of the engine room.
1 to E5 in order, and then each section S1 on the lower surface of the vehicle body
To S21 are sequentially imaged.

The computer stores software for vehicle inspection and maintenance and data on automobiles of all existing vehicle types. The inspection and maintenance software displays the faulty or defective part on a display device and calculates the cost required for repairing the faulty part or replacing parts. The data related to the vehicle includes the specifications, performance, price, replacement or repair cost, etc. of each part, and further includes five sections E1 to E5 in the engine room of each vehicle and 21 sections on the lower surface of the vehicle body.
Image data for displaying drawings or illustrations of the individual sections S1 to S21 are included. Hereinafter, the procedure of the vehicle inspection method of this example will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, first, in step 100,
The following screen is displayed when the execution display displayed on the screen of the display device is clicked. In step 101, data such as the manufacturer, model, year, displacement, color, and accessories of the vehicle to be inspected are input from an input device such as a keyboard. In addition, history of vehicle inspection, repair and replacement history of parts,
The travel distance and the like are input from the input device. When a search button displayed on the screen of the display device is clicked, data of the corresponding vehicle is searched. In step 102, a video signal from the video camera is captured.
In the next step 103, the inspection items are sequentially advanced according to the display on the screen. As described above, the order of inspection is, for example,
First, there are five sections E1 to E5 in the engine room, and then there are 21 sections S1 to S21 on the lower surface of the vehicle body.

The display device displays the inspection items included in each section and the actual video from the video camera.
If it is determined in step 104 that the predetermined inspection item is abnormal, information on the corresponding component can be displayed on the screen. This information includes the structure of the part, the inconvenience of damage, the useful life, the cost of repair or replacement of the part, and the like. Further, in order to understand the structure of the component, an illustration image thereof can be displayed as shown in FIG.

In step 106, the user puts a check mark in any of "replacement", "repair", and "as is" displayed in the inspection item column on the screen. Then, the cost is displayed below the inspection item. In accordance with the instructions on the screen, the inspection items included in each of the five sections E1 to E5 of the engine room and the 21 sections S1 to S21 on the lower surface of the vehicle body are sequentially advanced. At step 107, it is determined whether or not all inspection items have been completed. When all the inspection items have been completed, as shown in FIG. 8, the breakdown of the cost and the total are displayed in step 108. You can print it if you want. By clicking "end" in step 109, the vehicle inspection and maintenance program ends.

Although the present invention has been described above, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above-described example and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention described in the appended claims. Let's do it.

[0041]

According to the present invention, there is an advantage that the user does not go to the maintenance shop where the vehicle inspection is being performed.

According to the present invention, the user selection type "new service" has an advantage that the user does not need to go to the site where he can observe the inspection location of the test vehicle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a vehicle inspection and maintenance device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an image of a video camera displayed on a monitor of the vehicle inspection and maintenance device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a vehicle inspection and maintenance device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a video moving device of the vehicle inspection and maintenance device according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an example of a vehicle inspection and maintenance device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of dividing the lower surface of the vehicle body into 21 regions.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of dividing an engine room into five regions.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a screen of a vehicle inspection and maintenance device of the present invention and a display device thereof.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a vehicle inspection and maintenance method according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen of a display device of the vehicle inspection and maintenance device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... car to be inspected, 12 ... inspector, 14 ... lift, 16 ... helmet, 18 ... video camera,
Reference Signs List 20 laser beam generator 22 checklist 24 barcode reader 30 communication device 32 microphone 33 earphone
34 ... antenna, 41 ... monitor, 42 ... microphone, 43 ... speaker, 50 ... video camera, 52 ... frame member, 54 ... moving member, 56 ...
・ Mobile stand, 58 ... Video camera, 60 ... Model car, 62 ... Video camera, 70 ... Video camera, 72 ... Computer, 74 ... Display device, 76 ... Input apparatus

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A video camera for capturing an image of an inspection location of a vehicle to be inspected, a monitor for displaying an image captured by the video camera, an inspector for inspecting the vehicle for inspection, and a user viewing the image on the monitor. A communication device to be connected,
An automobile vehicle inspection and maintenance device wherein a user can exchange information and communicate intentions with an inspector while watching an image on a monitor. 2. A vehicle inspection and maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein said video camera is mountable on a helmet of said inspector, and said video camera has a laser having an optical axis parallel to an optical axis of said video camera. An automobile vehicle inspection and maintenance device comprising a beam generator mounted thereon and configured to be able to determine an imaging position of the video camera based on a beam spot on a subject generated by the laser beam generator. 3. The vehicle inspection and maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein the video camera is mounted on a video camera moving device, and the video camera moving device moves the video camera to a desired position according to a command signal from a remote place. An automobile inspection and maintenance device characterized by being configured to cause the inspection. 4. A vehicle inspection and maintenance device according to claim 3, wherein said video camera moving device is a frame member, a moving member movable with respect to said frame member, and said video camera movable with respect to said moving member. An automobile vehicle inspection and maintenance device, comprising: a moving table that supports the vehicle. 5. The vehicle inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the video camera is mounted on a small model car, and the small model car moves the video camera to a desired position according to a command signal from a remote place. An automobile inspection and maintenance device characterized by being configured as described above. 6. An automobile vehicle inspection and maintenance device according to claim 1, wherein said inspection item is inspected by said inspector, a check list including a bar code assigned to each of said inspection items, and a bar code for reading said bar code. An automobile vehicle inspection and maintenance device having a bar code reader. 7. The vehicle inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection items inspected by the inspector are classified into a predetermined number of areas of an engine room and a lower surface of the vehicle body. An automobile inspection and maintenance device, wherein each of the inspection items is covered by sequentially inspecting. 8. An image of an inspection location of a vehicle to be inspected by a video camera, an image captured by the video camera is displayed on a monitor, and an inspector inspecting the vehicle to be inspected and a user viewing an image on the monitor. A vehicle communication inspection and maintenance method, and a user exchanges information and communicates his / her intention with an inspector while watching an image on a monitor. 9. A vehicle inspection and maintenance method using a computer, wherein data of a vehicle to be inspected is input, an inspection location captured by a video camera is displayed on a display device, and an abnormality is found at the inspection location. When a predetermined command is input, the information of the inspection location is displayed on the display device, repair, replacement or input that repair or replacement is not performed, and a fee is charged when the inspection of the above inspection item is completed. Displaying, and an automobile vehicle inspection and maintenance method.