KR20000059087A - Method and apparatus for automobile diagnosis and maintenance using network - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for diagnosing and maintaining a car by using a network, is provided to receive information recorded in an electronic control unit(ECU) inside the car, and to re-transmit the received information to the server through a terminal so as to diagnose a car through sufficient analysis data in a server and interactive inquiry/response with a user. And the method enables to introduce a proper maintenance center, or enables the maintenance center to directly go to the location of a defective car. CONSTITUTION: An electronic control unit(ECU) communication interface, transceiving every kind of information with the ECU of a car, is connected with a computer. Whether an ECU information up-loading request signal is demanded by a user connected with the web site through the computer is decided. If so, the ECU information up-loaded from the user is compared with an ECU information diagnosis database stored in a database, and the compared result is displayed. And a maintenance center and information related to the maintenance is informed.

Description

Method and apparatus for automobile diagnosis and maintenance service using network {Method and apparatus for automobile diagnosis and maintenance using network}

The present invention transmits the information contained in the ECU in the vehicle by using the ECU communication interface device which does not have its own diagnostic software or any built-in diagnostic software. Method and device for car diagnosis and maintenance service using a network that not only can be properly diagnosed through interactive questions / answers, but also can be introduced to a suitable maintenance company to solve the problem of the vehicle or allow the maintenance company to go directly to the location of the broken vehicle. It is about.

In addition, the present invention, when the need to change the ECU program of the vehicle already sold in the vehicle manufacturer occurs, but using the system as it is, the method of changing the vehicle ECU program of the user only by reverse the flow direction of the information And to the apparatus.

Existing ECU scan tools store information about each type of vehicle in the ECU scan tool itself (mainly using a different memory card for each type of vehicle), and inform the display device in the ECU scan tool. come. However, this method had to store all vehicle-specific information in a size-limited device such as an ECU scan tool. Therefore, the diagnostic software content in the ECU scan tool was difficult to perform a comprehensive analysis.

In addition, services related to code analysis in ECUs using these ECU scan tools can only be performed by some maintenance companies with expensive ECU scan tools, which cannot be easily used by ordinary automobile users. In other words, since the service can be received only by going to the above-mentioned maintenance company, the users suffered economic and time loss due to the visit.

In addition, when a vehicle manufacturer needs to modify the program or data in the ECU for a vehicle that has already been sold, the vehicle owner should visit the workshop directly from the point of view of the car user by having the vehicle owner visit the service company as described above. There was a problem that the economic / time loss occurred, and also the automobile manufacturer's point of view, by putting a lot of maintenance-related personnel in such a task, the economic loss occurs.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the information recorded in the ECU in the vehicle is transmitted by using the ECU communication interface device, and the terminal (eg It can be re-transmitted by using a computer and can be properly diagnosed through sufficient analysis data in the server and interactive question / answer with the user. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for diagnosing and maintaining a vehicle using a network that can be moved to a location of a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to use the system as it is, if the necessity to change the ECU program of the vehicle already sold in the vehicle manufacturer, but to reverse the direction of the flow of information to change the vehicle ECU program of the users The present invention provides a method and apparatus for car diagnosis and maintenance service using a network.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the ECU communication interface device which is connected to the ECU of the vehicle and can communicate, and can communicate with a specific server computer connected to the network through a computer, network connection At this time, a computer having access to the ECU communication interface device, a server having software capable of analyzing the state of the car by using information stored in the vehicle ECU while being connected to the network as input, user ID, Member and vehicle history management database with data such as user model, mileage to date, driving style, commuting route, commuting distance, weekend use, breakdown history, accident history, maintenance history, and the name of manufacturer and vehicle , Year of production, various information of the transmitted ECU and diagnosis (analysis) information, possible error codes ECU program history that requires ECU program history consisting of the ECU diagnosis history database with error code, frequency of occurrence, estimated cause, etc., and model, year of production, type of ECU, change need, change size, program size to be changed, change program, etc. ECU diagnosis (analysis) database including the database, model, year of production, ECU type, ECU information, analysis, additional questions, additional question items, cause of additional questions, and the name of the workshop, address, The database of the repair shop consists of telephone, maintenance grade, special features, related manufacturers, specialty zones, coupons, and the construction of its own homepage, and the communication protocol database by vehicle type, which includes the vehicle type, production year, ECU type, protocol type, etc. For example, a user who is informed of the history of a vehicle that needs to be maintained by a server, that is, a vehicle that has expressed intentions for maintenance. It consists of a company characterized by receiving a variety of information of the ECU from the user's car received, analyzed, diagnosed and stored, providing the results and guide the maintenance company and maintenance-related information for repair and at the request of the car manufacturer When the ECU program needs to be changed, a vehicle diagnostic and maintenance service device using a network is provided, which transmits the program so that the ECU program can be changed.

According to the method for diagnosing and maintaining a vehicle using a network according to the present invention, an ECU communication interface device, which stores a communication program for exchanging various information with an ECU of a vehicle, is connected to a computer that can communicate with each other, and mediates the computer. It is determined whether there is an ECU information upload request signal from a user who accesses the web site, and when there is a request signal, the ECU information uploaded from the user is compared with the ECU information diagnosis (analysis) database stored in the database. It performs the diagnostic process and transmits the related trouble content to the specific maintenance company according to the user's request.

1 is a schematic diagram of a complete system for performing a diagnosis and program change of a vehicle using a network according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the ECU communication interface device of FIG.

3 is a flowchart of a vehicle diagnostic and maintenance service using a network according to the present invention, and an overall vehicle remote diagnosis service in a device thereof.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle diagnostic and maintenance service method using a network according to the present invention, a process of purchasing and using an ECU communication interface device and downloading a ECU communication interface device program in the device.

5 is a flowchart of a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service using a network according to the present invention, and a remote diagnosis service using an ECU communication interface device and a PC in the apparatus.

6 is a flowchart of a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service using a network according to the present invention, and a maintenance service flow diagram thereof.

7 is a flowchart illustrating an ECU reprogramming service process for a vehicle diagnostic and maintenance service method using a network and a recall vehicle in the apparatus according to the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for diagnosing and maintaining a vehicle using a network according to the present invention and a cache thereof in the apparatus.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

2: automobile 3: ECU

10: communication interface device 20: terminal

32: network 40: server

50: database

51: Member and Vehicle History Database

52: ECU diagnostic history database

53: Program change requires vehicle model database

54: ECU information diagnostic (analysis) database

55: Workshop Database

56: vehicle communication protocol database

60: mechanic

1 is a schematic diagram of a complete system used by a user to exchange information with an ECU using an ECU communication interface device, and then to use and exchange information with analysis and change information in a server on a network. Physically, the user is attached to the vehicle 2 and the ECU communication interface device 10 which can exchange information with the ECU 3 inside the vehicle is connected to the network (for example, the Internet) 32 and the ECU communication described above. Analyze the state of the vehicle by using the terminal 20 which can be connected to the interface device 10, for example, a computer, and the information possessed by the vehicle ECU 3 while being connected to the network 32 as an input. It consists of a server 40 with software that can be given.

In the above description, the network 32 refers to all kinds of commercial networks including the Internet. However, the network 32 is replaced with an expression of the Internet for clarity.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a database, which manages the vehicle history of each user. The field configuration includes user ID, vehicle type, mileage to date, driving style, commuting route, commuting distance, weekend use, and breakdown history. The member and vehicle history management database 51 having data such as accident history and maintenance history, and a database for managing the error code occurrence status of vehicles by each company. It is necessary to change the ECU diagnostic history database 52 and the electronic control unit program with various information of the transmitted ECU and diagnosis (analysis) information, possible error codes, generated error codes, occurrence counts, estimated causes, and the like. The field configuration is based on the model, year of production, type of ECU, change need, change, program size to be changed, change program, etc. ECU program change required consisting of a vehicle model database 53 and error code diagnosis for each vehicle type, the field configuration is the vehicle type, year of production, ECU type, ECU information, analysis, the presence of additional questions, additional questions, additional questions ECU diagnosis (analysis) database 54, including the causes of failures, and field configuration includes the name of the workshop, address, telephone, maintenance grade, special features, related manufacturers, specialty zones, coupon status, construction of own website. The body shop database 55 which consists of whether or not, and the communication protocol database 56 for each vehicle type which consists of a vehicle type, a production year, ECU type, a protocol type, etc. are comprised.

Reference numeral 60 is a maintenance company or a repair shop, and the server 40 is notified of the history of a vehicle that needs to be maintained, that is, a vehicle that has expressed the intention of the user for maintenance.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the ECU communication interface device 10 in FIG. 1, which is different from the ECU scan tool used in a general workshop, and is greatly differentiated for the following reasons.

1) The error code received from the ECU 3 in the vehicle 2, the vehicle sensor value, and the internal variables used by the ECU to control various devices while the computer 20 is connected to the separate computer 20. ECU communication module 11 and computer connection module 13 are provided as communication means for transmitting the back to the computer 20. The module 13 is assumed to support USB or RS-232C communication, for example. The entire apparatus is controlled via the processing module 12. The ECU communication module varies depending on the type of vehicle, but here the connector (not shown) is switched to the general communication port A according to the type of vehicle. At this time, power for operating the ECU communication interface device 10 is supplied through this port A. In addition, the processing module 12 processes the communication with the ECU 3 to obtain various kinds of information of the ECU, store it and transmit it to a computer later, or the ECU change program received from the server 40, etc. 2) Responsible for the transfer to. The computer connection module 13 connects to the computer 20 through port B, for example, and transmits the data processed by the processing module 12 to the computer 20. Reference numeral 15 is a memory module, which consists of a nonvolatile storage device such as a flash ROM, which may store software used for communication with a specific vehicle from the beginning, and may be stored in a computer from a server 40 on a network. The communication related program may be downloaded and stored through 20. Also, when information such as an error code is transmitted from the ECU 3, the communication related program may be stored and stored until it is transmitted to the server 40 later. Reference numeral 16 denotes an operation input module to receive an operation signal from the user.

2) Like a general ECU scan tool, it has a display module 17 which shows the results of various ECU information (or diagnosis results thereof), but this device may not be installed as an option. In this case, a separate device (monitor, etc.) You can also display via).

3) A network connection device may be built in to allow Internet access to the server without passing through the computer mentioned in 1).

In the following description, the ECU communication interface device communicates with a computer through an RS-232C communication module and does not have any fault diagnosis code or display device therein.

The ECU communication interface device 10 is connected to the vehicle 2 to receive information of the vehicle ECU, and thereafter, connected to the computer 20 to receive the error code, etc., which the ECU communication interface device 10 has received from the vehicle 2. It is an operation that transmits the information of the information to the server 40 on the network 32 and transmits the diagnosis result in real time, where the ECU communication interface device 10 is a protocol-related program that can communicate with the ECU in a specific vehicle Is stored in advance or downloaded from the network server 40 which will be introduced later.

In connection with the above operation, the ECU communication interface device moves all the ECU internal information to the memory module in the ECU communication interface device as long as the software inside the ECU allows, that is, the software inside the ECU is programmed to transmit to a specific external device. We can save.

The above data and processing flow are mainly in the form of transmission from ECU in the vehicle to the ECU communication interface device (of course, the electrical signals sent by the ECU communication interface device to the ECU to request data are ignored) or vice versa. Flow charts are possible.

In other words, the ECU communication interface apparatus described above can be used to replace all or part of the program / control data code in the ECU as long as the ECU permits it. Here, the ECU communication interface device preliminarily downloads the upgraded software of the relevant ECU from a server through an internet connection (either via a computer or through its own network connection device) and stores it in an internal memory module.

Hereinafter, the operation in the apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The operation is to receive ECU information from the vehicle and transmit it to a server on the network through a computer for vehicle diagnosis, and to change the ECU program of the vehicle by receiving information related to the ECU program change from the server through the computer. Are distinguished.

3 is a flowchart of a vehicle diagnostic and maintenance service using a network according to the present invention and a vehicle remote diagnosis service in the apparatus, as shown in FIG.

After purchase, the user accesses the service website through a computer connected to the Internet, authenticates the use, and downloads the ECU communication interface device program (S2). After receiving and storing the information of the vehicle ECU to the ECU communication interface device, and then connected to the ECU communication interface device and the server 40 of the service system through a computer to receive a remote diagnostic service (S4). After that, the maintenance service (S6) or the ECU reprogramming service for the recall vehicle (S8).

4 is a flowchart illustrating a vehicle diagnostic and maintenance service method using a network according to the present invention and a process of purchasing and using an ECU communication interface device and downloading an ECU communication interface device program in the device. As shown in FIG. The ECU communication interface device is purchased (S10), the ECU communication interface device is connected to the PC, and the remote diagnosis service homepage is connected (S12). After registering and logging in, enter the information required by the service (S14). After that, the service system checks the membership, the ID and the login password, and confirms the information input for the service (S16). If the information input is not confirmed at S16, the process proceeds to the step S14. If the input of the information is confirmed, a database is generated by storing the member information and information necessary for the service (S18). Thereafter, the user requests the ECU communication interface device program download (S20), and the service system transmits and checks the corresponding program, provides a user guide, and updates the database (S22). After that, the user checks the user guide and completes the ECU communication interface device and service preparation (S24).

5 is a flowchart of a vehicle diagnostic and maintenance service using a network according to the present invention, and a remote diagnostic service using a PC and an ECU communication interface device in the apparatus. As shown in FIG. Connect to the ECU and prepare for communication (S30). Thereafter, the ECU communication interface device is operated to start the ECU scanning to store the ECU information in the memory of the ECU communication interface device (S32). After the completion of communication, that is, confirm the ECU scanning completion and disconnect the ECU communication interface device (S34). Thereafter, the ECU communication interface device is connected to the PC and connected to the remote diagnosis service homepage (S36). After logging in to the remote diagnosis service (S38) and selecting the corresponding service menu after the ID and login password confirmation process (S40) (S42), the service system guides the ECU scanning data transmission method stored in the ECU communication interface device. (S44). After that, the service system receives and stores data from the ECU communication interface device and analyzes ECU data (S46). After that, it is determined whether maintenance is necessary or whether the vehicle is required for ECU reprogramming (S48). If necessary, the diagnosis result and analysis information are stored, the database is updated, and the diagnosis result and various information are provided (S52). If necessary maintenance history, workshop information, price information analysis, ECU program recall-related information analysis (S50), and proceeds to step S52. After that, the user checks the diagnosis result and various information (S54). After that, log out the remote diagnosis service and disconnect the ECU communication interface device (S56). After that, it is determined whether the user is to receive maintenance or ECU reprogramming (S58), and if necessary, terminates and receives the maintenance service or ECU reprogramming service for the vehicle to be recalled (S60).

6 is a flowchart of a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service using a network according to the present invention, and a maintenance service flowchart in the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 6, a user makes a maintenance request. The maintenance request is a visit or a business trip request. , Towing request, and can present customer information (S70). After that, the workshop interviews the customer, checks the information, consults, explains the required maintenance details and maintenance method, and presents the estimated maintenance cost (S72). After that, the user checks the maintenance history / method / expected cost and requests maintenance (S74). After that, the maintenance station performs maintenance, and after completion of the maintenance, the description of the maintenance details and results, and the maintenance cost claim (S76). Then, the user proceeds to the maintenance status / maintenance history / cost confirmation process (S80), if there is no objection to the above confirmation (S80), the maintenance status / maintenance history / cost approval and maintenance payment (S82). If there is any objection to the confirmation contents (S80), an unsatisfactory matter correction request is made (S78), and the step S76 is performed again.

After the above step S82, the workshop informs the remote diagnosis service system (or company) of the customer information and the maintenance related information. The notification method is through the remote diagnosis service homepage, or by fax or telephone (S84). After that, the service system obtains information, examines customer satisfaction, and stores the information to update the database (S86).

7 is a flowchart illustrating an ECU reprogramming service process for a vehicle diagnostic and maintenance service method using a network and a recall vehicle in the apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. Connect and access the remote diagnostic service homepage (S90). After that, the user logs in to the remote diagnosis service (S92), and the service system confirms the user's ID and login password (S94). If it is not confirmed in step S94, the process proceeds to step S92. If it is confirmed, the ECU reprogramming service for the recall vehicle is selected, and information requested by the service is input (S96). . After that, the service system analyzes the inputted information, provides a detailed guide on the reprogramming service purpose, contents, methods, etc., presents a sequential service usage method, and transmits the corresponding ECU program (S98). Thereafter, by operating the PC and the ECU communication interface device according to the sequential usage guide, the ECU program is downloaded and stored in the ECU communication interface device (S100). After that, the service system sends a download completion message and provides all necessary information such as a ECU reprogramming method manual and workshop information (S102). After the user logs out of the remote diagnosis service and disconnects the ECU communication interface device, the ECU program download is completed (S104). After that, the user prepares the communication by connecting the ECU communication interface device with the vehicle ECU (S106). Thereafter, ECU reprogramming is started by operating the ECU communication interface device. Specifically, the ECU program stored in the ECU communication interface device is transmitted and stored in the ECU to update the ECU program (S108). Thereafter, after confirming the completion of communication, the user separates the ECU communication interface device to complete the ECU reprogramming (S110). Then log in to the service homepage and enter the action details and results (S112). The service system stores relevant information and updates the database (S114).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for diagnosing and maintaining a vehicle using a network according to the present invention and a cache flow in the apparatus thereof. As shown in FIG. It provides the ECU communication interface device purchase cost and provides various information necessary for service and database construction ①, ECU communication interface device sales and remote diagnosis service and related information and maintenance service related information, ECU reprogramming service and maintenance discount and ECU ② relationship providing reprogramming compensation fee. In addition, service systems and automakers are involved in providing ECU reprogramming service fees and databases, purchasing costs, providing ECU programs (for reprogramming), and ⑤, representing ECU reprogramming services and selling databases. In addition, service system and maintenance service provider provide information related to maintenance service, and contribute to customer increase. In addition, the relationship between the customer and the maintenance company is that the customer provides the maintenance fee ⑨ for the maintenance service, and the maintenance operator receives the maintenance fee ⑨ and provides the maintenance service⑩.

Next, an operation of providing a user's other vehicle history information through a general web connection will be described.

In addition to the contents transmitted from the ECU communication interface device such as the above error code, the user can access the web for general information on his / her history, mileage, average use time and distance related to his / her vehicle, and noise generated by a recently experienced vehicle. By providing to the server through the server can receive a comprehensive advice on the current state of the vehicle, the server operating the side 40 based on this, the current state of each vehicle, major problem occurrence area, and targets several vehicles The vehicle's current error code statistics and risk analysis statistics can be created and sold in the form of statistical data to manufacturers, maintenance companies and insurance companies.

As described above, according to the method and apparatus for car diagnosis and maintenance service using the network according to the present invention, even in case of an unexpected failure, the user can inspect his own ECU, thereby preventing time loss of going to the repair shop. . If the ECU program / data change is necessary even for a vehicle that is already on the market, it can be easily changed, so the cost of bringing the vehicle to be changed to the maintenance site and the vehicle to be recalled to the maintenance site This can save costs for mailings requesting mail and costs for maintenance personnel responsible for data changes.

In addition, since each car user manages his / her vehicle history online for his car, there is no risk of losing information about the vehicle history by personal error, and if there are many users, statistical information about the actual state of vehicles in operation Information can be easily obtained, making it a good resource for designing new vehicles or new ECUs.

In addition, preferred embodiments of the present invention are posted for the purpose of illustration, those skilled in the art will be able to various modifications, changes, additions, etc. within the spirit and scope of the present invention, such modifications and changes belong to the scope of the claims Should be seen.

Claims (4)

ECU communication interface device which can exchange various information with ECU of vehicle, computer which can be connected to ECU communication interface device while being connected to network, A server having software that is also connected to the network and which can analyze the state of the vehicle by utilizing various information stored in the vehicle ECU as an input; Member and vehicle history management database with data such as user ID, user model, mileage to date, driving style, commute to work, commute, weekend use, breakdown history, accident history and maintenance history ECU diagnosis history database with name, model, year of production, various information of ECU transmitted and diagnosis (analysis) information, possible error code, error code, frequency of occurrence, estimated cause, etc., model, production year, ECU program consisting of ECU type, change need, change contents, program size to be changed, change program, etc. Vehicle type database, vehicle type, year of production, ECU type, ECU information, analysis, additional question, additional question item, ECU diagnostics database, including causes of failures according to additional questions, workshop name, address, telephone, maintenance class, key features, manufacturer, line Stationery, vouchers, whether its own garage and a database consisting of a website, such as whether or not to build, model, production year, ECU type, consisting of a protocol type, etc. according to the model database and communication protocols, It consists of a maintenance company that is notified of the history of the vehicle that needs to be serviced from the server, that is, the vehicle that the user expressed intention to maintain, characterized in that it receives the various information of the ECU from the user's car to diagnose and notify the result Automotive diagnosis and maintenance service device using a network, characterized in that to guide the maintenance company and various maintenance-related information for repair. An ECU communication interface device that can exchange various information with the ECU of the vehicle is connected to a computer that can communicate. It is determined whether there is an ECU information upload request signal from a user who accesses the website via the computer. If there is a request signal as a result of the determination, a diagnostic process of comparing and displaying the ECU information uploaded from the user and the ECU information diagnosis (analysis) database stored in the database is performed. A method for diagnosing and repairing a car using a network, comprising a service provider for repair and maintenance information. 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising interactively performing a question with a user that is more necessary for a more accurate diagnosis when performing ECU information analysis in the diagnosis process. An ECU communication interface device that can exchange various information with the ECU of the vehicle is connected to a computer that can communicate. The user accesses the web server via the computer to determine if the user's vehicle is an ECU program upgrade target vehicle and whether the user upgrades the ECU program. As a result of the determination, if an upgrade is performed, the necessary program will be downloaded to the user's communication interface device. A method for diagnosing and maintaining a vehicle using a network, wherein the exact size of a program to be transmitted is transmitted and the user is indicated that the transmission is completed.