KR20200094273A - Method and apparatus for automobile diagnosis andmaintenance using network - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for a diagnosis and maintenance service of a vehicle using a network, and an apparatus therefor. According to the present invention, the apparatus comprises: an electronic control unit (ECU) communication interface device; a computer; a server having software for analyzing a state of a vehicle; an ECU diagnosis history database; an ECU diagnosis (analysis) database; and a maintenance company. According to the present invention, a user can perform an ECU test by himself or herself, thereby saving time.

Description

Method and apparatus for automobile diagnosis and maintenance service using a network

The present invention transmits the information of the ECU in the vehicle by using the ECU communication interface device, which does not have some or all of its own diagnostic software, and transfers it back to the server on the network. Vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service method and device using the network that enables not only to be properly diagnosed through interactive questions/answers, but also to introduce appropriate maintenance companies to solve vehicle problems, or to allow maintenance companies to go directly to the location of a broken vehicle It is about. In addition, in the present invention, when a need arises to change the ECU program of a vehicle that has already been sold by a vehicle manufacturer, the system is used as it is, but only the information flow direction can be reversed to change the user's automatic vehicle ECU program. It relates to a method and a device.

Existing ECU scanning tools take a method of storing information about each type of vehicle in the ECU scanning tool itself (usually using a method of replacing and installing a different memory card for each vehicle) through the display device in the ECU scanning tool. come. However, this method had a problem in that the diagnostic software contents in the ECU scan tool were fragmented and difficult to perform a wider analysis because all the information according to the vehicle model had to be stored in a size-limited device such as the ECU scan tool.

In addition, services related to code analysis in the ECU using these ECU scanning tools can only be performed by some maintenance companies that have expensive ECU scanning tools, and cannot be easily used by general automobile users. In other words, users can only receive service by going to the above-mentioned maintenance companies.

In addition, when there is a need to modify a program or data in the ECU for a vehicle that has already been sold by an automobile manufacturer, a vehicle user should visit the workshop in person by directing the owners of the vehicle to the above maintenance company within a predetermined period. There was a problem in that economic/time loss occurred, and the car manufacturer also put a lot of maintenance-related personnel into such work, causing economic loss.

The object of the present invention was devised to improve the conventional problems as described above, the information recorded in the ECU in the vehicle is transmitted using the ECU communication interface device, and it is sent back to the server on the network (eg It can be properly diagnosed through sufficient analysis data in the server and interactive query/response with the user by retransmitting using :computer).In addition, a suitable maintenance company to solve vehicle problems is introduced, or a vehicle that the maintenance company directly malfunctions. The present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for diagnosis and maintenance service of automobiles using a network that is able to go to a location.

Another object of the present invention is that when the need to change the ECU program of a vehicle that has already been sold by a vehicle manufacturer occurs, the system is used as it is, but only the flow direction of the information is reversed to change the user's vehicle ECU program. It is to provide a method and apparatus for automobile diagnosis and maintenance service using the network.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, it is possible to communicate with the vehicle's ECU, and communicates with a specific server computer connected to the network through a computer, the ECU communication interface device and the network connection At this time, a computer that can also be connected to the above ECU communication interface device, a server with software that is connected to the network and can analyze the state of the vehicle by using information stored in the vehicle ECU as an input, a user ID, Member and vehicle history management database with data such as user model, mileage to date, driving style, frequent commuting route, commuting distance, weekend use, breakdown history, accident history, maintenance history, manufacturer name, vehicle model ECU diagnosis history database with various information and diagnosis (analysis) information of transmitted ECU, possible error codes, generated error codes, occurrence times, and estimated causes, and vehicle model, production year, ECU type, ECU program consisting of need for change, change contents, program size to be changed, change program, etc. Need to change vehicle model database, vehicle model, car production year, ECU type, ECU information, interpretation, presence of additional questions, additional question items, additional questions ECU diagnosis (analysis) database including the cause of failure, and workshop database consisting of workshop name, address, telephone, maintenance class, major special features, related manufacturing companies, specialized tools, coupons, and whether or not to build their own homepage Wow, it consists of a communication protocol database for each vehicle model consisting of the vehicle model, production year, ECU type, and protocol type, and a maintenance company that is notified of the history of the vehicle that needs maintenance from the server, that is, the vehicle expressing the intention of the user to service. It is characterized by receiving various information of ECU from the user's car, analyzing and diagnosing and storing it, providing the result and guiding maintenance company and maintenance related information for repair and automobile When the ECU program needs to be changed according to the manufacturer's request, a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service device using a network is provided, which is characterized in that the ECU program can be changed by transmitting the corresponding program. According to a method for diagnosis and maintenance service of a vehicle using a network according to the present invention, an ECU communication interface device storing a communication program for communicating various information with an ECU of a vehicle is connected to a computer capable of communication, and mediates the computer. It is determined whether there is a request signal for uploading ECU information from a user accessing the web site, and if there is a request signal as a result of the determination, compares and displays the ECU information uploaded from the user and the ECU information diagnosis (analysis) database stored in the database. It is characterized in that it carries out a diagnosis process and transmits the related faults to a specific maintenance company according to a user's request.

As described above, according to the vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service method and apparatus using the network according to the present invention, even in case of doubt, the user's own ECU inspection is possible, thereby preventing the loss of time to the workshop. . If there is a need to change the ECU program/data even for a vehicle that is already on the market, it can be easily changed, so the cost of visiting the vehicle subject to data change to the maintenance shop, and the vehicle to be recalled to the maintenance shop It has the effect of saving the cost used for mails requesting a request and the cost for maintenance personnel in charge of data change.

In addition, each car user manages the vehicle's history online for his or her car, so there is no fear of personally losing information about the vehicle's history. The information can be easily obtained, which can be used as a good resource when designing a new vehicle or a new ECU. In addition, preferred embodiments of the present invention are posted for the purpose of illustration, and those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications, changes, additions, and the like within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and changes belong to the following claims. You should see.

1 is a schematic diagram of an entire system for diagnosis and program change of a vehicle using a network according to the present invention
2 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of the ECU communication interface device in FIG. 1;
Figure 3 is a vehicle diagnostic and maintenance service method using the network according to the present invention and the overall flow diagram of the vehicle remote diagnosis service in the device
Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service method using the network according to the present invention and the ECU communication interface device purchase and use authentication and the ECU communication interface device program download process in the device
5 is a vehicle diagnostic and maintenance service method using a network according to the present invention, and an ECU communication interface device and a remote diagnosis service flow chart using a PC in the device
6 is a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service method using the network according to the present invention and a maintenance service flow diagram in the device
7 is a flowchart of an ECU reprogramming service process for a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service method using the network according to the present invention and a recall vehicle in the device;
8 is a flow chart of a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service using a network according to the present invention and a cache in the device.

1 is a schematic diagram of an entire system used by a user to exchange information with an ECU using an ECU communication interface device and to use and exchange it with analysis and change information in a server on a network again, as shown in the present invention. Physically, the user can attach to the vehicle 2 and exchange information with the ECU 3 inside the vehicle.

While the ECU communication interface device 10 and the network (eg, the Internet) 32 are connected, a terminal 20 that can also be connected to the ECU communication interface device 10, for example, a computer, and the network 32 It is also composed of a server 40 with software that can be used to analyze the state of the vehicle while also being connected to, using information held by the vehicle ECU 3 as input.

In the above, the network 32 refers to all commercial networks including the Internet, but is replaced with the expression “Internet” later to help understanding.

Reference numeral 50 denotes a database, and manages the vehicle history of each user, and the field configuration includes the user ID, user model, mileage to date, driving style, commute route, commute distance, weekend use, breakdown history, Member and vehicle history management database 51 with data such as accident history and maintenance history, and a database that manages the error code occurrence status of vehicles for each company.The field consists of manufacturer name, vehicle type, production year, It is necessary to change the ECU diagnosis history database 52 and the electronic control unit program having various information and diagnosis (analysis) information of the transmitted ECU, possible error codes, generated error codes, occurrence times, and estimated causes. As for the vehicle model, the ECU program is required to change the ECU program consisting of the vehicle model, the production year, the ECU type, the change required, the change, the program size to be changed, the change program, etc., and the error code diagnosis for each vehicle is diagnosed. ECU diagnostic (analysis) database 54 for which field configuration includes vehicle type, vehicle production year, ECU type, ECU information, analysis, presence or absence of additional questions, causes of failure according to additional questions, etc., The field configuration consists of a workshop name, address, telephone, maintenance class, major special features, related manufacturing companies, advanced specialty zones, coupons, and whether or not you have built your own homepage. It includes a communication protocol database 56 for each vehicle type, which is composed of ECU types, protocol types, and the like.

Reference numeral 60 denotes a history of a vehicle that needs to be serviced, that is, a vehicle that needs to be serviced by the user, as a maintenance company or a service shop.

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 scanning tool used in the general workshop, and is largely differentiated for the following reasons.

One) While connected to a separate computer 20, the computer 20 receives error codes received from the ECU 3 in the vehicle 2, vehicle sensor values, internal variables used by the ECU while controlling various devices, and the like. As a communication means to be transmitted to the computer 20, an ECU communication module 11 and a computer connection module 13 are provided. The module 13 is assumed to support, for example, USB or RS-232C communication. The entire device is controlled through the processing module 12. The ECU communication module differs depending on the type of vehicle, but the connector (not shown) is changed to the general communication port A according to the type of vehicle. At this time, power to operate the ECU communication interface device 10 is supplied through this port A.

In addition, the processing module 12 processes communication with the ECU 3 to obtain various information of the ECU, stores it and transmits it to a computer afterwards, or transmits the ECU change program received from the server 40 to the ECU ( 2) is responsible for transferring to. The computer connection module 13 connects to the computer 20 through, for example, port B, and transmits data processed by the processing module 12 to the computer 20. Reference numeral 15 is a memory module, which consists of a non-volatile storage device such as a Flash ROM, which can store software used for communication with a specific vehicle from the beginning, or can use the computer (40) from the server 40 on the network. 20) It is also possible to download and store communication-related programs, and also store information until information such as an error code is transmitted from the ECU 3 and store it until it is transmitted to the server 40 later. Reference numeral 16 is an operation input module to receive an operation signal from a user.

2) Like a general ECU scanning tool, it has a display module 17 that shows the results for various ECU information (or diagnostic results), but this device may not be installed as an option. In this case, a separate device (monitor, etc.) You can also display through.

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

Here, as an embodiment that satisfies the above conditions, the ECU communication interface device communicates with a computer through an RS-232C communication module and has no fault diagnosis related code or display device inside.

The ECU communication interface device 10 is connected to the vehicle 2 to receive the information of the vehicle ECU, and thereafter connected to the computer 20 to transmit the ECU communication interface device 10 from the vehicle 2 error codes, etc. This is an operation of transmitting information of the server to the server 40 on the network 32 and receiving the diagnosis result in real time, wherein 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, and stored in advance.

In relation to the above operation, the ECU communication interface device is a memory module in the ECU communication interface device, as long as the software inside the ECU permits, that is, the software inside the ECU is written to transmit to a specific external device. It is assumed that it can be moved and stored.

The above data and processing flow are mainly transmitted from the ECU in the vehicle to the ECU communication interface device. (Of course, the electrical signals that the ECU communication interface device sends to the ECU to request data are ignored.)

However, a reverse data flow is possible.

That is, the ECU communication interface device may be used to replace all/or parts of the program/control data code inside the ECU as long as the ECU permits. Here, it is assumed that the ECU communication interface device downloads the upgraded software of the relevant ECU from the server in advance through the Internet connection (either through a computer or through its own network access 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 largely the operation of receiving ECU information from the vehicle and transmitting it to a server on the network through a computer to receive vehicle diagnosis, and, on the contrary, receiving information related to the ECU program change from the server through the computer and changing the vehicle's ECU program. Are distinguished.

3 is an overall flow diagram of a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service method using the network according to the present invention and a vehicle remote diagnosis service in the device, as shown in this, the user purchases an ECU communication interface device and then connects a computer connected to the Internet. Connect to the service website to obtain usage authentication, and download the ECU communication interface device program (S2). Subsequently, the information of the vehicle ECU is transmitted to the ECU communication interface device, stored, and then connected to the server 40 of the ECU communication interface device and the service system through a computer so that the remote diagnosis service can be received (S4). Subsequently, it receives maintenance service (S6) or ECU reprogramming service for the recalled vehicle (S8).

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service method using the network according to the present invention and the ECU communication interface device purchase and use authentication and ECU communication interface device program download process in the device, as shown in this figure, the user 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 accessed (S12). After that, sign up and log in, and enter the information required by the service (S14). Subsequently, the service system verifies the membership, confirms the ID and login password, and confirms information input for the service (S16). If the information input is not confirmed in S16, the process proceeds to step S14. If the information input is confirmed, a database is created by storing information required for member information and service (S18). Then, the user requests to download the ECU communication interface device program (S20),

The service system transmits and checks the corresponding program, provides a user guide, and updates the database (S22). After that, the user is ready to use the ECU communication interface device and service by checking the instruction manual (S24).

5 is a flowchart of a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service using a network according to the present invention, and a remote diagnosis service flowchart using an ECU communication interface device and a PC in the device, and as shown in this, the user may use the ECU communication interface device of the vehicle. Connect to the ECU and prepare for communication (S30). Thereafter, the ECU communication interface device is operated to start ECU scanning, and the information of the ECU is stored in the memory of the ECU communication interface device (S32). After that, communication is completed.

That is, the completion of the ECU scanning is confirmed and the ECU communication interface device is separated (S34). Thereafter, the ECU communication interface device is connected to the PC and the remote diagnosis service homepage is accessed (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). Thereafter, the service system receives and stores data from the ECU communication interface device and analyzes the ECU data (S46). Thereafter, it is determined whether maintenance is necessary or whether the vehicle is an ECU reprogramming target vehicle (S48). If not necessary, the diagnostic result and analysis information are stored to update the database and provide diagnostic results and various information (S52). Then, after analyzing necessary maintenance details, workshop information, price information analysis, ECU program recall related information (S50), the process proceeds to step S52. Thereafter, the user checks the diagnosis result and various information (S54). Thereafter, the remote diagnosis service is logged out and the ECU communication interface device is disconnected (S56). Thereafter, it is determined whether the user is to be serviced or to reprogram the ECU (S58), and if not necessary, terminates and, if necessary, receives a maintenance service or an ECU reprogramming service for the vehicle to be recalled (S60).

6 is a flow chart of a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service using the network according to the present invention and a maintenance service in the device, as shown in the figure, the user makes a maintenance request. , Can request towing, and present customer information (S70). After that, the workshop interviews the customer

After confirming the information, it is consulted, the necessary maintenance details and maintenance methods are explained, and the estimated maintenance cost is presented (S72). After that, the user checks the maintenance history/method/expected cost and requests maintenance (S74). Subsequently, the workshop performs maintenance, and after completion of the maintenance, the maintenance history and results are explained, and the maintenance cost is charged (S76). Subsequently, the user proceeds with the maintenance status/maintenance details/cost confirmation process (S80), and if there is no objection to the confirmation contents (S80), the maintenance status/maintenance history/cost approval and maintenance cost are paid (S82). If there is an objection to the confirmation contents (S80), a request for correcting dissatisfaction is made (S78), and the step S76 is performed again.

After the above step S82, the workshop informs the customer information and maintenance related information to the remote diagnosis service system (or company). As a notification method, the remote diagnosis service website may be used, or fax or telephone (S84). Thereafter, the service system obtains information, checks customer satisfaction, and stores the information to update the database (updat e) (S86).

7 is a flowchart of an ECU reprogramming service process for a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service method and a recall vehicle in the device using a network according to the present invention, and as shown in this, the user connects the ECU communication interface device to the PC. Connect and access the remote diagnosis service homepage (S90). Thereafter, the user logs in to the remote diagnosis service (S92), and the service system checks the user's ID and login password (S94). If it is not confirmed in step S94, the process proceeds to step S92, and if confirmed, selects the ECU reprogramming service for the recall vehicle and inputs the information required by the service. (S96). Thereafter, the service system analyzes the inputted information, provides a detailed guide for the purpose, content, and method of the reprogramming service, presents a method of using the sequential service, and transmits the corresponding ECU program (S98). Subsequently, according to the sequential usage instructions, the PC and the ECU communication interface device are operated to download the ECU program to the ECU communication interface device and store it (S100). Thereafter, the service system sends a download completion message and provides all necessary information such as an ECU reprogramming method manual and a workshop information (S102). Thereafter, the user logs out of the remote diagnosis service and downloads the ECU program by disconnecting the ECU communication interface device (S104). Thereafter, the user prepares for communication by connecting the ECU communication interface device to the vehicle ECU (S106). Thereafter, the ECU communication interface device is operated to start reprogramming of the ECU. Specifically, the ECU program stored in the ECU communication interface device is transmitted to and stored in the ECU to update the ECU program (S108). Thereafter, the user confirms the completion of the communication and then disconnects 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 updates the database by storing relevant information (S114).

FIG. 8 is a cache flow diagram of a vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service method and a device using the network according to the present invention, as shown in the figure, between a customer and a vehicle remote diagnosis service system (a service system of automobiles and the Internet) Providing purchase cost of ECU communication interface device and various necessary for service and database construction

It is related to ②, which provides information ①, ECU communication interface device sales, remote diagnosis service, and related information and maintenance service related information, ECU reprogramming service, maintenance discount, and ECU reprogramming compensation fee. In addition, the service system and automakers are concerned with the ECU reprogramming service agency fee, the purchase cost of the database, the ECU program (for reprogramming), the 5, the ECU reprogramming service agent, and the database sales. In addition, the service system and maintenance business are related to providing information related to maintenance service and ⑦, which contributes to customer growth. In addition, the relationship between the customer and the maintenance provider is that the customer provides the maintenance fee⑨ for the maintenance service, and the maintenance provider receives the maintenance fee⑨ and provides the maintenance service⑩.

Next, an operation in which the user provides his/her 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 codes, the user can access the web history of histories related to his vehicle, mileage to date, average usage time and distance, and noise generated from recently experienced vehicles. By providing it to the server through, you can receive comprehensive advice on the current status of the vehicle, and the side operating the server 40 is based on this, the current status of each vehicle, major problem areas, and targets of multiple vehicles. It is possible to make statistics on the current error code of vehicles and statistical data on risk analysis and sell them in the form of statistical data to manufacturers, maintenance companies, insurance companies, etc.

2: Automobile 3: ECU
10: communication interface device 20: terminal
32: network 40: server
50: database
51: Member and vehicle history management database
52: ECU diagnostic history database
53: Vehicle model database requiring program change
54: ECU information diagnosis (analysis) database
55: workshop database
56: communication protocol database for each vehicle type
60: maintenance company

Claims (4)

An ECU communication interface device that can exchange various information with the vehicle's ECU, and a computer that can be connected to the above-mentioned ECU communication interface device while being connected to a network.
A server having software that can be used to analyze the state of the vehicle by using various information stored in the vehicle ECU as input while being connected to the network.
Member and vehicle history management database with data such as user ID, user model, mileage to date, driving style, commute route, commute distance, weekend use, breakdown history, accident history, maintenance history, etc. Name, vehicle type, production year, various information and diagnosis (analysis) information of the transmitted ECU, possible error codes, generated
ECU program change consisting of ECU diagnosis history database with error code, number of occurrences, and estimated cause, and model, production year, ECU type, need to change, changes, program size to be changed, change program, etc.
ECU diagnosis (analysis) database including the vehicle model database, vehicle model, vehicle production year, ECU type, ECU information, analysis, presence of additional questions, additional question items, causes of failures according to additional questions, and name of the workshop, Information consisting of address, telephone, maintenance level, major special features, related manufacturing companies, specialty zones, coupons, or not
Arsenic database, communication protocol database for each vehicle model, including vehicle model, production year, ECU type, and protocol type,
It is composed of a maintenance company that is notified of the history of a vehicle that needs to be serviced by a server, that is, a vehicle that the user has expressed a desire to perform maintenance. A vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service device using a network characterized by guiding maintenance companies for repair and various maintenance-related information. The ECU communication interface device capable of exchanging various information with the vehicle ECU is connected to a computer capable of communication, and it is determined whether there is a request signal for uploading ECU information from a user accessing the website via the computer.
When the determination result indicates a request signal, a diagnostic process is performed by comparing and displaying the ECU information uploaded from the user and the ECU information diagnosis (analysis) database stored in the database,
A vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service method using a network characterized by guiding maintenance companies and maintenance-related information for repair. The method of claim 2, further comprising a process of interactively asking a user more necessary questions for more accurate diagnosis when performing ECU information analysis in the diagnosis process. An ECU communication interface device that can exchange various information with the vehicle's ECU is connected to a computer capable of communication,
When the user's vehicle is the vehicle to be upgraded to the ECU program by accessing the web server via the computer, it is determined whether or not the user will upgrade the ECU program.
As a result of the above judgment, if an upgrade is performed, the user is informed that the required program will be downloaded to the user's communication interface device.
A vehicle diagnosis and maintenance service method using a network, characterized in that an accurate size of a program to be transmitted is transmitted and a transmission is completed to the user.

Images