WO2012082035A1

WO2012082035A1 - A system and a method for provisioning of information support for maintenance of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2012082035A1
Application number: PCT/SE2010/051402
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lars ÅMAN; Anders ÅMAN
Original assignee: Quickpilot Ab
Priority date: 2010-12-16
Filing date: 2010-12-16
Publication date: 2012-06-21

Abstract

The present invention relates to an information support system arranged to facitilate user access to information concerning functional objects or necessities in a complex system or product, in or for a car, of which they form a part or with which they are associated, or to additional, external, information related to the functional objects. It comprises an on-board computer (1A; 1B) in the car and user station (2A; 2B) a user interface (3A; 3B) and which comprises or communicates with an application server (web server) (10; 11; 110C) holding an information support application. The on-board computer (1A; 1B) supports communication with the user station (2A; 2B) or additionally comprises a user station functionality (102) and, at least upon occurrence of a predetermined event associated with one of the functional objects, activates a communication with the user station or the user station functionality (2A; 2B), and transfers information associated with, or about, the relevant event to the user station.

Description

A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR PROVISIONING OF INFORMATION SUPPORT

FOR MAINTENANCE OF A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an information support system arranged to facilitate user access to information concerning functional objects or necessities in a complex system or product in or for a car or another mobile vehicle of which the objects, necessities form part or with which they are associated. It also relates to facilitating user access to additional, external information related to the functional objects or necessities. The system comprises an on-board computer arranged in the car or in the mobile vehicle. The invention also relates to a corresponding method and to an on-board computer arrangement having the features of the respective independent claims. BACKGROUND

Many cars and other vehicles are today equipped with on-board computers indicating when something, more generally a functional object, such as a lamp or similar, is malfunctioning or when a service is due, or the fuel, oil level is low or anything else. The owner or the driver of the car then gets information and realizes that something has to be done. Often, however the user or the driver does not know the surroundings very well, he may be on vacation, on a duty-trip, or may simply be in a hurry. It may also happen that he is far out on the countryside and faced with an alarm or an indication of some kind, and then he does not know where to aquire the functional object to be replaced or where to get a required service, get the appropriate oil or similar, which is a problem. Often he does not even know exactly what kind of oil, lamp etc. that is needed for the particular car and such information can be quite difficult to get hold of. The situation may even be that it is during a weekend or a bank holiday when it is even more difficult to obtain the needed information. For some spare parts or maintenance or reparation work specialists are required and many problematic situations may arise. So far there has been no satisfactory solution to these kinds of problems but the user or the driver is to forced to somehow aquire the needed information. This is a problem for several reasons. First, it is annoying and time consuming for the user. Second, it is a problem also from a security aspect of wiev, since the sooner and easier some kind of malfunctioning can be dealt with, the better and safer, for example if a lamp or a wiper blade is malfunctioning. Third, it is a problem at shops or service stations, since a user is often very poorly informed .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an information support system as initially referred to which assists in providing a user with a needed information in a quick and easy manner. It is also an object to provide an information support system through which a user can get customized information about a functional object or a necessity in a complex system of products and require information about where the functional object or a service concerning a functional object can be offered to the user. It is also an object of the invention to enable, for a user, to obtain information about a detail or a spare part, here also called a functional object, which the user does not know exactly which it is, where it is located, how to mount or replace it etc., simply identifying a functional object at a low hierarcical level, starting from information about, hierarchically seen, a higher located functional object.

A particular object is to be able to offer correct, current and up-to-date information to a user or an owner of a car or another mobile vehicle independently of where the car or the user actually is located or plans to be located at a later point in time . It is also an object of the present invention to provide an information support method through which one or more of the above mentioned problems can be solved.

Still further it is an object to provide an on-board computer arrangement arranged to be provided in a vehicle such as a car or similar, through which one or more of the above mentioned objects can be achieved.

Therefore an information support system as initially referred to is provided which has the characterizing features of claim 1.

An on-board computer arrangement is also provided which has the characterizing features of independent claim 16. A method is also provided which has the characterizing features of claim 19.

Different advantageous embodiments are given by the features of the dependent subclaims.

It is an advantage of the invention that it becomes much easier for a user to find information associated with a functional object, or, in the first pi3.CG _/ cLCtually identify the functional object, e.g for a malfunction associated therewith, itself. Particularly it is an advantage that an information support system and method respectively are provided which saves the time for a user needing to aquire more or less detailed information about a functional object or information about where functional object can be aquired etc. and assures that the user easily can get information about for example how to mount a functional object. It is also an advantage that it saves time and labour for vendors, purchasers and service staff, since the user will be better informed when arriving in for example a store or at a service station etc. It is also an advantage that malfunctionings can be taken care of and measures can be taken in a faster manner then hitherto and that, in a general manner, security aspects can be recognized and dealt with at the earliest convenience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will in the following be more thoroughly described, in a non-limiting manner, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematical block diagram of the information support system according one embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a slightly different information support system according to another embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 3 is a schematical flow diagram describing the inventive procedure, and Fig. 4 is a schematical flow diagram describing a slightly different aspect of the procedure according to the invention . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates an information support system according to the present invention wherein an on-board computer OBC 1A is provided in a car or some other mobile vehicle, either upon manufacture of the car or as an aftermarket accessory. The on-board computer 1A may be of any conventional kind and comprises a display 5A, and in this embodiment also a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver 4A. In the figure it is also illustrated another on-board computer OBC IB wich is supposed to be provided in another mobile vehicle. Both examples of OBCs comprise display means 5A; 5B in a conventional manner. However the second OBC IB is here supposed not to comprise any GPS receiver. Whether or not the OBC comprises a GPS receiver depends on implementation. The on-board computer advantageously or optionally also comprises an on-board trip or a trip computer facility. The on-board computer commonly comprises a functionality of detecting when some functional object or some system is malfunctioning or needs to be replaced and preferably also when a service is due, when something needs to be refilled, cooling water, freezer etc. in any desireable manner. In principle it may comprise any selfdiagnostic reporting capability .

According to the present invention the on-board computer 1A; IB is connected to a user station, particularly mobile user station 2A; 2B such as a mobile telephone, an iPhone, an iPad, a HTC cell phone, mobile phone, smart phone or a PDA or similar, for example any 3G, 4G or 5G wireless telephone, but also any other wireless device. According to different embodiments it is connected by means of a radio interface or by means of Bluetooth™ or WiFi™ access, but it may also be connected via a wired or plug-in or USB connection, or e.g. be "docked" on to the on-board computer. The user station may comprise a GPS functionality or not, in this embodiment it is supposed that the second mobile station 2B comprises a GPS receiver whereas the mobile station 2A does not. Different embodiments are possible and either the on-board computer comprises a GPS receiver, the user station comprises a GPS receiver, both the on-board computer and the mobile user station comprise a GPS receiver, or none of them, in which case a corresponding functionality will not be available. In some embodiments the mobile station is capable of downloading and running for example Google maps .

The mobile user station 2A, 2B comprise a user interface 3A, 3B which advantageously comprises a touch-screen. The mobile user station 2A, 2B is preferably connected to a web server 11 and an application server AS 10. The web server and application server functionality may be provided for in separate servers or in a combined server. The application server 10 is connected to a database server 12 which in turn is connected to a number of databases 13i, 13₂, e.g. vehicle information databases. The application server 10 may also be directly connected to a database DB3 13₃. The application server and the database server 10, 12 are involved in an application adapted to collect large amounts of information related to different vehicles, for example cars and components and subsystems thereof, product information, for example mounting instructions, e.g. with moving pictures, different options etc. The information may also be vendor specific, i.e. what are the vendor options or offers for a particular car. Particularly the application is so built that a user, by means of the user interface, can find information about the spare part or a detail of which the user in principle has no knowledge whatsoever and, stepwise, via different hierarcical levels obtain a required detailed information and also be presented with the options of selecting installation guidance, replacement guidance, characteristics of different options etc. by means of filtring and matching conditions via the user interface.

In a particular emobodiment the application server is connected to a database and contains information about for example all/selected retailers or stores offering a certain functional object or a product, such as a spare part, and, depending on current location of the user station and/or the on-board computer, present a number of options to the user, so that he will know where to best aquire the spare part or the necessity or where it is possible to get access to a service and the terms of the provisioning. There may be a possibility both (or either) for the end user and the client (offering the information support application) to select what should be displayed, e.g. from which producers. In another embodiment it is also possible for a user to, via the user interface, input information about a desired location or region where he would like to purchase a functional object or get access to a service, e.g. at a given, later, point in time. This is based on, by means of the application server, the database server collecting information in a large number of databases and structuring the information such that the user can get access to the relevant or the desired information . In one embodiment the application server or the database server is connected to information holding means containing information about car identity, e.g. based on registration numbers or similar, so that the only thing a user has to do, by means of the user interface, is to enter for example the car registration number whereupon the application server is capable of matching all relevant information in a customized or "personal" service profile for the user.

It is in one embodiment supposed that a user, by means of a mobile station 2A; 2B, downloads the information support application from the application server 10. In preferred embodiments it may be possible to enter for example simply the car registration number in order to have a customized service profile. In less advanced embodiments it would be possible to enter the car model, and some additional information, but then a less detailed and accurate information will only be available. According to the invention, once the application has been downloaded or a user choses to download the application, an alarm or an indication presented by means of the on-board computer 1A; IB or generated thereby, will be provided to the mobile station 2A; 2B automatically. If the on-board computer is connected wirelessly to the mobile user station, it is, in one embodiment possible for a user to, by means of the user station even activate the communication with the on-board computer and switch it on to, remotely, check if there is an alarm or indication outstanding, or check for example the relevant fuel or oil levels.

According to the invention, in a particular embodiment, if for example by means of the diagnostic capability of an on-board computer, it is detected that a brake lamp is malfunctioning, this information is transferred to the user station and either, where the information is received for example as a message, the user may download the information support application or, in most cases it is all ready downloaded and installed. Upon reception of an alarm indication the user, once the information support application is run, may for example select an option "current location" in which case information about a current location of the mobile vehicle via the GPS receiver is fetched and used to, if a user selects an appropriate option, present a list of stores or similar within a (selectable) radius of for example 5 km, or simply the nearest options, or one option only with the further possibility of selecting "show more options" etc. He may also be presented with selectable options concerning installation or replacement of the concerned malfunctioning object, in this case a brake lamp, on a more or less detailed level. This means that, for example, if a driver is driving in an unknown region or in an unknown country, through downloading and using the information support application, the driver easily, when there is an alarm or an indication, can get access to information about where to find a spare product and, in addition thereto find information about how to replace it or mount it, which is a considerably advantage. It also contributes to increase the security since a user easily and quickly can be presented with information about the most nearby possibility of remedying a problem. If the on-board computer also comprises a trip computer functionality, when fuel needs to be refilled, it is also an advantage that the closest gas stations can be indicated by means of the GPS transceiver. In Fig. 1 the different databases relate to any databases holding different kinds of information, for example information about different cars, options of different stores, gas and service stations etc, vendor specific offers, car specific data, registration number connecting to car identity and information concerning a specific functional object can be provided for a particular car, and its requisition options at a given (current) location. Fig. 2 shows another example of a system with a mobile vehicle 50 comprising a combined OBC/user station 102 with a GPS receiver 4C, and display and user interface 3C and a communication module or interface 7C for communication with an application server HOC also comprising a web server functionality, which here communicates with the database server 12C. The latter can, which in an alternative embodiment, also be seen as included in the application server. Data is collected by means of a number of databases 13i₀, 13₂o, 13₃₀ as described with reference to Fig. 1, one of which may include a car register.

Fig. 3 is a very schematical flow diagram illustrating one implementation of the inventive concept. It is supposed that an alarm or an indication, in a conventional manner, is generated and provided to an on-board computer concerning a (malfunctioning) functional object, 100. As discussed above the functional object may be anything, a lamp, low fuel level, low oil level, or any other malfunctioning or service need. Information associated with the alarm or the indication, or simply information normally presented by means of an on-board computer, is transferred to a user station, 101. The user station may comprise a mobile telephone such as a 3G telephone or a 4G or 5G telephone or any device with a similar functionality or at least with a functionality of accessing information and applications via Internet.

In this embodiment, upon reception of the information or a generated message, for example an SMS message or any appropriate signal, it is examined in the user station whether the information support application is installed or active, 102. This may be done automatically or by means of user interaction through the user interface of the mobile user station. If not, the message as such triggers download and/or activation of the information support application to/in the user station, 102. Upon reception of an alarm or indication in the mobile user station, the user may also have to actively find and download, and activate, the user information support application.

In an alternative embodiment the capability of receiving such a message may such depend on the information support application already being installed in or downloaded to the user station. In one embodiment it may be presented as an option to the user, to activate the application, 103A. In one embodiment the application can be run without any costumized information. Then the user, via a meny on the user interface, can click his way through different options concerning for example brake lamp, for example by entering car model. However, in a more advanced implementation this may comprise an option for a user to input a car identity number, for example a car registration number, 104, (associated with identity related information in a database) . The access server or the database server (cf. Fig. 1, 2) may thus have access to a register mapping car registration number to an actual car. It is hence supposed that the application server/database server fetches the relevant information from the relevant databases, 105, and presents a profile to the user via the user interface, 106. The user may then be presented with the relevant information concerning e.g. the brake lamps for that specific car. In an advantageous embodiment, presupposing support of a GPS functionality by either the user station or the on-board computer, the user is presented with the option of putting in or fetching location information, 107. If location information is not to be fetched or to be indicated, this can be simply indicated on the user interface and the user is then presented with the option of fetching more information concerning the object in general, which however is not related to the current location or any location at all.

If however location information is needed or input, the user will be presented with the option of indicating a location (not shown in the figure) or will indicate that the information should be fetched, in which case the information is fetched by means of the GPS functionality, 108, and downloaded automatically (or after one or more further options offered on the user interface) . The user may be presented with different options concerning purchase of the concerned functional object, for example the brake lamp, and where it is available having regard to the current location, 109. Also here different options may be provided, in one embodiment simply the most nearby options are presented, or all possible options within a given distance or radius with respect to the current location, preferably also including or containing information about current availability, i.e. with respect to time of the year, day etc. for purchase or service alternatives, price information etc.

Fig. 4 shows an alternative implementation of the inventive concept where it is supposed that a user in advance downloads an information support application to a mobile station from an application server, 200. Via the user interface, the user is automatically requested to input information relating to the vehicle, generally vehicle identification number, registration number or any other relevant information, 201. Having access to this information, a customized profile is generated by the information support application concerning the vehicle, 202. If, or when, an alarm or an indication is generated in an on-board computer system, with which the user station communicates, the alarm or indication as it normally would have been presented on a conventional on-board computerr display, or in any different manner, is automatically transferred to the mobile station or the mobile station functionality, 203, and the application is run with respect to the current alarm or indication concerning a functional object or a service etc, 204. In this case it is supposed that location information is automatically fetched via the GPS system, 205. A number of customized options can then be offered to the user so that he can select a way or a path to obtain the desired information, or by proceeding stepwise find the needed information 206.

In another embodiment current purchase or service options are presented to the user automatically, 207.

In still another alternative implementation the user has to select the option purchase/service options actively to obtain the information. He may also be presented with the options to receive information about replacement or installation instructions, proposed options with advantages/disadvantages concerning functional object, price information, by means of the database server accessing or fetching information concerning recommendations or any associated information.

In one embodiment, according the invention, a figurative overwiev can be presented at an overarching structural, or higher hierarchical, level, from which different choices or selections based on known facts can be made to a lower hierarhcical or structural level in a plurality of steps, until a level corresponding to a detail level at which an item, for example a functional object or a piece of information, sought for can be found and the choice can be made based on facts displayed on the actual detailed level or the target level. This means that, for a user, it becomes possible to, in an interactive manner, step by step advance towards a desireable outcome by clicking himself down towards the target level without, in advance, knowing in fact anything about the functional object. This makes it extremely easy for a person using a vehicle about which he has not much knowledge, e.g. if the user is not the owner, in which case the knowledge may be even more scarce than for the owner of the car, still can get all needed information in case of an alarm or an indication that something needs to be replaced, refilled etc. including options for obtaining purchase options, most advantageously current purchase or service options depending on where the user is located, or when the user is located in a particular area etc. which also is important from a security point of wiev.

It should be clear that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments, but that it can be varied in a number of ways within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An information support system arranged to facitilate user access to information concerning functional objects or necessities in a complex system or product, in or for a car or another mobile vehicle, of which they form a part or with which they are associated, or to additional, external, information related to the functional objects or necessities, which system comprises an on-board computer (1A; IB; 102) arranged in the car or the mobile vehicle,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

the system further comprises

a fixed or mobile user station (2A; 2B; 102) with a display and a user interface (3A; 3B; 3C) and which in adapted to comprise or communicate with an application server (web server) (10; 11; HOC) arranged to hold an information support application, that the on-board computer (1A; IB; 102) is adapted to support communication with the user station (2A; 2B) or additionally comprises a user station functionality (102) and to, at least upon occurrence of a predetermined relevant event associated with one of the functional objects or necessities, activate a communication with the user station or the user station functionality (2A; 2B; 102), and to transfer information associated with, or about, the relevant event to the user station or the user station functionality.

2. An information support system according to claim 1,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

upon activation of the communication by the on-board computer (1A; IB; 102), the user station is adapted to, in communication with the application server (10; 12), run or download the information support application, and to, based on the information received from the on-board computer, present a number of selectable options comprising information about one or more of the indirected or alarm causing or optionally selected functional object, its function, its location or purchase or service options related thereto.

3. An information support system according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

the user station is adapted to, upon the activation and establishment of a communication, initiated by the on-board computer, generate a message or an alert signal which is made available to a user of the user station on the display or as an audio message.

4. An information support system according to any one of claims 1-4,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

the user station is adapted to, upon on-board computer initiated set up of establishment of a communication event, automatically generate a message or a signal to the user and to generate a message or alerting information available to a user following user interaction, by means of the user interface, to establish if there has been any communication event between on-board trip computer and the user station.

5. A system at least according to claim 2,

c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

the user station, when the information suppport application is run or activated, is adapted to, depending on the information or a message received from the on-board computer associated with the relevant event, present a number of selectable options to the user based on application options made available by the application depending on the relevant event; that the application options comprise information about or related to the functional object, and one or more of its functions, its purchase, options concerning replacement of the functional object, service availability options.

6. A system according to claim 5,

c h a r c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

based on an identification of the necessity or the functional object or a malfunctioning thereof, a user is allowed to, by means of the activated information support application and via the user interface, select, from different starting points or hierarchical starting levels concerning the functional object, obtain categorized information arranged in different hierarchical subsystem catalogues or registers with which the application server is arranged to communicate.

7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

the predetermined events comprises one or more of an alarm or indication of a malfuncioning of a functional object, a scheduled or non-scheduled maintenance action to be taken or a service action to be taken within a given time period.

8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

the user station is a mobile user station, e.g. a 3G, a 4G or a 5G mobile telephone, e.g. an I-phone or similar, or a PC, a laptop, a palmtop, or a device with corresponding functionality, a display screen and a user interface, e.g. a touch-screen, adapted to be arranged in a car or other vehicle, or associated with or built in in the on-board computer.

9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

it comprises a GPS-receiver, provided in the mobile station and/or in the on-board computer.

10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

the application server holding the information support application is connected to a plurality of databases or information holders holding information about functional objects or necessities, comprising vehicle spare parts, and optionally a vehicle identification or registration number register, possible purchase addresses or service addresses, gas stations, addresses thereof, and is adapted to associate an identified vehicle with the appropriate vehicle and functional object related information.

11. A system according to claim 10,

c h a r c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

the application server is connected to a means holding information about purchase or store addresses and service addresses and to a map holding and navigation system, e.g. google maps, and the application server is further adapted to indicate to a user, for functional object to be aquired or a service to be performed or needed, using information about the actual, or an input indicated, location of the user or the vehicle, at least one proposed alternative or option where the functional object or service is offered.

12. A system according to claim 11 or 12,

c h a r c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

the application server/the information support application is adapted to associate information on functional objects or necessities of a car with a unique car identification number, e.g. registration number, input via the user interface, either at downloading the application or at the occurance of a relevant event .

13. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

the user interface comprises a touch screen and in that a relevant event consists in a user interaction with the screen, to obtain information concerning a functional object or a service.

14. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

the information support application is adapted to, by means of the user interface, offer an interactive service to the user for stepwise identifying and finding an, for the user initially unknown or unidentified, functional object which is arranged as a hierarchially lower functional object, starting with an indication, by the user on the interactive screen, of a higher hierarchically arranged functional object or a system.

15. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, c h a r c t e r i z e d i n

that the on-board computer is adapted to be remotely controllable, at least as far as on/off-functionality is concerned, by means of the user station and that the user station is mobile.

16. An on-board computer arrangement arranged to be provided in a vehicle, e.g. a car or similar,

c h a r c t e r i z e d i n t h a t it is adapted to support communication with a user station or comprises an additional user station functionality which is adapted to support communication with an application server, that it is adapted to, upon occurrence of one of a number of predetermined relevant events concerning a functional object, a necessity or a service, e.g. an alarm or an indication, activate a communication with the user station or the user station functionality for downloading or running an information support application held in the application server, and to generate an information message, an indication or an alarm, which is presented to a user by means of an interactive user interface.

17. An on-board computer arrangement

c h a r c t e r i z e d i n t h a t

the user station comprises a mobile 3G, 4G or 5G telephone with a user interface supporting user interaction and by means of which a number of options can be presented to a user and by means of which further a user can activate a communication between the user station (functionality) and the on-board computer, either of which comprising a GPS functionality, and that for a current location of the user or the vehicle, or an optionally indicated location, at least address information indicating where a relevant functional object can be purchased or where service associated therewith is currently offered at least upon occurrence of a relevant event.

18. An on-board computer arrangement,

c h a r c t e r i z e d i n

that it is adapted to support remote control at least comprising activation/deactivation, an on/off functionality, by means of the user station.

19. A method of providing information support and facilitating user access to information concerning functional objects or necessities in a complex system or product, in or for a car or another mobile vehicle, of which they form a part or with which they are associated, or to additional, external, information related to the functional objects or necessities involving the implementation of an on-board computer reporting established or detected status information concerning functional objects by means of alarms or indications,

c h a r c t e r i z e d i n

that it further comprises the steps of:

downloading an information support application to a user station, e.g. a 3G, 4G, 5G mobile user station, or a such functionality incorporated in the on-board computer, supporting communication of packet data and wireless access ;

establishing or enabling a connection between the user station and the on-board computer, at reception of an alarm or an indication on the on-board computer (OBC) ;

- transferring the alarm or indication, or information related thereto, from the OBC to the user station;

the information support application at reception of an alarm or indication or at downloading the information support application, offering the option of input of a unique vehicle identification number or a registration number, and if such is provided;

generating a customized user/service profile for the vehicle, otherwise:

presenting a general profile on the user interface of the user station;

presenting an option to relate the customized or general profile to current, or indicated, location data, and if this option is activated or selected: relating the profile information to current or indicated location, of the vehicle by means of location information obtained via GPS in the user station or in the OBC;

based on user interaction presenting information e.g. on purchase options or service options associated with the concerned alarm or indication.