U.S. patent application number 15/211412 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-02 for on-road vehicle service handling method.
The applicant listed for this patent is International Business Machines Corporation. Invention is credited to Darryl M. Adderly, Jonathan W. Jackson, Ajit Jariwala, Eric B. Libow.
Application Number | 20170316622 15/211412 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57120265 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170316622 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adderly; Darryl M. ; et
al. |
November 2, 2017 |
ON-ROAD VEHICLE SERVICE HANDLING METHOD
Abstract
A computerized, on-road, vehicle service handling method
involves, while a user is driving a vehicle between first and
second locations, receiving a fault condition signal from an
on-board diagnostic system; automatically transmitting information
to multiple vehicle service locations ahead of the vehicle,
including vehicle and fault information and an individual estimated
time of arrival (ETA) based upon current location and speed;
receiving individual service responses including at least a parts
and labor cost estimate, and at least one appointment time after
the ETA; receiving a selection by the user of at least two of the
provided vehicle service locations and an order of preference
thereof; sending payment information to the first vehicle service
location; receiving a communication either accepting or rejecting,
and, if accepted, automatically directing the user to the first
vehicle service location, but if rejected, sending the payment
information to a next preferred vehicle service location.
Inventors: |
Adderly; Darryl M.;
(Morrisville, NC) ; Jackson; Jonathan W.; (Durham,
NC) ; Jariwala; Ajit; (Cary, NC) ; Libow; Eric
B.; (Raleigh, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
International Business Machines Corporation |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57120265 |
Appl. No.: |
15/211412 |
Filed: |
July 15, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15140708 |
Apr 28, 2016 |
9471903 |
|
|
15211412 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/3605 20130101;
G06Q 10/20 20130101; G01C 21/26 20130101; G06Q 10/1095 20130101;
B60R 16/0234 20130101; G07C 5/008 20130101; G01C 21/3679 20130101;
G01S 19/13 20130101; G06Q 10/02 20130101; G07C 5/0808 20130101;
G06Q 30/0639 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07C 5/00 20060101
G07C005/00; G06Q 10/02 20120101 G06Q010/02; G01C 21/36 20060101
G01C021/36; G07C 5/08 20060101 G07C005/08 |
Claims
1. A computerized, on-road, vehicle service handling method
comprising: I) while a user is driving a vehicle traveling between
a first location and a second location, receiving a fault condition
signal from an on-board diagnostic system, at a processor within
the vehicle, indicating that service is urgently required for a
part of the vehicle; II) while the vehicle is continuing to travel,
automatically transmitting information to computer systems of
multiple vehicle service locations in a direction ahead of the
vehicle, taking into account location, speed and direction of
travel towards the second location, the information including
vehicle and fault information and an individual estimated time of
arrival at the respective multiple vehicle service locations based
upon current location and speed; III) receiving at the processor,
from the computer systems of at least a few of the vehicle service
locations, individual service responses including at least a cost
estimate for parts and labor, and at least one appointment time
within a specified time after the estimated time of arrival during
which servicing can be performed; IV) using the processor, causing
at least the vehicle service location, the cost estimate and at
least one appointment time, from each of the received individual
service responses to be provided to the user for potential
selection; V) receiving, at the processor, a selection by the user
of at least two of the provided vehicle service locations and an
order of preference thereof; VI) replying to a first of the vehicle
service locations in the order of preference, as a first service
request, by sending payment information, retrieved from
non-transient storage in the vehicle, to the computer system of the
first of the vehicle service locations; VII) receiving a
communication from the first of the vehicle service locations
either accepting or rejecting the first service request, and VIII)
if the communication is that first service request was accepted,
automatically directing the user, using a GPS navigation system,
from the current location to the first of the vehicle service
locations, but if the communication is that the first service
request was rejected, sending the payment information to a next
preferred vehicle service location as a next service request.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/140,708, the entirety of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to automobiles and, more
particularly, obtaining service for a fault occurring in part of an
automobile.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is now routine for vehicles to automatically display
warnings for scheduled maintenance like oil changes or other
manufacturer recommended routine adjustments by presenting a
"Service Required" indicator after a certain amount of time has
elapsed or mileage has been driven. Likewise, for vehicles with
on-board communication capability, dealers can provide similar
reminders to the driver.
[0004] In some cases, manufacturers have suggested incorporating,
or incorporated, certain capability into their vehicles such that,
when a problem or fault is detected by a vehicle, the vehicle can
automatically contact the dealer to assist the owner in scheduling
service.
[0005] However, in some cases, the owner may prefer to not use a
dealer for service due to, for example, the cost of the dealer
service versus other service providers, parts availability and/or
the convenience (in terms of dealer location or available
appointment(s)). This may particularly be true when the owner is
not in the vehicle and/or while it is being driven far from home,
for example, during a vacation or other trip, especially when a
fault arises that does not disable the vehicle but, nevertheless,
requires prompt action.
SUMMARY
[0006] We have devised a technological solution in the form of a
system that overcomes the foregoing shortcomings because, when a
fault arises that does not disable the vehicle but, nevertheless,
requires prompt action, it allows the driver to decide who will
perform the service, based upon the cost of the dealer service
versus other service providers, parts availability and/or the
convenience (in terms of dealer location or available
appointment(s)) while ensuring prompt action by such service
provider, even if the owner is not in the vehicle and/or the
vehicle is being driven far from home.
[0007] Moreover, our solution seeks to ensure that deviations from
the trip route do not result in substantial loss of time due to
backtracking by taking into account the intended route when
identifying potential service providers.
[0008] One aspect of this disclosure involves a computerized,
on-road, vehicle service handling method. The method involves I)
while a user is driving a vehicle traveling between a first
location and a second location, receiving a fault condition signal
from an on-board diagnostic system, at a processor within the
vehicle, indicating that service is urgently required for a part of
the vehicle; II) while the vehicle is continuing to travel,
automatically transmitting information to computer systems of
multiple vehicle service locations in a direction ahead of the
vehicle, taking into account location, speed and direction of
travel towards the second location, the information including
vehicle and fault information and an individual estimated time of
arrival at the respective multiple vehicle service locations based
upon current location and speed; III) receiving at the processor,
from the computer systems of at least a few of the vehicle service
locations, individual service responses including at least a cost
estimate for parts and labor, and at least one appointment time
within a specified time after the estimated time of arrival during
which servicing can be performed; IV) using the processor, causing
at least the vehicle service location, the cost estimate and at
least one appointment time, from each of the received individual
service responses to be provided to the user for potential
selection; V) receiving, at the processor, a selection by the user
of at least two of the provided vehicle service locations and an
order of preference thereof; VI) replying to a first of the vehicle
service locations in the order of preference, as a first service
request, by sending payment information, retrieved from
non-transient storage in the vehicle, to the computer system of the
first of the vehicle service locations; VII) receiving a
communication from the first of the vehicle service locations
either accepting or rejecting the first service request, and VIII)
if the communication is that first service request was accepted,
automatically directing the user, using a GPS navigation system,
from the current location to the first of the vehicle service
locations, but if the communication is that the first service
request was rejected, sending the payment information to a next
preferred vehicle service location as a next service request.
[0009] The foregoing and following outlines rather generally the
features and technical advantages of one or more embodiments of
this disclosure in order that the following detailed description
may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of
this disclosure will be described hereinafter, which may form the
subject of the claims of this application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] This disclosure is further described in the detailed
description that follows, with reference to the drawings, in
which:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates, in simplified form, an overview of the
components of a system that performs the on-road vehicle service
handling method described herein; and
[0012] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate, a simplified example of a display in
a vehicle on which example information from service location
responses for the fault situation are displayed; and
[0013] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate, a simplified flow chart of one
example of our computerized on-road vehicle service handling
process as described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] This disclosure provides a technical solution in terms of an
improvement to the automotive diagnostic and servicing field and
that also specifically improves upon the function and operation of
vehicles, vehicle on-board diagnostic systems and vehicle
navigation systems. Moreover, our solution does so in an
unconventional way that is neither a conventional nor routine
solution employed in the automotive diagnostic and servicing field.
Still further, our solution solves a specific problem arising only
in the automotive diagnostic and servicing art.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates, in simplified form, an overview of the
components involved in performing the on-road vehicle service
handling method described herein.
[0016] The components are made up of one or more vehicle(s) 100
equipped with a global positioning system (GPS) navigation system
102 that provides directions for driving between two locations, one
or more processor(s) 104 that interact with the GPS navigation
system 102 and, among other systems, for example, an on-board
diagnostic (OBD) system 106 in the vehicle 100 (generally
manufacturer supplied) to provide self-diagnostics and real-time
reporting of vehicle-related data and faults, using a standardized
series of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)) over a standardized
digital communications port. The processor(s) 104 is also connected
to non-transitory storage 108. The storage 108 stores program
instructions that can be retrieved and executed by the processor(s)
104, as well as data, in a non-transitory manner, for example, such
as non-transient solid state memory, a magnetic hard drive, a CD or
DVD, a tape drive, or an analogous or equivalent storage medium
type would. Among the data that will be contained in the storage
108 is payment information 110 that can be input or changed by the
owner or driver of the vehicle. During processes as described
herein, payment information 110 will be sent via a communication
system 112 in the vehicle 100, typically cellular data, in vehicle
Wi-Fi, mobile satellite internet, etc., to one or more vehicle
service locations 114 as described herein.
[0017] The payment information 110 will be whatever information is
needed to effect payment to a vehicle service location 114 for
vehicle service. For example, in the case of a credit/debit/charge
card, it would likely at least be the credit card number,
expiration date and Card Verification Value ("CVV"/"CVV2") number
(also sometimes known as a Card Security Code ("CSC") number, but
may alternatively leverage other payment systems including
electronic funds transfer ("EFT"), indirect payment systems like
PayPal.RTM., Venmo, cellular phone/device payment methods (e.g.,
Apple Pay, Android Pay, Samsung Pay), etc. The important aspect
being the ability of the service location 114 to accept and process
the payment information 110 it receives from a vehicle 100 at the
service location's computer system 116.
[0018] With an understanding of the various components involved in
our on-road vehicle handling method, the method itself will now be
described firs by way of an example, for ease of understanding, and
then with reference to the flowchart of FIGS. 3A-3B.
[0019] At the outset, the method is performed while the vehicle is
being driven and, since it employs use of the GPS navigation system
102, that system must be present and operating, even if the driver
is not using it to actually direct them to a location, although our
method is much more useful if the GPS system 102 is being used to
direct the driver because the intended end location and expected
direction and path of travel as will then be known. At this point,
it should be noted that the GPS navigation system 102 is intended
to encompass such systems that are integrated with the vehicle
during manufacture, as a dealer-installed option, systems
purchase-able from third party providers and application programs
("Apps") installed on smart phones, smart watches, and other such
portable devices provided the OBD system 106 and GPS system 102 are
communicatively connected, for example using Bluetooth.RTM. or
other short range data communication protocol. For purposes of this
example, presume that the driver has programmed a destination into
the GPS system 102 and is proceeding towards the programmed
destination location as directed by the GPS system 102.
[0020] Also presume that some fault has been detected by the OBD
system 106 that requires prompt attention but does not cause the
vehicle 100 to stop operating, for example, a malfunction with one
of the vehicle's fuel injectors.
[0021] The process begins when the processor(s) 104 receives the
fault condition signal from the on-board diagnostic system 106.
When that happens, the processor(s) 104 interacts with the GPS
navigation system 102, to cause it to automatically identify
multiple vehicle service locations 114 that are within a limited
distance radius 118 of the directional path 120 towards the
destination location, based upon the then-current location of the
vehicle 100 on the path 120. In other words, "within a limited
distance radius 118 of the directional path 120 towards the
destination location" means that, as the vehicle 100 is traveling,
the GPS navigation system 102 will attempt to identify multiple
vehicle service locations 114 that are ahead of the vehicle 100 and
do not cause the vehicle 100 to have to deviate from the path more
than a certain specified distance, which may, depending upon the
implementation, be automatically specified or may be set by the
owner/driver of the vehicle. Thus, at this point it should be
understood that the term "radius" is not intended to be limited to
a strict mathematical definition, but rather a range of distance
from the vehicle 100 generally in the direction of travel taking
into account the speed of travel according to the GPS directions so
as to avoid "backtracking" if possible. Thus, if the vehicle is
traveling along local roads, the radius would likely be much
smaller than if the vehicle is traveling on a highway at 60 miles
per hour. Otherwise, by the time arrangements are made, as
described below, the vehicle 100 could be past one or more of the
identified service locations 114 and have to backtrack.
[0022] In general, the individual service locations 114 will be
members of a network of service locations configured to interact
with vehicles in the manner described herein. This can be
accomplished, on the service location side, by, for example, a
subscription service, through an automobile association (e.g., the
American Automobile Association, National Automobile Club, etc.) or
insurance company affiliate program, etc.
[0023] Once multiple vehicle service locations 114 are identified,
while the vehicle is continuing to travel, the processor 104 will
automatically transmit certain information to the computer
system(s) 116 of each of the identified multiple vehicle service
locations. The information that is transmitted will at least
identify, directly or indirectly (for example, based upon the
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)): the make, model, and year of
the vehicle, the detected fault condition (in terms of a fault code
or some other identifier) that was represented by the fault
condition signal, along with, for each of the identified multiple
vehicle service locations, a respective estimated time of arrival
at the respective vehicle service locations, based upon the current
vehicle location and its speed of travel.
[0024] Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, specific service locations
114.sub.1, 114.sub.2, 114.sub.n were identified because they are
sufficiently ahead of the vehicle 100 along the path 120 of the
GPS-specified route, taking into account the vehicle's speed but
another service location 114.sub.n+1 was not identified because the
vehicle 100 has already passed it.
[0025] Upon receipt of such information, the individual service
locations 114 will determine whether they can handle the problem,
in terms of having the parts on hand and/or expertise/capability
and can do so at, or within a reasonable time after (e.g., less
than one hour) the estimated time of arrival. If a service location
114 can meet these requirements, the service location 114 will send
back a service response to the vehicle 100 via its computer system
116.
[0026] On the vehicle 100 side, the vehicle 100 will receive the
individual service responses from at least a few of the vehicle
service locations 114, with each of the individual service
responses: a) reflecting an ability of that service location 114 to
service the vehicle 100 based upon the fault condition, b)
inherently representing to the vehicle operator that service
location 114 has a present stock of any parts needed to provide the
service, c) including at least an estimate of a cost of parts and
labor to service the part of the vehicle on an urgent basis, and d)
including at least one appointment time within a specified time
after the estimated time of arrival during which the servicing of
the part of the vehicle can be performed.
[0027] Upon receipt of the service responses, the processor(s) 104
will then cause at least the estimate and at least one appointment
time from each of the individual service responses to be provided
within the vehicle to a user for potential selection. This is shown
in FIGS. 2A-2B.
[0028] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate, a simplified example of a display
200 in the vehicle 100 on which service location responses for this
fault situation example are displayed. Depending upon the
particular implementation, the responses can be displayed in an
auxiliary display in the vehicle, in part of a digital dashboard
display (if the vehicle is so equipped), in the GPS system 102
display, or elsewhere.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, four individual service locations
114 have provided responses. In the display 200, the user is then
prompted 202 to select from among the displayed service locations
114 in order of preference. This allows the user to balance cost
and time and/or select a preferred service location over one or
more others. As shown in FIG. 2A, the user has initially selected
"Quad State Packard" 204 as their first choice, as indicated by the
darkened border 206 around it in the display 200. As shown in FIG.
2B, the user then selected "Repair Barn" 208 as their second
choice. As shown in FIG. 2C, the user selected "Joe's Service
Station" 210 as their third choice and then selected "END" 212 to
indicate that they do not wish to make any more selections.
[0030] Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the display 200 can
also provide the ability to sort the responses, for example, by
location 214, appointment time 216 and/or cost estimate 218 by
selecting the appropriate labeled header. Likewise, the display 200
can include a scrolling feature 220 whereby, in the event that all
of the responses cannot concurrently all fit in the display
200.
[0031] The processor 104 receives the selection(s) by the user of
at least two of the vehicle service locations 204, 208, 210 and
their order of preference, and, in response to the selection,
automatically accesses the non-transient storage 108 within the
vehicle 100 and retrieves the payment information 110 stored
therein.
[0032] Next, the processor 104 replies to the first vehicle service
location in the ordered preference list, in this case Quad State
Packard, by sending the retrieved payment information 110 to the
Quad State Packard computer system 116.
[0033] Notably, the sending of the payment information 110 assures
the service location 114 that the vehicle 100 is coming and induces
the service location to ensure that the appointment slot is
reserved for that vehicle 100. Likewise, the acceptance of the
payment information assures the user that the service location can,
and will, provide the needed service at essentially the time
promised (e.g., allowing for common delays/early completion).
Alternatively, the failure of a service location 114 to receive
payment information 110 within some window of time can be
interpreted as an implied intent to use some other service location
114.
[0034] Now it should be understood that, in some cases, between the
time a service location sends their response and the time the
payment information 110 is received, a service location 114 may no
longer be able to service the vehicle 100, for example, because the
necessary part(s) get used or the appointment slot becomes
unavailable. Likewise, it is possible that the payment information
110 may be declined for some reason. As a result, despite receiving
the payment information 110 the service location will be required
to communicate an acceptance or rejection of the service
request.
[0035] Thus, the processor will receive a communication from the
first vehicle service location in the preference list, in this case
Quad State Packard either accepting or rejecting the service
request.
[0036] If Quad State Packard accepted the service request, the
processor 104 will automatically update the GPS navigation system
102 (depending upon the implementation and GPS navigation system
102), either as an intermediate stop or a new destination, from the
then-current location of the vehicle 100 to that vehicle service
location 114 (e.g., Quad State Packard) and thereby direct the
vehicle to that service location.
[0037] Alternatively, if Quad State Packard rejected the service
request, the processor will reply to the next vehicle service
location 114 in the ordered list, in this example, Repair Barn, by
sending the retrieved payment information 110 to Repair Barn's
computer system 116.
[0038] Again, Repair Barn will accept or reject the service request
and, if Repair Barn accepts, the processor 104 will automatically
update the GPS navigation system 102 to direct the vehicle to
Repair Barn, and if Repair Barn rejects, the processor 104 will
repeat the process for the next service location 114 in the list,
and so forth until all selected service locations 114 have been
exhausted.
[0039] In the case where all of the service locations 114 that a
user has selected have rejected the service requests,
advantageously, since the vehicle has been proceeding, via the GPS
directions, towards its destination, new service locations 114 will
likely now be in range and the process can repeat, while
eliminating any service locations that come up again but already
rejected the service request.
[0040] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate, a simplified flow chart 300 of one
example of our computerized on-road vehicle service handling
process as described herein.
[0041] The process begins with receipt of a fault condition signal
from the OBD system (Step 302).
[0042] In response to that receipt, multiple service locations
along the current GPS-specified directional path within a distance
radius, along the forward travel path, of the vehicle will be
identified, taking into account the speed of the vehicle (Step
304).
[0043] Once multiple service locations have been identified, and
while the vehicle continues to travel along the GPS-specified
route, information identifying at least: the make, model, and year,
of the vehicle, fault condition represented by the fault condition
signal, and an individualized estimated time of arrival at the
respective vehicle service locations (based upon the current
location and speed of travel) is transmitted to those vehicle
service locations (Step 306).
[0044] In response, individual service responses will be received
from the computer systems of at least a few of the vehicle service
locations with the individual service responses a) reflecting an
ability of the respective service location to service the vehicle
based upon the fault condition, b) inherently representing that the
service location has a present stock of any parts needed to provide
the service, c) including at least an estimate of a cost of parts
and labor to service the part of the vehicle on an urgent basis,
and d) including at least one appointment time within a specified
time after the estimated time of arrival during which the servicing
of the part of the vehicle can be performed (Step 308).
[0045] Next, causing at least the estimate and at least one
appointment time from each of the individual service responses to
be provided to the user for potential selection (Step 310).
[0046] The user will then select at least two of the vehicle
service locations and specify an order of preference among them
(Step 312).
[0047] In response to the selection, non-transient storage within
the vehicle will automatically be accessed and payment information
stored therein will be retrieved (Step 314).
[0048] Then a first service request will be sent as a reply to the
first vehicle service location in the ordered list by sending the
retrieved payment information to the first vehicle service location
in the order (Step 316).
[0049] Thereafter, a response communication will be received from
the vehicle service location either accepting or rejecting the
service request (Step 318).
[0050] If the service request was accepted (Step 320), the user
will be directed, using the GPS navigation system, from their
current location to the vehicle service location (Step 322).
[0051] If the service request was rejected (Step 320), the process
checks to determine whether that service location was the last
service location in user's preference list (Step 324). If it was
not the last in the list, the process will replying to the next
vehicle service location in the ordered list by sending the
retrieved payment information to it (Step 326) and loop back to
Step 318.
[0052] If, however, at Step 324 the vehicle service location is the
last in the preference list, the process will again, taking into
account the speed of the vehicle and GPS-specified directional
path, identify multiple service locations within a distance radius,
along that forward travel path as before (Step 304).
[0053] Thus, it should now be appreciated that implementations of
our invention represent an improvement to the automotive diagnostic
and servicing field because it allows a user to arrange for vehicle
service and have it performed promptly while in mid-trip instead of
delaying, which could result in worse or further damage to the
vehicle. In addition, it ensures that the vehicle service will be
performed at a time of the user's preference while guaranteeing
payment for the vehicle's servicing.
[0054] Likewise, implementations of our invention improve upon the
function and operation of vehicles, vehicle on-board diagnostic
systems and vehicle navigation systems because it causes them to
interoperate in a way that is unconventional and was not previously
been done in the automotive diagnostic and servicing field to
provide for more prompt addressing of a fault in the vehicle in a
way that can be much more convenient and reduce the prospect of a
worsening situation.
[0055] Finally, the automotive diagnostic and servicing art is an
art with unique problems and our system and approach are uniquely
targeted to a specific unique problem within that art.
[0056] Having described and illustrated the principles of this
application by reference to one or more example embodiments, it
should be apparent that the embodiment(s) may be modified in
arrangement and detail without departing from the principles
disclosed herein and that it is intended that the application be
construed as including all such modifications and variations
insofar as they come within the spirit and scope of the subject
matter disclosed.
* * * * *