Artificial intelligence diagnostic device for automobile and control device for the same

• US 20020059156A1
• Filed: 07/24/2001
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yu-Il Tech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Yu-Il Tech Company Limited
• Inventors: Hwang, Chang-sun, Kim, Do-hyoung
• Granted Patent: US 6,668,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 706/45
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/007 Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles G01M17/08 takes precedence

Abstract

An artificial intelligence diagnostic device is provided for performing concentrated management on electric devices and control devices of an automobile using a separate diagnostic central processing unit to diagnose the malfunction of the automobile in real time and for reporting the diagnosis result to a driver through a visual display or a voice. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device includes an electronic time and alarm control system diagnostic unit for diagnosing the state of an electronic time and alarm control system which controls electric devices of the automobile; a junction box diagnostic unit for diagnosing the states of the various fuses and relays included in a junction box; a diagnostic central processing unit for receiving and analyzing diagnosis signals output from the electronic time and alarm control system diagnostic unit, the junction box diagnostic unit, and an engine control unit, and generating a signal corresponding to an abnormal state; and an output unit for receiving the signal output from the diagnostic central processing unit and reporting the abnormal state to the driver. Since the normal or abnormal state of the electric devices is reported to the driver, the driver can easily know which part of an automobile has a malfunction while driving the automobile. Consequently, the automobile can be easily repaired in considerably less time at a low cost, and rapid measures can be taken when the automobile malfunctions. Moreover, since the automobile is automatically examined daily for malfunctions, accidents due to poor maintenance can be prevented.

Claims

1. An artificial intelligence diagnostic device for diagnosing a malfunction of an automobile, comprising:

an electronic time and alarm control system diagnostic unit for diagnosing the state of an electronic time and alarm control system which controls electric devices of the automobile;

a junction box diagnostic unit for diagnosing the states of the various fuses and relays included in a junction box;

a diagnostic central processing unit for receiving and analyzing diagnosis signals output from the electronic time and alarm control system diagnostic unit, the function box diagnostic unit, and an engine control unit, and generating a signal corresponding to an abnormal state; and

output means for receiving the signal output from the diagnostic central processing unit and reporting the abnormal state to the driver.

2. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device of claim 1, further comprising a first output unit comprising a lamp for indicating a specific fuse or relay having a malfunction in the junction box according to the result of diagnosis of the junction box diagnostic unit and a lamp driving circuit.

3. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device of claim 2, wherein the output means comprises a second output unit for reporting the abnormal state to the driver through a character message.

4. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device of claim 3, wherein the output means comprises a third output unit for reporting the abnormal state to the driver through a voice message.

5. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device of claim 4, wherein the diagnostic central processing unit receives and analyzes the diagnosis signal from the junction box diagnostic unit, and drives the first output unit to light a lamp corresponding to a specific fuse or relay having a malfunction and outputs a character message and a voice message reporting the state of malfunction through the second and third output units, respectively, when it is determined that the fuse or relay in the junction box malfunctions.

6. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device of claim 4, wherein the diagnostic central processing unit receives and analyzes the diagnosis signal from the engine control unit and outputs a character message and a voice message reporting the state of malfunction in the engine control unit through the second and third output units, respectively, when it is determined that the engine control unit malfunctions.

7. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device of claim 4, wherein the diagnostic central processing unit receives and analyzes the diagnosis signal from the electronic time and alarm control system diagnostic unit and outputs a character message and a voice message reporting the state of malfunction in the electronic time and alarm control system through the second and third output units, respectively, when it is determined that the electronic time and alarm control system malfunctions.

8. An artificial intelligence diagnostic device for diagnosing a malfunction of an automobile, comprising:

a diagnostic circuit for diagnosing the state of an electronic time and alarm control system which controls devices provided to increase the convenience to a driver, the states of the various fuses and relays included in a junction box, the state of an engine control unit which checks and controls the state of an engine, and the state of an antilock break system;

a central processing unit for receiving and analyzing a diagnosis signal output from the diagnostic circuit and outputting the result of diagnosis;

an output unit for reporting the diagnosis result output from the central processing unit to the driver; and

a communication output unit for outputting the diagnosis result in the form of a communication signal.

9. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device of claim 8, wherein each of a variety of electric devices of the automobile is provided with a circuit for measuring a current or a circuit for measuring a voltage depending on a method by which each electric device is driven, and the diagnostic circuit receives signals output from the circuits to diagnose the state of each electric device.

10. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device of claim 8, wherein the output unit comprises a character display unit, and a character message reporting the diagnosed result is output through the character display or a display unit of a navigation device installed in the automobile.

11. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device of claim 8, wherein the output unit comprises a voice output unit, and a voice message reporting the diagnosis result is output through the voice output unit or a speaker of an audio system installed in the automobile via the external input terminal of the audio system.

12. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device of claim 8, wherein the central processing unit outputs the diagnosis result to a mobile communications terminal connected to the communication output unit through the communication output unit so that the diagnosis result can be wirelessly transmitted to a control center through the mobile communications terminal.

14. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device of claim 13, further comprising a wireless transmitter for converting the signal output from the data communication converter into a wireless signal which is transmitted, and a wireless receiver for receiving the wireless signal from the wireless transmitter and providing the wireless signal to the diagnosis result output unit.

15. The artificial intelligence diagnostic device of claim 13, wherein the diagnosis result output unit is provided with particular operating software, and comprises a personal digital assistant or a personal computer for receiving the signal output from the data communication converter, displaying the result of diagnosing the state of each electric device in a form which can be easily recognized by the driver or reporting the diagnosis result through a voice message, and outputting the diagnosis result to a mobile communications terminal so that the diagnosed result can be wirelessly transmitted to a control center through the mobile communications terminal.

17. The artificial intelligence control device of claim 16, further comprising a communication unit connected to the controller to mutually communicate with a controller for other electric devices, thereby allowing the controller to share the results of controlling and diagnosing the electric devices with the controller for other electric devices.

18. The artificial intelligence control device of claim 16, wherein the output unit comprises a character display unit for outputting a character message and a voice output unit for outputting a voice message.

19. The artificial intelligence control device of claim 16, further comprising input means for allowing the driver to set an ON/OFF function and timer function for each electric device and to set the input means to change and store a control value.

20. The artificial intelligence control device of claim 19, wherein the changing and storing of the control value set by the driver is performed by the central processing unit and a memory.

21. The artificial intelligence control device of claim 19, wherein the timer function for the electric devices is performed by the central processing unit and an exclusive timer circuit.

13. An artificial intelligence diagnostic device for diagnosing a malfunction of an automobile, comprising:

a code analyzer for receiving and analyzing signals from an electronic time and alarm control system for controlling devices provided for the convenience of a driver, an engine control unit for checking and controlling the state of an engine, a transmission control unit, and a general electric device;

a diagnosis unit for diagnosing the states of fuses and relays included in a junction box and outputting the diagnosed result, and for receiving a signal output from the code analyzer and outputting the result of diagnosing the state of the engine control unit, the transmission control unit, the electronic time and alarm control system and the general electric device;

a lamp output unit for indicating a specific fuse or relay having a malfunction according to the diagnosis result output from the diagnosis unit;

a data communication converter for receiving the diagnosis result from the diagnosis unit and converting it into a communication signal; and

a diagnosis result output unit for receiving the signal output from the data communication converter and outputting the result of diagnosing the state of each electric device so that a driver can easily recognize the diagnosis result.

16. An artificial intelligence control device for controlling electric devices of an automobile, comprising:

a controller for receiving signals from a variety of sensors and switches of an automobile, controlling an electric device in accordance with the signals received from each corresponding sensor or switch, and outputting a warning signal related to a particular electric device;

a diagnosis unit for diagnosing a malfunction of each electric device; and

an output unit for outputting the control state of the controller and the result the diagnosis by the diagnosis unit to allow a driver to recognize the result of diagnosis.