Method and system for diagnosing, collecting information and servicing a remote system

• US 20070033267A1
• Filed: 10/10/2006
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Ricoh Company Limited
• Inventors: Motoyama, Tetsuro, Fong, Avery
• Granted Patent: US 7,349,964 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

A monitoring system, method, and computer-program product tracks events and device states in a device and sends those events and states to a remote central service center using an Internet access module. The remote central service center monitors the received events and states for errors or warnings. The monitoring software (e.g., a dynamic link library) supports multiple data formats and multiple protocols to more effectively communicate the event and state information.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

obtaining and storing information of an event which is an interaction between a user and a motor vehicle; and

transmitting the information of the event from the motor vehicle to a location which is remote from the motor vehicle.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

the transmitting comprises transmitting the information to the manufacturer of motor vehicle.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

the transmitting comprises transmitting the information to an organization which provides at least one of maintenance and service for the motor vehicle.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting comprises:

transmitting the information which includes event information relating to the use of at least one of;

power windows;

cruise control;

air conditioning;

power seats;

audio control;

actuating an accelerator input device; and

shifting of a transmission.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting further comprises:

transmitting position information.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting comprises:

transmitting the information of the event from the motor vehicle over the Internet.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

the transmitting is performed periodically.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

the transmitting is performed when an abnormal state is detected.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

the obtaining and transmitting operate using information from an automobile.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

the obtaining and transmitting operate using information from a motor vehicle from the group consisting of a train, an airplane, a motorcycle, and a boat.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting step further comprises:

transmitting a start time corresponding to the event.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting step further comprises:

transmitting a duration corresponding to the event.

13. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting step further comprises:

transmitting a sequence of events.

14. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting is performed when the motor vehicle turns off.

15. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting is performed periodically.

16. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting is performed when a potential breakdown condition occurs in the motor vehicle.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting comprises:

transmitting using a wired connection.

18. A method according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting comprises:

transmitting using a wireless connection.

19. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the transmitted event information; and

storing the transmitted event information in a database.

20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the step of storing comprises:

storing the transmitted event information in a relational database.

21. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a device configured to obtain and store information of an event which is an interaction between a user and the motor vehicle; and

a transmitter configured to transmit the information of the event from the motor vehicle to a location which is remote from the motor vehicle.

22. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein:

the transmitter is configured to transmit the information to the manufacturer of motor vehicle.

23. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein:

the transmitter is configured to transmit the information to an organization which provides at least one of maintenance and service for the motor vehicle.

24. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein:

the device configured to obtain and store comprises obtaining and storing the information which includes the event information relating to the use of at least one of;

power windows;

cruise control;

air conditioning;

power seats;

audio control;

actuating an accelerator input device; and

shifting of the automobile.

25. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the transmitting is configured to transmit position information.

26. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the event information from the motor vehicle over the Internet.

27. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein:

the transmitter is configured to transmit the event information periodically.

28. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein:

the transmitter is configured to transmit the event information when an abnormal state is detected.

29. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein:

the motor vehicle is an automobile.

30. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein:

the motor vehicle is from the group consisting of a train, an airplane, a motorcycle, and a boat.

31. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a start time corresponding to the event.

32. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a duration corresponding to the event.

33. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the transmitting is configured to transmit a sequence of events.

34. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit when the motor vehicle turns off.

35. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit periodically.

36. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the transmitter is configured to operate when a potential breakdown condition occurs in the motor vehicle.

37. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit over a wired connection.

38. A motor vehicle according to claim 21, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit over a wireless connection.

39. A system for use with the motor vehicle according to claim 21, further comprising:

a device configured to receive the transmitted event information; and

a device configured to store the transmitted event information in a database.

40. A system according to claim 39, wherein the device configured to store comprises:

a device configured to store the transmitted event information in a relational database.

41. A motor vehicle, comprising:

means for obtaining and storing information of an event which is an interaction between a user and the motor vehicle; and

means for transmitting the information of the event from the motor vehicle to a location which is remote from the motor vehicle.

42. A motor vehicle according to claim 41, wherein:

means for transmitting comprises means for transmitting the information to the manufacturer of motor vehicle.

43. A motor vehicle according to claim 41, wherein:

means for transmitting comprises means for transmitting the information to an organization which provides at least one of maintenance and service for the motor vehicle.

44. A motor vehicle according to claim 41, wherein:

the means for obtaining and storing comprises means for obtaining and storing the information which includes the event information relating to the use of at least one of;

power windows;

cruise control;

air conditioning;

power seats;

audio control;

actuating an accelerator input device; and

shifting of a transmission.

45. A motor vehicle according to claim 41, wherein the means for transmitting comprises means for transmitting position information.

46. A motor vehicle according to claim 41, wherein the means for transmitting comprises means for transmitting the event information from the motor vehicle over the Internet.

47. A motor vehicle according to claim 41, wherein:

the means for transmitting comprises means for transmitting the event information periodically.

48. A motor vehicle according to claim 41, wherein:

the means for transmitting comprises means for transmitting the event information when an abnormal state is detected.

49. A motor vehicle according to claim 41, wherein:

the motor vehicle is an automobile.

50. A motor vehicle according to claim 41, wherein:

the motor vehicle is from the group consisting of a train, an airplane, a motorcycle, and a boat.