AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A method for transferring repair messages between vehicles and a service center in a vehicle communications network, said method comprising:
- providing a plurality of vehicles in the vehicle network;
providing the service center in wireless communication with the vehicles in the network;
providing an on-board module on at least one of the vehicles in the network;
using the on-board module to monitor vehicle system buses to identify vehicle problems;
transmitting a problem code identifying a problem into the network; and
downloading a software upgrade patch to the vehicle with the problem to correct the problem by messages transmitted through the network.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing autonomous and remote vehicle maintenance and repair. The system employs an on-board diagnosis and prognosis module that monitors one or more vehicle buses to identify trouble codes and other information indicating a vehicle problem. The on-board module causes a telematic device on the vehicle to broadcast a message including a problem code that identifies the problem the vehicle is having. A remote repair center may receive the message and may identify a software upgrade patch associated with the problem that can be transmitted to the vehicle to upgrade its software to correct the problem. Also, the message may be received by another vehicle that is part of a broadcast network that has previously received the software upgrade patch to fix a problem on that vehicle, where the receiving vehicle may transmit the software upgrade patch to the vehicle having the problem.
152 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for transferring repair messages between vehicles and a service center in a vehicle communications network, said method comprising:
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providing a plurality of vehicles in the vehicle network; providing the service center in wireless communication with the vehicles in the network; providing an on-board module on at least one of the vehicles in the network; using the on-board module to monitor vehicle system buses to identify vehicle problems; transmitting a problem code identifying a problem into the network; and downloading a software upgrade patch to the vehicle with the problem to correct the problem by messages transmitted through the network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for transferring repair messages between and among vehicles and a service center in a vehicle communications network, said method comprising:
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identifying a problem on one of the vehicles and identifying a problem code for that problem; wirelessly transmitting a message from the vehicle with the problem including a request for a software upgrade patch that will correct the problem associated with the problem code; passing the message between and among the vehicles and the service repair center; and receiving a message with the software upgrade patch at the vehicle with the problem through the vehicle network. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for transferring repair messages between vehicles and a service center in a vehicle communications network, said system comprising:
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a plurality of vehicles associated with the vehicle network; a service center in wireless communication with at least a plurality of the plurality of vehicles in the network; an on-board module on at least one of the vehicles in the network, said on-board module monitoring vehicle system buses to identify problems; and a telematic unit that transmits a message requesting a software upgrade patch for an identified problem where the message includes a problem code identifying the problem, said unit receiving the software upgrade patch code. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification