Vehicular information storage apparatus and vehicle diagnosis system

• US 20110166743A1
• Filed: 12/08/2010
• Published: 07/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Sato, Yuji
• Application Number:
  US12/926,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20110166743A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

In cases that one of conditions registered in a record data classification table is satisfied, the accordance with a condition for recording in a nonvolatile record data database is determined. A cycle record data element according with a record content corresponding to the condition determined to be satisfied is retrieved from cycle record data elements recorded in a cycle record data database. Retrieved cycle record data element is recorded in the nonvolatile record data database as nonvolatile record data. Those conditions are satisfied, respectively, as follows: (i) in cases that a vehicular system starts; (ii) in cases that a system parameter is changed; (iii) in cases that a specified time elapses after departure; (iv) in cases that it comes to the time before arrival; (v) in cases that a subject vehicle is located in a user defect detection area; and (vi) in cases that an external remote manipulation is executed.

Claims

1. A vehicular information storage apparatus in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a state information acquisition device configured to acquire vehicle state information of the vehicle;

a temporary storage device configured to store temporarily the vehicle state information acquired by the state information acquisition device;

a stipulation table storage device configured to store a stipulation table that stipulates an information specification reference for specifying verification information, which is used for verification of a defect cause, out of the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device; and

a control circuit configured to specify verification information used for verification of a defect cause from the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device based on the information specification reference stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause a predetermined storage media to store the specified verification information,

wherein the information specification reference in the stipulation table contains (i) a class of a parameter of the vehicular information storage apparatus and (ii) a class of verification information corresponding to the parameter and a range of the verification information,

the control circuit being further configured to,

when the parameter of the class stipulated in the stipulation table is changed,

specify the corresponding class of the verification information in the range stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause the predetermined storage media to store the verification information of the specified class and range.

2. The vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the stipulation table stipulates as a range to specify the verification information a predetermined time duration which includes a time when the parameter is changed.

20. A vehicle diagnosis system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

at least one the vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 1; and

an information center to communicate with the at least one vehicular information storage apparatus;

the at least one vehicular information storage apparatus comprising

a transmission device to transmit the specified verification information to the information center,

the information center comprising

(i) a reception device to receive the verification information transmitted from the at least one vehicular information storage apparatus,

(ii) an information storage device to store the verification information received by the reception device, and

(iii) an analysis section to analyze statistically the verification information stored in the information storage device.

21. A vehicle diagnosis system comprising:

at least one vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 1; and

an information center to communicate with the at least one vehicular information storage apparatus,

the vehicular information storage apparatus comprising

(i) an advice guidance section to perform, at a predetermined time point, an advice guidance to provide advice about a driving manipulation of the vehicle,

(ii) a driving manipulation detection device to detect a driving manipulation of a user at a time point when the advice guidance is performed by the advice guidance section,

(iii) a driving manipulation determination section to determine whether the detected driving manipulation accords with the provided advice, and

(iv) a determination result report section to specify a position, where the driving manipulation not according with the provided advice is executed, when it is determined that the detected driving manipulation does not accord with the provided advice, and report to the information center the specified position as a discord determination result,

the information center comprising

(i) a determination result total section to total discord determination results received from the determination result report section of each of the at least one vehicular information storage apparatus with respect to each position,

(ii) a discord number determination section to determine whether there is a position where the totaled discord determination result is greater than a predetermined value by referring to the totaled discord determination result, and

(iii) an improvement position record section to record, when it is determined that there is the position where the discord determination results is greater than the predetermined value, as an improvement necessary position where a content of the advice needs to be amended.

22. A program product stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage media, the program product comprising instructions causing a computer to function as the control circuit according to the vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 1.

3. A vehicular information storage apparatus in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a state information acquisition device configured to acquire vehicle state information of the vehicle;

a temporary storage device configured to store temporarily the vehicle state information acquired by the state information acquisition device;

a stipulation table storage device configured to store a stipulation table that stipulates an information specification reference for specifying verification information, which is used for verification of a defect cause, out of the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device; and

a control circuit configured to specify verification information used for verification of a defect cause from the'"'"'vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device based on the information specification reference stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause a predetermined storage media to store the specified verification information,

wherein the information specification reference in the stipulation table contains an automatic start-up of a predetermined vehicular system and a class and a range of the verification information corresponding to the vehicular system,

the control circuit being further configured to,

when the automatic start-up of the predetermined vehicular system, which is stipulated in the stipulations table is executed,

specify the verification information of the corresponding class in the range stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause the predetermined storage media to store the verification information of the specified class and range.

4. The vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein

the stipulation table stipulates as a range to specify the verification information a predetermined time duration which includes a time when the automatic start-up of the predetermined vehicular system is executed.

5. A vehicular information storage apparatus in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a state information acquisition device configured to acquire vehicle state information of the vehicle;

a temporary storage device configured to store temporarily the vehicle state information acquired by the state information acquisition device;

a stipulation table storage device configured to store a stipulation table that stipulates an information specification reference for specifying verification information, which is used for verification of a defect cause, out of the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device; and

a control circuit configured to specify verification information used for verification of a defect cause from the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device based on the information specification reference stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause a predetermined storage media to store the specified verification information,

wherein the information specification reference in the stipulation table contains a predetermined set-up content and a class and a range of the verification information corresponding to the set-up content,

the control circuit being further configured to,

when the set-up content, which is stipulated in the stipulations table is executed,

specify the verification information of the corresponding class in the range stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause the predetermined storage media to store the verification information of the specified class and range.

6. The vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 5, wherein

the stipulation table stipulates as a range to specify the verification information a predetermined time duration which includes a time when the predetermined set-up content is changed.

7. A vehicular information storage apparatus in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a state information acquisition device configured to acquire vehicle state information of the vehicle;

a temporary storage device configured to store temporarily the vehicle state information acquired by the state information acquisition device;

a stipulation table storage device configured to store a stipulation table that stipulates an information specification reference for specifying verification information, which is used for verification of a defect cause, out of the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device; and

a control circuit configured to specify verification information used for verification of a defect cause from the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device based on the information specification reference stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause a predetermined storage media to store the specified verification information,

wherein the information specification reference in the stipulation table contains a departure from a registration point and a class and a range of the verification information corresponding to the departure,

the control circuit being further configured to,

when the departure from the registration point, which is stipulated in the stipulation table, is executed,

specify the verification information of the corresponding class in the range stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause the predetermined storage media to store the verification information of the specified class and range.

8. The vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein

the stipulation table stipulates as a range to specify the verification information a predetermined time duration which includes a time when the departure from the registration point is made.

9. A vehicular information storage apparatus in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a state information acquisition device configured to acquire vehicle state information of the vehicle;

a temporary storage device configured to store temporarily the vehicle state information acquired by the state information acquisition device;

a stipulation table storage device configured to store a stipulation table that stipulates an information specification reference for specifying verification information, which is used for verification of, a defect cause, out of the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device; and

a control circuit configured to specify verification information used for verification of a defect cause from the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device based on the information specification reference stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause a predetermined storage media to store the specified verification information,

wherein the information specification reference in the stipulation table contains an arrival to a destination and a class and a range of the verification information corresponding to the arrival,

the control circuit being further configured to,

when the arrival to the destination, which is stipulated in the stipulation table, is executed,

specify the verification information of the corresponding class in the range stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause the predetermined storage media to store the verification information of the specified class and range.

10. The vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 9, wherein

the stipulation table stipulates as a range to specify the verification information a predetermined time duration which includes a time when the arrival to the destination is made.

11. A vehicular information storage apparatus in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a state information acquisition device configured to acquire vehicle state information of the vehicle;

a temporary storage device configured to store temporarily the vehicle state information acquired by the state information acquisition device;

a stipulation table storage device configured to store a stipulation table that stipulates an information specification reference for specifying verification information, which is used for verification of a defect cause, out of the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device; and

a control circuit configured to specify verification information used for verification of a defect cause from the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device based on the information specification reference stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause a predetermined storage media to store the specified verification information,

wherein the information specification reference in the stipulation table contains a defect detection by a user and a class and a range of the verification information corresponding to the defect detection,

the control circuit being further configured to,

when the defect detection by the user, which is stipulated in the stipulation table, is executed,

specify the verification information of the corresponding class in the range stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause the predetermined storage media to store the verification information of the specified class and range.

12. The vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 11, wherein

the stipulation table stipulates as a range to specify the verification information a predetermined vicinity of a place where the defect detection is made by the user.

13. The vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 11, wherein

the stipulation table stipulates, as a range to specify the verification information, verification information acquired under a same travel condition as a travel condition at a time when the defect detection is made by the user.

14. A vehicular information storage apparatus in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a state information acquisition device configured to acquire vehicle state information of the vehicle;

a temporary storage device configured to store temporarily the vehicle state information acquired by the state information acquisition device;

a stipulation table storage device configured to store a stipulation table that stipulates an information specification reference for specifying verification information, which is used for verification of a defect cause, out of the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device; and

a control circuit configured to specify verification information used for verification of a defect cause from the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device based on the information specification reference stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause a predetermined storage media to store the specified verification information,

wherein the information specification reference in the stipulation table contains a reception of an instruction command and a class and a range of the verification information corresponding to the reception of the instruction command,

the control circuit being further configured to,

when the reception of the instruction command, which is stipulated in the stipulation table, is executed,

specify the verification information of the corresponding class in the range stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause the predetermined storage media to store the verification information of the specified class and range.

15. The vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 14, wherein

the stipulation table stipulates as a range to specify the verification information a predetermined time duration which starts from a time when the reception of the instruction command is made.

16. A vehicular information storage apparatus in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a state information acquisition device configured to acquire vehicle state information of the vehicle;

a temporary storage device configured to store temporarily the vehicle state information acquired by the state information acquisition device;

an input device configured to be used to input information indicating that a user recognizes a defect; and

a control circuit configured to

stipulate information specification reference to specify verification information, which is used for verification of a defect cause, based on the information inputted via the input device,

specify verification information used for verification of a defect cause out of the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device based on the stipulated information specification reference, and

cause a predetermined storage media to store the specified verification information,

the control circuit being further configured to,

when the verification information is not specified,

change the information specification reference and specify again verification information.

17. A vehicular information storage apparatus in a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a state information acquisition device configured to acquire vehicle state information of the vehicle;

a temporary storage device configured to store temporarily the vehicle state information acquired by the state information acquisition device;

a stipulation table storage device configured to store a stipulation table that stipulates an information specification reference for specifying verification information, which is used for verification of a defect cause, out of the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device;

a control circuit configured to specify verification information used for verification of a defect cause from the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device based on the information specification reference stipulated in the stipulation table, and cause a predetermined storage media to store the specified verification information; and

a communications area determination section configured to determine whether the vehicular information storage apparatus is inside or outside a communications area in which to communicate with an external information center,

the control circuit being further configured to specify verification information, which is used for verification of a defect cause, out of the vehicle state information stored in the temporary storage device, based on the information specification reference, which is differentiated according to a determination result of either being inside or outside the communications area by the communications area determination section.

18. The vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 17, wherein

when it is determined that the apparatus is located outside the communications area, the control circuit is further configured to specify the verification information in a predetermined range, which is less than a predetermined range where the verification information is specified when it is determined that the apparatus is inside the communications area.

19. The vehicular information storage apparatus according to claim 17, wherein

when it is determined that the apparatus is located outside the communications area, the control circuit is further configured to thin out in specifying the verification information.