Process for Service Diagnostic and Service Procedures Enhancement

• US 20120116630A1
• Filed: 11/10/2010
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Howell, Mark N., Salman, Mutasim A., Tang, Xidong, Zhang, Yilu, De, Soumen, Chakrabarty, Sugato, Chougule, Rahul, Bandyopadhyay, Pulak, Holland, Steven W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,463,485 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0639 Performance analysis of employees; Performance analysis of enterprise or organisation operations

Abstract

A method is provided for enhancing service diagnostics utilizing service repair data of previously serviced vehicles. Service repair data of previously serviced vehicles is obtained from a memory storage device. The service data is compiled into a service diagnostic code dataset and a service labor code dataset. The service diagnostic code dataset and service labor code dataset are categorized into an electronic data table. Respective combinations are formed in the electronic data table. An aggregate count is determined for each respective combination in the electronic data table. Either of a respective diagnostic code or a respective service labor code is identified having a correlation with more than one of either service diagnostic codes or service labor codes. At least one of a service repair procedure used to repair the vehicle or a respective service diagnostic code used to identify the fault is modified in response to analyzing the respective combinations.

Claims

1. A method of enhancing service diagnostics utilizing service repair data of previously serviced vehicles, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining the service repair data of previously serviced vehicles from a memory storage device;

compiling the service data into a service diagnostic code dataset and a service labor code dataset utilizing a processor based device, wherein the service diagnostic code dataset includes reported diagnostic trouble codes that identify a detected fault, wherein the service labor code dataset includes reported repair codes used to repair the vehicle in response to the identified detected fault;

categorizing the service diagnostic code dataset and service labor code dataset into an electronic data table utilizing the processor based device, wherein respective combinations are formed in the electronic data table between at least one respective service diagnostic code and at least one respective service labor code for each reported repair;

determining an aggregate count for each respective combination in the electronic data table;

identifying either of a respective diagnostic code or a respective service labor code that has a correlation with more than one of either service diagnostic codes or service labor codes; and

modifying at least one of a service repair procedure used to repair the vehicle or a respective service diagnostic code used to identify the fault in response to analyzing the respective combinations.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of compiling service data into a service diagnostic code dataset and a service labor code dataset includes compiling service data related only to a specific vehicle manufacturer.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the steps of compiling service data into a service diagnostic code dataset and a service labor code dataset includes compiling service data related only to a specific model of vehicle.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the steps of compiling service data into a service diagnostic code dataset and a service labor code dataset includes compiling service data related only to dealerships servicing the specific model of vehicle.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein analyzing respective combinations comprise the following steps:

identifying a diagnostic trouble code that includes a combination having an aggregate count above a first predetermined threshold;

identifying one or more combinations that include the diagnostic trouble code wherein the aggregate count is less than a second predetermined threshold; and

performing a corrective action to prevent further repairs relating to a respective labor code for each combination that was determined to be less than the second predetermined threshold.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein analyzing respective combinations comprise the following steps:

identifying combinations that include the diagnostic trouble code and respective labor codes wherein the aggregate count is evenly distributed between the identified combinations;

refining the correlation electronic data table to evaluate one of either a class of vehicles or a group of dealerships;

identifying a root cause of the fault in response to the aggregate counts of the refined correlation electronic data table; and

performing a corrective action for modifying the service diagnostics to identify a root cause of the fault.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the corrective action further includes modifying the DTC codes.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the corrective action further includes modifying service repair procedures.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the corrective action further includes enhancing service repair technician training.

10. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of refining the electronic data table for compiling service data utilizing service data that relates only to a specific vehicle manufacturer.

11. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of refining the electronic data table for compiling service data utilizing service data that relates only to a specific type of vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of refining the electronic data table for compiling service data utilizing service data that relates only to specific dealerships.

13. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of refining the electronic data table for compiling service data utilizing service data that relates only to a specific type of vehicle engine.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of refining the electronic data table for compiling service data utilizing service data that relates to vehicles having a mileage over a predetermined mileage.

15. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of refining the electronic data table for compiling service data utilizing service data that relates to vehicles over a predetermined age.

16. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of refining the electronic data table for compiling service data utilizing service data that relates only to specific dealerships within a respective region.

17. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of refining the electronic data table for compiling service data utilizing service data that relates only to vehicles over a predetermined mileage.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the aggregate count is based on real-time service data collected within a predetermined period of time.