Methods and Systems for Clustering of Repair Orders Based on Alternative Repair Indicators

• US 20170032333A1
• Filed: 07/31/2015
• Published: 02/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Inventors: Foreman, Jacob G., Merg, Patrick S., Lewis, Bradley R.
• Granted Patent: US 10,380,557 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/02 Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/08 Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

Methods and systems may relate to clustering of repair orders based on alternative repair indicators. Accordingly, a processor may determine that a particular computer-readable vehicle repair order (RO) corresponds to an existing cluster of ROs due to the particular RO including data that refers to a particular vehicle symptom. This existing cluster may be arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom. In response to determining that the particular RO correspond to the existing cluster, the processor may determine that the particular RO includes data indicating an alternative repair that defines a vehicle repair for resolving the particular vehicle symptom other than by replacement of a particular vehicle component. Responsively, the processor may add the particular RO to a different cluster of ROs. This different cluster may be arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the alternative repair.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining, by at least one processor, that a particular computer-readable vehicle repair order (RO) corresponds to an existing cluster of computer-readable vehicle repair orders (ROs) due to the particular RO including data that refers to a particular vehicle symptom, wherein the existing cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom;

in response to determining that the particular RO corresponds to the existing cluster, the at least one processor determining that the particular RO includes data indicating an alternative repair that defines a vehicle repair for resolving the particular vehicle symptom other than by replacement of a particular vehicle component; and

in response to determining that the particular RO includes the data indicating the alternative repair, the at least one processor adding the particular RO to a different cluster of ROs, wherein the different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the alternative repair.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular RO comprises a new RO that is received by the at least one processor prior to the particular RO being added to any of the existing cluster and the different cluster.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

in response to determining that the particular RO includes data indicating the alternative repair, the at least one processor also adding the particular RO to the existing cluster such that the particular RO is contained in both the existing cluster and the different cluster.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the particular RO corresponds to the existing cluster comprises determining that the particular RO is already contained in the existing cluster.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

in response to determining that the particular RO includes data indicating the alternative repair, the at least one processor keeping the particular RO in the existing cluster such that the particular RO is contained in both the existing cluster and the different cluster.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

in response to determining that the particular RO includes data indicating the alternative repair, the at least one processor also removing the particular RO from the existing cluster such that the particular RO is no longer contained in the existing cluster.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein adding the particular RO to a different cluster comprises:

the at least one processor referring to a computer-readable medium to determine whether or not the computer-readable medium contains the different cluster;

if the computer-readable medium contains the different cluster, the at least one processor adding the particular RO to the different cluster; and

if the computer-readable medium does not contain the different cluster, the at least one processor (i) generating the different cluster such that the different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the alternative repair and (ii) adding the particular RO to the generated different cluster.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein adding the particular RO to a different cluster further comprises:

if the computer-readable medium does not contain the different cluster, the at least one processor also storing the generated different cluster in the computer-readable medium.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the data indicating the alternative repair comprises data indicating at least a first alternative repair and a second alternative repair.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein arranging the different cluster to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the alternative repair comprises:

arranging the different cluster to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the first and second alternative repairs.

11. The method of claim 9,

wherein the different cluster comprises at least a first different cluster and a second different cluster,

wherein the first different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the first alternative repair, and

wherein the second different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the second alternative repair.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the particular vehicle symptom includes a particular diagnostic trouble code (DTC) identifier.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the alternative repair comprises one or more of:

(i) cleaning of the particular vehicle component, (ii) recalibration of the particular vehicle component, (iii) removal of the particular vehicle component, (iv) addition of the particular vehicle component, (v) adjustment to the particular vehicle component, (vi) fixing of the particular vehicle component, and (vii) reprogramming of the particular vehicle component, (viii) aligning of the particular vehicle component, (ix) rebalancing of the particular vehicle component, (x) welding of the particular vehicle component, (xi) re-securing of the particular vehicle component, (xii) rewiring of the particular vehicle component, (xxiii) shimming of the particular vehicle component.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein arranging the existing cluster to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom comprises arranging the existing cluster to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom without also corresponding to the replacement of the particular vehicle component to resolve the particular vehicle symptom.

15. A method comprising:

determining, by at least one processor, that a particular computer-readable vehicle repair order (RO) corresponds to an existing cluster of computer-readable vehicle repair orders (ROs) due to the particular RO including data that refers to a particular vehicle symptom and to replacement of a particular vehicle component for resolving the particular vehicle symptom, wherein the existing cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the replacement of the particular vehicle component for resolving the particular vehicle symptom;

in response to determining that the particular RO corresponds to the existing cluster, the at least one processor determining that the particular RO includes data indicating an alternative repair that defines a vehicle repair for resolving the particular vehicle symptom other than by the replacement of the particular vehicle component; and

in response to determining that the particular RO includes the data indicating the alternative repair, the at least one processor adding the particular RO to a different cluster of ROs, wherein the different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom, to the replacement of the particular vehicle component, and to the alternative repair.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the particular RO comprises a new RO that is received by the at least one processor prior to the particular RO being added to any of the existing cluster and the different cluster.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

in response to determining that the particular RO includes data indicating the alternative repair, the at least one processor also adding the particular RO to the existing cluster such that the particular RO is contained in both the existing cluster and the different cluster.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein determining that the particular RO corresponds to the existing cluster comprises determining that the particular RO is already contained in the existing cluster.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

in response to determining that the particular RO includes data indicating the alternative repair, the at least one processor keeping the particular RO in the existing cluster such that the particular RO is contained in both the existing cluster and the different cluster.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

in response to determining that the particular RO includes data indicating the alternative repair, the at least one processor also removing the particular RO from the existing cluster such that the particular RO is no longer contained in the existing cluster.

21. The method of claim 15, wherein adding the particular RO to a different cluster comprises:

the at least one processor referring to computer-readable medium to determine whether or not the computer-readable medium contains the different cluster;

if the computer-readable medium contains the different cluster, the at least one processor adding the particular RO to the different cluster; and

if the computer-readable medium does not contain the different cluster, the at least one processor (i) generating the different cluster such that the different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom, to the replacement of the particular vehicle component, and to the alternative repair, and (ii) adding the particular RO to the generated different cluster.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein adding the particular RO to a different cluster further comprises:

if the computer-readable medium does not contain the different cluster, the at least one processor also storing the generated different cluster in the computer-readable medium.

23. The method of claim 15, wherein the data indicating the alternative repair comprises data indicating at least a first alternative repair and a second alternative repair.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein arranging the different cluster to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom, to the replacement of the particular vehicle component, and to the alternative repair comprises:

arranging the different cluster to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom, to the replacement of the particular vehicle component, and to the first and second alternative repairs.

25. The method of claim 23,

wherein the different cluster comprises at least a first different cluster and a second different cluster,

wherein the first different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom, to the replacement of the particular vehicle component, and to the first alternative repair, and

wherein the second different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom, to the replacement of the particular vehicle component, and to the second alternative repair.

26. The method of claim 15, wherein the particular vehicle symptom includes a particular diagnostic trouble code (DTC) identifier.

27. The method of claim 15, wherein the alternative repair comprises one or more of:

(i) cleaning of the particular vehicle component, (ii) recalibration of the particular vehicle component, (iii) removal of the particular vehicle component, (iv) addition of the particular vehicle component, (v) adjustment to the particular vehicle component, (vi) fixing of the particular vehicle component, and (vii) reprogramming of the particular vehicle component, (viii) aligning of the particular vehicle component, (ix) rebalancing of the particular vehicle component, (x) welding of the particular vehicle component, (xi) re-securing of the particular vehicle component, (xii) rewiring of the particular vehicle component, (xxiii) shimming of the particular vehicle component.

28. A computing system comprising:

a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of clusters of computer-readable vehicle repair orders (ROs); and

at least one processor coupled to the computer-readable medium and programmed to;

determine that a particular computer-readable vehicle repair order (RO) corresponds to an existing cluster of ROs, from among the plurality of clusters, due to the particular RO including data that refers to a particular vehicle symptom, wherein the existing cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom;

in response to determining that the particular RO corresponds to the existing cluster, determine that the particular RO includes data indicating an alternative repair that defines a vehicle repair for resolving the particular vehicle symptom other than by replacement of a particular vehicle component; and

in response to determining that the particular RO includes the data indicating the alternative repair, add the particular RO to a different cluster of ROs, wherein the different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the alternative repair.

29. The computing system of claim 28, wherein the particular RO comprises a new RO that is received by the at least one processor prior to the particular RO being added to any of the existing cluster and the different cluster.

30. The computing system of claim 29, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:

in response to determining that the particular RO includes data indicating the alternative repair, also add the particular RO to the existing cluster such that the particular RO is contained in both the existing cluster and the different cluster.

31. The computing system of claim 28, wherein determining that the particular RO corresponds to the existing cluster comprises determining that the particular RO is already contained in the existing cluster.

32. The computing system of claim 31, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:

in response to determining that the particular RO includes data indicating the alternative repair, keep the particular RO in the existing cluster such that the particular RO is contained in both the existing cluster and the different cluster.

33. The computing system of claim 31, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:

in response to determining that the particular RO includes data indicating the alternative repair, also remove the particular RO from the existing cluster such that the particular RO is no longer contained in the existing cluster.

34. The computing system of claim 28, wherein adding the particular RO to a different cluster comprises:

referring to the computer-readable medium to determine whether or not the plurality of clusters include the different cluster;

if the plurality of clusters include the different cluster, adding the particular RO to the different cluster; and

if the plurality of clusters do not include the different cluster, (i) generating the different cluster such that the different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the alternative repair and (ii) adding the particular RO to the generated different cluster.

35. The computing system of claim 34, wherein adding the particular RO to a different cluster further comprises:

if the plurality of clusters do not include the different cluster, also storing the generated different cluster in the computer-readable medium.

36. The computing system of claim 28, wherein the data indicating the alternative repair comprises data indicating at least a first alternative repair and a second alternative repair.

37. The computing system of claim 36, wherein arranging the different cluster to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the alternative repair comprises:

arranging the different cluster to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the first and second alternative repairs.

38. The computing system of claim 36,

wherein the different cluster comprises at least a first different cluster and a second different cluster,

wherein the first different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the first alternative repair, and

wherein the second different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the second alternative repair.

39. The computing system of claim 28, wherein the particular vehicle symptom includes a particular diagnostic trouble code (DTC) identifier.

40. The computing system of claim 28, wherein the alternative repair comprises one or more of:

(i) cleaning of the particular vehicle component, (ii) recalibration of the particular vehicle component, (iii) removal of the particular vehicle component, (iv) addition of the particular vehicle component, (v) adjustment to the particular vehicle component, (vi) fixing of the particular vehicle component, and (vii) reprogramming of the particular vehicle component, (viii) aligning of the particular vehicle component, (ix) rebalancing of the particular vehicle component, (x) welding of the particular vehicle component, (xi) re-securing of the particular vehicle component, (xii) rewiring of the particular vehicle component, (xxiii) shimming of the particular vehicle component.

41. The computing system of claim 28, wherein arranging the existing cluster to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom comprises arranging the existing cluster to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom without also corresponding to the replacement of the particular vehicle component to resolve the particular vehicle symptom.

42. A computing system comprising:

a computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of clusters of computer-readable vehicle repair orders (ROs); and

at least one processor coupled to the computer-readable medium and programmed to;

determine that a particular computer-readable vehicle repair order (RO) corresponds to an existing cluster of ROs, from among the plurality of clusters, due to the particular RO including data that refers to a particular vehicle symptom and to replacement of a particular vehicle component for resolving the particular vehicle symptom, wherein the existing cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the replacement of the particular vehicle component for resolving the particular vehicle symptom;

in response to determining that the particular RO corresponds to the existing cluster, determine that the particular RO includes data indicating an alternative repair that defines a vehicle repair for resolving the particular vehicle symptom other than by the replacement of the particular vehicle component; and

in response to determining that the particular RO includes the data indicating the alternative repair, add the particular RO to a different cluster of ROs, wherein the different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom, to the replacement of the particular vehicle component, and to the alternative repair.

43. The computing system of claim 42, wherein the particular RO comprises a new RO that is received by the at least one processor prior to the particular RO being added to any of the existing cluster and the different cluster.

44. The computing system of claim 43, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:

in response to determining that the particular RO includes data indicating the alternative repair, also add the particular RO to the existing cluster such that the particular RO is contained in both the existing cluster and the different cluster.

45. The computing system of claim 42, wherein determining that the particular RO corresponds to the existing cluster comprises determining that the particular RO is already contained in the existing cluster.

46. The computing system of claim 45, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:

in response to determining that the particular RO includes data indicating the alternative repair, keep the particular RO in the existing cluster such that the particular RO is contained in both the existing cluster and the different cluster.

47. The computing system of claim 45, wherein the at least one processor is further programmed to:

in response to determining that the particular RO includes data indicating the alternative repair, also remove the particular RO from the existing cluster such that the particular RO is no longer contained in the existing cluster.

48. The computing system of claim 42, wherein adding the particular RO to a different cluster comprises:

referring to the computer-readable medium to determine whether or not the plurality of clusters include the different cluster;

if the plurality of clusters include the different cluster, adding the particular RO to the different cluster; and

if the plurality of clusters do not include the different cluster, (i) generating the different cluster such that the different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom, to the replacement of the particular vehicle component, and to the alternative repair, and (ii) adding the particular RO to the generated different cluster.

49. The computing system of claim 48, wherein adding the particular RO to a different cluster further comprises:

if the plurality of clusters do not include the different cluster, also storing the generated different cluster in the computer-readable medium.

50. The computing system of claim 42, wherein the data indicating the alternative repair comprises data indicating at least a first alternative repair and a second alternative repair.

51. The computing system of claim 50, wherein arranging the different cluster to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom, to the replacement of the particular vehicle component, and to the alternative repair comprises:

arranging the different cluster to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom, to the replacement of the particular vehicle component, and to the first and second alternative repairs.

52. The computing system of claim 50,

wherein the different cluster comprises at least a first different cluster and a second different cluster,

wherein the first different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom, to the replacement of the particular vehicle component, and to the first alternative repair, and

wherein the second different cluster is arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom, to the replacement of the particular vehicle component, and to the second alternative repair.

53. The computing system of claim 42, wherein the particular vehicle symptom includes a particular diagnostic trouble code (DTC) identifier.

54. The computing system of claim 42, wherein the alternative repair comprises one or more of:

(i) cleaning of the particular vehicle component, (ii) recalibration of the particular vehicle component, (iii) removal of the particular vehicle component, (iv) addition of the particular vehicle component, (v) adjustment to the particular vehicle component, (vi) fixing of the particular vehicle component, and (vii) reprogramming of the particular vehicle component, (viii) aligning of the particular vehicle component, (ix) rebalancing of the particular vehicle component, (x) welding of the particular vehicle component, (xi) re-securing of the particular vehicle component, (xii) rewiring of the particular vehicle component, (xxiii) shimming of the particular vehicle component.