Computer assisted vehicle service featuring signature analysis and artificial intelligence

• US 4,796,206 A
• Filed: 06/02/1986
• Issued: 01/03/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Prince, Jeffrey E., Kurtz, Hobart L., Boscove, Joseph A., Wiegand, William P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Gary
• Assistant Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Application Number:
  US06/869,534
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 364/550, 364/551, 364/431.01, 364/424, 73/116, 73/117.3
• US Class Current: 701/99
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: F02P 17/00 Testing of ignition installations, e.g. in combination with adjusting testing fuel injection apparatus F02M65/00; testing ignition installations in general F23Q23/00; Testing of ignition timing in compression-ignition engines
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 15/05 by combined monitoring of two or more different engine parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2205 using arrangements specific to the hardware being tested
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2257 using expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2273 Test methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/32 with visual or acoustical indication of the functioning of the machine

Abstract

A computer based technician terminal is connected to a vehicle being serviced using an assembly line data link (ALDL) connection from an on-board computer. The data link provides status information and fault codes. The technician is led through various procedures. During set up, the technician connects an ALDL cable from the terminal to the vehicle, the vehicle indentification number (VIN) is entered and vehicle options are identified. A fault detection procedure (FDP) in the terminal detects vehicle malfunctions by interrogating data received (via the ALDL) from the on-board computer. A fault analysis procedure (FAP), using the fault codes from a table as arguments, does a sequential compare against the contents of a fault analysis table containing fault codes. In a fault sequencing procedure (FSP), for each fault code passed by the FAP, there is a list containing the name(s) of one or more isolation procedures. A fault isolation procedure (FIP) is provided for electrical or electronic components on the vehicle to perform a complete test of the related part using a multifunction test probe. Fault repair procedures guide the technician through the proper steps to accomplish the repair, replacement or adjustment required.

Claims

1. A diagnostic method for use in diagnosing a vehicle utilizing a diagnostic system, the vehicle having an on-board computer control system for monitoring and controlling vehicle functions and the diagnostic system including a technician terminal having a diagnostic controller for processing diagnostic signals representative of vehicle conditions, said controller having data entry means, data output means and storage means for storing vehicle parameters and diagnostic routines and said terminal having a display means for providing instructions for fault repair sequences, said method comprising the steps of:

(1) displaying a main menu on said display means from which a vehicle setup is initiated including connecting the vehicle to the terminal and identifying the vehicle and any vehicle options;

(2) utilizing a Fault Detection Procedure for detecting vehicle malfunctions by interrogating data received from said on-board computer during different vehicle states;

ignition on (not running), engine cranking, engine idling and engine at higher speed and comparing said data with known parameters in said diagnostic controller storage means, any faults detected being stored in a fault table by fault code;

(3) analyzing by a Fault Analysis Procedure the detected fault codes stored in the fault table by comparison with fault codes stored in a Fault Analysis Table to indicate a specific component suspected of being at fault, the Fault Analysis Table being periodically up-dated from a host data base by statistical analysis of prior service reports and the Fault Analysis Procedure supplying all fault codes in the Fault Analysis Table that match one or more of those provided by the Fault Detection Procedure;

(4) accessing and selecting in a Fault Sequencing Procedure, for each fault supplied by the Fault Analysis Procedure, one or more isolation procedures stored in a light in said diagnostic controller, such list each being related to a particular component in said vehicle and also being periodically updated from said host data base, the Fault Sequencing Procedure initiating execution of the procedure at the top of the list;

(5) utilizing said selected Fault Isolation Procedure and additional Fault Isolation Procedures in said list for testing of a related part in said vehicle by providing guidance via said display means for repairing, replacing or adjusting the related component.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

repeating the selected one or more Fault Isolation Procedures in the event a check determines that the fault has not been corrected.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

transmitting results of the Fault Isolation Procedures to a host computer for analysis.

4. A diagnostic method for use in diagnosing a vehicle utilizing a diagnostic system, the vehicle having an on-board computer control system for monitoring and controlling vehicle functions and the diagnostic system including a technician terminal having a diagnostic controller for processing diagnostic signals representative of vehicle conditions said controller having data entry means, data output means and storage means for storing vehicle parameters and diagnostic routines and said technician terminal having a display means for providing instructions for fault repair sequences, said method comprising the steps of:

(1) displaying a main menu on said display means from which a vehicle setup is initiated including connecting the vehicle to the terminal and identifying the vehicle and any vehicle options;

(2) utilizing a Fault Detection Procedure for detecting vehicle malfunctions by interrogating data received from said on-board computer during different vehicle states;

ignition on (not running), engine cranking, engine idling and engine at higher speed and comparing said data with known parameters in said diagnostic controller storage means, any faults detected being stored in a fault table by fault code;

(3) analyzing by a Fault Analysis Procedure the detected fault codes stored in the fault table by comparison with lines of fault codes stored in a first portion of a Fault Analysis Table to indicate a specific component suspected of being at fault, accessing and selecting for each fault supplied by the Fault Analysis Procedure, one or more Fault Isolation Procedures stored in the form of fault code lists in a second portion of said Fault Analysis Table, such lists each being related to a particular component in said vehicle, storing one or more selected Fault Isolation Procedures in a predetermined order, the Fault Analysis Procedure initiating execution of the first Fault Isolation Procedure at the top of each list;

(4) utilizing the said first Fault Isolation Procedure and additional stored Fault Isolation Procedures if required, for testing of a related component in said vehicle by providing guidance via said display means for repairing, replacing or adjusting the related component.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of:

repeating the selected one or more Fault Isolation Procedures in the event a check determines that the fault has not been corrected.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of:

transmitting results of the Fault Isolation Procedures to a host computer for analysis.