Vehicle component diagnostic and update system

• US 6,434,455 B1
• Filed: 08/06/1999
• Issued: 08/13/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Melvin, Steven L., Handley, Edward, Starks, Matt W., Snow, Kevin D., Gooch, Douglas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US09/369,629
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/33, 701/32, 701/35, 709/101, 709/203, 709/213, 709/219
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2252 using fault dictionaries
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/052 software update
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/553 Data upload
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0036 where the data service is an information service

Abstract

A logistic service system includes a programmable vehicle module, a service computer, a central server, a first data link connecting the module to the service computer and a second data link connecting the service computer to the central server. Component information retrieved from the module and stored on the server is used to service the module. The component may be subjected to diagnostics or updated with new parameters.

Claims

1. A logistic service system comprising:

a re-programmable vehicle module;

a service computer;

a central server;

a first data link connecting said module to said service computer;

a second data link connecting said service computer to said central server; and

diagnostics, said diagnostics including

at least one of a fault code retrieved from said component module and isolated symptoms;

a diagnostics database on said central server; and

a debugging scenario, said debugging scenario determined by a comparison of said at least one fault code or said symptoms with corresponding information within said diagnostics database.

2. A logistic service system as recited in claim 1, wherein said fault code is retrieved by said service computer from said module by means of said first data link;

and said fault code is communicated to said server from said service computer by means of said second data link.

3. A logistic service system as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

component information, said component information being communicated to said server;

a list of all possible symptoms stored on said server, and

available symptoms, said server comparing said component information with said possible symptoms to provide said available symptoms, and wherein said symptoms are selected from said available symptoms.

4. A logistic service system as recited in claim 1, wherein said debugging scenario includes an isolation procedure, said isolation procedure associated with one of said fault code and said symptoms.

5. A logistic service system as recited in claim 4, wherein said isolation procedure includes component monitoring, said component monitoring including data retrieved from said component in real-time.

6. A logistic service system as recited in claim 4, wherein said data is selectively stored on said service computer and selectively transferred to said server.

7. A logistic service system comprising:

a re-programmable vehicle module, component information stored in said module representing information concerning said module and any components connected to said module;

a service computer;

a central server;

a first data link connecting said module to said service computer, said component information transferred from said module to said service computer through said first data link;

a second data link connecting said service computer to said central server, said component information transferred from said service computer to said server through said second link;

a component database stored on said server, said component database being updated with a sub-set of said component information; and

diagnostics, said diagnostics including

fault codes associated with said component information, at least one of said fault codes being transferred to said server,

a diagnostics database on said server,

a debugging scenario, said debugging scenario determined by a comparison of said fault code with a corresponding fault code in said diagnostics database, and

symptom analysis, a list of all possible symptoms being compared to said component information to generate a list of all available symptoms, diagnostic symptoms being manually selected from a listing of all said available symptoms.

8. A logistic service system as recited in claim 7, wherein said diagnostics include component monitoring, said component monitoring including data retrieved from said component in real-time.

9. A logistic service system as recited in claim 7, wherein said system includes component module updating, wherein said module updating includes parameters, said parameters including at least one of public parameters and private parameters, said parameters representing at least a sub-set of all available parameters, said available parameters generated by a comparison of said component information and a listing of all possible parameters, said parameters used to update said module, said module confirming said update.

10. A logistic service system as recited in claim 9, wherein said parameters include encrypted parameters, said encrypted parameters based in part on said component information so that they can only be decrypted by said module generated said component information.

11. A logistic service system as recited in claim 10, further including service activity recordation, said recordation tracking steps taken by said system in servicing said module and providing a resource for later diagnostics of said module.

12. A logistic service system as recited in claim 10, including various levels of user access to said system, said levels corresponding to options available for said diagnostics and said component module updating.

13. A logistic service system as recited in claim 7, wherein said component database includes both present and past component information, said present and past component information being used to customize servicing of said module, including providing a customized debugging scenario or a customized listing of available parameters for download as part of a component update.

14. A logistic service system comprising:

a re-programmable vehicle module;

a service computer;

a central server;

a first data link connecting said module to said service computer;

a second data link connecting said service computer to said central server; and

including various levels of user access to said system, determination of said access stored on said server.

15. A logistic service system comprising:

a re-programmable vehicle module;

a service compute;

a central server;

a first data link connecting said module to said service computer;

a second data link connecting said service computer to said central server; and

further including service activity recordation, said recordation tracking steps taken by said system in servicing said module, and providing a resource for later diagnostics of said module.

16. A logistic service system comprising:

a re-programmable vehicle module;

a service computer;

a central server;

a first data link connecting said module to said service computer,

a second data link connecting said service computer to said central server; and

further including component module updating, said module updating comprising at least one of public parameters and private parameters, said parameters representing a sub-set of all available parameters.

17. A logistic service system as recited in claim 16, further comprising:

component information, said component information being communicated to said server; and

a list of all possible parameters stored on said server, said server comparing said component information with said possible parameters to provide a listing of said available parameters, said parameters being selected from said available parameters.

18. A logistic service system as recited in claim 17, wherein said parameters are used to update said module, said module confirming said update and said service computer transmitting updated component information to said configuration database of said server.

19. A logistic service system as recited in claim 17, including encrypted parameters, said encrypted parameters relying in part on said component information to permit decryption only by said module to the exclusion of all other modules.

20. A logistic service system as recited in claim 19, wherein said parameters are only encrypted when said parameters include at least one of said private parameters.

21. A logistic service system as recited in claim 20, said parameters further including a saleable parameter, said saleable parameter being a private parameter associated with the payment of a fee.

22. A logistic service system comprising:

a re-programmable vehicle module, component information stored in said module representing information concerning said module and any components connected to said module;

a service computer;

a central server;

a first data link connecting said module to said service computer, said component information transferred from said module to said service computer through said first data link;

a second data link connecting said service computer to said central server, said component information transferred from said service computer to said server through said second link; and

a component database stored on said server, said component database being updated with at least a sub-set of said component information, said server storing said sub-set of said component information specifically for said module, permitting future analysis of said sub-set of said component information in connection with an analysis of said module, and wherein said component database includes both present and past component information, said present and past component information being used to customize servicing of said module.

23. A logistic service system as recited in claim 22, wherein present and past component information provides a customized debugging scenario or a customized listing of available parameters for download as part of a component update.

24. A logistic service system comprising:

a re-programmable vehicle module, component information stored in said module representing information concerning said module and any components connected to said module;

a service computer;

a central server;

a first data link connecting said module to said service computer, said component information transferred from said module to said service computer through said first data link;

a second data link connecting said service computer to said central server, said component information transferred from said service computer to said server through said second link;

a component database stored on said server, said component database being updated with at least a sub-set of said component information, said server storing said sub-set of said component information specifically for said module, permitting future analysis of said sub-set of said component information in connection with an analysis of said module;

fault codes associated with said component information, at least one of said fault codes being transferred to said server;

a diagnostics database on said server;

a debugging scenario, said debugging scenario determined by a comparison of said fault code with a corresponding fault code in said diagnostics database.

25. A logistic service system comprising:

a re-programmable vehicle module, component information stored in said module representing information concerning said module and any components connected to said module;

a service computer;

a central server;

a first data link connecting said module to said service computer, said component information transferred from said module to said service computer through said first data link;

a second data link connecting said service computer to said central server, said component information transferred from said service computer to said server through said second link;

a component database stored on said server, said component database being updated with at least a sub-set of said component information, said server storing said sub-set of said component information specifically for said module, permitting future analysis of said sub-set of said component information in connection with an analysis of said module, and

further comprising symptom analysis, a list of all possible symptoms being compared to said component information to generate a list of all available symptoms, diagnostic symptoms being manually selected from a listing of all said available symptoms.

26. A logistic service system comprising:

a re-programmable vehicle module, component information stored in said module representing information concerning said module and any components connected to said module;

a service computer;

a central server;

a first data link connecting said module to said service computer, said component information transferred from said module to said service computer through said first data link;

a second data link connecting said service computer to said central server, said component information transferred from said service computer to said server through said second link;

a component database stored on said server, said component database being updated with at least a sub-set of said component information, said server storing said sub-set of said component information specifically for said module, permitting future analysis of said sub-set of said component information in connection with an analysis of said module; and

wherein said system includes component module updating, said module updating having parameters, said parameters including at least one of public parameters and private parameters, said parameters representing at least a sub-set of all available parameters, said available parameters generated by a comparison of said component information and a listing of all possible parameters, said parameters used to update said module, and said module confirming said update.

27. A logistic service system as recited in claim 26, wherein said parameters include encrypted parameters, said encrypted parameters based in part on said component information so that they can only be decrypted by said module generated said component information.