Vehicle diagnostic test and reporting method
First Claim
1. A diagnostic test and reporting method for a vehicle having an onboard diagnostic system, an instrument panel display containing at least one warning light or other visual indicator connected to the diagnostic system to provide a visual warning to a vehicle user, and a telematics unit that communicates with the diagnostic system and enables voice communication between the vehicle user and an advisor at a call center via a wireless connection, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving a request for a vehicle diagnostic test from the vehicle user through a user interface of the telematics unit;
(b) determining whether a visual warning is present on the instrument panel display and, if so, accessing and playing a pre-recorded voice message that provides information concerning the visual warning;
(c) performing a vehicle diagnostic check of various vehicle conditions and generating diagnostic data resulting from the diagnostic check;
(d) accessing and playing a second pre-recorded voice message associated with the diagnostic data, the second voice message containing one or more instructions concerning corrective action to be taken by the vehicle user,(e) providing the vehicle user with an option to communicate with the advisor via voice communication over the wireless connection; and
(f) initiating the wireless connection to the advisor if the user accepts the option;
wherein steps (a) through (e) are carried out at the vehicle without initiating any wireless connection to the call center.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing user-initiated vehicle diagnostic testing and reporting in a telematics-enabled vehicle. In the method, a request for a vehicle diagnostic test is received from the driver through a user interface of a telematics unit on the vehicle. A simplified initial diagnostic check is made and a first voice message is played for the driver that provides information concerning any detected vehicle problem. The method then undergoes a more complete diagnostic check and the resulting diagnostic information is used to select and play a second voice message that provides instructions for taking corrective action to fix the detected problem. Communication with a live advisor is also provided by way of a cellular or other wireless carrier system.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A diagnostic test and reporting method for a vehicle having an onboard diagnostic system, an instrument panel display containing at least one warning light or other visual indicator connected to the diagnostic system to provide a visual warning to a vehicle user, and a telematics unit that communicates with the diagnostic system and enables voice communication between the vehicle user and an advisor at a call center via a wireless connection, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a request for a vehicle diagnostic test from the vehicle user through a user interface of the telematics unit; (b) determining whether a visual warning is present on the instrument panel display and, if so, accessing and playing a pre-recorded voice message that provides information concerning the visual warning; (c) performing a vehicle diagnostic check of various vehicle conditions and generating diagnostic data resulting from the diagnostic check; (d) accessing and playing a second pre-recorded voice message associated with the diagnostic data, the second voice message containing one or more instructions concerning corrective action to be taken by the vehicle user, (e) providing the vehicle user with an option to communicate with the advisor via voice communication over the wireless connection; and (f) initiating the wireless connection to the advisor if the user accepts the option; wherein steps (a) through (e) are carried out at the vehicle without initiating any wireless connection to the call center. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A diagnostic system test and reporting method for a vehicle having an onboard diagnostic system and a telematics unit that communicates with the diagnostic system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a request for a vehicle diagnostic test from a vehicle user through a user interface of the telematics unit; (b) obtaining existing diagnostic status information from the diagnostic system in response to the request, wherein the exiting diagnostic status information relates to a check-engine light supplied by the vehicle to the vehicle user; (c) accessing a pre-recorded voice message associated with the diagnostic status information, wherein the pre-recorded voice message comprises an informational message concerning the existing diagnostic status information; and (d) playing the pre-recorded voice message for the vehicle user;
wherein steps (a)through (d) carried out at the vehicle without initiating a wireless communication from the vehicle to a remote device;(e) performing a vehicle diagnostic check of various vehicle conditions and generating diagnostic data resulting from the diagnostic check; (f) accessing a second pre-recorded voice message associated with the diagnostic data, the second voice message containing one or more instructions concerning corrective action to be taken by the vehicle user; and (g) playing the second pre-recorded voice message for the vehicle user. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A diagnostic test and reporting method for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a request for a vehicle diagnostic test from a vehicle user through a user interface of the telematics unit; (b) obtaining existing diagnostic status information in response to the request; (c) accessing a first pre-recorded voice message associated with the existing diagnostic status information; (d) playing the first pre-recorded voice message for the vehicle user; (e) performing a diagnostic check of one or more vehicle system modules installed in the vehicle; (f) accessing a second pre-recorded voice message based on a result of the diagnostic check; and (g) playing the second pre-recorded voice message for the vehicle user. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification