Method and device for interpreting events and outputting operating instructions in motor vehicles

• US 20030144775A1
• Filed: 11/27/2002
• Published: 07/31/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Klausner, Markus
• Granted Patent: US 6,859,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0232 for measuring vehicle parameters and indicating critical, abnormal or dangerous conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0234 related to maintenance or repairing of vehicles

Abstract

A method and a device for event interpretation and output of operating instructions in motor vehicles are described. The inventive idea is to bundle the wealth of information regarding errors and/or defects resulting from the multitude of sensors and the complexity of modem vehicles, optionally linking it with empirical findings and outputting operating instructions to the driver, so that the instructions do not make excessive technical demands of the driver but instead are adapted to his/her instantaneous situation. The core of the inventive concept is to use an electronic database (24) which contains the technical information including the error codes of devices of the automotive sensor and electronic systems (18) for analysis of event information which informs the driver comprehensively and yet comprehensibly regarding the problems that have occurred. Likewise the database may be the target of an inquiry initiated by the driver.

Claims

1. A method of event interpretation and output of operating instructions in a motor vehicle system, including the steps:

compiling event information with respect to vehicle-relevant events from devices (18) of the vehicle electronic and sensor systems,

analyzing the event information by comparison with error codes of the devices (18) stored in a database system (24) and more extensive information regarding the error codes, and

outputting operating instructions to the driver for problem solving by the driver.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the events include:

system-diagnosed errors in devices (18) of the vehicle electronic or sensor systems, or

reaching or exceeding critical threshold values of quantities measured by sensors, or

the occurrence of predefined signal patterns emanating from the devices (18) of the vehicle electronic and/or sensor systems, or

inquiries by the driver.

3. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims, containing the step of analyzing the event information by comparison with predefined information regarding error code combinations.

4. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims, wherein whenever predetermined error code combinations and/or event combinations occur, the signals of predefined additional devices (18) are queried for the purpose of error diagnosis.

5. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims, containing the step of outputting the operating instructions to the driver acoustically via an audio output unit (12).

6. The method as recited in one of the preceding claims, containing the step of using input/output devices present in the vehicle anyway for input of messages and/or inquiries and/or for output of operating instructions to the driver.

7. A device for implementing the method as recited in one of the preceding claims, containing a system monitor (20) for compiling event information with respect to vehicle-relevant events from devices of the vehicle electronic and sensor systems and for analyzing the event information by comparison with information stored in a database system regarding error codes of the devices, and having an interface (12) for output of operating instructions to the driver for problem solving by the driver.

8. The device as recited in the preceding claim, additionally containing an input device (12) for input of messages and/or inquiries by the driver.

9. The device as recited in one of the preceding claim 7 or 8, additionally containing an interface for a wireless connection to a remote database for retrieving information regarding error codes and/or error code combinations.

10. The device as recited in one of the preceding claim 7 or 8, additionally containing a database (24) for retrieving information regarding error codes and/or error code combinations.

11. A memory card for connection to a device as recited one of claims 7 through 10, containing a database (24) having stored error codes or error code combinations together with the respective operating instructions, the error codes and/or error code combinations being based on devices of vehicle electronic and/or sensor systems, and the operating instructions being outputtable to the driver.