Vehicle diagnostic test and reporting method

• US 7,920,944 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2005
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Gould, Garett W., McLaurin, Gregory S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): BEHNCKE, CHRISTINE M
• Application Number:
  US11/163,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20070093947A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,992 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/1, 701/33, 701/35, 704/270, 704/274, 455/412.1, 340/426.14, 340/438, 340/457, 340/523, 340/945, 340/425.5, 702/183, 702/185
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of periodically obtaining additional pre-recorded voice messages from a remote location.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said diagnostic system periodically checks for said additional pre-recorded voice messages from the remote location.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said remote location initiates downloading of said additional pre-recorded voice messages when available.

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:

(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.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of periodically obtaining additional pre-recorded voice messages from a remote location.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said diagnostic system periodically checks for said additional pre-recorded voice messages from the remote location.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said remote location initiates downloading of said additional pre-recorded voice messages when available.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein step (e) further comprises generating one or more diagnostic trouble codes in response to the diagnostic check, and step (f) further comprises accessing the second voice message using the diagnostic trouble code.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein step (b) further comprises performing a vehicle diagnostic check of various vehicle conditions and generating diagnostic information relating to the outcome of the diagnostic check, and wherein step (c) further comprises accessing a pre-recorded voice message containing one or more instructions concerning corrective action to be taken by the vehicle user.

11. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of providing the vehicle user with an option to communicate with at least one of a call center or a service center.

12. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of connecting the vehicle user with voice communication to a call center using a wireless communication device located on board the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of connecting the vehicle user with voice communication to a vehicle service center using a mobile vehicle communications system.

14. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of providing to the vehicle user directions to a nearby vehicle service center.

15. A diagnostic test and reporting method for a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

(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.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, after step (d), the step of informing the vehicle user via an audio message that the diagnostic check is being conducted.