Combined evidence vehicle health monitoring

• US 8,099,206 B2
• Filed: 10/24/2008
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Shin, Kwang-Keun, Salman, Mutasim A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCPARTLIN, SARAH BURNHAM
• Application Number:
  US12/257,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20100106357A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 701/22, 701/29, 701/36, 340/425.5, 340/438, 340/439, 340/455, 903/903
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005

Abstract

A method is provided for fusing a plurality of self-contained diagnostics for generating a combined state of belief for a monitored system. A plurality of predetermined diagnostic states of self-contained diagnostic routines is executed. Each self-contained routine generates a respective state of belief result for the monitored system. Respective belief vectors are formulated as a function of belief results. A state space is provided that includes a plurality of sub-state spaces. Each of the sub-state spaces is representative of the predetermined diagnostic states of the monitored system. Belief vectors are assigned to the sub-state spaces of the state space. Belief vectors relating to each sub-state space are fused. A combined belief value is determined for each fused sub-state space. The sub-state space having the highest combined belief value is indicated in response to the determined probabilities as the actual diagnostic state of the monitored system.

Claims

1. A method for fusing a plurality of self-contained diagnostics for generating a combined state of belief for a monitored system, the method comprising:

executing a plurality of predetermined diagnostic states of self-contained diagnostic routines, each self-contained routine generating a respective state of belief result for the monitored system;

formulating respective belief vectors as a function of belief results of the executed plurality of predetermined diagnostic states;

providing a state space including a plurality of sub-state spaces, each of the sub-state spaces representative of the predetermined diagnostic states of the monitored system;

assigning each belief vector to the sub-state spaces of the state space;

fusing each of the belief vectors of each sub-state space;

determining a combined belief value for each fused sub-state space;

comparing the combined belief values of each fused sub-state space;

identifying the sub-state space having the highest combined belief value.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the state of belief is selected from a binary condition state.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of formulating the belief vectors includes converting the accumulated results to a comparable standard.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of fusing the each of the belief vectors includes combining each belief vector within a respective sub-state space.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining the belief value includes generating a belief value associated with each respective sub-state space of the state space.

6. The method of claim 1 the step of identifying the sub-state space having the highest combined belief value includes summing the combined belief values of each of the respective sub-state spaces and determining which respective sub-state space includes a highest belief value.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the self-contained diagnostic comprises a diagnostic for a vehicle-related monitoring system.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the vehicle related monitoring system includes a battery monitoring system.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the self-contained diagnostic for the battery monitoring system includes state of health monitoring routines.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the self-contained diagnostic for the battery monitoring system includes state of charge monitoring routines.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the self-contained diagnostic for the battery monitoring system includes state of function monitoring routines.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the self-contained diagnostic for the battery monitoring system includes at least one of a state of health monitoring routine, a state of charge monitoring routine, and a state of function monitoring routines.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of the sub-state spaces is identifiable with a fully charged battery state, wherein a charged battery message is provided in response to highest combined belief value being associated with the fully charged battery state.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of the sub-state spaces is identifiable with a re-charge battery state, where a re-charge battery message is provided in response to the highest combined belief value being associated with the recharged battery state.

15. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of the sub-state spaces is identifiable with a replace battery action, wherein a replace battery message is provided in response to the highest combined belief value being associated with the replace battery action sub-state space.

16. A diagnostic system for a vehicle-related system comprising:

at least one sensor for monitoring a characteristic of a vehicle-related sub-system; and

a processing unit for executing a plurality of vehicle system-related monitoring routines, the processing unit identifying a state of belief for each monitoring routine and assigning a belief vector to one of a plurality of battery sub-state spaces within a state space;

a fusing framework for combining the results of each of the executed monitoring routines for each respective sub-state space, the fusing framework determining a combined belief value of each fused sub-state space, the fusing framework identifying the sub-state having the highest combined belief value.

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising a status indicator, the status indictor providing a message to a driver of a vehicle indicating a state of condition of the respective monitored system.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the message provides a recommended corrective action for maintenance of the battery.

19. The system of claim 16 further wherein the vehicle-related system comprises a vehicle battery monitoring system.

20. The system of claim 19 further wherein the processing unit and the fusing framework are integrated as part of a battery control module.