System and method for crowdsourcing vehicle-related analytics

• US 9,384,597 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2014
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Telogis Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Koch, Jason Mathew, Sargent, Mark, Jelinek, Howard
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): GOLDMAN, RICHARD A
• Application Number:
  US14/201,485
• Publication Number:
  US 20140277902A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means

Abstract

Currently vehicles typically include an engine computer that outputs diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) that are indicative of some fault condition in a vehicle. DTCs can tell a specific problem with a particular part such as that a cylinder in an engine is misfiring, but do not provide any indication as to the cause of the problem and do not propose any solutions for solving the problem. This disclosure advantageously describes systems that can analyze DTCs and other telematics data using crowdsourcing principles to recommend vehicle maintenance and other solutions.

Claims

1. A method of programmatically diagnosing vehicle problems, the method comprising:

under control of a hardware processor;

outputting a user interface configured to provide functionality for a plurality of users to;

associate, using a first interface element of the user interface, individual diagnostic trouble codes of a plurality of diagnostic trouble codes with (i) individual sensor parameters of a plurality of sensor parameters and (ii) individual predicted diagnoses of a plurality of predicted diagnoses, the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes being indicative of one or more fault conditions in vehicles of a vehicle fleet,

rate, using a second interface element of the user interface, the association between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses, and

provide, using a third interface element of the user interface, comments in connection with the association between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses;

storing, in a memory,

the association, received from the plurality of users via user input to the first interface element, between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses,

the rating, received from the plurality of users via user input to the second interface element, of the association between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses, and

the comments, received from the plurality of users via user input to the third interface element, in connection with the association between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses;

programmatically identifying, from telematics data associated with a first vehicle of the vehicles, a first diagnostic trouble code of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes output by the first vehicle and a first sensor parameter of the plurality of sensor parameters determined for the first vehicle, the first sensor parameter comprising one or more of a temperature measurement, a rotation force measurement, an odometer reading, a blown-out tire sensor reading, and a tire pressure reading;

accessing, from the memory, the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter;

programmatically identifying, based at least on the rating of the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter, a first predicted diagnosis of the plurality of predicted diagnoses associated with the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter; and

outputting, for presentation on a display to a user of the plurality of users, the first predicted diagnosis and at least some of the comments provided in connection with the association between the first diagnostic trouble code, the first sensor parameter, and the first predicted diagnosis.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said programmatically identifying the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter is performed substantially in real time with receiving the telematics data from the first vehicle.

3. Non-transitory physical computer storage comprising instructions stored therein that, when executed by a hardware processor, are configured to perform operations for programmatically diagnosing vehicle problems, the operations comprising:

outputting a user interface configured to provide functionality for a plurality of users to;

associate, using a first interface element of the user interface, individual diagnostic trouble codes of a plurality of diagnostic trouble codes with (i) individual sensor parameters of a plurality of sensor parameters and (ii) individual predicted diagnoses of a plurality of predicted diagnoses, the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes being indicative of one or more fault conditions in vehicles of a vehicle fleet,

rate, using a second interface element of the user interface, the association between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses, and

provide, using a third interface element of the user interface, comments in connection with the association between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses;

storing, in a memory,

the association, received from the plurality of users via user input to the first interface element, between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses,

the rating, received from the plurality of users via user input to the second interface element, of the association between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses, and

the comments, received from the plurality of users via user input to the third interface element, provided in connection with the association between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses;

programmatically identifying, from telematics data associated with a first vehicle of the vehicles, a first diagnostic trouble code of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes output by the first vehicle and a first sensor parameter of the plurality of sensor parameters determined for the first vehicle, the first sensor parameter comprising one or more of a temperature measurement, a rotation force measurement, an odometer reading, a blown-out tire sensor reading, and a tire pressure reading;

accessing, from the memory, the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter;

programmatically identifying, based at least on the rating of the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter, a first predicted diagnosis of the plurality of predicted diagnoses associated with the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter; and

outputting, for presentation on a display to a user of the plurality of users, the first predicted diagnosis and at least some of the comments provided in connection with the association between the first diagnostic trouble code, the first sensor parameter, and the first predicted diagnosis.

4. The non-transitory physical computer storage of claim 3, wherein said programmatically identifying the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter is performed substantially in real time with receiving the telematics data from the first vehicle.

7. The non-transitory physical computer storage of claim 3, wherein said accessing is performed in response to said programmatically identifying the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter.

8. The non-transitory physical computer storage of claim 3, wherein the operations further comprise programmatically identifying, based at least on the rating of the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter, a second predicted diagnosis of the plurality of predicted diagnoses associated with the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter, and wherein said outputting comprises outputting, for presentation on the display to the user, the second predicted diagnosis together with the first predicted diagnosis and the at least some of the comments provided in connection with the association between the first diagnostic trouble code, the first sensor parameter, and the first predicted diagnosis.

9. The non-transitory physical computer storage of claim 3, wherein the operations further comprise programmatically identifying, based at least on the rating of the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter, a second predicted diagnosis of the plurality of predicted diagnoses associated with the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter, and wherein said outputting comprises outputting, for presentation on the display to the user, the first predicted diagnosis and the second predicted diagnosis so that a display arrangement of the first predicted diagnosis and the second predicted diagnosis on the display depends at least on the rating of the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter.

10. The non-transitory physical computer storage of claim 3, wherein the user interface is configured to provide functionality for the plurality of users to indicate, using a fourth interface element of the user interface, a severity rating associated with the first predicted diagnosis, and wherein said outputting comprises outputting, for presentation on the display to the user, the severity rating together with the first predicted diagnosis and the at least some of the comments provided in connection with the association between the first diagnostic trouble code, the first sensor parameter, and the first predicted diagnosis.

11. The non-transitory physical computer storage of claim 3, wherein the user interface is configured to provide functionality for the plurality of users to indicate, using a fourth interface element of the user interface, a severity rating associated with the first diagnostic trouble code, and wherein said outputting comprises outputting, for presentation on the display to the user, the severity rating together with the first predicted diagnosis and the at least some of the comments provided in connection with the association between the first diagnostic trouble code, the first sensor parameter, and the first predicted diagnosis.

12. The non-transitory physical computer storage of claim 3, wherein the first sensor parameter comprises the temperature measurement.

13. The non-transitory physical computer storage of claim 3, wherein the first sensor parameter comprises the rotation force measurement.

14. The non-transitory physical computer storage of claim 3, wherein the first sensor parameter comprises the odometer reading.

15. The non-transitory physical computer storage of claim 3, wherein the first sensor parameter comprises the blown-out tire sensor reading.

16. The non-transitory physical computer storage of claim 3, wherein the first sensor parameter comprises the tire pressure reading.

5. A system for programmatically diagnosing vehicle problems, the system comprising:

a hardware processor configured to;

output a user interface configured to provide functionality for a plurality of users to;

associate, using a first interface element of the user interface, individual diagnostic trouble codes of a plurality of diagnostic trouble codes with (i) individual sensor parameters of a plurality of sensor parameters and (ii) individual predicted diagnoses of a plurality of predicted diagnoses, the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes being indicative of one or more fault conditions in vehicles of a vehicle fleet,

rate, using a second interface element of the user interface, the association between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses, and

provide, using a third interface element of the user interface, comments in connection with the association between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses;

store, in a memory,

the association, received from the plurality of users via user input to the first interface element, between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses,

the rating, received from the plurality of users via user input to the second interface element, of the association between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses, and

the comments, received from the plurality of users via user input to the third interface element, provided in connection with the association between the individual diagnostic trouble codes of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, the individual sensor parameters of the plurality of sensor parameters, and the individual predicted diagnoses of the plurality of predicted diagnoses;

programmatically identify, from telematics data associated with a first vehicle of the vehicles, a first diagnostic trouble code of the plurality of diagnostic trouble codes output by the first vehicle and a first sensor parameter of the plurality of sensor parameters determined for the first vehicle, the first sensor parameter comprising one or more of a temperature measurement, a rotation force measurement, an odometer reading, a blown-out tire sensor reading, and a tire pressure reading;

access, from the memory, the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter;

programmatically identify, based at least on the rating of the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter, a first predicted diagnosis of the plurality of predicted diagnoses associated with the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter; and

output, for presentation on a display to a user of the plurality of users, the first predicted diagnosis and at least some of the comments provided in connection with the association between the first diagnostic trouble code, the first sensor parameter, and the first predicted diagnosis.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to programmatically identify the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter substantially in real time with receiving the telematics data from the first vehicle.

17. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to access the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter in response to programmatically identifying the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter.

18. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to:

programmatically identify, based at least on the rating of the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter, a second predicted diagnosis of the plurality of predicted diagnoses associated with the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter, and

output, for presentation on the display to the user, the second predicted diagnosis together with the first predicted diagnosis and the at least some of the comments provided in connection with the association between the first diagnostic trouble code, the first sensor parameter, and the first predicted diagnosis.

19. The system of claim 5, wherein the processor is further configured to:

programmatically identify, based at least on the rating of the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter, a second predicted diagnosis of the plurality of predicted diagnoses associated with the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter, and

output, for presentation on the display to the user, the first predicted diagnosis and the second predicted diagnosis so that a display arrangement of the first predicted diagnosis and the second predicted diagnosis on the display depends at least on the rating of the associations between the first diagnostic trouble code and the first sensor parameter.

20. The system of claim 5, wherein the first sensor parameter comprises the rotation force measurement.

21. The system of claim 5, in combination with an in-vehicle device associated with the first vehicle, the in-vehicle device being configured to:

receive vehicle data from an engine computer of the first vehicle or from sensors on or in the first vehicle;

filter the vehicle data to generate filtered vehicle data; and

transmit the filtered vehicle data to the hardware processor for further processing.