Methods and systems for generating and outputting test drive scripts for vehicles

• US 9,639,995 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2015
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Inventors: Cacabelos, Kahlil H., Brozovich, Roy S., Merg, Patrick S., Theriot, Mark C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Do, Truc M
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHITTINGTON, JESS G
• Application Number:
  US14/631,689
• Publication Number:
  US 20160247331A1
• Time in Patent Office: 797 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

Systems and methods pertaining to generating a test drive script (TDS) based on vehicle data values (VDV) from a vehicle and driving circumstance parameters (DCP) that correspond to use of the vehicle when the VDV are captured are described herein. The TDS can include a baseline path that includes the paths taken by the vehicle while the VDV are captured. The TDS can include an alternate path that includes paths that approximate one or more paths taken by the vehicle while the VDV are captured. The VDV can include, but are not limited to, DTC and PID values from the vehicle. The DCP can include, but are not limited to, traffic condition parameters, meteorological parameters, location parameters, and motion parameters. The TDS can include notifications to alert a user to a location where certain VDV were captured to assist the user in recreating a symptom in a vehicle.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing, by a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a plurality of vehicle data values captured from within a first vehicle as the first vehicle is driven on a path;

storing, by the non-transitory computer-readable medium, a plurality of driving circumstance parameters corresponding to the plurality of vehicle data values captured from within the first vehicle as the first vehicle is driven on the path;

determining, by at least one processor, a selected vehicle data value;

determining, by the at least one processor, the plurality of vehicle data values captured from within the first vehicle as the first vehicle is driven on the path comprises the selected vehicle data value;

generating, by the at least one processor, a test drive script (TDS) comprising instructions to guide a vehicle or a driver of a vehicle on at least a portion of the path the first vehicle was driven on when a vehicle data value of the plurality of vehicle data values matching the selected vehicle data value was captured from within the first vehicle, wherein the TDS is based on the vehicle data value of the plurality of vehicle data values matching the selected vehicle data value and at least a portion of the driving circumstance parameters that correspond to the vehicle data value of the plurality of vehicle data values matching the selected vehicle data value;

storing, by the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the TDS; and

outputting, by a network interface to an electronic control unit (ECU) within a second vehicle or to a TDS presentation device being used to diagnose the second vehicle, the stored TDS in response to a TDS request,

wherein the first vehicle and the second vehicle are separate individual vehicles.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vehicle data values include vehicle data values selected from the group consisting of (i) a diagnostic trouble code, (ii) a vehicle data value associated with a parameter identifier (PID), and (iii) an electrical measurement of a component installed in the first vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of driving circumstance parameters include driving circumstance parameters selected from the group consisting of (i) a traffic condition parameter, (ii) a meteorological parameter, (iii) a location parameter, and (iv) a motion parameter.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the selected vehicle data value is conditioned on the at least one of the vehicle data values indicating that a diagnostic trouble code is set within the first vehicle or that a value of the at least one of the vehicle data values exceeds a threshold vehicle data value.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting, over a network by the network interface, a request for at least a portion of the driving circumstance parameters; and

receiving, from the network by the network interface, the at least a portion of the driving circumstance parameters,

wherein the at least a portion of the driving circumstance parameters include driving circumstance parameters selected from the group consisting of (i) a traffic condition parameter, (ii) a meteorological parameter, (iii) a location parameter, and (iv) a motion parameter.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing, by the non-transitory computer-readable medium, a complaint, cause, or correction pertaining to servicing the first vehicle,

wherein the TDS request comprises a complaint, cause, or correction matching the complaint, cause, or correction pertaining to servicing the first vehicle, respectively.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying driving instructions on a display of the ECU within the second vehicle or the TDS presentation device or audibly outputting the driving instructions by a loudspeaker of the ECU within the second vehicle or the TDS presentation device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle comprises an autonomous vehicle.

9. A method comprising:

storing, by a non-transitory computer-readable medium, a plurality of vehicle data values captured from within a first vehicle as the first vehicle is driven on a baseline path;

storing, by the non-transitory computer-readable medium, a plurality of driving circumstance parameters corresponding to the plurality of vehicle data values captured from within the first vehicle as the first vehicle is driven on the baseline path;

determining, by at least one processor, the baseline path the first vehicle was driven on when capture of the plurality of vehicle data values occurred;

determining, by the at least one processor, one or more characteristics of the baseline path;

determining, by the at least one processor, an alternate path that is different than the baseline path, wherein one or more characteristics of the alternate path match or approximate the one or more characteristics of the baseline path,

generating, by the at least one processor, a test drive script (TDS) comprising instructions to guide a second vehicle or a driver of the second vehicle on the alternate path, wherein the TDS is based on a selection of at least one of the vehicle data values and at least a portion of the driving circumstance parameters that correspond to the at least one of the vehicle data values;

storing, by the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the TDS; and

outputting, by a network interface to an electronic control unit (ECU) within a second vehicle or to a TDS presentation device being used to diagnose the second vehicle, the stored TDS in response to a TDS request.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining, by the at least one processor, the plurality of vehicle data values captured from within the first vehicle as the first vehicle is driven on the baseline path include one or more instances of vehicle data values that match or approximate the at least one of the vehicle data values,

wherein the selection of at least one of the vehicle data values is based on a diagnostic trouble code identifier, a parameter identifier, or a portion of cause, complaint or correction data contained in the TDS request, and

wherein the at least a portion of the driving circumstance parameters include one or more driving circumstance parameters that correspond to vehicle data values that were captured immediately prior to capture of the one or more instances of vehicle data values that match or approximate the at least one of the vehicle data values.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the one more characteristics of the baseline path include path characteristics selected from the group consisting of (i) a speed limit, (ii) a path inclination, (iii) a path curvature, (iv) a path pavement, (v) a path elevation, (vi) a path name, and (vii) a traffic direction.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving, by the at least one processor, a location identifier and a distance range,

wherein the alternate path is located within an area defined by the location identifier and the distance range.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining, by the at least one processor, (i) a start path from a first location to a starting point of the alternate path, wherein generating the TDS includes adding instructions for following the start path prior to the instructions for following the alternate path, or (ii) a return path from an intermediate or ending point of the alternate path to the first location or a second location, wherein generating the TDS includes adding instructions for following the return path after the instructions for following the alternate path.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the first vehicle is the second vehicle or the first vehicle is different than the second vehicle.

15. A system comprising:

at least one processor;

a network interface; and

a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of vehicle data values captured from within a first vehicle as the first vehicle is driven on a path, a plurality of driving circumstance parameters corresponding to the plurality of vehicle data values captured from within the first vehicle as the first vehicle is driven on the path, and computer-readable program instructions,

wherein the program instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause a set of functions to be performed, the set of functions including;

determining a selected vehicle data value;

determining the plurality of vehicle data values captured from within the first vehicle as the first vehicle is driven on the path comprises the selected vehicle data value;

generating a test drive script (TDS) comprising instructions to guide vehicle or a driver of a vehicle on at least a portion of the path the first vehicle was driven on when a vehicle data value of the plurality of vehicle data values matching the selected vehicle data value was captured from within the first vehicle, wherein the TDS is based on the vehicle data value of the plurality of vehicle data values matching the selected vehicle data value and at least a portion of the driving circumstance parameters that correspond to the vehicle data value of the plurality of vehicle data values matching the selected vehicle data value;

storing the TDS within the non-transitory computer-readable medium; and

outputting, by the network interface to an electronic control unit (ECU) within a second vehicle or to a TDS presentation device being used to diagnose the second vehicle, the stored TDS in response to a TDS request,

wherein the first vehicle and the second vehicle are separate individual vehicles.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the set of functions further include:

associating the TDS with a cause, complaint, or correction that corresponds to a service performed on the first vehicle; and

associating the TDS with a vehicle identifier corresponding to the first vehicle.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of driving circumstance parameters include driving circumstance parameters selected from the group consisting of (i) a traffic condition parameter, (ii) a meteorological parameter, (iii) a location parameter, and (iv) a motion parameter.

18. A system comprising:

at least one processor;

a network interface; and

a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of vehicle data values pertaining to a first vehicle, a plurality of driving circumstance parameters corresponding to the vehicle data values, and computer-readable program instructions,

wherein the program instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause a set of functions to be performed, the set of functions including;

receiving, by the network interface, a location identifier corresponding to a location of a second vehicle;

determining, by the at least one processor, a baseline path the first vehicle was using when capture of the vehicle data values occurred;

determining, by the at least one processor, one or more characteristics of the baseline path;

determining, by the at least one processor, an alternate path that is different than the baseline path, wherein one or more characteristics of the alternate path match or approximate the one or more characteristics of the baseline path,

generating a test drive script (TDS) comprising instructions to guide a second vehicle or a driver of the second vehicle on the alternate path, wherein the TDS is based on a selection of at least one of the vehicle data values and at least a portion of the driving circumstance parameters that correspond to the at least one of vehicle data values;

storing the TDS within the computer-readable medium; and

outputting, by the network interface to an electronic control unit (ECU) within a second vehicle or to a TDS presentation device being used to diagnose the second vehicle, the stored TDS in response to a TDS request,

wherein at least a portion of the second path is within a distance range proximate the location of the second vehicle.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

a communication link that communicatively couples the at least one processor to the network interface, the user interface, and the non-transitory computer-readable medium, wherein the communication link includes a wired communication link or a wireless communication link.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein the first vehicle is the second vehicle or the first vehicle is different than the second vehicle.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein the distance range equals (i) a maximum distance the technician is willing to drive to get to a starting point of a baseline or alternate path, or (ii) a maximum distance the technician is willing to drive to get to the starting point of the baseline or alternate path, to drive the baseline or alternate path, and to drive from an ending point of the baseline or alternate path back to the technician'"'"'s repair shop or other location.

22. A system comprising:

at least one processor;

a network interface; and

a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of vehicle data values pertaining to a first vehicle, a plurality of driving circumstance parameters corresponding to the vehicle data values, and computer-readable program instructions,

wherein the program instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause a set of functions to be performed, the set of functions including;

generating a test drive script (TDS) based on a selection of at least one of the vehicle data values and at least a portion of the driving circumstance parameters that correspond to the at least one of the vehicle data values;

determining, by the at least one processor, (i) a start path from a first location to a starting point of a baseline path, wherein generating the TDS includes adding instructions for following the start path prior to the instructions for following the baseline path, or (ii) a return path from an intermediate or ending point of the baseline path to the first location or a second location, wherein generating the TDS includes adding instructions for following the return path after the instructions for following the baseline path;

storing the TDS within computer-readable medium; and

outputting, by the network interface to an electronic control unit (ECU) within a second vehicle or to a TDS presentation device being used to diagnose the second vehicle, the stored TDS in response to a TDS request.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing program instructions, that when executed by at least one processor, cause a set of functions to be performed, the set of functions comprising:

storing, by the non-transitory computer-readable medium, a plurality of vehicle data values captured from within a first vehicle as the first vehicle is driven on a path;

storing, by the non-transitory computer-readable medium, a plurality of driving circumstance parameters corresponding to the plurality of vehicle data values captured from within the first vehicle as the first vehicle is driven on the path;

determining a selected vehicle data value;

determining the plurality of vehicle data values captured from within the first vehicle as the first vehicle is driven on the path comprises the selected vehicle data value;

generating a test drive script (TDS) comprising instructions to guide a vehicle or a driver of a vehicle on at least a portion of the path the first vehicle was driven on when a vehicle data value of the plurality of vehicle data values matching the selected vehicle data value was captured from within the first vehicle, wherein the TDS is based on the vehicle data value of the plurality of vehicle data values matching the selected vehicle data value and at least a portion of the driving circumstance parameters that correspond to the vehicle data value of the plurality of vehicle data values matching the selected vehicle data value;

storing, by the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the TDS; and

outputting, by a network interface to an electronic control unit (ECU) within a second vehicle or to a TDS presentation device being used to diagnose the second vehicle, the stored TDS in response to a TDS request,

wherein the first vehicle and the second vehicle are separate individual vehicles.