JP4310058B2 - Vehicle information acquisition method and vehicle repair request method via network - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automobile information acquisition method and a vehicle repair and maintenance request method via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When a vehicle breaks down, it is difficult for a user without expertise to explain the symptoms to the car mechanic.
[0003]
On the other hand, with the spread of online sales, the conventional concept of manufacturer's suggested retail price is diluting, so parts and materials are prepared by those who wish to repair and maintain vehicles, so the pure technology of repair and maintenance The number of users who want to pay only for their actions will increase in the future.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the first of the problems to be solved is to facilitate acquisition of various types of information about the vehicle (hereinafter referred to as “automobile information”) to the user. When requesting repairs from an automobile mechanic, the symptom is to be able to be transmitted even to an amateur.
[0005]
Second, if you request an automobile mechanic to repair or maintain a vehicle and need new parts or materials for the execution of the repair or maintenance, what kind of parts or materials are specifically A system that makes it easy for the user to procure the parts and materials and asks the car mechanic to perform only pure technical actions such as vehicle repair and maintenance. There is to do.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made as follows in order to solve the above technical problems.
[0007]
That is, according to the present invention, information related to the vehicle and its components is managed by the host computer of the server. These pieces of information can be obtained by accessing the database of the host computer from a personal computer which is a user terminal device via a computer network (hereinafter “network”).
[0008]
The host computer database includes various vehicle information (for example, vehicle model, model year, vehicle illustration (photo), other vehicle data, parts data, standards, compatibility information, parts sales price, inventory information, accident vehicle information, etc. Cases and repair methods in that case, labor costs, vehicle entry / exit date, information on how to search for a faulty part of the vehicle and information on how to diagnose the faulty part, vehicle parts and specific materials are required for repair and maintenance Information, search method of vehicle and service factory to perform maintenance, estimated repair / maintenance amount, parts delivery fee, delivery date, etc.) are registered.
[0009]
When the database of the server is accessed from the user terminal via the network, the desired vehicle information is searched from the various vehicle information described above via the search means. The retrieved information is displayed on the display means of the user terminal via the network. If necessary, download various car information.
[0010]
In the present invention, for example, cases of damaged vehicles, repair methods, and other vehicle information can be viewed from a database of a server via a personal computer via a network or downloaded as necessary, so there is some experience and knowledge about vehicles. If it is a person, it can understand the failure condition of the failed vehicle relatively easily. As a result, when requesting a repair from an automobile mechanic, the symptom of the malfunctioning vehicle can be transmitted to an automobile mechanic or the like when requesting a repair without the owner of the malfunctioning vehicle having expertise in automobile technology.
[0011]
In addition, when repair / maintenance of a vehicle is necessary and new parts / materials are required for the execution of the repair / maintenance, the user is informed of what parts / materials are necessary. Indicate. The user can easily procure the vehicle parts and specific materials from a server partner supplier store via a network. In addition, a service factory where an auto mechanic works with a server that makes repairs and maintenance of the vehicle on the assumption that the user uses the parts and materials purchased by the user. Request maintenance.
[0012]
As a result, the service factory can be requested only for the repair / maintenance of the vehicle, so that the repair / maintenance becomes inexpensive.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a vehicle information acquisition method and a vehicle repair and maintenance request method via a network according to the present embodiment.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, a member parts dealer, which is a vehicle parts dealer, a member service factory 3, a service shop where an automobile mechanic that repairs and maintains vehicles, and a user 5 request parts delivery via a server 7. The member shipping store 4, which is a receiving shipping store, an individual user (hereinafter referred to as "user") 5, and a server 7 which is a provider of various vehicle information are connected via a network.
[0016]
Member parts merchant 1, member service factory 3, member transport store 4 (these may be collectively referred to as “member store”) and user 5 sign a membership contract with server 7. Obtain and provide self-desired car information as needed.
[0017]
The member parts merchant 1 receives a part order from the user 5 via the server 7, and provides the user 5 with information such as a part sales price, inventory information, and a part delivery date via the server 7. It is assumed that the member parts merchant 1 receives a part order from the user 5 via the server 7 and receives a part purchase information transfer.
[0018]
The member service factory 3 receives a vehicle repair order from the user 5 via the server 7, and also provides information such as labor and other service contents, repair vehicle diagnosis contents, vehicle entry / exit dates, and delivery charges via the server 7. 5 is provided. It is assumed that the member service factory 3 receives a vehicle repair order from the user 5 via the server 7 and receives a repair request information transfer.
[0019]
When the member transport store 4 receives the parts delivery notification, the member transport store 4 picks up the parts to the member parts dealer 1 and delivers the parts to the member service factory 3 designated by the user 5. When the member shipping store 4 receives a request for parts delivery from the user 5 via the server 7, the parts delivery information is transferred.
[0020]
In the host computer (not shown) of the server 7, information on the member parts dealer 1, member service factory 3, member carrier 4 and other information is stored in a database as car information. The database is referred to as an automobile information database 8.
[0021]
Vehicle information includes vehicle type, model year, vehicle illustration (photo), other vehicle data, parts data, standards, compatibility information, parts sales price, inventory information, parts delivery date, accident vehicle case and its Repair method, labor cost, vehicle entry / exit date, information on how to search for a faulty part of a vehicle and information on how to diagnose the faulty part, information that vehicle parts and specific materials are required for repair and maintenance, vehicle and maintenance The search method of the service factory that performs the service, the estimated amount of repair / maintenance, the delivery fee and delivery date of vehicles and parts, etc.
[0022]
The automobile information database 8 is roughly divided into, for example, a vehicle information master 50, a parts data master 52, a member store management master 54, an accident vehicle case master 56, and other management masters 58, which will be described later. Information and other information are stored and managed by type.
[0023]
The vehicle information master 50 periodically maintains various vehicle types, model years, vehicle illustrations (photos), and other vehicle data.
[0024]
The parts data master 52 stores and manages the handling products, parts data, standards, compatibility information, inventory management and other parts data of each member parts merchant 1 and regularly maintains them.
[0025]
The member store management master 54 stores and manages member store telephone numbers, addresses, maps, and other information, and stores them in a state of being always up-to-date.
[0026]
The accident vehicle case master 56 provides information on the case of the accident vehicle and the repair method in that case, the wage, the vehicle entry / exit date, the information on the vehicle fault location search method and the fault location diagnosis method, and the repair / maintenance. Information such as the need for vehicle parts and specific materials is stored and managed and regularly maintained.
[0027]
The other management master 58 stores and manages parts delivery fees and other information that does not belong to the masters and performs regular maintenance.
[0028]
Each of these master updates is always executed between the member stores 1, 3, 4 and the server 7 via the network.
[0029]
The user 5 accesses the vehicle information database 8 of the server 7 from the personal computer 10 which is his terminal device via the network, and searches for desired vehicle information from the various vehicle information by a search means such as a search engine. Put out.
[0030]
Then, the retrieved car information is displayed on a monitor such as a CRT (Cathode-ray Tube) which is a personal computer display means of the user 5, and when detailed explanation is required, the detailed explanation is made by using the billing system. to download. If necessary, the displayed information is printed.
[0031]
In this way, the user 5 obtains the automobile information he desires from the automobile information database 8 of the server 7.
[0032]
In addition, when the vehicle information obtained by the user 5 is information regarding repair / maintenance in which the vehicle needs repair and vehicle parts or specific materials are required, the member parts merchant affiliated with the server 7 Vehicle parts and specific materials are purchased from 1 through the server 7. Then, the member service factory 3 is requested for repair / maintenance via the server 7. The member service factory 3 is affiliated with the server 7 under a contract that the user 5 performs repair and maintenance on the assumption that parts and materials purchased from the member parts dealer 1 are used.
[0033]
If the detailed description (automobile information) downloaded by the user 5 relates to repair / maintenance that requires vehicle parts or specific materials, whether or not the vehicle parts or specific materials are required for the repair / maintenance. The appropriate member service factory 3 designated by the server 7 is determined. The car mechanic at the member service factory 3 makes a judgment by actually looking at the accident vehicle. It may be determined by the user 5 transmitting image information of the accident vehicle photographed by the electronic still camera to the member service factory 3 via the server 7. It may also be performed by computer diagnosis.
Next, the hardware configuration of the personal computer 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0035]
A central processing unit (CPU) 5, a main memory 36, and an image memory (VRAM) 38 are provided around a bus (BUS) 31. In the figure, a keyboard 42 as an external input device and a display means CRT 43 and a printer 45 for displaying the vehicle information arranged via a network as an external output device are shown. , Etc. have peripherals.
[0036]
Also, the bus 31 has an interface (I) that connects a host computer on the server 7 side that provides car information, a personal computer 10 on the user side, and personal computers (not shown) of the member stores 1, 3, and 4. / F) 29 is connected.
[0037]
Furthermore, a hard disk 40 is connected to the bus 31, and the hard disk 40 stores desired car information obtained by downloading from the car information database 8 of the server 7.
[0038]
Data is always exchanged between the main memory 36 and the CPU 5.
[0039]
In other words, in the hardware configuration, the CPU 5 calculates the results obtained by the CPU 5 from the calculation and processing according to the instructions of the program 41 stored in the hard disk 40 based on various data stored in the main memory 36. The vehicle information is displayed on the CRT 43 by repeatedly performing the operation of returning to the CRT 43.
[0040]
Next, a series of processes according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
[0041]
In step 101 (hereinafter referred to as “S101”, the same applies to other steps), the user 5 uses the personal computer 10 to access the car information database 8 of the server 7 via the network. That is, a Web page (hereinafter referred to as “homepage”) serving as the starting point of the content loaded on the server 7 is displayed (opened) on the CRT 43 serving as the display means of the personal computer 10.
[0042]
In S102, the address, name, ID, password of the user 5, the car name owned by the user 5, the model, the grade, and the place where the damage has occurred or has failed in the predetermined input form which is one of the contents of the server 7 Information necessary for obtaining user-desired information from the server 7 such as a photograph of the user is input using the keyboard 42.
[0043]
If you want to be able to display vehicle illustrations and photos of the same type of vehicle on the web page of the server 7 in order to simplify the input items, enter the vehicle name, year, grade, and other known items in the input form. You can avoid it.
[0044]
In S103, according to the content input by the user 5, the user information from the vehicle information master 50, the parts data master 52, the member store management master 54, the accident vehicle case master 56, and the other management master 58 is selected. The car information is searched through a well-known search means such as a search engine. If detailed information is required, the information can be downloaded.
[0045]
In this flowchart, as a result of searching, the image information of the accident vehicle photographed by the user 5 with the electronic still camera is diagnosed by an appropriate member service factory 3 affiliated with the server 7 or the result of performing an appropriate computer diagnosis. It is assumed that automobile information has been found that a specific vehicle part or a specific material is required for repairing the accident vehicle (S104). By searching for the vehicle information, the user 5 identifies vehicle parts and specific materials necessary for the repair and purchases those parts from the member parts dealer 1.
[0046]
Therefore, a list including information on the member parts quotient 1 such as the name and address of the member parts quotient 1 is displayed on the CRT 43 next. When the user 5 selects a desired member parts quotient 1 from the list, the products handled by the selected member parts quotient 1 are displayed on the Web page of the server 7 (see S105). It is assumed that the listed member parts dealer 1 has the vehicle parts and specific materials necessary for the specified repair as inventory.
[0047]
In S106, the user selects a vehicle part or a specific material necessary for the specified repair from the products handled by the member parts dealer 1 displayed in S105 to order.
[0048]
In S107, the content indicating when the warehousing date (delivery date) will be displayed and the content related to the input form for ordering contract of the part and other matters are displayed on the CRT 43. When necessary items are entered in the order contract input form and transmitted to the server 7, the parts purchase information is transferred from the server 7 to the member parts merchant.
[0049]
In S108, the member service factory 3 in which a business alliance is established with the server 7 for repair and maintenance on the assumption that the purchased vehicle parts and specific materials are used is listed. The user 5 selects a member service factory 3 or the like suitable for the user from the list, for example, in the vicinity of the user.
[0050]
In S109, the information of the selected member service factory 3 is displayed on the CRT 43.
[0051]
In addition, an input form for filling in necessary items for requesting the member service factory 3 for repair is displayed. In this input form, the names and product numbers of vehicle parts and specific materials are input, and user-desired conditions such as the desired storage date and budget of the vehicle that has been repaired are input. When the input is completed, the contents are transmitted to the server 7, and then the repair request information is transferred from the server 7 to the member service factory 3 selected by the user 5.
[0052]
In S110, the member service factory 3 is selected as a user answer as to whether the member service factory 3 can accept the user-desired conditions in S109.
[0053]
If a positive determination is made in S110, the process proceeds to S111. If a negative determination is made, the process returns to S105, and the user selects another member service factory 3.
[0054]
In S111, since the member transport stores 4 within a predetermined distance from the member service factory 3 are listed and displayed on the CRT 43, the user 5 selects a member transport store 4 suitable for himself / herself.
[0055]
In S112, the member 5 is notified via the server 7 that the user 5 has been selected. That is, the parts delivery information is transferred.
[0056]
In S <b> 113, the server 7 designates the date of receipt of the accident vehicle to the member service factory 3 for the user 5. At the same time, the member transport store 4 is notified that the member parts merchant 1 is requested to pick up the parts in accordance with the schedule on the date of arrival of the accident vehicle at the member service factory 3. In addition, the member parts dealer 1 is notified when the member shipping store 4 is scheduled to pick up the parts. In addition, the member service factory 3 is informed of when the vehicle is received and necessary parts and materials are delivered.
[0057]
In S114, the member transport store 4 takes the parts and materials to the member parts dealer 1 and sends them to the member service factory 3 in accordance with the schedule. In addition, the user causes the accident vehicle to enter the member service factory 3 on the designated date.
[0058]
Next, the function and effect of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described.
[0059]
In the present embodiment, information regarding the vehicle and its components is managed by the host computer of the server 7. Then, the information can be obtained by accessing the vehicle information database 8 of the host computer from the personal computer 10 as a user terminal via the network.
[0060]
When the personal computer 10 accesses the car information database 8 of the server 7 via the network, it searches for desired car information among the various car information described above via search means such as a search engine. The searched information is displayed on the CRT 43. If necessary, various vehicle information such as accident vehicle cases and countermeasures are downloaded. As a result, a person with some experience and knowledge about the vehicle can understand the failure status of the failed vehicle relatively easily. Therefore, when requesting a repair from an automobile mechanic, even if the owner of the broken vehicle requests a repair even if there is not much technical knowledge about the automobile technology, the symptoms of the broken vehicle can be transmitted to the automobile mechanic.
[0061]
Further, when repair / maintenance of a vehicle is required and new parts / materials are required for execution of the repair / maintenance, the user 5 is informed of what parts / materials are required. Specifically, The user 5 can easily procure the vehicle parts and specific materials from the member parts dealer 1 of the server 7 via the network. In addition, for the member service factory 3 that has signed a contract with the server 7 to repair and maintain the vehicle on the assumption that the user 5 uses the parts and materials purchased, the repair and maintenance are performed via the network. Make a request.
[0062]
As a result, since the member service factory 3 can be requested only for the act of repairing / maintaining the vehicle, the repair / maintenance becomes inexpensive.
[0063]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples described above, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0064]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, automobile information can be browsed from a database of a server via a network with a personal computer or downloaded as necessary, so that a person with some experience and knowledge about a vehicle. If so, it is relatively easy to understand the failure status of the failed vehicle. As a result, when requesting repairs from an automobile mechanic, even if the owner of the broken vehicle is not an expert in automobile technology, the symptoms of the broken vehicle can be transmitted to the automobile mechanic.
[0065]
In addition, when repair / maintenance of a vehicle is necessary and new parts / materials are required for the execution of the repair / maintenance, the user is informed of what parts / materials are necessary. Indicate. The user can easily procure the vehicle parts and specific materials from a server partner supplier store via a network. Further, a repair / maintenance is requested via a network to a service factory that has a contract with the server to repair or maintain the vehicle on the assumption that the user uses the parts or materials purchased by the user. As a result, the service factory can be requested only for the repair / maintenance of the vehicle, so that the repair / maintenance becomes inexpensive.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a personal computer according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart continued from FIG. 4;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Member parts dealer (parts dealer)
3 Member Service Factory 4 Member Shipping Store 5 User 7 Server (Vehicle Information Provider)
8 Car Information Database 10 Personal Computer 31 Bus 36 Main Memory 40 Hard Disk 41 Program 42 Keyboard 43 CRT (User Terminal Display Means)
45 Printer 50 Vehicle information master 52 Parts data master 54 Member store management master 56 Accident vehicle case master 58 Management master

Claims (1)

Terminals of member parts dealers that handle vehicle parts via a network, terminals of member carriers that deliver parts purchased by the member parts dealers, terminals of member service factories that repair and maintain vehicles, and users A vehicle repair and maintenance request method executed by a server that is connected to a terminal via a network and provides various types of vehicle information to the user terminal,
A host computer of the server,
Information on vehicle parts sales prices, parts delivery date information provided from the terminal of the affiliated parts dealer, and cases or countermeasures for repair / maintenance provided from the terminals of the affiliated service factories Information, diagnostic information of repair / maintenance vehicles, labor, information on whether vehicle parts and specific materials are required for repair / maintenance, and information on member service factories that perform repair / maintenance Storing the vehicle information in association with the vehicle information in a predetermined database;
Information on cases corresponding to repair / maintenance or countermeasures associated with information on the contents of repair / maintenance vehicles diagnosed at the member service factory based on the image of the accident vehicle transmitted from the user terminal Searching for information on the sales price of the parts, information on the delivery date of the parts, wages, and information on member service factories that perform repair and maintenance from the predetermined database;
If the retrieved car information is related to repair / maintenance that requires a vehicle part or specific material, transmitting information about the vehicle part or specific material to the user terminal;
Transmitting information about the case corresponding to the repair / maintenance or countermeasures thereof to the user terminal; and
Transferring parts purchase information that is a purchase instruction for the vehicle parts or the specific material received from the user terminal to the terminal of the member parts dealer;
Transferring delivery information of the vehicle parts or the specific material received from the user terminal to the terminal of the member shipping store;
A request for repair / maintenance of a vehicle based on a case corresponding to the repair / maintenance or a countermeasure thereof received from the user terminal, and a step of transferring the request information to a terminal of a member service factory selected from the user terminal ; A vehicle repair and maintenance request method via a network to be executed.

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