KR20040048872A - System, method and computer program product for remote vehicle diagnostics, monitering, configuring and reprograming - Google Patents

Abstract

Remote vehicle diagnostics, inspection, placement and reprogramming tools are provided. The system includes vehicle vehicles mounted on a wireless mobile communication means that enable remote diagnosis, inspection and reprogramming of vehicles on their vehicle via an Internet web based browser environment. Each vehicle in the vehicle is mounted with a high performance device and connected to a data bus in each vehicle. Date commands associated with the vehicle's parameters (eg, diagnostic parameters such as maximum path speed, engine RPM, cooling temperature, air inlet temperature, etc.) are transmitted and received using satellite and terrestrial wireless communication technology. The present invention allows a user to perform total dispatch logistics remotely, thereby eliminating (or reducing) the need to physically move dispatch vehicles to maintenance, repair or deployment facilities.

Description

REMOTE SYSTEM, METHOD AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR REMOTE VEHICLE DIAGNOSTICS, MONITERING, CONFIGURING AND REPROGRAMING}

In today's business environment, it is common for a company to have many vehicles. The company may have a car, light truck, van, heavy truck or combinations thereof, depending on the company's specific business purpose. Typical examples of such companies include commercial air service companies, moving companies, freight and trucking companies, as well as car rental companies and passenger carriers.

These companies typically have to manage each of their hundreds of vehicles. The most important management operations include maintenance, repair and maximizing efficiency of the vehicle. In addition, reporting of important information related to the vehicle, such as mileage, travel information, distribution status and other parameters, should be available in a timely manner. To maximize profit, the company must maximize the time it takes for each vehicle to perform its intended function. In other words, the company should minimize the time each vehicle spends in the inspection environment (eg, repair and maintenance facilities). The company's vehicles operate through the national road network, but the fact that the repair and maintenance facilities are geographically separated makes the situation more difficult.

As a management method that has been performed for a long time, a schedule has been performed to cyclically inspect vehicles repeatedly. This approach has, to some extent, increased efficiency, but involves the process of excluding parts of the entire vehicle from inspection when they do not need to be in the actual inspection environment or when it is not appropriate to inspect or arrange them.

One improvement is to reduce the time spent on vehicles in the inspection environment during repeated inspections. In other words, manufacturers in the 70's and early 80's began to control engine functions and engine diagnostic problems using electronic means. This effort first motivated us to comply with the new and stringent emissions protection standards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nevertheless, the onboard diagnostic systems have become increasingly complex. Today's vehicles typically have several controllers attached to the vehicle data bus through which the chassis, body and attachments of the vehicle are inspected.

Several instruments have been devised to make vehicles with diagnostic and control systems useful. First of all, there are many devices that perform diagnostics, which are followed by passive devices. These devices have increased vehicle repair and deployment speed and efficiency. However, this did not eliminate the need to bring nationally operated vehicles to central (or regional) repair and maintenance facilities. In other words, these devices needed to be linked directly to the vehicle. In addition, there has not yet been a systemic way for companies to remotely diagnose, inspect and deploy their entire vehicle. In other words, repetitive maintenance or maintenance by means of circulation is arbitrary and not based on which vehicle actually requires inspection.

Thus, for the reasons mentioned above, there is a need for remote systems, methods and computer programs for the diagnosis, inspection, placement and reprogramming of vehicles. The system, method, and computer program should allow vehicle operators to remotely diagnose, inspect, and reprogram the entire vehicle, using diagnostic systems, computer components, and mobile communications equipment mounted on the vehicle without significant infrastructure build-up.

The present invention relates to a computer data information system, and more particularly to a computer tool for storing, processing and displaying overall vehicle information.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a system structure of an embodiment of the present invention, showing a connection relationship between many components.

2A is a block diagram of a physical structure of an onboard unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

2B is a block diagram of the software structure of the onboard unit according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of the operation and control flow of a remote vehicle diagnostic, inspection, and reprogramming tool of the present invention.

4A and 4B are screens or screen shots related to vehicle alarms, generated by the graphical user interface of the present invention.

5A-5C are screens or screenshots associated with vehicle parameter readings, generated by the graphical user interface of the present invention.

6A and 6B are screens or screenshots associated with vehicle parameter reprogramming, generated by the graphical user interface of the present invention.

7 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system suitable for practicing the present invention.

The present invention provides a remote system, method and computer program for the diagnosis, inspection, placement and reprogramming of a vehicle to meet the above mentioned needs.

The system of the present invention facilitates the user to change vehicle parameters, track vehicle status, and receive notification of vehicle maintenance needs, so that the overall plan can be developed, and thus the need to physically bring the vehicle to a maintenance and repair facility. Removed. More specifically, the system includes a plurality of vehicles each having an onboard unit described below. The onboard unit is connected to a vehicle data bus of each of the plurality of vehicles, which is connected to various controllers of the vehicle.

The system also includes an application server that provides a user with a graphical user interface (GUI) (eg, a web page on the Internet) to send and receive data to each of the plurality of vehicles. It also has a storage database accessible through the application server, which stores information related to subscribers of the system and details related to the vehicle in possession.

In addition, it includes an onboard unit server coupled with the application server, the onboard unit server is a format that can be understood by the user using the GUI (for example, change the maximum running speed to 55MPH) and each of the plurality of vehicles And converting means for converting instruction data between formats readable on the data bus.

Finally, the system includes communication means coupled to the onboard unit server to handle (mobile) communication between the onboard unit server and an onboard unit located in each of the plurality of vehicles.

The method and computer program product according to the present invention includes accessing the storage database to provide a user with a list of specific vehicles in the total possession of vehicles and parameters associated with the vehicles. The command is then received from the user via the GUI. The command typically includes information specifying at least one vehicle and at least one vehicle parameter of the totally owned vehicles. The command is then stored in the storage database along with the time and date received from the user. Next, the command is converted from a format that can be understood by a user using a GUI to a format readable on the vehicle data bus of at least one of the entire vehicles.

The method and computer program product according to the invention also includes transmitting the command via an wireless mobile communication system to an onboard unit located in the targeted vehicle among the totally possessed vehicles. This allows the aforementioned vehicle parameters to be read or changed (depending on whether the command relates to, for example, a diagnostic or reprogramming operation). An acknowledgment of the command is then received from the vehicle via wireless mobile communication. Finally, the permission is stored in a storage database for later retrieval by the user via the GUI.

An advantage of the present invention is that it will take a whole number of (e.g. hundreds) commercial vehicles (e.g. commercial vans and / or trucks) of different manufacturers and models to the central area (e.g., the headquarters of the company). It can be deployed remotely, inspected, recalibrated and diagnosed without the need. That is, the present invention provides a total population vehicle information obtaining means.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a tampering alert notificaton if any vehicle parameters are changed without authorization once the vehicle has left the company location or headquarters.

Another advantage of the present invention is that for users (eg, vehicle managers, vehicle dealers, vehicle dealers, etc.), models of vehicle manufacturers and fleet vehicles that include their vehicle Regardless, it provides a consistent graphical user interface.

Another advantage of the present invention is that not only can vehicle managers be provided real-time driver / distribution notifications, but users can also obtain real-time vehicle characteristics, trend analysis and diagnostics.

Another advantage of the present invention is that parameter data acquisition, diagnostic code acquisition, trip data acquisition, system reconfiguration, system re-calibration and correlation analysis can be performed on vehicle dispatch based on a customer specified schedule. Can be.

Other features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of many embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent the same or functionally similar elements.

order

ⅠOverview

ⅡSystem structure

III Onboard Units

IV operation example

V Graphical User Interface

Ⅵ Example

Conclusion

ⅠOverview

The present invention relates to systems, methods, and computer programs for remote commercial vehicle diagnostics, inspection, deployment, and reprogramming. The remote vehicle diagnostic, inspection, deployment and reprogramming tools described herein are essential for all related businesses dealing with commercial vehicle maintenance and service operations (ie, "total fleet logistics" tools).

In one embodiment of the invention, an application service provider provides a remote vehicle diagnostic, inspection, deployment and reprogramming tool and makes it accessible via the Internet on a subscriber basis. That is, an application service provider may have his or her customers (eg, vehicle managers, vehicle dealers, vehicle sellers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), leasing / rental companies, etc.) Hardware (e.g., servers) and software (e.g., database) infrastructure, application software, customer support and billing mechanisms can be used to properly diagnose, inspect, deploy and / or reprogram vehicles properly. Will provide. By using the tool, subscribers can obtain real-time dispatch characteristics, direction analysis and diagnostics to perform manual dynamic or rule-based configurations, and dispatch managers can provide real-time driver / dispatch notifications.

More specifically, the application server provider provides a world wide web site where dispatchers remotely diagnose, inspect, deploy and / or reprogram commercial vehicles they are responsible for using computers and web browser software. These dispatch managers include, for example, those who oversee and are responsible for the distribution of trucks to commercial trucking and delivery companies. Other users of remote vehicle diagnostics, inspection, placement and reprogramming tools may also be able to identify vehicle vendors, OEMs and dealers who wish to obtain data related to the performance of vehicles in their vehicles for the purpose of "market information" or "improving performance." Include.

In an alternative embodiment, the remote vehicle diagnostics, inspection, placement and reprogramming tools of the present invention are standalone software on equipment owned by customers (ie dispatcher managers, vehicle dealers, vehicle dealers, etc.) instead of the global Internet. It can work locally as an application. In yet another embodiment, users can access the remote vehicle diagnostics, inspection, placement and reprogramming tools of the present invention via direct telephone lines rather than the global Internet.

As described above, the remote vehicle diagnostic, inspection, placement, and reprogramming tools of the present invention facilitate dispatcher users, for example, changing vehicle parameters, detecting vehicle status, and / or vehicle maintenance. It can be used to receive a request indication.

In an alternative embodiment, the remote vehicle diagnostic, inspection, placement and reprogramming tools of the present invention may be used by vehicle component manufacturers to recalibrate any vehicle components, perform firmware downloads, perform component failure analysis, It can be used to determine wear characteristics.

In an alternative embodiment, the remote vehicle diagnostic, inspection, placement and reprogramming tools of the present invention can be used by vehicle manufacturers to determine the quality of the components (and thus component manufacturers) used in their manufacturing processes. It can be used to analyze and / or retrieve and manage warranty information.

In another embodiment, the remote vehicle diagnostic, inspection, placement and reprogramming tools of the present invention receive vehicle maintenance request indications, inspect vehicle use and abuse, and / or rent trips by vehicle leasing companies. It can be used to examine the information.

In yet another alternative embodiment, the remote vehicle diagnostic, inspection, placement and reprogramming tools of the present invention perform proactive data analysis and pre-arrival diagnosis by vehicle dealers or vehicle workshop personnel. Can be used to recalibrate vehicle components and / or to perform firmware downloads.

The invention is illustrated by the examples above. These are provided by way of example only, and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Indeed, upon reading the following description, the method of implementing the invention in alternative embodiments (e.g., remotely managing other types and aspects of commercial or non-commercial vehicles, etc.) will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Will be obvious to you.

The terms "user", "subscriber", "company", "related business" and many forms of these terms are used interchangeably herein and access the remote vehicle diagnostic, inspection, deployment and reprogramming tools of the present invention. Refers to people who use, benefit from, and / or benefit from.

ⅡSystem structure

1 is a block diagram illustrating the physical structure of a total dispatch logistics management ("TFL") system 100, according to one embodiment of the invention. 1 also illustrates a network connection relationship between many components.

The TFL system 100 includes a number of users 102 (eg, dispatch managers, car dealers, OEMs, car dealers, etc.), which run commercially available web browsers. Personal computer (PC) (e.g. Microsoft IBM ^TM or compatible PC workstation, Mac running 95/98 ^TM or Windows NT ^TM operating system Macintosh running OS operating system Computer or the like) to access the system 100. In alternative embodiments, users 102 may employ a TFL system using any processing device, including, but not limited to, desktop computers, laptops, palmtops, workstations, set-top boxes, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the like. 100).

Users 102 connect via the global Internet 104 to portions of TFL system 100 (ie, infrastructure) provided by TFL application service providers (ie, elements 106-124 of FIG. 1). However, the connection to the Internet 104 is made through the firewall 106. The components of the TFL system 100 are divided into two areas, "inside" and "outside". The components of are the components that a TFL application service provider has as part of their infrastructure to provide the tools and services contemplated by the present invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, of the TFL system 100. All components of the "internal" are connected and communicated by a wide area or local area network (WAN or LAN) that operates a secure communication protocol (e.g., secure socket layer (SSL)). Numerous Acts as a connection and separation between the LAN that contains the elements (eg, elements 108-124) and the "outside" of the LAN, the global Internet 104. In general, a firewall is a special security boundary software. Is a dedicated gateway machine (eg, SUN Ultra 10), which typically services connections and dial-in lines to, for example, the Internet 104, and then more loosely managed network elements hidden behind it. Firewalls are well known in the art and firewall software is available from many vendors, such as Check Point Software Technologies Corporation of Redwood City, California.

The TFL system 100 includes two servers, an application server 108 and an onboard unit server ("OBU") 118.

Application server 108 is the "backbone" (ie, TFL processing) of the present invention. This provides a "front end" for the TFL system 100. That is, the application server 108 typically operates on a web site that sends web pages in response to a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) request from remote browsers (ie, subscribers 102 of a TFL application service provider). Web service 110, which is a web server process. More specifically, web server 112 provides graphical user interface (GUI) “front end” screens to users 102 of TFL system 100 in the form of web pages. When these web pages are sent to the subscriber's PC (or something of that kind), the GUI screens are displayed. In one embodiment of the invention, server 112 is implemented using a Netscape Enterprise or compatible web server, Apache web server, or the like. Connected to server 112 is an application server 114 that facilitates data and instructions between storage database 116 and web pages on web server 112. In one embodiment of the invention, server 114 would be an Oracle application server.

Application server 108 also includes a TFL storage database 116. In one embodiment of the invention, database 116 is a Sun E250 machine running Oracle 8iRDBMS (Related Database Management Server) software. Database 116 is the central repository for all information in TFL system 100 and also stores web page executable code (eg, PL / SQL and HTML).

The OBU server 118 is generally responsible for data routing between the smart device onboard units 130 (described in more detail below) and the application server 108 in each vehicle. The OBU server 118 includes three software modules implemented in a high level programming language, such as the C ++ programming language, the dispatcher 120, the communication service 122, and the translation service 124. Dispatcher 120 is a software module residing in OBU server 118 that is responsible for routing messages between the other two elements of OBU server 118 (ie, communication service 122 and translation service 124). It plays the role of water.

Communication service 122 is a module that includes software code logic that is responsible for processing inbound and outbound vehicle data and instructions. As described in more detail below, the communication service 122 is configured for specific module communication means (eg, satellite or terrestrial radio) used within the TFL system 100.

Conversion service 124 is a module that includes software code logic that converts raw vehicle data (ie, telemetry) into a user-readable format and also performs inverse conversion. In one embodiment of the invention, conversion service 124 stores telemetry data definitions for many vehicle structures, models, and related elements. Includes relevant databases that are implemented in access, etc. These definitions allow vehicle part masks, bit lengths and Contains the order definition of the data stream.

TFL system 100 also includes a management workstation 134. The workstation uploads, updates, and dispatches subscriber information (eg, login, password, etc.) and dispatcher-related data for each of the users 102 subscribing to the TFL system 100 by an employee of the TFL application service provider. It can be used to maintain. The management workstation 134 is also used to monitor and log statistics generally related to the application server 108 and the system 100. In addition, management workstation 134 is used “offline” by subscribers 102 of TFL system 100 to input configuration data for supported controllers 132, etc. in their vehicle (s). do. This data is eventually stored in the TFL storage database 116.

The TFL system 100 also includes a number of vehicles 128 (ie, a "ship" that is remotely diagnosed, monitored and / or reprogrammed). (FIG. 1 shows only one vehicle 128 for ease of explanation). Within each vehicle there is a smart device onboard unit 130, which is described in more detail below. In one embodiment of the invention, the onboard unit 130 is a number of controllers or individual measurement points (shown as controllers 132a-n in FIG. 1) found within the vehicle 128 (eg, , Brakes, engines, transmissions and many other electrical component controllers of the vehicle). This access is made via a vehicle data bus (not shown) of each vehicle 128. The onboard units 130 also include transceivers for communicating with the communication service provider 126. Like the communication service module 122, the onboard units 130 are configured for the specific wireless mobile communication means (eg, satellite or terrestrial radio) used within the TFL system 100.

Hereinafter, the TFL system 100 and its functions will be described in more detail.

III. Onboard units

2A, a block diagram of the physical structure of the onboard unit 130 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The onboard unit 130 coordinates communication between the vehicle controller 132 and the rest of the TFL system 100.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the onboard unit 130 is a 32-bit RISC architecture central processing unit (CPU) 202, 4 MB RAM 204, 4 MB flash memory 206, power, such as an Intel Strong ARM 32-bit chip. A small (eg, 5 "x 6" x 2 ") computer board that includes a supply 208 and a compact flash interface memory 210.

The onboard unit 130 also includes a user interface channel port 212 and a vehicle interface channel port 214. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user interface channel port 212 is used for various wired and wireless mobile communication standard devices (Universal Serial Bus (USB), standard parallel port, standard serial port, satellite communication, code division multiple access (CDMA), time division Multi-access (TDMA), Bluetooth wireless standard chip, intelligent data bus (IDB) interface module). This allows the TFL application service provider to use several available providers 126 to communicate with the vehicle 128 of the subscriber's fleet.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle interface channel port 214 includes an interface module for several standard automatic propulsion application program interfaces (APIs). Such APIs include serial data communication between microcomputer systems in heavy vehicle applications , document number J1708, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) of Warrendale, PA (October 1993); Joint SAE / TMC Electronic Data Exchange between Microcomputer Systems in Heavy Vehicle Applications , Document No. J1587, SAE (July 1998); Recommended real and communications networks for truck and bus control , document number J1939, SAE (April 2000). All of these are incorporated herein by reference. Other APIs include SAE onboard diagnostic system (OBD) II standard vehicle manufacturer specific / proprietary interfaces and discrete measurement point interfaces.

2B, a block diagram of the software structure of the onboard unit 130 in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The onboard unit 130 includes three main modules, which are implemented in a high-level programming language (C ++) and executed in the CPU 202. These modules are a command server module 210, a plurality of application specific modules ( 220 (shown as 220a-220n) and data analysis / request module 230.

The command server module 210 includes software code logic that serves to coordinate the sending and receiving of communications from the provider 126 and sends such data to the data analysis / request module 230 or to one of the application specific modules 220. send.

Each application specific module 220 (for each manufacturer specific controller 132 in the vehicle) has application specific (ie manufacturer specific) parameter reading, warning, batch or reprogram data (described below). And software code logic that serves to coordinate the inter-vehicle data bus 240 interfacing in the command server module 210.

The data analysis / request module 230 is also used at the command server module 210 for non-application specific (ie, "normal" SAE J1708 or SAE1939 discrete measurement points) parameter read, warning, batch or reprogram data (described below). Software code logic that coordinates direct interfacing between vehicle data buses 240.

In an embodiment of the present invention, SAE's joint SAE / TMC recommended environmental practice (document number ) for electronic equipment design (large truck) because onboard unit 130 is a component included (or installed) in vehicle 132. Designed to comply with J1455 (August 1994) standard, hereby incorporated by reference. That is, the onboard unit 130 is physically mounted to the vehicle 128, electrically connected to the vehicle data bus 240 through the wire device of the vehicle 128, and is durable to environmental leakage of dust and moisture. Packaged to withstand operating vibrations. In addition, the onboard unit 130 should be configured to withstand the industrial temperature range (-40 to 85 ° C.) in a preferred embodiment.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the onboard unit 130 includes a satellite positioning system (GPS) receiver component, which allows the TFL system 100 to provide location based logistics management features to the user.

The structure and function of the onboard unit 130 will be described in detail below along with the description of the operation of the TFL system 100.

IV. Description of operation of the system

3, a flow chart of a sample control flow 300 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, control flow 300 illustrates dispatch manager user 102 reprogramming vehicle vehicle parameters with respect to the components of TFL system 100 described in FIG. 1 (FIG. 6 described below). See also). Control flow 300 begins at step 302 where control immediately passes to step 304.

In step 304, the user 102 enters a password to log in to the TFL system 100. Such login is provided by a web page sent by the web service via the Internet 104 (accessed by the user 102 using a PC or the like). Subscriber information is maintained in the TFL repository database by the TFL application service provider.

After the user is logged in, in step 306 the user enters their vehicle list selection. Vehicle selections that can be used for the selection (i.e., full allocation, vehicle classification within a vehicle, specific individual vehicles) are stored in the TFL repository database 116 for each subscriber. If an available vehicle is provided, in step 308 the user 102 inputs a parameter (eg, maximum cruise speed) to reprogram on the particular vehicle selected in step 306.

In step 312, the application server 108 receives the settings and translates the reprogram request into a list of instructions-one instruction for each vehicle-which is located on the onboard unit (OBU) server 118. Forward to the patcher module 120. In step 314, dispatcher module 120 forwards each instruction to translation service 124. In step 136, the conversion service 124 can understand the user input setting (eg, “55 MPH”) on the onboard unit 130 so that the instruction can be processed in accordance with the requirements of the target vehicle controller 132. Convert to binary form. This conversion is easily performed by an associated database (as described above) located within the conversion service 124. Once converted, the instruction (binary) is sent back to the dispatcher module 120.

In step 318, the translation service 124 forwards the command to the communication service 122. In step 320, the communication service 122 encodes and compresses the instructions (for transmission efficiency) and sends the instructions to the communications provider 126 via the Internet 104 (through the firewall 106). In step 322, the communication provider 126 forwards the instructions to the onboard unit 130 on the vehicle 128.

As noted above, step 322 is in accordance with embodiments of the present invention (ie, depending on the provider 126 that may be selected or used by the TFL application service provider). Serial ports, satellite communications, CDMA, TDMA, Bluetooth wireless standards, IDB, etc.)

In an embodiment of the present invention, one or more communication service providers 126 to maximize the number of different vehicles 128 belonging to different subscribers 102 that can be diagnosed, controlled and reprogrammed by the TFL system 100. (Thus one or more mobile means) are used by the TFL application service provider. As a result, the OBU server 118 includes a number of communication service 122 modules, each configured for a particular communication service provider 126.

In step 324, the instructions are received by the instruction server module 210 executing on the CPU 202 of the onboard unit 130. In step 326, the instructions are forwarded to the vehicle data bus 240 by the data analysis / request module 230 executing on the CPU 202 of the onboard unit 130. Thus, the instruction eventually reaches the appropriate controller 132 in the vehicle 128. Next control flow 300 ends at step 328.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art after reading the above, the approval of the reprogram command from the vehicle 128 to the user 102 flows in the opposite direction from the control flow 300. The approval is also stored in the database 116 for the user 102 for later search.

It should be noted that the control flow 300 that highlights reprogramming the functionality of the TFL system 100 has been provided for illustrative purposes only. The software architecture of the present invention is sufficiently flexible and configurable for the user 102 to steer the system 100 in a manner other than that shown in FIG.

V. Graphical User Interface

As noted above, the application 108 may be used by the user 102 (eg, dispatcher manager, vehicle distributor, OEM, vehicle dealer, etc.) to input and receive output as described, for example, in the control flow 300. Provides a GUI. In an embodiment of the present invention, the GUI strings of the present invention fall into three categories. That is, alerts (eg, critical alerts, tamper alerts, etc.), parameter reads and reprogramming. 4-6 shown below show GUI screens reflecting each of these three categories. They also generally highlight the functionality and characteristics of the TFL system 100.

4A, a “set alert” GUI screen 410 with each data is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Screen 400 includes a column 402 labeled "Vehicle Unit ID", which indicates the vehicle in the vehicle the user 102 previously selected for receiving alerts. Screen 400 includes a column 404 labeled "Description", which indicates the type of vehicle 128 that corresponds to the vehicle unit ID in column 402. Screen 400 also includes a column 406 labeled "T. Codes", which is a user selectable checkbox that alerts for all available parameters in a particular vehicle 128. Indicates that you want to track. Finally, screen 400 includes a column 408 labeled "Tamper", which is a user selectable checkbox that tracks whether any parameter in a particular vehicle 128 has been physically changed. Indicates whether or not you want to.

Referring to FIG. 4B, a “view alert” GUI screen 410 with representative data is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Screen 410 includes a column 412 labeled "Reading Date / Time", which indicates that a particular alert has been generated for the vehicle specified in column 414 labeled "Vehicle Unit ID." Points to the actual date and time. In column 416, the parameter name for which the alert was generated (eg, vehicle speed limit) is displayed. Screen 410 also includes a column 418 labeled " Alert Vlaue " where the alert description is displayed.

5A, a “select parameter” GUI screen 500 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Screen 500 includes four categories 502a-d of parameters that the user 102 can select. Within each category 502 are specific vehicle parameters 504a-d that the user can select. The selected parameter 504 or category of parameters 502 will be the TFL system 100 that has obtained this parameter read from each vehicle that the user 102 has previously selected.

Referring to FIG. 5B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a “select parameter transation” GUI screen 510 with representative data is shown. Screen 510 includes a column 512 labeled as "Trasaction Description." This column points to the names of different transactions created by one or more users 102 managing the same vehicle. In an embodiment of the present invention, a "transaction" is selected by the user 102 using the screen 500 and used in the TFL system 100 using the "transaction" shown in column 512 of the screen 510. Preserved sections of different categories 502 and / or specific vehicle parameters 504. Column 513 indicates the ID (ie, login name) of the specific user 102 who created the transaction. Column 516, labeled “Param Profile Requested,” indicates the category 502 of the parameter that the user selected in GUI screen 500 for the corresponding transaction. Column 518 allows the user 102 to select a transaction to display for the particular vehicle 128 previously selected.

Referring to FIG. 5C, a "view parameter results" GUI screen 520 is shown, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Screen 520 includes a column 522 labeled "Vehicle Unit ID", which represents the vehicle in the vehicle that the user previously selected to receive the parameter read. Screen 520 also indicates a parameter value read from selected vehicle 128 and uses the select button of column 518 on screen 510 to read various parameter columns 524 corresponding to the transaction selected by user 102. It includes.

Referring to FIG. 6A, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a GUI screen 600 of “enter parameter values for reprogramming” is shown (control flow 300 described above in FIG. 3). Screen 600 includes a column 602 that is labeled "Vehicle Unit ID", which indicates the vehicle in the vehicle previously selected by user 102 for reprogramming. Screen 600 is referred to as "Description". A column 604 is indicated, which indicates the type of vehicle 128 that corresponds to the vehicle unit ID in column 602. Screen 600 is also column 606, labeled "Current Setting." Which indicates the current value of a previously selected parameter that the user 102 wishes to reprogram (ie change). Finally, the screen 600 includes a column labeled “New Setting”. This means that the vehicle previously selected by the user ( 128) This is an input box where you can enter a new value for a parameter.

Referring to FIG. 6B, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a “view reprogramming results” GUI screen 610 is shown. Screen 610 includes column 612 labeled “Vehicle,” which indicates the vehicle in the vehicle that the user previously selected for reprogramming. Column 614 indicates the name of a previously selected vehicle parameter whose status information is now being shown to user 102. Column 616 indicates the date and time at which user 102 sent the reprogram request using screen 600. Column 618 labeled "Current" indicates the current value (last read and stored in current repository 116) for the corresponding vehicle parameter shown in column 614. Column 620, labeled "Requested," refers to the new reprogram value requested by user 102 using column 608 of screen 600. Screen 610 also includes a column labeled “Status”, which indicates the current status (read from vehicle 128) of the reprogram command sent by the TFL system 100.

It should be noted that the screens shown in this section (ie, FIGS. 4-6) (screens that highlight the functionality of the TFL system 100) are for illustration only. The software architecture (and therefore the GUI screen) of the present invention is sufficiently flexible and configurable for the user 102 to manipulate the system 100 in a manner other than that shown in FIGS. 4-6. Moreover, the information described therein may be provided to the user 102 in a manner other than that shown in FIGS. 4-6.

In an embodiment of the invention, reprogram commands sent to a particular vehicle 128 and parameter reads read from a particular vehicle 128 may be scheduled by the TFL system 100. That is, the user 102 may specify, for example, the predetermined time that parameter reading should take for a particular vehicle in the vehicle. Such predetermined time may be hours, days, x hours per day, y hours per week, months, and the like.

Ⅵ. excuse

The invention (ie, TFL system 100, onboard unit 130, control flow 300, and / or any portion (s) thereof) may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof, one of Or more computer systems or other processing systems. Indeed, in one embodiment, the present invention is directed to one or more computer systems capable of performing the functions described herein. An example of a computer system 700 is shown in FIG. 7. The computer system 700 includes one or more processors, such as the processor 704. The processor 704 is connected to a communication subsystem 706 (eg, a communication bus, cross-over bar, or network). Various software embodiments related to this exemplary computer system are described. Those skilled in the art will, after reading this description, clearly know how to practice the invention using other computer systems and / or computer architectures.

Computer system 700 may include a display interface 705 that transmits graphics, text, and other data from communication subsystem 706 (or not shown frame buffer) for display on display unit 730.

Computer system 700 also includes main memory 708, preferably random access memory (RAM), and may further include auxiliary memory 710. The secondary memory 710 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 712 and / or a removable storage drive 714 (representing a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, etc.). The removable storage drive 714 reads from and / or writes to the removable storage unit 718 in a well known manner. The removable storage unit 718 represents a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, or the like, and is read and written by the removable storage drive 714. As can be seen, the removable storage unit 718 includes a computer usable storage medium storing therein computer software and / or data.

In alternative embodiments, auxiliary memory 710 may include other similar means for causing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into computer system 700. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit 722 and an interface 720. Examples include program cartridges and cartridge interfaces (such as those found in video game devices), removable memory chips and associated sockets (such as EPROM or PROM), other removable storage units 722 and software and data. And may include interfaces 720 that allow for transmission from the removable storage unit 722 to the computer system 700.

Computer system 700 may also include a communication interface 724. Communication interface 724 allows software and data to be transferred between computer system 700 and external devices. Examples of communication interface 724 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communication port, a PCMCIA slot and a card, and the like. Software and data transmitted via communication interface 724 are in the form of signals 728, which may be electrical, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals that may be received by communication interface 724. These signals 728 are provided to the communication interface 724 via a communication path (ie, channel) 726. This channel 726 carries signals 728 and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, telephone lines, cellular phone links, RF links, and other communication channels.

As used herein, the terms “computer program medium” and “computer usable medium” are generally used to refer to a removable storage drive 714, a hard disk installed in the hard disk drive 712, and a medium such as signals 728. . These computer programs are means of providing software to computer system 700. The present invention relates to such computer program objects.

Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory 708 and / or auxiliary memory 710. Computer programs may also be received via communication interface 724. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system 700 to carry out the features of the invention discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor 704 to perform the features of the present invention. Accordingly, these computer programs represent the controllers of the computer system 700.

In embodiments in which the present invention is implemented using software, the software may be stored as a computer program and may be stored in a computer system 700 using a removable storage drive 714, hard drive 712, or communication interface 724. It can be loaded in). Control logic (software), when executed by the processor 704, causes the processor 704 to perform the functions of the invention described herein.

In another embodiment, the present invention is primarily implemented in hardware using hardware components such as, for example, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Implementation of a hardware state machine to perform the functions described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art (s).

In yet another embodiment, the present invention is implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.

Iii. conclusion

While various embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that these embodiments are shown by way of example and not by way of limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art (s) that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should not be limited by the exemplary embodiments described above, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (12)

A system that allows a user to perform remote vehicle diagnostics, vehicle inspection, vehicle placement, and vehicle reprogramming of one or more vehicles, (A) an onboard unit connected to the data bus of the one or more vehicles; (B) an application server for providing a graphical user interface (GUI) to the user for exchanging data in the one or more vehicles; (C) a storage database accessible through the application server, the storage database storing information related to the one or more vehicles; (D) means for converting data between a format understandable by a user using the GUI and a format understandable by the onboard unit connected to the data bus of the one or more vehicles connected to the application server. An onboard unit server comprising; And (E) communication means connected with said onboard unit server, said communication means coordinating communication between said onboard unit server and said onboard units located in said one or more vehicles, whereby The system facilitates changing vehicle parameters, tracking vehicle status and receiving vehicle maintenance necessity notifications, thus eliminating the need to physically move one or more vehicles to a maintenance, repair or deployment facility. A system that allows a user to perform total fleet logistics. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the one or more vehicles are (Iii) cars; (Ii) small trucks; (Iii) vans; And (Iii) heavy trucks A system comprising complexes of any of the above. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the format understandable by the onboard unit connected to the data bus of the one or more vehicles is binary. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a first portion of the communication means comprises the global internet. The method of claim 2, wherein at least a second portion of the communication means is (Iii) satellite communications; (Ii) code division multiple access (CDMA) communication; (Iii) time division multiple access (TDMA) communication; And (Ⅳ) Bluetooth ^? Wireless communication A system comprising at least one of the. A system for a vehicle onboard unit that allows a user to perform remote vehicle diagnostics, vehicle inspection, vehicle placement and vehicle reprogramming. (A) a central processing unit (CPU); (B) a user input / output (I / O) channel port for receiving communication from the user; (C) a first application executing on the CPU that derives an instruction from the communication received by the user I / O channel port, the instruction including information specifying one vehicle and at least one vehicle parameter. Program interface means; (D) a vehicle input / output (I / O) channel port for communicating with a vehicle data bus located in the vehicle; (E) a second application program interface means for executing in said CPU which enables said at least one vehicle parameters to be read or changed by sending and receiving said command to said vehicle data bus via said vehicle I / O channel port. Including, thereby The system facilitates the change of vehicle parameters, tracking of vehicle conditions and the receipt of vehicle maintenance need notifications, thereby eliminating the need to physically move the vehicle to a maintenance, repair or deployment facility, thereby allowing the user to totally dispatch A system characterized in that to perform logistics management. 7. The communication method according to claim 6, wherein said first application program interface means is received at said user I / O channel port. (Iii) satellite communications; (Ii) code division multiple access (CDMA) communication; (Iii) time division multiple access (TDMA) communication; (Ⅳ) Bluetooth ^? Wireless communication; (Iii) with USB; And (Iii) IDB Means for deriving the instruction from one of the following. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the second application program interface means comprises the following application program interfaces. (Iii) SAE J1708; (Ii) SAE J1587; (Iii) SAE J1939; (Iii) SAE OBD II; And (Iii) Manufacturer proprietary interfaces A system comprising one of the following. A method of allowing a user to perform remote diagnosis, inspection, placement and reprogramming of dispatched vehicles, (1) accessing a storage database to provide the user with a list of specific vehicles in the dispatched vehicles and a list of related vehicle parameters; (2) receiving a command from the user via a graphical user interface (GUI), the command comprising information specifying at least one vehicle parameter from the list of related vehicle parameters and at least one from the list of vehicles Wow; (3) storing the command in the storage database along with a time and date received from the user; (4) converting the command from a format understandable to a user using the GUI to a format understandable by an onboard unit located in the at least one vehicle; (5) transmitting the command in a format understandable by the onboard unit located in the at least one vehicle via a wireless mobile communication system, such that the at least one vehicle parameter can be read or changed; (6) receiving a response of the command from the onboard unit via the wireless mobile communication system; And (7) storing the approval in the storage database so that a user can later retrieve the approval using a GUI, whereby The method facilitates the change of vehicle parameters, tracking of vehicle status and the receipt of vehicle maintenance necessity notifications, thus eliminating the need to physically move vehicles in the vehicle to a maintenance, repair or placement facility, thereby allowing the user to total. How to perform dispatch logistics management. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the GUI is provided to a user via the global internet. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one portion of the wireless mobile communication system is (Iii) satellite communications; (Ii) code division multiple access (CDMA) communication; (Iii) time division multiple access (TDMA) communication; And (Ⅳ) Bluetooth ^? Wireless communication A method comprising at least one of. A computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having control logic stored thereon for allowing a computer to provide remote diagnostics, testing, placement and reprogramming. First computer readable program code means for causing the computer to access a storage database to provide the user with a list of specific vehicles in the dispatched vehicles and a list of related vehicle parameters; Receive a command from the user via a graphical user interface (GUI), the command comprising information specifying one vehicle parameter from the list of at least one vehicle and the associated vehicle parameters from the list of vehicles. Two computer readable program code means; Third computer readable program code means for storing the instructions in the storage database with a time and date received from the user; Fourth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to convert the instructions from a format understandable to a user using the GUI to a format understandable by an onboard unit located in the at least one vehicle; Fifth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to transmit the instruction in a format that the onboard unit located in the at least one vehicle can understand via a wireless mobile communication system; Sixth computer readable program code means for causing the computer to receive a response of the command from the onboard unit via the wireless mobile communication system; And And seventh computer readable program code means for causing the computer to store the approval in the storage database so that a user can later retrieve the approval using a GUI. The computer program product facilitates the change of vehicle parameters, tracking vehicle status, and receipt of vehicle maintenance need notifications, thereby eliminating the need to physically move vehicles in the vehicle to a maintenance, repair or deployment facility. A computer program product that allows a user to perform total dispatch logistics management.