DE102006056220B4 - A method of notifying car users of unscheduled inspection work on the vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for notifying motor vehicle users of unscheduled inspection work on the vehicle, via a telematics unit, characterized in that a) the unscheduled inspection work on the vehicle is an unavoidable vehicle recall, and b) the notification of motor vehicle users in the event of unscheduled inspection work Inspection work pending on the vehicle is carried out as a function of one or more situation-dependent parameters, c) the one or more situation-dependent parameters being information that is dependent on the current user of the vehicle, and d) the notification is dependent on whether it is the current user of the vehicle is the vehicle owner or a vehicle user.

Description

The invention relates to a method for informing motor vehicle users of unscheduled vehicle inspection work according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a vehicle telematics system for carrying out the method.

In order to improve the safety as well as the comfort for road users, increasingly electronic systems with ever higher performance are being built into vehicles, whereby the development times of the individual electronic systems as well as the mechanical components / constructions due to the competition or the competition / market presence very tight development schedule subject.

Due to the often very high complexity of the individual systems / components and the associated very extensive and sometimes very complex verification tests, as well as the sometimes difficult predictable material behavior over the life (especially in environmental pollution), quality fluctuations caused by this can not be completely ruled out in advance ,

These quality fluctuations are of particular importance when series production has already started, or the vehicles are already in higher quantities at the end customer, and it turns out that a lack of quality is a safety-critical factor in itself, so possibly a vehicle recall unavoidable is or becomes necessary (unscheduled inspection work) and / or the subsequently identified defect in an electronic component must be remedied by means of a software update, it being noted that the method can not only be applied to unscheduled inspection work, but also a general Control of inspection work can be realized.

A vehicle recall is apart from the technical expenses, usually also associated with large logistical expenses, since depending on the risk potential each end customer must be contacted to inform the vehicle owner that a review / rework on the vehicle is required.

If the subsequently detected quality defect in an electronic component can be remedied by means of a software update, it is clear from the document DE 10 2005 057 776 A1 a method for updating vehicle diagnostic software is known, wherein the updating is carried out via a telematics unit, so that in this case a (unscheduled) visit to a customer service station is not required.

A disadvantage of this method can be considered that in the method according to the document DE 10 2005 057 776 A1 the updating of the vehicle diagnostic software is independent of the situation-dependent parameters (the customer may be prevented from continuing at any point in time), or can only remedy problems that are to be remedied by means of a software update. In the other case, as stated above, all end customers must be contacted in order to inform the vehicle owner accordingly.

From the Scriptures DE 196 20 885 A1 a method for updating data and / or parameters of a control unit in a vehicle is known in which the data is transmitted by radio from a control center together with the vehicle-specific identifier, and the existing data in the control unit are overwritten if the vehicle-specific identifier with matches the identifier held in the vehicle. Further, the update is intended to be performed only when the vehicle has a predetermined operating condition, such as vehicle standstill.

From the Scriptures DE 103 40 870 A1 a method for controlling the output of messages in an information system of a motor vehicle is known, wherein the messages are assigned priorities, so that the order, the timing and, where appropriate, the nature of the output of the messages on the priority of the respective message and depend criteria are formed from information received from the information system.

From the Scriptures EP 1 139 217 A1 a method for storing operating software and vehicle data is known, it is checked in this, whether a data packet with updated operating software has been sent by telecommunication to the base module, and that in the case of changes or updates a program routine, the data content of the data memory with the data packages flashes wherein the flash operation is performed only after a check has been made with the program routine to see if the vehicle is being parked for safe-location flashing.

In some solutions according to the prior art, this can be the case for vehicles at any time as a result of a program update (flash operation) for a short time to usage restrictions (wait until the Updating has been performed) lead or lead to the vehicle driver or user of a vehicle information about an upcoming workshop visit is transmitted. This can also be the case if the vehicle is a rental vehicle, and thus the user of a rental vehicle with regard to a future upcoming visit to the workshop informed and (probably) unnecessarily unsettled, since none of the solutions is differentiated in more detail, whether the current user of the vehicle (driver) is the vehicle owner or a vehicle user (eg, a rental vehicle), and it appears inappropriate for a customer of a rental vehicle to confront customer service information or system software updates becomes.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method for notifying motor vehicle users in (unscheduled) pending on the vehicle inspection work, by means of assistance or via a telematics unit, so that the end customer in (unscheduled) on-vehicle inspection work targeted (personified) informed or, for example, customers of rental vehicles, are not unnecessarily bothered with situations / information that is perceived as disturbing.

This object is achieved by a method for notifying motor vehicle users during (unscheduled) inspection work pending on the vehicle, by means of assistance or via a telematics unit, having the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims.

An essential idea of the invention is that the notification of the motor vehicle user in the case of inspection work pending on the vehicle takes place in dependence on one or more situation-dependent parameters.

• a) Art des Gefährdungspotentials/Priorität der Dringlichkeit (Sicherheitsrisiko hoch oder gering)
• b) Momentaner Standort des Fahrzeugs (Entfernung zur Fachwerkstatt, von dieser das Fahrzeug üblicherweise gewartet wird)
• c) Momentaner Standort des Fahrzeugs (Entfernung zur nächsten autorisierten Fachwerkstatt)
• d) Momentaner Geschwindigkeit des Fahrzeugs
• e) Ob es sich beim Fahrzeugführer um den Fahrzeugeigentümer oder einen Fahrzeugbenutzer handelt (z. B. bei Leihfahrzeugen)
• f) Der zeitliche verbleibende Abstand, bis zu diesem ein routinemäßiger Kundendienst ansteht/durchzurühren ist
• g) Gegebenenfalls uhrzeit-, wochentag- & feiertagabhängig
• h) Gegebenenfalls abhängig vom momentanen Auslastungsgrad der Werkstatt, bei dieser das Fahrzeug üblicherweise gewartet wird.

In order to simplify this, it is proposed according to the invention that updates of vehicle diagnostic software and / or the notification of the end customer are preferably carried out (if possible) by means of telematics support, wherein in the notification (in the simplest case by triggering a Dashboard / Dashboard Warning Display) the time of notification depends on at least one or more of the following parameters (or combinations thereof):

• a) Type of risk potential / priority of urgency (security risk high or low)
• b) Current location of the vehicle (distance to the workshop from which the vehicle is usually maintained)
• c) Current location of the vehicle (distance to the nearest authorized workshop)
• d) Current speed of the vehicle
• e) Whether the driver is the vehicle owner or a vehicle user (eg for rental vehicles)
• f) The time remaining until such time as routine customer service is due
• g) If necessary, time, weekday & holiday dependent
• h) If necessary, depending on the current load factor of the workshop, in which the vehicle is usually maintained.

The advantages that result from the "parameterized" telematics-assisted, customer notification in the event of a required callback or general service control or updating of the vehicle diagnostic software are, in addition to the simplifications in the logistical area, that the vehicle owner / customer can also be notified individually a quick notification option in the notification of the current situation of the driver / customer can be taken into account.

Examples:

• a) In a required verification process, which, however, is not critical in time (only a low / medium risk potential is present), it is for example not appropriate if the driver is notified abroad / on the trip with respect to a to be performed / held recall action (* 1).
• b) In a required verification process, which, however, is not critical in terms of time (only a low / medium risk potential exists), it is not appropriate, for example, if the vehicle driver / customer of a rental car is notified of a to be performed / held recall.
• c) In a required verification process, however, which is not critical in terms of time (only a low / medium hazard potential exists), it is not appropriate, for example, when the vehicle driver / vehicle owner is notified of a call-back action to be taken, if in any case shortly due to a service interval routine servicing is required (* 1).
• d) In a required verification process, which, however, is not critical in terms of time (only a low / medium risk potential exists), it is not appropriate, for example, if the vehicle driver z. B. is notified at the beginning of the holiday or midnight or before several upcoming holidays regarding a scheduled recall action to be performed (* 1).

• (* 1) If the display is a simple warning light in the dashboard, it would become active at some point (unnerve the driver unnecessarily), for which the driver could only visit a service workshop under difficult conditions.

About the type of communication for notification is not discussed in this application, since the communication and the required "units" (hardware, providers, networks, call centers, ...) and "information" (vehicle code, vehicle position / position determination , Type of defect, ...), for example in the Scriptures DE 10 2005 057 776 A1 , as well as other writings on this topic, are explained in detail, or as state of the art applies (in the future by the expansion / market penetration of telematics will be readily available), and thus in the full extent as known / included.

The invention will now be described below with reference to an embodiment with the aid of the single 1 explained in more detail. Hereinafter, for functionally identical and / or identical elements may be denoted by the same reference numerals.

Show it

1 : A representation of a motor vehicle ( 2 ) with motor vehicle telematics system ( 1 ), with its basic system components.

• – einem Zentralrechner (1.1) zur Durchführung von Telematik-Applikationen,
• – Geräteeinheiten (1.2, 1.2.1) zum Senden, Empfangen, Erfassen und/oder Verarbeiten von zu den Telematik-Applikationen gehörenden Daten,
• – einer optischen (1.5) und akustischen (1.4) Warnsignalisierung, und optional
• – einer Global-Position-System-Einheit (1.3), oder einer nicht näher gezeigten datentechnischer Anbindung an ein Global-Position-System,

zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens. 1 shows a representation of a motor vehicle ( 2 ) with motor vehicle telematics system ( 1 ), consisting of the components;

• - a central computer ( 1.1 ) for the implementation of telematics applications,
• - device units ( 1.2 . 1.2.1 ) for sending, receiving, detecting and / or processing of data belonging to the telematics applications,
• - an optical ( 1.5 ) and acoustic ( 1.4 ) Warning, and optional
• - a global position system unit ( 1.3 ), or a not-shown data technology connection to a global position system,

for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The Global Position System Unit ( 1.3 ), or the not shown in detail data link to a global position system is in the motor vehicle telematics system ( 1 ) (only) optional, since this is not absolutely necessary. This is useful / necessary only for higher-value systems insofar as the situation-dependent parameters also take into account the instantaneous removal of the vehicle to the next motor vehicle trademark workshop or the usual customer service facility visited.

For the sake of simplicity, the existing information that is taken for granted in the vehicle, such as the vehicle speed information, the time information, the current mileage performance information, etc., are not shown in more detail since these are the motor vehicle telematics system ( 1 ) via a vehicle bus ( 3 ) (eg CAN bus), or it is assumed here that the motor vehicle telematics system ( 1 ) if necessary to this information via a vehicle bus ( 3 ), provided that such data is available from the vehicle telematics system ( 1 ) are needed.

The term "to be needed under" is understood to mean that, depending on which parameter is concerned, either in the motor vehicle telematics system ( 1 ) or in the case of the "transmitter" (initiator of the recall or software update), which is not illustrated in detail, whether and when the updating of the vehicle diagnostic software and / or the notification of the vehicle user is carried out during inspection work pending on the vehicle. A vehicle-kilometer-power-dependent decision, or a vehicle-speed-dependent decision, or a vehicle-location-dependent decision, for example, on-site by means of the motor vehicle telematics system ( 1 ), whereas a decision taking into account the nature of the hazard potential is preferably performed at the "originator" of the recall or the software update.

If, for example, the hazard potential is very low or only medium, the "initiator" (responsible vehicle manufacturer, or service institution acting on its behalf) may decide that the required verification of the potential vehicle or electronic component vulnerability will be automatic the next time routine service call / service interval is taken into account or the software is updated accordingly, so that no notification to the / the vehicle owner is required. If the potential vulnerability is executable by means of an update from the vehicle diagnostic software via / via a telematics unit, the "initiator" can arrange for this update to be carried out at a suitable time, in order not to endanger the vehicle user while driving, the actual execution of the updating of the on-site vehicle diagnostic software by means of the vehicle telematics system ( 1 ) is performed as a function of one or more situation-dependent parameters, or the final warning signaling message is sent to the vehicle user with regard to a callback in dependence on one or more situation-dependent parameters.

A hazard during the journey for the vehicle user would be given, for example, if during the journey an update of the vehicle diagnostic software of an airbag control unit (to name just one electronic control unit - representative) would be performed because during the Updated usually the airbag control unit would not be ready to trigger in an accident occurring. Is in the motor vehicle telematics system ( 1 ) the information has been received that an action (update or recall) is required, the motor vehicle telematics system ( 1 ) wait for a convenient moment on site (to inform the vehicle user), to which the vehicle user can easily go to a workshop, or wait until the telemetric update of the diagnostic software is complete (including a combination of several situation-dependent parameters or a matrix-based decision-making is possible, in which the individual situation-dependent parameters under certain circumstances, a weighting is possible, is possible), so that the vehicle user at any time a threat or uncertainty is created.

In the same way, for example, even if there is a high hazard potential, received by the motor vehicle telematics system ( 1 ), by the motor vehicle telematics system ( 1 ) wait a favorable moment on the ground to inform the vehicle user within a limited time (eg 7 days) at a favorable (or more favorable time than the current time at which the information was received) time or the Update vehicle diagnostic software accordingly, so that the vehicle user at no time a risk or uncertainty is created.

Equally with the provision of information to the vehicle user, with regard to a required recall, it may also be useful to carry out an update of the vehicle diagnosis software only under the same conditions, for example, during the update may not be completely ruled out problems, and in case of failure telemetric updating of vehicle diagnostic software, an inclusive workshop visit is / will be required.

For this reason, as already stated above, methods according to the invention are proposed in that the updating of the vehicle diagnosis software and / or the notification of the motor vehicle users takes place during inspection work pending on the vehicle as a function of one or more situation-dependent parameters.

• – eine von der Fahrzeuggeschwindigkeit abhängige Information, um die Aktualisierung der Fahrzeugdiagnose-Software und/oder die Benachrichtigung der Kfz-Benutzer bei am Fahrzeug anstehenden Inspektionsarbeiten nur bei Fahrzeugstillstand zu veranlassen
• – eine vom Gefährdungspotential abhängige Information, um die Aktualisierung der Fahrzeugdiagnose-Software und/oder die Benachrichtigung der Kfz-Benutzer bei am Fahrzeug anstehenden Inspektionsarbeiten bei hohem Gefährdungspotential innerhalb 7 Tagen zu veranlassen
• – eine vom momentanen Standort des Fahrzeugs abhängige Information, um die Aktualisierung der Fahrzeugdiagnose-Software und/oder die Benachrichtigung der Kfz-Benutzer bei am Fahrzeug anstehenden Inspektionsarbeiten nur bei einer Fahrzeug-Entfernung von kleiner 100 Kilometer zur üblichen aufgesuchten Kundendienstwertstätte, oder nur bei einer Fahrzeug-Entfernung von kleiner 100 Kilometer zur nächsten Vertragswertstätte zu veranlassen
• – eine von der Zeitdauer bis zum nächsten routinemäßigen Kundendiensttermin des Fahrzeugs abhängige Information, die Aktualisierung der Fahrzeugdiagnose-Software und/oder die Benachrichtigung der Kfz-Benutzer bei am Fahrzeug anstehenden Inspektionsarbeiten nur bei einer Zeitdauer von größer 3 Monaten bis zum nächsten routinemäßigen Kundendiensttermin des Fahrzeugs zu veranlassen
• – eine von der Kilometerlaufleistung bis zum nächsten routinemäßigen Kundendiensttermin des Fahrzeugs abhängige Information, um die Aktualisierung der Fahrzeugdiagnose-Software und/oder die Benachrichtigung der Kfz-Benutzer bei am Fahrzeug anstehenden Inspektionsarbeiten nur bei einer Kilometerlaufleistung von größer 5000 Kilometer bis zum nächsten routinemäßigen Kundendiensttermin des Fahrzeugs zu veranlassen
• – eine von der Zeit, insbesondere Uhrzeit, oder Wochentag, oder Feiertag, abhängige Information, um die Aktualisierung der Fahrzeugdiagnose-Software und/oder die Benachrichtigung der Kfz-Benutzer bei am Fahrzeug anstehenden Inspektionsarbeiten nur an Werktagen, oder nur zu den üblichen Geschäftszeiten einer Kundendienstwertstätte zu veranlassen
• – eine vom momentanen Nutzer des Fahrzeugs abhängige Information um die Aktualisierung der Fahrzeugdiagnose-Software und/oder die Benachrichtigung der Kfz-Benutzer bei am Fahrzeug anstehenden Inspektionsarbeiten nur bei der Identifizierung des Fahrzeugeigentümers als momentanen Nutzer des Fahrzeugs zu veranlassen, wobei der Fahrzeugeigentümer von einem Nutzer eines Leihfahrzeuges in einfachstem Fall durch die Art des verwendeten Fahrzeugschlüssels differenzierbar ist
• – eine vom momentanen Auslastungsgrad der Werkstatt, bei dieser das Fahrzeug üblicherweise gewartet wird, abhängige Information, um die Aktualisierung der Fahrzeugdiagnose-Software und/oder die Benachrichtigung der Kfz-Benutzer bei am Fahrzeug anstehenden Inspektionsarbeiten nur bei nicht vollständiger Auslastung der Werkstatt, bei dieser das Fahrzeug üblicherweise gewartet wird, zu veranlassen.

The situation-dependent parameters include, for example, the following factors:

• An information dependent on the vehicle speed, in order to cause the updating of the vehicle diagnosis software and / or the notification of the vehicle user during inspection work pending on the vehicle only when the vehicle is at a standstill
• - Information dependent on the risk potential, in order to arrange the updating of the vehicle diagnostic software and / or the notification of the vehicle user for inspection work on the vehicle with high risk potential within 7 days
• - A dependent on the current location of the vehicle information to the update of the vehicle diagnostic software and / or notification of the vehicle user for pending on the vehicle inspection work only at a vehicle distance of less than 100 kilometers to the usual customer service facility visited, or only one Vehicle distance of less than 100 kilometers to the next contract value
• - Information dependent on the period until the next routine customer service appointment of the vehicle, the updating of the vehicle diagnostic software and / or the notification of the vehicle user for vehicle inspection work only for a period greater than 3 months until the next routine customer service appointment of the vehicle to induce
• - information dependent on the mileage performance until the next routine vehicle servicing date, to update the vehicle diagnostic software and / or notify the vehicle user of any inspection work on the vehicle for a mileage of more than 5000 kilometers until the next routine customer service appointment To induce vehicle
• - information dependent on time, in particular time of day, or day of the week, or public holiday, in order to update the vehicle diagnostic software and / or notify the vehicle user of any inspection work on the vehicle only on working days, or only during normal business hours To arrange customer service
• An information dependent on the current user of the vehicle to cause the updating of the vehicle diagnostic software and / or the notification of the vehicle user in inspection work pending on the vehicle only when the vehicle owner is identified as the current user of the vehicle, the vehicle owner being a user a rental vehicle in the simplest case by the type of vehicle key used is differentiable
• - A dependent on the current level of utilization of the workshop, in which the vehicle is usually maintained, dependent on the update of the vehicle diagnostic software and / or the notification of the vehicle users in pending on the vehicle inspection work only at incomplete utilization of the workshop, this the vehicle is usually serviced to initiate.

Likewise, in order at no time to create a danger or insecurity for the motor vehicle user, at least during the period of updating the vehicle diagnostic software and / or notifying the vehicle user when the vehicle is about to be inspected, this to the user of the vehicle by means of a optical and / or acoustic and / or haptic warning signaling is signaled, wherein the optical warning is preferably carried out by means of a lettering or several logos, which is preferably designed as a continuous lettering, or are designed as continuous lettering.

Furthermore, it is to obtain so that at no time a risk or uncertainty is created, it is advantageous that at least during the period of updating the vehicle diagnostic software and / or the notification of the vehicle user for upcoming inspection work on the vehicle, the user the vehicle is stopped, preferably by means of the optical and / or acoustic and / or a haptic warning, not to move the vehicle, or to keep it at a standstill. In the simplest case, the information to the driver or the update for the electronic component, from the time of initiation by the "initiator", cached in the vehicle telematics system until it has determined a favorable time for the actual execution. Alternatively, the vehicle telematics system may request the information / update again at a more favorable time.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Vehicle telematics system

1.1

mainframe

1.2

Device units for transmitting, receiving, detecting and / or processing data belonging to the telematics applications

1.2.1

vehicle antenna

1.3

Global Position System Unit (GPS Unit)

1.4

acoustic warning

1.5

optical warning

2

motor vehicle

3

Vehicle BUS (eg CAN bus)

Claims (8)

A method for notifying vehicle users of unscheduled vehicle inspection, via a telematics unit, characterized in that: a) the unscheduled vehicle inspection is an unavoidable vehicle recall, and b) notifying vehicle users of unscheduled vehicle recall; on the vehicle pending inspection work, depending on one or more situation-dependent parameters, where c) it is the one or more situation-dependent parameters, is dependent on the current user of the vehicle information, and d) the notification is dependent on whether the current user of the vehicle is the vehicle owner or a vehicle user. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification of the motor vehicle user in unscheduled pending on the vehicle inspection work is caused only in the identification of the vehicle owner as the current user of the vehicle. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the notification of the motor vehicle user in unscheduled pending on the vehicle inspection work is not prompted when the driver is a rental car. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the vehicle owner as a user of the vehicle is differentiated by a user of the vehicle by the type of vehicle key used. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that further the notification of the motor vehicle users at unscheduled am Vehicle inspection work is only carried out at a vehicle distance of less than 100 kilometers to the usual customer service location. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that further the notification of the motor vehicle user in unscheduled pending on the vehicle inspection work only at a vehicle distance of less than 100 kilometers to the next contract value location. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least during the notification of the vehicle user in unscheduled on the vehicle pending inspection work, this is signaled to the user of the vehicle by means of an optical and / or acoustic and / or haptic warning. Vehicle telematics system ( 1 ) with a central computer ( 1.1 ) for the implementation of telematics applications, 1.2 . 1.2.1 ) for transmitting, receiving, detecting and / or processing data belonging to the telematics applications, - an optical ( 1.5 ), and / or acoustic ( 1.4 ), and / or haptic warning signaling, and - a global position system unit ( 1.3 ), or a data link to a global position system, for carrying out the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

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