Abstract:
Provided is a method for determining the urgency for repairing a diagnostic condition in a vehicle. Upon determining the repair urgency, a driver may decide to continue driving (in the case of a “low” urgency determination), or cease driving (in the case of a “high” urgency determination). The urgency status may also enable a driver to shop around for the repair (in the event of a “low” urgency status), or to seek immediate assistance (in the event of a “high” urgency status).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The present disclosure is related generally to automotive diagnostics, and more specifically to a method and system of determining the urgency of repairing a diagnostic condition. 
         [0004]    Today&#39;s vehicles are generally complex electro-mechanical systems which tend to breakdown over time. One or more of the vehicle&#39;s sub-systems may begin to operate outside of normal operating parameters, which may cause a vehicle diagnostic condition. The vehicle diagnostic conditions may affect the vehicle&#39;s performance, or may ultimately cause the vehicle to cease operation. Therefore, it is important to detect the vehicle diagnostic conditions in order to maintain the vehicle in a safe and efficient operating condition. 
         [0005]    Most vehicles include a basic diagnostic indicator to alert the driver of the presence of a diagnostic condition. This basic diagnostic indicator may be located on the dashboard, or another readily observable position from the driver&#39;s seat. In most vehicles, the basic diagnostic indicator is a “check engine” light, which illuminates when a diagnostic condition arises. Although the basic diagnostic indicator is useful in alerting the driver of a vehicle diagnostic condition, it typically does not identify the particular vehicle diagnostic condition. Rather, the driver is merely notified that there may be a problem with the vehicle. 
         [0006]    In order to obtain a more comprehensive diagnostic analysis of the vehicle, it may be necessary to download information from the vehicle&#39;s onboard computer. The onboard computer is generally in communication with the vehicle&#39;s various sub-systems to obtain data from the sub-systems. Most sub-systems generate diagnostic trouble codes when a diagnostic condition arises. Each diagnostic trouble code may be associated with a specific diagnostic condition, and once the diagnostic trouble codes are triggered, they may be stored on the vehicle&#39;s onboard computer and downloaded therefrom by an automotive scan tool for diagnostic analysis. For a comprehensive diagnostic analysis, the diagnostic trouble codes are uploaded to a diagnostic database having a plurality of diagnostic trouble codes and their associated diagnostic condition. The vehicle may be repair upon identifying the diagnostic condition plaguing the vehicle. 
         [0007]    However, the urgency of completing the repair may not be the same for all diagnostic conditions. In particular, the same diagnostic condition may be more urgent in some vehicles, and less urgent in others. For instance, a loose or disconnected gas cap may trigger a diagnostic trouble code, yet may not require immediate attention. Conversely, a malfunction related to the air bag system may also trigger a diagnostic trouble code, and require immediate attention. Still further, a problem with the vehicle&#39;s balance bar may trigger a diagnostic trouble code, and be a more urgent condition in an SUV (which is more susceptible to a roll over), and a less urgent condition in a sedan. 
         [0008]    A basic urgency indicator (as discussed above) may not provide the driver with an indication as to the urgency of addressing the problem with the vehicle. Furthermore, conventional automotive scan tools may receive the diagnostic trouble codes triggered by the vehicle, to allow the user to identify the vehicle&#39;s diagnostic condition(s); however, such conventional automotive scan tools typically do not alert the user as to the urgency of fixing the diagnostic condition(s). 
         [0009]    In view of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for an automotive diagnostic device which advantageously communicates the urgency related to fixing a vehicle&#39;s diagnostic condition. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0010]    Provided is a method for determining the urgency associated with repairing a diagnostic condition in a vehicle. Upon determining the repair urgency, a driver may decide to continue driving (in the case of a “low” urgency determination), or cease driving (in the case of a “high” urgency determination). The urgency status may also enable a driver to shop around for the repair (in the event of a “low” urgency status), or to seek immediate assistance (in the event of a “high” urgency status). 
         [0011]    One embodiment includes a method of identifying the urgency of treating a diagnostic condition of a vehicle. The method includes forming a first urgency database and a second urgency database. The first urgency database includes a plurality of diagnostic trouble codes, wherein each diagnostic trouble code is associated with a respective first urgency status. The first urgency status is one of a low urgency and a high urgency. The second urgency database includes a plurality of combinations of diagnostic trouble codes, wherein each combination of diagnostic trouble codes is associated with a respective second urgency status. The second urgency status is one of a low urgency and a high urgency. The diagnostic trouble codes are received at the first urgency database to determine the first urgency status. The diagnostic trouble codes are also received at the second urgency database to determine the second urgency status. An overall diagnostic urgency is determined, with the diagnostic urgency being one of a high diagnostic urgency and a low diagnostic urgency. The diagnostic urgency is the high diagnostic urgency when at least one of the first urgency status and the second urgency status is high urgency. The diagnostic urgency is the low diagnostic urgency when the first urgency status and the second urgency status are both low urgency. 
         [0012]    The first urgency status may be dependent upon a vehicle characteristic defined by the vehicle. The method may also include the steps of determining the vehicle characteristic and receiving the vehicle characteristic at the first urgency database and/or the second urgency database. The vehicle characteristic may include the vehicle identification number, which may be decoded to determine further information pertaining to the vehicle. 
         [0013]    Another embodiment includes a diagnostic urgency tool for determining an urgency associated with a diagnostic condition of a vehicle, wherein the vehicle includes an onboard computer for storing trouble codes. The diagnostic urgency tool includes a tool connector connectable to the onboard computer to download the trouble codes. A first urgency database is in operative communication with the urgency detection tool, and is configured to determine a first urgency status associated with each trouble code. The first urgency status is either a low urgency or a high urgency. An urgency indicator is in communication with the first urgency database and is configured to activate an urgency signal corresponding to a diagnostic urgency. 
         [0014]    The diagnostic urgency tool may include a second urgency database to arrange the plurality of trouble codes into a combination of trouble codes, and to determine a second urgency status for each combination of trouble codes. The second urgency is either a low urgency or a high urgency. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a diagnostic urgency detection system; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart for performing first order diagnostics; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart for performing second order diagnostics; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a flow chart for performing advanced diagnostics; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a system having a vehicle characteristic database, a first urgency database, and a second urgency database. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of certain embodiments of the present disclosure, and is not intended to represent the only forms that may be developed or utilized. The description sets forth the various functions in connection with the illustrated embodiments, but it is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. It is further understood that the use of relational terms such as first and second and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities. 
         [0022]    Referring now to the drawings, where the showings are for purposes of illustrating an embodiment of the present disclosure, and not for purposes of limiting the same, there is shown a system for determining the urgency of an automotive diagnostic condition. The system allows a user to download diagnostic data from a vehicle and analyze the data to determine the urgency related to a vehicle&#39;s diagnostic condition. This provides the user with a means of determining whether the diagnostic condition should be addressed immediately, or whether the diagnostic condition can be addressed at a later time. The urgency indicator system is a safety feature for a driver, who may assume that there is nothing wrong with his vehicle. In this respect, the urgency indicator system may alert the driver of a problem which the driver may not be aware of. The diagnostic urgency system may also provide an economic benefit to a driver who assumes the diagnostic condition must be fixed immediately (i.e., at a premium), rather than shopping around for a better deal. In addition, the diagnostic urgency system may provide convenience for a driver by informing the driver that the diagnostic condition may be fixed at a more convenient time, or alternatively that the vehicle should be fixed immediately to avoid an inconvenient breakdown. 
         [0023]    Referring now specifically to  FIG. 1 , which provides a system level overview of the diagnostic urgency system  10 , there is shown a vehicle  12 , an urgency indicator tool  14 , a first urgency database  16 , a second urgency database  18 , and a third urgency database  19 . The vehicle  12  includes an on-board computer  20 , which is in communication with the various systems and components comprising the vehicle  12 . The on-board computer  20  may generate and/or store data during the operation of the vehicle  12 . A portion of that data may be diagnostic data which relates to the health and operability of the vehicle  12 . The diagnostic data may include one or more diagnostic trouble codes, which are common to OBD-II compliant vehicles. The discussion below pertains to analysis of diagnostic trouble codes for purposes of determining the urgency of a diagnostic condition; however, it is understood that other diagnostic data may also be used and analyzed in other embodiments of the urgency detection system  10 . 
         [0024]    The urgency detection tool  14  may be placed in communication with the on-board computer  20  to download the diagnostic trouble codes therefrom. The on-board computer  20  includes a computer connector  22  which interfaces with the urgency detection tool  14 . Likewise, the urgency detection tool  14  includes a tool connector  24  which interfaces with the on-board computer  20 . In this manner, the computer connector  22  may interface directly with the tool connector  24 . The communication between the on-board computer  20  and the urgency detection tool  14  may be by way of wireless communication (i.e. BLUETOOTH), or wired communication (i.e. physical connection between the computer connector  22  and the tool connector  24 , or the use of an intermediate cable). Once the urgency detection tool  14  is connected to the on-board computer  20 , the diagnostic trouble codes may be downloaded from the on-board computer  20  to the urgency detection tool  14 . It is contemplated that the downloading of the diagnostic trouble codes may take place on a real time basis (i.e., during operation of the vehicle) or from data stored on the on-board computer  20  from previous operation of the vehicle  12 . 
         [0025]    The urgency detection tool  14  may include an internal memory (i.e. flash memory) to store the diagnostic trouble codes downloaded from the on-board computer  20 . A display screen  26  may also be included on the urgency detection tool  14  to display data to a user, such as the particular trouble codes received from the vehicle  12 , or information related to the diagnostic urgency. The urgency detection tool  14  further includes a diagnostic indicator  28  to indicate the urgency associated with the diagnostic trouble codes received from the vehicle  12 . As explained in more detail below, the urgency may be classified as “high” or “low”. In some embodiments, a “medium” diagnostic urgency may also be determined. 
         [0026]    The diagnostic urgency is determined by comparing the diagnostic trouble codes with information in one or more urgency databases. In the system  10  depicted in  FIG. 1 , three databases  16 ,  18 ,  19  are used to determine the diagnostic urgency of the vehicle  12 ; although, those skilled in the art will appreciate that fewer than three urgency databases, or more than three urgency databases may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0027]    The first urgency database  16 , second urgency database  18 , and third urgency database  19  are disposed in operative communication with the urgency detection tool  14 . According to one embodiment, the databases  16 ,  18 ,  19  are located at a remote location and may be accessed by the urgency detection tool  14  via a network, such as the Internet. In this respect, the urgency detection tool  14  may upload the diagnostic trouble codes to an intermediate device (not shown), such as a computer or cellphone, for further communication to the databases  16 ,  18 . For more information related to using a cellphone for communications between the urgency detection tool  14  and a remote database, please see U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0005201, entitled Cellphone Based Vehicle Diagnostic System, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the urgency detection tool  14  may have wireless communication means (not shown) integrated therein to facilitate communication to the remote databases  16 ,  18 ,  19 . 
         [0028]    According to another embodiment, the databases  16 ,  18 ,  19  may be internal to the urgency detection tool  14 . In this regard, the tool  14  may have an internal memory to provide a storage capacity for storing the databases  16 ,  18 ,  19 . The data included in the databases  14 ,  16 ,  19  may be stored on the tool  14  before the tool  14  is sold. In this manner, the databases  14 ,  16 ,  19  may be configured for use with a wide range of vehicles. Data compression techniques known in the art may be used to store the large amount of data that may be included in the databases  16 ,  18 ,  19 . Alternatively, the databases  16 ,  18 ,  19  may be specifically configured for use with a particular vehicle or a group of vehicles. For instance, the databases  16 ,  18 ,  19  may have information related to a specific vehicle manufacturer, or for vehicles manufactured within a specific time period (i.e., range of years). 
         [0029]    It is also contemplated that the databases  16 ,  18 ,  19  may be downloaded onto the tool  14  after purchase by a user. In one embodiment, the tool  14  may access a network to download the information for the databases  16 ,  18 ,  19 . For instance, the tool  14  may be disposed in communication with a PC (i.e., via a USB cable) or cellphone to access the information over the Internet, or CD-ROM sold with the tool  14 . The tool  14  may also have the capability to communicate directly with the Internet to download the information. The tool  14  may also download updates to the databases  16 ,  18 . 
         [0030]    According to one embodiment, and referring now to  FIG. 2 , the first urgency database  16  is configured to perform first order diagnostics. In this respect, the first urgency database  16  is configured to map each diagnostic trouble code received from the vehicle  12  to a respective urgency status. Thus, each trouble code downloaded from the vehicle  12  is analyzed by the first urgency database  16  to identify the urgency status associated with the respective trouble code. Therefore, if multiple trouble codes are received from the vehicle  12 , the first urgency database  16  will generate multiple urgency statuses. 
         [0031]    The architecture of the first urgency database may have many different forms. For instance, it is contemplated that the first urgency database  16  may include a listing of diagnostic trouble codes associated with a high urgency status, as well as trouble codes associated with a low urgency status. 
         [0032]    Alternatively, the first urgency database  16  may only include diagnostic trouble codes associated with the high urgency status. In this respect, trouble codes received from the vehicle may be compared with the codes in the first urgency database. If none of the trouble codes downloaded from the vehicle  12  match with any of the codes found in the first urgency database  16 , then the urgency status is low. Conversely, if at least one of the codes downloaded from the vehicle matches with the codes found in the first urgency database  16 , then the urgency status is high. 
         [0033]    It is additionally contemplated that the first urgency database  16  may only include a listing a trouble codes associated with low urgency status. Therefore, if some of the codes downloaded from the vehicle  12  are not found on the first urgency database  16 , then the urgency status is high. However, if all of the codes downloaded from the vehicle  12  are listed in the first urgency database  16 , then the urgency status is low. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the second urgency database  18  is configured to perform second order diagnostics. The second urgency database  18  performs second order diagnostics by determining an urgency status for combinations of trouble codes. For instance, if trouble codes  101 ,  102 , and  103  are received from the vehicle  12 , the second urgency database  18  will determine an urgency status for all the combinations of trouble codes. In particular, an urgency status will be determined for the combination of codes  101  and  102 , the combination of codes  101  and  103 , the combination of codes  102  and  103 , and finally, the combination of all the codes,  101 ,  102 , and  103 . In this regard, the second urgency database  18  may be configured to group the trouble codes into the various permutations of codes. 
         [0035]    The architecture of the second urgency database  18  may be varied, similar to the first urgency database  16  discussed above. For instance, the second urgency database  18  may provide an urgency status for each combination of trouble codes. Alternatively, the second urgency database may only list combinations of trouble codes associated with a high urgency status or a low urgency status. 
         [0036]    The second urgency database  18  may have sophisticated searching and matching capabilities. For instance, it may be desirable to focus the search to groups containing a particular trouble code (i.e., all combinations including the code  101 ). In this respect, the second urgency database may determine the urgency status for all groups including the  101  trouble code. The second urgency database  18  may also focus the search to groups containing a combination of trouble codes (i.e., all combinations including the combination of codes  101  and  102 ). As such, the second urgency database  18  may tailor the search to determine the urgency status for all groups include the  101  and  102  trouble codes. 
         [0037]    The foregoing discusses organizing the first and second databases  16 ,  18  by urgencies associated with single codes (i.e., the first urgency database  16 ) or urgencies associated with groupings of codes (i.e., the second urgency database  18 ). However, it is also contemplated that the databases may be arranged by the urgency associated with the code(s). For instance, the first urgency database  16  may include code(s) associated with a low urgency, the second urgency database  18  may include codes associated with a medium urgency, and the third urgency database  19  may include codes associated with a medium urgency. 
         [0038]    According to another embodiment, the system  10  may be configured to determine the urgency status as a function of certain vehicle characteristics, in addition to an analysis of the diagnostic trouble codes. A single trouble code may be associated with a “high” urgency status for one vehicle and a “low” urgency status for another vehicle. For instance, a diagnostic trouble code pertaining to a vehicle&#39;s balance bar may be highly urgent for a tall vehicle, and not as urgent for a shorter vehicle. Therefore, the urgency detection tool  14  may also be able to obtain vehicle characteristic data from the vehicle  12 . The vehicle characteristic data may be downloaded by the urgency detection tool  14  from the onboard computer  20 . Alternatively, the user may be asked to enter vehicle characteristic data into the urgency detection tool  14 . 
         [0039]    The vehicle characteristic data may include the vehicle identification number (VIN) which may be decoded to determine the year, manufacturer, make, and model of the vehicle. For more information about downloading and decoding the VIN number, please refer to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/501,698, entitled Handheld Automotive Diagnostic Tool with VIN Decoder, owned by Innova Electronic Corporation of Fountain Valley, Calif., the assignee of the present patent application. The capability of determining the urgency status based on vehicle characteristics allows the system  10  and the urgency detection tool  14  to be used in a universal capacity. Therefore, if a family owns two vehicles, the urgency detection tool  14  may be used on both vehicles. 
         [0040]    It is contemplated that the first and/or second databases  16 ,  18  may be configured to compare trouble codes based on certain vehicle characteristics. For instance, the databases  16 ,  18  may have separate “pages” arranged by certain vehicle characteristics (i.e., an SUV “page”, a four-wheel drive “page”, a “page” for vehicles manufactured in a certain year, etc.). In this respect, the databases  16 ,  18  would first determine which “page” to look at based on the vehicle being tested. Then, the databases  16 ,  18  would compare the trouble codes received from the vehicle  12  with the codes on that particular “page.” 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , another embodiment of the system  10  may include a separate vehicle characteristic database  40  for determining the urgency status based upon one or more vehicle characteristics. In this respect, the vehicle characteristic database  40  may include a listing of codes classified by a respective vehicle characteristic. For instance, the vehicle characteristic database  40  may include a listing of trouble codes and combinations of codes that may be particularly problematic for four-wheel drive vehicles. 
         [0042]    The vehicle characteristic database  40  may provide another level of analysis to determine the diagnostic urgency of the vehicle. Thus, if one of the first urgency database  16 , second urgency database  18  or vehicle characteristic database  40  outputs a high urgency, then the overall urgency of the vehicle is high urgency. Conversely, if all of the databases  16 ,  18 ,  40  output a low urgency (which may simply be the absence of a high urgency output), then the overall urgency is low. 
         [0043]    According to one embodiment, the databases  16 ,  18 ,  40  are compiled by a network of mechanics  30  (see  FIG. 1 ). The mechanics may continuously update the databases  16 ,  18 ,  40  as new vehicles are produced, and as new data is gathered. In this regard, the databases  16 ,  18 ,  40  are based on the mechanic&#39;s own experience to provide information that is as accurate as possible. Along these lines, one embodiment includes “prior experience” databases  16 ,  18 ,  40 . The information from the prior experience databases  16 ,  18 ,  40  may be prioritized by an urgency prioritizer  32  in accordance with prioritization rules. In general, the urgency prioritization rules may evaluate facts such as whether the of diagnostic trouble codes stored on the databases  16 ,  18 ,  40  include the same diagnostic trouble codes received from the vehicle  12 ; whether the stored combinations of diagnostic trouble codes include additional diagnostic trouble codes, other than diagnostic trouble codes from the vehicle  12 ; the successful diagnosis associated with each stored combination of diagnostic trouble codes and the associated fix. Evaluation of such factors, in accordance with the scenarios set forth below, allows the identification of a diagnostic urgency associated with the received diagnostic trouble codes. 
         [0044]    With the basic structural components of the system  10  described above, the following discussion will focus on the method of determining the urgency status for the vehicle  12 . The user disposes the urgency detection tool  14  in communication with the vehicle  12 . The communication may be facilitated by wired or wireless means. The diagnostic trouble codes are then downloaded from the vehicle  12  onto the urgency detection tool  14 , which communicates the trouble codes to the first urgency database  16  for first order diagnostics. The first urgency database  16  matches each trouble code with an urgency status. The urgency status may be classified as “high” or “low”. An urgency status of “middle” may be available in some embodiments. The diagnostic trouble codes are also uploaded to the second urgency database  18  for second order diagnostics. The second urgency database  18  divides the diagnostic trouble codes into separate groups of codes, and assigns an urgency status to each group. 
         [0045]    The results from the first urgency database  16  and second urgency database  18  are then communicated back to the urgency detection tool  14  to display the results to the user. In order to have an overall “low” urgency status, all of the results from the first urgency database  16  and second urgency database  18  must be associated with a “low” urgency status. If one of the trouble codes, or groupings of trouble codes are associated with a “high” urgency status, then the overall urgency status is “high”. Similarly, if all of the trouble codes, or groupings of trouble codes are associated with a “low” urgency status except for at least one trouble code being associated with an “medium” urgency status, then the overall urgency status is “medium”. In this regard, the first and second urgency databases  16 ,  18  may generate and transmit an urgency command signal to the urgency indicator  28  for communicating the overall urgency status to the user. The urgency command signal may relate to an overall “high” urgency status, a “medium” urgency status, or a “low” urgency status. 
         [0046]    The overall urgency status is displayed by the urgency detection tool  14  on the urgency indicator  28 . The urgency indicator  28  may include a “high” indicator, a “medium” indicator, and a “low” indicator. The “high” indicator may include a red light, suggesting to the user that the user stop and address the diagnostic condition of the vehicle before continuing to drive the vehicle  12 . The “medium” urgency indicator may be associated with a yellow light to suggest to the user to exert caution should the user decide to drive the vehicle  12  before addressing the diagnostic condition. The “low” urgency indicator may be associated with a green light to suggest to the user that the user may proceed without worrying about an urgent diagnostic condition. It is further contemplated that the urgency indicator  28  may only include a single light which communicates the urgency status by varying the brightness of the light emitted therefrom, or the frequency at which the light blinks. In other words, a bright light may correspond to a high urgency, while a dim light may correspond to a low urgency, and vice versa. 
         [0047]    The urgency indicator  28  may also produce a sound associated with each urgency status. For instance, the urgency indicator may produce distinguishable alarms for a “high” urgency status, a “medium” urgency status, or a “low” urgency status. The different sounds may be distinguishable based on the type of sound emitted, the frequency of sound emitted, or the loudness of the sound emitted. 
         [0048]    The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.