Abstract:
A system of remote diagnostics comprising a guidance device having a guidance device identifier, the guidance device further including a communication module for communicating a service request message, the service request message including the guidance device identifier; and a diagnostics module able to communicate with the communication module of the guidance device and configured to receive the service request message of the communication module of the guidance device, the diagnostics module maintaining a data store associating the guidance device identifier with a service provider entity; wherein, the diagnostics module is configured to facilitate communication between the service provider entity and the communication module of the guidance device in response to receipt of the service request message from the communication device of the guidance device and based upon the association of the guidance device identifier with the service provider entity.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from a United States Provisional Patent Application of Hill, Donald John, et al. entitled “A System and Method of Remote Diagnostics”, Ser. No. 60/889,774, filed on Feb. 14, 2007, the entire contents being incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a remote diagnostics system and method. In particular, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to a system and method for remotely diagnosing a vehicular guidance device. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Off-road vehicles typically utilised in, for example, agricultural, construction, mining and forestry applications, such as tractors, harvesters, diggers, graders, dump trucks and other powered vehicles, commonly comprise electronic equipment designed to assist an operator in guiding the vehicle along a particular path. 
         [0004]    In particular, agricultural vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters and the like, often include a guidance device that includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit and display to guide the vehicle along a predetermined path using positional data provided by the GPS constellation of satellites as an aide. 
         [0005]    Moreover, it is known to use guidance devices that include GPS units on agricultural vehicles such that a course may be stored within the guidance device and the guidance device operates the vehicle in a semi-autonomous manner. 
         [0006]    Alternatively, the guidance device provides direction to an operator of the agricultural vehicle to enable the operator to maintain a predetermined fixed path when, for example, harvesting crops with the vehicle. 
         [0007]    However, like all high technology equipment, it is not uncommon for guidance devices that are utilised in agricultural vehicles to fail and, from the point of view of the user at least, without any apparent reason. As such, it is necessary to have a skilled technician travel to the site in order to diagnose and correct the fault in the guidance device. 
         [0008]    Often these faults are transient and stem from situations such as communication errors between a base station guidance sub-module of the guidance device and an on-board guidance sub-module due to the terrain and obstructions between the sub-modules. 
         [0009]    Given the often remote locations in which agricultural vehicles operate, a failure of the guidance device may result in a long period of down time whilst the technician travels to a site in order to diagnose and correct the fault. 
         [0010]    Often, a fault with a guidance device on an agricultural vehicle is relatively simple for a skilled technician to correct and requires a relatively small amount of time on site compared with the relatively large amount of time required for the diagnostician/technician to travel to the site. 
         [0011]    It is known in the art to remotely diagnose the performance of a vehicle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,611,740 describes a system for monitoring a vehicle that includes a wireless appliance in electrical contact with an in-vehicle computer. The system described allows a remote diagnostician to interface with a computer on the vehicle to obtain data relating to the performance of the vehicle. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, JP10-5427 describes a diagnostic tool for automobiles that notifies a nearby service station of a malfunction condition in relation to the performance of the vehicle. 
         [0013]    Whilst the systems described above adequately provide for remote diagnostics of vehicles, remotely diagnosing a vehicle guidance device has a different set of problems that are not catered for by these prior art systems. 
         [0014]    Hence, it is desirable to provide a system and method of remotely diagnosing a vehicular guidance module. 
         [0015]    In this specification, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including” or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    In one form, although it need not be the broadest form, the invention resides in a system of remote diagnostics comprising a guidance device having a guidance device identifier, the guidance device further including a communication module for communicating a service request message, the service request message including the guidance device identifier; and a diagnostics module able to communicate with the communication module of the guidance device and configured to receive the service request message of the communication module of the guidance device, the diagnostics module maintaining a data store associating the guidance device identifier with a service provider entity; wherein, the diagnostics module is configured to facilitate communication between the service provider entity and the communication module of the guidance device in response to receipt of the service request message from the communication device of the guidance device and based upon the association of the guidance device identifier with the service provider entity. 
         [0017]    Suitably, the diagnostics module facilitates communication between the service provider entity and the communication module of the guidance device by providing a web based interface to allow the service provider entity to receive and view performance data associated with the guidance device communicated to the diagnostics module. 
         [0018]    Suitably, the service provider entity is configured to receive performance data associated with the guidance device from the communication module of the guidance device. Preferably, the diagnostics module is configured to display the performance data of the guidance device such that the service provider entity obtains a display identical to a display of the performance data provided by the guidance device. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the performance data includes location data associated with the guidance device and the diagnostics module is in communication with a spatial data provider, the diagnostics module configured to retrieve image data from the spatial data provider based upon the location data. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the service request message is communicated by a user of the guidance device by the user selecting a service request function displayed upon a display of the guidance device. 
         [0021]    Suitably, the service provider entity is configured to communicate a configuration instruction message to the communication module of the guidance device to thereby alter the configuration of the guidance device. 
         [0022]    Suitably, the guidance device may include a base station positioning sub-module and an on-board positioning sub-module. In this arrangement, the guidance device is implementing a differential Global Positioning System (GPS) method. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the service request message includes a network address of the communication module of the guidance device. 
         [0024]    In another form, although again not necessarily the broadest form, the invention resides in a method of remote diagnostics, the method including the steps of receiving a service request message from a communication module of a guidance device, the service request message including a guidance device identifier and a network address of the communication module of the guidance device; identifying a service provider entity based on the guidance device identifier; notifying the service provider entity of the service request message; placing the service provider entity in communication with the communication module of the guidance device utilizing the network address of the communication module of the guidance device; and facilitating communication of performance data associated with the guidance device from the communications module of the guidance device to the service provider entity, the performance data including location data associated with the guidance device. 
         [0025]    Optionally, the method further includes the step of retrieving image data from a spatial-data provider based upon the location data; and communicating the image data to the service provider entity. 
         [0026]    Preferably, the method further includes the step of displaying the performance data of the guidance device to the service provider entity such that the service provider entity obtains a display identical to a display of the performance data provided by the guidance device. 
         [0027]    Suitably, the service request message is communicated by a user of the guidance device by the user selecting a service request function displayed on a display of the guidance device. 
         [0028]    Preferably, the method further includes the step of communicating a configuration instruction message from the service provider entity to the communication module of the guidance device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  shows a system of remote diagnostics according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  shows a method of remote diagnostics according to further embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  shows an exemplary screen shot provided by an embodiment of the system and method of remote diagnostics. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    The invention will be described in the context of remotely diagnosing a guidance device of an agricultural vehicle. A skilled person will appreciate that the method and system of the invention may be similarly applied to diagnose guidance devices on all forms of vehicles from agricultural, mining and civil engineering applications, to off road recreational vehicles, cars and boats. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a system  1000  of remote diagnostics according to an embodiment of the invention. System  1000  includes a plurality of guidance devices  100 , a diagnostics module  200 , a plurality of service provider entities  300  and a spatial data provider  400 , all in communication with network  500 . 
         [0035]    Network  500  is preferably in the form of the Internet. A skilled person will appreciate that network  500  may be in the form of any telecommunications network. 
         [0036]    Each guidance device  100  is located on a respective vehicle, such as a tractor or the like, and comprises a processor  120  for controlling the components, discussed below, of the guidance device  100 . The processor  120  has a guidance device identifier stored therein to uniquely identify each guidance device  100 . 
         [0037]    Guidance device  100  further comprises a positioning module  130  coupled to the processor  120 . The positioning module  130  is preferably in the form of a Global Positioning System unit (GPS unit) or other known positioning units able to obtain positioning data from satellites belonging to the GPS, the Global navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), and/or the Galileo satellite system. 
         [0038]    Guidance device  100  further comprises a display unit  140  operatively coupled to the processor  120 . The display unit  140  provides a user of the guidance device  100  with performance data relating to the guidance device  100  such as positional data received from the positioning module  130 , for example, the current heading, desired heading, latitude, longitude, and other performance data relating to the guidance device  100  such as the signal strength of the positional satellites, number of satellites viewed, power level of the guidance device  100 , whether hardware forming the guidance device  100  has been correctly configured and connected and similar such data. 
         [0039]    Each guidance device  100  of the invention also comprises a communication module  110  coupled to processor  120  and able to communicate with network  500 . Suitably, communication module  110  is in the form of a cellular network module able to communicate with communications network  500  utilizing GSM, HSDPA or CDMA communication systems. Preferably, communication module  110  is able to communicate with communications network  500  using the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). 
         [0040]    In a preferred form, the guidance device  100  also includes an interface module (not shown) to enable a user of the guidance device to interface with the guidance device  100  in order to issue instructions and the like. 
         [0041]    The communication module  110  preferably includes a network address to uniquely identify the communication module  110  of the guidance device  100  when communication module  110  is in communication with communications network  500 . Preferably, the network address may be in the form of a subscriber identity module (SIM) card or may be an IP address assigned to the communication module  110  when the communication module  110  initiates communication with network  500 . 
         [0042]    Optionally, the positioning module  130  of the guidance device  100  may be in the form of a base station positioning sub-module located in a fixed location in communication with an on-board positioning sub-module located upon the vehicle. In this arrangement, the positioning module  130  employs differential GPS whereby errors in the positioning data obtained from the satellite constellation are calculated by the base station positioning sub-module and communicated to the on-board positioning sub-module as is known in the art. 
         [0043]    System  1000  further comprises a diagnostics module  200  in communication with network  500 . Diagnostics module  200  comprises a data store  210  and an interface module  22 Q in communication with data store  210 . Data store  210  of diagnostics module  200  stores a plurality of guidance device identifiers in association with a relevant service provider entity  300 . 
         [0044]    Suitably, data store  210  of diagnostics module  200  maintains a list of guidance device identifiers stored in association with a service provider entity  300 . 
         [0045]    In a preferred form, the interface module  220  is in the form of an Internet interface to provide a web based interface to the diagnostics module  200 . 
         [0046]    Alternatively, the interface module  220  is in the form of an interface to facilitate communications with the diagnostics module  200  by way of proprietary software. 
         [0047]    The function of diagnostics module  200  is discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0048]    As discussed, system  1000  further comprises a plurality of service provider entities  300  in communication with network  500 . Suitably, each service provider entity  300  is in the form of a computing device as is known in the art having communication capabilities and operable by a diagnostician responsible for diagnosing and solving errors with a respective guidance device  100  as will be discussed in greater details below. 
         [0049]    Optionally, a spatial data provider  400  forms part of system  1000 . Spatial data provider  400  provides image data in the form of satellite imagery and/or terrain information in response to a request message containing location data, such as latitude and longitude co-ordinates. There are many known, commercially available spatial data providers  400 , such as Google™ Maps and other similar applications and spatial data provider  400  may be in the form of any of these known applications. 
         [0050]    Alternatively, spatial data provider  400  may be in the form of a proprietary application able to communicate image data in the form of satellite imagery and/or terrain information in response to a request message containing location data, such as latitude and longitude co-ordinates. 
         [0051]    The system  1000  of remote diagnostics functions to provide a means for a diagnostician/technician of a guidance device  100 , located upon an agricultural vehicle or the like, to efficiently and effectively diagnose and/or correct faults occurring with the guidance device  100  whereby the diagnostician/technician is able to diagnose and/or correct these faults from a location remote from the guidance device. 
         [0052]      FIG. 2  shows a method  2000  of remote diagnostics according to a further embodiment of the invention. 
         [0053]    The method  2000  commences when a user of the guidance device  100  is in need of assistance from a diagnostician or technician skilled in the operation of the guidance device  100  due to a fault in the guidance  100  device or a perceived fault in the guidance device  100 . 
         [0054]    The user communicates a service request message from the communication module  110  of the guidance device  100  to the diagnostics module  200  and the diagnostics module  200  receives the service request message from the communication module  110  of the guidance device  100  (Step  2100 ). 
         [0055]    The service request message includes the guidance device identifier stored in the processor  120  of the guidance device  100  and the network address of the communication module  110  of the guidance device  100  as will be discussed in greater detail below. 
         [0056]    Optionally, the service request message also includes fault data supplied by the user of the guidance device  100  relating to details of the fault. 
         [0057]    In a preferred form, the communication of the service request message is initiated by the user of the guidance device  100  by the user selecting a service request function displayed on the display unit  140  of the guidance device  100 . This action triggers the communication module  110  of the guidance device  100  to communicate the service request message to the diagnostics module  200 . 
         [0058]    Preferably, the communication module  110  creates a connection with network  500  in the form of the Internet and communicates the service request message to the interface module  220  of the diagnostics module  200  via the Internet  500 . 
         [0059]    As such, the network address of the communication module  110  of the guidance device  100  is in the form of an Internet Protocol (IP) address assigned to the communication module  110  when the communication module establishes a connection with network  500 . 
         [0060]    As the IP address of the communication module  110  will differ each time a service request message is received, the diagnostics module  200  stores the network identifier of the communication module  110  for further communication. 
         [0061]    Optionally, the service request message may be communicated to the diagnostics module  200  using Voice over IP (VOIP) or a telecommunications messaging protocol such as SMS or the like. 
         [0062]    The diagnostics module  200  then identifies a service provider entity  300  associated with the guidance device  100  (Step  2200 ). 
         [0063]    The diagnostics module  200  extracts the guidance device identifier form the service request message and queries data store  210  to determine the relevant service entity provider  300  responsible for diagnosing and correcting faults in the guidance device  100 . 
         [0064]    As mentioned, the data store  210  maintains a list of all guidance device identifiers and associates details of the relevant service entity provider  300  in association with each guidance device identifier. 
         [0065]    As previously discussed, there may be a plurality of service provider entities with each service provider entity responsible for diagnosing and correcting faults in only a subset of all guidance devices  100  due to, for example, contractual reasons or due to a specific service provider entity  300  only begin capable of servicing a particular configuration of the guidance device  100  and not others. 
         [0066]    The diagnostics module  200  then notifies the identified service provider entity  300  of the service request message (Step  2300 ). 
         [0067]    Preferably, the data store  210  of the diagnostics module  200  also stores contact information associated with the identified service provider entity  300  and a notification method preferred by the identified service provider entity  300 . 
         [0068]    For example, the data store  210  of the diagnostics module  200  may contain an e-mail address associated with the identified service provider entity  300  and the diagnostics module  200  notifies the identified service provider entity  300  of the service request message received from the guidance device  100  by way of e-mail. 
         [0069]    Optionally, the diagnostics module  200  may notify the identified service provider entity  300  of the service request message received from the guidance device  100  by communicating a text message to a designated cellular phone. 
         [0070]    Alternatively, a call may be placed to the identified service provider entity  300 . 
         [0071]    The diagnostics module  200  then places the identified service provider entity  300  in communication with the communication module  110  of the guidance device  100  (Step  2400 ). 
         [0072]    In a preferred form, this is carried out by the diagnostics module  200  commencing a new session in relation to the service request using the interface module  220  to provide a private dedicated web interface between the identified service provider entity  300  and the communications module  110  of the guidance device  100 . The diagnostics module  200  utilizes the network address of the communications module  110  of the guidance device  100  to create this interface. 
         [0073]    As such, the notification message discussed above with reference to step  2300  preferably includes a web address identifying the session created in the interface module. Preferably, the dedicated session also includes password authentication to enable the identified service provider entity  300  to be placed in communication with the communications module  110  of the guidance device  100  by the diagnostics module  200 . 
         [0074]    The diagnostics module  200  then facilitates communication between the communication module  110  of the guidance device  100  and the service provider entity  300  (step  2500 ). 
         [0075]    In particular, the interface module  220  of the diagnostics module  200  receives performance data associated with the guidance device  100 , as previously described, and communicates this performance data to the identified service provider entity  300  by way of the created session to enable diagnosis of the fault or perceived fault in the guidance device. 
         [0076]    In a preferred embodiment, the diagnostics module  200  is configured to display in the session via the interface module  220  the performance data of the guidance device  100  such that the identified service provider entity  300  receives a display identical to a display of the performance data provided by the guidance device  100  to the user of the guidance device  100 . An exemplary display, according to an embodiment of the invention, provided to the identified service provider entity  300  is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0077]    Furthermore, the diagnostics module  200  is configured to facilitate communication of configuration instruction messages from the identified service provider entity  300  to the communication module  110  of the guidance device  100 . 
         [0078]    Preferably, the configuration messages include instruction data relating to reconfiguring the guidance module  100  in light of a fault diagnosed by the service provider entity  300 . Optionally, the configuration messages may include textual data instructing a user of the guidance device to attempt tasks in an effort to trouble shoot the fault. 
         [0079]    Additionally, the configuration message may be in the form of a firmware update message containing data to update the firmware operating on the processor  120  of the guidance device  100 . 
         [0080]    Optionally, the diagnostics module  200  is in communication with the spatial data provider  400  to retrieve image data from the spatial data provider  400  based upon location data received from the communication module  110  of the guidance device  100  as previously discussed. The interface module  220  of the diagnostics module  200  is configured to communicate the image data to the identified service provider entity  300  to help better diagnose the fault of the guidance device  100   
         [0081]    For example, the positioning module  130  of the guidance device  100  may be located under a terrain based obstruction, such as a tree, and this obstruction may be interfering with the positioning calculations. As the identified service provider entity  300  is able to obtain the image data, in the form of spatial imagery and/or terrain information, in relation to the location of the guidance device  100 , a diagnostician is able to actually view whether there are features of the terrain interfering with, for example, an antenna of the positioning module  130  of the guidance device  100 . 
         [0082]    In an embodiment of the invention, the performance data communicated by the guidance device  100  may also include data relating to the status of the guidance device, software configured to operate on the processor  120  of the guidance device  100 , history data stored by the processor of the guidance device  100  in respect of paths taken by the vehicle upon which the guidance device  100  is located and the like, and performance data. 
         [0083]    The system and method of remote diagnostics of the invention functions to provide a means for a diagnostician/technician of a guidance device  100 , located upon an agricultural vehicle or the like, to efficiently and effectively diagnose and/or correct faults or perceived faults occurring with the guidance device  100  whereby the diagnostician/technician is able to diagnose and/or correct these faults or perceived faults from a location remote from the guidance device. 
         [0084]    Furthermore, feature of the invention delivers information to the diagnostician that may otherwise not have been communicated to the diagnostician by the user of the guidance device. 
         [0085]    Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the present invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the present invention.