WO2018215924A1

WO2018215924A1 - Method for diagnosis of a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2018215924A1
Application number: PCT/IB2018/053602
Authority: WO
Inventors: Massimo MAMBRILLA; Stefano RANDELLINI
Original assignee: Space SRL
Current assignee: Space SRL
Priority date: 2017-05-22
Filing date: 2018-05-22
Publication date: 2018-11-29
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-22
Also published as: EP3631403A1; IT201700055336A1

Abstract

The present invention regards a method for diagnosis of a vehicle comprising, among others, the following steps: - positioning a vehicle to be worked or treated in a treatment zone; - acquiring the license plate number and/or an identification code and/or an image of the vehicle (V); - on the basis of the license plate number and/or of the identification code and/or of the image, querying at least one data bank (PR, SDB, TDB) comprising data of a plurality of vehicles so as to obtain data pertaining to the vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle (V) positioned in the treatment zone.

Description

METHOD FOR DIAGNOSIS OF A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention regards a method for diagnosis and if desired treatment of a vehicle, in particular a method for the diagnosis and possible adjustment of the position or of the tilt angles of one or more wheels of a vehicle.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

For the treatment of vehicles, in particular for the adjustment of the position of the wheels, the time for executing the various steps is clearly a decisive factor.

In order to optimize the treatment times, technical solutions were sought that are correlated to the wheel measurement process (quick fastening clips, quick off-centering, etcetera), but one of the longest operations to execute is the identification of the vehicle within data banks.

The identification of the model of a vehicle is attained by means of a sequence of selections, in particular the geographic area, the brand name, the model, the sub-model (fittings/motors) and year of production. In addition, it is often necessary to consult the registration certificate of the vehicle and sometimes decide from among several choices.

As can be understood, selecting the correct vehicle from the data bank is essential, since a series of data is associated with each vehicle in the data bank - such as the positions and the correspondence of such data with the vehicle to be treated - is the first step for a secure diagnosis and adjustment.

In addition, much time is also necessary for compiling the print report with the necessary data (license plate, date of first registration, chassis number, etcetera), so that such activity is often omitted or carried out apart, also due to the difficulties of retrieving the necessary information. US20150075271A1 teaches an apparatus for detecting the tread of tires of a vehicle, which comprises a tire tread wear analyzer and a test device for the brakes of such vehicle. Such apparatus also comprises a tread analyzer which scans each tire and determines the depth of the tread, as well as a video camera for reading the license plate of the vehicle and then transmitting the latter to a server connected to a database of license plate numbers in order to identify the owner of the vehicle.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is that of providing a new method for diagnosis and possible treatment of a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method as stated above that is able to allow controlling and possibly adjusting the position or the tilt angles of one or more wheels of a vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method that is simpler and quicker than the conventional methods.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a method according to claim 1 is provided.

The dependent claims refer to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more evident from the description of embodiments of a method, illustrated by way of example in the enclosed figures that schematically illustrate the steps of a respective method according to the present invention.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

First of all with reference to figure 1, a method for diagnosis and possible treatment of a vehicle according to the present invention, in particular a method for the control or diagnosis and possible adjusting of the position or of the tilt angles of one or more wheels of a vehicle, first comprises a step of positioning (step 1) a vehicle to be worked or treated in a treatment zone, and such step can be conducted for example by advancing a vehicle on a specific path or in a specific position or through a scanning zone.

The vehicle can for example comprise a motor vehicle, such as a truck or a car.

A processor C is also arranged, and the same obtains therein or in the hard disk thereof the license plate number and/or an identification code or an image, for example of characteristic features (such as the brand name, the front part, the rear part or other) of the vehicle V positioned in the treatment zone, if desired by taking a photograph or by scanning the license plate T or a portion of the vehicle V or, only in the case of the license plate number and/or of an identification code, the license plate number and/or the identification code are manually inserted by an operator into the processor C, for example by means of keyboard.

The possible file relative to the photograph or scan is transferred into the processor C by means of any suitable method, e.g. hard disk, cable, email, Wi-Fi, web or Bluetooth.

The possible file pertaining to the photograph or scan of the license plate or of a portion of the vehicle V is then converted (step 2), for example by means of querying an OCR service, so as to obtain the desired license plate number or identification code.

If desired, the file pertaining to the photograph or scan is previously loaded or sent by the processor C (step 3) to a web platform or web service SW, if desired not installed in the processor C or in the hard disk thereof, and such web service SW then transmits the file to the OCR service or conversion service, if such step is provided.

The web service SW preferably comprises a software system designed for supporting the interoperability between the processor and the data banks on a same network or in a distributed context.

Subsequently, based on the license plate number or on the identification code or on the image of the vehicle, the processor C or, if provided, the web service SW queries a data bank (step 4), e.g. a main data bank, such as the automobile public register PR, comprising data of a plurality of vehicles, so as to obtain data pertaining to the vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle V positioned in the treatment zone.

With the expression "vehicle model" in the present invention, it is intended a specific type of vehicle identified as a function of the brand name, year of production and possibly fittings and/or motors.

In substance, the data of a series of vehicles is saved in the main data bank, such data clearly also associated with a license plate number, an identification code or an image.

The querying of the main data bank PR consists of retrieving in the latter the data relative to the vehicle model that has license plate number or identification code or image corresponding to that acquired; after this, such data is communicated to the processor C, if desired upon sending and, if desired, filtering by the web service SW.

In substance, at this point, the data of the vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle V positioned in the treatment zone is acquired or obtained by the processor C (step 5) and then a comparison can be carried out between the data of the vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle V obtained from the data bank and the actual conditions of the vehicle positioned in the treatment zone so as to obtain a diagnosis of the state of the vehicle positioned in the treatment zone or of the respective components.

According to a less-preferred variant, the comparison and hence the diagnosis could also be executed by an operator and not by a processor.

Subsequently, the vehicle V is worked or treated, for example the position is adjusted of one or more wheels of the vehicle positioned in the treatment zone, if this is considered necessary following the comparison carried out between the data of the vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle V obtained from the main data bank PR and the actual conditions of the vehicle positioned in the treatment zone.

Clearly, the data of the diagnosis can be viewed by an operator who consequently evaluates if and how to treat or work the vehicle, or the processor C will examine the diagnosis and possibly manage the treatment of the vehicle as a function of the diagnosis.

The data pertaining to the vehicle model obtained from the data bank or of a consulted data bank can comprise tilt angles of the wheels of the vehicle model, such as for example the camber, the toe-in, the thrust angle, the caster angle, the tilt of the kingpin, the included angle and/or the steering angles. In such case, the detection of the actual conditions of the vehicle V involves the detection of the tilt angles of the wheels of the vehicle itself.

If desired, one or each data bank can be consulted upon payment, so that in order to query it authentication codes must be introduced (user name, password) correlated with a bank account, such that each time the data bank is consulted, the sum required for the consulting is detracted from such bank account, then possibly updating the residual credit thereof.

According to one variant (see figure 2), the method also provides for a step (step 6) in which a secondary data bank SDB is arranged, e.g. a data bank of the garage or in any case of a garage supplier, which is consulted by the processor C or by the web platform or by the web service SW in order to evaluate if the same contains the data of the vehicle corresponding to the license plate number or to the identification code or the acquired image, and if it does it is not necessary to query the main data bank, this involving savings of time and, if desired, costs.

In addition, in accordance with another embodiment (see figure 3), the method also provides for a step (step 7) during which the processor or the web platform or the web service SW queries, in particular after the step 4, a technical data bank TDB, so as to obtain further information of the vehicle V, for example more specific information regarding the parameters or characteristics of the vehicle V with respect to that contained in the main data bank.

This can be particularly useful if the other consulted data bank(s) PR, SDB did not have specific technical information regarding the vehicle, such as the tilt angles, but only allowed associating the license plate or the identification code to the vehicle model, possibly providing data such as registration date, brand name, model, sub-model, chassis number and/or VIN.

A method according to the present invention can then include a step of automatic compilation or pre-compilation of a print report of the intervention or treatment of the vehicle by the processor C, once the data of the vehicle V is obtained (step 5). In substance, some of the vehicle data, such as the license plate, the date of first registration, the chassis number obtained from one of the data banks PR, SDB or TDB which must be indicated in the vehicle V treatment or work report, is automatically inserted by the processor once obtained in a file which will be subsequently printed together with the results of the diagnosis and possible intervention or treatment of the vehicle.

The possible intervention or treatment of the vehicle V can instead comprise a plurality of operations, including the adjustment or regulation of the tilt angles of the wheels of the vehicle, e.g. the adjustment or regulation of the camber, of the toe-in, of the thrust angle, of the caster angle, of the tilt of the kingpin, of the included angle and/or of the steering angles of the wheels of the vehicle V.

The information or instructions or data is transmitted between the processor C and the web service SW and/or between the web service SW and the data bank(s) PR, SBD, TDB or between the processor C and the data bank(s) PR, SBD, TDB for example by means of Internet or Intranet networks or a network of another type.

In accordance with the present invention, a system is also provided for diagnosis or research for the purpose of diagnosis of a vehicle V, which comprises means for acquiring the license plate number or identification code or an image of the vehicle V in a treatment zone, for example a camera, a cell phone, a scanner, a video camera, a scanner or a keyboard, one or more data banks, e.g. a main data bank PR comprising data of a plurality of vehicles and a processor C set to receive, from the acquisition means, the license plate number or the identification code or the image of the vehicle V and to query - based on the license plate number or the identification code or acquired image - the data bank so as to obtain data pertaining to the vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle V positioned in the treatment zone.

The acquisition means can comprise a smartphone, a tablet, a video camera, a scanner or a keyboard.

The processor can also comprise means for comparing the data of the vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle V in the treatment zone obtained from the data bank and the actual conditions or parameters, for example one or more of the above-indicated tilt angles of the wheels of the vehicle positioned in the treatment zone and means for diagnosis of the state of the vehicle positioned in the treatment zone or of the respective components based on the result provided by the comparison means.

Alternatively, the comparison and/or the diagnosis could or can be executed directly by the operator and thus not by a processor.

The system then also comprises means for treating a vehicle, such as means for adjusting the tilt angles of the wheels of the vehicle, e.g. the camber, the toe-in, the thrust angle, the caster angle, the tilt of the kingpin, the included angle and/or the steering angles.

The system could also comprise a web service SW, set to receive the license plate number or the identification code or the image of the vehicle from the processor C and consequently to query the data bank or the data banks.

The system can then comprise a secondary data bank SDB, for example a data bank of the garage or in any case of a garage supplier, which is consulted by the processor C or by the web service SW in order to evaluate if the same contains the data of the vehicle corresponding to the license plate number or to the identification code or to the acquired image.

In addition, the system can then also be provided with a technical data bank TDB as indicated above.

The system can also comprise a service or a conversion unit OCR set to obtain desired the license plate number or identification code from the photograph.

In substance, the method and the system according to the present invention allow obtaining a service, preferably online, which by starting for example from the photograph of the license plate of a vehicle or from the manual insertion of the latter or from a country search code, is capable of pre-selecting the correct vehicle in the data bank, e.g. with regard to the position of the vehicle and if desired simultaneously pre-compiling most of the data necessary for the print report.

A few seconds after the photograph is taken, the method is not only able to find the vehicle but is also able to always find the latest update available regarding the reference technical data.

The operator is thus able to exploit the time that would have been necessary to obtain the vehicle data, by executing other necessary steps, e.g. moving the vehicle onto the lift, mounting the clips, turning on the measuring heads, etcetera.

In addition, the operator or the garage can pre-purchase a credit or a number of queries for use of the service of the data bank, and such credit is reduced with each use.

As indicated above, the operator can identify the vehicle in various ways, i.e.:

- by taking a photograph, e.g. by means of smartphone, tablet or by using a fixed video camera or by making a scan of the license plate, indiscriminately of whether it is front or rear; or

- by manually inserting the number of the license plate or an identification code used in the country of use, e.g. KBA in Germany, Typischen nummem in Switzerland, Nats Codes in Austria, Typemine in France, VIN in the USA and in Canada).

In addition, in some countries, such as the USA, the identification code can also be read through a bar code or QR code.

At this point, the image of the license plate or the inserted code is sent to a web service. The web service will then in turn provide - if a photograph is obtained - to query an OCR service in order to obtain the license plate number or the identification code from the photograph. Then, based on the license plate number or on the code, the web service will provide to query a data bank, such as the automobile public register of the available countries in order to obtain the information regarding registration, brand name, model, sub-model, VIN and/or tilt angles of the vehicle to be worked or treated.

From the information obtained from the automobile register, the correct technical references - necessary for carrying out the test or work on the vehicle - can then be identified in the database.

The information or the data collected is then sent in reply to the query carried out by the operator and is updated simultaneously with residual credit thereof.

According to one embodiment, it is necessary to make a centralized system, i.e. a server to which one must be connected in order to obtain the service, but alternatively it is possible to have a distributed system or better yet a local network infrastructure server that is periodically updated, to which the operators or the garages refer to without necessarily having an online Internet connection.

The method can moreover provide, additionally or in combination with the reference data of the vehicle, also the instructions necessary for completing the adjustment of the vehicle itself, i.e. the assistance instructions for adjusting the parameters of vehicle components.

As will be understood, a method according to the present invention allows adjusting the position or the tilt angles of one or more wheels of a vehicle, in particular in a simpler and quicker manner than the conventional methods.

Modifications and variations of the invention are possible within the protective scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Method for diagnosis of a vehicle comprising the following steps:

- positioning a vehicle to be worked or treated in a treatment zone;

- acquiring the license plate number and/or an identification code and/or an 5 image of the vehicle (V);

- on the basis of the license plate number and/or of said identification code and/or of said image, querying at least one data bank (PR, SDB, TDB) comprising data of a plurality of vehicles so as to obtain data pertaining to the vehicle model corresponding to said vehicle (V) positioned in the treatment zone;

i o - detecting the actual conditions of said vehicle (V) positioned in the treatment zone and the components thereof;

- carrying out a comparison between the data of the vehicle model corresponding to said vehicle (V) obtained from the at least one data bank (PR, SDB, TDB) and the actual conditions of the vehicle positioned in the treatment

15 zone so as to obtain a diagnosis of the state of said vehicle positioned in the treatment zone or of the respective components.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein said data pertaining to said vehicle model corresponding to said vehicle (V) positioned in the treatment zone, obtained from said data bank (PR, SDB, TDB), comprise tilt angles of the wheels

20 of said vehicle model and wherein the detection of the actual conditions of said vehicle (V) involves the detection of the tilt angles of said vehicle in said treatment zone.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein said tilt angles comprise the camber, the toe-in, the thrust angle, the caster angle, the tilt of the kingpin, the

25 included angle and/or the steering angles.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the license plate number and/or the identification code of said vehicle (V) positioned in the treatment zone is acquired by taking a photograph or by scanning the license plate (T) or a portion of such vehicle (V) and then obtaining the license plate number

30 and/or the identification code by means of querying an OCR service.

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said license plate number and/or said identification code of said vehicle (V) positioned in the treatment zone is manually acquired by an operator.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said data 5 bank comprises a public automobile register.

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said data bank (PR, SDB, TDB) can be consulted upon payment and wherein in order to query said data bank, authentication codes must be introduced that are correlated to a bank account, such that each time the data bank (PR, SDB, TDB) is i o consulted, the sum requested for consulting the data bank is detracted from said bank account, updating the residual credit thereof.

8. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the license plate number and/or the identification code and/or the image of said vehicle (V) positioned in the treatment zone is acquired and transmitted to a processor (C),

15 which queries said data bank (PR, SDB, TDB) and obtains therefrom the data pertaining to the vehicle model corresponding to said vehicle (V) positioned in the treatment zone.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein said license plate number and/or said identification code and/or said image of said vehicle (V) positioned in the

2 o treatment zone is sent by the processor (C) to a web platform or web service (SW) which then proceed to query said data bank (PR, SDB, TDB).

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method also provides for a step of querying a technical data bank (TDB), so as to obtain information of the vehicle model corresponding to said vehicle (V) positioned in

25 the treatment zone.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein on the basis of the license plate number and/or of said identification code and/or of said image, first a main data bank (PR) is queried so as to associate the license plate and/or the identification code to a vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle (V) positioned in the

30 treatment zone and subsequently said technical data bank (TDB) is queried so as to obtain the data of the vehicle model necessary for carrying out the diagnosis.

12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step of adjusting the position of one or more wheels of the vehicle positioned in the treatment zone, if this is considered necessary following the comparison carried out between the data of the vehicle model corresponding to said vehicle (V) obtained from the data bank (PR, SDB, TDB) and the actual conditions of the vehicle positioned in the treatment zone.

13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step for automatically compiling or pre-compiling a print report of the diagnosis or intervention or treatment of the vehicle (V), once the data of the vehicle model corresponding to said vehicle (V) positioned in the treatment zone has been obtained from said data bank (PR, SDB, TDB).

14. System for diagnosis of a vehicle comprising:

- means for acquiring the license plate number and/or identification code and/or an image of the vehicle;

- at least one data bank (PR, SDB, TDB) comprising data of a plurality of vehicles;

- a processor (C) set to receive, from said acquiring means, said license plate number and/or identification code and/or image of the vehicle (V) and to query, on the basis of the license plate number and/or of said identification code and/or of said acquired image, said data bank (PR, SDB, TDB) so as to obtain data pertaining to the vehicle model corresponding to said vehicle (V) positioned in the treatment zone.

15. System according to claim 14, wherein said processor comprises means for comparing between the data of the vehicle model corresponding to said vehicle (V) obtained from said at least one data bank (PR, SDB, TDB) and the actual conditions of the vehicle positioned in the treatment zone and means for diagnosis of the state of said vehicle positioned in the treatment zone or of the respective components on the basis of the result provided by the comparison means.

16. System according to claim 14 or 15, wherein said acquisition means comprise a camera, a cell phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a scanner, a video camera or a keyboard.

17. System according to claim 14, 15 or 16, comprising a web service (SW) 5 set to receive from the processor (C) the license plate number and/or the identification code and/or the image of the vehicle and to consequently query the data bank (PR, SDB, TDB).

18. System according to claim 14, 15, 16 or 17, comprising a service or a conversion unit (OCR) set to obtain, from a photograph of the license plate (T) or i o of a portion of the vehicle (V), the desired license plate number and/or the desired identification code and to communicate it to said processor (C).