Method and device for visualizing an automotive repair cycle

[0001] This application is a continuation of PCT Application No. PCT/EP2004/001687 filed on Feb. 20, 2004, which claims priority to German Application Nos. 103 07 980.7 filed Feb. 24, 2003 and 103 07 981.5 filed Feb. 24, 2003, and which is related to copending application entitled “Method and Device for Visualizing a Vehicle Repairing”, U.S. Ser. No. 11/201,112, filed on even date herewith.

[0002] The invention relates to a method for providing image data for visualizing a processing operation, particularly on one or more faulty components of a road-bound motor vehicle, such as a passenger car or a motorcycle, and/or a repair sequence of a road-bound motor vehicle, particularly of a passenger car or a motorcycle.

[0003] Known repair instructions normally consist of a text and two-dimensional graphics or drawings. The texts of such repair instructions are translated at high expenditure and therefore high cost into the languages of the corresponding countries.

[0004] Furthermore, the text-type description of a repair operation is often complicated and its creation requires high expenditures. Such a text is often difficult to understand or, in some cases, may even be misunderstood.

[0005] Nowadays, it is particularly problematic to describe and show a complicated construction space because a large number of graphics or photos have to be prepared for this purpose in order to provide complete information to the user concerning the construction space.

[0006] One aspect of the invention is to reduce translation costs. It is another aspect to present the instructions for a complicated repair operation in a manner which is processed such that the repair operation is presented to a user in an easily comprehensible manner without misunderstandings. The user is thereby enabled to carry out the repair in an easily understandable manner.

[0007] It is another aspect of the invention to provide a method by which the user can obtain complete information, including information also concerning a complicated construction space. Depending on the requirement, the user should be capable of individually requesting the required information, for example, information concerning the position of the components from various perspectives, or have this information displayed.

[0008] An aspect of the method according to the invention of providing image data for visualizing a repair sequence of a road-bound motor vehicle, particularly of a passenger car or of a motorcycle, is the following approach. In a first step, the digitized data of one or more components of the vehicle are provided for the visualization, the component or components being displayed particularly as CAD data and/or vector data and/or in another data format which can be visualized. Furthermore, the digitized data of the component, or of the components, are provided in an arrangement corresponding to the arrangement in the vehicle and are visualized. In addition, at least one sequence protocol is provided, in which at least one sequence step of a repair sequence, preferably a plurality of sequence steps of the component arranged in the vehicle (or of the components arranged in the vehicle) is defined. The visualized component (or the visualized components) is moved or changed in the visualization according to the sequence protocol.

[0009] Furthermore, a selection overview is provided, in which at least one, and preferably all, sequence steps of a repair operation are provided for the targeted selection and calling of the visualization of the selected sequence step, and a selecting element is provided for the targeted selection and calling of the visualization of one of the sequence steps of the repair operation. After the selection of the sequence step, the image data of the selected sequence step is provided and visualized.

[0010] After providing and visualizing the image data of the selected sequence step according to the above description, the selection overview is advantageously provided again.

[0011] However, it may also be advantageous, for a subsequent sequence step to be displayed after providing and visualizing the image data of the selection sequence step.

[0012] It is, however, particularly advantageous to optionally again provide the selection overview, or display a subsequent sequence step, after providing and visualizing the image data of the selection sequence step according to the above description.

[0013] It may, additionally, be advantageous to provide the image data of at least one tool for the actual implementation of a sequence step on the vehicle and to visualize them in the visualization.

[0014] In addition to providing a first tool, it is often advantageous to additionally represent the image data of at least a second tool for the actual implementation of another sequence step on the vehicle and to visualize them.

[0015] Furthermore, it is often expedient to represent the digitized data of at least one fastening device, which mutually connects two components of the vehicle, and to visualize them.

[0016] The digitized data are normally CAD data, vector data, or another data format which can be visualized, the data being reduced in a suitable manner, for example, by compression for reducing the data quantity. These data or the output data, according to the invention, are preferably vehicle construction data, which data exists anyhow and which shows the vehicle in a display in the virtual space. These data preferably are CATIA or Pro-E data familiar to a person skilled in the art. The data may be made available, for example, on a DVD, CD-ROM, or in a databank accessible online.

[0017] Since the original construction data can be used for showing the construction space, the construction space is available as a quasi 3-D construction space with a very high information depth. The complete information concerning a construction space can, therefore, be made available to the user. By expediently providing a freely navigable perspective and also, display cutout, depending on the demand, the user can view detailed information from the representation of the construction space. In particular, it is thereby permitted to view complicated repair operations from several perspectives.

[0018] The method according to the invention permits a largely visual detailed representation of repair sequences. The display of the virtual repair largely corresponding to the real repair by a mechanic. Translation costs are considerably reduced because of the low (or absent) text portions in the visual representation in comparison to the known solution. As a result of the use of CAD data or CATIA data or the like, which are generated and available anyway from the vehicle construction or in connection with the simulation of production and assembly processes of the vehicle, the method according to the invention can be economically implemented.

[0019] It was also found that the understanding of repair sequences is considerably improved by showing the repair sequence according to the method of the invention. Finally, because of the facilitated understanding, the repair by a mechanic is carried out in a shorter time while the repair quality is simultaneously increased in comparison to repairs using conventional repair text instructions.

[0020] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a flow chart of an embodiment of the method according to the present invention. The method is characterized by the following. After beginning (step 10), digital data is provided and visualized for one or more components of the vehicle (step 12). Next, digital data is provided and visualized for the arrangement of the one or more parts relative to one another (step 14). Then, a sequence protocol for a repair is provided (step 16). Next, a selection overview of sequence steps for the sequence protocol is provided (step 18). Then, the user selects a sequence step (step 20). After selecting the sequence step, image data of the selected sequence step is visualized (step 22).

[0024] Referring to FIG. 2, in an embodiment of the invention, the use of a data processing system 30 with a manual data input device, particularly a touch-sensitive monitor 30, that is, a so-called touch screen monitor, is provided for representing the provided image data and the first selection element. The first selection element 50 is possibly being selected by manual touch. Such a data processing system or such a repair display device is compact and not susceptible to disturbances even under rough everyday workshop conditions.

[0025] The data processing system 30 is equipped with a display 32. The display communicates, preferably in a wireless manner, with the data processing system, or represents a portable combination of a data processing system and a display. In addition to the data processing system, a system according to the invention which is suitable for implementing the above-described method includes a viewing tool, which can be operated on the data processing system and controls a representation of the visualized data in the display. In addition, navigation elements are preferably provided for the preferably free navigation or selection of the viewing angle within the representation of the repair sequences before, during, and/or after the implementation of the respectively shown repair sequence.

[0026] In a further development of the invention, the diagnostic system 36 of the vehicle 34 to be repaired or serviced is included in the method according to the invention. The diagnostic system 36 of the vehicle normally has at least one fault memory 38 for detecting the condition or the operational readiness of at least a first electronic component of the vehicle.

[0027] According to the invention, the diagnostic system is connected by way of the diagnostic plug of the vehicle and/or in a wireless manner 40 by way of a corresponding transmitting/receiving device with the data processing system. The fault and/or condition data transmitted from the diagnostic system to the data processing system are analyzed in the data processing system. As a function of the concrete fault or condition data, which preferably also show the concrete vehicle type and/or the concrete vehicle equipment, one or more vehicle-type-specific repair sequences are provided for the movie-like representation in the display of the data processing system. For implementing the method, the data processing system according to the invention has a corresponding sequence control, preferably completely or partly controlled by software.

[0028] As a further development of the method according to the invention, defective components of the vehicle are shown in a display in a highlighted manner, and visual repair or servicing instructions are provided. This permits a fast implementation of a repair or servicing and, in addition, reduces the fault rate. It is a prerequisite that the function of the component, or the fluid levels of the components to be serviced, is or are monitored by the diagnostic system. The components may, for example, be electrical components, such as control units, relays or switches, as well as electronically monitored components, such as the brake pads. Examples of visually aided servicing work are adding engine or transmission fluids, brake fluid, etc, as well as the exchange of brake pads or other parts subject to wear.

[0029] In the case of the method according to the invention, the need to exchange a visually correspondingly indicated component or part is preferably indicated, and (visual) information is supplied with respect to the successfully implemented exchange; for example, in that the electrical function of the exchanged component is detected by the diagnostic device of the vehicle and is transmitted to the data processing system according to the invention and is displayed by the latter. The same applies to a servicing job or a fluid level fill-up of the vehicle in that the data processing system indicates the insufficient fluid level—with the participation of the diagnostic system of the vehicle—and, during the filling-up or after the filling-up, also indicates the current fluid level or a correctly implemented servicing job.

[0030] In an embodiment of the method, it is provided that at least the relevant defective component or the part to be serviced, such as a fluid tank or the brake pads, is visibly highlighted in comparison to the other components, in which case, preferably, a detailed representation and/or a representation with a greater resolution and/or an enlarged representation is displayed by the data processing system.

[0031] In an alternative or supplementary embodiment of the invention, the data processing system provides a manually operable selection element for changing the viewing angle onto the repair scene. Thus, the mechanic is virtually enabled to look at the repair or servicing sequence from different viewing angles and to eliminate unclear points. This measure according to the invention increases the quality, as well as the speed of the repair or servicing.

[0032] In another alternative or supplementary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the software-controlled data processing system provides a manually operable selection element for the complete or partial masking-out of at least one of the components illustrated in the repair sequence for the display. This measure also aids the clarification of the repair or servicing sequence in the virtual method of representation and leads to a higher quality and speed of the real sequence.

[0033] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the method is implemented by a software-controlled data processing system, which is equipped with a display and a wireless receiving device for receiving the fault and/or condition data of the diagnostic system of the motor vehicle. The wireless uni- or bidirectional communication between the data processing system and the diagnostic system of the vehicle may take place, for example, by way of a connection on the basis of the Bluetooth standard, if the vehicle is equipped correspondingly. Likewise, a so-called wireless LAN connection can be established in that the interface of the diagnostic system to the “outside world” is equipped with a corresponding LAN device or is temporarily equipped therewith in the workshop.

[0034] The data processing system is advantageously connected with an electronic replacement part catalogue, so that data can be queried directly concerning components which may be in the store or can be delivered.

[0035] It may also be expedient to connect the data processing system with a dealer management system.

[0036] For maintaining data of a plurality of individual repair sequences, it is often expedient to connect the data processing system with a content management system, in which a plurality of individual repair sequences are stored and managed.

[0037] In another particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the method according to the invention is implemented by using a touch-sensitive display, i.e., a so-called touch screen. On this touch screen, the type of representation of the repair or servicing sequences, in particular, can be influenced by touching corresponding selection elements in the form of a video animation. This applies particularly with regard to the illustrated viewing angle and/or the complete or partial masking-out of interfering components.

[0038] As a rule, the operating sequences are vehicle-specific; that is, they change from one vehicle type to another. It is therefore necessary that the data processing system always has the digitized data of the components, etc. of the corresponding vehicle type available. In order to achieve this, it is provided in an embodiment of the invention that the data processing system determines the vehicle type by using characteristic data which the diagnostic system transmits to the data processing system. The data processing system then prompts the insertion of a specified data carrier, such as a DVD, into a corresponding drive 44 having this data.

[0039] As an alternative or in addition, it is provided in another embodiment of the invention that the data processing system retrieves the data from a server 46, which stores the data for a plurality of vehicle types—in an updated form.

[0040] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.