Patent Application
20070294002
An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides an interactive diagnostic schematic generator that can dynamically generate an interactive diagnostic schematic to illustrate a diagnostic test procedure for a vehicle. The interactive diagnostic schematic generator can include a schematic reader to read a schematic data file associated with a diagnostic test procedure from a computer memory. The schematic generator can also include a test subject indicator that can indicate a test subject, such as a vehicle subcomponent upon which a test procedure is to be performed, in the schematic.
In addition, the schematic generator can include a diagnostic schematic formatter that can format the schematic for display on a display device with the test subject indicated. Furthermore, the schematic generator can include a test equipment illustrator that can illustrate a location of a test equipment connection in the schematic. Moreover, the schematic generator can include a feedback receiver to receive feedback indicating when the test procedure has been performed so that the indication of the test subject in the schematic can be removed.
An embodiment of the interactive diagnostic schematic generator can complement or can be an integral part of a diagnostic test procedure generator. An example of a diagnostic test procedure generator that is compatible with the interactive diagnostic schematic generator is disclosed in copending U.S. Patent Application, entitled “Diagnostic Decision Sequencing Method and Apparatus for Optimizing a Diagnostic Test Plan,” filed concurrently herewith by Fountain, et al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. An embodiment of the present inventive method and apparatus can generate an interactive diagnostic schematic 10 such as that illustrated in
The diagnostic schematic 10 can further include electrical connectors 14 for the vehicle components, for example, a bank angle sensor connector, a throttle position sensor connector, a cam position sensor connector, a first ECM connector and a second ECM connector, or any additional electrical connectors related to the schematic 10. In addition, the diagnostic schematic 10 can include any number of wires 16 coupling the vehicle components, as shown in
In order to illustrate a diagnostic test procedure to a vehicle technician diagnosing a failure mode of a vehicle, the interactive diagnostic schematic 10 can highlight one or more items on the schematic 10, for example, the highlighted wires 18 shown in
An embodiment of the present inventive method and apparatus is illustrated in
The processor 22, the memory 24 and the input/output device 26 can be part of a general computer, such as a personal computer (PC), a UNIX workstation, a server, a mainframe computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or some combination of these. Alternatively, the processor 22, the memory 24 and the input/output device 26 can be part of a specialized computing device, such as a vehicle diagnostics scan tool. The remaining components can include programming code, such as source code, object code or executable code, stored on a computer-readable medium that can be loaded into the memory 24 and processed by the processor 22 in order to perform the desired functions of the interactive diagnostic schematic generator 20.
In various embodiments, the system 10 can be coupled to a communication network, which can include any viable combination of devices and systems capable of linking computer-based systems, such as the Internet; an intranet or extranet; a local area network (LAN); a wide area network (WAN); a direct cable connection; a private network; a public network; an Ethernet-based system; a token ring; a value-added network; a telephony-based system, including, for example, T1 or E1 devices; an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network; a wired system; a wireless system; an optical system; a combination of any number of distributed processing networks or systems or the like.
An embodiment of the system 10 can be coupled to the communication network by way of the local data link, which in various embodiments can incorporate any combination of devices—as well as any associated software or firmware—configured to couple processor-based systems, such as modems, network interface cards, serial buses, parallel buses, LAN or WAN interfaces, wireless or optical interfaces and the like, along with any associated transmission protocols, as may be desired or required by the design.
An embodiment of the present invention can communicate information to the user and request user input by way of an interactive, menu-driven, visual display-based user interface, or graphical user interface (GUI). The user interface can be executed, for example, on a personal computer (PC) with a mouse and keyboard, with which the user may interactively input information using direct manipulation of the GUI. Direct manipulation can include the use of a pointing device, such as a mouse or a stylus, to select from a variety of selectable fields, including selectable menus, drop-down menus, tabs, buttons, bullets, checkboxes, text boxes, and the like. Nevertheless, various embodiments of the invention may incorporate any number of additional functional user interface schemes in place of this interface scheme, with or without the use of a mouse or buttons or keys, including for example, a trackball, a touch screen or a voice-activated system.
The schematic reader 28 can read a schematic data file associated with a diagnostic test procedure, such as a wiring diagram or other illustration data file. For example, the schematic reader 28 can read a data file from a main memory or from a peripheral memory device associated with the processor 22. In an embodiment of the invention, the schematic data file can be stored in a scalable vector graphics (SVG) file format, which is an XML-based markup language for describing two-dimensional vector graphics, both static and animated, (that is to say, either declarative or scripted). Thus, the schematic data file can be stored as a text file. SVG formatting can allow various types of graphic objects, for example, vector graphic shapes consisting of straight lines and curves and the areas bounded by them, raster graphics images or text. SVG formatting further allows graphical objects to be grouped, styled, transformed and composited into previously rendered objects. SVG formatting can also permit nested transformations, clipping paths, alpha masks, filter effects, template objects and extensibility. In addition, SVG formatting can enhance searchability and accessibility of the graphics.
SVG graphics can be dynamic and interactive. For example, the document object model (DOM) in SVG formatting can allow straightforward and efficient animation of graphics by way of script languages. The SVG graphics file format is also compatible with popular communications network standards, such as World Wide Web standards on the Internet. Additionally, SVG images can be stored using compression techniques.
SVG data files can be prepared for display on the display device 25 by any number of commercially available SVG viewers, such as the Adobe SVG Viewer, produced by Adobe Systems Incorporated of San Jose, Calif., or the Corel SVG Viewer, produced by the Corel Corporation of Ottawa, Canada.
The test subject indicator 30 can modify the schematic data file to indicate a test subject in the schematic. For example, the test subject indicator 30 can alter the color of a vehicle component, electrical connector, wire, or the like. Similarly, the test subject indicator 30 can highlight the test subject by surrounding the test subject with a highlighting color to make the test subject stand out from the background and the remaining items in the schematic.
Likewise, the test subject indicator 30 can shade the test subject, fade the color of the test subject, gray out the test subject, or animate the test subject. For example, the test subject indicator 30 can animate the test subject by making a component, electrical connector, wire, or the like, blink or flash in the schematic when displayed on the display device 25. This can be accomplished, for example, by adding executable code in a scripting language to the schematic data file.
Similarly, the test subject indicator 30 can animate the test subject by adding motion to the schematic, for example, demonstrating the connection or disconnection of an electrical connector. The test subject indicator 30 can also zoom in on a specific component, for example, when a user clicks on the component using a pointing device, such as a mouse. Furthermore, the test subject indicator 30 can add properties to a component, for example, a link to a help file, a part number, inventory information regarding the component, or the like.
The test equipment illustrator 32 can illustrate a location on the schematic where a test equipment connection is required. For example, a test equipment illustrator 32 can highlight or otherwise locate a location or multiple locations where electrical connectors, pins, clamps, or the like of a piece of test equipment are to be connected to a vehicle component or electrical connector. The test equipment illustrator 32 can further illustrate required test equipment, such as a digital multimeter, in the schematic. This can aide a vehicle technician in quickly and efficiently connecting test equipment for a diagnostic test procedure.
The diagnostic schematic formatter 34 can format the originally stored schematic or a modified schematic for display on the display device 25. For example, the diagnostic schematic formatter 34 can include an SVG viewer or cooperate with an SVG viewer to display the interactive diagnostic schematic 10.
Furthermore, the feedback receiver 36 can receive feedback indicating that a diagnostic test procedure, test step or other action has been performed. For example, the feedback receiver 36 can receive a data signal from a vehicle onboard computer, a data signal from test equipment associated with the vehicle, or a user input by way of the input/output device 26. In some embodiments, the feedback can be received by direct manipulation, for example, a user can select a portion of the schematic using a mouse or the equivalent. For example, a user can “click” on a wire, a component, or another test subject within a schematic currently displayed on the screen, and the feedback receiver 36 can uniquely identify the selected test subject.
The feedback receiver can then alert the corresponding routine or component of the interactive diagnostic schematic generator 20. For example, in response to the feedback, the interactive diagnostic schematic generator 20 can remove or discontinue the indication of the test subject in the schematic. That is to say, the test subject indicator 30 can remove or discontinue the highlighting, fading, graying out, animation or other indication of the test subject in the diagnostic schematic 10. In some embodiments, online help can be accessed by way of direct manipulation of displayed objects in the schematic.
In addition, in response to the feedback received by the feedback receiver 36, the test subject indicator 30 can mark the test subject to indicate that a diagnostic procedure, test step or other action has been performed on the test subject. Once again, the test subject indicator 30 can use highlighting, shading, fading, graying out, animation of the test subject or the like to indicate that the action has been performed. For example, the marking style used to mark the test subject to indicate that the action has been performed can be visually distinct from the indicating style used to indicate the test subject on which an action is required.
Additionally, the marking style implemented by the test subject indicator 30 can indicate that the result of the diagnostic procedure, test step or other action has validated the test subject—that is to say, the test subject passed the test or functioned normally. Otherwise, the marking style can indicate that the result invalidated, or faulted, the test subject—that is to say, the test subject failed the test or did not function normally.
Next, in step 44, “Illustrate Test Equipment Connection,” locations where test equipment connections are required for a test procedure can be illustrated in the schematic, as described above. Then, in step 46, “Format,” the schematic can be formatted for display on a display device associated with the processor. In this manner, the interactive diagnostic schematic can be displayed for a vehicle technician to aid efficient performance of diagnostic procedures in a diagnostic test sequence.
In step 48, “Receive Feedback,” feedback can be received indicating that the action has been performed and, in step 50, “Discontinue Indication,” the indication of the test subject can be removed or discontinued in response to the feedback, as described above.
At this point, in step 52, “Mark Test Subject,” the test subject can be marked in the schematic to indicate that the action has been performed. As described above, the marking style can be visually distinct from the indicating style, and the marking can further indicate that the result of the action either validated or invalidated the test subject. Thus, the marking can indicate vehicle components that have been tested successfully or that have failed a diagnostic test procedure. Then, in step 54, “Format,” the schematic can be formatted or reformatted for display on the display device with the test subject marked to indicate that the action has been performed, as explained above.
Next, in step 60, “Receive User Input,” a user input indicating a test subject can be received from a user, such as an expert vehicle technician, or author, using a pointing device. Then, in step 62, “Indicate Test Subject,” the test subject can be indicated in the schematic by use of highlighting, for example, shading, fading, graying out or animation, as explained above. In this manner, the author can select by way of the displayed interactive diagnostic schematic a vehicle component, electrical connector, wire, or the like, for which to author a new or modified diagnostic test procedure.
In turn, in step 64, “Format,” the schematic can be formatted or reformatted for display on the display device with the user-selected test subject indicated. At this point, in step 66, “Produce Diagnostic Test Procedure,” control can pass to an authoring module to allow the user, for example, an expert vehicle technician, to author a new or modified diagnostic test procedure.
An example of an authoring module that can produce a vehicle diagnostic sequence for use with a vehicle diagnostic system is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/038,118, entitled “Authoring Diagnostic Test Sequences Apparatus and Method,” filed by Fountain, et al. on Feb. 8, 2005, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
In this regard,
An embodiment of the present invention can also include one or more input or output devices, such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor, and the like. A display can be provided for viewing text and graphical data, as well as a user interface to allow a user to request specific operations. Furthermore, an embodiment of the present invention may be connected to one or more remote computers via a network interface. The connection may be over a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, or the like, and can include all of the necessary circuitry for such a connection.
Typically, computer program instructions may be loaded onto the computer or other general purpose programmable machine to produce a specialized machine, such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable machine create means for implementing the functions specified in the block diagrams, schematic diagrams or flowcharts. Such computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that when loaded into a computer or other programmable machine can direct the machine to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the function specified in the block diagrams, schematic diagrams or flowcharts.
In addition, the computer program instructions may be loaded into a computer or other programmable machine to cause a series of operational steps to be performed by the computer or other programmable machine to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable machine provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the block diagram, schematic diagram, flowchart block or step.
Accordingly, blocks or steps of the block diagram, flowchart or control flow illustrations support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block or step of the block diagrams, schematic diagrams or flowcharts, as well as combinations of blocks or steps, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions, that perform the specified functions or steps.
As an example, provided for purposes of illustration only, a data input software tool of a search engine application can be a representative means for receiving a query including one or more search terms. Similar software tools of applications, or implementations of embodiments of the present invention, can be means for performing the specified functions. For example, an embodiment of the present invention may include computer software for interfacing a processing element with a user-controlled input device, such as a mouse, keyboard, touch screen display, scanner, or the like. Similarly, an output of an embodiment of the present invention may include, for example, a combination of display software, video card hardware, and display hardware. A processing element may include, for example, a controller or microprocessor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), arithmetic logic unit (ALU), or control unit.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
