COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING RECOMMENDATION DATA ASSOCIATED TO A VEHICLE

Abstract

A system and to a computer-implemented method of providing recommendation data associated to a vehicle before, when or after it arrives at a predetermined location, the predetermined location being on an assembly line or in a workshop, is provided. A wireless request signal is sent from an off-board transceiver towards. A wireless response signal is trigger by the wireless request signal and is transmitted from an on-board transceiver of the vehicle and received by the off-board receiver. The wireless response signal contains an identification of the vehicle chassis number of the vehicle. A control unit accesses a database and identifies recommendation data associated with the identified vehicle chassis number in said database. The control unit presents the identified recommendation data via a user interface.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of providing recommendation data associated to a vehicle before, when or after it arrives at a predetermined location, said predetermined location being on an assembly line or in a workshop, the method comprising: sending a wireless request signal from an off-board transceiver towards the vehicle, receiving, by the off-board transceiver, a wireless response signal from an on-board transceiver of the vehicle, the wireless response signal being triggered by the wireless request signal and containing an identification of the vehicle chassis number of the vehicle, accessing, by means of a control unit, a database in which different vehicle chassis numbers are associated with respective recommendation data, identifying, by means of the control unit, recommendation data associated with the identified vehicle chassis number in said database, and presenting, by means of the control unit, the identified recommendation data via a user interface.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said identified recommendation data comprises at least one vehicle part which is recommended for mounting on the vehicle.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said database comprises records of different types of said vehicle part, wherein said identified recommendation data associated with the identified vehicle chassis number comprises one of said different types of said vehicle part.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined location is a tire mounting station along an assembly line, wherein said identified recommendation data comprises the identification of a type of tire to be mounted when the vehicle has arrived at the tire mounting station.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined location is in a workshop, wherein said identified recommendation data comprises a recommended action to be performed on the vehicle, such as a service, update, repair or installation action.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said on-board transceiver forms part of, or is operatively connected to, a tachograph, wherein said request signal and said response signal are transmitted by Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC).

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said on-board transceiver forms part of, or is operatively connected to, a wireless communication module, wherein the wireless communications module is configured for telematics communication, such as via 3G, 4G or 5G, and/or configured for wireless local area network communication, such as WiFi, wherein said request signal and said response signal are transmitted via telematics network and/or wireless local area network, respectively.

8. A computer program comprising program code for performing the steps of the method according to claim 1 when said program code is run on a computer.

9. A computer readable medium carrying a computer program comprising program code for performing the steps of the method according to claim 1 when said program code is run on a computer.

10. A control unit for controlling the provision of recommendation data associated to a vehicle before, when or after the vehicle arrives at a predetermined location, said predetermined location being on an assembly line or in a workshop, the control unit being configured to perform the steps of the method according to claim 1.

11. A system configured to provide recommendation data associated to a vehicle before, when or after it arrives at a predetermined location, said predetermined location being on an assembly line or in a workshop, the system comprises: an off-board transceiver configured to send a wireless request signal towards the vehicle and to receive a wireless response signal from an on-board transceiver of the vehicle, the wireless response signal being triggered by the wireless request signal and containing an identification about the vehicle chassis number of the vehicle, a database in which different vehicle chassis numbers are associated with respective recommendation data, a control unit, which comprises said off-board transceiver or which is operatively connected to said off-board transceiver, wherein the control unit is configured to access the database and, based on the wireless response signal, identify in the database recommendation data associated with the identified vehicle chassis number of the vehicle, and a user interface operatively connected to, or comprised in, the control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to present the identified recommendation data via the user interface.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said identified recommendation data comprises at least one vehicle part which is recommended for mounting on the vehicle.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said database comprises records of different types of said vehicle part, wherein said identified recommendation data associated with the identified vehicle chassis number comprises one of said different types of said vehicle part.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined location is a tire mounting station along an assembly line, wherein said identified recommendation data comprises the identification of a type of tire to be mounted when the vehicle has arrived at the tire mounting station.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein said predetermined location is in a workshop, wherein said identified recommendation data comprises a recommended action to be performed on the vehicle, such as a service, update, repair or installation action.

16. The system according to claim 11, wherein said on-board transceiver forms part of, or is operatively connected to, a tachograph, wherein said request signal and said response signal are transmitted by Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC).

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein said on-board transceiver forms part of, or is operatively connected to, a wireless communication module, wherein the wireless communications module is configured for telematics communication, such as via 3G, 4G or 5G, and/or configured for wireless local area network communication, such as WiFi, wherein said request signal and said response signal are transmitted via telematics network and/or wireless local area network, respectively.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0047] With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples.

[0048] In the drawings:

[0049] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a possible implementation of a method and a system in accordance with at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another possible implementation of a method and a system in accordance with at least some other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a computer-implemented method according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a control unit according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a computer program product according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0054] The general inventive concept will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain aspects of the inventive concept are shown. The inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments and aspects set forth herein; rather, the embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the general inventive concept is not limited to the embodiments described herein and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0055] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a possible implementation of a method and a system in accordance with at least some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. More specifically FIG. 1 illustrates that the teachings of the present disclosure may be implemented in connection with an assembly line 10, such as an assembly line 10 in a vehicle manufacturing facility. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a vehicle 12 which is being built is transported along a conveyor system 14 of the assembly line 10. Although the vehicle 12 is illustrated as being suspending from above, the teachings of this disclosure may, of course, be implemented for other types of assembly lines and conveyor systems, such as conveyor systems which support the vehicle 12 from below. As the vehicle 12 is transported along the assembly line 10 it becomes equipped with more and more vehicle parts. Some vehicle parts may be mounted manually, while some vehicle parts may be mounted automatically by for example robots 16.

[0056] Each vehicle that is being manufactured is given a unique vehicle chassis number (sometimes also referred to as “VIN”, vehicle identification number, although in some factories the VIN and the chassis number may differ, in which case there is an IT system that connects them). One and the same vehicle model may be equipped with different vehicle parts. Just to give an illustrative example, a standard-equipped vehicle may be sold for a certain price, while a premium-equipped vehicle may be sold for a higher price. Also, there may be customer-specific demands for certain vehicle parts.

[0057] In the present illustrative example, it is assumed that the system and method of the present disclosure is implemented at a tire-mounting station, i.e. where tires are mounted to the vehicle 12. It should, however, be understood that the general idea of the present disclosure may readily be implemented for other vehicle parts mounted at other stations along the assembly line.

[0058] FIG. 1 illustrates a system 20 which is configured to provide recommendation data 22 associated to the vehicle 12. In this example, the recommendation data 22 may be a recommendation to mount specific type of tyre to the vehicle 12. For example, a customer has when ordering the vehicle selected a specific set of tires from different possible alternative sets of tires. The selection of tires has been appropriately associated with the vehicle chassis number. There may, for instance, be a direct association between the selection of tires and the vehicle chassis number, or an indirect association (e.g. both being associated to an order number). The process of how the selection of tires (i.e. the recommendation data 22) has actually been associated to the vehicle chassis number is subordinate; what is of relevance is the fact that the association has indeed been made.

[0059] As already explained in this disclosure, when a vehicle arrives at the tire station, a worker would normally have to manually connect a diagnostic tool to the vehicle to get a reading of the vehicle chassis number in order to determine which set of tires that should be mounted to that particular vehicle. The present system 20, however, makes such manual connection superfluous, as the system 20 provides for an automatic reading. A further advantage is that, if desired, the automatic reading and the presentation of the recommendation data 22 can be performed even before the vehicle 12 arrives at the tire mounting station. It should, however, by understood that the automatic reading can also be implemented when or after the vehicle 12 arrives at the tire mounting station. Thus, in a general sense, there is provided a system 20 configured to provide recommendation data 22 associated to a vehicle 12 before, when or after it arrives at a predetermined location, said predetermined location being on an assembly line 10 or in a workshop. As already understood from the previous discussion, in FIG. 1 the predetermined location may be a tire-mounting station and the recommendation data 22 may be a type of tire, but as will be discussed later in connection with FIG. 2, which illustrates a workshop implementation, there may be other conceivable recommendation data (which do not necessarily represent a recommendation of a certain vehicle part).

[0060] Continuing with FIG. 1, the system 20 comprises an off-board transceiver 24 configured to send a wireless request signal 26 towards the vehicle 12. The vehicle 12 is equipped with an on-board transceiver 28 (indicated by the dashed rectangle as being inside the vehicle 12). The wireless request signal 26 from the off-board transceiver 24 triggers the on-board transceiver 28 to transmit a wireless response signal 30. The wireless response signal 30 contains an identification about the vehicle chassis number of the vehicle 12. The off-board transceiver 24 is configured to receive the wireless response signal 30 transmitted from the on-board transceiver 28. In this way, by means of the off-board transceiver 24, the system can obtain the vehicle chassis number without requiring a manual connecting to the vehicle 12.

[0061] The system 20 also comprises a database 32 in which different vehicle chassis numbers are stored. Suitably, the database 32 contains the vehicle chassis numbers of at least those vehicles that are being assembled on the assembly line 10, but may suitably contain more vehicle chassis numbers, such as for vehicles which have been ordered but which will become assembled at a later occasion. In the database 32, vehicle chassis numbers are associated with respective recommendation data 22. In this example it may be different types or models of tires for the vehicle chassis numbers. Several vehicle chassis numbers may, of course, be associated with the same recommendation data content, i.e. the same type or model of tires may be recommended for a plurality of vehicles.

[0062] The system 20 further comprises a control unit 34. The control unit 34 may comprise the off-board transceiver 24 or may be operatively connected to the off-board transceiver 24. Indeed it should be understood that, although FIG. 1 illustrates all components of the system 20 as being located near each other, it does not necessarily need to be so. In particular, all the components do not need to be located at the assembly line 10. For instance, the control unit 34 and/or the database 32 may be located at a different location. The control unit 34 has access to the database 32, regardless of if it is a remotely located database, or a local database. The database 32 may even be included in the control unit 34.

[0063] Regardless of how the control unit 34 accesses the database 32, the control unit 34 is configured to, based on the wireless response signal 30 received by the off-board transceiver 24, identify in the database 32 recommendation data 22 associated with the identified vehicle chassis number of the vehicle 12. Thus, it should be understood that the control unit 34 may acquire the wireless response signal 30 received by the off-board transceiver 24 and process the information content of that wireless response signal 30.

[0064] The system 20 further comprises a user interface 36, which is here illustrated in the form of a digital screen. However, other types of digital displays or other types of user interfaces (e.g. audio interfaces) are also conceivable. The user interface 36 may be operatively connected to, or comprised in, the control unit 34. The control unit 34 is configured to present via the user interface 36 the recommendation data 22 that it has identified in the database 32. The user interface 36 does not necessarily need to be at the predetermined location, i.e. in this case at the tire mounting station. For instance, the user interface 36 may be located at a storage space where different vehicle parts, for example different tires are stored. A worker at the storage space may thus be notified of which set of tires to prepare for mounting at the tire mounting station. This may advantageously be done even before the vehicle 12 arrives at the tire mounting station.

[0065] It should again be emphasized that the system 20 may be used in relation to other location of the assembly line 10, and the recommendation data 22 may be for other vehicle parts. Similarly to the tire example, the database 32 may comprise records of different types of any such other vehicle part, wherein the recommendation data 22 associated with an identified vehicle chassis number will comprise one of said different types of said other vehicle part.

[0066] As has already been mentioned in this disclosure, the recommendation data may not necessarily be limited to the recommendation of a physical object such as a vehicle part. In some exemplary embodiments, the recommendation data may instead (or additionally) comprise a recommended action to be performed on the vehicle. This will now be discussed in connection with FIG. 2.

[0067] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of another possible implementation of a method and a system in accordance with at least some other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a workshop 40 in which various actions may be performed on vehicles. For instance, it may be a regular service action, an action involving updating or installation of hardware and/or software, an action involving repairing or replacing one or more vehicle parts, etc. Thus, in such exemplary embodiments, said predetermined location will be in the workshop 40, and the identified recommendation data may comprise a recommended action to be performed on the vehicles visiting the workshop 40. The database containing the association between the recommendation data and the vehicle chassis numbers may suitably be a local database of the workshop 40. However, it is also conceivable to use a remote database, such as a remote database of a vehicle manufacturer, a fleet owner, etc. Such a remote database may suitably be accessible from the workshop 40 by appropriate telematics communication. The control unit (not shown) may thus suitably, although not necessarily, be located in the workshop 40. As mentioned above, the identified recommendation data may comprise a recommended action to be performed. Such a recommended action may be to replace (or to perform service of) at least one part. In other words, the recommendation data may be a recommendation to provide, for instance, a service to the vehicle, and this in turn provides at least one part to be replaced.

[0068] As illustrated in FIG. 2, in order to anticipate the arrival of a vehicle 42 and to prepare for the recommended action for time-saving purposes, the off-board transceiver 24 may be located outside of the actual workshop 40. In FIG. 2 a gate 44 has been schematically indicated as being provided with the off-board transceiver 24. Thus, when the vehicle 42 arrives at the premises of the workshop 40, the vehicle chassis number can be acquired and the recommendation data can be presented to a user interface in the workshop 40 even before the vehicle 42 has entered the actual workshop 40. It should however, be understood, that in other exemplary embodiments, the off-board transceiver may of course be located inside the workshop 40.

[0069] For either one of the implementations discussed in relation to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, there are various conceivable communication solutions that may be used. For instance, according to at least some exemplary embodiments, the on-board transceiver 28 in the vehicle may form part of, or be operatively connected to, a tachograph of the vehicle. In such case, the wireless request signal 26 from the off-board transceiver 24 may be transmitted by Dedicated Short Range Communication protocol (DSRC), and of course the wireless response signal 30 will also be transmitted by DSRC. In at least some other exemplary embodiments, the on-board transceiver 28 may form part of, or be operatively connected to, a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module may be configured for telematics communication, such as via 3G, 4G or 5G and/or be configured for wireless local area network communication, such as WiFi. In such case, the wireless request signal 26 from the off-board transceiver 24 and the wireless response signal 30 from the on-board transceiver 28 may be transmitted via telematics network and/or wireless local area network, respectively.

[0070] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a computer-implemented method 100 according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The computer-implemented method 100 may be implemented in connection with either one of the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and also in connection with any other examples encompassed by the teachings of the present disclosure. The computer-implemented method 100 is a computer-implemented method 100 of providing recommendation data associated to a vehicle before, when or after it arrives at a predetermined location, said predetermined location being on an assembly line or in a workshop, the method 100 comprising: [0071] in a step S1, sending a wireless request signal from an off-board transceiver towards the vehicle, [0072] in a step S2, receiving, by the off-board transceiver, a wireless response signal from an on-board transceiver of the vehicle, the wireless response signal being triggered by the wireless request signal and containing an identification of the vehicle chassis number of the vehicle, [0073] in a step S3, accessing, by means of a control unit, a database in which different vehicle chassis numbers are associated with respective recommendation data, [0074] in a step S4, identifying, by means of the control unit, recommendation data associated with the identified vehicle chassis number in said database, and [0075] in a step S5, presenting, by means of the control unit, the identified recommendation data via a user interface.

[0076] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a control unit 34 according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates, in terms of a number of functional units, the components of a control unit 34 according to exemplary embodiments of the discussions herein. The control unit 34 may be comprised in any system disclosed herein, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 1 and as discussed in connection with FIG. 2, and others discussed above. Processing circuitry 410 may be provided using any combination of one or more of a suitable central processing unit CPU, multiprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor DSP, etc., capable of executing software instructions stored in a computer program product, e.g. in the form of a storage medium 430. The processing circuitry 410 may further be provided as at least one application specific integrated circuit ASIC, or field programmable gate array FPGA.

[0077] Particularly, the processing circuitry 410 is configured to cause the control unit 34 to perform a set of operations, or steps, such as the method discussed in connection to FIG. 3 and exemplary embodiments thereof discussed throughout this disclosure. For example, the storage medium 430 may store the set of operations, and the processing circuitry 410 may be configured to retrieve the set of operations from the storage medium 430 to cause the control unit 34 to perform the set of operations. The set of operations may be provided as a set of executable instructions. Thus, the processing circuitry 410 is thereby arranged to execute exemplary methods as herein disclosed.

[0078] The storage medium 430 may also comprise persistent storage, which, for example may be any single one or combination of magnetic memory, optical memory, solid state memory or even remotely mounted memory.

[0079] The control unit 34 may further comprise an interface 420 for communications with at least one external device such as an off-board transceiver 24, a database 32 and a user interface 36 as discussed herein. As such, the interface 420 may comprise one or more transmitters and receivers, comprising analogue and digital components and a suitable number of ports for wireline or wireless communication.

[0080] The processing circuitry 410 controls the general operation of the control unit 34, e.g. by sending data and control signals to the interface 420 and the storage medium 430, by receiving data and reports from the interface 420, and by retrieving data and instructions form the storage medium 430. Other components, as well as the related functionality, of the control unit 34 are omitted in order not to obscure the concepts presented herein.

[0081] FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a computer program product 500 according to at least one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. More specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates a computer readable medium 510 carrying a computer program comprising program code means 520 for performing the method exemplified in FIG. 3 and exemplary embodiments thereof, when said program product is run on a computer. The computer readable medium 510 and the program code means 520 may together form the computer program product 500.