SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING NOTIFICATION OF A VEHICLE EVENT

Abstract

A system including a vehicle control unit configured to detect a vehicle event and a communication unit configured to transmit a notification from the vehicle control unit to a mobile device, the notification including both an identification of the vehicle event and instructions on how to enact a specific driving task to reverse a condition associated with the detected event.

Claims

1. A system comprising: a vehicle control unit configured to detect a vehicle event; and a communication unit configured to transmit a notification from the vehicle control unit to a mobile device, the notification including both an identification of the vehicle event and instructions on how to enact a specific driving task for a vehicle to reverse a condition associated with the detected event.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle event is a blocked or full Diesel Particulate Filter.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is configured to transmit a further notification, advising of the vehicle event, to a service provider.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the notification is transmitted by the communication unit by way of one or more communication methods including at least one of Bluetooth, WIFI, email, text message, dedicate software application, or ANT+.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is configured to provide ongoing completion status of the specific driving task to identify when the vehicle event has been mitigated.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the vehicle is configured to communicate the completion status to a driver either visually or audibly by an in vehicle display or speaker.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle control unit is configured to determine when the vehicle event has been mitigated and responsively transmit a success or failure notification to the mobile device through the communication unit.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein transmission of a failure notification triggers commencement of a mitigation process a next time the vehicle is driven.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the mitigation process comprises injecting additional fuel into an engine of the vehicle to raise exhaust temperature.

10. A computer-implemented method comprising: identifying that a reversible vehicle event has occurred; communicating the vehicle event to a mobile device; using the mobile device to locate instructions relating to reversing the vehicle event; monitoring vehicle activity to determine when the vehicle event has been reversed; and clearing an event-associated DTC code when the vehicle event is identified as being reversed.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing driving instructions to complete a driving task associated with event-reversal.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the providing occurs on the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the providing occurs on the mobile device.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising tracking driving task completion based on execution of a driving task using the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising outputting a completion status of the driving task.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the completion status further indicates what portion of the driving task is complete, what portion remains, or both.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the outputting occurs on the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the outputting occurs on the mobile device.

19. A computer-implemented method comprising: responsive to detecting a reversible vehicle event: presenting a driving task associated with event reversal, presenting a visual display tracking completion of the driving task based on driving task execution in a vehicle in which the event occurred, and removing the display following reversal of the vehicle event, reversal indicated by a state indicative of the vehicle event being returned to a pre-event state, or state equivalent, no longer indicating the event.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a process diagram of how a system according to the present invention applies to a private vehicle owner; and

[0036] FIG. 2 shows a process diagram of how a system according to the present invention applies to a fleet vehicle owned by a corporate entity and driven by an employee.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] As required, detailed and illustrative embodiments are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

[0038] Taking the non-limiting, illustrative scenario of a vehicle's Diesel Particulate Filter requiring regeneration, a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC code) is generated by a vehicle control unit to indicate that the Diesel Particulate Filter requires regeneration. An indication is provided within the vehicle to identify to the driver that an element of the vehicle requires attention. The indication may be as simple as a warning light on the vehicle's dashboard or more descriptive such as an image or text illustrating or describing the particular fault identified by the vehicle control unit.

[0039] In the case of a private vehicle, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a message is sent to an electronic device explaining that the Diesel Particulate Filter requires regeneration. The message could be sent as a text message or email or to a dedicated software application and could be transmitted by way of BLUETOOTH, WI-FI or ANT+, for example. The message would be sent to the electronic device once the vehicle is stationary and the vehicle engine is turned off. In the case of vehicles fitted with an integral navigation unit, the text message might only be sent when the vehicle is determined as being at the owner's residence or place of work. In such a scenario, if the vehicle is not determined as arriving at the owner's residence or place of work for a pre-determined period of time, i.e 4 hours, the message might be sent to the electronic device at that time.

[0040] In conjunction with transmitting a message to an electronic device belonging to the owner, the communication unit might also send an additional message to a third-party service provider notifying the service provider of the requirement for regeneration of the Diesel Particulate Filter.

[0041] Returning to the message sent to an electronic device, the message could include a brief description of the issue to which the DTC code relates and any action required by the driver. The message would also include a link to a dedicated software application (assuming that the message is not already sent through a dedicated software application). By clicking on the relevant link, the user will be taken to the software application where they would be presented with a number of options relating to the issue.

[0042] In particular, the user may be directed to view a video or animation stored in the cloud or on a social media platform. The video may provide instructions to the user on how to perform passive regeneration of the Diesel Particulate Filter. For example, drive the vehicle for 50 minutes at 70 miles per hour. The software application could synchronize with the vehicle's on-board display and show a timer or percentage complete indicator such that the driver can identify when they have completed the regeneration process in accordance with the instructions provided on the software application without referring to the electronic device while driving. The electronic device would also show a message confirming completion of regeneration. The electronic device can also be instructed manually by the user or automatically to schedule a future Diesel Particulate Filter regeneration drive. Such functionality would pre-empt the Diesel Particulate Filter becoming blocked or full.

[0043] If the DTC code is not resolved within a pre-determined time, the communication unit of the vehicle can be configured to issue a further notification to a third-party service center to indicate that the Diesel Particulate Filter has not regenerated. This notification provides the third-party service center with the ability to contact the vehicle driver directly by standard communication methods such as phone, email or text or through the dedicated software application.

[0044] A further option for the user of the electronic device would be to select an option to navigate directly to a third-party service provider if, for example, the vehicle enters a safe mode and its performance is limited to avoid further damage to the Diesel Particulate Filter and/or engine. Upon selecting this option the electronic device could synchronize with a navigation system connected to the vehicle to facilitate navigation to the third party service provider without reference to the electronic device.

[0045] The user of the electronic device may also wish to book into a third-party service provider to have the vehicle serviced and/or repaired. The electronic device could provide the option for the user of the electronic device to select a third-party service provider and book an appointment directly using the software application.

[0046] In the case of a fleet vehicle, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a DTC code is generated by the vehicle control unit and a message is sent to an electronic device registered to the driver of the vehicle. In this scenario the driver would simply receive a brief description of the issue and the action required to resolve. The driver would be directed to contact their fleet manager to arrange the necessary service or repair.

[0047] The fleet manager would receive a separate message via an electronic device registered to the fleet owner. This message would be as per that received by the vehicle driver but would also identify the vehicle affected. In the case of a fleet vehicle with GPS tracking enabled the fleet manager might also receive a location of the vehicle and the contact details of the driver such that the driver can be instructed to take the vehicle to a specified location for service and/or repair.

[0048] The message received by the fleet manager would be as per that received by the private vehicle owner in the previous example and the software application is the same. A fleet manager might also have an additional option on the software application to track service history of all fleet vehicles, identify any vehicles that have an unresolved DTC code and arrange and track service and/or repair of all vehicles in the fleet.

[0049] Although the two given examples relate to Diesel Particulate Filter regeneration, the present invention is equally applicable to other vehicle events that result in generation of a DTC code and require an action to resolve the DTC code.

[0050] The foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention and is given by way of example only. The description should be used simply to interpret the claims without undue limitation.

[0051] While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.