A SYSTEM FOR IN-VEHICLE AND REMOTE TROUBLESHOOTING OF AN INFOTAINMENT UNIT.

Abstract

A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2). The system (1) comprising a dashboard (3) housing infotainment unit (2). The infotainment unit (2) in wireless communication with a remote server (4). A user switches on the infotainment unit (2) by initiating ignition on the vehicle dashboard. The infotainment unit (2) encounters a technical issue halting functioning of the technical feature. The infotainment unit (2) initiating in-vehicle troubleshooting by first displaying on screen requesting the user to initiate a self- assessment mode. FIGURE 1

Specification

Description:TITLE: A SYSTEM FOR IN-VEHICLE AND REMOTE TROUBLESHOOTING OF AN INFOTAINMENT UNIT.
The present invention generally relates to a vehicle infotainment unit troubleshooting. In particular, the present invention enables a vehicle owner in-vehicle troubleshooting to asses and address infotainment unit related issues. The on-board trouble shooting features of the vehicle are engaged by the user and an initial resolution to the technical issue is presented as a prompt on the display of the vehicle directing the owner to initiate a set of system functions in order to resolve the technical issue.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to user assisted trouble shooting and remote trouble shooting of a vehicle hardware and technical features. The objective of remote trouble shooting is identification and resolution of vehicle issue. As more and more in-car displays and infotainment systems are becoming principle modes of user engaging with the features of the car. The increasing complexity and the users' dependency on infotainment unit with numerous sophisticated technical features being introduced in the vehicles infotainment unit. These features may include functionality that may also engage and handle more critical functions related to performance of the vehicle. Such culmination of various technicalities and complexities broadens the role of the infotainment unit from just an entertainment unit.
In current state of the art, wherein, a car owner develops a technical issue within the functioning of the infotainment unit. The vehicle owner has to physically take the car to the service station for resolution of the said technical issues. Within the present service infrastructure the vehicle owner has very limited assistance on problems related to the modern infotainment and display related technical features. The current vehicle servicing infrastructure has very limited technical assistance. Further, in many cases technical assistance may not be readily available in the same region as that of the vehicle. In such scenario the issue has to be handled by owner of the vehicle with a company representative over phone. The telephonic resolution is difficult as not every vehicle owner is technically adept or understands the issue and will find it difficult to relay exact issue to the company representative over phone. Furthermore, the complexity of such problems is going to increase over time requiring more comprehensive and complex solutions as increasing number of critical features would be operable and accessible through the vehicle infotainment unit. There would be increase issues which may arise from such complex infotainment units and would require precise and improved troubleshooting solutions as compared to the contemporary limited service infrastructure.
Further, there is a need for developing technologies which enables a new remote resolution of a vehicle technical issues without requiring the vehicle to physically visiting the service centre. Furthermore, there is a need for a systems that reduces issues of mass recall of vehicles due to a minor technical issue in the infotainment system. Moreover, there are cases wherein an issue requires a minor system update in the infotainment system but the current service infrastructure requires the owner to bring vehicle directly in the service centre for manual troubleshooting.
There is a need for a system which enables the user to troubleshoot any infotainment issue by themselves. Further, there is a need for a system that is capable of not only identifying the technical issue in the infotainment system but also capable of communicating remotely a report of such technical issue. There is a need for a system that enables the vehicle occupant to self-assess and address an infotainment unit issue within the infotainment unit display. There is a need for a system that aims to reduce vehicles all at once reaching to service centre due to infotainment unit related issue. There is a need for a system that enables the user to navigate and troubleshoot the infotainment related issue thus reducing number of vehicles clogging the services centre for infotainment unit related problems. Mass recalls due to infotainment unit related issues affects the reputation of the vehicle brand or automotive OEM. Further, current systems do not address these problems to any extent. Thus, leaving vehicle owners no other option but to spend time and money to take the vehicle to the service centre for infotainment related issues. Furthermore, there is a need for a system that is capable of leveraging the infotainment system to improve troubleshooting procedures by enabling the user resolve the issue at first instance within the vehicle itself. Thus, mitigating the requirement of the user to take the vehicle into the service centre for infotainment unit related issue. There is a need for a system wherein the infotainment unit is capable of updating its operating system from a remote server.
As the infotainment systems become more critical it is becoming more important to develop system that is capable of communicating and receiving updates over the air for technical issues. Further, in case a complete stoppage in functioning of the infotainment unit there is no other alternative way for user to address the issue in contemporary service infrastructure other than to visit the service centre for resolution. Thus, there is a need for a system that is capable of helping user navigate and troubleshoot in case of complete infotainment unit malfunctioning.
In the contemporary infotainment units there is no system which is capable of relaying the technical specifics of an issue. This becomes more aggravated in cases wherein the staff at the service centre is not able to understand the issue as the information relating to the specific issue at hand is not readily available. Thus, the service centre staff resolving the issue is left with no choice but to manually go through each technical issues until the exact issue is located. Moreover, this results in an inefficient method of resolving infotainment related issues resulting in wastage of manpower which would be not available to resolve other vehicle servicing tasks. Further, in developing countries such technical staff is not readily available which can address an infotainment unit related issue. There are cases wherein due to lack of technical expertise the service centre has to completely replace infotainment unit due to inability of service centre staff in understanding and assessment of the issue in the infotainment unit. Further, not all service centre staff is well verse in complexities of infotainment unit. Thus, in such cases there can be a wrong assessment of the issue by the service centre staff and they would even proceed with complete replacement of the system incurring additional costs to the owners of the vehicle or if the vehicle is covered in the company warranty the cost of replacement would shift to the company. In similar cases a technically competent staff would have solved the issue in efficient manner without replacing the infotainment unit.
Furthermore, lack of technical competence of the service centre staff and lack of self-troubleshooting features increases repair time and adds to vehicle owners' frustration and wastage of fuel and time in visiting service centre. There is a need for a system that would overcome these problems to try and enable the vehicle owner to resolve infotainment issue by themselves.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:
Figure 1 shows a system comprising of an infotainment unit conducting in-vehicle troubleshooting, in accordance with embodiments;
Figure 2 shows system comprising a server communicating with the service centre and technical experts, in accordance with embodiments;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following description describes various features and functions of the disclosed system and method with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, similar symbols identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative aspects described herein are not meant to be limiting. It may be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed device and method can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.
Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.
The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.
It is to be understood that the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
Detailed embodiments of this invention are described in detail herein:
In the preferred embodiment as shown in figure 1 a system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2). The system (1) comprising a dashboard (3) housing infotainment unit (2). The infotainment unit (2) in wireless communication with a remote server (4). The wireless connection between the infotainment unit (2) and the server (4) may also be an over the air communication. A user switches on the infotainment unit (2) by initiating ignition on the vehicle dashboard. The infotainment unit (2) encounters a technical issue halting functioning of the technical feature. The infotainment unit (2) is functional except the technical feature with the issue. The infotainment unit (2) initiating in-vehicle troubleshooting by first displaying on screen requesting the user to initiate a self- assessment mode. On triggering the self-assessment mode the infotainment unit (2) would initiate a check of the technical functioning of the feature and malfunctioning of the hardware elements related to the issue in concern. The infotainment unit (2) determines whether built-in triggers are available for the issue in the infotainment unit (2). On determination of the built-in triggers the infotainment unit (2) then displays on its screen a prompt to the user to initiate a set of triggering features of the infotainment unit (2) to resolve the issue by the user themselves.
The issue still remains unresolved the infotainment unit (2) initiates a self-assessment of the unresolved issue by generating a report and its reference ticket code. On generation of the report and its reference ticket code the infotainment unit (2) then displays on the screen option to the user to send the generated report and its reference ticket code to a server (4). The server (4) sends an update patch over the air to the infotainment unit (2). The infotainment unit (2) receives and installs the update from the server (4). The infotainment unit (2) encounters issue not still addressed after installing the server (4) sent update, the infotainment unit (2) triggers a prompt to display requesting the user to visit a service centre (5).
A method for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2) by a system (1) having an infotainment unit (2), a vehicle dashboard (3), a server (4) and a service centre (5) comprising the step of:
Turning on the infotainment unit (2) by initiating ignition key on vehicle dashboard (3). Encountering a technical issue halting functioning of a technical feature of infotainment unit (2). Displaying on the screen of infotainment unit (2) a prompt requesting the user to initiate self-assessment mode. Initiating self-assessment mode would initiate the check of technical functioning of the feature and malfunctioning of the hardware elements within the infotainment unit (2). Determining whether built-in triggers are available for the issue in the infotainment unit (2) and then displaying on screen of the infotainment unit (2) a prompt to the user to initiate a set of triggering features of the infotainment system (2) to resolve the issue. Initiating a self-assessment of the unresolved issue in infotainment unit (2) generating a report and its reference ticket code. Prompting the user on display of the infotainment unit (2) option to send the generated report and its reference ticket code to a server (4). Sending from the server (4) an update patch over the air to the infotainment unit (2). Receiving and installing the update from the server (2) on the infotainment unit (2). Encountering same issue after updating the infotainment unit (2), triggering a prompt on the display requesting user to visit a service centre (5).
A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2) wherein the infotainment unit (2) encounters a technical issue halting complete operations of the infotainment unit (2). The infotainment unit (2) then triggers a set of pre-emptive functions which displays on the infotainment unit (2) instructions to override the infotainment unit (2) in order to restart the infotainment unit (2). On such restart the infotainment unit (2) automatically triggers a generation of report and its reference ticket code. The infotainment unit (2) then sends a prompt on the display requesting the user to communicate the technical details of the issue in form of a report and its reference ticket code over the air to the server. On approval of the user on the infotainment unit (2) communicates over the air to the server (4) the details of the technical issue as report and its reference ticket code.
Moreover, the system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2) having a server (4) may send the details of the technical issue along with report and its reference ticket code to the service centre (5).
A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2) wherein the infotainment unit (2) encounters a technical issue halting complete operations of the infotainment unit (2). The infotainment unit (2) then triggers a set of pre-emptive functions which displays on the infotainment unit (2) instructions to override the infotainment unit (2) in order to restart the infotainment unit (2). The infotainment unit (2) on failure to restart displays on screen message to the user to visit the service centre (5).
The system (1) having an infotainment unit (2) with an unresolved issue reaches a service centre (5). The infotainment unit (2) may have an option to display the reference ticket code to the service centre (5) members in order to understand the details of the technical issue. Further, the members of the service centre (5) may use their system to input the reference ticket code and send it wirelessly to the server (4) to retrieve the generated report corresponding to the reference ticket code.
In another embodiment the system (1) as shown in figure 2 for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2). The system (1) comprising a dashboard (3) housing infotainment unit (2). The infotainment unit (2) in wireless communication with a remote server (4). The server (4) is not able to resolve the technical issue sends over the air the report and its reference ticket code to a remote team of technical experts (6) for addressing the issue. The team of technical experts (6) may comprise of experts who are competent with the features and details of the infotainment system. Moreover, the team of technical experts (6) capable of addressing the infotainment unit (2) specific issues. The team of technical experts (6) may develop an update or a patch for the infotainment unit (2) and send it to the server (4) to send in form of push notification an update to various infotainment units (2) which are susceptible to such technical issues.
In another embodiment the system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2) comprising an infotainment unit (2) within a vehicle dashboard (3). A user switches on the infotainment unit (2) by initiating ignition on the vehicle dashboard. The infotainment unit (2) encounters a technical issue halting functioning of the technical feature. The infotainment unit (2) is functional except the technical feature with the issue. The infotainment unit (2) initiating in-vehicle troubleshooting by first displaying on screen requesting the user to initiate a self-troubleshooting mode. On triggering the self-troubleshooting mode the infotainment unit (2) would initiate a check of the technical functioning of the feature and malfunctioning of the hardware elements related to the issue in concern. The infotainment unit (2) determines whether built-in triggers are available for the issue in the infotainment unit (2). On determination of the built-in triggers the infotainment unit (2) then displays on its screen a prompt to the user to initiate a set of triggering features of the infotainment unit (2) to resolve the issue by the user themselves. The infotainment unit (2) encounters issue not resolved after completion fo self-troubleshooting mode and triggers a prompt to the display requesting the user to visit a service centre (5). This embodiment enables a system (1) aloe troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2) without requiring a server (4). Thus, making an efficient system (1) which does not need to deploy additional infrastructure and costs associated with setting up and maintaining a server infrastructure.
The advantages of the instant invention are that in case of any technical issue the owner of the vehicle does not need to take time from their daily schedule and spend time and money to visit the service centre. Furthermore, the vehicle problem detected and understood remotely can be relayed to the service centre experts in technically congruent manner so that when the vehicle reaches the service centre the technical experts are ready to address the problem providing quicker turnaround time to vehicle repair. Further, the present invention allows for reduction in server load at first instance of an issue as the self-assessment and self-troubleshooting features of the invention enables users to address problems without needing to send a report to the remote server.
The present invention does not require a car owner to take the vehicle to the service centre (5) on first instance of a technical issue. The present invention overcomes the communication gap between the relatively technically capable service centre member and a normal person being user of the vehicle by way of communication of reference code and generated report in tracked manner from technical experts to service members at a service station (5). The present invention enables remote resolution of a vehicle technical issues without requiring the vehicle to physically visiting the service centre. The present invention enables a system update remotely for an issue thus reducing the number of vehicles coming to service centre by a system update to the infotainment unit (2). The present invention enables quicker service as the service centre staff is accurately aware of the problem and does not require to manually check for issues.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
, Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2) comprising:
infotainment unit (2) within a vehicle dashboard (3);
a server (4) in over the air communication with the infotainment unit (2);
the infotainment unit (2) turned on by a user by initiating ignition on vehicle dashboard (3);
the infotainment unit (2) encounters a technical issue halting functioning of a technical feature;
the infotainment unit (2) would display on screen requesting the user to initiate self-assessment mode;
the infotainment unit (2) on initiating self-assessment mode would initiate the check of technical functioning of the feature and malfunctioning of the hardware elements within the infotainment unit (2);
the infotainment unit (2) determines built-in triggers are available for the issue and then displays on the screen a prompt to the user to initiate a set of triggering features of the infotainment unit (2) to resolve the issue;
the infotainment unit (2) issue not resolved initiates self-assessment of the unresolved issue generating a report and its reference ticket code;
the infotainment unit (2) prompts the user on display option to the user to send the generated report and its reference ticket code to a server (4);
the server (4) sends an update patch over the air to the infotainment unit (2);
the infotainment unit (2) receives and installs the update from the server (4);
the infotainment unit (2) encounters issue not resolved after updating triggers a prompt to the display requesting the user to visit a service centre (5).
2. A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2), as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the infotainment unit (2) encounters a technical issue halting complete functions of infotainment unit (2);
the infotainment unit (2) then triggers set of pre-emptive functions that displays on the infotainment unit (2) instructions to override the infotainment unit (2) in order to restart the infotainment unit (2);
the infotainment unit (2) on restart automatically triggers a generation of report and its reference ticket code;
the infotainment unit (2) sends a prompt to the display requesting the user to communicate the technical details of the issue in form of a report and its reference ticket code over the air to the server (4);
the infotainment unit (2) on approval of the user communicates over the air to the server (4) the details of the technical issue as report and its reference ticket code.
3. A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2), as claimed in claim 1, wherein, an infotainment unit (2) within a vehicle dashboard (3);
the infotainment unit (2) turned on by a user by initiating ignition on vehicle dashboard (3);
the infotainment unit (2) encounters a technical issue halting functioning of a technical feature;
the infotainment unit (2) would display on screen requesting the user to initiate self-troubleshooting mode;
the infotainment unit (2) on initiating self-troubleshooting mode would initiate the check of technical functioning of the feature and malfunctioning of the hardware elements within the infotainment unit (2);
the infotainment unit (2) determines built-in triggers are available for the issue and then displays on the screen a prompt to the user to initiate a set of triggering features of the infotainment unit (2) to resolve the issue;
the infotainment unit (2) encounters issue not resolved after completion of self-troubleshooting mode and sends a prompt to the display requesting the user to visit a service centre (5).
4. A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2), as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the server (4) may send details of the technical issue along with report and its reference ticket code to the service centre (5).
5. A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2), as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the server (4) is not able to resolve the technical issue sends over the air the report and its reference ticket code to a team of technical experts (6) for addressing the issue.
6. A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2), as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the server (4) is capable of receiving update from the technical experts (6).
7. A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2), as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the server (4) sending over the air update to all other infotainment units (2) by push notification.
8. A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2), as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the infotainment unit (2) encounters a technical issue halting complete functions of infotainment unit (2);
the infotainment unit (2) then triggers set of pre-emptive functions that displays on the infotainment unit (2) instructions to override the infotainment unit (2) in order to restart the infotainment unit (2);
the infotainment unit (2) on failure to restart displays on screen message to the user to visit the service centre (5).
9. A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2), as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the infotainment unit (2) on reaching service centre (5) may have option to present the reference ticket code for the service centre (5) technicians to understand the issue details.
10. A system (1) for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2), as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the service centre (5) is in remote connection with the server (4) sends the reference ticket code from the infotainment unit (2) to the remote server (4) to retrieve the generated report.
11. A method for in-vehicle and remote troubleshooting of an infotainment unit (2) by a system (1) with an infotainment unit (2), a vehicle dashboard (3), a server (4) and a service centre (5) comprising the steps:
turning on the infotainment unit (2) by initiating ignition key on vehicle dashboard (3);
encountering a technical issue halting functioning of a technical feature of infotainment unit (2);
displaying on screen of the infotainment unit (2) request to the user to initiate self-assessment mode;
initiating self-assessment mode would initiate the check of technical functioning of the feature and malfunctioning of the hardware elements within the infotainment unit (2);
determining whether built-in triggers are available for the issue in the infotainment unit (2) and then displaying on screen of the infotainment unit (2) a prompt to the user to initiate a set of triggering features of the infotainment system (2) to resolve the issue;
initiating a self-assessment of the unresolved issue in infotainment unit (2) generating a report and its reference ticket code;
prompting the user on display of the infotainment unit (2) option to send the generated report and its reference ticket code to a server (4);
sending from the server (4) an update patch over the air to the infotainment unit (2);
receiving and installing the update from the server (2) on the infotainment unit (2);
encountering same issue after updating the infotainment unit (2), triggering a prompt on the display requesting user to visit a service centre (5).
Dated this 30th day of OCTOBER, 2024

Harshad Karadbhajne
(IN/PA-4205)
Agent for the Applicants

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