Background Art With reference to Fig. 1, there is shown in block form the construction of a conventional fault indication device for a vehicle. The vehicle generally comprises a variety of electronically controlled components 2 operable by power from a battery, such as an antilock braking system (ABS), airbag, fuel injection system, air conditioning system, etc.

A variety of sensors 1 are installed in the electronically controlled components 2 to sense operating states thereof. A plurality of electronic control units (ECUs) 3 are provided to control the operations of associated ones of the electronically controlled components 2 and determine the presence or not of faults in the associated components 2 in response to sense signals from associated ones of the sensors 1. An indicator 4 functions to turn on at least one specific alarm lamp on a fascia board under the control of at least one of the ECUs 3 to inform a

driver of the presence of a fault in at least one of the electronically controlled components 2, associated with the specific alarm lamp.

With the above construction, the conventional fault indication device is adapted to detect the presence of faults in electronically controlled components and provide a recognizable indication of the detected results to the driver. In other words, if a fault is detected by a sensor associated with a certain electronically controlled component in the vehicle, corresponding information is stored in a memory of an associated ECU and an associated alarm lamp on the dashboard of the driver's seat is lighted to inform the driver of the presence of a fault in the electronically controlled component.

Notably, it is common that a variety of electronically controlled components in a vehicle should undergo a periodic inspection. However, the vehicle is often checked or repaired only when an alarm lamp on a fascia board is lighted. Further, the driver may not know detailed information about faults occurring in the vehicle at once while driving. In this case, the driver must move the vehicle to a repair shop to repair it with the aid of a separate scanner provided in the repair shop.

On the other hand, a conventional self-diagnosis device (referred to typically as a self-scanner), which is adapted to display fault codes and sensor values on its screen, can be manipulated only by skilled repairmen. Further, such a conventional self-scanner cannot help being always used for post-repair because a vehicle cannot be repaired just when a fault occurs. In other words, upon the occurrence of a fault in a vehicle, a driver encounters an inconvenience of having to visit a repair shop whereupon a skilled repairman searches the vehicle for a faulty part using a scanner or tester and repairs the searched part. Further, a long interval from the time of fault occurrence to the time of repair completion results in an economic burden on the driver, a danger in driving and a deterioration in the vehicle. Moreover, the scanner is too expensive for individual drivers to purchase and difficult for any persons other than skilled repairmen to manipulate.

Furthermore, the driver has no choice but to fully accept the repairman's opinion on the presence or not of a fault in the vehicle because he is a nonspecialist

on such matters.

Moreover, although a variety of electronically controlled components in a vehicle should undergo a frequent inspection, the driver usually recognizes and repairs a fault in the vehicle only when seeing the lighting of an alarm lamp on the fascia board with the naked eye. In this regard, in the case where the driver drives the vehicle continuously without seeing the presence of a fault indicated on the dashboard, the vehicle is degraded in performance or in a severe case a driving disable state or traffic accident may result from poor maintenance.

Disclosure of the Invention Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a voice-guided self-scanner for performing comparison analysis, diagnosis and preventive maintenance of a vehicle using detected data of the vehicle, which is detachably mounted in the vehicle and is capable of comparing sensed values from a variety of sensors installed in electronically controlled components in the vehicle with reference values while driving, rapidly and accurately determining from the compared results whether faults are currently or potentially present in the electronically controlled components and outputting voice messages about the determined results to a driver upon determining that faults are currently or potentially present in the electronically controlled components.

In accordance with the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by a provision of a voice-guided self-scanner for performing comparison analysis, diagnosis and preventive maintenance of a vehicle using detected data of the vehicle, comprising a plurality of sensors installed in electronically controlled components in the vehicle for sensing operating states thereof, a plurality of control units for controlling operations of associated ones of the electronically controlled components and determining the presence or not of faults in the associated components in response to sense signals from associated ones of the sensors, and an indicator for turning on at least one specific alarm lamp

on a fascia board under control of at least one of the control units to inform a driver of the presence of a fault in at least one of the electronically controlled components, associated with the specific alarm lamp, wherein the voice-guided self-scanner further comprises a first communication unit for receiving sense signals from the sensors, primarily compared/judged by the control units, and transferring the received sense signals; a second communication unit for transferring the sense signals from the sensors directly; control means for performing comparison operations for the sense signals from the sensors transferred from the first communication unit and the sense signals from the sensors transferred from the second communication unit and determining from the compared results whether faults are present in the electronically controlled components and sensors and whether driving practices of the driver are safe or dangerous; a memory for storing the sense signals from the sensors transferred from the first communication unit and voice information related to the results determined by the control means and safe and dangerous driving practices ; and a voice output unit responsive to a control signal from the control means for reading from the memory the voice information related to the presence of a fault in at least one of the electronically controlled components and sensors or the safe or dangerous driving practices of the driver and outputting a voice message about preventive maintenance or emergency repairs of the fault or safe driving instruction.

Brief Description of the Drawings The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a conventional fault indication device for a vehicle; Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of a voice-guided self- scanner for performing comparison analysis, diagnosis and preventive maintenance

of a vehicle using detected data of the vehicle in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of diagnosing the presence or not of faults in electronically controlled components and sensors in the vehicle on the basis of the comparison between different path values of sense signals from the sensors and outputting the diagnosed results, in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of diagnosing the presence or not of a fault in a battery in the vehicle on the basis of the comparison between current data and previous data and outputting the diagnosed result, in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of diagnosing the presence or not of a fault in a generator in the vehicle on the basis of the comparison between current data and previous data and outputting the diagnosed result, in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of calculating a running time and mileage of the vehicle, comparing the calculated results with reference values, diagnosing time points for replacement, etc. of expendable articles in the vehicle on the basis of the compared results and outputting the diagnosed results, in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of comparing data regarding road conditions while driving with data regarding the driving practices of a driver, diagnosing the driving practices of the driver on the basis of the compared results and outputting the diagnosed results, in accordance with the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of a voice-guided self- scanner for performing comparison analysis, diagnosis and preventive maintenance of a vehicle using detected data of the vehicle in accordance with the present invention. A variety of sensors 10-13 are installed in electronically controlled

components 2 (see Fig. 1) in the vehicle to sense operating states thereof. A plurality of control units are provided to control the operations of associated ones of the electronically controlled components 2 and determine the presence or not of faults in the associated components 2 in response to sense signals from associated ones of the sensors 10-13. The control units may preferably be an engine electronic control unit (ECU) 20, temperature control unit (TCU) 21, antilock braking system (ABS) ECU 22 and other ECUs 23. An indicator 70 functions to turn on at least one specific alarm lamp on a fascia board under the control of at least one of the control units 20-23 to inform a driver of the presence of a fault in at least one of the electronically controlled components 2, associated with the specific alarm lamp. A first communication unit 30 is adapted to receive sense signals from the sensors 10-13 through the control units 20-23 and transfer the received sense signals to a controller 40, and a second communication unit 31 is adapted to transfer the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 directly to the controller 40. The controller 40 is adapted to compare the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 transferred from the first communication unit 30 with the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 transferred from the second communication unit 31 and with reference values, respectively, and determine from the compared results whether faults are present in the electronically controlled components 2 and sensors 10-13. A memory 50 is adapted to store the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 transferred from the first communication unit 30 as the reference values and the results determined by the controller 40. A voice output unit 60 functions to output voice messages about the presence of faults in the vehicle and preventive maintenance thereof under control of the controller 40.

The controller 40 compares the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 transferred from the first communication unit 30 with the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 transferred from the second communication unit 31 and with reference values, respectively, and determines from the compared results whether faults are present in the electronically controlled components 2. The controller 40 also determines from the compared results whether the sensors 10-13 have been degraded in function. Upon determining that at least one of the sensors 10-13 has

been degraded in function, the controller 40 controls the voice output unit 60 to output a voice message about such a situation. Further, upon determining that a fault is present in at least one of the electronically controlled components 2, the controller 40 controls the indicator 70 to turn on an associated alarm lamp, and the voice output unit 60 to output a voice message about such a situation, respectively.

The voice output unit 60 also outputs a brief voice message advising appropriate emergency repairs (measures) relating to such a situation. It is preferred that brief contents of emergency repairs relating to a variety of abnormal states of the vehicle are pre-stored in the memory 50.

A recording key 90 is provided to apply a recording command from the driver to the controller 40. A sound input unit 80 is adapted to input the driver's voice or the ambient sound of the vehicle. The controller 40 stores the driver's voice or the ambient sound of the vehicle inputted by the sound input unit 80 in the memory 50 in response to the recording command from the recording key 90, thereby implementing a portable recording function. Further, upon judging that a traffic accident has occurred based on sense signals from a shock sensor, etc. among the sensors 10-13, the controller 40 controls the sound input unit 80 to input the ambient sound of the vehicle, and then stores the ambient sound of the vehicle inputted by the sound input unit 80 in the memory 50, thereby implementing a black box function.

With the above-stated construction, the voice-guided self-scanner of the present invention can inform the driver of abnormal states of the vehicle when the sensors are degraded in function as well as when faults are present in the electronically controlled components and sensors.

The operation of the voice-guided self-scanner with the above-stated construction in accordance with the present invention will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to Figs. 3 to 7.

Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of diagnosing the presence or not of faults in the electronically controlled components 2 and sensors 10-13 in the vehicle on the basis of the comparison between different path values of the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 and outputting the diagnosed results, in accordance

with the present invention. The controller 40 receives the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 through the control units such as the engine ECU 20, TCU 21, ABS ECU 22 and other ECUs 23, determines from the received sense signals whether faults are present in the electronically controlled components 2 and sensors 10-13 and stores the determined results in the memory. In other words, as shown in Fig.

3, the first communication unit 30 receives the sense signals from the sensors 10- 13 through the control units 20-23 and transfers the received sense signals to the controller 40, which also receives the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 directly through the second communication unit 31. Then, the controller 40 compares each of the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 transferred from the first communication unit 30 with a corresponding one of the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 transferred from the second communication unit 31 to determine whether they are the same. If a specific one of the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 transferred from the first communication unit 30 is not the same as a corresponding one of the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 transferred from the second communication unit 31, the controller 40 determines that a fault is present in an associated electronically controlled component or sensor. As an alternative, the controller 40 may diagnose the presence or not of faults in the electronically controlled components 2 and sensors 10-13 on the basis of the comparison between the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 transferred from the first communication unit 30 and reference values stored in the memory, which will be described in detail later.

For example, the controller 40 generates an alarm due to an overheated state of an engine only when a sense signal from a cooling water temperature sensor received through the second communication unit 31 indicates the overheated state of the engine at the same time that the sense signal from the cooling water temperature sensor received through the engine ECU 20 and first communication unit 30 indicates the overheated state of the engine. However, in the case where the two different path values of the sense signal from the cooling water temperature sensor are different from each other, the controller 40 generates an alarm due to the presence of a fault in the cooling water temperature sensor or

an associated one of the electrically controlled components 2.

Further, the controller 40 stores information about faults existing in the electrically controlled components 2 and sensors 10-13 in the memory 50 and then controls the voice output unit 60 to output voice messages about the faults and the preventive maintenance and emergency repairs thereof to the driver. It is preferred that the contents of preventive maintenance and emergency repairs relating to a variety of abnormal states of the vehicle are pre-stored in the memory 50.

On the other hand, the controller 40 stores the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 in the memory 50 as reference data, or previous data, comparison- analyzes the sense signals from the sensors 10-13, received after the lapse of a predetermined amount of time from that time, or current data, with the previous data and determines the presence or not of faults in the electronically controlled components 2 in accordance with the comparison-analyzed results.

For example, a voltage sensor senses respective voltages from a power supply in the vehicle upon key ON, upon cranking (starting) and after cranking, and the controller 40 precisely analyzes the sensed voltages with time. Then, the controller 40 comparison-analyzes the precisely analyzed values with reference values stored in the memory 50 in real time, accurately detects faults in a charging system (for example, discharge, current leakage, abnormal generator operation, etc.) in accordance with the comparison-analyzed results and outputs voice messages about the detected faults. Therefore, the driver can recognize and take necessary measures to avoid a driving disable state of the vehicle resulting from any fault in the charging system in advance, thereby making it possible to construct a perfect preventive maintenance system.

Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of diagnosing the presence or not of a fault in a battery in the vehicle on the basis of the comparison between current data and previous data and outputting the diagnosed result, in accordance with the present invention. As shown in this drawing, first, the controller 40 detects respective voltages of a predetermined phase, for example, ignition one (IG1) before, during and after cranking (starting) of the vehicle and stores the

detected voltages in the memory 50 as reference data or previous data for a predetermined period of time. Then, for the purpose of diagnosing the presence or not of a fault in the battery, the controller 40 detects a current voltage of IG1 before cranking of the vehicle as current data and compares the detected current data with the previous data stored in the memory 50 to determine whether a difference therebetween is within a predetermined average voltage variation range. If the difference between the current data and the previous data is beyond the predetermined average voltage variation range, the controller 40 determines that the battery is abnormal and then controls the voice output unit 60 to output a voice message, for example,"You must now replace the battery with a new one.".

Alternatively, the controller 40 may diagnose the presence or not of a fault in the battery on the basis of a voltage of another phase, for example, IG2, detected during cranking of the vehicle. The average voltage variation range is preferably pre- stored as an initial value in the memory 50.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of diagnosing the presence or not of a fault in a generator in the vehicle on the basis of the comparison between current data and previous data and outputting the diagnosed result, in accordance with the present invention. As shown in this drawing, first, the controller 40 detects a voltage of IG1 after cranking of the vehicle and stores the detected voltage in the memory 50 as reference data or previous data for a predetermined period of time. Then, for the purpose of diagnosing the presence or not of a fault in the generator, the controller 40 detects a current voltage of IGl after cranking as current data and compares the detected current data with the previous data stored in the memory 50 to determine whether a difference therebetween is within a predetermined average voltage variation range. If the difference between the current data and the previous data is beyond the predetermined average voltage variation range, the controller 40 determines that the generator is abnormal and then controls the voice output unit 60 to output a voice message, for example,"There is a problem in the generator output. You must now check-the generator.".

Preferably, the voice-guided self-scanner of the present invention can conduct the preventive maintenance of the vehicle. Namely, the present scanner

can judge time points for replacement of a variety of components in the vehicle such as an engine oil, transmission oil, brake oil, filter, fan belt, timing belt, brake lining, etc. and output voice messages about the judged results. This operation may be performed on the basis of sensed values from the sensors 10-13, which are transferred to the controller 40 via the second communication unit 31.

The controller 40 performs an arithmetic process for output signals from the sensors 10-13, compares the results with reference values stored in the memory 50 and outputs voice messages about the compared results to the driver. The controller 40 can preferably calculate a running time and mileage of the vehicle and judge time points for replacement of components in the vehicle from the calculated results.

Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of calculating a running time and mileage of the vehicle, comparing the calculated results with reference values, diagnosing time points for replacement, etc. of expendable articles in the vehicle on the basis of the compared results and outputting the diagnosed results, in accordance with the present invention.

For example, in the case where a vehicle speed sensor among the sensors 10-13 senses the speed of the vehicle that is currently above 5km/hour, the controller 40 calculates the total mileage and running time of the vehicle. If the calculated mileage and running time results indicate a time point for replacement of the engine oil, then the controller 40 controls the voice output unit 60 to output a voice message instructing the driver to replace the engine oil with a new one. Alternatively, if the calculated mileage and running time results indicate a time point for checking of the engine oil, then the controller 40 controls the voice output unit 60 to output a voice message instructing the driver to check the engine oil.

This mileage function enables the driver to conduct the preventive maintenance of the vehicle based on the mileage thereof by providing him or her with a variety of messages, for example,"Please check the engine oil."when the mileage of the vehicle is 5, 000km,"Please check the engine oil and fan belt."when 10,000km,"Please check the engine oil."when 15,000km,"Please check the engine oil, fan belt, spark plugs and transmission oil (manual)."when 20,000km,"Please

check the engine oil, fan belt, spark plugs, transmission oil (manual) and timing belt."when 80,000km and the like.

Referring again to Fig. 2, the controller 40 can perform the portable recording function by storing the driver's voice or the ambient sound of the vehicle inputted by the sound input unit 80 in the memory 50 in response to the recording command from the recording key 90. The controller 40 can further perform the black box function by, upon judging that a traffic accident has occurred based on, for example, the sensing of the actuated state of an airbag by the shock sensor among the sensors 10-13, controlling the sound input unit 80 to input the ambient sound of the vehicle for a predetermined period of time and then storing the ambient sound of the vehicle inputted by the sound input unit 80 in the memory 50 as record data.

As stated previously, a conventional self-diagnosis device (self-scanner), which displays fault codes and sensor values on its screen, can be manipulated only by skilled repairmen and cannot help being always used for post-repair because a vehicle cannot be repaired exactly when a fault occurs. However, the voice-guided self-scanner of the present invention can provide a driver with advance notice of preventive maintenance requirements, as well as fault codes for the post-repair of the vehicle, using the contents of voice messages in real time.

Therefore, this self-scanner contributes greatly to increases in the life, safety and economization of the vehicle.

The voice-guided self-scanner of the present invention can also provide the driver with other voice messages about the preventive maintenance of the vehicle, for example,"The engine is overheated. You must now check the cooling water.","The right rear tire is punctured. Please check it.","You must now replace the brake linings (pads) of the front wheels with new ones. Please check them.","You must now replace the spark plugs of the engine with new ones.

Please check them.","You must now replace the fan belt of the engine with a new one", etc. Further, the voice-guided self-scanner can output brief voice messages advising appropriate emergency repairs relating to a variety of abnormal parts in the vehicle as well as the positions of those parts, thereby allowing the driver to

conduct the preventive maintenance of the vehicle so as to drive the vehicle in safety.

Further, the present voice-guided self-scanner can output voice messages about the safe driving practices of the driver depending on road conditions while driving. For example, in the case where the driver abruptly accelerates on an unpaved road, rapidly turns the steering wheel on an icy road or severely brakes on a downhill road, the self-scanner outputs a voice message, for example,"The rear wheels have an excessive slip ratio. Please drive the vehicle suitably for road conditions.".

Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of comparing data regarding road conditions while driving with data regarding the driving practices of the driver, diagnosing the driving practices of the driver on the basis of the compared results and outputting the diagnosed results, in accordance with the present invention.

In brief, the controller 40 detects the current driving conditions and practices of the driver from sense signals from the sensors 10-13, received directly through the second communication unit 31 or transferred through the first communication unit 30 and then primarily compared/judged by the control unit 20, and compares data regarding the detected driving practices in the detected driving conditions with reference data. If the detected driving practices data is within the range of the reference data, the controller judges that the driving practices of the driver are safe. Otherwise, the controller judges that the driving practices of the driver are dangerous.

For example, upon judging from the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 that the driver abruptly accelerates on an unpaved road, the controller 40 controls the voice output unit 60 to output a warning message about such a dangerous situation to the driver. Also, upon judging from the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 that the driver rapidly turns the steering wheel on an icy road, the controller 40 controls the voice output unit 60 to output a warning message about such a dangerous situation to the driver. Also, upon judging from the sense signals from the sensors 10-13 that the driver severely brakes on a downhill road,

the controller 40 controls the voice output unit 60 to provide the driver with a warning message about such a dangerous situation, for example,"The vehicle speed is now above 80km/hour. Please reduce the speed for safe driving.".

Industrial Applicability As apparent from the above description, it is common that a driver recognizes the presence of a fault in a vehicle, not exactly when the fault occurs in the vehicle and while it advances, but when an engine alarm lamp, etc. are turned on and then repairs it too late. This often may require additional expenditure and cause reduced safety. For the purpose of solving this problem, the present invention provides a voice-guided self-scanner which is capable of, when a fault is present in a vehicle or the preventive maintenance of the vehicle is required, informing a driver of such a situation in voice in advance in order for the driver to rapidly conduct the preventive maintenance and post-repair of the vehicle. The present voice-guided self-scanner is convenient to install and carry and is low in cost.

A conventional self-diagnosis device (self-scanner), which is adapted to display fault codes and sensor values on its screen, can be manipulated only by skilled repairmen. Further, such a conventional self-scanner cannot help being always used for post-repair because a vehicle cannot be repaired just when a fault occurs in an ECU or sensor. However, the present voice-guided self-scanner provides the driver with a voice message about a potential fault of the vehicle in terms of the preventive maintenance of the vehicle before the fault actually occurs in the vehicle, so that the driver can always accurately recognize the maintenance state of the vehicle. This has the effect of assuring accident prevention, driving safety and economization of the vehicle and lengthening the life of the vehicle.

Further, according to the present invention, the voice-guided self-scanner is detachably mounted in the vehicle and is capable of comparing sensed values from a variety of sensors installed in electronically controlled components in the vehicle with reference values while driving, rapidly and accurately determining from

the compared results whether faults are currently or potentially present in the electronically controlled components and outputting voice messages about the determined results to the driver upon determining that faults are currently or potentially present in the electronically controlled components. Therefore, the driver can immediately judge a faulty situation of the vehicle and repair it according to the degree of importance, resulting in a significant increase in the vehicle safety while driving.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.