Method and system for diagnosing, collecting information and servicing a remote system

Abstract

A monitoring system, method, and computer-program product tracks events and device states in a device and sends those events and states to a remote central service center using an Internet access module. The remote central service center monitors the received events and states for errors or warnings. The monitoring software (e.g., a dynamic link library) supports multiple data formats and multiple protocols to more effectively communicate the event and state information.

1 . A method, comprising:
 obtaining and storing information of an event in the motor vehicle, wherein the obtaining includes
 monitoring the event as it occurs using sensors internal to the motor vehicle, 
 recording an identifier for the event, 
 determining a sequence of use for a plurality of subcomponents of the motor vehicle that triggered the event; and 
   transmitting the information of the event from the motor vehicle to a remote site, wherein the information of the event includes the sequence of use and the identifier.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting comprises:
 transmitting the information which includes event information relating to use of at least one of:   power windows;   cruise control;   air conditioning;   power seats;   audio control;   actuating an accelerator input device; and   shifting of a transmission.   
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting further comprises:
 transmitting position information.   
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting comprises:
 transmitting the information of the event from the motor vehicle over the Internet.   
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the transmitting is performed periodically.   
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the transmitting is performed when an abnormal state is detected.   
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the obtaining and transmitting operate using information from a motor vehicle from the group consisting of a train, an airplane, a motorcycle, and a boat.   
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting step further comprises:
 transmitting a start time corresponding to the event.   
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting is performed when the motor vehicle turns off. 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting is performed when a potential breakdown condition occurs in the motor vehicle. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting comprises:
 transmitting using a wired connection.   
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the transmitting comprises:
 transmitting using a wireless connection.   
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving the transmitted event information; and   storing the transmitted event information in a database.   
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of storing comprises:
 storing the transmitted event information in a relational database.   
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the remote site is a marketing department. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the remote site is a service department. 
   
   
       17 . A motor vehicle, comprising:
 a device configured to obtain and store information of an event in the motor vehicle which is an interaction between a user and the motor vehicle,   wherein the device is further configured to   monitor the event as it occurs with sensors internal to the motor vehicle,   record an identifier for the event,   determine a sequence of use for a plurality of subcomponents of the motor vehicle that triggered the event, and   a transmitter configured to transmit the information of the event from the motor vehicle to a remote site, wherein the information of the event includes the sequence of use and the identifier.   
   
   
       18 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 the device configured to obtain and store comprises obtaining and storing the information which includes the event information relating to the use of at least one of:   power windows;   cruise control;   air conditioning;   power seats;   audio control;   actuating an accelerator input device; and   shifting of the automobile.   
   
   
       19 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit position information. 
   
   
       20 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the event information from the motor vehicle over the Internet. 
   
   
       21 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 the transmitter is configured to transmit the event information periodically.   
   
   
       22 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 the transmitter is configured to transmit the event information when an abnormal state is detected.   
   
   
       23 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 the motor vehicle is an automobile.   
   
   
       24 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 the motor vehicle is from the group consisting of a train, an airplane, a motorcycle, and a boat.   
   
   
       25 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit a start time corresponding to the event. 
   
   
       26 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit when the motor vehicle turns off. 
   
   
       27 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein the transmitter is configured to operate when a potential breakdown condition occurs in the motor vehicle. 
   
   
       28 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit over a wired connection. 
   
   
       29 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit over a wireless connection. 
   
   
       30 . A system for use with the motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a device configured to receive the transmitted event information; and   a device configured to store the transmitted event information in a database.   
   
   
       31 . A system according to  claim 30 , wherein the device configured to store comprises:
 a device configured to store the transmitted event information in a relational database.   
   
   
       32 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein the remote site is a marketing department. 
   
   
       33 . A motor vehicle according to  claim 17 , wherein the remote site is a service department.