Common platform for use in automotive services
First Claim
1. A common platform for use with a host computer capable of controlling more than one type of equipment sensors, said common platform comprising:
- a host interface for communicating with said host computer;
a control interface for receiving and communicating with an equipment sensor;
a memory for storing bootloader software; and
a processor coupled to said memory, said host interface and said control interface;
said processor executing said bootloader software for performing the steps of;
downloading extension software into said memory;
determining the type of said equipment sensor;
downloading application software corresponding to the type of equipment sensor into said memory; and
executing said application software.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A common platform is used in conjunction with a host computer to control various equipment sensors that perform different functions. In one aspect, the common platform is a micro-controller board, the host computer is a personal computer (PC), and the equipment sensors comprise an add-on card and a sensor for use in automotive services. A universal serial bus (USB) or an RS232 interface used for the common platform communicates with the host computer and with the equipment sensors. The common platform is a plug and play board that, once attached to the host computer, operates with little or no human intervention. The common platform is capable of accommodating various equipment sensors that are run by various appropriate application software. Further, the common platform can run under different operation power sources. In one aspect, these power sources include a power source embedded in the common platform, an RS232 power source, and a power source external to the common platform, such as a battery.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A common platform for use with a host computer capable of controlling more than one type of equipment sensors, said common platform comprising:
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a host interface for communicating with said host computer;
a control interface for receiving and communicating with an equipment sensor;
a memory for storing bootloader software; and
a processor coupled to said memory, said host interface and said control interface;
said processor executing said bootloader software for performing the steps of;
downloading extension software into said memory;
determining the type of said equipment sensor;
downloading application software corresponding to the type of equipment sensor into said memory; and
executing said application software. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A common platform for use with a host computer capable of controlling more than one type of equipment sensors, said common platform comprising:
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a host interface for communicating with said host computer;
a control interface for receiving and communicating with an equipment sensor;
a memory for storing bootloader software and application software; and
a processor coupled to said memory, said host interface and said control interface;
said processor configured for executing said bootloader software to perform the steps of;
downloading extension software into said memory;
determining the type of said equipment sensor;
determining whether said application software stored in said memory matches the type of said equipment sensor;
if said application software matches said equipment sensor, then executing said application software;
if the application software does not match said equipment sensor, then downloading new application software corresponding to said equipment sensor into said memory. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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12. A method for preparing a common platform for use with a host computer capable of controlling more than one type of equipment sensors connected to said common platform, the method comprising the steps of:
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reading bootloader software stored in said common platform;
downloading extension software into said common platform;
determining the type of equipment sensor connected to said common platform;
downloading application software corresponding to the type of said equipment sensor to said common platform;
configuring said common platform to perform a predetermined function.
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16. A method for preparing a common platform for use with a host computer capable of controlling more than one type of equipment sensors connected to said common platform, the method comprising the steps of:
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reading bootloader software stored in said common platform;
downloading extension software into said common platform;
determining the type of equipment sensor connected to said common platform;
determining whether application software stored in said common platform matches the type of said equipment sensor;
if said application software matches the type of said equipment sensor, then executing said application software;
if said application software does not match the type of said equipment sensor, then downloading new application software corresponding to said equipment sensor type into said common platform; and
configuring said common platform to perform a predetermined function.
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17. A common platform for use with a host computer capable of controlling more than one type of equipment sensors, said common platform comprising:
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a host interface for communicating with said host computer;
a control interface for receiving and communicating with an equipment sensor;
a memory for storing bootloader software and application software; and
a processor coupled to said memory, said host interface and said control interface;
said processor configured for executing said bootloader software to perform the steps of;
downloading extension software into said memory;
identifying a type of said equipment sensor to said host computer;
identifying the version of said application software stored in said memory to said host computer;
said host computer then determining whether said application software stored in said memory matches the type of said equipment sensor;
if said application software matches said equipment sensor, then causing said common platform to execute said application software; and
if said application software does not match said equipment sensor, then downloading new application software corresponding to said equipment sensor into said memory.
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Specification