System and method for monitoring machine status

• US 20030125852A1
• Filed: 11/25/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Landes, James W., Hilbert, Mark J., Schade, Marc
• Granted Patent: US 6,859,696 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0045 using databus protocols
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/146 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/045 Monitoring control system parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning

Abstract

A method is provided for monitoring communications in a machine including electronic control module (ECM) components connected via datalinks. A message is received on a datalink. The source address of the received message is determined. The received message is added to an address list based on the source address, and the address list is evaluated to determine the status of a datalink associated with each ECM component.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring communications in a machine including at least one electronic control module (ECM) component connected via at least one datalink, the method comprising:

receiving a message on a datalink;

determining a source address of the received message;

adding the received message to an address list based on the source address; and

evaluating the address list to determine the status of a datalink associated with at least one ECM component.

2. The method of claim 1, further including:

determining if the received message is supported.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating the address list occurs at a predetermined time interval.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein adding the received message includes:

determining if the source address is present on the address list;

adding the source address to the address list if the determination is negative;

setting a message counter associated with the source address to 1 if the determination is negative; and

incrementing a message counter associated with the source address by 1 if the determination is positive.

5. The method of claim 4, further including:

setting a message counter associated with the source address to “

Received once”

if the determination is negative and if the received message is “

Request PGN”

.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein evaluating the address list includes:

determining a status associated with each source address in the address list.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining a status includes:

determining a status of “

Not received”

if a message counter associated with the source address is 0;

determining a status of “

Received”

if a message counter associated with the source address is 1 or more; and

determining a status of “

Received once”

if a “

Request PGN”

message is received.

8. The method of claim 7, further including:

setting the message counter associated with the source address to zero.

9. The method of claim 7, further including:

displaying a list including each source address and the determined status for each source address.

10. The method of claim 1, further including:

communicating results based on the evaluation of the address list.

11. A system for monitoring communications in a machine including at least one electronic control module (ECM) component connected via at least one datalink, the system comprising:

an electronic service tool system, wherein the electronic service tool system includes a microprocessor configured to monitor communications in the machine by;

receiving a message on a datalink;

determining a source address of the received message;

adding the received message to an address list based on the source address; and

evaluating the address list to determine the status of a datalink associated with at least one ECM component.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the electronic service tool system further includes a storage device for storing an address list.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the electronic service tool system further includes a display device for displaying results of monitoring the communication.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the electronic service tool is mounted in the vehicle and is coupled with the datalinks.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the electronic service tool is separate from the vehicle and is connected to a control microprocessor in the vehicle, which is connected to the datalinks.

16. A system for monitoring J1939 communications in a vehicle including electronic control module (ECM) components connected via datalinks, the system comprising:

a storage device for storing an address list;

a display device for displaying results of monitoring the communication; and

an electronic service tool system, wherein the electronic service tool system includes a microprocessor configured to monitor J1939 communications in the vehicle by performing the steps of;

receiving a message on a datalink;

determining the source address of the received message;

adding the received message to an address list based on the source address; and

evaluating the address list to determine the status of a datalink associated with one or more ECM component.