Open-ended scan analysis with auto-identification of multi-platform gas analyzers
First Claim
1. A test instrument for acquiring and displaying motor vehicle data, comprising:
- a scan interface component permitting communication between said test instrument and a motor vehicle onboard diagnostic (OBD) computer;
an external device interface component permitting communication between said test instrument and an additional data acquisition device; and
a communication subsystem that establishes communication between said external device interface and an external device through the use of a succession of attempts at communication via ports and communication protocols with which said external device interface may be provided.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A data display firmware improvement for a scan tool adds the capability to view in a single presentation data uploaded from a motor vehicle'"'"'s onboard diagnostic (OBD) computer synchronized with data from external test apparatus. The data display algorithms permit viewing of OBD data, including certain real-time oscilloscope-like waveforms, and allow viewing test results from compatible instruments, such as exhaust gas analyzers, including capturing realtime OBD signals, holding them until delayed events such as gas analyzer test results become available, then displaying the events on a common display as though available simultaneously in real time. The present invention further permits acquisition of communication links with external test equipment for which exact protocols and port configurations may not be uniquely specified. The firmware upgrade is downloadable to existing products.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1. A test instrument for acquiring and displaying motor vehicle data, comprising:
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a scan interface component permitting communication between said test instrument and a motor vehicle onboard diagnostic (OBD) computer;
an external device interface component permitting communication between said test instrument and an additional data acquisition device; and
a communication subsystem that establishes communication between said external device interface and an external device through the use of a succession of attempts at communication via ports and communication protocols with which said external device interface may be provided. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for acquiring and displaying motor vehicle diagnostic data, said system comprising:
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means for acquiring data generated or stored within a computer;
means for establishing communication with external test equipment through repeated attempts to initialize a link with said external test equipment using available protocols and port configurations; and
means for acquiring data generated or stored within external test equipment. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for acquiring and displaying motor vehicle diagnostic data comprising the steps of:
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obtaining data from a computer on a motor vehicle through an established communications link;
acquiring communication with external test equipment by repeatedly attempting to initialize a link with external test equipment through successive application of available port configurations and protocols; and
obtaining data from external test equipment. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification