System and method to load vehicle operation software and calibration data in general assembly and service environment
First Claim
1. A data exchange system for use in vehicle assembly, comprising:
- a portable memory device adapted to interface with a communications port of a particular type;
an external processor having a datastore of vehicle software and adapted to operate as a source of vehicle software via a first communications port of the particular type; and
a vehicle at least temporarily having a second communications port of the particular type and adapted to exchange data between multiple processors of the vehicle and the external processor via the portable memory device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data exchange system for use in vehicle assembly includes a data exchange mechanism exchanging vehicle software and/or diagnostic information between vehicle processors and an external processor. In one aspect, the data exchange mechanism is a portable memory device, such as a USB flash disk, alternately connecting to USB ports of the external processor and the vehicle. Vehicle software is automatically loaded onto vehicle processors by an interface processor connected to a CAN controller, and the processors similarly write back diagnostic information. In another aspect, the data exchange mechanism is a wireless mechanism, such as an iCHIP, connecting the external processor and vehicle processors through a communications network and a CAN controller. Vehicle processors individually wirelessly request appropriate vehicle software and/or provide diagnostic information. The data exchange mechanism may be permanently integrated into the vehicle, or temporarily connected to the vehicle by an alternative connection mechanism, such as the ALDL.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A data exchange system for use in vehicle assembly, comprising:
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a portable memory device adapted to interface with a communications port of a particular type;
an external processor having a datastore of vehicle software and adapted to operate as a source of vehicle software via a first communications port of the particular type; and
a vehicle at least temporarily having a second communications port of the particular type and adapted to exchange data between multiple processors of the vehicle and the external processor via the portable memory device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A data exchange system for use in vehicle assembly, comprising:
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a wireless data exchange mechanism adapted to communicate with a communications network;
an external processor having a datastore of vehicle software and adapted to operate as a source of vehicle software via the communications network; and
a vehicle at least temporarily adapted to exchange data between multiple processors of the vehicle and the external processor via said wireless data exchange mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A data exchange method for use in vehicle assembly, comprising:
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alternating connection of a portable memory device between an external processor and a vehicle;
transferring vehicle software from the external processor to the portable memory device during connection of the portable memory device to the external processor;
transferring data from the portable memory device to a processor of the vehicle upon connection of the portable memory device to the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A data exchange method for use in vehicle assembly;
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establishing a wireless connection between an external processor and a vehicle processor via a wireless communication mechanism at least temporarily provided to the vehicle, wherein the external processor is adapted to serve as a source of vehicle software;
transmitting a request for vehicle software from the vehicle processor to the external processor via the wireless communication mechanism; and
transmitting the vehicle software from the external processor to the vehicle processor via the wireless communication mechanism, wherein said transmitting the vehicle software occurs in response to the request. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification