Method and System of Communication Between a Motor Vehicle and a Diagnostic Unit

• US 20080167773A1
• Filed: 12/13/2007
• Published: 07/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Torlo, Marc, GUMPINGER, Franz
• Granted Patent: US 7,623,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

In the case of a method of communicating between a motor vehicle and a diagnostic unit, a wireless communication connection is established between the motor vehicle and the diagnostic unit after an authorization of the diagnostic unit has been checked. The diagnostic unit is connected with a vehicle key assigned to the motor vehicle, and the authorization of the diagnostic unit is checked by use of authorization data stored in the vehicle key. A diagnostic unit for implementing such a method has devices for connecting with a vehicle key assigned to the motor vehicle. The diagnostic unit is suitable for receiving authorization data from the vehicle key, for the indirect or direct wireless communication with the motor vehicle, and for proving its authorization with respect to the motor vehicle by way of the received authorization data.

Claims

1. A method of communicating between a motor vehicle and a diagnostic unit wherein a wireless communication connection is established between the motor vehicle and the diagnostic unit after an authorization of the diagnostic unit has been checked, the method comprising the acts of:

connecting the diagnostic unit with a vehicle key assigned to the motor vehicle; and

checking for an authorization of the diagnostic unit by way of authorization data stored in the vehicle key.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the diagnostic unit includes devices for wirelessly communicating with the motor vehicle;

and

further wherein the authorization data are transmitted from the vehicle key to the diagnostic unit.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the communication of the diagnostic unit with the motor vehicle takes place through the vehicle key.

4. A diagnostic unit for communicating wirelessly with a motor vehicle having an assigned vehicle key, comprising:

a device for connecting with the vehicle key;

means for receiving authorization data from the vehicle key;

wherein the diagnostic unit is operatively configured for direct or indirect communication with the motor vehicle and for proving an authorization with respect to the motor vehicle by way of the authorization data receivable from the vehicle key.

5. The diagnostic unit according to claim 4, further comprising a device for direct wireless communication with the motor vehicle.

6. The diagnostic unit according to claim 4, further comprising:

a device for communicating with the motor vehicle by way of a same radio technology by which the vehicle key communicates with the motor vehicle during locking and unlocking of the motor vehicle.

7. The diagnostic unit according to claim 5, further comprising:

a device for communicating with the motor vehicle by way of a same radio technology by which the vehicle key communicates with the motor vehicle during locking and unlocking of the motor vehicle.

8. The diagnostic unit according to claim 4, wherein the diagnostic unit is operatively configured for the connection of a vehicle key writing/reading device and for an indirect communication with the motor vehicle by way of the vehicle key when placed in the vehicle key writing/reading device.

9. The diagnostic unit according to claim 5, wherein the diagnostic unit is operatively configured for the connection of a vehicle key writing/reading device and for an indirect communication with the motor vehicle by way of the vehicle key when placed in the vehicle key writing/reading device.

10. The diagnostic unit according to claim 6, wherein the diagnostic unit is operatively configured for the connection of a vehicle key writing/reading device and an for indirect communication with the motor vehicle by way of the vehicle key when placed in the vehicle key writing/reading device.