NETWORK SYSTEM FOR AUTOMOTIVE SHOPS

• US 20090177353A1
• Filed: 01/29/2009
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Equipment S.r.l. (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Equipment S.r.l. (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Inventors: BRAGHIROLI, Francesco
• Application Number:
  US12/362,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20090177353A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/10 Current supply arrangements

Abstract

The invention relates to a network system for automotive shops including at least one computer-aided automotive shop machine and a respective computer network, wherein the computer-aided machine is connected to the computer network by communicating by transmitting information signals on a power supply line. Further, the invention relates to a machine for an automotive shop with a computer and communication means configured to communicate by transmission of information signals on a power supply line to at least one peripheral functionality over a communication line.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. Machine for an automotive shop comprising

a computer and a power line modem configured to communicate by transmission of information signals on a power supply line,

wherein said power supply line is for supplying power to at least one peripheral functionality of said machine,

wherein the power line modem includes:

a coupling transformer for coupling said machine to the power supply line;

an analog-digital converter for converting analog data from the coupling transformer to digital data;

a coder-decoder for decoding the digital data from the analog-digital converter and coding data from said computer;

a data interface for providing an interface for data exchange between said computer and the coder-decoder;

a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) for modulating the coded data form the coder-decoder to a PWM type signal; and

a power stage interface for providing interface for the PWM type signal between the PMW and the coupling transformer.

18. Machine according to claim 17,

having a computer-aided operation for use in an automotive shop,

wherein said power line modem is configured to provide a network functionality over a connection to said power supply line, whereby said machine is connectable to a computer network by said power line modem.

19. Machine according to claim 18,

wherein the computer-aided operation for use in an automotive shop are automotive-related functions including a wheel balancing, a wheel alignment, a car diagnosis, a brake testing, an engine testing, and a waste gas testing.

20. Machine according to claim 17, wherein said machine further comprises a central computer.

21. Machine according to claim 20, wherein on said central computer operational data of said machine are hosted.

22. Machine according to claim 20, wherein said central computer of said machine is further configured to operate said machine.

23. Machine according to claim 21, wherein said central computer of said machine is further configured to operate said machine.

24. Machine according to claim 17, wherein said machine comprises

a computer to perform respective automotive-related functions,

wherein said computer is configured to communicate with a central computer also connected to the power supply line via a second power line modem, which central computer is configured for controlling operation of said machine.

25. Machine according to claim 24, wherein the automotive-related functions include a wheel balancing, a wheel alignment, a car diagnosis, a brake testing, an engine testing, and a waste gas testing.