USB Isolation for Vehicle Communication Interface

• US 20090265057A1
• Filed: 04/22/2008
• Published: 10/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Service Solutions US LLC
• Original Assignee: Service Solutions US LLC
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt, Chinnadurai, Manokar, Sontheimer, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,340,855 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to an automotive diagnostic tool which facilitates data communications between an automobile and diagnostic device, such as a personal computer. More particularly, the present invention relates to electrically isolating the data communications using a Vehicle Communication Interface (VCI) device situated between an automobile'"'"'s communication diagnostic port and the personal computer. The VCI contains logic circuitry to translate the automobile'"'"'s On Board Diagnostic (OBD II) signals to an embedded Ethernet controller. Ethernet signals are then non-galvanicly exchanged with an Ethernet to USB controller with an Ethernet transformer. A personal computer is attached via a USB cable to the VCI'"'"'s Ethernet to USB Controller, permitting information exchange between the automobile and the personal computer.

Claims

1. A Vehicle Communication Interface (VCI), comprising:

a logic controller attached via an OBD II cable to an OBD II diagnostic port in a vehicle and configured to receive and transmit OBD II signals;

an Ethernet controller in communication with the logic controller;

an Ethernet to USB controller that communicates with a diagnostic device via USB signals and with the Ethernet controller; and

an Ethernet communications transformer positioned between and communicates with the Ethernet controller and the Ethernet to USB controller, wherein the Ethernet communications transformer creates a galvanic isolation between the vehicle and diagnostic device.

2. The VCI of claim 1, wherein the VCI prevents a ground loop between the diagnostic device and the vehicle.

3. The VCI of claim 1, wherein the logic controller includes complex programmable logic devices.

4. The VCI of claim 1, wherein Ethernet communications transformer isolated the voltage potential of the OBDII signals and the voltage potential from the USB signals.

5. The VCI of claim 1, wherein logic controller can be programmed with new signaling protocols as they are updated by vehicle manufacturers.

6. The VCI of claim 1, wherein the logic controller translates the OBDII signals into a format understood by the Ethernet controller and vice versa.

7. The VCI of claim 1, wherein the diagnostic device is a personal computer.

8. The VCI of claim 1, wherein signals between the vehicle and the diagnostic device are communicated via the induction properties of the Ethernet communications transformer.

9. The VCI of claim 1, wherein the VCI is powered by either an external power source or through vehicle battery via the OBDII diagnostic port.

10. The VCI of claim 9, wherein the VCI includes a keyboard and display allowing operation with or without the diagnostic device.

11. A method of electrically isolating communications between a vehicle'"'"'s On Board Diagnostic (OBD II) port and a vehicle diagnostic device, comprising the steps of:

providing a Vehicle Communication Interface (VCI) device with a logic controller configured to receive OBDII signals from the vehicle'"'"'s OBDII port and to transmit the OBDII signals to the vehicle'"'"'s OBDII port;

receiving the OBDII signals from the OBDII port via a data link connector that is in communication with the logic controller;

configuring the logic controller to communicate in the communication protocol of the OBDII signals;

converting the OBDII signals to an Ethernet signal that can be understood by an Ethernet controller of the VCI;

isolating galvanically the OBDII signals and USB signals, wherein the USB signals is received by an Ethernet to USB controller from a remote diagnostic device, the Ethernet to USB controller is located in the VCI; and

transmitting the converted OBDII signals via the Ethernet to USB controller to the remote diagnostic device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein isolating the OBDII and the USB signals prevents a ground loop between the remote diagnostic device and the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising converting the Ethernet signals to OBDII signals that can be understood by the Ethernet controller of the VCI.

14. The method of claim 11, communicating signals between the vehicle and the remote diagnostic device by the via the induction properties of the Ethernet communications transformer.

15. A Vehicle Communication Interface (VCI), comprising:

a means for processing attached via an OBD II cable to an OBD II diagnostic port in a vehicle and configured to receive and transmit OBD II signals;

a means for controlling Ethernet communications configured to communicate with the means for controlling;

a means for controlling Ethernet to USB communications configured to communicate with a diagnostic device via USB signals and means for controlling Ethernet communications; and

a means for isolating signals configured to be positioned between and communicate with the means for controlling Ethernet communications and means for controlling Ethernet to USB communications, wherein the means for isolating signals creates a galvanic isolation between the vehicle and diagnostic device.

16. The VCI of claim 15, wherein the VCI prevents a ground loop between the diagnostic device and the vehicle.

17. The VCI of claim 15, wherein the means for processing includes complex programmable logic devices.

18. The VCI of claim 15, wherein the means for isolating signals isolates the voltage potential of the OBDII signals and the voltage potential from the USB signals.

19. The VCI of claim 15, wherein the means for processing can be programmed with new signaling protocols as they are updated by vehicle manufacturers.

20. The VCI of claim 15, wherein the means for processing translates the OBDII signals into a format understood by the means for controlling Ethernet communications and vice versa.

21. The VCI of claim 15, wherein the diagnostic device is a personal computer.

22. The VCI of claim 15, wherein signals between the vehicle and the diagnostic device are communicated via the induction properties of the means for isolating signals.

23. The VCI of claim 15, wherein the VCI is powered by an internal power means.

24. The VCI of claim 15, wherein the VCI is powered by an external power means.

25. The VCI of claim 15, wherein the VCI includes a keyboarding means and a display means allowing operation with or without the diagnostic device.