Computer interface board for electronic automotive vehicle service equipment

• US 5,734,569 A
• Filed: 09/07/1994
• Issued: 03/31/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Technologies Incorporated (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Technologies Incorporated (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gill, George M., Rogers, Steven W., Foreman, Matthew T.
• Primary Examiner(s): PARK, COLLIN
• Application Number:
  US08/302,075
• Time in Patent Office: 1,301 Days
• Field of Search: 364/424.03, 364/424.04, 364/551.01, 364/188, 364/431.01, 364/424.034, 364/424.038, 364/431.04, 395/309
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: B60S 5/00 Servicing, maintaining, repairing, or refitting of vehicles vehicles adapted to carry a workshop for servicing or maintenance B60P3/14; servicing rail locomotives B61K
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/38 Information transfer, e.g. on bus G06F13/14 takes precedence

Abstract

A computer interface board for electronic automotive vehicle service equipment systems is adapted for installation into a non-dedicated, general purpose computer to serve as the central processor for the automotive service system or as a component of multiple systems, while enabling the computer to be also available for other applications. The interface board provides microprocessors for controlling various data receiving and transmitting functions through multiple ports between the computer and instruments integral to the vehicle service system.

Claims

1. A method of interfacing a nondedicated general purpose computer including a CPU having a CPU bus with synchronous parallel data paths with a plurality of automotive vehicle service system data sensors, which are not integral with an automotive vehicle, for the purpose of facilitating servicing of an automotive vehicle, comprising the steps of:

A. scanning the output from the plurality of data sensors;

B. acquiring data from all of the sensors;

C. formatting and storing the data; and

D. connecting directly the stored formatted data to the CPU synchronous parallel data paths.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of generating an interrupt signal to cause the CPU to access the stored data.

3. A method of interfacing a nondedicated general purpose computer including a CPU having a bus with synchronous parallel data paths with an automotive vehicle servicing system having a plurality of automotive vehicle service system data sensors, which are not integral with an automotive vehicle, for the purpose of facilitating servicing of an automotive vehicle, comprising the steps of:

acquiring data from all of the sensors;

storing the data in a multiport RAM; and

connecting directly the multiport RAM stored data to the CPU bus synchronous parallel data paths.

4. The method of claim 3 in which the step of directly connecting comprises the step of generating an interrupt signal to cause the CPU to access the multiport RAM.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of processing the data to include a preferred format and content prior to storing the data in the RAM.

6. An interface board for interfacing a nondedicated general purpose computer having an accessible bus having synchronous parallel data paths with a plurality of automotive vehicle service system peripheral components, wherein the peripheral components are nonintegral with a vehicle and require control signals, said interface board comprising:

means for communicating with said plurality of peripheral components;

synchronous parallel data path means for direct communication with the nondedicated general purpose computer synchronous parallel data paths for passing control signals as required by system control routines; and

micro controller means connected to said synchronous parallel data path means and said means for communicating for processing the control signals and for controlling the peripheral components as required by the automotive vehicle service system, and thereby providing interface between the nondedicated computer and the automotive vehicle service system peripheral components, whereby a system is provided for facilitating servicing of a variety of automotive vehicles.

7. An interface circuit connected to and disposed between a nondedicated general purpose computer having a bus with synchronous parallel data paths and an automotive vehicle service system attachable to and detachable from a variety of automotive vehicles, the service system having at least one data acquisition sensor for sensing a predetermined automotive vehicle characteristic and for providing a data output signal indicative of the characteristic, wherein the characteristic is not measurable during normal automotive vehicle operation, comprising

data input means for receiving the data output signal from the at least one data acquisition sensor,

synchronous parallel data path means for directly communicating with the nondedicated general purpose computer synchronous parallel data paths for providing receipt and storage of data representative of the predetermined vehicle characteristic,

means for storing data acquisition routines, and

micro controller means connected to said synchronous parallel data path means and to said means for storing data acquisition routines for processing the data output signal to provide said data representative of the predetermined vehicle characteristic and for providing data as required by said data acquisition routines to said synchronous parallel data path means and for transferring control to the nondedicated general purpose computer for synchronous parallel acquisition of stored system data by the nondedicated general purpose computer on demand.

8. An interface board for interfacing a nondedicated general purpose computer having accessible synchronous parallel data paths with a vehicle service system having a plurality of data acquisition components which are nonintegral with a vehicle being serviced, the vehicle service system being adapted to be removably attached to at least one vehicle component, said interface board comprising:

input port means for receiving data from the data acquisition components;

micro controller means in communication with said input port means for receiving, storing and formatting the data; and

communication means interposed between said micro controller means and the synchronous parallel data paths for effecting direct communication between said micro controller means and the general purpose computer, wherein said communication means is responsive to both said micro controller means and the general purpose computer.

9. An interface board as in claim 8 further comprising means for generating a digital control output signal.

10. An interface board as in claim 8 wherein the general purpose computer includes a CPU, further comprising a control data EEPROM for storing control program data for use by said micro controller means, said EEPROM accessible to the CPU of the general purpose computer such that the CPU identifies a version of data stored in said control data EEPROM and updates the control program data with data as appropriate.

11. An interface board as in claim 8 further comprising audio output means connected to said micro controller means and wherein said input port means includes an audio input port.

12. An interface board as in claim 11 wherein said audio output means comprises programmable volume control means connected to said audio input port and providing for a controlled audio volume output.

13. An interface board as in claim 8 in which said input port means includes means for receiving serial data from each of a plurality of sensors.

14. An interface board as in claim 13 in which said micro controller means includes signal means for generating a data acquisition signal to cause said receiving means to gather data from said sensors and transmit the sensor data to said micro controller means.

15. An interface board as in claim 8 comprising means for storing files in communication with the synchronous parallel data paths of the general purpose computer.

16. An interface board as in claim 15 wherein said means for storing files comprises an EEPROM accessible to the general purpose computer for storing system configuration data.

17. An interface board as in claim 15 wherein said means for storing files comprises a PROM accessible to the general purpose computer for storing system files for booting the general purpose computer.

18. An interface board as in claim 15 wherein said means for storing files comprises a random access memory.

19. An interface board as in claim 8 wherein said communication means comprises a multiport RAM for receiving, storing and providing access to the data.

20. An interface board as in claim 19 in which said multiport RAM includes means for storing a data status signal which is accessed by a CPU of the general purpose computer, said data status signal having a first signal state and a second signal state and being changeable from said second state to said first state by said micro controller means and being changeable from said second state to said first state by said CPU.

21. An interface board as in claim 20 in which said first signal state is provided by means for generating an interrupt signal for directing said computer CPU to acquire data from said multiport RAM.

22. An interface board as in claim 8 wherein said communication means comprises

a latch,

a first bus transceiver disposed between and in communication with said latch and the synchronous parallel data paths, and

a second bus transceiver disposed between and in communication with said latch and said micro controller means.

23. An interface board as in claim 8 wherein said communication means comprises

circuit means connected to said micro controller means for providing a bus request signal to the general purpose computer, whereby the general purpose computer relinquishes control of the synchronous parallel data paths to said micro controller means during duration of said bus request signal.

24. An interface board as in claim 8 wherein said input port means comprises a UART.

25. An interface board as in claim 8 wherein said input port means comprises a multiport UART.

26. An interface board for interfacing a nondedicated general purpose computer having accessible synchronous parallel data paths with a vehicle service system having a plurality of data acquisition components which are nonintegral with a vehicle being serviced, the vehicle service system being adapted to be removably attached to at least one vehicle component, said interface board comprising:

input port means for receiving data from the data acquisition components;

micro controller means in communication with said input port means for receiving, storing, and formatting the data, said micro controller having an accessible micro controller bus;

an interface board bus connected to said micro controller bus; and

communication means interposed between said interface board bus and the synchronous parallel data paths for effecting direct communication between said micro controller means and the general purpose computer, wherein said communication means is responsive to both said micro controller means and the general purpose computer.

27. An interface board as in claim 26 comprising means for storing files in communication with the synchronous parallel data paths.

28. An interface board as in claim 27 wherein said means for storing files comprises a random access memory.

29. An interface board as in claim 27 wherein said means for storing files comprises an EEPROM accessible to the general purpose computer for storing system configuration data.

30. An interface board as in claim 27 wherein said means for storing files comprises a PROM accessible to the general purpose computer for storing system files for booting the general purpose computer.

31. An interface board as in claim 26 wherein said communication means comprises a multiport RAM for receiving, storing and providing access to the data.

32. An interface board as in claim 26 wherein said communication means comprises

a latch,

a first bus transceiver disposed between and in communication with said latch and the synchronous parallel data paths, and

a second bus transceiver disposed between and in communication with said latch and said micro controller means.

33. An interface board as in claim 26 wherein said communication means comprises

circuit means connected to said micro controller means for providing a bus request signal to the general purpose computer, whereby the general purpose computer relinquishes control of the synchronous parallel data paths to said micro controller means during duration of said bus request signal.

34. An interface board as in claim 26 wherein said input port means comprises a UART.

35. An interface board as in claim 26 wherein said input port means comprises a multiport UART.

36. An interface board as in claim 26 comprising means for generating a digital control output signal.