Computerized automotive service equipment using multipoint serial link data transmission protocols
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle diagnostic system comprising:
- a general purpose computer capable of executing a vehicle diagnostic application and serving as a multi-point serial link protocol host;
a multi-point serial link configured to couple to the general purpose computer and having at least one multi-point serial link port;
at least one vehicle diagnostic sensor configured to couple to the at least one multi-point serial link port and capable of sensing a vehicle diagnostic state associated with the at least one sensor and providing the vehicle diagnostic state through the multi-point serial link, wherein the vehicle diagnostic state includes a vehicle wheel alignment angle; and
wherein the multi-point serial link is located within the vehicle in operable communication with a vehicle on-board computer.
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Abstract
A multi-point serial link protocol, such as USB, is used to transfer vehicle diagnostic information back and forth between vehicle diagnostic sensors and a host computer. Multiple distinct vehicle servicing applications may be added to or removed from the service bay without requiring substantial software changes or revisions. The amount of vehicle diagnostic hardware is also minimized. The multi-point serial link may originate in the vehicle'"'"'s on-board computer, allowing the vehicle itself to function as a data hub for the diagnostic automotive service sensors.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A vehicle diagnostic system comprising:
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a general purpose computer capable of executing a vehicle diagnostic application and serving as a multi-point serial link protocol host;
a multi-point serial link configured to couple to the general purpose computer and having at least one multi-point serial link port;
at least one vehicle diagnostic sensor configured to couple to the at least one multi-point serial link port and capable of sensing a vehicle diagnostic state associated with the at least one sensor and providing the vehicle diagnostic state through the multi-point serial link, wherein the vehicle diagnostic state includes a vehicle wheel alignment angle; and
wherein the multi-point serial link is located within the vehicle in operable communication with a vehicle on-board computer. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16)
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2. A vehicle diagnostic system comprising:
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a general purpose computer capable of executing a vehicle diagnostic application and serving as a multi-point serial link protocol host;
a multi-point serial link configured to couple to the computer and having at least one multi-point serial link port;
at least one vehicle diagnostic sensor configured to couple to the at least one multi-point serial link port and capable of sensing a vehicle diagnostic state associated with the at least one vehicle diagnostic sensor and providing the vehicle diagnostic state through the multi-point serial link, wherein the vehicle diagnostic state includes a vehicle wheel alignment angle;
wherein the computer is capable of instantaneously detecting the addition or removal of the at least one vehicle diagnostic sensor to and from the at least one multi-point serial link port and indicating such addition or removal to the vehicle diagnostic system; and
wherein the vehicle diagnostic application comprises both a vehicle wheel alignment application and a vehicle engine diagnostic application, and the at least one vehicle diagnostic sensor comprises both at least one vehicle wheel angle alignment sensor and at least one engine diagnostic sensor. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15, 17)
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18. A vehicle diagnostic system comprising:
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a general purpose computer capable of executing a vehicle diagnostic application and serving as a multi-point serial link protocol host;
a hardware interface board comprising interface logic, a multi-point serial link device controller, a serial communication controller, and, at least one externally accessible serial communication port, the interface logic being shared by the multi-point serial link device controller and the serial communication controller, the serial communications controller being operably coupled to the at least one externally accessible serial communication port, and the multi-point serial link device controller being configured to couple between the computer and the interface logic; and
at least one vehicle diagnostic sensor configured to couple to the serial communications controller through one of the externally accessible serial communication ports and each capable of sensing a vehicle diagnostic state associated with the at least one sensor;
wherein the serial communication controller periodically senses the vehicle diagnostic state at one or more sensors and provides the vehicle diagnostic state to the device controller. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A vehicle diagnostic system comprising:
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a general purpose computer capable of executing a vehicle diagnostic application and serving as a multi-point serial link protocol host;
at least one vehicle diagnostic sensor comprising a multi-point serial link device controller configured to couple to the computer and capable of sensing a vehicle diagnostic state associated with the sensor, the at least one sensor comprising detecting means for generating data indicative of the vehicle diagnostic alignment state and providing the data to its device controller for later communication to the computer, wherein the vehicle diagnostic state includes a vehicle wheel alignment angle, whereby the computer may provide the data to the vehicle diagnostic application after receipt from the at least one sensor;
wherein the computer is capable of instantaneously detecting the addition or removal of the at least one vehicle diagnostic sensor to or from the computer and indicating such addition or removal to the vehicle diagnostic system; and
wherein the vehicle diagnostic application comprises both a vehicle wheel alignment application and a vehicle engine diagnostic application, and the at least one vehicle diagnostic sensor comprises both at least one vehicle wheel angle alignment sensor and at least one engine diagnostic sensor.
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22. A vehicle diagnostic system comprising:
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a general purpose computer configured to execute a vehicle diagnostic application;
at least one sensor configured to couple to the computer through a port on a multi-point serial link protocol hub, the hub communicating with the computer via a multi-point serial link protocol;
wherein the hub comprises a plurality of additional ports for making multi-point serial link connections to additional sensors;
wherein the computer is capable of instantaneously detecting the addition or removal of the at least one sensor to or from the port and indicating such addition or removal to the vehicle diagnostic system;
wherein the vehicle diagnostic application comprises both a vehicle wheel alignment application and a vehicle engine diagnostic application, and the at least one diagnostic sensor comprises both at least one vehicle wheel angle alignment sensor and at least one engine diagnostic sensor.
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23. A vehicle diagnostic system comprising:
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a general purpose computer configured to execute a vehicle diagnostic application;
a wheel alignment sensor configured to couple to a vehicle on-board computer; and
means in the general purpose computer configured for receiving alignment information from the vehicle on-board computer via a multi-point serial link protocol;
wherein the general purpose computer is remote from the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification