Method and apparatus for diagnosing a vehicle

• US 6,442,458 B2
• Filed: 12/04/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kubo, Hiroshi, Kodani, Masato, Koike, Yuzuru
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANCHO, RONNIE M
• Application Number:
  US09/728,490
• Publication Number:
  US 20010016790A1
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/101, 701/31, 701/34, 701/33, 701/35, 701/30, 340/426, 340/438, 340/459, 340/425.5, 123/295, 123/305, 123/479, 123/90.15, 123/90.17, 123/198.D, 123/90.31, 123/520, 731/181, 73/233.2, 602/77
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0406 Intake manifold pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/02 one of the functions being ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1454 the characteristics being an oxygen content or concentration or the air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 Engine management systems

Abstract

A diagnostic apparatus for a vehicle can display diagnostic results and an indication of whether or not the diagnosis has been completed with a single display device. The diagnostic apparatus adapted to be mounted on the vehicle for diagnosing the vehicle based on driving condition parameters of the vehicle includes a display device or an indicator for indicating presence or absence of malfunction based on the diagnostic results, means for switching the diagnostic apparatus into a notification mode in response to a predetermined operation state, and a display control unit for displaying on the display device the indication of whether or not the diagnosis has been completed in response to being switched into the notification mode. The indication of whether or not the diagnosis has been uncompleted can be displayed on the display device by switching into a notification mode in response to the predetermined operation status. The display device may be a lamp provided near a driver'"'"'s seat in the vehicle, and the indication of whether or not the diagnosis has been completed may be effected by blinking the lamp.

Claims

1. A diagnostic apparatus adapted to be mounted on a vehicle, for diagnosing the vehicle based on driving condition parameters of the vehicle, comprising:

an indicator for indicating presence or absence of malfunction based on diagnostic results;

means for switching the diagnostic apparatus into a notification mode in response to a predetermined operation status; and

a controller for indicating on said indicator an indication of whether or not a diagnosis has been completed in response to being switched into the notification mode.

2. The diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the indicator is a lamp provided near a driver'"'"'s seat in the vehicle, and the indication of whether or not the diagnosis has been completed is effected by blinking of the lamp.

3. The diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined operation status is a status where an ignition switch has been operated.

4. The diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the controller identifies an undiagnosed portion with a blinking pattern of the lamp.

5. The diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notification mode is released when the engine of the vehicle is started.

6. An electronic control unit (ECU) for a vehicle programmed to:

diagnose the vehicle based on driving condition parameters of the vehicle;

indicate on a display presence or absence of malfunction based on diagnostic results;

switch into a notification mode in response to a predetermined operation status; and

indicate on the display an indication of whether or not a diagnosis has been completed in response to being switched into the notification mode.

7. The electronic control unit according to claim 6, wherein the display is a lamp provided near a driver'"'"'s seat in the vehicle, and the indication of whether or not the diagnosis has been completed is effected by blinking of the lamp.

8. The diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined operation status is a status where an ignition switch has been operated.

9. Method for indicating whether or not diagnosis of a vehicle has been completed, comprising:

diagnosing the vehicle based on driving condition parameters of the vehicle;

indicating on an indicator presence or absence of malfunction based on diagnostic results;

switching into a notification mode in response to a predetermined operation status; and

displaying on the indicator an indication of whether or not a diagnosis has been completed in response to being switched into the notification mode.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the indicator is a lamp provided near a driver'"'"'s seat in the vehicle, and the indication of whether or not the diagnosis has been completed is effected by blinking of the lamp.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the predetermined operation status is a status where an ignition switch has been operated.