Backward compatible diagnostic tool

• US 6,662,087 B1
• Filed: 01/03/2000
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Liebl, Troy J., Raichle, Kurt R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Broadhead, Brian J
• Application Number:
  US09/476,911
• Time in Patent Office: 1,436 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/33, 701/31, 701/32, 703/23, 703/26, 703/27, 712/210, 712/227
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A test instrument includes a cartridge adapter for receiving existing vehicle diagnostic cartridges programmed for use with an 8-bit microprocessor. The adapter is coupled to a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which is programmed to emulate the operation of the 8-bit microprocessor and supply information to a 32-bit microprocessor coupled to a display and control panel to emulate the operation of a system for which the cartridges have been programmed. Additionally, the 32-bit microprocessor includes programming for new vehicles as well as the ability to read and store updated vehicle information through flash memory to be continuously updated.

Claims

1. An updated automotive test instrument that operates in an established manner with existing, new or updated data, said established manner is derived from prior use with a cartridge, comprising:

an input port for receiving the cartridge programmed with vehicle data;

a first processor coupled to said input port;

a display coupled to said first microprocessor for providing a familiarized output to a user;

an input device coupled to said first microprocessor for receiving input from a user; and

a programmable circuit coupled to said first microprocessor and emulating a second microprocessor for translating vehicle data from the cartridge for use with said emulated second microprocessor to control said emulated second processor, wherein said first microprocessor processes more bits in a single instruction than said emulated second microprocessor;

wherein the established manner is a legacy input device for operating a legacy automotive test instrument.

2. The instrument as defined in claim 1 wherein said programmable circuit comprises a first field programmable gate array (FPGA).

3. The instrument as defined in claim 2, further including:

a second FPGA coupled to said first microprocessor; and

a vehicle input/output interface circuit coupled to said second FPGA for coupling said first microprocessor to a vehicle under test.

4. The instrument as defined in claim 1, wherein said first microprocessor is a 32-bit microprocessor.

5. The instrument as defined in claim 1, wherein said display is a liquid crystal display (LCD).

6. The instrument as defined in claim 1, further including a cartridge adapter coupled between said input port and said cartridge.

7. An automotive test instrument comprising:

an input port for receiving a cartridge programmed with vehicle data information;

a first microprocessor coupled to said input port;

a display coupled to said first microprocessor for providing output to a user;

an input device coupled to said first microprocessor for receiving input from the user;

a programmable circuit coupled to said first microprocessor and emulating a second microprocessor for translating vehicle data information from a cartridge for use with said emulated second microprocessor to control said emulated second microprocessor, wherein a display area within said display is utilized for emulating a legacy input device for operating a legacy automotive test instrument.

8. An updated automotive test instrument that operates in an established manner with existing, new or updated data, said established manner is derived from prior use with a cartridge, comprising:

a housing

an input port for receiving the cartridge programmed with vehicle data information for use with an 8-bit processor;

a first processor coupled to said input port, wherein said first processor is a 32-bit processor;

a display contained within said housing, said display coupled to said first microprocessor for providing output in the established manner;

an input device mounted to said housing, said input device coupled to said first microprocessor for receiving input from a user; and

a programmable circuit coupled to said first microprocessor and emulating a second microprocessor for translating vehicle data information from the cartridge for use with said emulated second processor to control said emulated second microprocessor, wherein said emulated second processor is an 8-bit microprocessor;

wherein said established manner is a legacy input device for operating a legacy test instrument.

9. The instrument as defined in claim 8, wherein said programmable circuit is a first field programmable gate array (FPGA).

10. The instrument as defined in claim 9, further including:

a second FPGA coupled to said first microprocessor; and

a vehicle input/output interface circuit coupling said second FPGA to a vehicle under test.

11. The instrument as defined in claim 10, wherein said second FPGA is programmed to recognize different vehicle communication protocols.

12. The instrument as defined in claim 8, wherein said display is a liquid crystal display (LCD).

13. A method of employing memory cartridges having a first predetermined format with a vehicle test instrument for analyzing vehicle system information using a second predetermined format different than the first predetermined format said vehicle test instrument operates in an established manner with existing, new or updated data, said manner is derived from prior use with the cartridge comprising:

inserting a memory cartridge into an input port;

reading vehicle data information from the memory cartridge in the first predetermined format;

translating the read vehicle data information into the second predetermined format;

processing the read vehicle data information using a second microprocessor;

coupling the second microprocessor to a vehicle for analyzing transmitted vehicle system information and comparing such information with established system parameters within the cartridge; and

displaying one of the comparison results and the vehicle system information in said established manner, wherein said established manner is a legacy input device for operating a legacy test instrument.

14. The method as defined in claim 13, wherein said translating step includes the steps of:

storing the core of a first microprocessor with said first predetermined format in a programmable circuit; and

supplying said read vehicle data information to said programmable circuit.

15. The method as defined in claim 14, wherein said programmable circuit is a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

16. An automotive test instrument that operates in an established manner with existing, new, or updated data, said established manner is derived from prior use with a cartridge, comprising:

an input port for receiving the cartridge programmed with established vehicle parameters stored in a first format;

a microprocessor coupled to said input port;

an interface circuit coupled to said microprocessor for coupling said microprocessor to a vehicle for transferring data between the vehicle and said microprocessor; and

a programmable circuit coupled to said microprocessor and to said input port for translating information on the cartridge to a second format recognized as an input language by said microprocessor;

wherein said established manner is a legacy input device for operating a legacy test instrument.

17. The instrument as defined in claim 16, wherein said programmable circuit is a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

18. The instrument as defined in claim 17, wherein said interface circuit includes a second FPGA coupled to said microprocessor for providing different communication protocols for said microprocessor to communicate with a vehicle under test.

19. The instrument as defined in claim 18, wherein said microprocessor is at least a 32-bit microprocessor.

20. The instrument as defined in claim 19, further including a liquid crystal display (LCD).