Scan tool can adapter

• US 7,324,550 B2
• Filed: 07/30/2003
• Issued: 01/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Sparacino, Steven J., Klose, Lee R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levitan; Dmitry
• Application Number:
  US10/629,615
• Publication Number:
  US 20050089055A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,644 Days
• Field of Search: 370464-467, 701/29, 701/33, 709/249, 709/250, 710/62, 710/72
• US Class Current: 370/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40032 Details regarding a bus interface enhancer
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4625 Single bridge functionality, e.g. connection of two networks over a single bridge
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40215 Controller Area Network CAN
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/40273 the transportation system being a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion

Abstract

An apparatus and method for data communication is provided to use with existing or future scan tool. The apparatus is an adapter that couples with the scan tool and a communication network interface on a vehicle. The adapter allows CAN communication or other communication protocols between the scan tool and the communication network interface on a vehicle and provides a good alternative to buying a new scan tool.

Claims

1. A data communication adapter, comprising:

a first interface to connect with a scan tool;

a second interface to connect with a third interface that is on a vehicle;

at least one data line that relays data transmitted in a first communication protocol between the first and second interfaces;

a chipset in communication with the at least one data line, the chipset can convert the first communication protocol to a. second communication protocol and vice versa;

a transceiver in communication with the chipset and the at least one data line, the transceiver receives and transmits data to and from the chipset;

a switch that is provided on the at least one data line to direct the data within the adapter, the switch being controlled by the chipset to open or close, wherein the chipset controls the switch to open or close depending if the communication protocol has to be converted, wherein when the switch is closed, the communication protocol is communicated on the at least one data line between the scan tool and the interface on the vehicle, and when the switch is open the chipset converts the first communication protocol to the second communication protocol and vice versa; and

a regulator to change front a first voltage of a battery to a second voltage, wherein the chipset comprises;

a J1850 communication controller;

a CAN controller; and

a microprocessor, wherein the communication controller, the CAN controller and the microprocessor are in communication with each other.

2. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the first communication protocol is J1850 and the second communication protocol is CAN.

3. The adapter of claim 2, wherein communication protocols that are not converted can be communicated directly between scan tool and the third interface on the vehicle without interference from the chipset.

4. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor includes a memory device selected from a group consisting of an EEPROM, a flash memory, and a RAM.

5. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the chipset monitors the at least one data to determine whether J1850 or CAN communication is requested by the scan tool and directs the data to the appropriate portion of the adapter by opening or closing the switch.

6. The adapter of claim 1, wherein the communication protocol is selected from a group consisting of J1850, ISO 9141, ISO 14230, CAN, ISO 11898, and ISO 15765.

7. A method for data communication, comprising the step of;

providing a communication adapter that interfaces with a scan tool and an interface on a vehicle;

monitoring at least one communication line for a communication protocol that contains data;

directing where the communication protocol will go in the adapter by a chipset that controls a switch located on the at least one communication line; and

converting a first communication protocol to a second communication protocol and vice versa with the chipset, wherein the chipset controls the switch to open or close depending if the communication protocol has to be converted, wherein when the switch is closed, the communication protocol is communicated on the at least one data line between the scan tool and the interface on the vehicle, and when the switch is open the chipset converts the first communication protocol to the second communication protocol and vice versa.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the communication adapter is a CAN adapter.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the communication protocol is selected from a group consisting of J1850, ISO 9141, ISO 14230, CAN, ISO 11898, and ISO 15765.

10. A communication adapter system, comprising:

first means for interfacing with a scan tool;

second means for interfacing to connect with a third means for interfacing that is located on a vehicle;

means for relaying data by a communication protocol between the first and second means for interfacing;

means for controlling the communication of the data that is in communication with the means for relaying data, the means for controlling converts a first communication protocol to a second communication protocol and vice versa;

means for transceiving that is in communication with the means for controlling, and receives and transmits data to and from the means for controlling;

means for switching to direct the data that is controlled by the means for controlling, wherein the means for controlling controls the means for switching to open or close depending if the communication protocol has to be converted, wherein when the means for switching is closed, the communication protocol is communicated on the means for relaying data between the scan tool and the third means for interfacing on the vehicle, and when the means for switching is open the means for controlling converts the first communication protocol to the second communication protocol and vice versa; and

means to regulate a voltage from one voltage of a power source means to another voltage, wherein the means for controlling is a chipset that comprises;

a communication controller;

a CAN controller; and

a microprocessor, wherein the communication controller, the CAN controller and the microprocessor are in communication with each other.

11. The adapter system of claim 10, wherein the means for relaying data allows data communication to occur between the first and the second means for interfacing.

12. The adapter system of claim 10, wherein the microprocessor includes a memory device selected from a group consisting of an EEPROM, a flash memory, and a RAM.

13. The adapter system of claim 10, wherein the means for controlling monitors and controls the means for switching to open so that communication between the first and second means for interfacing is directed towards the means for controlling.

14. The adapter system of claim 10, wherein the means for controlling monitors and controls the means for switching to close so that communication between the first means and third means for interfacing can occur.

15. The adapter system of claim 10, wherein the communication protocol is selected from a group consisting of J1850, ISO 9141, ISO 14230, CAN, ISO 11898, and ISO 15765.

16. A data communication adapter, comprising:

a first interface to connect with a scan tool;

a second interface to connect with a third interface that is on a vehicle;

at least one data line that relays data transmitted in a communication protocol between the first and second interfaces;

a chipset in communication with the at least one data line, the chipset can convert a first communication protocol to a second communication protocol and vice versa;

a transceiver in communication with the chipset and the at least one data line, the transceiver receives and transmits data to and from the chipset;

a switch that is provided on the at least one data line to direct the data within the adapter, the switch being controlled by the chipset to open or close, wherein the chipset controls the switch to open or close depending if the communication protocol has to be converted, wherein when the switch is closed, the communication protocol is communicated on the at least one data line between the scan tool and the interface on the vehicle, and when the switch is open the chipset converts the first communication protocol to the second communication protocol and vice versa; and

a regulator to change from a first voltage of a battery to a second voltage, wherein the chipset comprises;

a J1850 communication controller;

a CAN controller; and

a microprocessor, wherein the communication controller, the CAN controller and the microprocessor are in communication with each other.