Simultaneous vehicle protocol communication apparatus and method

• US 7,571,035 B2
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Issued: 08/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Reul, David, Raichle, Kurt
• Primary Examiner(s): To; Tuan C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Keith; Jack
• Application Number:
  US11/393,672
• Publication Number:
  US 20070233340A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,222 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/35, 701/33, 717/168, 340/438, 340/439, 731/16, 714/725, 714/28, 714/30, 714/46, 714/25
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0006 Digital architecture hierarchy
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0045 using databus protocols
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/02 Ensuring safety in case of control system failures, e.g. by diagnosing, circumventing or fixing failures
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0205 Diagnosing or detecting failures; Failure detection models
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/06 Improving the dynamic response of the control system, e.g. improving the speed of regulation or avoiding hunting or overshoot
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool

Abstract

A diagnostic tool for simultaneously communicating with a plurality of motor vehicle control units and implements at least two different communication protocols within a single motor vehicle. The diagnostic tool includes a processor and a field programmable gate array. The processor simultaneously executes a plurality of diagnostic routines and thereby provides messages to at least two of the plurality of motor vehicle control units. The field programmable gate array provides a selectable multiple protocol interface to simultaneously accommodating the at least two different communication protocols. The field programmable gate array is coupled between the plurality of motor vehicle control units and the processor. The selectable multiple protocol interface simultaneously converts the messages from the processor into a format readable by the selected motor vehicle control units and simultaneously converting received control unit information into a format readable by the processor.

Claims

1. A diagnostic tool for simultaneously communicating with a plurality of motor vehicle control units within a single motor vehicle, comprising:

a processor for simultaneously executing a plurality of diagnostic routines and thereby providing messages to at least two of the plurality of motor vehicle control units, the plurality of motor vehicle control units implementing at least two different communication protocols, wherein each of the plurality of diagnostic routines corresponds to a selected motor vehicle control unit; and

a field programmable gate array providing a selectable multiple protocol interface to simultaneously accommodating the at least two different communication protocols, the field programmable gate array coupled between the plurality of motor vehicle control units and the processor, the selectable multiple protocol interface simultaneously converting the messages from the processor into a format readable by the selected motor vehicle control units and simultaneously converting received control unit information into a format readable by the processor.

2. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, further comprising:

a first selectable signal translator coupled between the plurality of motor vehicle control units and the field programmable gate array, the selectable signal translator conditioning the messages from the processor or the control unit information from the selected motor vehicle control units to a conditioned signal compatible with the selected motor vehicle control units or the processor, respectively.

3. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, further comprising:

a non-volatile memory coupled to the processor, the non-volatile memory storing the diagnostic routines for the selected motor vehicle control units which respond to receive the messages from the processor and to transmit the control unit information to the processor in response to the messages.

4. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, further including:

at least one input coupled to the processor for receiving input data from a user, the user initiating one of the diagnostic routines by entering a selection; and

a display coupled to the processor for displaying the results provided by the initiated diagnostic routine.

5. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the selectable multiple protocol interface is a J1850 channel module that includes conversion circuitry for J1850 variable pulse width modulation (VPWM) and J1850 pulse width modulation (PWM) communication protocols.

6. A diagnostic tool for simultaneously communicating with a plurality of motor vehicle control units within a single motor vehicle, comprising:

a means for processing for simultaneously executing a plurality of diagnostic routines and thereby providing messages to at least two of the plurality of motor vehicle control units, the plurality of motor vehicle control units implementing at least two different communication protocols, wherein each of the plurality of diagnostic routines corresponds to a selected motor vehicle control unit; and

a field programmable gate array providing a selectable multiple protocol interface to simultaneously accommodating the at least two different communication protocols, the field programmable gate array coupled between the plurality of motor vehicle control units and the means for processing, the selectable multiple protocol interface simultaneously converting the messages from the means for processing into a format readable by the selected motor vehicle control units and simultaneously converting received control unit information into a format readable by the means for processing.

7. The diagnostic tool of claim 6, further comprising:

a first means for signal translating coupled between the plurality of motor vehicle control units and the field programmable gate array, the first means for signal translating conditioning the messages from the means for processing or the control unit information from the selected motor vehicle control units to a conditioned signal compatible with the selected motor vehicle control units or the means for processing, respectively.

8. The diagnostic tool of claim 6, further comprising:

means for storing the diagnostic routines for the selected motor vehicle control units which respond to receive the messages from the means for processing and to transmit the control unit information to the means for processing in response to the messages.

9. The diagnostic tool of claim 6, further including:

at least one means for receiving input data from a user, the user initiating one of the diagnostic routines by entering a selection; and

a means for displaying the results provided by the initiated diagnostic routine.