Vehicle diagnostic device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A vehicle data recorder, comprising:
- a first connector that communicates with a vehicle'"'"'s computer and relays data to and from a vehicle;
a processor that controls vehicle data recorder functions;
a memory in communication with the processor to store a recorded data;
at least one communication protocol controller, wherein the at least one communication protocol controller includes a CAN controller for CAN protocol communication with the vehicle'"'"'s computer;
a second connector that communicates with a host workstation to transfer the recorded data from the vehicle data recorder to the host workstation, wherein the processor controls the vehicle data recorder functions to at least one of recording data for a predetermined period of time, recording data when a trigger button is actuated by a user, and recording data for a period of time before and after the trigger is actuated by the user;
an option card in communication with the at least one communication protocol controller and configured to enable the vehicle data recorder to support new communication protocols, wherein the option card further comprises new protocol transceivers which communicate in the new communications protocols; and
a power source connector for receiving an external power to power the vehicle data recorder and to the option card.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method is provided that allows a user to record events in a vehicle via a vehicle data recorder in the latest communication protocols, such as Controller Area Network. The vehicle data recorder can record data from the event when a trigger button is actuated by the user and the CAN communication can be controlled by the CAN controller. After the data is recorded, it can transferred to a host workstation, where the user can analyze the data from the event and diagnose the problem causing the event.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A vehicle data recorder, comprising:
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a first connector that communicates with a vehicle'"'"'s computer and relays data to and from a vehicle; a processor that controls vehicle data recorder functions; a memory in communication with the processor to store a recorded data; at least one communication protocol controller, wherein the at least one communication protocol controller includes a CAN controller for CAN protocol communication with the vehicle'"'"'s computer; a second connector that communicates with a host workstation to transfer the recorded data from the vehicle data recorder to the host workstation, wherein the processor controls the vehicle data recorder functions to at least one of recording data for a predetermined period of time, recording data when a trigger button is actuated by a user, and recording data for a period of time before and after the trigger is actuated by the user; an option card in communication with the at least one communication protocol controller and configured to enable the vehicle data recorder to support new communication protocols, wherein the option card further comprises new protocol transceivers which communicate in the new communications protocols; and a power source connector for receiving an external power to power the vehicle data recorder and to the option card. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of communicating data from a vehicle, comprising:
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connecting a first connector of a vehicle data recorder to a vehicle'"'"'s computer; controlling CAN communication protocol with a CAN controller; communicating data via CAN protocol; actuating a trigger button to start recording data from an event; recording the data of the event; illuminating the trigger button with a LED; actuating the trigger button a second time to stop recording data from the event; storing data of the event on a memory; updating the vehicle data recorder with new communication protocols using an option card in communication with the CAN controller, wherein the option card further comprises new protocol transceivers which communicate in the new communications protocols; and receiving external power to the vehicle data recorder and to the option card via a power source connector. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A vehicle data recorder system, comprising:
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means for connecting to a vehicle'"'"'s computer and relaying data to and from a vehicle; means for processing that controls vehicle data recorder functions; means for storing data that communicates with the means for processing and stores recorded data; means for controlling communication protocol, wherein the means for controlling controls CAN communication protocol with the vehicle'"'"'s computer; means for connecting to a computing means that transfer data from the vehicle data recorder to the computing means, wherein the means for processing is configured to control the vehicle data recorder functions to at least one of recording data for a predetermined period of time, recording data when a trigger button is actuated by a user, and recording data for a period of time before and after the trigger is actuated by the user; means for communicating with the means for controlling communication protocol, which enables the vehicle data recorder to support new communication protocols, wherein the means for communicating comprises new protocol transceivers which communicate in the new communications protocols; and means for power for receiving an external power to power the vehicle data recorder and to the means for communicating. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A vehicle data recorder, comprising:
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a first connector that communicates with a vehicle'"'"'s computer and relays data to and from a vehicle; a processor that controls vehicle data recorder functions; a memory in communication with the processor to store a recorded data; a CAN controller for CAN protocol communication with the vehicle'"'"'s computer; a second connector that communicates with a host workstation to transfer the data from the vehicle data recorder to the host workstation; a trigger button to initiate data recording by the vehicle data recorder, the trigger button communicates with the processor; a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that simulates circuits, assist in controlling the vehicle data recorder and communicates with the processor and the memory; a vehicle I/O that communicates in different communication protocols; and an option card that communicates with the CAN controller and enables the vehicle data recorder to support new communication protocols, wherein the option card further comprises new protocol transceivers which communicate in the new communications protocols; and a power source connector for receiving an external power to power the vehicle data recorder and to the option card.
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Specification