Simultaneous vehicle protocol communication apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A method of simultaneously providing diagnostic capability for a plurality of motor vehicle control units within a single motor vehicle using a vehicle diagnostic tool, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving an indication of a diagnostic routine to be executed, the diagnostic routine being applicable to at least two of a selected motor vehicle control units, the motor vehicle control units utilizing at least two different communication protocols;
selecting at least two channel modules for simultaneously communicating with the selected motor vehicle control units, the channel modules including a plurality of communication protocols;
enabling at least two of the plurality of communication protocols of the selected channel modules;
simultaneously providing messages from a processor to the selected motor vehicle control units by providing a selectable multiple protocol interface to accommodate the at least two different communication protocols, the messages being provided in a format that is readable by the selected motor vehicle control units; and
simultaneously providing control unit information from the selected motor vehicle control units to the processor in a format readable by the processor.
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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.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of simultaneously providing diagnostic capability for a plurality of motor vehicle control units within a single motor vehicle using a vehicle diagnostic tool, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving an indication of a diagnostic routine to be executed, the diagnostic routine being applicable to at least two of a selected motor vehicle control units, the motor vehicle control units utilizing at least two different communication protocols; selecting at least two channel modules for simultaneously communicating with the selected motor vehicle control units, the channel modules including a plurality of communication protocols; enabling at least two of the plurality of communication protocols of the selected channel modules; simultaneously providing messages from a processor to the selected motor vehicle control units by providing a selectable multiple protocol interface to accommodate the at least two different communication protocols, the messages being provided in a format that is readable by the selected motor vehicle control units; and simultaneously providing control unit information from the selected motor vehicle control units to the processor in a format readable by the processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A diagnostic tool for simultaneously communicating with a plurality of motor vehicle control units within a single motor vehicle, comprising:
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a processor that simultaneously executes a plurality of diagnostic routines and provides 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; a selectable multiple protocol interface to simultaneously accommodate the at least two different communication protocols and is in communication with 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; and a vehicle connector to place the diagnostic tool in communication with the motor vehicle control units. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A diagnostic tool for simultaneously communicating with a plurality of motor vehicle control units within a single motor vehicle, comprising:
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a means for processing configured to simultaneously execute a plurality of diagnostic routines and provides 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; a means for selecting multiple protocol interface configured to simultaneously accommodate the at least two different communication protocols and is in communication with the means for processing, the means for selecting 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; and a means for connecting configured to place the diagnostic tool in communication with the motor vehicle control units. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification