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 the vehicle data recorder functions;
a memory in communication with the processor to store recorded data;
a communication protocol controller in communication with the processor;
a second connector that communicates with a host workstation to transfer the recorded 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 and is positioned at an end of a housing of the vehicle data recorder;
an option card in communication with the communication protocol controller and configured to enable the vehicle data recorder to support new communication protocols through additional connections;
a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that simulate circuits and communicates with the processor and memory, wherein the option card is configured to update configurations of the FPGA;
a vehicle I/O that controls different communication protocols and communicates with the processor; and
a power source connector for receiving an external power to power the vehicle data recorder and 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.
79 Citations
16 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 the vehicle data recorder functions; a memory in communication with the processor to store recorded data; a communication protocol controller in communication with the processor; a second connector that communicates with a host workstation to transfer the recorded 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 and is positioned at an end of a housing of the vehicle data recorder; an option card in communication with the communication protocol controller and configured to enable the vehicle data recorder to support new communication protocols through additional connections; a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that simulate circuits and communicates with the processor and memory, wherein the option card is configured to update configurations of the FPGA; a vehicle I/O that controls different communication protocols and communicates with the processor; and a power source connector for receiving an external power to power the vehicle data recorder and 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; communicating with the vehicle via a vehicle communication protocol controller; automatically recording data from an event without a user actuating a trigger button; communicating with a remote computer via a wireless connection, wherein the wireless connection is supplied by an option card connected to the vehicle data recorder; receiving external power to the vehicle data recorder and to the option card via a power source connector; and simulating circuits and communications with a processor and a memory via a field programmable gate array (FPGA), wherein the option card is configured to update configurations of the FPGA. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A vehicle data recorder system, comprising:
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a first means for connecting that communicates with a vehicle'"'"'s computer and relays data to and from a vehicle; a means for processing that controls the vehicle data recorder functions; a means for storing recorded data in communication with the means for processing; a means for controlling communication protocol in communication with the means for processing; a second means for connecting with a host workstation to transfer the recorded data from the vehicle data recorder to the host workstation; a means for triggering to initiate data recording by the vehicle data recorder, the means for triggering communicates with the means for processing and is positioned at an end of a housing of the vehicle data recorder; an option card in communication with the means for controlling communication protocol and configured to enable the vehicle data recorder to support new communication protocols through additional connections; a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that simulate circuits and communicates with the means for processing and means for storing, wherein the option card is configured to update configurations of the FPGA; a vehicle I/O that controls different communication protocols and communicates with means for processing; and a means for powering that receives an external power to power the vehicle data recorder and the option card. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification