System and method of increasing data processing on a diagnostic tool

• US 8,250,270 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2009
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Vossen, David
• Primary Examiner(s): AUVE, GLENN ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US12/475,919
• Publication Number:
  US 20090300257A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 710/52, 710/110, 710/106, 710/305, 701/29, 701/31, 701/35
• US Class Current: 710/110
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/128 for dedicated transfers to a network for protocol converters G06F13/387

Abstract

A method of processing J1850 requests using a scan tool having multiple processor systems is provided. The scan tool includes a first processor that processes data according to scan tool functions to assist with diagnosing and repairing a vehicle. A second processor receives data transmitted to the first processor and stores the data in a buffer. The second processor determines whether the data is complete to enable the first processor to make a determination regarding the data.

Claims

1. A method of data processing in a scan tool, the steps comprising:

receiving data at a first processor;

transmitting a first interrupt from the first processor to a second processor;

storing the data in a buffer;

determining whether the data is complete;

transmitting the data to the second processor; and

determining whether the data should be processed by the first processor.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising performing bus arbitration.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second processor performs the bus arbitration.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising performing automatic re-tries on a loss of bus priority.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising applying at least one filter to the data.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising sending a second interrupt from the second processor to the first processor if the first processor is to process the data.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising transmitting the data from the second processor to the first processor so that the first processor processes the data.

8. A diagnostic tool, comprising:

a first processor configured to processes data received from a vehicle, wherein the first processor is further configured to send a first interrupt to a second processor;

a memory configured to store diagnostic software to process the data and configured to store the data;

a signal translator configured to communicate with the vehicle in a communication protocol;

a bus configured to carry data between the first processor and the second processor; and

a display configured to display the processed data, wherein the second processor determines if the data is complete and if complete, whether the data should be processed by the first processor.

9. The tool of claim 8, wherein the second processor performs a bus arbitration.

10. The tool of claim 9, wherein the second processor automatically re-tries on a loss of bus priority.

11. The tool of claim 8, wherein the software includes at least one filter configured to filter the data.

12. The tool of claim 8, wherein a second interrupt is sent from the second processor to the first processor if the first processor is to process the data.

13. The tool of claim 8 further comprising an input device configured to input information into the diagnostic tool.

14. A diagnostic tool, comprising:

first means for processing data received from a vehicle, wherein the first means for processing is further configured to send a first interrupt to second means for processing;

means for storing diagnostic software to process the data, wherein the means for storing also stores the data;

means for communicating with the vehicle in a communication protocol;

means for transferring data between the first means for processing and the second means for processing; and

means for displaying the processed data, wherein the second means for processing determines if the data is complete and if complete, whether the data should be processed by the first means for processing.

15. The tool of claim 14, wherein the second means for processing performs a bus arbitration.

16. The tool of claim 15, wherein the second means for processing automatically re-tries on a loss of bus priority.

17. The tool of claim 14, wherein the software includes at least one filter configured to filter the data.

18. The tool of claim 14, wherein a second interrupt is sent from the second means for processing to the first means for processing if the first means for processing is to process the data.

19. The tool of claim 14 further comprising means for inputting information into the diagnostic tool.