Dynamic file system creation for scan tools

• US 8,255,108 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2005
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Chinnadurai, Manokar
• Primary Examiner(s): Dager, Jonathan M
• Application Number:
  US11/214,907
• Publication Number:
  US 20070050106A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,554 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/35, 701/115, 701/1, 711/3, 711/4, 711/5, 711/104, 711/105, 711/113, 711/118, 711/119, 711/170, 369/27.01, 369/47.1, 369/47.15, 369/47.28, 369/27.32, 700 1- 5, 702/80, 702/22, 702/23, 710/1, 710/62, 710/72, 710/74, 714/769
• US Class Current: 701/29.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0858 wherein the data carrier is removable

Abstract

An automotive diagnostic tool and method for accessing user configuration data and retrieving vehicle diagnostic data for read/write mode and storage. The diagnostic tool comprises a processor and a non-volatile memory coupled with the processor for storing data as continuously arranged data. The tool further comprises a main memory coupled with the processor for access and transfer of the data between the main memory and the non-volatile memory. The main memory is configured such that the continuously arranged data can be accessed from the non-volatile memory and stored in the main memory as the read/write data in a file system format. The main memory is further configured such that the read/write data can be transferred from the main memory to the non-volatile memory for storage as continuously arranged data.

Claims

1. A diagnostic tool for accessing user configuration data and retrieving vehicle diagnostic data for read/write mode and storage, the diagnostic tool comprising:

a processor to process vehicle diagnostic data;

a first non-volatile memory coupled with the processor for storing data, the first non-volatile memory being configured such that the data is stored as continuously arranged data, wherein the first non-volatile memory is without a file system;

a second non-volatile memory having at least one application, an operating system, and a first file system stored thereon in read-only mode to reduce boot time, wherein the operating system is configured to dynamically create a second file system; and

a main memory coupled with the processor for access and transfer of the data between the main memory and the first non-volatile memory, the main memory being configured such that continuously arranged data can be accessed from the first non-volatile memory and stored in the main memory as read/write data, the main memory being further configured such that the read/write data can be transferred from the main memory to the first non-volatile memory for storage as continuously arranged data,

wherein the main memory includes RAM and the second file system, the second file system being configured for accessing the continuously arranged data from the first non-volatile memory and storing the data as read/write data in the main memory.

2. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the main memory includes a temporary storage area for storing read/write data in the main memory.

3. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the main memory is a RAMDISK.

4. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the operating system is configured to transfer the data between the main memory and the non-volatile memory.

5. The diagnostic tool of claim 4, wherein the operating system is configured to use the second file system to store the data as read/write data in the main memory, the operating system being further programmed for converting and transferring the read/write data as continuously arranged data to the first non-volatile memory for storage therein.

6. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the second memory is configured to perform a service operation to transfer the data between the temporary file and the second non-volatile memory.

7. The diagnostic tool of claim 6, wherein the second memory is configured to perform the service operation using burst mode and memory transfer operations.

8. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the main memory and the first non-volatile memory are configured to create the second file system in the main memory to store the data as read/write data in the main memory and to transfer the read/write data to the first non-volatile memory for storage as continuously arranged data.

9. A diagnostic tool for accessing, writing, and storing data, the diagnostic tool comprising:

first storage means for storing at least one application, an operating system, and a first file system thereon in read-only mode to reduce boot time;

processing means for executing the at least one application and the operating system in order to process vehicle diagnostic data, the processing means being coupled to the first storage means, wherein the operating system is loaded in read only mode;

second storage means for storing data as continuously arranged data, the second storage means being coupled to the processing means, wherein the second storage means is without a file system; and

memory means for accessing continuously arranged data in read/write mode, the memory means being coupled to the processing means, wherein the operating system is configured to dynamically create a second file system in the memory means for accessing continuously arranged data from the second storage means and storing the data in the memory means as read/write data.

10. The diagnostic tool of claim 9, wherein the operating system is configured to transfer the read/write data from the memory means as continuously arranged data to the second storage means for storage therein.