Diagnostic connector assembly (DCA) interface unit (DIU)
First Claim
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1. A method for providing diagnostic capabilities to legacy vehicles having analog connector assemblies that output analog signals relating to vehicle health, comprising the steps of:
- providing a hand-holdable universal diagnostic interface unit having a connector on one end of the diagnostic interface unit adapted to directly mate with an existing analog connector on the vehicle and a connector at the other end of the diagnostic interface unit to output digital data, the universal diagnostic interface unit adapted to be directly attached to the existing analog connector on the vehicle, so as to connect to the analog connector without using a connector cable;
directly attaching the diagnostic interface unit to the existing analog connector assembly without using a connector cable by using the connector at the one end of the unit, the diagnostic interface unit carrying specialized signal conditioning circuits, a processor and a digital-to-analog converter coupled to the processor;
providing the processor with algorithms to be able to diagnose and prognosticate present and future problems relative to the vehicle and to provide an output of the diagnosis or prognosis information; and
,providing the output from the processor through the connector at the other end of the diagnostic interface unit.
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Abstract
In a diagnostics system for use on vehicles, wherein the improvement comprises a connector assembly that translates diagnostic connector assembly signals into a digital format suitable for computer based analysis and fault diagnosis on an individual vehicle and vehicle fleet basis.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for providing diagnostic capabilities to legacy vehicles having analog connector assemblies that output analog signals relating to vehicle health, comprising the steps of:
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providing a hand-holdable universal diagnostic interface unit having a connector on one end of the diagnostic interface unit adapted to directly mate with an existing analog connector on the vehicle and a connector at the other end of the diagnostic interface unit to output digital data, the universal diagnostic interface unit adapted to be directly attached to the existing analog connector on the vehicle, so as to connect to the analog connector without using a connector cable; directly attaching the diagnostic interface unit to the existing analog connector assembly without using a connector cable by using the connector at the one end of the unit, the diagnostic interface unit carrying specialized signal conditioning circuits, a processor and a digital-to-analog converter coupled to the processor; providing the processor with algorithms to be able to diagnose and prognosticate present and future problems relative to the vehicle and to provide an output of the diagnosis or prognosis information; and
,providing the output from the processor through the connector at the other end of the diagnostic interface unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Apparatus for the detecting of signals available from a vehicle for use in diagnosis and prognostication, comprising:
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an analog connector assembly embedded at said vehicle and adapted to provide signals useful in diagnosis and prognostication related to said vehicle; and
,a hand-holdable interface unit having a connector at one end of said unit adapted to be directly attached to said embedded analog connector assembly by directly attaching the connector at said one end of said unit to said embedded analog connector, said diagnostic interface unit carrying signal conditioning circuits, filtering circuits, multiplexing circuits, and an analog-to-digital converter for converting conditioned and multiplexed signals into digital signals, said digital signals being coupled to a processor, said diagnostic interface unit including an output connector assembly at the other end of said diagnostic interface unit adapted to output signals from said processor to diagnostic or prognosticating computers. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification