Automatic connection method and apparatus between an automobile diagnostic device and a VCI device

• US 9,198,206 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2013
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autel Intelligent Technology Corp., Ltd. (f/k/a Autel Intelligent Technology Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Autel Intelligent Technology Corp., Ltd. (f/k/a Autel Intelligent Technology Company Limited)
• Inventors: Yu, Shijun, Li, Hongjing, Pan, Xiangxi
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Simon
• Application Number:
  US14/141,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20150133053A1
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 455 411- 413, 455/67.11, 455423-425, 701/31.5, 701/33.2, 701/33.4, 701/33.5, 701 327- 328
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for automatic connection between an automobile diagnostic device and a VCI device and a method for the automatic connection. The method includes the steps of: periodically connecting the VCI device with at least one of a plurality of connection modes in pre-stored connection records when the automobile diagnostic device is started; and, when successfully connecting the VCI device with a successful connection mode, communicating with the VCI device with the successful connection mode. The method and apparatus according to this invention significantly improve the operation efficiency and user experience of the automobile diagnostic device.

Claims

1. An automatic connection method for establishing a connection between an automobile diagnostic device and a VCI device, said method comprising the steps of:

periodically connecting said VCI device in at least one of a plurality of connection modes in stored connection records when said automobile diagnostic device is started; and

after said automobile diagnostic device being successfully connected with said VCI device, communicating with said VCI device in a mode of said successful connection.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of connection modes comprises of USB, Bluetooth, infrared, NFC and WIFI.

3. The method of claim 1, said step of regularly connecting said VCI device with at least one of a plurality of connection modes in stored connection records further comprising the steps of:

attempting to connect with a wired connection in said stored connection records; and

attempting to connect with a wireless connection in said stored connection records when said wired connection fails.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

recording said successful connection mode as a current connection mode.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

reconnecting said VCI device in said current connection mode when said automobile diagnostic device is restarted or said connection fails in a predefined period of time.

6. An automatic connection device for establish a connection between an automobile diagnostic device and a VCI device, said automatic connection device comprising:

a connection module, wherein said connection module periodically connects with said VCI device in at least one of a plurality of connection modes in stored connection records when said automobile diagnostic device is started; and

a communication module, wherein, when said automobile diagnostic device is successfully connected with said VCI device, said communication module communicates with said VCI device in a mode of said successful connection.

7. The automatic connection device of claim 6, wherein said plurality of connection modes comprises of USB, Bluetooth, Infrared, NFC and WIFI.

8. The automatic connection device of claim 6, said connection module further comprising:

a wired connection means, said wired connection means is used for attempting to connect with a wired connection in said stored connection records; and

a wireless connection means, wherein said wireless connection means is used for attempting to connect with a wireless connection in said stored connection records when said wired connection fails.

9. The automatic connection device of claim 6, further comprising:

a recording module, said recording module is used for recording present successful connection mode to be a current connection mode.

10. The automatic connection device of claim 9, further comprising:

a reconnection module, wherein, said reconnection module is used for reconnecting said VCI device with said current connection mode when said automobile diagnostic device is restarted or said connection fails within a predefined period of time.