Wire fault illumination and display
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A computer implemented method for illuminating faults in a wiring system in a vehicle, the computer implemented method comprising:
- sending a set of spread spectrum test time domain reflectometry signals through a set of paths in the wiring system in the vehicle during operation of the wiring system, wherein the set of spread spectrum test signals includes a pseudo noise code, operation of the wiring system comprises normal usage of the wiring system in operation in which data signals, power, or data signals and power are present in the wiring system;
detecting a set of reflected pulses generated in response to the set of test signals during operation of the wiring system;
analyzing in real time the set of reflected pulses to determine whether the fault has occurred;
responsive to detecting the fault, estimating a location of the fault within the wiring system;
presenting a wiring diagram for the wiring system with an indication of the location of the fault within the wiring system; and
presenting an installation diagram for the wiring system with an indication of the location of the fault within the installation diagram, the installation diagram comprising the wiring diagram combined with a diagram of the vehicle so as to identify an actual location of the fault within the vehicle, and the installation diagram illustrating a physical relationship between the wiring diagram and the diagram of the vehicle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for illuminating faults in a wiring system. The wiring system is monitored for a fault during operation of the wiring system. In response to detecting the fault, a location of the fault within the wiring system is estimated. A wiring diagram is presented for the wiring system with an indication of the location of the fault within the wiring system.
39 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for illuminating faults in a wiring system in a vehicle, the computer implemented method comprising:
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sending a set of spread spectrum test time domain reflectometry signals through a set of paths in the wiring system in the vehicle during operation of the wiring system, wherein the set of spread spectrum test signals includes a pseudo noise code, operation of the wiring system comprises normal usage of the wiring system in operation in which data signals, power, or data signals and power are present in the wiring system; detecting a set of reflected pulses generated in response to the set of test signals during operation of the wiring system; analyzing in real time the set of reflected pulses to determine whether the fault has occurred; responsive to detecting the fault, estimating a location of the fault within the wiring system; presenting a wiring diagram for the wiring system with an indication of the location of the fault within the wiring system; and presenting an installation diagram for the wiring system with an indication of the location of the fault within the installation diagram, the installation diagram comprising the wiring diagram combined with a diagram of the vehicle so as to identify an actual location of the fault within the vehicle, and the installation diagram illustrating a physical relationship between the wiring diagram and the diagram of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A data processing system in a vehicle comprising:
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a bus; a communications unit connected to the bus; a storage device connected to the bus, wherein the storage device includes program code; and a processor unit connected to the bus, wherein the processor unit executes the program to send a set of spread spectrum time domain reflectometry test signals through a set of paths in a wiring system in the vehicle during operation of the wiring system, operation of the wiring system comprises normal usage of the wiring system in operation in which data signals, power, or data signals and power are present in the wiring system, wherein the set of spread spectrum test signals includes a pseudo noise code;
detect a set of reflected pulses generated in response to the set of test signals during operation of the wiring system; and
analyze in real time the set of reflected pulses to determine whether a fault has occurred during operation of the wiring system;
estimate a location of the fault within the wiring system in response to detecting the fault;
present a wiring diagram for the wiring system with an indication of the location of the fault within the wiring system; and
present an installation diagram for the wiring system with an indication of the location of the fault within the installation diagram, the installation diagram comprising the wiring diagram combined with a diagram of a vehicle so as to identify an actual location of the fault within the vehicle, and the installation diagram illustrating a physical relationship between the wiring diagram and the diagram of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer program product comprising:
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a non-transitory computer usable medium having computer usable program code for identifying faults in a wiring system in a vehicle, the computer program product comprising; a computer recordable storage medium; program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for sending a set of spread spectrum time domain reflectometry test signals through a set of paths in the wiring system during operation of the wiring system, operation of the wiring system comprises normal usage of the wiring system in operation in which data signals, power, or data signals and power are present in the wiring system; program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for detecting a set of reflected pulses generated in response to the set of test signals, wherein the set of spread spectrum test signals includes a pseudo noise code, during operation of the wiring system; program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for analyzing in real time the set of reflected pulses to determine whether the fault has occurred; program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, responsive to detecting the fault, for estimating a location of the fault within the wiring system; program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, for presenting a wiring diagram for the wiring system with an indication of the location of the fault within the wiring system; and program code, stored on the computer recordable storage medium, presenting an installation diagram for the wiring system with an indication of the location of the fault within the installation diagram, the installation diagram comprising the wiring diagram combined with a diagram of the vehicle so as to identify an actual location of the fault within the vehicle, and the installation diagram illustrating a physical relationship between the wiring diagram and the diagram of the vehicle. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A computer implemented method for illuminating faults in a wiring system in a vehicle, the computer implemented method comprising:
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sending a set of spread spectrum time domain reflectometry test signals through a set of paths in the wiring system in the vehicle during operation of the wiring system, operation of the wiring system comprises normal usage of the wiring system in operation in which data signals, power, or data signals and power are present in the wiring system; detecting a set of reflected pulses generated in response to the set of test signals; and analyzing in real time the set of reflected pulses to determine whether the fault has occurred; responsive to detecting the fault, estimating a location of the fault within the wiring system; presenting a wiring diagram for the wiring system with an indication of the location of the fault within the wiring system, wherein the location identifies a distance from one end of a path to the fault; presenting a three dimensional installation diagram for the wiring system at a maintenance facility for the vehicle with an indication of the location of the fault within the installation diagram, the installation diagram comprising the wiring diagram combined with a diagram of the vehicle so as to identify an actual location of the fault within the vehicle, and the installation diagram illustrating a physical relationship between the wiring diagram and the diagram of the vehicle; and presenting fault data relating to the fault. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification