Automotive on-board diagnostic computer system with audiovisual guiding function

• US 9,754,473 B1
• Filed: 06/24/2016
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shu-Te University
• Original Assignee: Shu-Te University
• Inventors: Chen, Shi-Huang
• Primary Examiner(s): Bousono, Orlando
• Application Number:
  US15/191,859
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/00 Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/18 Status alarms G08B21/02 takes precedence

Abstract

An automotive on-board diagnostic (OBD) computer system with an audiovisual guiding function includes an OBD main unit and a transmission connector. The OBD main unit includes a transmission port, a control unit, a receiving unit, a guide light, a sound unit, and a first sensing unit. The transmission connector includes a control module, an illumination unit, a transmitting unit, and a second sensing unit. Once activated, the control module not only turns on the illumination unit to provide illumination light, but also drives the transmitting unit to send a control signal to the receiving unit of the transmission port, in order for the control unit to turn on the guide light and the sound unit according to the control signal. The guiding light and instruction sound provided respectively by the guide light and the sound unit can help the user locate the transmission port.

Claims

1. An automotive on-board diagnostic (OBD) computer system with an audiovisual guiding function, comprising:

an OBD main unit including a transmission port, a control unit, a receiving unit, a guide light, a sound unit, and a first sensing unit, wherein the control unit is connected to the receiving unit, the guide light, the sound unit, and the first sensing unit; and

both the guide light and the sound unit are located at the transmission port; and

a transmission connector including a control module, an illumination unit, a transmitting unit, and a second sensing unit, wherein the control module is connected to the illumination unit, the transmitting unit, and the second sensing unit; and

upon activation, the control module turns on the illumination unit and drives the transmitting unit to send a control signal to the receiving unit of the transmission port, in order for the control unit to turn on the guide light and the sound unit according to the control signal;

wherein each of the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit generates a sensing signal when sensing that the transmission connector is connected to the transmission port or is within a predetermined installation distance from the transmission port, in order for the control module to turn off the illumination unit according to the sensing signal and for the control unit to turn off the sound unit; and

the first sensing unit generates a second sensing signal when sensing that the transmission connector is detached from the transmission port, in order for the control unit to turn off the guide light.

2. The automotive OBD computer system of claim 1, wherein both the transmission port and the transmission connector comply with the J1962 DLC specification;

the transmission connector further includes a plurality of pins, an electricity storage unit, and a charging module;

the electricity storage unit is connected to the control module; and

the charging module is connected to the electricity storage unit and two said pins of the transmission connector, thereby allowing the electricity storage unit to be charged with electricity of a vehicle when the transmission connector is connected to the transmission port.

3. The automotive OBD computer system of claim 2, wherein the transmission port further includes a plurality of insertion holes to connect with the pins respectively, and the guide light is located in a peripheral area of the pins and provides flickering light as guiding light.

4. The automotive OBD computer system of claim 1, wherein the first sensing unit is a contact switch, a microswitch, a pressure sensor, or a distance sensor.

5. The automotive OBD computer system of claim 4, wherein the second sensing unit is a contact switch, a microswitch, a pressure sensor, or a distance sensor.

6. The automotive OBD computer system of claim 1, wherein the receiving unit and the transmitting unit jointly form a transceiver module, and the transceiver module is an infrared transceiver module, an ultrasonic transceiver module, or a radio frequency (RF) transceiver module.