MODULAR AUTOMOTIVE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A modular automotive diagnostic system comprising:
- a plurality of devices for selective interconnection to compose a diagnostic assembly unit;
a first one of said devices substantially enclosed by a first housing and having a first conjoining mechanism associated therewith;
a second one of said devices substantially enclosed by a second housing and having a second conjoining mechanism associated therewith; and
wherein said first conjoining mechanism is configured to mate with said second conjoining mechanism so that said first and said second devices can be selectively conjoined.
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Abstract
A modular vehicle diagnostic system includes a plurality of devices substantially enclosed by individual housings are selectively interconnected for sensing or receiving selected signals from a vehicle, for selecting vehicle parameters for vehicle diagnosis or evaluation, for processing the signals, and for displaying the vehicle parameters. The devices are interconnected by conjoining mechanisms associated with the individual housings and/or by having communication channels established between them.
317 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A modular automotive diagnostic system comprising:
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a plurality of devices for selective interconnection to compose a diagnostic assembly unit;
a first one of said devices substantially enclosed by a first housing and having a first conjoining mechanism associated therewith;
a second one of said devices substantially enclosed by a second housing and having a second conjoining mechanism associated therewith; and
wherein said first conjoining mechanism is configured to mate with said second conjoining mechanism so that said first and said second devices can be selectively conjoined. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In a modular automotive diagnostic system, a processing device for conjoining to a user interface unit substantially enclosed by a user interface housing having a receiving aperture formed therein, said processing device comprising:
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a device housing shaped complementary to said receiving aperture; and
a modular interface for establishing a communication link between said user interface unit and said processing device when said processing device housing is conjoined to said user interface housing. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A first processing device suitable for selective interconnection to a second processing device in a modular automotive diagnostic system for composing handheld diagnostic assembly units, said first processing device comprising:
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a housing substantially defining a first processing device periphery and having a portion suitable for abutting said second processing device in a first relative position to said second processing device; and
a conjoining mechanism for securing said housing to said second processing device in said first relative position. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A handheld modular automotive diagnostic tool comprising:
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a user interface unit having a user interface housing that substantially encompasses a processor, an operating system, and a display;
a vehicle signal and data interfacing module for performing selected automotive diagnostic functions and for providing diagnostic data;
a first interconnecting mechanism conjoining said vehicle signal and data interfacing module to said user interface module for composing a vehicle diagnostic assembly; and
wherein said vehicle signal and data interfacing module is outside said user interface housing. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A method for measuring the conductivity of a circuit from a selected point in the electrical system of a vehicle to the negative terminal of a vehicle battery, comprising the steps of:
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connecting the positive terminal of a vehicle battery to a known resistance connected in series to the selected point in the electrical system;
measuring the resultant drop in voltage across said known resistance; and
calculating the resistance from the selected point to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery based upon said resultant voltage drop, the voltage at the selected point, and said known resistance.
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18. An apparatus for measuring the conductivity of a circuit defined by a path from a selected point in the electrical system of a vehicle to the negative terminal of a vehicle battery, comprising:
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a vehicle battery having a positive terminal and a negative terminal;
a known resistance having a first terminal interconnected to the positive terminal of said battery and having a second terminal interconnected to said selected point;
a differential amplifier for providing a voltage magnitude defined by a drop in voltage across said known resistance; and
a processor for calculating said conductivity of said circuit based upon the voltage at said second terminal of said known resistance, said voltage magnitude, and said known resistance.
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19. An apparatus for providing a simulated signal for testing automobile components, comprising:
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digital data representative of the time varying magnitude of said signal;
a converter for converting said digital data to an analog waveform;
an amplification circuit for amplifying said analog waveform to within a first predetermined voltage range;
a voltage shift circuit for shifting said analog waveform a predetermined voltage; and
a voltage gain circuit for amplifying said analog waveform to within a second predetermined voltage range. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for providing selectable driving signals for input to an automobile component for controlling the operation of the automobile component, said apparatus comprising:
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a processor for receiving a voltage signal representative of said driving signal and for providing control signals;
a first high current driver interconnected to a high current source and responsive to said control signals for outputting first driving signals;
a second high current driver interconnected to a high current sink and responsive to said control signals for outputting second driving signals; and
wherein said first driving signals and said second driving signals comprise said selectable driving signals. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A modular automotive diagnostic system comprising:
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first and second modular diagnostic devices substantially contained in first and second housings, respectively, said first and second housings being selectively engagable by conjoining respective housings or portions thereof.
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27. A handheld modular automotive diagnostic system comprising:
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a plurality of devices for selective interconnection for processing automotive diagnostic information;
a communication channel selectively established between a first one of said devices and a second one of said devices. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification