ASCII gateway to in-vehicle networks

• US 20030052801A1
• Filed: 08/26/2002
• Published: 03/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dearborn Group, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dearborn Group, Inc.
• Inventors: McClure, Robert, Such, David M., Jewell, Michael T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,660,934 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/66 Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways

Abstract

ASCII gateway to in-vehicle system provides bi-directional translation between multiplexed motor vehicle networks and industrial control and monitoring devices. Integrated hardware and software components provide data communications between motor vehicle electronic control module networks and RS-232 serial ASCII-text capable device, for industrial control and/or industrial automation application in manufacturing or assembly operations. Communications networks (CAN, SAE or ISO protocols) implemented inside motor vehicles pass data between electronic control modules that control operation of important vehicle components like engine, transmission and brake systems, have their messages converted to RS-232 serial ASCII-text; and from RS-232 serial ASCII-text converted to motor vehicle communications network by the system. Messages to monitor and/or control vehicle networks are generated by a serial ASCII-test capable device. Multiple vehicle protocols are supported by the system. The system translates between RS-232 serial ASCII-text message generated or received by a device and the vehicle network.

Claims

1. A system for providing data communications between a motor vehicle electronic control module network and an RS-232 serial ASCII-text capable device, the system comprising:

microprocessor-based hardware having vehicle communications network bus circuitry, at least one port,

at least one connector, and programmed with software to translate communications between the vehicle communications network and the at least one port,

the system connected to an RS-232 serial ASCII-text capable device, said device capable of translating ASCII-text to the said microprocessor-based circuitry and receiving ASCII-text from the said microprocessor-based circuitry.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the translated vehicle network is CAN (Controller Area Network) with 11-bit identifier.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the translated vehicle network is CAN (Controller Area Network) with 29-bit identifier.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the translated vehicle network is SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Controller Area Network) J1939 implementation of CAN.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the translated vehicle network is SAE J1850.

6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the translated vehicle network is SAE J1708.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein the translated vehicle network is GM (General Motors Corporation) UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) network.

8. The system according to claim 1 employing one of CAN (Controller Area Network) with 11-bit identifier, CAN (Controller Area Network) with 29-bit identifier, SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Controller Area Network) J1939 implementation of CAN, SAE J1850, SAE J1708, and GM (General Motors Corporation) UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) network, wherein the device transmitting ASCII-text to and receiving ASCII-text from the system is a programmable logic controller (PLC).

9. The system according to claim 1 employing one of CAN (Controller Area Network) with 11-bit identifier, CAN(Controller Area Network) with 29-bit identifier, SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Controller Area Network) J1939 implementation of CAN, SAE J1850, SAE J1708, and GM (General Motors Corporation) UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) network, wherein the device transmitting ASCII-text to and receiving ASCII-text from the system is a microcomputer (PC).

10. The system according to claim 1 employing one of CAN (Controller Area Network) with 11-bit identifier, CAN (Controller Area Network) with 29-bit identifier, SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Controller Area Network) J1939 implementation of CAN, SAE J1850, SAE J1708, and GM (General Motors Corporation) UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) network, wherein the device transmitting ASCII-text to and receiving ASCII-text from the system is a handheld computer (Personal Digital Assistant, PDA).

11. The system according to claim 1 employing one of CAN (Controller Area Network) with 11-bit identifier, CAN (Controller Area Network) with 29-bit identifier, SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) Controller Area Network) J1939 implementation of CAN, SAE J1850, SAE J1708, and GM (General Motors Corporation) UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) network, wherein the device transmitting ASCII-text to and receiving ASCII-text from the system is a device having sufficient hardware circuitry and software embedded therein to perform needed operation.

12. A system for providing data communications between a motor vehicle electronic control module network and an RS-232 serial ASCII-text capable device, the system comprising:

microprocessor-based hardware having vehicle communications network bus circuitry, at least one port, at least one connector, and programmed with software to translate communications between the vehicle communications network and the at least one port, the system connected to an RS-232 serial ASCII-text capable device, said device capable of translating ASCII-text to the said microprocessor-based circuitry and receiving ASCII-text from the said microprocessor-based circuitry.