SELF-DIAGNOSTIC NON-BUSSED CONTROL MODULE

• US 20140115392A1
• Filed: 10/18/2012
• Published: 04/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Valeri, Frank C., Reilly, Scott M., Sleboda, Pawel W., Singer, Ian R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,510,067 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/27
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/02 using infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/86 Performing a diagnostic of the sensing device
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A non-bussed control module that receives an audio code is provided. The non-bussed control module includes a tone processing module, a self-diagnostic module, and a reporting module. The tone processing module receives the audio code, and sends a trigger signal if the audio code is received. The self-diagnostic module performs a self-diagnostic test for the non-bussed control module if the trigger signal is received, and generates a diagnostic signal indicative of the self-diagnostic test. The reporting module receives the diagnostic signal and determines a type of fault based on the diagnostic signal.

Claims

1. A non-bussed control module that receives an audio code, comprising:

a tone processing module for receiving the audio code and sending a trigger signal if the audio code is received;

a self-diagnostic module for performing a self-diagnostic test for the non-bussed control module if the trigger signal is received, and generating a diagnostic signal indicative of the self-diagnostic test; and

a reporting module for receiving the diagnostic signal and determining a type of fault based on the diagnostic signal.

2. The non-bussed control module of claim 1, wherein the reporting module creates an audio output based on the type of fault.

3. The non-bussed control module of claim 2, wherein the audio output is one of a tone sequence and a voice file that indicates the status of the non-bussed control module.

4. The non-bussed control module of claim 2, comprising an output module that receives the audio output from the reporting module and amplifies the audio output.

5. The non-bussed control module of claim 1, wherein the tone processing module requires a preconditioning event to occur before receiving the audio code.

6. The non-bussed control module of claim 5, wherein the preconditioning event is one of an ignition-on event, and the non-bussed control module being powered.

7. The non-bussed control module of claim 1, wherein the audio code is a specific sequence of audible tones containing diagnostic triggering information configured to induce the self-diagnostic module of the non-bussed control module into performing the self-diagnostic test.

8. The non-bussed control module of claim 1, wherein the non-bussed control module includes an input that is one of a microphone input and an audio input line.

9. A vehicle including a vehicle communication bus that interconnects a plurality of control modules with one another, the vehicle comprising:

a non-bussed control module that receives an audio code, the non-bussed control module unconnected to the vehicle communication bus, the non-bussed control module comprising;

a tone processing module for receiving the audio code, and sending a trigger signal if the audio code is received;

a self-diagnostic module for performing a self-diagnostic test for the non-bussed control module if the trigger signal is received, and generating a diagnostic signal indicative of the self-diagnostic test; and

a reporting module for receiving the diagnostic signal and determining a type of fault based on the diagnostic signal.

10. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the reporting module creates an audio output based on the type of fault.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the audio output is one of a tone sequence and a voice file that indicates the status of the non-bussed control module.

12. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the non-bussed control module comprises an output module that receives the audio output from the reporting module and amplifies the audio output.

13. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the tone processing module requires a preconditioning event to occur before receiving the audio code.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the preconditioning event is one of an ignition-on event, and the non-bussed control module being powered.

15. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the audio output is generated by a speaker located in the vehicle.

16. The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the audio output is generated by one of a speaker located in a smartphone, a portable radio, an end-of-line tester, and a vehicle diagnostic device.

17. A method of initiating a self-diagnostic test in a non-bussed control module, comprising:

receiving an audio code by a tone processing module, the tone processing module sending a trigger signal if the audio code is received;

performing a self-diagnostic test for the non-bussed control module if the trigger signal is received by a self-diagnostic module;

generating a diagnostic signal indicative of the self-diagnostic test; and

receiving the diagnostic signal by a reporting module, the reporting module determining a type of fault based on the diagnostic signal.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising creating an audio output based on the type of fault by the reporting module.

19. The method of claim 17, comprising receiving the audio output by an output module and amplifying the audio output by the output module.

20. The method of claim 17, comprising requiring a preconditioning event to occur before receiving the audio code by the tone processing module.