Interconnect Device for Detecting Whether a Vehicle On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) Data Port Includes Circuitry Which Prevents Back Feeding of Power through the OBD Data Port
First Claim
1. An interconnect device for detecting an operating condition of a vehicle electrical system through an on-board diagnostics (“
- OBD”
) data port, the interconnect device comprising;
a first electrical connector to electrically couple with the vehicle electrical system via a vehicle OBD port connector;
a second electrical connector to electrically couple with an alternate power supply;
a voltage detection circuit electrically coupled to said electrical connector, the voltage detection circuit to detect a voltage condition of said starting battery;
a blocking detection circuit electrically coupled to said first electrical connector, the blocking detection circuit to detect whether the vehicle electrical system includes blocking circuitry that prevents back feeding of power through the vehicle OBD port connector;
an indicating device to indicate the voltage condition of said starting battery and whether the vehicle electrical system includes blocking circuitry; and
control circuitry having a switch, the control circuitry being electrically coupled to said first electrical connector and said second electrical connector, wherein the control circuitry is configured to control the switch to supply power from said first electrical connector to said second electrical connector if said blocking detection circuit detects that the vehicle electrical system does not contain said blocking circuitry.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interconnect device is disclosed for detecting whether an vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) data port includes a blocking diode or equivalent, that prevents back feeding of power through the OBD data port. If a diode is detected, the interconnect device alerts the user that the power cannot be back fed through the OBD II port connector. In such a condition, an alternate means is used to preserve the data mentioned above. Specifically, an alternative power supply can be connected directly to the battery cables that will be disconnected from the battery, for example, by way of battery clamps. In this way the alternative power supply is used to preserve the data until a new battery is reconnected to the vehicle battery cables. If a diode is not detected by the interconnect device, the interconnect device displays this fact to the user. The interconnect device includes circuitry for detecting and displaying whether a diode is connected in series with a power pin of the OBD II port connector. In addition, the interconnect device includes an OBD II port connector on one end connected by way of a cable to a connector, such as a cigarette lighter connector or hardwired directly to an alternate power supply.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An interconnect device for detecting an operating condition of a vehicle electrical system through an on-board diagnostics (“
- OBD”
) data port, the interconnect device comprising;a first electrical connector to electrically couple with the vehicle electrical system via a vehicle OBD port connector; a second electrical connector to electrically couple with an alternate power supply; a voltage detection circuit electrically coupled to said electrical connector, the voltage detection circuit to detect a voltage condition of said starting battery; a blocking detection circuit electrically coupled to said first electrical connector, the blocking detection circuit to detect whether the vehicle electrical system includes blocking circuitry that prevents back feeding of power through the vehicle OBD port connector; an indicating device to indicate the voltage condition of said starting battery and whether the vehicle electrical system includes blocking circuitry; and control circuitry having a switch, the control circuitry being electrically coupled to said first electrical connector and said second electrical connector, wherein the control circuitry is configured to control the switch to supply power from said first electrical connector to said second electrical connector if said blocking detection circuit detects that the vehicle electrical system does not contain said blocking circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- OBD”
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5. An interconnect device for detecting an operating condition of a vehicle electrical system through an on-board diagnostics (“
- OBD”
) data port, the interconnect device comprising;an electrical connector to electrically couple with the vehicle electrical system having a starting battery via a vehicle OBD port connector; a voltage detection circuit electrically coupled to said electrical connector, the voltage detection circuit to detect a voltage condition of said starting battery; an indicating device to indicate the voltage condition of said starting battery; and a microcontroller operatively connected to said voltage detection circuit and configured to selectively activate said indicating device based at least in part on said voltage detection circuit. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- OBD”
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21. A method for monitoring a condition of a vehicle battery in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps:
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measuring, via a control circuit operatively coupled with a processor, a voltage of the vehicle battery via an on-board diagnostics (“
OBD”
) data port of the vehicle;determining, via the processor, whether said voltage is greater that a first predetermined voltage; providing, via an indicating device, a first indication if said voltage is not greater that the first predetermined voltage; determining, via the processor, whether said voltage is greater that a second predetermined voltage; and providing, via the indicating device, a second indication if said voltage is not greater that the second predetermined voltage. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification