Motor vehicle accessory interface for transferring serial data with and supplying DC power to external accessory device

• US 6,189,057 B1
• Filed: 09/14/1998
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Chrysler Corporation (Stellantis NV)
• Inventors: Stanyer, Tracey, Schwanz, Kevin A., Pruett, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WANG, ALBERT C
• Application Number:
  US09/152,968
• Time in Patent Office: 883 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/33, 361/686, 307/10.6, 710/72, 324/38, 714/27
• US Class Current: 710/72
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4068 Electrical coupling

Abstract

A module for interfacing with a serial data bus of an on-board computer system of a motor vehicle to provide a means by which an external device such as a lap top computer, electronic compass, etc., can exchange useful data therefrom. The module includes a controller having a vehicle data bus interface circuit which interfaces the module with the serial data bus. An accessory device interface circuit interfaces the module with the external device. The module provides a power connection terminal to provide power from the vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to the external device. The module forms a low cost means by which various external devices can be interfaced with the on-board computer of the vehicle to exchange useful information and to enhance operation of the vehicle or the external device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for interfacing with a serial data bus of a motor vehicle having an on-board computer to enable information to be transferred between said serial data bus and an external accessory device to enhance operation of said external accessory device, said apparatus comprising:

a controller for controlling the transfer of information between said serial data bus and said external accessory device;

an accessory device communications terminal for enabling coupling of a communications cable of said external accessory device to said apparatus;

an accessory device interface circuit disposed between said controller and said accessory device communications terminal;

a vehicle data bus interface circuit in communication with said serial data bus and with said controller for transmitting serial data between said serial data bus and said controller;

a DC power access terminal for supplying DC power from said vehicle'"'"'s electrical system to said external accessory device;

an ignition relay switch disposed between a battery of said vehicle and said DC power access terminal and being responsive to a signal from said controller for applying DC power to said DC power access terminal when an ignition switch of said vehicle is turned on;

an accessory ground terminal for providing a ground point for said external accessory device; and

a connection port on the vehicle data bus interface circuit comprising a connector allowing said apparatus to be utilized on a variety of makes and models of motor vehicles.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said accessory device interface circuit comprises an RS-232 interface circuit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said accessory device interface circuit comprises an RS-485 interface circuit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vehicle data bus interface circuit comprises a CCD interface circuit.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said accessory device interface circuit comprises a J1850 interface circuit.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vehicle data bus interface circuit comprises a Controller Area Network interface circuit.

7. A module apparatus for interfacing with a serial data bus of a motor vehicle'"'"'s computer to enable information to be transferred between said serial data bus and an external accessory device such as a computer, said apparatus comprising:

a central processing unit (CPU) for controlling communications with said serial data bus and said external accessory device;

an accessory device communication port for permitting coupling to said external accessory device;

an accessory device interface circuit disposed between said controller and said accessory device communications port;

a vehicle data bus interface circuit disposed between said serial data bus and said controller;

a DC power access terminal for supplying DC power from said vehicle'"'"'s system to said external accessory device;

a connection port on the vehicle data bus interface circuit comprising a connector allowing said apparatus to be utilized on a variety of makes and models of motor vehicles; and

wherein said CPU is programmable to allow only selected data to pass between said module and said accessory device.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said accessory device interface circuit comprises a RS-485 interface circuit.

9. The module of claim 7, wherein said accessory device interface circuit comprises an CCD interface circuit.

10. The module of claim 7, wherein said vehicle data bus interface circuit comprises a J-1850 interface circuit.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said accessory device interface circuit comprises an RS-232 interface circuit.