Data link connector (DLC) driven display

• US 7,135,964 B2
• Filed: 11/03/2003
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Slater, Thomas F. II, Namaky, Hamid
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/700,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20040095255A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,107 Days
• Field of Search: 340/438, 340/439, 340/461, 340/462, 340/425.5, 340/456, 340/815.4, 701/1, 701/33, 701/51, 701/201, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 731/173
• US Class Current: 340/438
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/004 Indicating the operating range of the engine economical driving B60R16/0236, F02B77/084; measuring liquid fuel of an engine G01F9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means

Abstract

An automotive device for displaying one or more vehicle parameters is provided. The vehicle parameters are retrieved from one or more computers that are on board a vehicle and are connected to the vehicle data bus. The automotive device includes a processor, a display and a connector. The connector releasably connects to a vehicle data bus allowing the processor to retrieve data from the vehicle data bus and output to the data to display one or more vehicle parameters.

Claims

1. An automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted via a vehicle data bus, comprising:

one or more analog gauges, such that the gauges are additions to the existing gauges of a vehicle;

a connector that releasably and directly connects to the vehicle data bus;

a processor in circuit communication between the gauges and the connector; and

a mounting device secured to the gauges, wherein the mounting device is configured to facilitate securing the gauges to the vehicle.

2. The automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted on a vehicle data bus of claim 1, further comprising a communications circuit in circuit communications with the processor and the connector for establishing communications via the vehicle data bus.

3. The automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted on a vehicle data bus of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises an OBD II connector.

4. The automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted on a vehicle data bus of claim 1, further comprising a digital to analog conversion circuit in circuit communication with the processor for driving the one or more analog gauges.

5. The automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted on a vehicle data bus of claim 1, further comprises a graphical display.

6. The automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted on a vehicle data bus of claim 1, further comprises a liquid crystal display.

7. The automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted on a vehicle data bus of claim 1, further comprises a plasma display.

8. The automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted on a vehicle data bus of claim 1, further comprises a tachometer display.

9. The automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted on a vehicle data bus of claim 1, wherein the gauge displays an oil pressure parameter.

10. The automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted on a vehicle data bus of claim 1, wherein the gauge displays a horsepower parameter.

11. The automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted on a vehicle data bus of claim 1, wherein the gauge displays a torque parameter.

12. The automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted on a vehicle data bus of claim 1, wherein the gauge displays fuel economy parameter.

13. The automotive device for displaying vehicle parameters that are transmitted on a vehicle data bus of claim 1, wherein the gauge displays a temperature parameter.

14. A device for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle comprising:

one or more analog gauges, such that the gauges are additions to the existing gauges of the vehicle;

connection means for releasably and directly connecting to a vehicle data bus;

means for placing a processing means in circuit communication between the gauges and the connection means; and

mounting means for mounting the gauges in the vehicle.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the connection means comprises a connector plugged into the vehicle data bus.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein the connection means comprises an OBD II connector plugged into a mating connector on the vehicle data bus.

17. The device of claim 14 further comprising selection means for selecting one or more vehicle parameters to be displayed on the at least one instrument.

18. The device of claim 14, wherein the mounting means includes means for mounting the display means outside of a factory installed instrument panel in the vehicle.

19. A method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle comprising the steps of:

a. providing an automotive device, comprising;

i. one or more analog gauges, such that the gauges are additions to the existing gauges of the vehicle;

ii. a connector that releasably and directly connects to a vehicle on board diagnostic circuitry;

iii. a communications circuit in circuit communication with the connector for establishing communications with the vehicle on board diagnostic circuitry;

iv. a processor in circuit communication between the gauges and the communications circuit, the processor receiving vehicle data from the vehicle on board diagnostic circuitry via the communications circuit and causing the display gauges to show a display corresponding to the received vehicle data; and

v. a mount for securing at least the gauges proximate an instrument cluster of the vehicle;

b. mounting at least the gauges of the automotive device in view of a driver of the vehicle and outside of a factory installed instrument panel in the vehicle; and

c. releasably and directly connecting the connector to the vehicle on board diagnostic circuitry, thereby placing the processor in circuit communication with the on board diagnostic circuitry via the communications circuit.

20. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19 wherein the processor and the communications circuit are integral.

21. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19 wherein the connector comprises an OBD II connector.

22. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19, further comprising a digital to analog conversion circuit in circuit communication with the processor for driving the one or more analog gauges.

23. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 22, wherein the processor and the digital to analog conversion circuit are integral.

24. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19, further comprises a graphical display.

25. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19, further comprises a tachometer display.

26. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19, wherein the gauge displays an engine revolutions per minute parameter.

27. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19, wherein the gauge displays an indication to the driver to shift gears.

28. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19, wherein the gauge displays an oil pressure parameter.

29. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19, wherein the gauge displays a horsepower parameter.

30. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19, wherein the gauge displays a torque parameter.

31. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19, wherein the gauge displays fuel economy parameter.

32. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19, wherein the gauge displays a temperature parameter.

33. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 19 wherein said step of mounting at least the gauge of the automotive device in view of a driver of the vehicle comprises the step of mounting at least the gauge of the automotive device adjacent to and outside of the factory installed instrument panel in the vehicle.

34. The method for installing additional instrumentation in a vehicle of claim 33 wherein the connector comprises an OBD II connector.