Method for coupling a telematics device to a vehicle using an in-vehicle wiring harness with multiple adaptors for an on-board diagnostic connector

• US 7,672,763 B1
• Filed: 10/30/2008
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: HTI IP LLC (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Hunt, Robert, Washicko, Paul L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu; Yonel
• Application Number:
  US12/261,751
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701 32- 33, 701/36, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 702182-183, 731/16, 731/173
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0207 Wire harnesses
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/675 with contacts having at least a slotted plate for penetration of cable insulation, e.g. insulation displacement contacts for round conductor flat cables
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/26 for vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/24 Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands

Abstract

An embodiment provides a method for coupling a telematics device to a host vehicle. One embodiment of the method may include: 1) coupling an electrical cable to an engine control unit of the host vehicle; 2) coupling the electrical cable to the telematics device; and 3) coupling a diagnostic connector to the electrical cable. The diagnostic connector may be configured to interface with a diagnostic scan tool that corresponds to the host vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for coupling a telematics device to an engine control unit of a host vehicle and to a scan tool to provide a diagnostic signal from the engine control unit to the telematics device and to the scan tool, comprising:

coupling an electrical cable to the engine control unit of the vehicle;

coupling the electrical cable to the telematics device; and

coupling a diagnostic connector to the electrical cable wherein the diagnostic connector is configured to interface with the diagnostic scan tool that corresponds to the vehicle.

2. The method of claim of claim 1 wherein said coupling a diagnostic connector to the electrical cable comprises:

coupling a first connector to the cable; and

coupling a core connector that is configured to mate with the diagnostic scan tool to the first connector.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said coupling a core connector comprises:

affixing an adaptor that has a form factor that is unique to the type of vehicle to the first connector; and

affixing the core connector to the adaptor.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the adaptor has an opening therein sized to receive a portion of the core connector therein and wherein said affixing the core connector to the adaptor comprises:

inserting the portion of the core connector into the opening in the adaptor; and

snappingly engaging another portion of the core connector with the adaptor.

5. The method of claim 4 where said affixing the core connector to the adaptor further comprises:

inserting an IDC connector having pins protruding from both sides thereof into the opening in the adaptor;

coupling a circuit board to the pins protruding from one side of the IDC connector such that ends of the pins protrude through the circuit board; and

inserting the ends of the pins protruding from the circuit board into corresponding cavities within the core connector.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said affixing the adaptor to the first connector comprises inserting the portions of the pins protruding from another side of the IDC connector into corresponding cavities in the first connector.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said coupling an electrical cable to the engine control unit of the vehicle comprises:

coupling a second connector to the cable; and

coupling an on-board diagnostic connector that is configured to mate with the original diagnostic connector to the second connector.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein coupling an on-board diagnostic connector comprises inserting the second connector into the on-board diagnostic connector, wherein the second connector is a male connector and the on-board diagnostic connector is a female connector.