CA1231446A - Diagnostic data recorder - Google Patents
Diagnostic data recorderInfo
- Publication number
- CA1231446A CA1231446A CA000476209A CA476209A CA1231446A CA 1231446 A CA1231446 A CA 1231446A CA 000476209 A CA000476209 A CA 000476209A CA 476209 A CA476209 A CA 476209A CA 1231446 A CA1231446 A CA 1231446A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- data
- vehicle
- controller
- telephone
- invention according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M15/00—Testing of engines
- G01M15/04—Testing internal-combustion engines
- G01M15/05—Testing internal-combustion engines by combined monitoring of two or more different engine parameters
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M17/00—Testing of vehicles
- G01M17/007—Wheeled or endless-tracked vehicles
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A vehicular diagnostic system is described which generally comprises a portable communications control station and remote data processing station. The control station includes portable communications controller which is adapted to be connected to a vehicle data terminal capable of supplying parameter data monitored by a vehicle computer and connected to a source of electrical power in the vehicle.
The controller also includes the circuitry required to enable the flow of the parameter data through the vehicle data terminal, to compose the data into a predtermined data stream, to record this data stream on magnetic tape, and transmit live or recorded data through a telephone line to the remote data processing station.
A vehicular diagnostic system is described which generally comprises a portable communications control station and remote data processing station. The control station includes portable communications controller which is adapted to be connected to a vehicle data terminal capable of supplying parameter data monitored by a vehicle computer and connected to a source of electrical power in the vehicle.
The controller also includes the circuitry required to enable the flow of the parameter data through the vehicle data terminal, to compose the data into a predtermined data stream, to record this data stream on magnetic tape, and transmit live or recorded data through a telephone line to the remote data processing station.
Description
I
DI.~G~OSTIC DO RECORDER
. .
This specification includes a swifter program a ended here to .
eye lye present ilsvention relates generally to vehicular d~snostic Esteems and ~rticularly is) a vacua en diagnostic ~yst~n I no a portable ~IT~nication~ control station.
With file advent of Door vehicles being Cody with outer control systems the manufacturer, the wrier of functions has bigamy substantially ore sophisticated than in Tao past In order for the vehicle computer to properly perry its control fusion it ~ypi~lly ~terrogates a variety of tensors which are used to nutria various vehicle operating parameters. In eagerly of these vehicle computer EystemsJ as many as twenty or more ensure are employed for control Purposes and to assist onward di~gnasis the vehicle Castro Jo that an ilrnediate warning my dip ye to the vehicle operator. Else ox such vehicle Atari Esteems are disclosed in the Wrester, et at., U.S. Patent 4,277,772 idea on July 7, 19~ Ed the Ba~rQnn, et at., U.S., Patent No. 4,267,56g issued on my I 1981.
In vehicle models, jeans for obtaining direct access to the monitored Era meter data on a real tip axis is installed at the focus Jo that various splay tools, engine analyzers and Ho forth my ye used to fact lo a more catapult diagnosis 'cyan that prove bar the vehicle computer. For exile, in m~rrf General Motors vehicle Melissa, rely Line cohesion I.inlc (Allah tell is installed under the dasl~oard I
,, .
ox` the vehicle in the pasfiellger compartment. This ALL terminal it connected to an inputfoutput (I/O) port of the vehicle computer or electronic control module (ESSAY 60 as to permit the tran6mis~ion of the monitored parameter aye to the ALL terminal upon the reception of the appropriate data enable signal at the ~LCL terminal In the past, hand held display ~031s have been employed to selectively display the value or status of individual parameters. An example of such display tool are the ~ini-S~anner~ model 5~47 end the WMulti-ScannerW yodel 3818 display tools marketed my micro Processor Systems, Into, Sterling weights, Michigan. Each of these tools provide one connector which is used to obtain the parameter data from the ALL
ternunal and another COMeCtOr which is adapted to drew electrical power from the vehicle cigarette lighter. essay to ride Eschew to adjust the tool to the appropriate vehicle Noel and select the parameter desired to be displayed on lye light emitting diode Do dil;pla~ ox the tool. Additionally, a video Scanner" circuit designed by Micro Processor Systems, Inc., or use in connection with on engine analyzer Cole ha been employed to simultaneously display all of the parameter data available or. the cathode ray tube (CRT) of the earn analyzer.
While the above-identified display device have keen found to ye very effective in assisting the diagnosis of the engine and other vehicle system by the autonDtive mechanic, the need exit to have the capability of plucking the staunchly go utter power of a remote large ale data processor to analyze a vaxiet~ of problems a~ociated with a vehicle.
Additionally, it it well known in the art that many vehicle Emblems or malfunctions occur intermittently or occur only under actual driving conditions. Thus, even if the capabilities of a remote data prosier are to be utilized, the need exi~tfi for a diagnostic system which it capable of collecting the parameter data during actual driving conditions and subsequently transferring this data to a remote data prosier for analysis.
Accordingly, it is a principle objective of the Fount invention to provide a communications control station for a vehicular diagnostic system which is capable of both recording and transmitting vehicle parameter data to a remote data processor station.
It is another o~jectiYe of the- pro ant invention to provide a communications control station which i 6 capable of both transmitting and receiving voice and & to commLnic~tions.
It is a further objective of the prevent invention to provide a communication control station which it portable and it adapted to derive all of its operating power from the vehicle.
It is an audition objective of the Errant invention to provide a portable communications control station which it capable of checking the validity of the Era meter data belong recorded and/or transmitted It is yet another objective I the Resent m mention to provide a portable communications control station which it capable of servicing a variety of vehicle model over a number of model year.
It us yet a further objective ox the present invention to provide a portable communications control station which is capable of tranfimitting recorded or reel time parameter data to the remote data prcce6si~g station from inside the vehicle.
t is yet an additional objective of the Resent invention to pride a portable communications control station which is capable of empl~yLng a connercial display device for displaying elected parameter values, even while the parameter data it being recorded ~ndVor transmitted to the remote data prosier.
It it till another objective of the present invention to provide a vehicular diagnostic stem in which telephone communication can I
be initiated it either the portable communication control station or the remote data processor station.
It it till a further ox; active of the present invention Jo provide a vehicular diagnostic stem in which at least one electronically controlled device in the vehicle can ye operated at the remote data processor station.
To achieve the foregoing objectives the prevent invention provides a vehicular diagnostic yummy which generally comprise a portable communications control station and a remote data processor station. The control station includes a portable communications controller which compare means for connecting the controller to a vehicle data link lo 1 Qpable of fiupplying parameter data monitored by the vehicle computer, means for connecting the controller to a source of electrical power in the vehicle, m~eroco~puter mean for enabling the flow of the parameter data through the data link terminal and for ~ompos the data Parameter data into a predate Ed data Starr moans for recording the data triune and means for connecting the controller Jo a telephone line and for transmitting the data stream through the telephone line to the rote data processor station. Both the control station and the remote data pro essayer station include telephone communication moans for enabling owe voice end data communication transfer on an alternative basis between the control station and the data processor session the present invention Allah provides a eighth of transferring parameter data, which generally comprises the steps of enabling the flow of the parameter data to the controller, composing the data into a predeten~Lned data stream having at least one word for per~ltting the validity of the Formatter data to key determined, and recording the data stream on magnetic tape. This method alto includes the steps of playing back the recorded data trim, detenminlng the Yowled of the recorded parameter data, and transmitting this data trough a telephone line to the remote data processing station.
Additional advantages and features of the runt invention will become apparent from a reading of the detained description of the preferred embodiment which makes reference to the following jet of drawings.
rip Russian, the Drum Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a vehicular diagnostic system in accordance with the prevent invention.
Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the display device Gwen in Figure 1.
Figures AWOKE represent a schematic diagram of the portable con~,uni~ations troller shown in figure 1.
Figure is a schematic diagram of a communication circuit forming port of the remote data processor fihcwn in Figure 1.
Referring to figure 1, a diagram attic view ox a vehicular diagnostic system lo according to the present i~rention it Ennui. me diagnostic system 10 generally c~npri~es a portable comr~nications control ration 12 and a remote data processing station I Ike control station 12 it adapted to ye employed on connection with vehicle 16 which is equipped with an on-bcard computer 17 or other data acquisition stem that permit access Jo one or more of the operating portray being reincurred the vehicle. m us, or example, the vehicle 16 could ye a General Motor automobile which it equipped with an CAM and on ALL
terminal for gaining access to the parameters monitored by the EM.
fever, it fulled be understood that thy Event mention it not limited to any particular vehicle manufacturer, vehicle type or model year, or vehicle ohmmeter Ey~tem, and that one of the advantage of the prevent invention is its versatile iota The control station 12 features a novel communication controller 18 which is oor~eniently housed in a molded pl2~tic carrying cave 20 of which orgy the betoken portion it spawn for illusion purposes Ike controller 18 provides or two connector cables 22 and 24 which are used to connect the controller to the vehicle 16. Specifically, the connector cable 22 it used to connect the controller 18 to a suitable vehicle data terminal 23, such as an ALL terminal, which is capable ox Supply data representative of the value or status of one or more of the operating parameters monitored key the vehicle computer 17,. Ire connector cable I
it used to connect the controller 18 to the vehicle cigarette lowlier 25 or other appropriate o'er of electrical power on the vehicle 16., Although it should appreciated that the corltr~ller I could ye nephew to include its on ~lf~ont2~ined source of electrical power, such a feature it considered unsex in view of ye relatively low power CAGE potion requir~nent~ ox the control station 12 and in view of the fact that electrical per from the vehicle battery or alternator will alto have to be supplied to the vehicle computer in order to obtain the parameter data needed for Dugan. Accordingly, in the preferred embossment all of the electrical power required to operate the controller 18 it provided by the vehicle.
As will be more fully described below, the controller 18 it adapted to tranfimit an enable signal along the connector cable 22 which will cause the vehicle computer to Errant the Furniture data at the data I
lint terminal in the vehicle I or trainmen to the controller through the table 22~ Once this parameter data it received my the controller 18, the controller has the capability to direct this data to three different places. Firstly, the controller 18 includes A cassette recorder 26 which can be used to tore the parameter data on magnetic tape. secondly, the controller 18 includes a Fair of telecommunication terminals 28 and 30 which can be used to transmit the data to the revote data processor station 14 via telephone ccm~nication~ as will ye more fully described below. mildly, the controller 18 includes a display terminal 32 for transmitting the data to a display device, such as ~ini-~canner display device 34.
It is important to note that the controller 18 is capable of concomitantly recording the data, transmitting the data to the remote data processor station 14, and transmitting the data to the display device 34.
Additionally, the controller 18 is alto capable ox first recording the data, and then transmitting the recorded data to the remote data processor station 14 Andre transmitting this data to the Darryl device 34 during a play back mode. Similarly, the Parameter data Jay be recorded anywhere transmitted to toe remote data possessor station 14 wit us the use of the display device 34.
Ike control station I o includes a conventional telephone 36 which it connected to the telecommunications terminal 28 of the controller 18 to establish telephonic communication with gee revote data processing Titan 14. This provision Allah permit voice nication between the control station 12 end the data processing ration 14. Both voice and data communication may be transmitted between the control station 12 and the data prosing station 14 via a conventional telephony ~y6t~m, or alternatively along a local telephone lop us for example, in Figure 1 a telephone extension line 38 I connected at one end to the ~23~
teiecommuni~a~ions terminal 30 and connecter to a conventional telephone wall plug 4G at the other end. Thereafter the voice or data communication is transferred, via the telephone steins telephone lines 42, micrc~ave transmitters and so forth, to the remote data processing station 14.
At the remote data processing station 14, another telephone extension line 49 is connected at one end to a telephone wall plug 46 and at the other end to a computer terminal 48. A conventional speaker phone 50 or other telephone is alto connected to the cofeature terminal 48 to permit voice communication at the data prows Elation 14. when a speaker prone is employed, the keyboard 52 of the cc~pu~er terminal may be used to enter and automatically dial the telex one number of the control station telephone 36 in order to initiate telephone communications at the data process station 14.
While the above described use of the telephone system may be advantageously used to permit the diagnosis of a vehicle 16 which is located thousands ox miles away from the data pow Sweeney station 14, a local telephone loop may also be employed in an application where the vehicle 16 is located within a few hundred feet of the data processing station 14. on example of Shea an application would be where the data prosing station it located in a vehicle dealership, fleet service depart~Rnt, and the like. Accordingly, a telephone line I may be connected to the telephone extension lines 38 and 44, thereto bypassing the telephone System and till permitting the use of the telephone 36 and the speaker prone 50. A will be Andre fully described below, the cuter terminal 48 for suck an application include a telephone driver circuit for providing tube Nasser electrical power for the local elan loop.
From the foregoing description, it should be understood that telephone communication between the control station 12 end the data prosing station 14 may key initiated key either the control Asian or ~;~3.~6 the data prosing station. For example, to initiate telephone communication prom the control station 12, a data talk Witch 56 on the controller 18 it witched to the ~alkR Edition Then, the telephone 36 turned on and telephone number of the data prosing station 14 it entered my the operator at the control Tahitian Ike computer termir~l 48 at the data prosing ration 14 will detect the r King l;ignalr answer the call, and alert the operator at the data processing station. Once voice communication between these orator it e6tab1iEhed, the control station operator fishes the data talk witch 56 the audit position.
In a matter of seconds, a Roy" light 58 on file controller 18 will turn on to indicate that the computers in the controller I and the computer terminal 42 are locked together. it this point, the putter terminal 48 will begin sieving parameter data prom the isle 16, Providing what the vehicle ignition it turned on as well.
A vehicle data indicator light 60 it o provided on the controller 18 Jo that the control station offeror will be able Jo confirm that Era meter data from the vehicle 16 is Congo properly thrill the controller 18 and being transmitted to the data processmg station 14~
The vehicle data light 60 will flash in synchronization with the digitally HI end LO bit transmifi~ions of the parameter data.
It should be noted at this point that the parameter data may be recorder at the control station 12 during the telephone trainmen to the data prosing station key manually witching a record ply Witch 61 to the record position and depressing the required button 62 on the cassette recorder 26 in the controller 18. It oily alto be noted that where the parameter data being tran6mit~ed to the data processing ration it recorded data rather than live or real-time data from the vehicle 16, the vehicle data indicator light 60 Will Lowe flash on and off to confirm that the recorded parameter data from the kowtow recorder 26 it being I Al 4 6 properly transmitted from the controller 18 to the data prove King Elation 14. hen it it desired to transmit recorded parameter data to the data processing station 14, the telephone communication is establi~ed in the tame manner as described above. however, prior to establishing this telephone communication, the cassette tape it first rewound to the appropriate position, the ply button So on the cassette recorder 26 is depressed, and the ~recordVplay~ witch 61 is moved to the play position.
Ike controller 18 it Allah provided with a data yank indicator light 66 which it used to indicate that the copter in the controller 18 is properly synchronized with the flaw of parameter data from the vehicle 16 in the recording rode. Additionally, in the play back mode, this light will also indicate that valid Ferreter data it being received ox the cassette recorder 26. As will be discussed more fully below, the controller 18 does not merely record the data in the form that it it received from the vehicle. Rather, this data it composed into a predetermined data stream format before ye data it recorded by the cassette recorder 26. This it done to permit the computer in the controller 18 Jo determine if the data being played Jack from the cassette recoLdkr 26 is valid Audi if it is being properly transmitted to the aye processing station 14. Additionally, since the controller 18 it adapted to receive parameter data from several different vehicle McDowell, and hence from various vehicle computer, toe format of the data received will typically vary in data length, rate of trainmen and data content accordingly, the controller 18 operate to automatically keep the flow of the parameter data into a jingle or standard format for subsequent annul at the data processing station.
Since various vehicle computers require different enable signals for causing the prompter data to ye punted at the data link emunal to the vehicle, the controller 18 Allah includes a diagnostic ode six --10-- , I
position rotary Russia û for telexing the appropriate type of enable signal for the recolor model owe the vehicle to be diagnosed Gus, for to, in the preferred erukodiment petunia "B" of the rotary Eschew 68 is used for Lyle general lions passenger vehicles and other I year passenger vehicle having full function vehicle computer E~y~tems.
Additionally, it should ye noted that 'eke controller could irlclude a provision which would permit the enable signal to be Luke at the data processing station Ike controller 18 also include a Cole indictor light ED which it used to alert the control station operator bat the data pressing station operator wishes to witch from data oommuni&atio~ knack to voice communication. In the preferred embodiment tube data prison station operator can cause the Hall light 70 to burn On by imply deposing the appropriate key on the keyboard 52 of the computer terminal I mix feature of the present invention is particularly advantageous because it permits the data processing station operator Jo oQnv~y the diagnosis of the vehicle Emblem immediately after the Eara~eter data ha been analyzed at the data processing station 14. Additionally, it nay ye durably for the data processing station operator to request that the control station operator charge one or Irore of the vehicle pQrameter6, such as the engine speed, after an initial analysis of the parameter data before transmitting further data to the data prove swing station. It should alto be noted that the control station operator my reinitiate vow ox oo~munication with the data processing station operator my moving the data talk White 56 to the talk position. this will interrupt the flow of data and signal the data processing station operator via an paperweight message on the CRT 72 ox the Tory terminal 48~
Another inpor~nt eater of the event Invention it a prison which enable the data processing talon operator to energize, de-energize or otherwise operate any electronically controlled device in the vehicle which is controlled by or through an approF~iately E~gramm~d vehicle computer. m us, for example, the vehicle 16 includes an air witch solenoid 74 which it used to control the supply of air to the exhaust manifold as an aid in reducing exhaust emission Ike v~.licle cuter is programmed to permit the air fish end 74 to be operated by an appropriate air control signal received at the data link terminal.
In accordance with the present invention, the data prison Elation operator can energize hi solenoid my diapering a Redetermined key on the keyboard 52 of the computer terminal 48. Additionally, it should be understood that the computer in the terminal 48 could alto be appropriately programmed to automatically energize the solenoid 74 as Fort of the data analysis Procedure Lloyd at the data processing station 14.
j eye this remote control aspect of the present invention is described in connection with the air witch solenoid 74, it will ye appreciated that the principle of the present inverltion are also applicable to other electronically controlled devices and circuits in the vehicle. For example, and without limitation, the vehicle diagnostic stem 10 may be ¦ readily adapted to remotely control carburetor or fuel mixture control solenoids and motors, electronic spark control circuits, idle speed control witches, tongue converter control solenoids, exhaust gay recirculation solenoids. Additionally in vehicle cc~pu~er~ which employ electronically erasable and programmable namer for storing the vehicle computer application software or programs, the vehicle diagnostic system 10 is capable of being app~o~iately progra~rared to permit these vehicle cnplater memorial to be reprogrammed from the data prying Sheehan 14.
In one embodiment according to the prevent invention, the computer in the computer terminal 48 ha the capacity to analyze the parameter data from the vehicle 16, I well I to remotely operate electronically controlled devices end circuits in the vehicle and provide telecommunication between the oon~rol station 12 and the data posing station 14. Bavaria should be underfitood that a separate, sigher capacity computer could be connected to the computer tern~nal 48 for providing an analysis of the parameter data Additionally, various peripheral devices, such as printers and 60 forth, could alto by connected to the computer tem~nal 4 While it Jay be advantageous or the data processing station CQmFUter to perform one or ore preprogrammed Tut on the purrer data transmitted key the controller 18, the oo~puter per may alto key used to provide a visual display of the paramour data on the screen of the CRT 72. An example of typical Errantry data display on the CRT
screen ox the cofeature lo 1 4 is Shown bylaw in qPBLE 1 or a 1984 General Motors' passenger vehicle having a full function vehicle computer ~ystenL
So ~qf34 FULL FlJt`~Cl ION SIESTA 3- OPEN LOOP Ç13 En E SPEED (RPtl~-20SO VEHICLE SPEED SUE 1 PRClrl ID t~lEiER IS lS3 I SOLENOID DOYLE I CaDLANr TAIPEI Go C US EXHAUST VASES ORE LEAN
OXYGEN Sensor TV SO TOPS SENSOR; VOLTS - .12 UP or VAT VOLTS 2.00 AWRY Chaucer VOLTS ~4.00 JOSE WISH OFF PARhJ~UTR~L WITCH ON
JO 8~ITC~ OFF JOT SWITCH OFF ERR LYDIA JELL
COP SUNDAY OFF I CONTROL SOLE DID LUFF Alp WITCH SWILLED DUN
TOO CLOWNED OFF THIRD GEAR SWITCH OFF FOURTH EAR Slush LUFF
FOE SOLENalD OFF IDLE SPEED Control DOWN PRY MOUNTS IS
Nat DOTAGE 1~.0 CROSSOVER CENTS O
7 CODES- 12 lS,21,~9,4~,SI So SO
T CODE DESCklPTlON -- Sly PRO rough F~RE6T~RT FALL FLAIR rode Ready It will be bereaved from IPBLE 1 that in addition to display my I
thy parameter data, the computer terminal 48 alto displays the identification of certain trouble I) codes, which are generated by the vehicle computer to indicate a problem in a given circuit. For example, T
code ~51~ is used to indicate that there is an error in the proqr~mmQble read only memory (PROM) for the vehicle oomputex. m e screen of the Cut 72 also displays the description of three programmable function keys (Fly, F3, and F5~ on the keyboard 52. Specifically, the awful function key is used Jo restart the flow of Fritter data from the on roller 18. Ike ~F3~ function key is used for kink the call light 70 on the controller 18 to light up or flash, and the I function key is used to energize the air switch solenoid 74 in the vehicle.
In on embodiment accord to the Resent invention, the CRT 72 is also us to dipole various midges at d prows to assist the data processing station operator. For example, these messages and prompk6 include the description of function key ~F9~ which is used to initiate the equine ox for placing a telephone call a request for the telephone number of the control station to be entered via the keyboard 52, a menu of the vehicle model year and computer type, and a request to enter the appropriate model year and computer type of the vehicle to ye analyzed.
ig~ring to Figure 2, a front elevation view of the mini-6canner display device 34 it shown. the ~uni-~canner phony pry ides an exan~ole of a commercial display device which nay be connected to the controller 18 in display selected parameter data on either a reel time or prerecord byway. the display device 34 include a first slide witch 76 for selecting the appropriate computer system for the vehicle under test, and a Second Elide switch 78 to select the parameter desired to be displayed on the LED display I A witch I it alto provided for electing the parameter on either of the two column of para~et~xs available for display, Additionally, a spring biased witch I it provided for I
energizing the air wish solenoid in the vehicle. It should be noted that the controller 18 is adapted Jo purity the air switch solenoid 74 to be energized prom either the data processing station 14 or from the control station 12 when the display device 34 it connected to the controller.
Referring to Figures AWOKE a schematic diagram of the circuitry for the controller 18 is shown. The heart ox troller circuitry it a microcomputer chip a shown in Figure AYE ill is integrated circuit (IT) includes the central processing unit for the controller 18 and 128 bytes of random access memory troupe kite in on embodiment carding to the prevent invention the microcomputer I it a Motorola 6BD2 micr~conputer ICY it should be noted that the Fount invention is not linit~d to this particular type of computer. Additionally, it EhDuld be understood that the principles of the present invention are applicable to a wide variety of circuit components, and the specific circuit opponent described below are intended to be only exemplary of one e~odi~ent according to to prevent mention.
A crystal 88 is connected to the microcomputer I pa pride lMhz clock xrequen~y required by the microcomputer m e microcomputer I
includes an eye t bit to port, a so t bit a ens art d . oral control pins, which are all connected to a buy rocketry 90 which it Cowan as a jingle conductor for illustration purpose m e controller circuitry alto includes three memory circuits 9~-~6 and an Audrey decoder circuit 9g. m e memory circuit 92 and 94 are four-bit RAM n~m~ries which are connected such that the memory circuit 92 stores the four least significant bit pod) of an eight bit data work and the Mom circuit 94 Bore the four most significant bit DUD of the data word. Ike memory circuit 56 i 8 an erasable programmable read only memory EGO
kick it used to tore the operating or application offer for the -15- , 33~
controller 18. This software control all of the data handling, recording and teleccmm~nication functions of the controller lo described above and is Eat forth in a microfiche appendix hereto which it incorporated my reference.
m e address decoder circuit 98 it used Jo direct data flow on the bus 90 to toe aFp~opriate circuit component. For example, the output conductor COO from the Audrey decoder 98 i% used to enable the Emory circuits and go to read or write data profanity on the bus ED. eater data it written into or read from these memories depend pun the status of the ho output pin of the microcomputer I.
m e remaining circuit component in the controller circuit directly connected to the bye 90 are two asynchronous commutations interface adapter (ASIA circuit 100-102 end a versatile interface adapter (VIA circuit 104. Ike ARIA circuit 100 provides a serial interface between the microcomputer bus 90 and the tape recorder communications circuitry, while the ARIA circuit 102 provides a eerily interface between the bus 90 and the telephone communications circuitry.
the VIA circuit 104 provides a parallel input output m terrace or the microcomputer via bus 90~ As indicated in Figure BYWAY the pi of thy Yea circuit 104 opposite the us 90 are connected to a lo 1, which is generally designated by reference numeral 106. m e ton lo it used to connect the controller circuitry of figures PA and 3B with the controller circuitry of Figure 3C.
Figure 3C includes the interlace circuitry for communication with the vehicle eta link ter~unal, the display devise 34, the telephone 36~
and the telephone lone 3 8. Referring first to co~runic2~ n with the vehicle 16, the controller circuitry include a terminal 108 which it corulected to the cable I In thief e~od~nt, the terminal 108 provides for three inputs 110-114 tram the vehicle an two outputs 116-118 rum the
DI.~G~OSTIC DO RECORDER
. .
This specification includes a swifter program a ended here to .
eye lye present ilsvention relates generally to vehicular d~snostic Esteems and ~rticularly is) a vacua en diagnostic ~yst~n I no a portable ~IT~nication~ control station.
With file advent of Door vehicles being Cody with outer control systems the manufacturer, the wrier of functions has bigamy substantially ore sophisticated than in Tao past In order for the vehicle computer to properly perry its control fusion it ~ypi~lly ~terrogates a variety of tensors which are used to nutria various vehicle operating parameters. In eagerly of these vehicle computer EystemsJ as many as twenty or more ensure are employed for control Purposes and to assist onward di~gnasis the vehicle Castro Jo that an ilrnediate warning my dip ye to the vehicle operator. Else ox such vehicle Atari Esteems are disclosed in the Wrester, et at., U.S. Patent 4,277,772 idea on July 7, 19~ Ed the Ba~rQnn, et at., U.S., Patent No. 4,267,56g issued on my I 1981.
In vehicle models, jeans for obtaining direct access to the monitored Era meter data on a real tip axis is installed at the focus Jo that various splay tools, engine analyzers and Ho forth my ye used to fact lo a more catapult diagnosis 'cyan that prove bar the vehicle computer. For exile, in m~rrf General Motors vehicle Melissa, rely Line cohesion I.inlc (Allah tell is installed under the dasl~oard I
,, .
ox` the vehicle in the pasfiellger compartment. This ALL terminal it connected to an inputfoutput (I/O) port of the vehicle computer or electronic control module (ESSAY 60 as to permit the tran6mis~ion of the monitored parameter aye to the ALL terminal upon the reception of the appropriate data enable signal at the ~LCL terminal In the past, hand held display ~031s have been employed to selectively display the value or status of individual parameters. An example of such display tool are the ~ini-S~anner~ model 5~47 end the WMulti-ScannerW yodel 3818 display tools marketed my micro Processor Systems, Into, Sterling weights, Michigan. Each of these tools provide one connector which is used to obtain the parameter data from the ALL
ternunal and another COMeCtOr which is adapted to drew electrical power from the vehicle cigarette lighter. essay to ride Eschew to adjust the tool to the appropriate vehicle Noel and select the parameter desired to be displayed on lye light emitting diode Do dil;pla~ ox the tool. Additionally, a video Scanner" circuit designed by Micro Processor Systems, Inc., or use in connection with on engine analyzer Cole ha been employed to simultaneously display all of the parameter data available or. the cathode ray tube (CRT) of the earn analyzer.
While the above-identified display device have keen found to ye very effective in assisting the diagnosis of the engine and other vehicle system by the autonDtive mechanic, the need exit to have the capability of plucking the staunchly go utter power of a remote large ale data processor to analyze a vaxiet~ of problems a~ociated with a vehicle.
Additionally, it it well known in the art that many vehicle Emblems or malfunctions occur intermittently or occur only under actual driving conditions. Thus, even if the capabilities of a remote data prosier are to be utilized, the need exi~tfi for a diagnostic system which it capable of collecting the parameter data during actual driving conditions and subsequently transferring this data to a remote data prosier for analysis.
Accordingly, it is a principle objective of the Fount invention to provide a communications control station for a vehicular diagnostic system which is capable of both recording and transmitting vehicle parameter data to a remote data processor station.
It is another o~jectiYe of the- pro ant invention to provide a communications control station which i 6 capable of both transmitting and receiving voice and & to commLnic~tions.
It is a further objective of the prevent invention to provide a communication control station which it portable and it adapted to derive all of its operating power from the vehicle.
It is an audition objective of the Errant invention to provide a portable communications control station which it capable of checking the validity of the Era meter data belong recorded and/or transmitted It is yet another objective I the Resent m mention to provide a portable communications control station which it capable of servicing a variety of vehicle model over a number of model year.
It us yet a further objective ox the present invention to provide a portable communications control station which is capable of tranfimitting recorded or reel time parameter data to the remote data prcce6si~g station from inside the vehicle.
t is yet an additional objective of the Resent invention to pride a portable communications control station which is capable of empl~yLng a connercial display device for displaying elected parameter values, even while the parameter data it being recorded ~ndVor transmitted to the remote data prosier.
It it till another objective of the present invention to provide a vehicular diagnostic stem in which telephone communication can I
be initiated it either the portable communication control station or the remote data processor station.
It it till a further ox; active of the present invention Jo provide a vehicular diagnostic stem in which at least one electronically controlled device in the vehicle can ye operated at the remote data processor station.
To achieve the foregoing objectives the prevent invention provides a vehicular diagnostic yummy which generally comprise a portable communications control station and a remote data processor station. The control station includes a portable communications controller which compare means for connecting the controller to a vehicle data link lo 1 Qpable of fiupplying parameter data monitored by the vehicle computer, means for connecting the controller to a source of electrical power in the vehicle, m~eroco~puter mean for enabling the flow of the parameter data through the data link terminal and for ~ompos the data Parameter data into a predate Ed data Starr moans for recording the data triune and means for connecting the controller Jo a telephone line and for transmitting the data stream through the telephone line to the rote data processor station. Both the control station and the remote data pro essayer station include telephone communication moans for enabling owe voice end data communication transfer on an alternative basis between the control station and the data processor session the present invention Allah provides a eighth of transferring parameter data, which generally comprises the steps of enabling the flow of the parameter data to the controller, composing the data into a predeten~Lned data stream having at least one word for per~ltting the validity of the Formatter data to key determined, and recording the data stream on magnetic tape. This method alto includes the steps of playing back the recorded data trim, detenminlng the Yowled of the recorded parameter data, and transmitting this data trough a telephone line to the remote data processing station.
Additional advantages and features of the runt invention will become apparent from a reading of the detained description of the preferred embodiment which makes reference to the following jet of drawings.
rip Russian, the Drum Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a vehicular diagnostic system in accordance with the prevent invention.
Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the display device Gwen in Figure 1.
Figures AWOKE represent a schematic diagram of the portable con~,uni~ations troller shown in figure 1.
Figure is a schematic diagram of a communication circuit forming port of the remote data processor fihcwn in Figure 1.
Referring to figure 1, a diagram attic view ox a vehicular diagnostic system lo according to the present i~rention it Ennui. me diagnostic system 10 generally c~npri~es a portable comr~nications control ration 12 and a remote data processing station I Ike control station 12 it adapted to ye employed on connection with vehicle 16 which is equipped with an on-bcard computer 17 or other data acquisition stem that permit access Jo one or more of the operating portray being reincurred the vehicle. m us, or example, the vehicle 16 could ye a General Motor automobile which it equipped with an CAM and on ALL
terminal for gaining access to the parameters monitored by the EM.
fever, it fulled be understood that thy Event mention it not limited to any particular vehicle manufacturer, vehicle type or model year, or vehicle ohmmeter Ey~tem, and that one of the advantage of the prevent invention is its versatile iota The control station 12 features a novel communication controller 18 which is oor~eniently housed in a molded pl2~tic carrying cave 20 of which orgy the betoken portion it spawn for illusion purposes Ike controller 18 provides or two connector cables 22 and 24 which are used to connect the controller to the vehicle 16. Specifically, the connector cable 22 it used to connect the controller 18 to a suitable vehicle data terminal 23, such as an ALL terminal, which is capable ox Supply data representative of the value or status of one or more of the operating parameters monitored key the vehicle computer 17,. Ire connector cable I
it used to connect the controller 18 to the vehicle cigarette lowlier 25 or other appropriate o'er of electrical power on the vehicle 16., Although it should appreciated that the corltr~ller I could ye nephew to include its on ~lf~ont2~ined source of electrical power, such a feature it considered unsex in view of ye relatively low power CAGE potion requir~nent~ ox the control station 12 and in view of the fact that electrical per from the vehicle battery or alternator will alto have to be supplied to the vehicle computer in order to obtain the parameter data needed for Dugan. Accordingly, in the preferred embossment all of the electrical power required to operate the controller 18 it provided by the vehicle.
As will be more fully described below, the controller 18 it adapted to tranfimit an enable signal along the connector cable 22 which will cause the vehicle computer to Errant the Furniture data at the data I
lint terminal in the vehicle I or trainmen to the controller through the table 22~ Once this parameter data it received my the controller 18, the controller has the capability to direct this data to three different places. Firstly, the controller 18 includes A cassette recorder 26 which can be used to tore the parameter data on magnetic tape. secondly, the controller 18 includes a Fair of telecommunication terminals 28 and 30 which can be used to transmit the data to the revote data processor station 14 via telephone ccm~nication~ as will ye more fully described below. mildly, the controller 18 includes a display terminal 32 for transmitting the data to a display device, such as ~ini-~canner display device 34.
It is important to note that the controller 18 is capable of concomitantly recording the data, transmitting the data to the remote data processor station 14, and transmitting the data to the display device 34.
Additionally, the controller 18 is alto capable ox first recording the data, and then transmitting the recorded data to the remote data processor station 14 Andre transmitting this data to the Darryl device 34 during a play back mode. Similarly, the Parameter data Jay be recorded anywhere transmitted to toe remote data possessor station 14 wit us the use of the display device 34.
Ike control station I o includes a conventional telephone 36 which it connected to the telecommunications terminal 28 of the controller 18 to establish telephonic communication with gee revote data processing Titan 14. This provision Allah permit voice nication between the control station 12 end the data processing ration 14. Both voice and data communication may be transmitted between the control station 12 and the data prosing station 14 via a conventional telephony ~y6t~m, or alternatively along a local telephone lop us for example, in Figure 1 a telephone extension line 38 I connected at one end to the ~23~
teiecommuni~a~ions terminal 30 and connecter to a conventional telephone wall plug 4G at the other end. Thereafter the voice or data communication is transferred, via the telephone steins telephone lines 42, micrc~ave transmitters and so forth, to the remote data processing station 14.
At the remote data processing station 14, another telephone extension line 49 is connected at one end to a telephone wall plug 46 and at the other end to a computer terminal 48. A conventional speaker phone 50 or other telephone is alto connected to the cofeature terminal 48 to permit voice communication at the data prows Elation 14. when a speaker prone is employed, the keyboard 52 of the cc~pu~er terminal may be used to enter and automatically dial the telex one number of the control station telephone 36 in order to initiate telephone communications at the data process station 14.
While the above described use of the telephone system may be advantageously used to permit the diagnosis of a vehicle 16 which is located thousands ox miles away from the data pow Sweeney station 14, a local telephone loop may also be employed in an application where the vehicle 16 is located within a few hundred feet of the data processing station 14. on example of Shea an application would be where the data prosing station it located in a vehicle dealership, fleet service depart~Rnt, and the like. Accordingly, a telephone line I may be connected to the telephone extension lines 38 and 44, thereto bypassing the telephone System and till permitting the use of the telephone 36 and the speaker prone 50. A will be Andre fully described below, the cuter terminal 48 for suck an application include a telephone driver circuit for providing tube Nasser electrical power for the local elan loop.
From the foregoing description, it should be understood that telephone communication between the control station 12 end the data prosing station 14 may key initiated key either the control Asian or ~;~3.~6 the data prosing station. For example, to initiate telephone communication prom the control station 12, a data talk Witch 56 on the controller 18 it witched to the ~alkR Edition Then, the telephone 36 turned on and telephone number of the data prosing station 14 it entered my the operator at the control Tahitian Ike computer termir~l 48 at the data prosing ration 14 will detect the r King l;ignalr answer the call, and alert the operator at the data processing station. Once voice communication between these orator it e6tab1iEhed, the control station operator fishes the data talk witch 56 the audit position.
In a matter of seconds, a Roy" light 58 on file controller 18 will turn on to indicate that the computers in the controller I and the computer terminal 42 are locked together. it this point, the putter terminal 48 will begin sieving parameter data prom the isle 16, Providing what the vehicle ignition it turned on as well.
A vehicle data indicator light 60 it o provided on the controller 18 Jo that the control station offeror will be able Jo confirm that Era meter data from the vehicle 16 is Congo properly thrill the controller 18 and being transmitted to the data processmg station 14~
The vehicle data light 60 will flash in synchronization with the digitally HI end LO bit transmifi~ions of the parameter data.
It should be noted at this point that the parameter data may be recorder at the control station 12 during the telephone trainmen to the data prosing station key manually witching a record ply Witch 61 to the record position and depressing the required button 62 on the cassette recorder 26 in the controller 18. It oily alto be noted that where the parameter data being tran6mit~ed to the data processing ration it recorded data rather than live or real-time data from the vehicle 16, the vehicle data indicator light 60 Will Lowe flash on and off to confirm that the recorded parameter data from the kowtow recorder 26 it being I Al 4 6 properly transmitted from the controller 18 to the data prove King Elation 14. hen it it desired to transmit recorded parameter data to the data processing station 14, the telephone communication is establi~ed in the tame manner as described above. however, prior to establishing this telephone communication, the cassette tape it first rewound to the appropriate position, the ply button So on the cassette recorder 26 is depressed, and the ~recordVplay~ witch 61 is moved to the play position.
Ike controller 18 it Allah provided with a data yank indicator light 66 which it used to indicate that the copter in the controller 18 is properly synchronized with the flaw of parameter data from the vehicle 16 in the recording rode. Additionally, in the play back mode, this light will also indicate that valid Ferreter data it being received ox the cassette recorder 26. As will be discussed more fully below, the controller 18 does not merely record the data in the form that it it received from the vehicle. Rather, this data it composed into a predetermined data stream format before ye data it recorded by the cassette recorder 26. This it done to permit the computer in the controller 18 Jo determine if the data being played Jack from the cassette recoLdkr 26 is valid Audi if it is being properly transmitted to the aye processing station 14. Additionally, since the controller 18 it adapted to receive parameter data from several different vehicle McDowell, and hence from various vehicle computer, toe format of the data received will typically vary in data length, rate of trainmen and data content accordingly, the controller 18 operate to automatically keep the flow of the parameter data into a jingle or standard format for subsequent annul at the data processing station.
Since various vehicle computers require different enable signals for causing the prompter data to ye punted at the data link emunal to the vehicle, the controller 18 Allah includes a diagnostic ode six --10-- , I
position rotary Russia û for telexing the appropriate type of enable signal for the recolor model owe the vehicle to be diagnosed Gus, for to, in the preferred erukodiment petunia "B" of the rotary Eschew 68 is used for Lyle general lions passenger vehicles and other I year passenger vehicle having full function vehicle computer E~y~tems.
Additionally, it should ye noted that 'eke controller could irlclude a provision which would permit the enable signal to be Luke at the data processing station Ike controller 18 also include a Cole indictor light ED which it used to alert the control station operator bat the data pressing station operator wishes to witch from data oommuni&atio~ knack to voice communication. In the preferred embodiment tube data prison station operator can cause the Hall light 70 to burn On by imply deposing the appropriate key on the keyboard 52 of the computer terminal I mix feature of the present invention is particularly advantageous because it permits the data processing station operator Jo oQnv~y the diagnosis of the vehicle Emblem immediately after the Eara~eter data ha been analyzed at the data processing station 14. Additionally, it nay ye durably for the data processing station operator to request that the control station operator charge one or Irore of the vehicle pQrameter6, such as the engine speed, after an initial analysis of the parameter data before transmitting further data to the data prove swing station. It should alto be noted that the control station operator my reinitiate vow ox oo~munication with the data processing station operator my moving the data talk White 56 to the talk position. this will interrupt the flow of data and signal the data processing station operator via an paperweight message on the CRT 72 ox the Tory terminal 48~
Another inpor~nt eater of the event Invention it a prison which enable the data processing talon operator to energize, de-energize or otherwise operate any electronically controlled device in the vehicle which is controlled by or through an approF~iately E~gramm~d vehicle computer. m us, for example, the vehicle 16 includes an air witch solenoid 74 which it used to control the supply of air to the exhaust manifold as an aid in reducing exhaust emission Ike v~.licle cuter is programmed to permit the air fish end 74 to be operated by an appropriate air control signal received at the data link terminal.
In accordance with the present invention, the data prison Elation operator can energize hi solenoid my diapering a Redetermined key on the keyboard 52 of the computer terminal 48. Additionally, it should be understood that the computer in the terminal 48 could alto be appropriately programmed to automatically energize the solenoid 74 as Fort of the data analysis Procedure Lloyd at the data processing station 14.
j eye this remote control aspect of the present invention is described in connection with the air witch solenoid 74, it will ye appreciated that the principle of the present inverltion are also applicable to other electronically controlled devices and circuits in the vehicle. For example, and without limitation, the vehicle diagnostic stem 10 may be ¦ readily adapted to remotely control carburetor or fuel mixture control solenoids and motors, electronic spark control circuits, idle speed control witches, tongue converter control solenoids, exhaust gay recirculation solenoids. Additionally in vehicle cc~pu~er~ which employ electronically erasable and programmable namer for storing the vehicle computer application software or programs, the vehicle diagnostic system 10 is capable of being app~o~iately progra~rared to permit these vehicle cnplater memorial to be reprogrammed from the data prying Sheehan 14.
In one embodiment according to the prevent invention, the computer in the computer terminal 48 ha the capacity to analyze the parameter data from the vehicle 16, I well I to remotely operate electronically controlled devices end circuits in the vehicle and provide telecommunication between the oon~rol station 12 and the data posing station 14. Bavaria should be underfitood that a separate, sigher capacity computer could be connected to the computer tern~nal 48 for providing an analysis of the parameter data Additionally, various peripheral devices, such as printers and 60 forth, could alto by connected to the computer tem~nal 4 While it Jay be advantageous or the data processing station CQmFUter to perform one or ore preprogrammed Tut on the purrer data transmitted key the controller 18, the oo~puter per may alto key used to provide a visual display of the paramour data on the screen of the CRT 72. An example of typical Errantry data display on the CRT
screen ox the cofeature lo 1 4 is Shown bylaw in qPBLE 1 or a 1984 General Motors' passenger vehicle having a full function vehicle computer ~ystenL
So ~qf34 FULL FlJt`~Cl ION SIESTA 3- OPEN LOOP Ç13 En E SPEED (RPtl~-20SO VEHICLE SPEED SUE 1 PRClrl ID t~lEiER IS lS3 I SOLENOID DOYLE I CaDLANr TAIPEI Go C US EXHAUST VASES ORE LEAN
OXYGEN Sensor TV SO TOPS SENSOR; VOLTS - .12 UP or VAT VOLTS 2.00 AWRY Chaucer VOLTS ~4.00 JOSE WISH OFF PARhJ~UTR~L WITCH ON
JO 8~ITC~ OFF JOT SWITCH OFF ERR LYDIA JELL
COP SUNDAY OFF I CONTROL SOLE DID LUFF Alp WITCH SWILLED DUN
TOO CLOWNED OFF THIRD GEAR SWITCH OFF FOURTH EAR Slush LUFF
FOE SOLENalD OFF IDLE SPEED Control DOWN PRY MOUNTS IS
Nat DOTAGE 1~.0 CROSSOVER CENTS O
7 CODES- 12 lS,21,~9,4~,SI So SO
T CODE DESCklPTlON -- Sly PRO rough F~RE6T~RT FALL FLAIR rode Ready It will be bereaved from IPBLE 1 that in addition to display my I
thy parameter data, the computer terminal 48 alto displays the identification of certain trouble I) codes, which are generated by the vehicle computer to indicate a problem in a given circuit. For example, T
code ~51~ is used to indicate that there is an error in the proqr~mmQble read only memory (PROM) for the vehicle oomputex. m e screen of the Cut 72 also displays the description of three programmable function keys (Fly, F3, and F5~ on the keyboard 52. Specifically, the awful function key is used Jo restart the flow of Fritter data from the on roller 18. Ike ~F3~ function key is used for kink the call light 70 on the controller 18 to light up or flash, and the I function key is used to energize the air switch solenoid 74 in the vehicle.
In on embodiment accord to the Resent invention, the CRT 72 is also us to dipole various midges at d prows to assist the data processing station operator. For example, these messages and prompk6 include the description of function key ~F9~ which is used to initiate the equine ox for placing a telephone call a request for the telephone number of the control station to be entered via the keyboard 52, a menu of the vehicle model year and computer type, and a request to enter the appropriate model year and computer type of the vehicle to ye analyzed.
ig~ring to Figure 2, a front elevation view of the mini-6canner display device 34 it shown. the ~uni-~canner phony pry ides an exan~ole of a commercial display device which nay be connected to the controller 18 in display selected parameter data on either a reel time or prerecord byway. the display device 34 include a first slide witch 76 for selecting the appropriate computer system for the vehicle under test, and a Second Elide switch 78 to select the parameter desired to be displayed on the LED display I A witch I it alto provided for electing the parameter on either of the two column of para~et~xs available for display, Additionally, a spring biased witch I it provided for I
energizing the air wish solenoid in the vehicle. It should be noted that the controller 18 is adapted Jo purity the air switch solenoid 74 to be energized prom either the data processing station 14 or from the control station 12 when the display device 34 it connected to the controller.
Referring to Figures AWOKE a schematic diagram of the circuitry for the controller 18 is shown. The heart ox troller circuitry it a microcomputer chip a shown in Figure AYE ill is integrated circuit (IT) includes the central processing unit for the controller 18 and 128 bytes of random access memory troupe kite in on embodiment carding to the prevent invention the microcomputer I it a Motorola 6BD2 micr~conputer ICY it should be noted that the Fount invention is not linit~d to this particular type of computer. Additionally, it EhDuld be understood that the principles of the present invention are applicable to a wide variety of circuit components, and the specific circuit opponent described below are intended to be only exemplary of one e~odi~ent according to to prevent mention.
A crystal 88 is connected to the microcomputer I pa pride lMhz clock xrequen~y required by the microcomputer m e microcomputer I
includes an eye t bit to port, a so t bit a ens art d . oral control pins, which are all connected to a buy rocketry 90 which it Cowan as a jingle conductor for illustration purpose m e controller circuitry alto includes three memory circuits 9~-~6 and an Audrey decoder circuit 9g. m e memory circuit 92 and 94 are four-bit RAM n~m~ries which are connected such that the memory circuit 92 stores the four least significant bit pod) of an eight bit data work and the Mom circuit 94 Bore the four most significant bit DUD of the data word. Ike memory circuit 56 i 8 an erasable programmable read only memory EGO
kick it used to tore the operating or application offer for the -15- , 33~
controller 18. This software control all of the data handling, recording and teleccmm~nication functions of the controller lo described above and is Eat forth in a microfiche appendix hereto which it incorporated my reference.
m e address decoder circuit 98 it used Jo direct data flow on the bus 90 to toe aFp~opriate circuit component. For example, the output conductor COO from the Audrey decoder 98 i% used to enable the Emory circuits and go to read or write data profanity on the bus ED. eater data it written into or read from these memories depend pun the status of the ho output pin of the microcomputer I.
m e remaining circuit component in the controller circuit directly connected to the bye 90 are two asynchronous commutations interface adapter (ASIA circuit 100-102 end a versatile interface adapter (VIA circuit 104. Ike ARIA circuit 100 provides a serial interface between the microcomputer bus 90 and the tape recorder communications circuitry, while the ARIA circuit 102 provides a eerily interface between the bus 90 and the telephone communications circuitry.
the VIA circuit 104 provides a parallel input output m terrace or the microcomputer via bus 90~ As indicated in Figure BYWAY the pi of thy Yea circuit 104 opposite the us 90 are connected to a lo 1, which is generally designated by reference numeral 106. m e ton lo it used to connect the controller circuitry of figures PA and 3B with the controller circuitry of Figure 3C.
Figure 3C includes the interlace circuitry for communication with the vehicle eta link ter~unal, the display devise 34, the telephone 36~
and the telephone lone 3 8. Referring first to co~runic2~ n with the vehicle 16, the controller circuitry include a terminal 108 which it corulected to the cable I In thief e~od~nt, the terminal 108 provides for three inputs 110-114 tram the vehicle an two outputs 116-118 rum the
2 3 controller. The input 110 it used to receive Earam~ter data from vehicles having diesel or corroborated engines, while the input 112 it used to receive parameter data from vehicles having electronic fuel injected enhance Ike input 114 is used to roe ivy the status on a pretty en parameter which in Moe vehicles it separated from the ret of the Parameter data. Specifically, input 114 is used to receive the duty cycle of the mixture control solenoid which is used to change the air/fuel mixture in the engine's carburetor. Since this solenoid may typically turn on and off ten times a second, the vehicle computer provides a moronity of the duty cycle in degrees dwell The output 116 is used to transmit the appropriate enable signal to the vehicle computer which will cause the parameter data to be presenter at the data link terminal, and hence transmitted via cable 22 to the terminal input 110-114. Ike output 116 is connected to the wiper arm 120 of the rotary witch 68 of the controller 18 to permit the Roper enable signal to be selected by the control station operator. For example in position 73" the output 1~6 it connected to ground through a resistor Al lox ohms) which Jill pull dawn the normally 5.1 volt level ox the appropriate vehicle computer control line to 2.5 volt. mix drop in voltage Jill provide the particular enable signal needed for the parameter data to be releafied my the vehicle computer other example of an enable signal it provided by position foe on the rotary witch by. In this position, a timer circuit 122 produces a clock signal which varies between five vilify and ground at a rate required by the vehicle computer in order to release the Parameter data.
The output 118 is used to transmit the command ~igalal or energizing the air switch end 74~, When this command goal it generated at eye data processing station, it it tran~tted Roy the bus 90 to the VIA circuit 104. me VIA circuit theft directs the signal Jo pin ~l~2;3.~
.
~C3" ox the terminal 156 where it it amplified to the apFroE~iate voltage by the transistor 124 and transited to output 118 of the controller. AS
noted earlier, the controller lo alto Kermit the air wow solenoid 74 to be energized by the display device 34 when it connected to the controller 18~ Specifically, the output 118 it additional connected via conductor 126 to pin 128 of the display devise terminal 130 to roe ivy the command signal which may be generated from the switch 84 of the display device 34~ .
After the remoter data it received arc one or ore of the Inputs 110-114, it is first filtered fore be truer ted to the Al circuit 104. For exar~le, with respect to EE~ramet2r data run input 11~, voltage divide resistors R4 (56g ~hm3 and R5 ~27R ox sure that the data signal exceed a threshold voltage indicative of a BY digital logic tote Audi c~Facitor Of (.01 my removes exteriors noise Fran the data signals. the stream of Boyce signal reE~esentLng toe parameter data on conductor 132 then turn on and off the transistor Al which it used to provide the zero to five volt level Ewing required my the steering gates 134-138. Thee NOD gates are used to select which of the inputs 110 and 112 will be permitted to transmit parameter data to the microcomputer I via pin Audi of the terminal 106. Specifically, the microcomputer 86 will cause a LO steering signal to ye prevented at pin "C7" of the terminal 106 when the input 110 it to be employed to transmit parameter data and a HI steering signal when the input 112 to to be employed to trait the parameter data.
In addition to the outputs of gate 134 and 1313 being tied to pin "ROD" ox the tell 106, a conductor 14~ it alpha COY to this pin. the s~om3uctor 14Q it used to Fermi the Errantry be recorded or transmitted to the data prune station 14 through the micrc~uter eye to alto be concomitantly transmitted to the difiplay device 34. The conductor 140 it connected to a NOD gate 142 which will permit the i parameter data to be transmitted to the output 144 146 of the display device terminal 130 when a I select signal it prevent at pin ~C15~ of the terminal 106. Ike END gate 142 operates in combination with the ED
gates 148-154 to determine whether parameter data to be Kent to the display device 34 is derived from data which has previously been recorded or live data directly from the vehicle.
When the EQrameter data to be font to the display device 34 is data which has previously teen recorded, the microcomputer will cause a LO select inlay to be presented at pin ~C15~ of the terminal 106 as a result of the recordyplay switch by being switched to the play position (Lee pin ~C2" of the terminal 106). m is LO select Bunnell will permit recorded parameter data to be transmitted from pins ~C16~ end clue (for the duty cycle of the mixture control solenoid) through the gates 14~ and 154 respectively to the display device terminal 130~ When live data is to be en to the display device 34~ it should ye noted that the duty cycle Parameter from 114 it transmitted via a conductor 156 to the NOD gate 152 where it pled through to the output 158 of the display device terminal 130.
As previously noted, one of the functions of the microcomputer 85 is to compote the parameter data received from the vehicle 16 into a predator en data Stream format before it it recorded or transmitted to the data processing station 14. Accordingly, before the previously recorded data can be Kent to the display devise 34 via NOD gates 148 and 154, it nut be reused }my the microcomputer into the original data for it font }yo-yo the vehicle outwore. l~pically, this original fonrE~t is oompri~ed of a stream of twenty or more data words in which each word Kowtow of nine bit. Each of the bits Italy be represented spool a transition Tory a I ~12 volt) and a LO (O volt) binary Nate or I
I
particular ~r~n~ition time between these binary states. Thy, for example, the irrupt word in data stream it usually a fiynchronization word ugh as nine I bits in a row to indicate the beginning a data stream or jet, quote each of the other data words in the stream will typically begin with a I to LO bit which it used to separate the eight bits containing the parameter data information In one embodiment according to tube prevent invention the microcomputer 86 compotes the parameter data received rum the vehicle 16 into a predetermined data stream forms which includes a pueblo eight bit word or byte. Iris pronely byte consists of alterna'c~3 HI and LO
bits because the vehicle Atari generated ~rosuzation word could be interrupted as a broken telephone line at the data prows in station 14.
After the preamble byte, a total byte it used to indicate the number of data bytes present in the data triune Iris kite, a jell as the last byte to be discussed below, I mix the mien w computer 86 to check the validity of the parameter data after it ha been recorded ~ditionally, these two bytes permit the oomFuter at the data processing satin 14 to also check the validity of the data aver it has been trar~itted to the data processing station.
Following the total byte are two data rate bytes used to indicate the rate at which parameter data is being tran~nitted by the vehicle computer. Since different vehicle computer employ varying data transmission rates, the nuCroccmQuter I determines and identifies this rate Jo that the display device 34 dill be able to adjust to the particular rate unplayed for the vehicle under test during a play back of record vehicle data.
e next word the redetermined data ream I eye Tut cycle byte itch represents the duty cycle of the airfoil mixture end in the vehicle. the ruining parameter data then follows the duly cycle I
byte. Finally, a check sum byte is employed for validity d~terminaticn purposes. This check sum byte represent a binary summation of all previous bytes in the data stream When the microcomputer I determines that the parameter data being played back from the cassette recorder 26 is valid from a cc~çarison of the total and check sum bytes with the actual binary values being played back, then it will cause the data sync indicator light 66 to turn on. Ihi5 light it shown in Figure 3C to be controlled from pin ISSUE of the terminal 106. The call light 70 is also Equine to be controlled in a similar manner via pin "C5" of this terminal.
As described above, the controller 18 alto includes a vehicle data indicator light 60 which permute the control station operator to confirm that the parameter data is flowing properly through the controller. In Figure 3C, the light 60 it shown to ye connected to the output of transistor Q2. In this configuration, the fight 60 will flash on and off regardless of whether the parameter data it five or prerecorded and regardless of whether a display devise is connected to the controller 18 Figure 3C alto illustrates the telephone interface circuitry which is connected to the ARIA circuit 102 through the OMIT and WRECK
pins of the terminal 106. After the parameter data has been ovmposed into the predetermined data stream format discussed above, it is transmitted serially to the RHO pin of the terminal 106 key the ACID circuit 102.
modem circuit 160 it then used to convert the RI and LO binary data signals into particular audio frequencies football for being transmitted over the telephone line 38. Specifically, a lZ70 hertz signal it cloyed for the HI binary state, and a 1070 hertz signal ill employed for the LO
b many state.
Ike output from the modem circuit 160 it connected to an opal :~23~
16~ via conductor 164. ye ohm 162 is used as a line river which provides a slight amplification, and matches the once I trod the transformer 166 in combination with the writer I ~6~0 ohms ye owe 162 it connected through the writer to the ~r~fQ~ner 166 via a conductor 16~ and zoner diodes Do and Do. me tran~rn~r lo is used to both transmit FQrameter data to toe Tulane line I end to receive command signals from. the data processing Elation 14 via hi telephone line. Accordingly, the conductor 168 is used to provide bidirectional communication between the controller 18 and the data Foe swing Elation.
Ike zoner diodes Do and Do are cDnne~ed across one wide of the transformer 166 to limit the voltage ow my at nude 170 to Phonies five volts. the caF~citor C2 (.01 no is connected across the other wide of the transformer 166 to rewove any extraneous noise from any command signals which may be transmuted from the data processing station 14.
Additionally, the data/talk witch foe I shown connected to the transformer 166 such that the telephone 36 my be connected or voice communication with the data professing station via telephone line I
Cc~mand and other signals from the data pr~cessLng station 14 are transmitted along conductor 168 to an op-amp 172. The op-amp 172 is connected as a differential amplifier which will selectively give unity gain owe inlay from the data processing talon while effectively not perTnitting signals from the op-amp 162 to Essay through to conductor 174.
mix arrangement, which includes resistors I end R8 (both 2:2R ohs), forms a Rudy circuit that eliminates the need for any Eschew arks ena~le6 'eke conductor 168 to ~inultaneou~ly carry bidirectional signal As with signal 'cran~nitted from the control statue signal tranEimitted prom the data prosing station I are f irk courted into audio twirl suitable for tran~n~is6ion through the telephone system S~cifically, a 2225 hertz regains it used for a I digital girl arid I ' ~3~4~
i a 2025 hertz frequency is used for a LO digital signal. these audio fr~uencies on conductor 174 are reconvert back to HI and LO binary signals my the modem 160 and transmitted to the XMrT pin of the terminal 106.
As previously noted, the controller 18 Allah includes a ready indicator light 58. Iris light is turned on from a signal received at pin CUD of the terminal 106 and transmitted via conductor 176 to transistor 17~. This Signal is given when there it sufficient energy in the telephone line to enable signals to be transited between control station 12 and the data processing station 14.
Referring again to Figure 3B, a tape recorder interlace circuit 180 is shown to be connoted to the SHEA circuit loo the interface circuit 180 includes a modem 182 for converting the I and LO binary signal from the ARIA circuit 100 to audio signals Equitable or rewording on the cassette recorder 26. Ire rem 1~2 alto re~orNerts these audio sugarless Jack to the binary signals during the playback Dow Lotte from the ARIA circuit 100 is tran~3ritted to the dun 182 vim conductor I
while previously recorded data from the m7d~n is transmitted to the ASSAY
circuit 10~ via conductor 1~6.
Sine the dummy 1~2 is used to both transit aloud rev eve audio signal at the tame set of frq~aencie~ (1270 hertz for 70 hertz for It), the ode for the n em just be controlled Jo that it will listen for the aye and thy 1070 hertz tcneE, rather than the normal 2225 and 2025 hertz answering tourer when previously recorded parameter data is played back by the kowtow recorder 26. Accordingly, a mode control signal from the VIA circuit 104 it transmitted to the modem lay via conductor 188 to injure that the modem 1~2 stays in the originate mode, regardless of whether it it transmitting or receiving audio signal The recorder interfa ox circuit I alpha includes an op-amp 150 L233~
which is wnnected as an audio allure to p1~0vide a gain of three to the parameter data audio Jones before being transmitted to the kowtow recorder 26. when the parameter data audio tone are played back by the cassette recorder 26, these tones must first Easy through diode Fair Do and I These diodes are used in combination with Rosen wrester R9-R10 (both 4~75R ohms) to shift the audio signal from the cassette recorder 26 up to a center of approximately 2.5 volt at node 192. A
comparator 194 and a transitory Q3 are then used to shape the audio iguana into a square wave form required key the modem eye. It should Allah be noted that the clock signal required by the modem 182 to operate is generated key the nucroc~mp~ter By, and tranam~t~ed to the modem via buy SO
conductor 196.
Alto shown in Figure 3B are the two power supply circuits 198 end 200 for the controller 18. Ike power supply circuit 198 it used to tap the twelve volt electrical power from the vehicle 16 via cable 24, and provide both a twelve volt and regulated five volt urea of power Ike Ever supply circuit 200 it used to convert 'eke twelve volt electrical poster from the vehicle into a six volt pcrwer source for the cassette recorder across pins 202-2041~
furring no? to! Figures PA and 4~3, a hectic diagram I the colrnunication~ circuitry for the writer terminal 48 it is c~nication circuitry is used to permit Tulane communication throllgh the telephone line I and with ye speaker zone So. q~li8 coJmamications circuitry alpha pry ides for an optional Eye serial calmn~ication link with other devices which may be connected to the computer terminal, such as a Fritter or another computer.
m e communications circuitry of Figures I and I us deBiqned for placement on a circuit board which it adapted to be plugged unto the buy structure of a commercial computer terminal. In the embodiment shown, the I I
communications circuitry board is adapted to be plugged into an IBM
; personal computer. Accordingly, as shown in Figure PA, the communications circuitry includes a terminal 206 which it connected to the buy structure of the IBM personal computer. However, it should ye understood what the communications ire try curding to the Resent invention 6 not limited to any particular type of computer or computer terminal, and that other suitable computers or computer terminals Jay be used in the appropriate i application.
m e communication circuitry mcludes a transreceiver circuit 2Q8 which operates as a directional suffer between the IBM data bus and the two ARIA circuit 210-21? of the communications circuitry. An address decoder circuit 214 is provided to address the tran~receiver circuit 2G8 and the ACID circuits 210-2l2 via conductor 216. A control line 218 from the IBM bus is u ad to determine the direction of data flaw through the transreceiver circuit ~08 end the ARIA circuits ~10-212.
The communication circuitry include a telephone interface circuit I having several circuit components which are identical to those in the controller telephone interface circuit. eye ccmp~nents include a modem 222J op-amps 224-2~6, zanily diodes D5-D6, ran former 228, and capacitor C3. In the pie ox of the data/talk witch 58 for the controller he telephone interface circuit 220 includes a pelf of electronically controlled witches 230-~32 for alternately permitting vow ox co cation through the speaker phone 50 and data oommunic2tion through the telephone line 44. These two wish ~30-232 are controlled by the relay ill"
and ~RL2n~ which are alternatively energized from the appropriate control signal tranfimitted by the ARIA circuit 210 along connector 234-236, respectively.
The telephone interface circuit 220 alto include a ruin detector circuit 23 8 which it connected through witch 230 to the telephone line 44.. The ringing; detector clxcuit I 8 is used to auta~atically detect that a telephone Hall ha teen played to the computer terminal 48~ 80 that the telephone call nay ye automatically nerd at the data processing station Briefly, when the detector circuit 238 detects the ringing signal of a telephone call, it will Full the voltage of the conductor 240 to the ground potential. hi will ~aUfie the ARIA
circuit 210 to place an ~nternupk signal ~I~23~ or ~I~24~ on the IBM bus which will enable the computer in the canputer ~rminal 48 to answer the telephone call, and energize the relay RL2 to Fenmit voice CQm~UniCatiOn through the so ken phone 50.
The communications circuitry also includes a telephone line driver circuit 242 which is connected between the telephone interface circuit 220 and the telephone line 44n mix line driver circuit it used whorl a local telephone 103p is employed between the control station 12 and the data processing station 14. the line driver circuit 242 Fr~vides a nine volt potential at node 244 which is sufficient create a current loop of at least twenty milli-a~ps between the Rowley station 12 and the data processing station 14. This nine volt potential it determined principally my the voltage divîdmg diodes Do OG7) and Do ;29~.
Ike line driver circuit 24~ alto includes a double pole double throw witch 246 which is used to direct the audio signal through the line driver circuit when a local telephone loop is employed, or yews this circuit when a commercial telephone stem it employed.
The communications circuitry also includes an optional serial communication interface circuit, which it generally designated by reference numeral 248. Chile the use of such an inters does permit a much faster data transni~sion rate t560~ baud) than what pr~vlded my the teleE~lone interface circuit (300 baud) r the distance over which the data can be transmitted I generally limited to lets than one hundred feet.
-26~
I
.
Alternatively, in the place of the interface circuit 248, the communications circuitry could alto be prodded with another telephone interface circuit for permitting telephone communication between the computer terminal 48 and another computer.
m e serial a~mmun~cations interface circuit 24B includes a pair of line driver circuits 250-252 which are connected to the ARIA circuit 212. m eye line drivers are used to reincite both the parameter data on conductor 254 and the control signals identified in Figure 4B. me line driver circuit 252 converts the five volt BY binary jig he zero volt LO binary signals on conductor 254 to plus Bolivia volt for the HI
binary signals and us twelve volt for the LO b many signals on the conductor 25b.
the interface circuit 24B alto includes a pair of lint resolver circuits aye which receive both data signal on conductor 262 and the control signals identified in Figure 4B. Ike line receiver circuit ~60 is ufied to convert the plus/minus twelve volt inlays on conductor ~62 to the zero and five volt binary levels on conductor 264.
the serial communications Morpheus circuit 2d8 also permits data e no to transfer via a local current loop in audition to or as an aye to the ~S232 communication circuitry descried above. Specifically, a conductor 266 it connected to the conductor 254 which provides tube parameter data or other signals for transmission from the ARIA circuit 212. three inventor circuits 268 are connected to the oo~ductor 266 as current driver for transmuting the data through the current loop. An opto-coupler circuit 270 it alto provided for receiving ~igllalfi along the current loop and for optically isolating the ARIA circuit 212 from the current loop. Ike output of the opto-coupler circuit 27~ it connected to the conductor 264, and hence the Ala circuit 212, via a conductor Z72.
All in the case of the controller 18, the software used by the IBM
3L2~3~
purl computer in connection with the data processing station' 5 communications circuitry of Figures PA and us it Hot forth in on appendix Hart is hereby incorporated by reference mix software includes all of the computer programs required to initiate and answer telephone calls, display the Parameter data transmitted by the control station 14, check the transmitted parameter check for Yal~dity, and remotely control the air switch solenoid 74 in the vehicle 16.
It will be appreciated that the above disclosed embodiment is well calculated to achieve the aforementioned bbjec~ive~ of the present invention. In addition, it is evident that those Cole in the ax, once given the benefit of the foregoing disclosure, may new make mcdifica~ions of the specific rodent described herein without fling Fran the spirit of toe present invention. Suck edifications are to ye consider within the slope ox the put invention which is limited Solely the scope and spirit ox the appended claims.
The output 118 is used to transmit the command ~igalal or energizing the air switch end 74~, When this command goal it generated at eye data processing station, it it tran~tted Roy the bus 90 to the VIA circuit 104. me VIA circuit theft directs the signal Jo pin ~l~2;3.~
.
~C3" ox the terminal 156 where it it amplified to the apFroE~iate voltage by the transistor 124 and transited to output 118 of the controller. AS
noted earlier, the controller lo alto Kermit the air wow solenoid 74 to be energized by the display device 34 when it connected to the controller 18~ Specifically, the output 118 it additional connected via conductor 126 to pin 128 of the display devise terminal 130 to roe ivy the command signal which may be generated from the switch 84 of the display device 34~ .
After the remoter data it received arc one or ore of the Inputs 110-114, it is first filtered fore be truer ted to the Al circuit 104. For exar~le, with respect to EE~ramet2r data run input 11~, voltage divide resistors R4 (56g ~hm3 and R5 ~27R ox sure that the data signal exceed a threshold voltage indicative of a BY digital logic tote Audi c~Facitor Of (.01 my removes exteriors noise Fran the data signals. the stream of Boyce signal reE~esentLng toe parameter data on conductor 132 then turn on and off the transistor Al which it used to provide the zero to five volt level Ewing required my the steering gates 134-138. Thee NOD gates are used to select which of the inputs 110 and 112 will be permitted to transmit parameter data to the microcomputer I via pin Audi of the terminal 106. Specifically, the microcomputer 86 will cause a LO steering signal to ye prevented at pin "C7" of the terminal 106 when the input 110 it to be employed to transmit parameter data and a HI steering signal when the input 112 to to be employed to trait the parameter data.
In addition to the outputs of gate 134 and 1313 being tied to pin "ROD" ox the tell 106, a conductor 14~ it alpha COY to this pin. the s~om3uctor 14Q it used to Fermi the Errantry be recorded or transmitted to the data prune station 14 through the micrc~uter eye to alto be concomitantly transmitted to the difiplay device 34. The conductor 140 it connected to a NOD gate 142 which will permit the i parameter data to be transmitted to the output 144 146 of the display device terminal 130 when a I select signal it prevent at pin ~C15~ of the terminal 106. Ike END gate 142 operates in combination with the ED
gates 148-154 to determine whether parameter data to be Kent to the display device 34 is derived from data which has previously been recorded or live data directly from the vehicle.
When the EQrameter data to be font to the display device 34 is data which has previously teen recorded, the microcomputer will cause a LO select inlay to be presented at pin ~C15~ of the terminal 106 as a result of the recordyplay switch by being switched to the play position (Lee pin ~C2" of the terminal 106). m is LO select Bunnell will permit recorded parameter data to be transmitted from pins ~C16~ end clue (for the duty cycle of the mixture control solenoid) through the gates 14~ and 154 respectively to the display device terminal 130~ When live data is to be en to the display device 34~ it should ye noted that the duty cycle Parameter from 114 it transmitted via a conductor 156 to the NOD gate 152 where it pled through to the output 158 of the display device terminal 130.
As previously noted, one of the functions of the microcomputer 85 is to compote the parameter data received from the vehicle 16 into a predator en data Stream format before it it recorded or transmitted to the data processing station 14. Accordingly, before the previously recorded data can be Kent to the display devise 34 via NOD gates 148 and 154, it nut be reused }my the microcomputer into the original data for it font }yo-yo the vehicle outwore. l~pically, this original fonrE~t is oompri~ed of a stream of twenty or more data words in which each word Kowtow of nine bit. Each of the bits Italy be represented spool a transition Tory a I ~12 volt) and a LO (O volt) binary Nate or I
I
particular ~r~n~ition time between these binary states. Thy, for example, the irrupt word in data stream it usually a fiynchronization word ugh as nine I bits in a row to indicate the beginning a data stream or jet, quote each of the other data words in the stream will typically begin with a I to LO bit which it used to separate the eight bits containing the parameter data information In one embodiment according to tube prevent invention the microcomputer 86 compotes the parameter data received rum the vehicle 16 into a predetermined data stream forms which includes a pueblo eight bit word or byte. Iris pronely byte consists of alterna'c~3 HI and LO
bits because the vehicle Atari generated ~rosuzation word could be interrupted as a broken telephone line at the data prows in station 14.
After the preamble byte, a total byte it used to indicate the number of data bytes present in the data triune Iris kite, a jell as the last byte to be discussed below, I mix the mien w computer 86 to check the validity of the parameter data after it ha been recorded ~ditionally, these two bytes permit the oomFuter at the data processing satin 14 to also check the validity of the data aver it has been trar~itted to the data processing station.
Following the total byte are two data rate bytes used to indicate the rate at which parameter data is being tran~nitted by the vehicle computer. Since different vehicle computer employ varying data transmission rates, the nuCroccmQuter I determines and identifies this rate Jo that the display device 34 dill be able to adjust to the particular rate unplayed for the vehicle under test during a play back of record vehicle data.
e next word the redetermined data ream I eye Tut cycle byte itch represents the duty cycle of the airfoil mixture end in the vehicle. the ruining parameter data then follows the duly cycle I
byte. Finally, a check sum byte is employed for validity d~terminaticn purposes. This check sum byte represent a binary summation of all previous bytes in the data stream When the microcomputer I determines that the parameter data being played back from the cassette recorder 26 is valid from a cc~çarison of the total and check sum bytes with the actual binary values being played back, then it will cause the data sync indicator light 66 to turn on. Ihi5 light it shown in Figure 3C to be controlled from pin ISSUE of the terminal 106. The call light 70 is also Equine to be controlled in a similar manner via pin "C5" of this terminal.
As described above, the controller 18 alto includes a vehicle data indicator light 60 which permute the control station operator to confirm that the parameter data is flowing properly through the controller. In Figure 3C, the light 60 it shown to ye connected to the output of transistor Q2. In this configuration, the fight 60 will flash on and off regardless of whether the parameter data it five or prerecorded and regardless of whether a display devise is connected to the controller 18 Figure 3C alto illustrates the telephone interface circuitry which is connected to the ARIA circuit 102 through the OMIT and WRECK
pins of the terminal 106. After the parameter data has been ovmposed into the predetermined data stream format discussed above, it is transmitted serially to the RHO pin of the terminal 106 key the ACID circuit 102.
modem circuit 160 it then used to convert the RI and LO binary data signals into particular audio frequencies football for being transmitted over the telephone line 38. Specifically, a lZ70 hertz signal it cloyed for the HI binary state, and a 1070 hertz signal ill employed for the LO
b many state.
Ike output from the modem circuit 160 it connected to an opal :~23~
16~ via conductor 164. ye ohm 162 is used as a line river which provides a slight amplification, and matches the once I trod the transformer 166 in combination with the writer I ~6~0 ohms ye owe 162 it connected through the writer to the ~r~fQ~ner 166 via a conductor 16~ and zoner diodes Do and Do. me tran~rn~r lo is used to both transmit FQrameter data to toe Tulane line I end to receive command signals from. the data processing Elation 14 via hi telephone line. Accordingly, the conductor 168 is used to provide bidirectional communication between the controller 18 and the data Foe swing Elation.
Ike zoner diodes Do and Do are cDnne~ed across one wide of the transformer 166 to limit the voltage ow my at nude 170 to Phonies five volts. the caF~citor C2 (.01 no is connected across the other wide of the transformer 166 to rewove any extraneous noise from any command signals which may be transmuted from the data processing station 14.
Additionally, the data/talk witch foe I shown connected to the transformer 166 such that the telephone 36 my be connected or voice communication with the data professing station via telephone line I
Cc~mand and other signals from the data pr~cessLng station 14 are transmitted along conductor 168 to an op-amp 172. The op-amp 172 is connected as a differential amplifier which will selectively give unity gain owe inlay from the data processing talon while effectively not perTnitting signals from the op-amp 162 to Essay through to conductor 174.
mix arrangement, which includes resistors I end R8 (both 2:2R ohs), forms a Rudy circuit that eliminates the need for any Eschew arks ena~le6 'eke conductor 168 to ~inultaneou~ly carry bidirectional signal As with signal 'cran~nitted from the control statue signal tranEimitted prom the data prosing station I are f irk courted into audio twirl suitable for tran~n~is6ion through the telephone system S~cifically, a 2225 hertz regains it used for a I digital girl arid I ' ~3~4~
i a 2025 hertz frequency is used for a LO digital signal. these audio fr~uencies on conductor 174 are reconvert back to HI and LO binary signals my the modem 160 and transmitted to the XMrT pin of the terminal 106.
As previously noted, the controller 18 Allah includes a ready indicator light 58. Iris light is turned on from a signal received at pin CUD of the terminal 106 and transmitted via conductor 176 to transistor 17~. This Signal is given when there it sufficient energy in the telephone line to enable signals to be transited between control station 12 and the data processing station 14.
Referring again to Figure 3B, a tape recorder interlace circuit 180 is shown to be connoted to the SHEA circuit loo the interface circuit 180 includes a modem 182 for converting the I and LO binary signal from the ARIA circuit 100 to audio signals Equitable or rewording on the cassette recorder 26. Ire rem 1~2 alto re~orNerts these audio sugarless Jack to the binary signals during the playback Dow Lotte from the ARIA circuit 100 is tran~3ritted to the dun 182 vim conductor I
while previously recorded data from the m7d~n is transmitted to the ASSAY
circuit 10~ via conductor 1~6.
Sine the dummy 1~2 is used to both transit aloud rev eve audio signal at the tame set of frq~aencie~ (1270 hertz for 70 hertz for It), the ode for the n em just be controlled Jo that it will listen for the aye and thy 1070 hertz tcneE, rather than the normal 2225 and 2025 hertz answering tourer when previously recorded parameter data is played back by the kowtow recorder 26. Accordingly, a mode control signal from the VIA circuit 104 it transmitted to the modem lay via conductor 188 to injure that the modem 1~2 stays in the originate mode, regardless of whether it it transmitting or receiving audio signal The recorder interfa ox circuit I alpha includes an op-amp 150 L233~
which is wnnected as an audio allure to p1~0vide a gain of three to the parameter data audio Jones before being transmitted to the kowtow recorder 26. when the parameter data audio tone are played back by the cassette recorder 26, these tones must first Easy through diode Fair Do and I These diodes are used in combination with Rosen wrester R9-R10 (both 4~75R ohms) to shift the audio signal from the cassette recorder 26 up to a center of approximately 2.5 volt at node 192. A
comparator 194 and a transitory Q3 are then used to shape the audio iguana into a square wave form required key the modem eye. It should Allah be noted that the clock signal required by the modem 182 to operate is generated key the nucroc~mp~ter By, and tranam~t~ed to the modem via buy SO
conductor 196.
Alto shown in Figure 3B are the two power supply circuits 198 end 200 for the controller 18. Ike power supply circuit 198 it used to tap the twelve volt electrical power from the vehicle 16 via cable 24, and provide both a twelve volt and regulated five volt urea of power Ike Ever supply circuit 200 it used to convert 'eke twelve volt electrical poster from the vehicle into a six volt pcrwer source for the cassette recorder across pins 202-2041~
furring no? to! Figures PA and 4~3, a hectic diagram I the colrnunication~ circuitry for the writer terminal 48 it is c~nication circuitry is used to permit Tulane communication throllgh the telephone line I and with ye speaker zone So. q~li8 coJmamications circuitry alpha pry ides for an optional Eye serial calmn~ication link with other devices which may be connected to the computer terminal, such as a Fritter or another computer.
m e communications circuitry of Figures I and I us deBiqned for placement on a circuit board which it adapted to be plugged unto the buy structure of a commercial computer terminal. In the embodiment shown, the I I
communications circuitry board is adapted to be plugged into an IBM
; personal computer. Accordingly, as shown in Figure PA, the communications circuitry includes a terminal 206 which it connected to the buy structure of the IBM personal computer. However, it should ye understood what the communications ire try curding to the Resent invention 6 not limited to any particular type of computer or computer terminal, and that other suitable computers or computer terminals Jay be used in the appropriate i application.
m e communication circuitry mcludes a transreceiver circuit 2Q8 which operates as a directional suffer between the IBM data bus and the two ARIA circuit 210-21? of the communications circuitry. An address decoder circuit 214 is provided to address the tran~receiver circuit 2G8 and the ACID circuits 210-2l2 via conductor 216. A control line 218 from the IBM bus is u ad to determine the direction of data flaw through the transreceiver circuit ~08 end the ARIA circuits ~10-212.
The communication circuitry include a telephone interface circuit I having several circuit components which are identical to those in the controller telephone interface circuit. eye ccmp~nents include a modem 222J op-amps 224-2~6, zanily diodes D5-D6, ran former 228, and capacitor C3. In the pie ox of the data/talk witch 58 for the controller he telephone interface circuit 220 includes a pelf of electronically controlled witches 230-~32 for alternately permitting vow ox co cation through the speaker phone 50 and data oommunic2tion through the telephone line 44. These two wish ~30-232 are controlled by the relay ill"
and ~RL2n~ which are alternatively energized from the appropriate control signal tranfimitted by the ARIA circuit 210 along connector 234-236, respectively.
The telephone interface circuit 220 alto include a ruin detector circuit 23 8 which it connected through witch 230 to the telephone line 44.. The ringing; detector clxcuit I 8 is used to auta~atically detect that a telephone Hall ha teen played to the computer terminal 48~ 80 that the telephone call nay ye automatically nerd at the data processing station Briefly, when the detector circuit 238 detects the ringing signal of a telephone call, it will Full the voltage of the conductor 240 to the ground potential. hi will ~aUfie the ARIA
circuit 210 to place an ~nternupk signal ~I~23~ or ~I~24~ on the IBM bus which will enable the computer in the canputer ~rminal 48 to answer the telephone call, and energize the relay RL2 to Fenmit voice CQm~UniCatiOn through the so ken phone 50.
The communications circuitry also includes a telephone line driver circuit 242 which is connected between the telephone interface circuit 220 and the telephone line 44n mix line driver circuit it used whorl a local telephone 103p is employed between the control station 12 and the data processing station 14. the line driver circuit 242 Fr~vides a nine volt potential at node 244 which is sufficient create a current loop of at least twenty milli-a~ps between the Rowley station 12 and the data processing station 14. This nine volt potential it determined principally my the voltage divîdmg diodes Do OG7) and Do ;29~.
Ike line driver circuit 24~ alto includes a double pole double throw witch 246 which is used to direct the audio signal through the line driver circuit when a local telephone loop is employed, or yews this circuit when a commercial telephone stem it employed.
The communications circuitry also includes an optional serial communication interface circuit, which it generally designated by reference numeral 248. Chile the use of such an inters does permit a much faster data transni~sion rate t560~ baud) than what pr~vlded my the teleE~lone interface circuit (300 baud) r the distance over which the data can be transmitted I generally limited to lets than one hundred feet.
-26~
I
.
Alternatively, in the place of the interface circuit 248, the communications circuitry could alto be prodded with another telephone interface circuit for permitting telephone communication between the computer terminal 48 and another computer.
m e serial a~mmun~cations interface circuit 24B includes a pair of line driver circuits 250-252 which are connected to the ARIA circuit 212. m eye line drivers are used to reincite both the parameter data on conductor 254 and the control signals identified in Figure 4B. me line driver circuit 252 converts the five volt BY binary jig he zero volt LO binary signals on conductor 254 to plus Bolivia volt for the HI
binary signals and us twelve volt for the LO b many signals on the conductor 25b.
the interface circuit 24B alto includes a pair of lint resolver circuits aye which receive both data signal on conductor 262 and the control signals identified in Figure 4B. Ike line receiver circuit ~60 is ufied to convert the plus/minus twelve volt inlays on conductor ~62 to the zero and five volt binary levels on conductor 264.
the serial communications Morpheus circuit 2d8 also permits data e no to transfer via a local current loop in audition to or as an aye to the ~S232 communication circuitry descried above. Specifically, a conductor 266 it connected to the conductor 254 which provides tube parameter data or other signals for transmission from the ARIA circuit 212. three inventor circuits 268 are connected to the oo~ductor 266 as current driver for transmuting the data through the current loop. An opto-coupler circuit 270 it alto provided for receiving ~igllalfi along the current loop and for optically isolating the ARIA circuit 212 from the current loop. Ike output of the opto-coupler circuit 27~ it connected to the conductor 264, and hence the Ala circuit 212, via a conductor Z72.
All in the case of the controller 18, the software used by the IBM
3L2~3~
purl computer in connection with the data processing station' 5 communications circuitry of Figures PA and us it Hot forth in on appendix Hart is hereby incorporated by reference mix software includes all of the computer programs required to initiate and answer telephone calls, display the Parameter data transmitted by the control station 14, check the transmitted parameter check for Yal~dity, and remotely control the air switch solenoid 74 in the vehicle 16.
It will be appreciated that the above disclosed embodiment is well calculated to achieve the aforementioned bbjec~ive~ of the present invention. In addition, it is evident that those Cole in the ax, once given the benefit of the foregoing disclosure, may new make mcdifica~ions of the specific rodent described herein without fling Fran the spirit of toe present invention. Suck edifications are to ye consider within the slope ox the put invention which is limited Solely the scope and spirit ox the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. A portable communications controller for a vehicular diagnostic system comprising:
means for connecting said controller to a vehicle data terminal capable of supplying data representative of a plurality of parameters monitored by a vehicle computer;
means for connecting said controller to a source of electrical power in the vehicle;
microcomputer means for enabling the flow of said parameter data through said stream;
means for recording said data stream;
means for connecting said controller to a telephone line and for transmitting said data stream through said telephone line to a remote diagnostic data processor.
means for connecting said controller to a vehicle data terminal capable of supplying data representative of a plurality of parameters monitored by a vehicle computer;
means for connecting said controller to a source of electrical power in the vehicle;
microcomputer means for enabling the flow of said parameter data through said stream;
means for recording said data stream;
means for connecting said controller to a telephone line and for transmitting said data stream through said telephone line to a remote diagnostic data processor.
2. The invention according to Claim 1, wherein said microcomputer means includes means for concomitantly directing said data stream to said means for recording and said means for connecting said controller to a telephone line, thereby permitting said data stream to be concomitantly recorded and transmitted through said telephone line.
3. The invention according to Claim 1, wherein said controller includes means for alternatively permitting both voice and data communication transfer between said controller and said diagnostic data processor through said telephone line.
4. The invention according to Claim 1, wherein said controller includes means for connecting said controller to a portable scanning apparatus and for transmitting said parameter data for selectable display on said scanning apparatus.
5. The invention according to Claim 1, wherein said predetermined data stream includes at least one data word for enabling said microcomputer means to check the validity of said parameter data after said data stream has been recorded.
6. The invention according to Claim 1, wherein said controller includes means for perceptibly indicating the flow of said parameter data through said controller.
7. The invention according to Claim 5, wherein said means for recording includes a cassette recorder having means for playing back said recorded data stream.
8. The invention according to Claim 7, wherein said controller includes means for perceptibly indicating the validity of recorded parameter data during a playback mode.
9. The invention according to Claim 1, wherein said controller includes means for receiving parameter data from a plurality of different vehicle models.
10. A diagnostic system for a vehicle comprising:
a portable communications control station having means for receiving data which is representative of a plurality of parameters monitored by a vehicle computer, means for recording said data, and first telephone communication means for transmitting and receiving both data and voice communications; and a diagnostic data processing station located remotely from said control station for displaying data transmitted from said control station, said data processing station having second telephone communication means for enabling both voice and data communication transfer between said control station and said data processing station.
a portable communications control station having means for receiving data which is representative of a plurality of parameters monitored by a vehicle computer, means for recording said data, and first telephone communication means for transmitting and receiving both data and voice communications; and a diagnostic data processing station located remotely from said control station for displaying data transmitted from said control station, said data processing station having second telephone communication means for enabling both voice and data communication transfer between said control station and said data processing station.
11. The invention according to Claim 10, wherein said data processing station includes means for remotely operating at least one electronically controlled device in said vehicle.
12. The invention according to Claim 11, wherein said electronically controlled device in said vehicle is a solenoid.
13. The invention according to Claim 10, wherein said second telephone communications means includes a telephone line driver circuit for enabling communication between said control station and said data processing station through a local telephone loop.
14. The invention according to Claim 10, wherein said second telephone communications means includes means for detecting the presence of a ringing signal for a telephone call placed to said data processing station.
15. The invention according to Claim 10, wherein at least one of said first and second telephone communication means includes means for permitting bidirectional tele-communication signal transmission on a single electrical conductor.
16. The invention according to Claim 10, wherein said data processing station includes a computer terminal connected to a telephone line and a speaker phone connected to said computer terminal.
17. A method of transferring data in a vehicular diagnostic system, comprising the steps of:
enabling the flow of data representative of a plurality of parameters monitored by a vehicle computer;
composing said data into a predetermined data stream having at least one word for permitting the validity of said parameter data to be determined; and recording said data stream on magnetic tape.
enabling the flow of data representative of a plurality of parameters monitored by a vehicle computer;
composing said data into a predetermined data stream having at least one word for permitting the validity of said parameter data to be determined; and recording said data stream on magnetic tape.
18. The method according to Claim 17, including the steps of playing back said recorded data stream and determining the validity of said recorded parameter data in said data stream.
19. The method according to Claim 18, further including the step of concomitantly transmitting said recorded data stream through a telephone line during the playing back of said recorded data stream.
20. The method according to Claim 19, additionally including the step of perceptibly indicating the validity of said parameter data in said recorded data stream.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US588,004 | 1984-03-09 | ||
| US06/588,004 US4602127A (en) | 1984-03-09 | 1984-03-09 | Diagnostic data recorder |
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| CA1231446A true CA1231446A (en) | 1988-01-12 |
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| CA000476209A Expired CA1231446A (en) | 1984-03-09 | 1985-03-11 | Diagnostic data recorder |
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| CA (1) | CA1231446A (en) |
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| US4309900A (en) * | 1980-04-18 | 1982-01-12 | Sun Electric Corporation | Apparatus for measurement and display of relative compression by cylinder |
| US4277772A (en) * | 1980-06-17 | 1981-07-07 | General Motors Corporation | Motor vehicle diagnostic and monitoring system |
| US4361870A (en) * | 1980-08-14 | 1982-11-30 | The Boeing Company | Microprocessor circuit providing vehicle parameter test data |
| US4504831A (en) * | 1981-10-09 | 1985-03-12 | Systems And Support, Incorporated | Utility usage data and event data acquisition system |
-
1984
- 1984-03-09 US US06/588,004 patent/US4602127A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1985
- 1985-03-11 CA CA000476209A patent/CA1231446A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4602127A (en) | 1986-07-22 |
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Legal Events
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| MKEX | Expiry |