Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02443011 2006-06-22
1
MULTI-APPLICATION DATA DISPLAY
[0001] This application claims priority based upon U.S. applications
resulting in U.S patent nos. 6,874,680; 6,504,119; and 6,640,166.
FIELD OF THEINVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to electronic test
equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to diagnostic and
display apparatus for troubleshooting and repair of motor vehicles, to include
interface with onboard motor vehicle control computers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Onboard control computers have become ubiquitous in motor
vehicles, as safety, economy, and emissions requirements have continued to
escalate, and conventional designs for reciprocating engines, friction braking
systems, collision safety apparatus, and traction control devices have proven
unequal to the requirements set out in law and the implicit demands of
competitors' achievements. Successive generations of onboard control
computers have acquired increasing data sensing and retention capability as
the
electronic art has advanced. Present external diagnostic and display
apparatus,
known to those skilled in the art as Scan Tools, are commonly limited to
reporting the data acquired by the onboard control computer itself.
Increasingly
subtle subsystem failures in automobiles overload the ability of maintenance
technicians not simply to read the faults detected and stored by the computers
themselves, but to combine those readings with peripheral measurements in
order to allow a technician to identify faults and decide on corrective
actions with
both speed and accuracy.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide in the Scan Too] the ability to
acquire and evaluate test data from sources other than the motor vehicle's
onboard computer, and to combine those results with data acquired directly
from
CA 02443011 2006-06-22
2
the onboard computer. The present invention, by enhancing the Scan Tool's
ability to collect data from external test devices via data input ports, and
by
merging the additional data with data previously available from the onboard
computer into a single display with fully coordinated timing, presents to the
technician a more complete picture of the status of the motor vehicle under
test.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to the 'present invention, there is provided a device for
acquiring and displaying motor vehicle data, comprising:
a scan interface component permitting communication between said
device and a motor vehicle onboard diagnostic (OBD) computer;
a first external test instrument interface component permitting
communication between said device and an external test instrument, which is
linked to a subsystem of a motor vehicle;
a display in communication with said scan interface and said first external
test instrument interface component, said display simultaneously or
individually
displaying data from said scan interface and from said external test
instrument;
and
a subsystem of said device able to alter graphical display representation
of data collected from said vehicle OBD computer in response to data
properties
of event time of occurrence, external test instrument data item acquisition
rate,
and amplitude, for the purpose of permitting comparison between said data
despite disparities in properties.
[0006] Preferably, in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, the Scan Tool is enhanced through the provision of means whereby
vehicle status data from multiple sources can be combined and displayed. The
present invention provides means whereby fixed data elements from the
vehicle's OBD computer, data from the OBD computer changing at any rate,
fixed measurements from other data acquisition devices, and dynamic signals
CA 02443011 2006-06-22
3
from other data acquisition devices can be gathered, scaled with respect to
time
delay, rate, and amplitude, then stored or displayed.
[0007] Preferably, in accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, the San Tool provides a method for acquiring and displaying motor
vehicle diagnostic data that includes the steps of obtaining data from a
computer
on a motor vehicle, obtaining data from external test equipment, and
displaying
data from the computer on the motor vehicle and data from the external test
equipment.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a device for
acquiring and displaying motor vehicle data, comprising:
a scan interface component permitting communication between said
device and a motor vehicle onboard diagnostic (OBD) computer;
a first external test instrument interface component permitting
communication between said device and an external test instrument, which is
linked to a subsystem of a motor vehicle;
a display in communication with said scan interface and said first external
test instrument interface component, said display simultaneously or
individually
displaying data from said scan interface and from said external test
instrument;
a subsystem of said device able to alter graphical display representation
of data collected from said external test instrument in response to disparate
data
properties of event time of occurrence, external test instrument data item
acquisition rate, and amplitude, for the purpose of permitting direct data
comparison despite disparities in time of occurrence.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a device for
acquiring and displaying motor vehicle data, comprising:
a scan interface component permitting communication between said
device and a motor vehicle onboard diagnostic (OBD) computer;
a first external test instrument interface component permitting
communication between said device and an external test instrument, which is
linked to a subsystem of a motor vehicle;
CA 02443011 2006-06-22
3a
a display in communication with said scan interface and said first external
test instrument interface component, said display simultaneously or
individually
displaying data from said scan interface and from said external test
instrument;
and
a subsystem of said device able to alter graphical display representation
of data collected from said external test instrument in response to disparate
data
properties of event time of occurrence, external test instrument data item
acquisition rate, and amplitude, for the purpose of permitting direct data
comparison despite disparities in event rate.
According to the present invention, there is also provided a device for
acquiring and displaying motor vehicle data, comprising:
a scan interface component permitting communication between said
device and a motor vehicle onboard diagnostic (OBD) computer;
a first external test instrument interface component permitting
communication between said device and an external test instrument, which is
linked to a subsystem of a motor vehicle;
a display in communication with said scan interface and said first external
test instrument interface component, said display simultaneously or
individually
displaying data from said scan interface and from said external test
instrument,
a subsystem of said device able to alter graphical display representation of
data
for the purpose of permitting the horizontal axis of a time-synchronized set
of
data traces to display in part at a first rate and in part at a second rate.
[0008] There have thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention, in order that the detailed description thereof that
follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution
to
the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course additional features of
the
invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter
of
the claims appended hereto.
[0009] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its
application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the
CA 02443011 2006-06-22
3b
components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the
drawings.
The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology
and
CA 02443011 2003-09-26
PATENT
4
terminology empioyed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting.
(0010] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception
upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several
purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore. that the claims
be
regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart
from the spirit and scope of the present invention,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TH6 DRAWINGS
(0011) FIG. 1, an oblique front view of a hand-held Scan Tool, illustrates
placement of displays, controls, and ports of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
(0012) FIG. 2, an oblique rear view of the Scan Tool, illustrates connections
to additional ports of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 3, a view similar to FIG. 2, shows the Scan Tool with a
representative Gas Analyzer fitted into a recess in its rear surface and mated
to the
connector therein.
(0014] FIG. 4 provides a representative view of the Scan Tool's display,
in which typical data items are presented and soft keys are shown, available
for
user activation.
(0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional units of the
present invention.
(0016] FIG. 6 is a summarized flowchart illustrating the steps that n-iay be
followed in performance of the functions of the present invention, including
and
identifying new functions embodied in the present invention.
CA 02443011 2003-09-26
PATENT
DETAILED DESCRXPMON OF PREFEItREED
EMBODIMENTS OF THE IKVENTION
[0017] A preferred embodiment of the present inventive apparacus and
method is illustrated in FIG. 1. In this figure, a handheld interface unit 2
has a
display panel 4, a first button group 5, and a second button group 6. 'lfie
shape of
the preferred embodiment of the unit 2 is designed to provide large size to
allow
the display panel 4 to afford ease of viewing, while providing a handle 8 that
allows typical users to grip the unit securely. The button group 5 in the
preferred
embodiment allows the bottom zone of the display to be assigned as needed as a
row of up to four "soft keys" for changeable usez interface options;
alternative
embodiments with any number of buttons and corresponding "soft lteys" are
possible. The button group 6 provides a set of switch closures independent of
scraen status, and serves as a primary user interface to the microprocessor-
based
Scan Tool. Ports shown in 1'IG.1 are a first custom interface conneGtor 10 for
an
OBD adapter, a serial port connector 12, a USB port connector 14, an Infrared
Data Association (IrDA)lHewlett-Packard (HP) Infrared connection 16, a
PCMCIA type 2 connector 18 and a smart card connector 20.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the rear panel of a preferred embodiment of the
invention; in this view, a second custom interface connector, termed a
hardware
interface port, or HIP, 22, is shown, which, provides the Scan Tool with the
capability of adapdng functions from earlier designs to operate with the
present
invention. A Compact Flash card connector 24, not visible, occupies a slot on
another face of the preferred embodiment. The ports shown in the views above
are representalive of ports that could be included in a system design
supporting
the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The battery box cover 26
CA 02443011 2003-09-26
_ I =
PATENT
- 6
allows the apparatus to be powered from a built-in Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)
battery. The preferred design permits a power supply that can fumish the
requisite direct-current (DC) voltage at sufficient amperage to be plugged
into a
power jack 28, supporting in-unit recharging of the NiMH battery and allowing
indefinite operating time.
=[0019] FIG. 3 shows the view of FIG. 2 with a typical Gas Analyzer 140
instalied. Such a Gas Analyzer, directly mating with the HIP connector 22,
may.
carry one of a variety of communications interfaces with which the inventive
apparatus is compatible. Other Gas Analyzer modules that can function with the
preferred embodiment may communicate with it through altemative ports, such as
the serial port 12, and may use other protocols than that used by the Gas
Analyzer
140.
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates the display of one embodiment, wherein a full-
color display screen 30 has facility to present a plurality of time
(horizontal axis)
versus selected parameter (vertical axis) data events, as well as text
information.
The capability of the concept is illustrated by a first trace 32 that shows
engine
revolutions per minute (RPM) as a function of time during a particular test
session, and a second trace 34 that shows exhaust gas concentration of oxides
of
nitrogen, the latter data having been acquired at a different time during the
same
test interval. The horizontal axis of the display shows a low-resolution
section 36
and a high-resolution section 38, which capability is a selectable function of
the
preferred embodiment. A first dashed line 40 indicates the exact point on the
time axis that corresponds to a first text readout 42, which provides a
descriptive
label, a value, and a unit reference; a first pair of minimum and maximum
readings 44 is provided to establish a scale, The second trace 34 represents
data
from an external test device, which data is available after a fixed delay. The
CA 02443011 2003-09-26
PATENT
7
display is offset accordingly, allowing the two readings to be aligned in
time. A
second dashed line 46 indicates the sample time for a second text display 48.
A
second scale indication 50 provides a second frame of reference.
[0021] The display shows a plurality of additional test items in the form
of text only, which can include labels 52, data values 54, and units 56 where
relevant. The display further shows representative status infomtation, such as
a
note 58 indicating the delay time for the gas sensor. A group of "soft"
buttons 60
have functions dynamically defined, with activation for the irnmediate
definitions
of the button functions triggered through the buttons shown in FIG. 1 as item
6. A
slidebar 62, familiar to users of graphical user interface (GUI)-based
operating
systems such as Lynx , App1e@ OS9 , and MicrosoftO Windows , indicates
the presence of and provides access to additional data not presently visible
on the
display.
[00221 FIG. 5 itlustrates the electronic circuitry in block diagram fonn. A
power-input subsystem 64 accepts available DC and converts it to the voltages
needed for all other subsystems within the apparatus. A computational
subsystem
66 that includes a central processing unit 68, a dynamic data memory area 70,
a
preprogrammed instruction memory area 72, a reprogrammable instruction and
data area 74, an interface control unit 76, a master clock 78, and a watchdog
timer
80, performs analysis and control of all functions. A display subsystem 82
that
includes a display screen 84, a dedicated display voltage generator 86, a
backlight
voltage generator 88, a display interface unit 90, a display image generator
92,
and a display diiver 94, accepts, stores, and displays data generated by the
computational subsystern 66. An external data interface unit 96 that includes
a
set of transceivers 98 and a dedicated data interface processor 100 receives
digital
data from installed exEernal test instruments requiring such dedicated
CA 02443011 2003-09-26
PATENT
B
handshaldng and presents this data to the computational subsystem 66, which
collates and processes that data. The external data interface unit 96 further
transmits such digital handshaking and control data as the external test
instruments may require in order to continue providing measurements.
[0023J FIG. 6 shows one of the major elements included in the present
invention. In this flowchart, operation begins with basic initialization 102.
The
call to the Vehicle Selection Front End Process 104 (VS Process) identifies
the
vehicle under test through a process combining user interface and data table
lookup.
[0024] In one enzbodiment, VS Process 104 software will guide an
operator through interpretation of the characters of the VIN, such as an "F"
in the
second position indicating a Ford or a "G" in the tenth position representing
the
year 1986. For each of several combinations of position and data value, the VS
Process 104 permits the operator to compile a description of the vehicle under
test.
[00251 In another embodiment, the operator can key in a vehicle
identification number (VIN) and the Scan Tool can determine the manufacturer,
body style, year of manufacture, engine type, emissions controls, settings
that can
be _ stored and changed in OBD memory (spark advance tinning and the like),
and
other details concerning that vehicle, all of which may be stored in the Scan
Tool
in the reprogrammable instruction and data area 74
[0026j Some of the data acquired through any ernbodime_nt of the VS
Process 104 is needed in running the diagnostics; other information, such as
the
part of the VIN that is the serial number of the particular vehicle, is stored
for
printing, added to a database where the service is performed, or otherwise
used.
CA 02443011 2003-09-26
PATENT
9
[0027] Once the vehicle has been selected, communication between the
Scan Tool and the vehicle must be established 106. Since several vehicle
manufacturers use OBD specification compliant interfaces that are not
compatible
with each other, the process in 106 requires a dedicated interface driver and
cable
set as well as a unique handshaking routine. A representative Scan Tool can
manage this process by directing the operator to assemble the system in the
configuration required for the particular vehicle. This process is complete
when
the Scan Tool is able to verify that the test system components are correctly
connected and has performed handshaking with the vehicle's OBD electronics.
For vehicles older than the industry's adoption of the OBD system, other
interconnect systems can be used.
[00281 Once communication is established 106, the Scan Tool can extract
108 from the OBD of the vehicle under test any static scan data of interest.
As
part of this process, the Scan Tool may also determine criteria for extracting
from
t_he OBD any data that may flow in real time and be susceptible to capture by
the
Scan Tool in support of its testing. The first trace 32 in F'SG. 4 is such a
realtime
flow, captured and stored for subsequent display. Such a data fiow could also
be
displayed in real time and not captured, in much the same way that a vehicle
scope could monitor a spark plug waveform, for example.
[0029] M. 6 includes a specific query 110 related to Gas Analyzers.
While other external devices may be treated similarly, the management of Gas
Analyzers in particular is an illustrative example of the data management that
is
the subject of the present invention. If no Gas Analyzer is needed (the NO
branch
at the decision point 110), then the logic shown displays by default ali
acquired
and selected data in a single time frame 114. There are exceptions to this.
The
inventive design allows data that arrive at the same tzme to be displayed
offset in
CA 02443011 2003-09-26
PATENT
time; the same data stream to be displayed more than once on separate lines,
at
the same time or skewed in time; or data streams to be held indefinitely,
displayed
later, printed, transmitted to an external device; and so on. Not.e that there
is a
loop from the Data Display 114 that feeds back before the vehicle query 103.
This loop represents the continuous data acquisition that a representative
Scan
Tool performs.
(0030) If inclusion of Gas Analyzer data was selected by the user, then
another feature of the inventive apparatus comes into play, because a
multiplicity
of Gas Analyzers, some with incompatible communications interfaces, are in
current use. In the case where use of a Gas Analyzer as part of an analysis
was
previously selected, then an additional step in the process combines 112 the
Gas
Analyzer data with the remainder of the Scan Tool data according to the user's
preferred format. Where the Gas Analyzer was chosen but has not yet been
started, the secondary loop path from Data Display, which is normally
inactive,
responds to a manual input 116-in this case, the manual input consists of
scrolling to the desired setup window on the display and pressing the button
corresponding to the desired option-by launching the setup routine. This
begins
by establishing communication with whichever Gas Analyzer is c.onnected 118.
Next, the data link to the Gas Analyzer is exercised according to the
requirements
of the unit that is installed, and flow of gas data is begun 120. At this
point data
flow and Scan Tool operation substantially merge with those of the default
path
described first, namely continuous reacquisition of all available fixed and
dynamic data from all sources, then displaying a subset of it in accordance
with
user-selected options.
(00311 The system configuration here refers to accessory devices attached
to the main unit and active during the current session. Some devices may be
CA 02443011 2003-09-26
[ PATENT
11
unused, others may be self-conftguring, others still may require manual setup
by
the user. Among devices nominally self-configuring, some may permit manual
intervention. As an example, the time lag for a particular model of Gas
Analyzer
might be known and calibrated, but a technician might wish to alter the
apparent
time 1ag. Similarly, the nominal time lag could be subject to drift and
require
compensation. Such manual configuration changes could be made at this point in
the logic flow.
[0032] Normal execution involves dme-shared execution of all scheduled
tasks. Time-slice allocation is a task canied out by the operadng system. The
scheduled tasks are managed as objects with hierarchical priority. Interrupts
are
controlled in such fashion as to avoid system and task casualties.
[0033] One embodiment of the present inti'ention can provide additional
digital data input management capability and a revised command package for an
existing Scan Tool design. The additional input capability can take the fornt
of
rr.aragement of port connectior.s to permit multiple external devices to
provide
test results that can be displayed by the Scan Tool. The revised command
package can format and store test data from external tesl equipment as well as
data captured by the vehicle's OBD computer and uplinked. The command
package can further coordinate display of selectable subsets of the stored
data
from all sources. Data arriving from stored sources may typically be
unchanging
over the course of a test. Realtime data from onboard and external sources may
detect discrete events that occurred at different rates. Continuous processes
may
have been sampled at different rates. As a consequence of these factors, it
can be
a requirement of the command package to coordinate and rationalize data from
all
sources in order to display disparate information on a common timeline. This
coordination and rationalization can take the form of storing time versus data
for
CA 02443011 2003-09-26
} PATENT
12
each changeable item; storing values for items that are intrinsically
invariant over
the course of a test; and storing correction factors such as gain,
characteristic or
programmable time delay.
[0034] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the
Scan Too( has the following new capabilities:
[0035] It can extract and store in its own memory all entries specified for
an OBD-II-compliant computer's storage, including indications of both normat
and abnormal conditions, time or event count information, and such other data
as
a particular OBD computer may store.
[0036] It can acquire from external sources and retain any compatibly
formatted data furnished by additional test instruments monitoring the motor
vehicle under test.
[0037] It can present to the display subsystem of the Scan Too] a
combined test result, composed of stacic (fixed or rarely changing) and
dynamic
(changing frequently or continuously) reports from the OBD computer of the
vehicle under test, as well as static and dynamic reports from external test
instruments.
[0038] It can furnish test results to the display subsystem of the Scan Tool
selectively from all those available, at the choice of the user.
[0039] Ic can allow control over the timing relationship between displays
of individual events, so that any display may be delayed with respect to a
timing
reference.
[0040] It can allow control over the time interval for the combined
display, so that the display presents events that occurred over a time segment
that
the user can select.
CA 02443011 2003-09-26
PATENT
13
[0041) It can provide both compressed and expanded time intervals for
the displayed events, so that the time axis can be in part "zoomed out" to
permit
display of large amounts of data at low time resolution and "zoomed in" to
permit
display of smaller amounts of data at higher time resolution.
[0042] Xt can provide control of the time window for the combined
display, so that any time segment within the capability of the hardware
implementation may be displayed, and the user may pass the display back and
forth repeatedly through the stored data, displaying any such data of
interest.
[00431 It can permit input management parameter entry for
characterization of source signals, including but not limited to telemetry
voltage
excursion, telemetry signal timing and format, digital signal numerical range,
data
acquisition time lag, signal labeling, and units labeling.
(0044) The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent
from the detailed specification, and thus it is intended by the appended
claims to
cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the
true
spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
variations will readily occur to those slalled in the art, it is not desired
to ]imit the
invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described,
and
accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents ma.y be resorted to,
falling
within the scope of the invention.
