Method, apparatus and system for retrofitting a vehicle
AssigneeSucxess LLC
InventorAxel Nix
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system, apparatus, and method for retrofitting a vehicle are presented. The method relates to a vehicle with a factory-installed first apparatus which communicates with a factory-installed second apparatus through a vehicle data bus using a first message. The method includes electrically disconnecting the vehicle data bus between the first apparatus and the second apparatus and electrically connecting a retrofit apparatus to the vehicle data bus. The method further includes transmitting a second message from the retrofit apparatus to the first apparatus which is indistinguishable from the first message.
Claims20
A retrofit apparatus for installation in an existing vehicle, comprising:
- a control processor;
- a first vehicle data bus terminal for electrically connecting the retrofit apparatus to a first factory-installed apparatus;
- a second vehicle data bus terminal for electrically connecting the retrofit apparatus to a second factory-installed apparatus;
- and
- an electromechanical relay operatively connected to and controlled by the control processor, the relay being configured to selectively connect the first vehicle data bus terminal to the second vehicle data bus terminal,
- wherein
- an original data bus message originating in the second factory-installed apparatus reaches the first factory-installed apparatus when the relay connects the first vehicle data bus terminal to the second vehicle data bus terminal, and
- wherein the original data bus message originating in the second factory-installed apparatus does not reach the first factory-installed apparatus when the relay disconnects the first vehicle data bus terminal from the second vehicle data bus terminal, and
- wherein the retrofit apparatus transmits a mimicked data bus message to the first factory-installed apparatus.
A retrofit apparatus for installation in an existing vehicle, comprising:
- a power supply connected to the vehicle's power distribution system through a vehicle battery terminal and a vehicle ground terminal;
- a control processor powered by the power supply;
- a first CAN bus terminal for electrically connecting the retrofit apparatus to a first factory-installed apparatus;
- a second CAN bus terminal for electrically connecting the retrofit apparatus to a second factory-installed apparatus;
- an electromechanical relay operatively connected to and controlled by the control processor, the relay being configured to selectively connect the first CAN bus terminal to the second CAN bus terminal;
- and
- a CAN bus interface powered by the power supply, the CAN bus interface being connected to the control processor and to the first CAN bus terminal and indirectly connected to the second CAN bus terminal through the relay only when the relay is closed,
- wherein an original CAN bus message originating in the second factory-installed apparatus reaches the first factory-installed apparatus when the relay is closed and connects the first CAN bus terminal to the second CAN bus terminal, and
- wherein the original CAN bus message originating in the second factory-installed apparatus does not reach the first factory-installed apparatus when the relay is open and disconnects the first CAN bus terminal from the second CAN bus terminal,
- wherein the retrofit apparatus transmits a mimicked CAN bus message to the first factory-installed apparatus,
- wherein the mimicked CAN bus message has the same identifier as the original CAN bus message, and
- wherein the mimicked CAN bus message is transmitted only after the relay disconnects the first CAN bus terminal from the second CAN bus terminal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.