Open-ended vehicle diagnostic device interface
AssigneeSPX Corporation
InventorsManokar Chinnadurai, Matthew Jordison
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided that allow a user to increase the functionality of a vehicle data recorder. An option card can be connected to the option card connector on the vehicle data recorder. The option card includes at least one component thereon, such as a software, a processor, a FPGA, a memory, a power supply, a data port, a communication protocol controller, pins, a multiplexer, a hardware and a combination thereof. The components can allow the vehicle data recorder to communicate with new communication protocols that are developed, with current ones that may not have been included in the vehicle data recorder or additional functions required by the user.
Claims33
A vehicle data recorder, comprising:
- a first connector that communicates with a vehicle's computer;
- a processor that controls the vehicle data recorder functions;
- a memory that stores data from an event and communicates with the processor;
- at least one communication protocol controller for controlling a communication protocol of the vehicle's computer;
- an option card connector that releasably connects and communicates with an option card, wherein the option card comprises a board having at least one component thereon to increase functionality of the vehicle data recorder;
- and
- a second connector that communicates with a host workstation to transfer the data from the vehicle data recorder to the host workstation.
A method of increasing functionality of a vehicle data recorder, comprising:
- providing a vehicle data recorder with a card connector;
- connecting an option card to the card connector;
- and
- increasing the functionality of the vehicle data recorder by having at least one component on the option card to increase functionality.
A vehicle data recorder system, comprising:
- first means for connecting that connects to a vehicle's computer and relays data from a vehicle;
- means for processing that controls the vehicle data recorder functions;
- means for storing data that stores data and communicates with the means for processing;
- means for controlling communication protocol for controlling the communication protocol of the vehicle's computer;
- second means for connecting that releasably connects and communicates with an option card means, wherein the option card means comprises a board having at least one component thereon to increase functionality of the vehicle data recorder;
- and
- third connecting means for communicating with a computing means and for transferring the data from the vehicle data recorder to the computing means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.