Vehicle diagnostic device
AssigneeSPX Corporation
InventorsTroy Liebl, Manokar Chinnadurai, Matthew Jordison
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method is provided that allows a user to record events in a vehicle via a vehicle data recorder in the latest communication protocols, such as Controller Area Network. The vehicle data recorder can record data from the event when a trigger button is actuated by the user and the CAN communication can be controlled by the CAN controller. After the data is recorded, it can transferred to a host workstation, where the user can analyze the data from the event and diagnose the problem causing the event.
Claims25
A vehicle data recorder, comprising:
- a first connector that communicates with the vehicle's computer and relays data to and from a vehicle;
- a processor that controls the vehicle data recorder functions;
- a memory in communication with the processor to store recorded data;
- at least one communication protocol controller, wherein the at least one communication protocol controller includes a CAN controller for CAN protocol communication with the vehicle's computer;
- and
- a second connector that communicates with a host workstation to transfer the recorded data from the vehicle data recorder to the host workstation.
A method of communicating data from a vehicle, comprising:
- connecting a first connector of a vehicle data recorder to a vehicle's computer;
- controlling CAN communication protocol with a CAN controller;
- communicating data via CAN protocol;
- recording the data of an event;
- and
- storing data of the event on a memory.
A vehicle data recorder system, comprising:
- means for connecting to a vehicle's computer and relaying data to and from a vehicle;
- means for processing that controls the vehicle data recorder functions;
- means for storing data that communicates with the means for processing and stores recorded data;
- means for controlling communication protocol, wherein the means for controlling controls CAN communication protocol with the vehicle's computer;
- and
- means for connecting to a computing means that transfer data from the vehicle data recorder to a computing means.
A vehicle data recorder, comprising:
- a first connector that communicates with a vehicle's computer and relays data to and from a vehicle;
- a processor that controls the vehicle data recorder functions;
- a memory in communication with the processor to store recorded data;
- a CAN controller for CAN protocol communication with the vehicle's computer;
- a second connector that communicates with a host workstation to transfer the data from the vehicle data recorder to the host workstation;
- a trigger button to initiate data recording by the vehicle data recorder, the trigger button communicates with the processor;
- a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that simulates circuits, assist in controlling the vehicle data recorder and communicates with the processor and the memory;
- and
- a vehicle I/O that communicates in different communication protocols.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.