Device and method for allowing integration of incompatible devices into a vehicle bus network
OwnerHarold Ray Bettencourt, Nicholas Ryan Bettencourtinventors
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Abstract
A device and method for communication among vehicle components operating on different electronic vehicle bus communication protocols is disclosed. The current invention is specifically designed with the capabilities and reliability required for permanent integration of an incompatible device into a vehicle bus network. This allows for installation and permanent integration of incompatible devices onto new and advanced vehicles which are manufactured using the latest electronic vehicle bus communication protocols.
Claims19
An intermediate communication device allowing integration of one or more incompatible devices into a vehicle bus network system comprising:
- a high speed vehicle bus network transceiver to act as an interface among components of the vehicle bus network system;
- a low speed vehicle bus network transceiver connected to the one or more incompatible devices;
- a circuit board assembly comprising a microprocessor so as to allow for receiving, processing, translating and rebroadcasting data or signals in a suitable communication protocol format to and from the incompatible devices, wherein the microprocessor monitors vehicle bus data broadcast or signals from the high speed vehicle bus network transceiver as well as the incompatible devices data broadcast or signals from the low speed vehicle bus network transceiver, when the microprocessor identifies signals or data broadcast information destined for the incompatible device, it processes the data and rebroadcasts it to the destined device in a compatible format;
- vehicle interface harness assembly, wherein the harness assembly allows for physical integration of the circuit board assembly onto the vehicle bus network;
- and
- a housing for enclosing the circuit board assembly, wherein one or more connectors attached to the housing for removably attaching the circuit board assembly to the vehicle interface harness assembly and one or more indicator lights for indicating connectivity status and allowing on board diagnostics of integration of the incompatible devices.
A method for integration of one or more incompatible devices associated with a first data link network into a vehicle bus network system associated with a second data link network by an intermediate communication device comprising:
- connecting the first and the second data link networks to a microprocessor;
- monitoring the data link networks for a predetermined set of broadcasted parameters by the microprocessor;
- identifying signals or data broadcast information associated with the parameters that are in incompatible format by the microprocessor;
- processing the incompatible data associated with the incompatible device by the microprocessor and rebroadcasts it to or from the destined device in a compatible format;
- and
- indicating connectivity status and on board diagnostics of integration of the incompatible devices.
An intermediate communication device allowing on board diagnostics of integration of an incompatible device associated with a first datalink network into a vehicle bus network system associated with a second datalink network comprising:
- a digital reader display in the dash that allows a driver to pull fault code information from the incompatible device on the network, wherein the fault code data are broadcast by one or more electronic control modules on the first datalink network to a microprocessor and receiving the engine fault code data being broadcast over the first datalink network the data are processed by the microprocessor and then rebroadcast to the cab electronic control unit over the second datalink network which allows the digital reader to properly display fault coded information from the incompatible device;
- and
- one or more indicator lights for indicating connectivity status and allowing on board diagnostics of integration of the incompatible devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.