The present invention is directed to a vehicle diagnostic system and method, and in particular a system and method utilizing an automated diagnostic navigation system for operating the hierarchical structure of diagnostic applications to obtain vehicle diagnostic data information from a diagnostic evaluation for various vehicles.
Vehicle diagnostic systems employing diagnostic scan devices or tools are used in automotive repair facilities to diagnose and repair computer-based vehicle systems, where vehicles may have differing computer-based systems depending on the configuration and options installed on the vehicle. Vehicle diagnostic scan systems may include or use one or more diagnostic software scanning programs or applications, such as applications developed by an original equipment automotive manufacturer (“OEM”), or an aftermarket diagnostic company. The diagnostic software scanning programs are used to diagnose the electronic system of a vehicle and result in a scan log file that includes information of faults in the system. Different diagnostic applications are used with different makes of vehicles, with different models of vehicles including particular engine control units (“ECU”) such that different procedures are used to perform diagnostic evaluations, including depending on the make, model and year of vehicle, as well as based on other parameters.
The present invention provides a vehicle diagnostic system and method utilizing an automated hierarchical diagnostic navigation program that operates to navigate through diagnostic applications based on vehicle parameters to expedite diagnostic evaluations of vehicles.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle diagnostic system and method includes a diagnostic computer having one or more diagnostic application programs operable to perform a diagnostic evaluation of a vehicle by performing a diagnostic scan of an electronic system of the vehicle, where the diagnostic application programs include a hierarchical structure for initiation of a diagnostic scan of the vehicle based at least on the make, model and year of the vehicle, and includes a diagnostic navigation program configured to interface with the diagnostic application program, wherein the diagnostic navigation program is configured to receive an input of the make, model and year of the vehicle. The diagnostic navigation program is operable to provide automated sequential inputs to the diagnostic application program based on the make, model and year of the vehicle to navigate the hierarchical structure of the diagnostic application program to initiate and perform the diagnostic scan of the vehicle.
In accordance with particular embodiments of the invention, the diagnostic navigation program may reside on the diagnostic computer, or on a remote diagnostic computer. Multiple diagnostic navigation programs may be provided, and the diagnostic computer may additionally include multiple diagnostic application programs configured for use with different makes, models and/or years of vehicles.
In a still further embodiment, the diagnostic navigation program is configured to receive a manually input entry by an operator via the diagnostic computer of the make, model and year of the vehicle. Alternatively and/or additionally, the system may utilize a vehicle interface device to receive a vehicle identification number from the vehicle at the diagnostic computer, where the vehicle identification number includes indicia that can be parsed to obtain the make, model and year of the vehicle. The vehicle diagnostic system and method may additionally be configured to utilize selective manual inputs by an operator via the diagnostic computer, in addition to automated inputs form the diagnostic navigation program to initiate and perform the diagnostic scan of the vehicle.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the diagnostic computer includes a controller, such as a keyboard controller or another controller, with the diagnostic navigation program being operable to provide automated sequential inputs to the diagnostic application program via the controller.
The diagnostic system and method in accordance with the present invention employing a diagnostic navigation program that is operable to select a given diagnostic application program to be run and/or provide control or input signals to a diagnostic application program without operator input enables the diagnostic application program to be used to perform a diagnostic evaluation of a vehicle under test without the need for extensive operator input, thereby automating and expediting the diagnostic evaluation process, while removing a potential source of human error in conducting a diagnostic evaluation. These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of this invention will become apparent upon review of the following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the numbered elements in the following written description correspond to like-numbered elements in the figures.
With reference to
Vehicle interface device 28 includes a controller 29, such as in the form of a processor or micro-processor and interface circuitry to facilitate communication between the ECUs and the interface tool 28, with interface tool 28 including a database of vehicle protocols found in a local memory 44 that allow communication with the ECUs of various makes and models of vehicles. Vehicle interface device 28 additionally includes a computer interface 46 for connection with computer 30, such as via standard interfaces 74, such as USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the like. Vehicle diagnostic system 20 may be configured to be selectively operable in one of a plurality of different modes, whereby a technician may use the interface device 28 for vehicle maintenance, diagnosis, programming and repair as needed.
In the illustrated embodiment system 20 includes computer 30, which includes diagnostic applications or diagnostic application scanning tools 52 stored in memory 50 for scanning the electronic system 23 of vehicle 22 with a diagnostic application scanning program, such as one or more different diagnostic application scanning programs 53a, 53b, 53c (
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, computer 30 is provided with automated diagnostic navigation program 55 that is operable to both select a given diagnostic application program to be run, as well as provide control or input signals to diagnostic application programs 53a, 53b, 53c without operator input whereby the diagnostic application programs 53a, 53b 53c may be used to perform a diagnostic evaluation of the vehicle under test without the need for extensive operator input, thereby automating and expediting the diagnostic evaluation process, while removing a potential source of human error in conducting a diagnostic evaluation. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, during startup of system 20, navigation program 55 may be used to provide an initialization display 56 having input fields 57, 58, 59 on screen 31 of computer 30 as shown in
As understood from
Inputs provided by diagnostic navigation program 55 to a diagnostic application program 53 may be provided in the form of signals in like manner to that which would be provided by keyboard 33. For example, the diagnostic navigation program 55 provides a predetermined character or key signal for each navigated branch of the diagnostic application 53 corresponding to the hierarchical structures of the diagnostic application program 53 that must be navigated to perform a vehicle scan. The key signal may be sent directly to the diagnostic application program 53. Alternatively, the key signal may be sent to a controller of the computer 30, such as to the keyboard controller 33a, where the keyboard controller 33a comprises an integrated circuit that in turn forwards the key signal to the diagnostic application.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
It should be appreciated that the hierarchical structure of diagnostic application 53 for a given vehicle can include additional branches from that shown in the illustrated embodiment of
It should be appreciated that upon completion of a scan of a vehicle system or subsystem, diagnostic navigation program 55 may be used to automatically navigate diagnostic application 53 to continue scanning one or more additional systems or subsystems of vehicle 22. Diagnostic navigation program 55 may thus be used to perform a complete scan of all vehicle systems of vehicle 22. Still further, initialization display 56 may be provided with one or more additional input fields, such as to enable an operator 24 to designate particular systems of vehicle 22 to be scanned, or designate that all systems of vehicle 22 are to be scanned. Particular diagnostic application programs, for example, may additionally or alternatively include internal tools may be provided that enable selection of a full scan of all electronic systems by way of a single selection or input to the diagnostic application program, such as under a tool options selection.
It should further be appreciated that each of diagnostic application programs 53a, 53b, 53c may be constructed with differing hierarchical structures, such as depending on the supplier of the program and/or depending on the differences in the vehicles for which a given diagnostic application program is useable. Accordingly, there will be a wide range of hierarchical structures depending on application program provider, vehicle, and other factors, with each diagnostic application program having its own series of inputs required to perform a diagnostic evaluation, with navigation program 55 configured for providing the inputs. Navigation program 55 may provide inputs at sequential spaced times, or may receive prompts from the diagnostic application program 53 for triggering the next sequential input to be provided. Automated navigation program 55 is thus configured to auto-click through the hierarchical structure of diagnostic application programs 53 to aid in the initialization of a diagnostic evaluation scanning of the electronic system 23 of vehicle 22.
In a particular embodiment navigation program 55 may be, for example, configured for learning programming, whereby navigation program 55 is programed by recording of the inputs received from an operator 24 for a given make, model and year vehicle. Upon a subsequent diagnostic evaluation for a similar make, model and year vehicle, navigation program 55 may be used as described above to automatically navigate the hierarchical structure of the appropriate diagnostic application 53.
It should further be appreciated that a diagnostic evaluation of a vehicle, such as vehicle 22, using a given diagnostic application 53 and automated navigation program 55 may still require intermittent human intervention. For example, certain actions may need to be taken on vehicle 22, or detailed information regarding vehicle 22 may need to be supplied to diagnostic application program 53. Accordingly, navigation program 55 may provide for occasional input screens to be supplied to an operator 24 for entry of additional information and/or prompting operator 24 to take some action, which may also include requiring operator 24 to enter confirmation of the action.
In an alternative embodiment automated navigation program 55 may additionally or alternatively interrogate electronic system 23 of vehicle 22 for operatively controlling navigation program 55 to select and/or navigate the hierarchical structure of a given diagnostic application program 53. For example, navigation program 55 may obtain the vehicle identification number (VIN) from the electronic system 23 of vehicle 22 via vehicle interface device 28. Navigation program 55 may then parse the alphanumeric VIN to determine information regarding the vehicle 22 under evaluation. This may include, for example, reading particular digits of the VIN to ascertain information such as the year, make and model of the vehicle, or to ascertain vehicle configuration information, such as the type of engine, transmission, vehicle accessories, or other particular vehicle features. Still further, navigation program 55 may be used to interrogate particular components of the electronic system 23 of vehicle 22 via vehicle interface device 28. For example, automated navigation program 55 may be used to ascertain part numbers of ECUs of vehicle 22 for operatively controlling navigation program 55 to select and/or navigate the hierarchical structure of a given diagnostic application program 53.
As understood from
It should be appreciated that although in the illustrated embodiment the computer 30 is disclosed as a laptop having a keyboard 33 that alternative computers may be employed within the scope of the present invention, including tablets, custom handheld computer devices, and the like, where such a computer device may include one or more processors, memory for storage of programs, and a screen or be linked to a screen. Still further, the computer may include alternative keyboard arrangements, including push buttons, and need not be a full keyboard such as is associated with a conventional laptop computer. Moreover, it should additionally be appreciated that automated diagnostic navigation program 55 and/or diagnostic application program 53 may be written in more than one program, where such programs are interoperable together to, for example, provide automated navigation of the hierarchical structure of the diagnostic application and/or provide a diagnostic evaluation of the electronic system 23 of the vehicle 22. Still further, separate diagnostic navigation programs may be provided for use with different diagnostic application programs.
In the illustrated embodiment of
Other changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the present invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law including the doctrine of equivalents.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
6154658 | Caci | Nov 2000 | A |
6728603 | Pruzan et al. | Apr 2004 | B2 |
6879894 | Lightner et al. | Apr 2005 | B1 |
6956501 | Kitson | Oct 2005 | B2 |
7092803 | Kapolka et al. | Aug 2006 | B2 |
7373226 | Cancilla et al. | May 2008 | B1 |
7502672 | Kolls | Mar 2009 | B1 |
7519458 | Buckley | Apr 2009 | B2 |
7532962 | Lowrey et al. | May 2009 | B1 |
7584030 | Graham | Sep 2009 | B1 |
7786851 | Drew et al. | Aug 2010 | B2 |
7840812 | Levenberg | Nov 2010 | B1 |
7928837 | Drew et al. | Apr 2011 | B2 |
8190322 | Lin et al. | May 2012 | B2 |
8259936 | Mahalingaiah | Sep 2012 | B2 |
8306687 | Chen | Nov 2012 | B2 |
8339254 | Drew et al. | Dec 2012 | B2 |
8352577 | Martone | Jan 2013 | B2 |
8638207 | Drew et al. | Jan 2014 | B2 |
8688313 | Margol et al. | Apr 2014 | B2 |
8909416 | Chen et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
8918245 | Dewhurst et al. | Dec 2014 | B2 |
9430884 | Drew et al. | Aug 2016 | B2 |
9530255 | Drew et al. | Dec 2016 | B2 |
9563988 | Drew et al. | Feb 2017 | B2 |
9646130 | Drew et al. | May 2017 | B2 |
10013816 | Nassar et al. | Jul 2018 | B2 |
10146521 | West et al. | Dec 2018 | B2 |
10181225 | Liebl et al. | Jan 2019 | B2 |
10282924 | Drew et al. | May 2019 | B2 |
10414277 | Herron et al. | Sep 2019 | B1 |
10445953 | Herron et al. | Oct 2019 | B1 |
10706645 | Herron et al. | Jul 2020 | B1 |
10719813 | Beckmann et al. | Jul 2020 | B1 |
10748356 | Herron et al. | Aug 2020 | B1 |
11062534 | Jingle et al. | Jul 2021 | B2 |
20010056544 | Walker | Dec 2001 | A1 |
20030001720 | Wade et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20030020759 | Cancilla et al. | Jan 2003 | A1 |
20040044454 | Ross et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20040167689 | Bromley et al. | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20050021294 | Trsar et al. | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050038581 | Kapolka et al. | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050060070 | Kapolka et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050182537 | Tefft et al. | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050240555 | Wilde et al. | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20050251304 | Cancellara et al. | Nov 2005 | A1 |
20060052921 | Bodin et al. | Mar 2006 | A1 |
20060106508 | Liebl et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060211446 | Wittmann et al. | Sep 2006 | A1 |
20070005201 | Chenn | Jan 2007 | A1 |
20070043488 | Avery et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
20070050105 | Chinnadurai et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070055420 | Krzystofczyk et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070073460 | Bertosa et al. | Mar 2007 | A1 |
20070185624 | Duddles et al. | Aug 2007 | A1 |
20070233340 | Raichle et al. | Oct 2007 | A1 |
20080177438 | Chen et al. | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080269975 | Bertosa | Oct 2008 | A1 |
20080280602 | Ban | Nov 2008 | A1 |
20080306645 | Dewhurst et al. | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20090062978 | Picard | Mar 2009 | A1 |
20090118899 | Carlson | May 2009 | A1 |
20090119657 | Link, II | May 2009 | A1 |
20090187976 | Perroud et al. | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20090265055 | Gillies | Oct 2009 | A1 |
20090276115 | Chen | Nov 2009 | A1 |
20100042287 | Zhang | Feb 2010 | A1 |
20100174446 | Andreasen et al. | Jul 2010 | A1 |
20100204878 | Drew et al. | Aug 2010 | A1 |
20100205450 | Samacke et al. | Aug 2010 | A1 |
20100262335 | Brozovich | Oct 2010 | A1 |
20110071709 | Damiani et al. | Mar 2011 | A1 |
20110112718 | Claus et al. | May 2011 | A1 |
20110153150 | Drew et al. | Jun 2011 | A1 |
20110276218 | Dwan | Nov 2011 | A1 |
20110313593 | Cohen et al. | Dec 2011 | A1 |
20120046826 | Panko | Feb 2012 | A1 |
20120254345 | Montoya | Oct 2012 | A1 |
20170301154 | Rozint | Oct 2017 | A1 |
20190050458 | Merg | Feb 2019 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2004092857 | Oct 2004 | WO |
Entry |
---|
Article entitled “Remote Vehicle Diagnostic System Using Mobile Handsets” by Doo-Hee Jung, Gu-Min Jeong, and Hyun-Sik Ahn, understood to be from the proceedings of the Jun. 2006 International Conference on Wireless Networks, ICWN 2006, Las Vegas, Nevada. |
Thesis entitled “Remote Connection of Diagnostic Tool” by Irina Elena Apetri and Ali Raza, Chalmers University of Technology, dated 2011. |