Patent Application
20090063745
This disclosure relates to techniques and equipment for powering portable data processing systems performing vehicle diagnosis, and more specifically, to a detachable interface device that powers portable data processing systems using an output of a vehicle diagnostic port that outputs self-diagnostic information.
Increasingly, portable data processing systems, such as tablet PCs or notebook computers, are widely utilized in measuring, testing and/or diagnosing a wide range of vehicle conditions. Signals from vehicles and/or other sources, like other diagnostic systems, are input to these data processing systems for further analysis. For instance, a vehicle compliant with OBD (on-board diagnostics) standard would be equipped with a signal port, such as an OBD II port, for outputting self-diagnostic information performed by an on-board computer on the vehicle. The self-diagnostic information may be used by a notebook computer with an appropriate vehicle interface circuit and software to perform vehicle diagnostics.
As these computers often are used in garages or vehicle maintenance centers where power supply cords connecting to the systems tend to pose safety hazards, these computers are often powered by batteries internal to the computers. However, the battery in a notebook computer usually lasts only about two to four hours. Once the battery power is completely drained, the battery needs to be replaced and recharged. The power outage or replacement of batteries disrupts the diagnostic process and sometimes causes hours of work or data to be lost.
Accordingly, it is desirable to extend the power-up time of the computers without being limited by the capacity of the computer batteries.
This disclosures describe detachable power supply interface devices that provide power to data processing systems engaged in vehicle diagnosis, without the need to add extra power cords connecting to the data processing systems.
An exemplary power supply interface device according to this disclosure supplies power to a data processing system using an output of a vehicle diagnostic port, such as an OBD II connector, that outputs self-diagnostic information. The data processing system is external to a vehicle and performs vehicle diagnostics based on signals from the vehicle or other diagnostic devices. The interface includes a first connector, a second connector and a power converter. The first connector is configured to detachably couple to the vehicle diagnostic port to receive output signals therefrom. The output signals of the vehicle diagnostic port include a vehicle power output and a diagnostic output including self-diagnostic information. The second connector is configured to detachably couple to a docking connector of the data processing system. The power converter, coupled to the first connector and the second connector, is configured to generate a power supply signal, such as a regulated voltage, based on the vehicle power output of the vehicle diagnostic port. The power supply signal or the regulated voltage is provided for powering the data processing system via the second connector.
In one aspect, the power supply interface includes a protection circuit that continuously monitors the current that the data processing system is drawing from the vehicle diagnostic port. If the protection circuit detects that the drawn current exceeds a safety threshold, the protection circuit suspends the supply of power to the data processing system by the power supply interface, to prevent the high level of current from damaging circuits or parts of the vehicle. For instance, the protection circuit decouples the power supply signal or the regulated voltage from the second connector, such that the data processing system stops drawing power from the vehicle.
In another aspect, the exemplary power supply interface further includes a third connector configured to receive power from a vehicle power output connector disposed on the vehicle, such as the cigarette lighter connector or a DC power outlet. In still another aspect, the exemplary power supply interface may include an AC connector, such as an AC adaptor, configured to provide DC power from an AC power source external to the interface. For instance, the AC power source may be a regular power outlet or a vehicle alternator output. The power converter may be implemented with the capacity to convert both AC and DC input to suitable output appropriate for powering the data processing system.
In still another aspect, the exemplary power supply interface includes a housing on which the first connector and the second connector as well as other parts are disposed. The housing includes a surface for supporting the data processing system, a latch configured to secure the data processing system when the data processing system is supported by the surface; and four corner guards disposed at four corners of the housing. The corner guards form a cushioning wall for four corners of the data processing system when the data processing system is supported by the surface. In one embodiment, the housing further includes two handles disposed on two opposite sides. Each handle may include an arched body having two ends, and at least one of the ends is pivotally mounted to the housing via a hinge device. The surface of the housing may form a depth for receiving the data processing system.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the present teachings may be realized and attained by practice or use of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.
The section describes embodiments of detachable interface devices for powering a data processing system by using an output of a vehicle diagnostic port, such as an OBD II connector, that outputs self-diagnostic information.
On-Board Diagnostics, or OBD, refers to a vehicle's self-diagnostic and reporting capability. A vehicle compliant to OBD standards includes an on-board diagnostic system that performs self-diagnosis and allows a repair technician access to the state of health information via a standardized diagnostic port. In some cases, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) are provided through the standardized diagnostic port to indicate operation conditions of various subsystems of a vehicle. The OBD-II standard is a type of OBD standard that specifies the type of diagnostic connector, its pinout and the available electrical signaling protocols, and the messaging format. The OBD-II specification provides for a standardized hardware interface: a female 16-pin (2×8) J1962 connector, called an OBD II connector, for outputting DTCs. Under the OBD-II standard, pin 16 is dedicated to a battery output (ranging from +9 volt to +16 volt) supplied by a vehicle battery, and pin 4 is provided for chassis ground and is the negative power connection to the vehicle. Embodiments of this disclosure utilize the vehicle power included in the output of the vehicle diagnostic port to power a data processing system and relay diagnostic information output by the vehicle diagnostic port to the data processing system for performing vehicle diagnostics. While there are numerous variations in vehicle diagnostic port standards, it is understood that as long as the output of the vehicle diagnostic port includes vehicle power supplied by a vehicle battery and/or alternator, concepts disclosed in this disclosure could be utilized to provide power to any system that requires electricity for operation.
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The parts of the docking system 100 are made of materials that provide shock protection to the docking system 100 and the notebook computer 200 by means of elasticity, shape deformation and/or shock absorbance and deflection, when the notebook computer 200 and the docking system 100 are dropped to a hard surface. Examples of materials for implementing the parts of the docking system 100 include spring steel coated or overmolded with rubber, semi-flexible plastics such as Nylon, Polyethylene, PVC, etc., elastomeric (rubber-like) materials such as TPE, neoprene or EPDM, etc., and metals such as spring tempered steel or stainless steel, heat treated aluminum, spring tempered brass, beryllium copper or phosphor bronze in various forms or shapes, such as in strip or wire form. These materials could be in solid or foam rubber form. The parts may have a coating applied thereto by dipping or spraying with a flexible material such as plastisol PVC.
The use of shock absorbing materials in combination with the unique shape and construction of the handles 112, 114 and corner guards 140-143 protect both the docking system 100 and the notebook computer 200 from impact damages if they are dropped onto a hard surface. The elasticity and shape deformation provided by the docking system 100 allows the shock force to be transformed to heat or other types of energy, and deflected from the notebook computer 200. For instance, when the docking system 100 and notebook computer 200 are dropped, it is the handles 112, 114, edges or sides of the docking system 100, and/or the corner guards 140-143 that would come into contact with hard surface first, not the notebook computer 200 itself. In addition, as the parts of the docking system 100 is made of materials that would provide shock absorbance and/or shock deflection through shape deformation, the drop would not impact the notebook computer 200 directly. Additionally, the elasticity of the handles 113, 114 and/or the corner guards 140-143 allow the docking system 100 and the notebook computer 100 to bounce, which reduces the impact energy being transmitted to the notebook computer 200.
As discussed earlier, the docking system 100 is configured to power the notebook computer 200 using an output of a vehicle diagnostic port, such as an OBD 11 connector, that outputs self-diagnostic information.
In one embodiment, the docking system 100 provides an AC connector 414 for receiving power from an external AC source 451, such as a regular AC power outlet or an alternator output of the vehicle. The power supplied by the external AC source 451 may be converted to DC power by an adapter external to the docking system 100 or a power converter circuit internal to the docking system 100. The docking system 100 may include a battery back 413 to provide DC power to the docking system 100 and/or to the notebook computer 200.
A power converter 411 is provided to process power inputs from the AC connector 414, the battery 413, the vehicle input connector 412 and/or the vehicle power input connector 415, and generate a power output signal, such as an output voltage 403, suitable for powering the notebook computer 200. For instance, the DC voltage from pin 16 of the OBD II connector 462 has a range between +9 volt and +16 volt. The power converter 411 is a DC-to-DC converter that converts the DC voltage from the OBD II connector 462 to a +16 volt DC output which is suitable for powering the notebook computer 200. In another embodiment, the power converter 411 includes an AC-to-DC converter that converts an AC power signal to a DC signal that is appropriate for use by the notebook computer 200. The output voltage 403 is routed to the system connector 130 for relaying to the notebook computer 200 via the connection of the system connector 130 and the docking connector 240 on the notebook computer 200. The system connector 130 and the docking connector 240 on the notebook computer specifically define a power supply pin or port, such that the output voltage 403 is properly routed to appropriate circuit in the notebook computer 200 for powering the notebook computer 200 and/or charging a battery disposed in the notebook computer 200. Power converters suitable for implementing the power conversion herein may be obtained from Lind Electronics of Minneapolis, Minn.
The docking system 100 includes a protection circuit to prevent situations where the notebook computer 200 is drawing excessive current from the vehicle, which might damage parts and/or circuits of the vehicle. The protection circuit includes a current sensor that continuously monitors a current drawn by the notebook computer 200 from the OBD II connector 462 or a current being supplied to the notebook computer 200. A microcontroller may be provided to determine whether the detected current exceeds a safety threshold. If such safety threshold is exceeded, the microcontroller issues a control signal to terminate supplying power from the OBD II connector 462 to the notebook computer 200. For instance, a switch may be provided to decouple the output voltage 403 from the system connector 130, such that the output voltage 403 ceases to power the notebook computer 200. Once the detected current drops below the safety threshold, the microcontroller issues another control signal to reengage the output voltage 403 with the system connector 130. This protection circuit may be implemented as part of the power converter 411 or as a separate circuit disposed on a circuit board disposed in the housing of the docking system 100. It is understood that other variations of circuit design other than those described herein may be used to implement the protection circuit.
Generally, the communications protocols supported by OBD are not compatible to various standards adopted the notebook computer 200. The docking system 100 includes a vehicle interface module (VIM) 401 for converting diagnostic signals output by the OBD II connector 462 to a protocol supported by the notebook computer 200, such as the USB standard, and enabling communications between the notebook computer 200 and electronic control units (ECUs) on the vehicle 460, such that diagnostic information, like DTCs, can be recognized and/or processed by the notebook computer 200, and commands issued by the notebook computer 200 can be recognized by the ECUs on the vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle interface module is external to the docking system 100 and is powered by a DC output from the docking system 100. The power may be provided by the battery 413 or by the OBD II connector 462.
While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings.
This application relates to a co-pending patent application Ser. No. ______ (attorney docket No. 66396-0391), entitled DETACHABLE IMPACT PROTECTION SYSTEM FOR PORTABLE DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM, filed concurrently herewith.
