Patent Application
20140075356
The invention relates generally to a vehicle diagnostic tool having a diagnostic hub and continuous data buffer. Particularly, the diagnostic hub is a graphical user interface that allows a user to navigate through the various functions of the diagnostic tool. The data buffer allows data to be automatically recorded in a memory buffer.
Onboard control computers (electronic control units) have become prevalent in motor vehicles. Successive generations of onboard control computers have acquired increasing data sensing and retention capability as the electronics have advanced.
Vehicle diagnostic tools report the data acquired by the onboard control computers. Diagnostic tools can detect faults based on Diagnostic Trouble Codes or DTCs that are set in the vehicle's onboard control computers. A DTC can be triggered and stored when there is a problem with the vehicle. A technician then retrieves the DTCs using a diagnostic tool, repairs the associated problem and then deletes the DTCs from the vehicle's computer.
The menus on the diagnostic tools can be burdensome and require a lot of navigation to return to a central location so that additional functions can be performed by the diagnostic tool. Thus, there is a need for a diagnostic hub in the form of a graphical user interface (GUI) that provides easier navigations for the user.
The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus is provided that in some embodiments include a diagnostic tool having a diagnostic hub that can assist a user through the various functionality of the tool. A time line window can be provided to display a recorded data stream for viewing.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a graphical user interface for a vehicle diagnostic tool having a plurality of diagnostic functionality is provided and, the graphical user interface includes a first button when actuated by a user, causes the vehicle diagnostic tool to identify a vehicle under test, a second button when actuated by the user, causes the vehicle diagnostic tool to read diagnostic trouble codes set in the vehicle under test, a third button when actuated by the user, causes the vehicle diagnostic tool to collect and display a data stream of diagnostic data from the vehicle under test and, an information indicator that indicates a number of additional diagnostic information, if available, based on the read diagnostic trouble code, wherein the information indicator dynamically updates the number of additional diagnostic information as the vehicle under test is being diagnosed with the vehicle diagnostic tool.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing processor executable instructions that include a graphical user interface on a computing device having a plurality of diagnostic functionality is provided and the graphical user interface includes a first button when actuated by a user, causes the vehicle diagnostic tool to identify a vehicle under test, a second button when actuated by the user, causes the vehicle diagnostic tool to read diagnostic trouble codes set in the vehicle under test, a third button when actuated by the user, causes the vehicle diagnostic tool to collect and display a data stream of diagnostic data from the vehicle under test and, an information indicator that indicates a number of additional diagnostic information, if available, based on the read diagnostic trouble code, wherein the information indicator dynamically updates the number of additional diagnostic information as the vehicle under test is being diagnosed with the vehicle diagnostic tool.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with program instructions that, when executed by a processor in a vehicle diagnostic tool having a touch screen display, cause the processor to execute a method that includes receiving a first actuation of a first button by a user which causes the processor of the vehicle diagnostic tool to identify a vehicle under test, receiving a second actuation of a second button by the user which causes the processor of the vehicle diagnostic tool to read diagnostic trouble code from a vehicle, receiving a third actuation of a third button by the user which causes the processor of the vehicle diagnostic tool to collect and display a data stream of diagnostic data from the vehicle under test and, displaying on a portion of the touch screen display an information indicator that indicates a number of additional diagnostic information, if available, based on the read diagnostic trouble code, wherein the information indicator dynamically updates the number as the vehicle under test is being diagnosed with the vehicle diagnostic tool.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a diagnostic tool that includes a touch screen display and a diagnostic hub in the form of a GUI (Graphical User Interface). The diagnostic hub allows the user to utilize the various functionality of the diagnostic tool such as read DTCs, view and record data stream, obtain diagnostic information, run special tests, run OBD generic tests, emissions tests, search the internet or obtain additional diagnostic information and the like.
The gripping portions 110 may be made of a polymer including hydrogels for easy gripping. The finger receiving portion 112 may be configured to receive a finger, such as a thumb of the user, to assist in better gripping of the diagnostic tool. The function button 106 may be configured for any function desired by the user including enter, back, forward, left, right, up, down, transmit, receive, return, start over, and the like. The function can also include multiple functions of any combination of functions, such as enter and then back, etc.
The display can be any type of display including a touch screen display, LCD, LED, VGA, OLED, SVGA and other types of displays. The display may be a colored, non-colored (e.g. gray scale) or a combination of both. The display can display information such as the make, model, year of vehicle that the diagnostic tool can diagnose, the various diagnostic tests the diagnostic tool can run, diagnostic data the diagnostic tool has received, the baseline data of the various components in a vehicle, part images, parts information, and information from remote servers (internet, database information, etc.). Additionally, the display can show videos for the user to view and the accompanying audio can be heard via the built in speakers (not shown). The speakers can be a single speaker or multiple speakers for stereo sound. A microphone (not shown) may be included and allows the technician to record information such as the noise being made by the vehicle for later analysis or for comparison with stored data. Further, the technician can also record comments or notes during the testing for later retrieval and analysis.
In one embodiment, the display allows the user to input selection through the touch screen for interactive navigation and selection, wherein the technician can select a menu item, such as the diagnostic hub 400 (further discussed below) by touching the selection on the diagnostic hub/screen. Additionally, the touch screen, when tapped, can also be used to wake up the diagnostic tool if it's in a sleep mode.
The camera 114 may be positioned to face the user so that user may conduct a video chat with another person at a remote location. The camera may also be positioned on any surface of the diagnostic tool 100 including on the opposite side of display 104 so that images of parts of an engine or any components desired by the user can be taken.
A series of host USB (universal serial bus) connectors 206 may be included to couple additional devices to the diagnostic tool 100. In one embodiment, there are two connectors, but more or less connectors are contemplated by the invention. Additional devices can add functionality to the diagnostic tool or allow the diagnostic tool 100 to add functionality to another device. The functionality can include communications, printing, memory storage, video, two-channel scope and other functionality.
A stereo headphone connection 208 may be included and allows the technician to add a headphone to the diagnostic tool 100. A card reader 320 may be provided to add components for increased functionality, such as a wireless modem, memory, TV tuner, networking, mouse, remote control, transmitters, receivers, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth adapters, modems, Ethernet adapters, barcode readers, IrDA adapters, FM radio tuners, RFID readers, and mass storage media, such as hard drives and flash drives and other functionalities to the diagnostic tool 100. An Ethernet connector 212 may be included and allows for network connection with the diagnostic tool 100 in order to transfer data to and from the diagnostic tool to a remote device such as a server or personal computer (not shown). The connections are not limited to what are shown in
The wireless communication circuit 338 can be configured to communicate wirelessly with a vehicle communication interface that is coupled to the vehicle's data link connector (both now shown). The vehicle communication interface sends signals received from the various electronic control units (ECUs) in the vehicle. Wireless communication circuit 338 communicates with the processor 302 via the second system bus 322. The wireless communication circuit 338 can be configured to communicate via RF (radio frequency), satellites, cellular phones (analog or digital), Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, Infrared, Zigby, Local Area Networks (LAN), WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), other wireless communication configurations and standards or a combination thereof. The wireless communication circuit 338 allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with other devices wirelessly such as with a remote computing device (not shown) having remote databases. The wireless communication circuit 338 includes an antenna built therein (not shown) and being housed within the housing 102 or can be externally located on the housing 102.
Signal translator 310 conditions signals received from an ECU unit through the wireless communication circuit 338 to a conditioned signal compatible with diagnostic tool 100. Signal translator 310 can communicate with, for example, the following communication protocols: J1850 (VPM and PWM), ISO 9141-2 signal, communication collision detection (CCD) (e.g., Chrysler collision detection), data communication links (DCL), serial communication interface (SCI), Controller Area Network (CAN), Keyword 2000 (ISO 14230-4), OBD II or other communication protocols that are implemented in a vehicle.
The circuitry to translate and send in a particular communication protocol can be selected by FPGA 314 (e.g., by tri-stating unused transceivers). Signal translator 310 may be also coupled to FPGA 314 and the card reader 320 via the first system bus 324. FPGA 314 transmits to and receives signals (i.e., messages) from the ECU unit through signal translator 310 and the wireless communication circuit 338.
The FPGA 314 may be coupled to the processor 302 through various address, data and control lines by the second system bus 322. FPGA 314 is also coupled to the card reader 320 through the first system bus 324. The processor 302 may also be coupled to the display 104 in order to output the desired information to the user. The processor 302 communicates with the CPLD 306 through the second system bus 322. Additionally, the processor 302 may be programmed to receive input from the user through the input device 106 via the CPLD 306 or via the touchscreen display 104. The CPLD 306 may provide logic for decoding various inputs from the user of the diagnostic tool 100 and also provides glue-logic for various other interfacing tasks.
Memory 308 and internal non-volatile memory 318 may be coupled to the second system bus 322, which allows for communication with the processor 302 and FPGA 314. Memory 308 can include an application dependent amount of dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a hard drive, and/or read only memory (ROM). Software to run the diagnostic tool 100 can be stored in the memory 308 or 318, including any other database. The database 312 can include diagnostic information and other information related to vehicles.
Internal non-volatile memory 318 can be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash ROM, or other similar memory. Internal non-volatile memory 318 can provide, for example, storage for boot code, self-diagnostics, various drivers and space for FPGA images, if desired. If less than all of the modules are implemented in FPGA 314, memory 318 can contain downloadable images so that FPGA 314 can be reconfigured for a different group of communication protocols.
A GPS antenna 332 and GPS receiver 334 can be included and may be mounted in or on the housing 102 or any combination thereof. The GPS antenna 332 electronically couples to the GPS receiver 334 and allows the GPS receiver to communicate (detects and decodes signals) with various satellites that orbit the Earth. In one embodiment, the GPS antenna 332 and GPS receiver 334 are one device instead of two. The GPS receiver 334 and GPS antenna 332 may electronically couple to the processor 302, which may be coupled to memory 308, 318 or a memory card in the card reader 320. The memories can be used to store cartographic data, such as electronic maps. The diagnostic tool can include all the maps for the U.S. (or country of use), North America or can have the region or state where the diagnostic tool is located. In alternative embodiments, the diagnostic tool can have all the maps of the world or any portion of the world desired by the user. This allows the diagnostic tool to be a GPS device so that a driver can drive from one location to another. The maps may be over lay or may incorporate traffic, local events, and location of other GPS devices (smart phones) and other information that can be useful to the technician. By being able to locate other diagnostic tools with GPS, then the technicians may be able to use the diagnostic tools to locate each other in order to conduct a meeting or have a social event.
The GPS receiver communicates with and “locks on” to a certain number of satellites in order to have a “fix” on its global location. Once the location is fixed, the GPS receiver, with the help of the processor, can determine the exact location including longitude, latitude, altitude, velocity of movement and other navigational data of the diagnostic tool 100.
Should the GPS receiver be unable to lock onto the minimum number of satellites to determine the altitude or unable to determine the altitude for any reason, the altimeter 336 can be used to determine the altitude of the diagnostic tool 100. The altimeter 336 is electronically coupled to the processor 302 and can provide the altitude or elevation of the diagnostic tool 100. The altimeter 336 can be coupled to a barometric pressure sensor (not shown) in order to calibrate the elevation measurements determined by the altimeter. The sensor can be positioned interior or exterior to the housing 102 of the diagnostic tool 100. Minor atmospheric pressure changes can affect the accuracy of the altimeter, thus, diagnostic tool can correct for these changes by using the sensor in conjunction with the altimeter along with a correction factor known in the art.
In an alternative embodiment, a vehicle communication interface 330 of the vehicle under test is in communication with the diagnostic tool 100 through connector interface 311 via an external cable (not shown). Selectable signal translator communicates with the vehicle communication interface 330 through the connector interface 311.
The components of the diagnostic hub 400 may include a start new button 402, an OBD generic test button 404, a read DTC button 406, a data stream button 410, a diagnostic information button 412, a special tests button 414, a scope button 416, a web browser button 418 and others. Once selected by pressing or actuating the respective button, the diagnostic tool will begin the functionality assigned to that button and as explained below. The various buttons may include information indicator 408 that indicates that additional information is available related to the functionality associated with that button. The information indicator 408 may also indicate the number of additional information that is available and can update the number dynamically and automatically. The information indicator 408 may blink or flash or change colors to indicate that additional information is available. The information indicator's number can increase or decrease as additional information becomes available while the user uses the diagnostic tool 100.
At the lower portion of the diagnostic hub there are other indicators regarding the status of a connection such as Wi-Fi indicator 420 and Bluetooth indicator 422. These indicators indicate whether there is Wi-Fi connection or a Bluetooth connection or both. Window 424 provides information about the vehicle under test. The vehicle under test information may be provided through the vehicle communication interface, entered by the user through the start new button 402 or through automatic detection via the vehicle communication interface. Window 426 may indicate particular information about the vehicle, such as engine type. The type of information shown in window 426 may be changed by selector dial 428, which when accessed provides additional information to be selected via a menu. Settings 430 may be selected to access various menus for personalizing the diagnostic tool such as brightness, sensitivity of the display, etc. A help button 432 may be provided to allow user to access help information, such as help topics for the diagnostic tool.
As shown in
The user can use his finger, a stylus, or can move a virtual hand 502 in order to select a DTC shown in window 704 for additional information about the DTC as shown in
At the bottom of
In another embodiment, the certain parameters may be updated dynamically as the user sets the conditions. For example, the diagnostic tool can detect when the engine has been turned off and can automatically update the parameters in window 902 accordingly.
The various data parameters that can be recorded during a special test include vehicle speed sensor, intake air temperature sensor, countershaft speed, injector pulse width modulated, trim cell, engine speed, ambient air temperature degrees, engine load, and the like. The data parameters may be measured in mph, Fahrenheit, Celsius, milliseconds, percentage, voltage, current, pressure and the like. The user can select start test button 1018 to start the special test and when done, select the done button 1020.
The actual numerical reading 1120 of the data is also displayed. The numerical reading may also change in color or flash to indicate the data be collected is beyond predetermined thresholds.
The zoom window 1116 enlarges a portion of the data stream in the data window 1114 and may be movable along the data window 1114 as needed by the user. The zoom window 1116 may also alert the user via, for example, flashing or changing color in order to alert the user that the data in the data stream shown in the zoom window has gone beyond predetermined thresholds. In another embodiment, the user may be alerted via vibration of the diagnostic tool or noise, such as a beep from the speaker. That is, the user is alerted because the data in the data stream is above or below predetermined thresholds for that particular component or parameter being tested.
Examples of predetermined thresholds include whether a DTC has been set, temperature of the component is too high or too low, rotations per minute of the engine is too high or too low, and the like.
In another embodiment, as the zoom window 1116 is moved along the data window 1114 by the user, if the portion of the data stream in the zoom window is beyond the predetermined thresholds, then the user is alerted so that he can further review the data. This allows the user to quickly determine where the data that he is interested in may be located. In still another embodiment, the zoom window 1116 may “pop up” when the data in the data stream is beyond the predetermined thresholds and thereby alerting the user to view the data window closely.
Using sort options button 1106, the user can sort the various parameters being collected to his preferences. Once the test is completed, user can clear data by selecting clear data button 1108. The user may also view previous data recordings 1112 by selecting load recording button 1110, which can also show the previous data recordings available to user for selection. In one embodiment, the previous data recordings 1112 may alert the user via, for example, flashing or changing color that a particular previous data recording contains data that is beyond the predetermined thresholds. This allows the user to more efficiently view the previous data recording that would be of interest to the user. Once the previous data recording is selected, the user may view the data stream associated with that particular previous data recording.
As the data in the data stream is be recorded and the diagnostic tool is able to determine that the data is beyond the predetermined thresholds, the diagnostic tool continues to determine that additional information may be available and updates the number shown on the information indicator 408 as appropriate. The update to the number shown on information indicator 408 can be done in the background and automatically. The user may select done button 1118 in order to return to the diagnostic hub.
In one embodiment, the data stream may be recorded automatically once the data stream button 410 is first selected or automatically recorded at any time desired by the user. The data stream may recorded in a buffer for a certain time increments such as 3 seconds, 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 45 seconds, 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes and the like. The buffer is continuous and records for the set amount as the diagnostic tool 100 is used. By having the data stream recorded in a buffer, the user may use the timeline to view any data that has gone beyond the predetermined parameters. The buffer may be stored in any of the memory described herein such as memories 308 and 318.
Once the data stream is recorded, the user can select the play button 1208 to start the display of the data stream and the frame indicator will move along the timeline accordingly. Alternatively, the user may select load recording button 1110 and load the desired previous data recordings 1112. In another embodiment, the user may manually move the frame indicator 1204 to any point along the timeline or time frame and then press the play button 1208. A back button 1210 moves the frame indicator back in time (in one direction) for a predetermined increment period of time and a forward button 1212 moves the frame indicator forward in time (in a second direction) for a predetermined increment period of time. A pause (not shown) button may also be used to provide a stationary view of the data window.
In another embodiment, the zoom window 1116 may also be moved manually by the user with his finger or a stylus, which will also move the frame indicator correspondingly along the time line. In still another embodiment, there may be more than one zoom window and can function as described herein.
The embodiments described herein are implemented on a graphical user interface that can be stored on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium includes the memories described herein, CD, DVD, flash memory and the like. The computer readable medium can be external or internal to the diagnostic tool and executed by the processor.
Although the embodiments herein are described the use with a diagnostic tool, they may also be used in any computing device such as a tablet, a PC, notebook, PDA, smart phone and the like. The diagnostic tool and the graphical user interface can be used to diagnose vehicles, appliances, medical devices and the like.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
