Patent Application
20080059019
The features of the presently disclosed method and system for on-board automotive audio recorder will be described hereinbelow with references to the figures, wherein:
Referring now to the drawing figures, wherein like references numerals identify identical or corresponding elements, an embodiment of the presently disclosed method and system for on-board automotive audio recorder will now be disclosed in detail. The on-board automotive audio recorder system of the present disclosure provides for diagnostic audio data digitally recorded for providing complementary parametric data to an OBD-II system (On-Board Diagnostics System, Generation 2) of a vehicle.
The on-board automotive audio recorder system includes a plurality of sensor devices for detecting and recording signals undetected by the OBD-II system and transferring and implementing the undetected signals into the serial data stream of the OBD-II system. In particular, the on-board automotive audio recorder is used for integrating at least one of a vibratory and acoustic sounds associated with intermittent and mechanical sounds into the OBD-II system. A plurality of sensor or acoustic vibration pick-up devices is included for generating data signals associated with the vibration and acoustic sounds. A plurality of operator activated and controlled sound sensors, e.g. microphones, is also included for capturing operator input, the operator input are then associated with the data signals and integrated into the OBD-II system data stream. Time stamping circuitry is configured for associating a time code with the audio data and converting the audio data into a wav file for storing the audio data as a digital audio data.
With initial reference to
With reference to
In one embodiment, sensor devices 104 are configured for detecting at least one of a vibratory and acoustic sound associated with at least one vehicle component and/or device, where the vibratory and acoustic sounds are undetected by OBD-II system 200. Alternatively, sensor devices 104 are for detecting electrical signals generated by vehicle components and undetected by OBD-II system 200. Sensor devices 104 are further configured for converting the vibratory and acoustic sounds into electromagnetic data signals. In one embodiment, sensor devices 104 are acoustic vibration pick-up devices, however, other sensor devices are also envisioned, such as, for example, electromagnetic sensors, mechanical sensors, chemical sensors, thermal sensors, optical sensor, radiation sensors, and the like.
Time stamping circuitry 106 includes software applications for associating a time code with the vibratory and/or acoustic sounds detected by sensor devices 104a, 104b, 104c and 104d. In one embodiment, the time code includes a calendar date and time. At least one time-stamped electrical data signals is generated and associated with the data signal. The time-stamped electrical data signals are then transmitted to recording device module 102. In one embodiment, time stamping circuitry 106 is a corresponding module of recording device module 102. Alternatively, time stamping circuitry 106 may be a separate module coupled to recording device 102.
Recording device module 102 is adapted for receiving the at least one time-stamped electrical data signals from time stamping circuitry 106. In particular, recording device module 102 is configured for generating and storing a digitized audio data associated with the time-stamped electrical data signal. In one embodiment, recording device module 102 includes a recording processor 108 configured for executing application software for integrating the digitized audio data file and/or operational data into OBD-II system 200. Alternatively, recording processor 108 may be implemented as a separate component coupled to recording device module 102.
In an alternative embodiment, recording processor 108 is coupled to OBD-II system 200 and recording processor 108 includes a recording module for analyzing data signals corresponding to sensor devices 104, generating a digital recording in accordance with the analysis and transmitting the digital recording into the diagnostic data stream of OBD-II system 200. Recording processor 108 further includes a recording notification module for generating and transmitting to OBD-II system 200 a notification message specifying a time code corresponding to the digital recording.
In operation, sensor devices 102 identifies signals undetected by OBD-II system 200, such as, for example, vibratory and/or acoustic signals associated with the malfunction of at least one vehicle component. Time stamping circuitry 106 time stamps the identified signals and transmits the time-stamped signals to recording device module 102. Recording device module 102 generates and stores a digitized audio data associated with the time-stamped electrical data signals. Finally, recording processor 108 executes application software and integrates the digitized audio data file into the serial data stream of OBD-II system 200.
With reference to
In one embodiment, activation control panel 110 includes an on-off switch 114 and an LED display 112. On-off switch 114 is triggered for manually effecting actuation of recording device module 102. In one embodiment, LED 112 may be coupled to a malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) of OBD-II system 200, such that when MIL is illuminated (e.g. when a malfunction is detected), LED 112 is also illuminated. In operation, when a user notices, for example, an unusual sounds, the operator may manually begin data capture of audio recording, by describing environmental conditions, such as, for example, position of the steering wheel, weather conditions, the time of day, etc.
In another embodiment, audio recording system 100 is automatically actuated upon the detection of a vibratory or acoustic sounds generated by faulty and improperly functioning components and undetected by OBD-II system 200. In this particular embodiment, LED display 116 may be illuminated to indicate to the operator that recording device module 102 is recording. Alternatively, a notification module (not shown) may be included for generating and transmitting a notification message to the operator. The notification message may include, for example, an indicator light, an audible beep and an instant message. In such instance, the operator may choose to manually activate a plurality of sound sensors, such as, for example, a microphones (not shown), selectively disposed and adapted for capturing operator input. The operator, for example, may describe environmental conditions such as time of the day, weather conditions, position of steering wheel, time of the day, etc. The operator input are associated with the data signals and integrated into the data stream of OBD-II system 200.
With continued reference to
Recording device module 102 may further include circuitry for automatically detecting operational and environmental conditions associated with the data signals generated by the sensor devices 104a, 104b, 104c and 104c. In particular, a system control module (not show) may be interfaced with recording processor 108 such that when audio recording system 100 is activated, operational and environmental conditions are also recorded and associated with the data signals. Generally, the operational and environmental conditions include a plurality of time varying characteristics. These time varying characteristics include, for example, water temperature, brake fluid pressure, oil pressure, efficiency of engine, and a combination thereof.
With reference to
The time-stamped audio data from recording device module 102 (416) and the data parameters and diagnostic trouble codes (406) recorded by OBD-II system 200 are collected in a repository database (418). Recording processor 108 then executes application software for formatting this information for diagnostic display (420). The diagnostic display is then integrated into OBD-II system 200. The diagnostic display includes a graphical/audio diagnostic data presentation (422), wherein the audio data can be played audibly and/or represented graphically.
The following example illustrates the method of detecting signals undetected by an OBD-II system in accordance with the present disclosure. It is noted that the following example is not intended to limit the disclosure, but is included for illustrative purpose.
An operator is traveling north east at 60 miles per hour at 11:30 PM on a raining night. The operator notices an unusual sound coming from the direction of the engine. In addition, LED display 116 is illuminated indicating that recording device module 102 has been actuated and signals undetected by OBD-II system 200 are being recorded therein. The operator triggers on/off switch 112 of operator panel 110 for actuating recording device module 102 and describing the environmental conditions. The operator proceeds to describe the environmental conditions in real time, e.g. it is 11:30 PM, raining, traveling north east, position of steering wheel is 2 o'clock, etc. The operator input are integrated with the undetected data signals, are recorded by recording device module 102 and integrated into OBD-II system 200 for aiding repair technicians.
It will be understood that numerous modifications and changes in form and detail may be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure. It is contemplated that numerous other configuration of the on-board automotive audio recorder system 100 may be used, and the components of the on-board automotive audio recorder system 100 may be selected from numerous components other than those specifically disclosed. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting the disclosed on-board automotive audio recorder system and method 100, but merely as exemplification of the various embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envisioned numerous modifications within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims appended hereto. In short, it is Applicant's intention that the scope of the patent issuing herefrom will be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. Having thus complied with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected is set forth in the appended claims.
