The present invention is directed to a programming and diagnostic device for servicing vehicles, and in particular to such a device with an integrated battery charger.
Modern vehicles are equipped with engine control units (“ECUs”) that operate in connection with various computer control modules that are involved in electronic control and/or monitoring of various vehicle functions, with these control modules also being referred to simply as “modules”. Occasionally these modules must be reprogrammed, including after the vehicle has been produced and been in service. Reprogramming of vehicle control modules is referred to as “reflashing” and is performed via a data link connector (“DLC”) of the vehicle that is connected and accessible via an onboard diagnostic (“OBD”) port of the vehicle, such as may be located under the dashboard. Reflashing is typically performed when a vehicle is not running. If power to the ECUs is lost, or drops below a certain level, the ECU will stop accepting commands during the reflashing process, in which case the reflashing will be unsuccessful, and in some instances can be detrimental to the operation of the ECU.
The present invention provides a vehicle programming and diagnostic device, and in particular a vehicle programming device with an integrated battery charger to provide a vehicle with sufficient power during a reprogramming event.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a vehicle computer service device for programming and/or diagnosing a vehicle computer system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a case defining an internal compartment, with a battery charger and a control retained within the compartment. The control includes a controller and a computer having a display with the computer being operably connected with the controller and the controller configured to be connected with the on-board diagnostics (“OBD”) port of a vehicle to reprogram computer control modules of the vehicle.
In accordance with particular aspects, the control may detect when the battery charger is connected to a vehicle battery and be configured to be inoperable to reprogram a computer control module of a vehicle when the control is unconnected to a vehicle battery to ensure the vehicle is powered during a reprogramming operation. The computer maybe operatively connected with an Internet, such as for downloading files for reprogramming of the vehicle.
In accordance with a particular embodiment a pair of posts extend from the case, where cables may be attached to the posts and the terminals of a battery of a vehicle that is being reprogrammed, with the case including a base and a lid. An insert is positioned within the compartment of the case, with the computer being mounted to the insert such that the display is exposed and visible when the lid is opened, with the battery charger being positioned beneath the insert. The insert may further include receptacles for storing a power cord and a vehicle interface cable, with the power cord being connected to the battery charger and the vehicle interface cable configured to being plugged into an OBD port of a vehicle. The case further includes a handle for ease of transport.
In a particular embodiment, the service device is configured as a remote diagnostic system, with the computer of the device communicating via an Internet connection with a remote technician for performing vehicle diagnostics and/or reprogramming. The computer includes a remote diagnostic program that is operable via the Internet in connection with a diagnostic program on a remotely located computer to enable a remotely located technician to perform service on a vehicle, including reprogramming and diagnostic service.
The programming and diagnostic device of the present invention enables vehicle service to be conducted, including reflashing and diagnostic downloading and monitoring, with the vehicle connected to the battery charger of the device. The programming and diagnostic device may be further configured whereby the control of the device detects when the battery charger is connected to a vehicle battery, and may further be configured to be inoperable to reprogram a computer control module of a vehicle when the control is unconnected to a vehicle battery to ensure the vehicle is powered during a reprogramming operation. Confirmation that the battery charger is connected to the vehicle battery prior to initiating reflashing beneficially inhibits a vehicle battery from depleting below a threshold charge level required for reflashing of the vehicle, and thereby inhibits the vehicle from terminating acceptance of the reprogramming commands, which could lead damage of the vehicle computer system.
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. An embodiment of a vehicle reprogramming device 20 in accordance with the present invention is shown in
With initial reference to
Referring to
Referring now to
Insert 64 additionally includes mounting holes 84 through surface 70 for securing insert 64 to mounting supports 86 that are located within the internal compartment 56 of base 34. Legs 66, 68 of insert 64 straddle battery charger 24, with battery charger 24 including a pair of connectors 88, 90 for separate wires 31a, 31b (
As shown in
Receptacle 62 likewise includes an internal cable mount 98 where an internal cable 63a (
Controller 100 comprises hardware and software, and is configured to operate as an SAE J2534 device or tool, such as for example an SAE J2534-1 device, with controller 100 including a USB port 104 for connecting to computer 58. Controller 100 thus operates as a bi-directional communicating pass through device for reprogramming of a vehicle in connection with computer 58, whereby controller 100 and computer 58 comprise a control 101 (
Still further, controller 100 and/or computer 58 may be operably connected with battery charger 24 and include controls, such as software and/or hardware, whereby controller 100 and/or computer 58 are in turn operable to detect operation of battery charger 24. That is, for example, controller 100 and/or computer 58, may detect when current is being drawn and supplied by battery charger 24. Still further, the control of device 20, such as via either controller 100 and/or computer 58, may further prevent the reprogramming of a vehicle by device 20 unless it is detected that battery charger 24 is connected, such as connected to the battery of a vehicle that is to be reprogrammed. That is, prior to initiating or commencing the reflashing, a confirmation is required or may be performed by the control 100 that the battery charger is connected via posts 26, 28. Confirmation that the battery charger 24 is connected prior to initiating reflashing will inhibit a vehicle battery from depleting below the threshold charge or power level required for reflashing of the vehicle, and thereby inhibit the vehicle from terminating acceptance of the reprogramming commands, which could lead to damage of the vehicle ECU. Controller 100 and/or computer 58 may be powered via internal connections with power cable 61, such as via internal cable 61a, or may be provided power from the power supply of battery charger 24.
Device 20 may further be connectable to the Internet for reprogramming operations and/or to receive program updates, such as from OEM or aftermarket suppliers. Tablet computer 58, for example, may include wireless internet interface connectivity, such as via an integrated modem, to receive programs and/or provide information to a technician to assist in the reprogramming of a vehicle. Still further, an alternatively configured computer of device 20 may receive downloaded programs, or include a drive, such as a DVD drive, for downloading programs. Moreover, although device 20 is discussed herein in connection with reprogramming of a vehicle, it should be appreciated that device 20 may additionally be used for vehicle diagnostics, such as the reading of fault codes or other data via the OBD port of a vehicle, or maybe configured or used only for reprogramming or only for diagnostic servicing.
In a particular embodiment device 20 may be configured as a remote diagnostic system, with computer 58 being operable to enable communication via an Internet with a remote technician for performing vehicle diagnostics and/or reprogramming, such as in accordance with commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/446,744 for REMOTE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. That is, computer 58 may include a remote diagnostic program that is operable via an Internet in connection with a diagnostic program on a remotely located computer to enable a remotely located technician to perform service on a vehicle, including reprogramming and diagnostic service. In such an embodiment, a local mechanic would connect device 20 to a vehicle through the vehicle interface cable retained within receptacle 62, connect device 20 to a power source via the power cord retained within receptacle 60, and connect battery cables between the terminals of the battery of the subject vehicle on which service is to be performed and posts 26, 28. The local mechanic would then connect with the remote computer via computer 28, whereby the remotely located technician may perform service work utilizing device 20 without the need for action by the local mechanic.
As noted, in the illustrated embodiment computer 58 comprises a tablet computing device. It should be appreciated, however, that alternative computing devices may be employed within the scope of the present invention, including for example devices having physical keyboards, DVD drives, and the like. The control may alternatively comprise an integrated controller and computing device in a single package. Still further, the device may include a battery charger with the control comprising a controller configured as a vehicle programming device, such as an SAE J2534 device, such as without a computing device. The control may be integrated with the battery charger as discussed above to thereby only be operable for use in reprogramming when the battery charger is detected as being connected to a battery. Still further, although vehicle reprogramming device 20 is discussed above in connection with the reflashing of vehicle control modules and is referred to herein as a “reprogramming device”, it should be appreciated that device 20 may additionally be used for diagnostic operations separate from reprogramming operations, such as to read diagnostic codes of a vehicle without reprogramming, as may be done with an SAE J2534 device.
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.
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Commonly assigned co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 15/446,744, filed Mar. 1, 2017, entitled Remote Diagnostic System and Method, 26 pages. |
Commonly assigned co-pending U.S. Appl. No. 15/651,351, filed Jul. 17, 2017, entitled Vehicle Diagnostic and Programming Device and Method, 21 pages. |
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