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EP0660241A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Diagnostic interface circuit

Assignee: Old Carco LLC
•
Filing: 1994-12-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-12-22
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Abstract

Abstract An interface circuit for providing signals necessary to monitor one or more on-board vehicle computers through a serial communication link between an off-board controller and the on-board vehicle computer. The interface circuit is provided on the vehicle in order to provide the command signals to the off-board controller which will enable a standard monitoring device to read key information from the on-board vehicle computer. Additionally, the interface circuit also provides support of a second mode of operation that conforms to a proprietary communications protocol. The interface circuit automatically recognizes and adapts to the proper communication protocol for the tool sensed. The interface circuit complies with both a proprietary communication protocol and with an ISO 1941 format which satisfies an OBDII/CARB specification which all automobiles sold in the United States must comply with by the 1996 model year. <IMAGE>

Inventors

  • 👤 Charles J. Berra

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 05:59
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F13/00; G06F13/38; G06F13/40; G06F13/4063; G06F13/4068; G01; G01R; G01R31/00; G01R31/005; G01R31/006; G01R31/007; G07; G07C; G07C2205/00; G07C2205/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 137 words
An interface circuit for automatically enabling bi-directional communication with at least one on-board vehicle computer under a plurality of different communication protocols, comprising: bi-directional communication means for enabling communication under a first protocol; full duplex communication means for enabling communication under a second protocol, said bi-directional communication means for an omni-directional receive bus and a second bus means for a complimentary omni-directional transmit bus; edge-detect means for distinguishing between an identification message and a communication data packet providing an output; comparator means with a first input coupled to said output of said edge-detect means for changing a mode of communication between said first communication protocol and said second communication protocol as a result of said output of said edge-detect means; feedback means for enabling reception of incoming messages while filtering a local echo of a transmitted message.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 35 words
The interface circuit according to Claim 1, wherein said interface circuit includes an input power conditioning means for providing a reference battery voltage to the first input of the comparator means compensating for battery variances.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 17 words
The circuit according to Claim 2, wherein said battery variances range between 8 and 16 Volts DC.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
The circuit according to Claim 3, wherein said standardized communication bus conforms to an ISO 9141 specification.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 125 words
A method of communicating information between an on-board vehicle computer and a proprietary monitoring and programming device using a first protocol and for communicating information between said on-board vehicle computer and a second monitoring device using a second protocol, comprising the steps of: providing a first communication protocol using a bi-directional communication bus; providing a second communication protocol using said bi-directional communication bus for an omni-directional receive bus and a second bus for a complimentary omni-directional transmit bus; distinguishing between an idenification message and a communication data packet and providing an output; switching automatically between said first communication protocol and said second communication protocol as a result of said output; and enabling reception of incoming messages while filtering a local echo of a transmitted message.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method according to Claim 5, wherein said second communication protocol conforms to an ISO 9141 standard.

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