Vehicle Diagnostic, Communication and Signal Delivery System

Abstract

A diagnostic tool that includes components that allow the diagnostic tool to record data while the vehicle is driven in order to capture data for intermittent faults. The diagnostic tool can operate in harsh conditions such as high and low temperatures. The diagnostic tool includes a capacitor to power the diagnostic tool in order to prevent complete drainage of the vehicle battery. The diagnostic tool includes a support module that can couple with a socket and a plug in order to keep them mated together during use.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled, “Vehicle Diagnostic, Communication and Signal Delivery System,” filed Aug. 3, 2010, having a Ser. No. 61 / 370,264, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This patent application relates generally to a vehicle diagnostic and communication system. More specifically, an on-road vehicle data recording system, such as a diagnostic tool, and a reliable signal delivery connector and support structure module.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]When a problem arises in a vehicle, such as an automobile, the owner takes the automobile to a service station or a garage for a mechanic to diagnose the problem. If the problem occurs frequently or occurs at the service station, then the mechanic can diagnose the problem with the diagnostic tools on site. However, the problem can be intermittent and may not occur wh...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of retrieving diagnostic information from a vehicle is provided, which can include communicating with a diagnostic computer of the vehicle in a communication protocol with a serial communication interfaces of a diagnostic tool, retrieving diagnostic data from the vehicle with a processor of the diagnostic tool, storing the retrieved diagnostic data in a circular buffer of a first memory that is coupled to the processor, and putting the diagnostic tool into a reduced power state with a power management unit when there is no diagnostic data being detected by the diagnostic tool.

Problems solved by technology

When a problem arises in a vehicle, such as an automobile, the owner takes the automobile to a service station or a garage for a mechanic to diagnose the problem.

However, the problem can be intermittent and may not occur when the vehicle is at the service station, thus the mechanic may not be able to diagnose the problem.

If the mechanic cannot diagnose the problem while the vehicle is at the service station, the owner can become frustrated because the problem still exists and he has taken time off from work in order to bring the vehicle in for service.

Further, the owner will have to take additional time off to bring the vehicle back for servicing when the intermittent problem occurs again.

An intermittent problem or event may be a spark plug in one of the vehicle's cylinder that does not fire properly when the vehicle hits a bump in the road at certain speeds causing the vehicle to lose power.

The event does not occur every time the vehicle hits a bump, but does occur enough that the owner is frustrated.

Further, should the intermittent problem occur when the vehicle is in the middle of an intersection, the owner may cause an accident due to loss of power during acceleration across a crowded intersection.

However, since the event may not be recreated at the service station or when the mechanic takes the vehicle for a test drive, it will be difficult for the mechanic to diagnose the problem.

However, USB connections are meant for light duty in a home or an office and often are accidentally disconnected or damaged while in use in a harsh environment of a service station.

The disconnection creates issues to a user and to the diagnostic tool.

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