Adapter and circuit for internet protocol based diagnostic communications

Abstract

An adapter and circuitry for internet protocol based diagnostic communications are provided. An adapter to be used for an Internet Protocol-Based Diagnostic (DOIP) compatible vehicle diagnostic system provides interconnectivity between a vehicle diagnostic bus and a diagnostic processor. The adapter converts the DOIP signal from the first connector into another format. Some embodiments transmit the DOIP signal to a second connector, such as an Ethernet compatible connector, for hardwired communication. Some embodiments convert the DOIP signal to a wireless signal, such as a Wi-Fi compatible signal, for wireless communication with a diagnostic processor.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicle diagnostics. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to an interconnection between a diagnostic processor and a vehicle processor using a diagnostics over internet protocol (DOIP) diagnostic protocol. Background Art

[0002] Diagnostics over internet protocol (DOIP) is an emerging communication protocol for vehicle diagnostic hardware. Currently, the DOIP connection to a diagnostic processor for use during manufacturing or installation relies on a vehicle communication interface (VCI) to establish data communication between a vehicle diagnostic bus and an external processor. However, external processors for installation and diagnostics are fast enough to translate the DOIP signals for utilization. Eliminating the need for a VCI processor in the connection between vehicle diagnostic buses can reduce complexity and cost in systems for vehicle diagnostics and installation.

[0003] Desired is an interconnection between a vehicle diagnostic bus and a diagnostic processor that does not utilize a VCI processor. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a diagnostics over internet protocol (DOIP) adapter. The adapter includes a first connector, a second connector, a comparator circuit, and a multiplexing circuit. The first connector has a first set of pins and is configured to interface with a vehicle diagnostic bus using the DOIP protocol. The second connector has a second set of pins and is configured to interface with a diagnostic processor. The comparator circuit is configured to generate a control signal indicative of a DOIP pin configuration received by the first connector. The multiplexing circuit is configured to selectively connect one of the first pins to one of the second pins in response to the control signal. A subset of the first pins is connected to a corresponding subset of the second pins independent of the conditions of the multiplexing circuit. In some embodiments, the first connector includes a J1962 connector. In some embodiments, the second connector is an RJ45 connector.

[0005] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to an Internet Protocol based Diagnostic (DOIP) adapter that includes a first connector, a multi-pin transceiver, a comparator circuit, and a multiplexing circuit. The first connector has a plurality of first pins and is configured to interface with a vehicle diagnostic bus using the DOIP protocol. The multi-pin transceiver circuit has a second set of pins and is configured to wirelessly transmit and receive data with a diagnostic processor external to the vehicle. The comparator circuit is configured to generate a switching signal indicative of a DOIP pin configuration received by the first connector. The multiplexing circuit is configured to selectively connect one of the first pins to one of the second pins in response to the switching signal. Independently of the multiplexing circuit, at least one of the first pins is connected to a corresponding one of the second pins. In some embodiments, the multi-pin transceiver is configured to establish communication with the diagnostic processor using a Local Area Network (LAN) protocol, such as the Wi-Fi protocol. In some embodiments, the multi-pin transceiver is configured to establish communication with the diagnostic processor using a Personal Area Network protocol, such as the Bluetooth protocol.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a diagnostic system that includes a diagnostic processor and an Internet Protocol based Diagnostic (DOIP) adapter. The diagnostic processor is adapted to communicate with a vehicle using the DOIP protocol. The DOIP adapter includes a first connector, a second connector, a comparator circuit, and a multiplexing circuit. The first connector has a first set of pins and is configured to interface with a vehicle diagnostic bus using the DOIP protocol. The second connector has a second set of pins and is configured to interface with the diagnostic processor. The comparator circuit is configured to generate a control signal indicative of a DOIP pin configuration received by the first connector. The multiplexing circuit is configured to selectively connect one of the first pins to one of the second pins in response to the control signal. Independently of the multiplexing circuit, a subset of the first pins is connected to a corresponding subset of the second pins.

[0007] The above and other aspects of the present disclosure will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a diagnostic system.

[0009] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a diagnostic system utilizing a DOIP adapter.

[0010] Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the lead wires of a connector compliant with the J1962 specification.

[0011] Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of the lead wires of a connector compliant with the RJ45 specification.

[0012] Figure 5It is a circuit diagram showing an adapter circuit that connects a vehicle diagnostic bus and a diagnostic processor using the DOIP protocol.

[0013] Figure 6 It is a circuit diagram showing an adapter circuit that connects a vehicle diagnostic bus and a diagnostic processor using the DOIP protocol.

[0014] Figure 7 It is a circuit diagram showing an adapter circuit that wirelessly connects a vehicle diagnostic bus and a diagnostic processor using the DOIP protocol.

[0015] Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of a diagnostic system that wirelessly connects a vehicle diagnostic bus and a diagnostic protocol using a DOIP adapter and the DOIP protocol.

[0016] Figure 9 It is a circuit diagram showing an adapter circuit that connects a vehicle diagnostic bus and a diagnostic processor using the DOIP protocol. Detailed implementation

[0017] The illustrated embodiments are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples that can be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and some features may be enlarged or minimized to show details of particular components. The specific structural and functional details disclosed should not be construed as limiting, but rather as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art how to practice the disclosed concepts.

[0018] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a diagnostic system using the Diagnostic over Internet Protocol (DOIP) protocol. Vehicle 100 includes a diagnostic bus 103 using the DOIP protocol. The diagnostic bus 103 communicates data via a first connection 107 with a vehicle communication interface (VCI) 105. The VCI 105 then transmits the data via a second connection 111 to a diagnostic processor 109. The VCI 105 similarly transmits data and commands in the opposite direction: starting from the diagnostic processor 109 and delivered to the diagnostic bus 103. This diagnostic system docks with the diagnostic bus 103 using a first connector 113 and docks with the diagnostic processor 119 using a second connector 119.

[0019] In the depicted embodiment, the first connector 113 may conform to established vehicle diagnostic standards, such as an on-board diagnostic (OBD) connector that conforms to the J1962 specification. Without departing from the teachings disclosed herein, other embodiments may include other connector types suitable for use with vehicles having other diagnostic ports that conform to different standards.

[0020] In the depicted embodiment, the second connector 119 may conform to an established data transmission standard, such as an Ethernet connector conforming to the RJ45 specification, suitable for various types of Ethernet communication. By way of example and not limitation, the second connection 111 may utilize Category 5 ("CAT5") or Category 6 ("CAT6") twisted pair specifications, but other embodiments may utilize other connectors or cable types for transmission without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0021] In the depicted embodiment, the diagnostic processor 109 includes a diagnostic tablet tool, but other embodiments may include other processor configurations without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0022] The diagnostic processor 109 may be embodied as a mobile processing device, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a wearable computing device, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA) device, a handheld processor device, a specialized processor device, a processor system distributed across a network, a processor system configured for wired or wireless communication, or any other alternative embodiment known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Advantageously, in embodiments where the diagnostic processor 109 includes a general-purpose computing device (so-called "off-the-shelf" device) - such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a smart phone - the total cost of the diagnostic system may be reduced compared to specialized hardware embodiments. In the teachings herein, any embodiment of the diagnostic processor 109 should be understood to have a data port or a wireless enabling element suitable for exchanging data.

[0023] In the depicted embodiment, the VCI 105 includes a microprocessor element for converting data in the DOIP format suitable for the diagnostic bus 103 into data in the Ethernet format suitable for the diagnostic processor 109, and vice versa. The microprocessor element may be expensive compared to other solutions envisioned with configurations of lesser complexity and lower cost.

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a diagnostic system according to the teachings disclosed herein that does not utilize a VCI (such as VCI 105; see Figure 1) Instead, the diagnostic processor 109 is configured to directly receive the DOIP signals transmitted by the diagnostic bus 103. This direct transmission advantageously reduces the transmission latency as the microprocessor of the VCI no longer needs to read and re-transmit the DOIP data to the diagnostic processor 109. The diagnostic processor 109 may additionally receive the DOIP signals via less expensive conventional transmission ports, such as an RJ45 port (not shown). These conventional transmission ports can reduce the cost of the diagnostic system by using an inexpensive transmission medium for the data communication connection 209 between the diagnostic bus 103 and the diagnostic processor 109. However, since the diagnostic bus 103 can be accessed using the first connector 113 and the diagnostic processor can be accessed via the second connector 119, an adapter 211 is used to transmit the DOIP signals between the diagnostic bus 103 and the diagnostic processor 109 and vice versa. Since the DOIP signals are predictable, the relatively expensive microprocessor of the VCI is not required as the DOIP protocol specification enables the construction of a functional DOIP adapter 211 from passive electronic devices and integrated circuits.

[0025] In the depicted embodiment, the connection 209 includes an Ethernet-compatible cable that has a matching second connector 119 at either end. This implementation advantageously allows the system to utilize readily available and inexpensive Ethernet-compatible cables during operation of the diagnostic system, but other embodiments may include other configurations that utilize different transmission media or connectors without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0026] In the depicted embodiment, the adapter 211 includes the first connector 113. Figure 3It is a schematic diagram of the lead wires of the first connector 113 of an embodiment where the first connector 113 complies with the J1962 specification. In addition to the shape of the connector, it is important to note that the respective pin names of the first connector 113 are specified in the J1962 specification. This name allows for the interoperability of components and compatibility with the DOIP protocol. In the depicted embodiment, the first connector 113 includes pin 1301, pin 2302, pin 3303, pin 4304, pin 5305, pin 6306, pin 7307, pin 8308, pin 9309, pin 10310, pin 11311, pin 12312, pin 13313, pin 14314, pin 15315, and pin 16316. Additionally, it should be noted that although this disclosure generally conforms to the "pin X" nomenclature, each designated pin can be referred to using ordinal terms: pin 1301 is synonymous with "first pin 301", pin 2302 is synonymous with "second pin 302", and so on for all designated pins. Additionally, it should still be noted that although this disclosure generally conforms to the "pin X" nomenclature, each designated pin can be referred to using their indicated names in Figure 3 : pin 1301 is synonymous with "pin 301", pin 2302 is synonymous with "pin 302", and so on for all designated pins.

[0027] In the depicted embodiment, the adapter 211 (see Figure 2 ) includes a second connector 119. Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the lead wires of the second connector 119 of an embodiment where the second connector 119 complies with the RJ45 specification. In addition to the shape of the connector, it is important to note that the respective pin names of the second connector 113 are specified in the RJ45 specification. In the depicted embodiment, the second connector 119 includes pin 1401, pin 2402, pin 3403, pin 4404, pin 5405, pin 6406, pin 7407, and pin 8408. Additionally, it should be noted that although this disclosure generally conforms to the "pin X" nomenclature, each designated pin can be referred to using ordinal terms: pin 1401 is synonymous with "first pin 401", pin 2402 is synonymous with "second pin 402", and so on for all designated pins. Additionally, it should still be noted that although this disclosure generally conforms to the "pin X" nomenclature, each designated pin can be referred to using their indicated names in Figure 3 : pin 1401 is synonymous with "pin 401", pin 2402 is synonymous with "pin 402", and so on for all designated pins.

[0028] The successful implementation of a diagnostic system utilizing the DOIP protocol requires following the electrical signals transmitted on specific pins specified for each connector designed for the standard specification.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a circuit diagram illustrating the electrical connection of an adapter 211 between a first connector 113 and a second connector 119. In the depicted embodiment, not all of the pins 301 - 316 or pins 401 - 408 need to be connected to other parts of the adapter 211, but other embodiments may include optional connections for one or more unused pins without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0030] In the depicted embodiment, the adapter 211 includes a comparator circuit 501 and a multiplexing circuit 503. It should also be noted that in the depicted embodiment, an electrical ground (also referred to as "ground" or "neutral") 505 is established via pin 5305 of the first connector 113. It should also be noted that a positive voltage rail 507 suitable for powering the components of the adapter 211 is electrically connected to pin 16316 of the first connector 113. In the depicted embodiment, the positive voltage rail 507 may be established via pin 316 by drawing charge from a power supply attached to the vehicle housing the first connector 113 (such as vehicle 100; see Figure 2 ), but other embodiments may include alternative power sources, such as a battery or an external supply (not shown), without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. In some embodiments utilizing Ethernet - compatible connectors for the first connector 113 or the second connector 119, additional power may be drawn from a device connected to the adapter via Ethernet without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. Without departing from the teachings disclosed herein, the value of the positive voltage rail 507 can be any value, but in the depicted embodiment, compliance with the voltage specified by the DOIP protocol for pin 16 of the J1962 connector will advantageously reduce complexity.

[0031] The DOIP protocol can utilize different pin configurations for compatible connectors. The adapter 211 is advantageously adapted to select between two different DOIP pin assignments to maximize compatibility with the various pin assignments specified by the DOIP protocol. This selection is accomplished using the comparator circuit 501 and the multiplexing circuit 503. The comparator circuit 501 identifies which of the two DOIP pin configurations the associated vehicle is using based on a signal received from the first connector 113. In the depicted embodiment, the comparator circuit 501 receives an identification signal from pin 8308 via a connection 509 that is in electrical communication with a comparator input pin 511.

[0032] In the depicted embodiment, the identification signal is exposed to the measurement of comparator circuit 501 via comparator input pin 511 to determine which of two specified impedances is observed at comparator input pin 511. However, without departing from the teachings disclosed herein, other embodiments may utilize other signals or different pins of first connector 113. In the depicted embodiment, the first DOIP pin configuration may exhibit a 3.3 kΩ impedance and the second DOIP pin configuration may exhibit a 10 kΩ impedance. However, without departing from the teachings disclosed herein, other embodiments may include other configurations. In an alternative embodiment, a selection switch (not shown) may be provided to allow a user to select which DOIP pin configuration the adapter should use to provide compatibility with vehicles that do not utilize the pins of first connector 113 for pin configuration selection.

[0033] Comparator circuit 501 utilizes the identification signal to generate a control signal that will be output via comparator output pin 513. The control signal is transmitted via connection 515 to multiplexing circuit 503. Multiplexing circuit 503 receives the control signal via control input pin 517. Multiplexing circuit 503 then utilizes the control signal to select a source pin from among at least two pins from first connector 113. The pins used as selectable inputs are connected to multiplexing circuit 503 at signal input pin 519 and signal input pin 521. Multiplexing circuit 503 outputs the selected signal via output signal pin 523, which effectively serves as the destination pin for the signal.

[0034] In the depicted embodiment, multiplexing circuit 503 includes multiple control input pins 517, signal input pins 519, and signal input pins 521. Without departing from the teachings disclosed herein, other embodiments may include other arrangements.

[0035] In the depicted embodiment, control input pin 517a is used to select whether multiplexing circuit 503 will select among signal input pin 519a or signal input pin 521a as the first source pin. In the depicted embodiment, signal input pin 519a is electrically connected to pin 1301 via connection 525, and signal input pin 521a is electrically connected to pin 3303 via connection 527. Control input pin 517b is used to select among signal input pin 519b or signal input pin 521b as the second source pin. In the depicted embodiment, signal input pin 519b is electrically connected to pin 9309 via connection 529, and signal input pin 521b is electrically connected to pin 11311 via connection 531. Without departing from the teachings disclosed herein, other embodiments may include other configurations, or a different number of selectable inputs and outputs for the multiplexing circuit.

[0036] During switching, the multiplexing circuit 503 uses the output signal pin 523 as the destination pin because the output signal pin 523 establishes electrical communication with the associated pin of the second connector 119. In the depicted embodiment, the multiplexing circuit 503 includes a plurality of output signal pins 523, but other embodiments may include different numbers or configurations without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0037] In the depicted embodiment, the output signal pin 523a is in electrical communication with the pin 3403 via the connection 533, and the output signal pin 523b is in electrical communication with the pin 6406 via the connection 535. Other embodiments may include other arrangements without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0038] In this arrangement, the multiplexer circuit 503 effectively selects whether the pin 3403 is electrically connected to the pin 1301 or the pin 3303, and whether the pin 6406 is electrically connected to the pin 9309 or the pin 11311, but other embodiments may have other configurations without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0039] It should also be noted that the control input pins 517a and 517b utilize the same control signal, which means that the selections of the multiplexing circuit 503 are effectively grouped: the pins 1301 and 9309 will always be selected together as a first group for connection, and the pins 3303 and 11311 will always be selected together as a second group. In other words, the multiplexer circuit 503 selects a first source pin from the pins 1301 and 3303, and also selects a second source pin from the pins 9309 and 11311. In this embodiment, the pin 3403 will always act as the first destination pin, and the pin 6406 will always act as the second destination pin. Other embodiments may have other configurations without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0040] In the depicted embodiment, the multiplexing circuit includes a power input connected to ground 505 and the positive voltage rail 507, but other embodiments may include other configurations without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0041] In the depicted embodiment, some of the first pins of the first connector 113 are independently connected to the corresponding second pins of the second connector 119, regardless of the multiplexing circuit 503 or the comparator circuit 501. In this embodiment, the pin 12312 is always in electrical communication with the pin 1401 via the connection 537, and the pin 13313 is always in electrical communication with the pin 2402 via the connection 539. Other embodiments may include other configurations or arrangements without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0042] Using adapter 211, a diagnostic processor (such as diagnostic processor 109; see Figure 2 ) can be configured to receive a second connector 119 via a compatible port, but instead of signals that are conventional for the port type, DOIP signals can be expected and received. By way of example and not limitation, the depicted embodiment utilizes a second connector 119 that complies with the RJ45 specification, and the corresponding port of the diagnostic processing device can be configured via software to understand incoming signals from that port as DOIP signals rather than Ethernet signals. Without departing from the teachings disclosed herein, other embodiments can include other configurations that utilize other connector types. By way of example and not limitation, without departing from the teachings disclosed herein, other embodiments can utilize a second connector that complies with the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, the IEEE 1394 (also known as “Firewire”) protocol, the Thunderbolt protocol, the Lightning connector protocol, or any other data transfer protocol recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0043] In the depicted embodiment, comparator circuit 501 and multiplexer circuit 503 are implemented using integrated circuits. Figure 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating adapter 611, and the implementation of adapter 211 has a specific arrangement and configuration for comparator circuit 501 and multiplexer circuit 503.

[0044] In this embodiment, comparator circuit 501 is an integrated circuit that includes an operational amplifier 621 in combination with an input resistor 623 and a feedback network 625 to generate a control signal. The control signal is fed to multiplexer circuit 503, which in this embodiment includes a plurality of switch networks 627 controlled by an amplified version of the control signal generated by comparator circuit 501. In this embodiment, switch network 627a selects one of signal input pins 519a and 521a to be electrically connected to output signal pin 523a, and also selects one of signal input pins 519b and 521b to be electrically connected to output signal pin 523b. Without departing from the teachings disclosed herein, other embodiments can include other configurations of integrated circuits.

[0045] Adapter 611, and more generally adapter 211 (see Figure 5 ) advantageously utilize cost - effective components and hardware connections. In some use cases, such as manufacturing and installing components along an assembly line, it may be desirable to avoid hard - wired connections from the adapter to the diagnostic processor. In such an embodiment, a wireless connection can advantageously enable the adapter to move with a vehicle in motion (such as a vehicle being assembled during manufacturing and installation along an assembly line) without having to accommodate dynamic cable management between the diagnostic bus and the diagnostic processor.

[0046] Figure 7 is a circuit diagram of adapter 711, which has the same function as adapter 211 (see Figure 5 ), except that adapter 711 relies on a multi-pin transceiver circuit 719 instead of a second connector 119 (see Figure 5 ). The multi-pin transceiver circuit 719 has the same number of input pins as the second connector 119 (see Figure 5 ), including the same layout and optional pins as disclosed above with reference to Figure 5 . However, the multi-pin transceiver circuit 719 includes a microprocessor 721 to receive the pin signals and generate corresponding transmission signals, rather than providing a connection to a hardwired cable connection (such as an Ethernet cable). Once the transmission signal is generated, it is received by transceiver 723 for transmission to an external device, including a diagnostic device (such as diagnostic processor 109 (not shown; see Figure 1 , Figure 2 )). The transceiver 723 is additionally configured to receive signals from an external device, which are then passed back to the microprocessor 721 to be converted into DOIP signals for transmission to the vehicle via the first connector 113.

[0047] The multi-pin transceiver circuit 719 additionally includes connections to ground 505 and a positive voltage rail 507 to supply power to the microprocessor 721 and the transceiver 723. Adapter 711 increases the mobility of the adapter by removing the hardware cable that acts as a tether between the vehicle and the external diagnostic device, but doing so increases the complexity and cost compared to adapter 211. However, the microprocessor 721 performs highly specialized tasks of formatting data and generating corresponding signals for conversion, and more importantly does so only in the context of DOIP-compatible signals. Thus, the transceiver circuit 719 can still be manufactured at a reduced complexity and cost compared to conventional VCIs (such as VCI 105; see Figure 1 ), which typically would have compatibility with a variety of diagnostic protocols to justify their cost to the end user.

[0048] In the depicted embodiment, the multi-pin transceiver circuit 719 includes a single transceiver 723 to both transmit and receive wireless signals, but other embodiments may include different transmitter and receiver elements without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0049] Figure 8Schematic illustration of a diagnostic system that utilizes adapter 711. In this embodiment, a multi-pin transceiver circuit 719 establishes a bi-directional wireless data communication channel 809 with a diagnostic processor 109. The diagnostic processor 109 includes a transceiver 819 that is adapted to receive data communication from the adapter 711 and transmit data communication (including commands) to the adapter 711, which serves as a gateway to the diagnostic bus 103. In some embodiments, without departing from the teachings disclosed herein, the diagnostic processor 109 may include different transmitter and receiver elements.

[0050] In the depicted embodiment, the wireless data communication channel 809 may utilize a protocol suitable for a local area network (LAN) or a personal area network. The wireless data communication channel 809 may include RF (radio frequency) specifications, cellular phone channels (analog or digital), cellular data channels, Bluetooth specifications, Wi-Fi specifications, satellite transceiver specifications, infrared transmission, Zigbee specifications, local area network (LAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), or any other alternative configuration, protocol, or standard known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In the depicted embodiment, the wireless data communication channel 809 may include the Wi-Fi protocol. In such an embodiment, each of the multi-pin transceiver circuit 719 and the transceiver 819 is configured to utilize the Wi-Fi communication protocol. In some embodiments, the wireless data communication channel 809 may include a personal area network protocol, such as the Bluetooth protocol. In such an embodiment, each of the multi-pin transceiver circuit 719 and the transceiver 819 is configured to utilize the Bluetooth communication protocol. Utilizing an established communication protocol, such as the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth protocol, advantageously allows a general-purpose processing device to be programmed to function as the diagnostic processor 109, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of system implementation.

[0051] Some vehicles that utilize the DOIP protocol do not provide a suitable identification signal on a specific pin, and thus some embodiments of the adapter (such as adapter 211; see Figure 2 ) cannot easily identify which pin configuration to use. Figure 9 Circuit diagram illustrating an embodiment of an adapter 911 that includes additional features adapted for these vehicles, thereby advantageously improving the compatibility of the adapter 911 with a DOIP-compatible diagnostic bus (such as diagnostic bus 103; see Figure 2 ). In the adapter 911, the comparator input pin 511 remains in electrical communication with pin 8308 of the first connector 113, but is also in electrical communication with a switch circuit 909. The switch circuit 909 provides a manual switch for the user to select the operating mode of the switch circuit 909. In the depicted embodiment, the switch circuit 909 includes three operating modes, each of which exposes a different resistor network to the comparator input pin 511.

[0052] In the first mode of the switch circuit 909, the first resistor network is exposed to the comparator input pin 511, which has an impedance that matches the impedance expected in the DOIP connection configured with the first pin configuration. By way of example and not limitation, the second mode of the switch circuit 909 may expose the comparator input pin 511 to a 3.3 kΩ impedance, but other embodiments may include other values without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0053] The second mode of the switch circuit 909 exposes the second resistor network to the comparator input pin 511, which has an impedance that matches the impedance expected in the DOIP connection configured with the second pin configuration. By way of example and not limitation, the second mode of the switch circuit 909 may expose the comparator input pin 511 to a 10 kΩ impedance, but other embodiments may include other values without departing from the teachings disclosed herein.

[0054] In the third mode, the switch circuit 909 exposes an open connection to the comparator input pin 511, effectively exposing the input to an infinite resistance in parallel with pin 8308. This mode provides an effective "auto-select compatibility" mode to achieve compatibility of the adapter 911 with a DOIP-compatible vehicle that provides an identification signal suitable for the comparator circuit 501 on pin 8308.

[0055] The user of the adapter 911 can manually select the operating mode of the adapter via the state of the manual switch that controls the switch circuit 909. If the state of the manual switch exposes the first resistor network, the comparator circuit 501 will identify the first pin configuration in response when the first connector 113 does not present other signals. If the state of the manual switch exposes the second resistor network, the comparator circuit 501 will identify the second pin configuration in response when the first connector 113 does not present other signals. If the state of the manual switch exposes an open connection, the comparator circuit 501 will identify the pin configuration for use by the adapter 911 based only on the signal presented on pin 8308 of the first connector 113. Without departing from the teachings disclosed herein, other embodiments may include a different number of operating modes, a different number of switch states, different pins of the first connector 113 that provide signals to the comparator circuit 501, or some combination of these alternatives.

[0056] While the exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the disclosed apparatus and methods. On the contrary, the words used in the specification are descriptive words rather than restrictive words, and it should be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as claimed. The features of the various implementation embodiments may be combined to form additional embodiments of the disclosed concepts.

Claims

1. A Diagnostics over Internet Protocol (DOIP) adapter, the adapter comprising: A first connector having a first set of pins and configured to interface with a vehicle diagnostic bus using a DOIP protocol; a second connector having a second set of pins and configured to interface with a diagnostic processor; a comparator circuit configured to generate a control signal indicative of a DOIP pin configuration received by the first connector; and a multiplexing circuit configured to selectively connect one of the first pins to one of the second pins in response to the control signal, in Independent of the multiplexing circuit, a subset of the first pins is connected to a corresponding subset of the second pins.

2. The DOIP adapter according to claim 1, wherein: The first connector comprises a J1962 connector.

3. The DOIP adapter according to claim 2, wherein: Pin 8 of the first connector provides an input signal to the comparator circuit.

4. The DOIP adapter according to claim 2, wherein: The multiplexing circuit selects one of pin 1 and pin 3 of the first connector as a first source pin in response to the control signal, and connects the first source pin to a first destination pin of the second connector.

5. The DOIP adapter according to claim 4, wherein: The multiplexing circuit selects one of pin 9 and pin 11 of the first connector as a second source pin in response to the control signal, and connects the second source pin to a second destination pin of the second connector.

6. The DOIP adapter according to claim 1, wherein: The second connector includes an RJ45 connector.

7. The DOIP adapter according to claim 6, wherein: The first connector is a J1962 connector.

8. The DOIP adapter according to claim 7, wherein: The multiplexing circuit selects one of pin 1 and pin 3 of the first connector as a source pin in response to the control signal, and connects the source pin to pin 3 of the second connector.

9. The DOIP adapter according to claim 7, wherein: The multiplexing circuit selects one of pins 9 and 11 of the first connector as a source pin in response to the control signal, and connects the source pin to pin 6 of the second connector.

10. The DOIP adapter according to claim 7, wherein: Independent of the multiplexing circuit, pin 12 of the first connector is connected to pin 1 of the second connector.

11. The DOIP adapter according to claim 7, wherein: Independent of the multiplexing circuit, pin 13 of the first connector is connected to pin 2 of the second connector.

12. The DOIP adapter according to claim 1, wherein: The comparator circuit generates the control signal in response to a state of a switch in electrical communication with an input of the comparator circuit.

13. A Diagnostics over Internet Protocol (DOIP) adapter, the adapter comprising: A first connector having a plurality of first pins and configured to interface with a vehicle diagnostic bus using a DOIP protocol; a multi-pin transceiver circuit having a second set of pins and configured to wirelessly transmit and receive data with the diagnostic processor; a comparator circuit configured to generate a switch signal indicative of a DOIP pin configuration received by the first connector; and a multiplexing circuit configured to selectively connect one of the first pins to one of the second pins in response to the switch signal, in Independently of the multiplexing circuit, at least one of the first pins is connected to a corresponding one of the second pins.

14. The DOIP adapter according to claim 13, wherein: The multi-pin transceiver circuit is configured to establish communications with the diagnostic processor using a local area network protocol.

15. The DOIP adapter according to claim 14, wherein: The multi-pin transceiver circuit is configured to establish communications with the diagnostic processor using a Wi-Fi protocol.

16. The DOIP adapter according to claim 13, wherein: The multi-pin transceiver circuit is configured to establish communications with the diagnostic processor using a Bluetooth protocol.

17. A diagnostic system comprising: Diagnostic processor; and Diagnostics over Internet Protocol (DOIP) adapter with a first connector having a first set of pins and configured to interface with a vehicle diagnostic bus using a DOIP protocol; a second connector having a second set of pins and configured to interface with a diagnostic processor; a comparator circuit configured to generate a control signal indicative of a DOIP pin configuration received by the first connector; and a multiplexing circuit configured to selectively connect one of the first pins to one of the second pins in response to the control signal, in Independent of the multiplexing circuit, a subset of the first pins is connected to a corresponding subset of the second pins.

18. The diagnostic system according to claim 17, wherein: The first connector comprises a J1962 connector and the second connector comprises an RJ45 connector.

19. The diagnostic system according to claim 18, wherein: In response to the control signal, the multiplexing circuit selects one of pin 1 and pin 3 of the first connector as the first source pin, and selects one of pin 9 and pin 11 of the first connector as the second source pin, and connects the first source pin to pin 3 of the second connector, and connects the second source pin to pin 6 of the second connector.

20. The diagnostic system of claim 18, wherein: Pin 8 of the first connector provides an input signal to the comparator circuit.

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