Handheld Diagnostic Tool VIN Decoder Protocol Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle diagnostic systems require users to manually input vehicle-specific information to determine the correct communication protocol, which is time-consuming and often requires dedicated hardware and subscription-based services, limiting accessibility and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that decode a vehicle's VIN to automatically determine the diagnostic protocol, allowing communication with the onboard computer and transmission of diagnostic data to a remote server via a cell phone, eliminating the need for manual input and dedicated hardware by using a handheld diagnostic tool with a barcode scanner and cellular connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually input vehicle-specific information to determine the correct communication protocol, then the diagnostic tool can accurately communicate with the onboard computer, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically decoding the VIN and retrieving protocol information before the user needs to communicate with the onboard computer. The diagnostic tool proactively determines the correct communication protocol by decoding the VIN and accessing stored protocol data, eliminating the need for manual protocol selection and reducing the time required to establish communication.
2Reliability
If dedicated hardware and subscription-based services are used for diagnostic communication, then reliable diagnostic data transmission is achieved, but accessibility and functionality are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic tool achieves universality by using standard cellular telephone networks for communication instead of requiring dedicated hardware and subscription-based services. The tool can communicate with various vehicles using different protocols by decoding their VINs and accessing stored protocol information, making it accessible to a wide range of users without requiring specialized infrastructure or subscriptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cellular telephone network serves as an intermediary that enables diagnostic data transmission without requiring dedicated hardware or subscription services. The tool uses the existing cellular network infrastructure to transmit diagnostic information, eliminating the need for proprietary communication systems and reducing barriers to accessibility.
3Loss of information
If users navigate complex menus to input vehicle information, then complete vehicle data can be entered, but user patience is lost and operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic tool performs self-service by automatically decoding the VIN and retrieving protocol information without requiring user navigation through complex menus. The system autonomously determines the correct communication protocol by decoding the VIN and accessing stored data, significantly simplifying the user operation while ensuring complete and accurate vehicle information is captured.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method of receiving data from a vehicle onboard computer. The onboard computer is configured to transmit vehicle identification data in response to receipt of an identification request, which is transmitted in a basic communication protocol. The onboard computer is further configured to transmit private operational data in response to receipt of a private data request. The private data request is transmitted in a diagnostic protocol. The method includes connecting a scan tool to the onboard computer, and polling the onboard computer to identify the basic communication protocol. The identification request is then transmitted to the onboard computer. Vehicle identification data is subsequently received from the onboard computer. A protocol database having a plurality of diagnostic protocols is then accessed. Each diagnostic protocol is associated with respective vehicle identification data. The diagnostic protocol is then determined based on the received vehicle identification data.