Vehicle Scan Tool ECU Group Selection for Faster Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle scan tools (VSTs) lack customizable communication options with electronic control units (ECUs), leading to inefficient data acquisition and resource wastage by communicating with all ECUs, even when only specific subsets are needed for diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
VSTs are enhanced to provide user-selectable controls (USCs) that allow technicians to choose specific ECU subsets based on vehicle systems, zones, or functionalities, transmitting data messages only to the selected ECUs, and enabling dynamic configuration for diagnostic trouble code requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the VST communicates with all ECUs in the vehicle, then comprehensive diagnostic data can be obtained, but communication time and computing resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ECU communication process by allowing technicians to select specific ECUs or groups of ECUs based on the diagnostic needs. The system divides the vehicle's ECU network into selectable subsets, enabling targeted communication rather than blanket communication with all ECUs. This is implemented through user-selectable controls that correspond to specific ECUs or ECU groups, reducing unnecessary communication overhead while maintaining diagnostic comprehensiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by enabling communication with only the necessary subset of ECUs rather than all ECUs. The system allows technicians to perform partial diagnostics by selecting specific ECUs relevant to the suspected issue, thereby reducing communication time and resource usage while still obtaining sufficient diagnostic information for effective troubleshooting.
2Reliability
If the VST communicates with all ECUs in the vehicle, then complete system status can be monitored, but computing resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the computational load by processing data from selected ECUs rather than all ECUs. The user-selectable controls enable technicians to divide the diagnostic task into manageable portions, allocating computing resources only to the ECUs relevant to the current diagnostic scenario. This reduces overall computing resource consumption while maintaining adequate system status monitoring capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by tailoring the communication and processing intensity to the specific diagnostic needs. Different ECU selections correspond to different diagnostic scenarios, with computing resources allocated proportionally to the selected ECUs. This ensures that computing resources are used efficiently, with higher intensity applied only where diagnostically necessary.
3Ease of operation
If the VST provides fixed communication options, then the interface is simple to use, but it cannot be customized for specific diagnostic needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the VST interface adaptable and reconfigurable based on diagnostic needs. The user-selectable controls allow the interface to dynamically adjust its functionality, transitioning from a fixed menu structure to a flexible selection system. Technicians can customize the communication scope by selecting specific ECUs or groups, enabling the interface to adapt to various diagnostic scenarios while maintaining ease of use through standardized control mechanisms.
4Productivity
If the VST communicates with specific subsets of ECUs, then communication efficiency improves, but the complexity of selecting and configuring ECUs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces selection complexity by segmenting ECUs into logical groups based on vehicle systems or functionalities. Rather than requiring technicians to individually select each ECU, the system provides user-selectable controls that correspond to pre-defined ECU groups or systems. This segmentation approach maintains communication efficiency by targeting specific ECUs while simplifying the selection process through organized categorization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing the user-selectable controls to serve multiple functions. The same control interface can select individual ECUs, groups of ECUs, or entire vehicle systems depending on the diagnostic scenario. This multi-functional approach reduces the number of different interfaces or configurations needed, thereby reducing overall complexity while maintaining the ability to communicate with specific ECU subsets efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples relate to methods and systems for selective communication with electronic control units (ECUs) of a vehicle. A vehicle scan tool can provide user-selectable controls that correspond to predetermined group of ECUs representing subsets of all of the ECUs located in a vehicle. In response to receiving a selection of a particular user-selectable control, the scan tool transmits one or more first vehicle data messages with a diagnostic trouble code request to the predetermined group of ECUs associated with the selected option. The diagnostic trouble code request can include a request to clear one or more diagnostic trouble codes in the predetermined group of ECUs or a request to respond with a status of one or more diagnostic trouble codes being set in the predetermined group of ECUs. The scan tool can communicate with multiple subsets of ECUs when the user selects multiple user-selectable controls.