USB Flash Memory Device Compatibility with Vehicle Diagnostic Scan Tools

Solution Overview

Problem

Diagnostic scan tools face limitations in memory capacity due to proprietary software and incompatible off-the-shelf USB flash memory devices, which are often formatted for Windows or Mac OS and not recognized by scan tools with proprietary operating systems, restricting data storage and retrieval capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A software product that allows the use of off-the-shelf USB flash memory devices by detecting and writing data at a sector level, regardless of the operating system format, enabling the collection and storage of diagnostic information from vehicles on these devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If off-the-shelf USB flash memory devices formatted for Windows or Mac OS are used, then ease of operation and data transfer between personal computers are improved, but compatibility with proprietary operating systems in scan tools deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidcompatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a file system translation layer that acts as an intermediary between the proprietary operating system of the scan tool and standard file systems (FAT16/FAT32) on USB flash memory devices. This translation layer enables compatibility without requiring reformatting of the USB device, allowing scan tools to recognize and write to off-the-shelf USB devices while maintaining their original formatting for use with personal computers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If diagnostic software is stored on compact flash cards, then data storage capacity is improved, but the limited memory space restricts the amount of diagnostic data that can be collected and stored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory capacityVSAvoiddata storage flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the USB flash memory device universally compatible with both proprietary scan tool operating systems and standard personal computer operating systems. A single USB device can serve multiple functions: storing diagnostic software, collecting diagnostic data from vehicles, and transferring data to personal computers for analysis, eliminating the need for separate storage media for different purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If USB flash memory devices are formatted with DOS FAT16/FAT32 file system, then compatibility with personal computers is improved, but recognition by scan tools with proprietary operating systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a file system translation layer that acts as an intermediary between the proprietary operating system of the scan tool and standard file systems (FAT16/FAT32) on USB flash memory devices. This translation layer enables compatibility without requiring reformatting of the USB device, allowing scan tools to recognize and write to off-the-shelf USB devices while maintaining their original formatting for use with personal computers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9014907B2Universal serial bus memory device for use in a vehicle diagnostic device

Publication Date: 2015.04.21 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

AI summary

A method and apparatus are provided that allow an off-the-shelf USB flash memory device to be used with a scan tool. The USB flash memory device can have a different operating system then the proprietary operating system of the scan tool. The method and apparatus allows the scan tool to read from and write on the USB flash memory device regardless of the formatted operating system on the device.