Vehicle Communication Interface Module Seamless Wired Wireless Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle diagnostic tools face issues with power management, as they can drain a vehicle's battery when connected, and the internal power supply limits their usage time, while existing solutions do not seamlessly transition between wired and wireless connections.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allow a vehicle communication interface (VCI) to communicate with a diagnostic tool via wired or wireless connections, enabling power balancing between the vehicle, the tool's battery, and other power sources, with seamless communication maintenance when switching between connection types without rebooting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the scan tool is connected to the vehicle's DLC to draw power from the vehicle's battery, then the scan tool can operate with external power supply, but it can drain or damage the vehicle's battery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply to scan toolVSAvoidbattery drain or damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A vehicle communication interface (VCI) is introduced as an intermediary device between the scan tool and the vehicle's DLC. The VCI manages power delivery and communication, allowing the scan tool to operate without directly drawing excessive power from the vehicle battery, thus preventing battery drain or damage while enabling external power supply operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the scan tool uses its own internal power supply (battery), then it can operate independently, but the amount of time a technician can use the scan tool is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoidusage time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between internal battery power and external power sources (vehicle battery through VCI). The scan tool can operate independently on its internal battery when needed, and seamlessly transition to external power supply through the VCI to extend usage time, providing flexible and extended operational duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the scan tool transitions from wireless to wired connection or vice versa, then connection flexibility is improved, but communication interruption may occur requiring reboot

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection type flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The VCI maintains communication protocols and data buffers ready in advance for both wired and wireless connection modes. When transitioning between connection types, the pre-established communication framework allows seamless switching without interruption or reboot, ensuring continuous and reliable communication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9002572B2Docked/undocked vehicle communication interface module

Publication Date: 2015.04.07 BOSCH AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A diagnostic system that includes a vehicle communication interface (VCI) and a diagnostic tool is provided. When the VCI and the diagnostic tool are coupled together through a wired connection, the VCI and the diagnostic tool can communicate with each other and provide power, as needed, to each other. The VCI and the diagnostic tool can also communicate with each other wirelessly when they are not directly coupled to each other. The VCI and the diagnostic tool are configured so that communication is uninterrupted when going from the wired connection to the wireless connection and vice versa.