Vehicle Diagnostic Tool Automatic ECU Protocol Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automotive diagnostic tools face challenges in automatically identifying vehicle ECUs and their communication protocols, requiring extensive technician knowledge and training to select appropriate software applications for diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

A diagnostic tool that automatically identifies communication protocols used by ECUs on a vehicle, initiates communications, and launches corresponding software applications, reducing the need for prior knowledge of specific protocols and software requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a technician uses a scan tool to download error codes from a vehicle's diagnostic system, then diagnostic data can be retrieved, but the process becomes tedious and requires extensive training and substantial knowledge about vehicle ECUs and communication protocols

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic data retrievalVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic tool automatically identifies ECUs and communication protocols without requiring technician intervention. The system performs self-service by autonomously scanning the vehicle bus, detecting ECU types, selecting appropriate communication protocols, and launching correct software applications, thereby eliminating the need for extensive technician knowledge and training

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple communication protocols and software applications within the diagnostic tool. Before the actual diagnostic process, the tool automatically detects which protocols and applications are needed based on the identified ECUs, preparing everything in advance to simplify the technician's workflow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a technician manually selects software applications based on ECU types and communication protocols, then correct diagnostic software can be used, but the process requires substantial knowledge and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware selection accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic preparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic tool implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors communication responses from ECUs and uses this information to automatically adjust and select the appropriate software applications. The tool receives feedback from protocol detection attempts and uses this feedback to launch the correct diagnostic software without technician intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary identification of ECUs and their communication protocols before the actual diagnostic work begins. By detecting ECU types and protocols in advance, the system prepares and launches the appropriate software applications automatically, eliminating the time technicians would otherwise spend on manual selection and preparation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication protocols are supported for different vehicle systems, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidsoftware management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic tool is designed with multi-functionality to support multiple communication protocols (OBD II, SAE J1708, SAE J1939, and proprietary protocols) within a single device. The system automatically detects which protocol is being used and launches the appropriate software application, providing universal compatibility without requiring technicians to manage multiple separate tools or complex software configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages the complexity of multiple protocols by performing self-service detection and selection. When connecting to a vehicle, the diagnostic tool autonomously identifies which communication protocol is in use and automatically launches the corresponding software application, thereby managing protocol diversity without increasing operational complexity for the technician

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8589018B2Vehicle diagnostic tool with copy protection and automatic identification of vehicle ECUs and fault display

Publication Date: 2013.11.19 IDSC HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A diagnostic tool for a vehicle configured to automatically identify different communication protocols used by Electronic Control Units (ECUs) on-board the vehicle. The diagnostic tool includes a connector connectable to a data port of the vehicle; a data processor and a data storage device configured to store a list of different communication protocols. The data processor automatically initiates communications with the ECUs on-board the vehicle using a first communication protocol and if the data processor receives a response comporting to the first communication protocol, the data processor determines that at least one ECU on-board the vehicle is using the first communication protocol. Additionally, the data processor automatically initiates communications with the ECUs on-board the vehicle using a second communication protocol and if the data processor receives a response comporting to the second communication protocol, the data processor determines that at least one ECU on-board the vehicle is using the second communication protocol.