Vehicle Diagnostic Port Identification Using ECU Frame Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle diagnosis plug-in devices face challenges in identifying vehicle type without a valid or available Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), particularly when installed by non-qualified personnel and need to automatically discover the vehicle type without disrupting bus operations.
Innovation Solution
The method employs a frame profile analysis to classify vehicle electronic platforms, allowing for vehicle type determination without relying on the VIN, using a frame profile lookup table and VIN decoder services to correct erroneous VINs and enrich the lookup table with new frame profiles encountered.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the plug-in device requests VIN to determine vehicle type, then vehicle type identification accuracy is improved, but bus operation disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a frame profile as an intermediary element that mediates between the need for vehicle type identification and the desire to avoid bus disruption. Instead of directly requesting VIN which disrupts bus operations, the system first captures frame profiles (passive listening to bus traffic), then uses these profiles to indirectly determine vehicle type through comparison with reference databases, thus avoiding direct VIN requests and bus disruption
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing and analyzing frame profiles before requesting VIN. The frame profile capture occurs during normal bus operation without interruption, creating a preliminary identification basis that may eliminate the need for subsequent VIN requests, thereby preventing bus operation disruption
2Ease of operation
If the plug-in device is designed as universal without individual parametrization, then ease of installation is improved, but vehicle type discovery complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the universal plug-in device to automatically discover vehicle type through frame profile analysis. The device autonomously captures bus traffic, extracts frame profiles, compares them against reference databases, and configures itself without requiring manual parametrization or expert intervention during installation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes by analyzing variations in frame profile parameters (message IDs, data lengths, transmission intervals) to identify vehicle type. The complexity is managed by focusing on specific key parameters in the bus communication protocol rather than requiring comprehensive system configuration
3Measurement precision
If VIN decoding is used to determine vehicle type, then identification accuracy is improved, but reliability decreases when VIN is erroneous or unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by preparing multiple identification pathways in advance. Instead of relying solely on VIN decoding, the system has frame profile-based identification ready as a cushioning alternative. When VIN is erroneous or unavailable, the pre-prepared frame profile method provides backup identification capability, ensuring reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring bus traffic and comparing frame profiles against reference databases. The identification process incorporates feedback loops where initial frame profile analysis guides subsequent VIN request decisions, and results are validated through multiple comparison stages, improving both accuracy and reliability
Data Source
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AI summary
A method carried out in a System comprising a Diagnosis plug-in device (1) a host server (2), diagnostics database suppliers (4), on-board ECUs (3), the method comprising: /a/ couple the diagnosis plug-in device to the diagnosis port (8) of a vehicle of interest, said vehicle of interest having a certain vehicle type, said vehicle type being defined at least by the Make/Model/Year/Powertrain of the vehicle of interest, Ibl cause the diagnosis plug-in device to listen on a diagnosis, receive frames broadcasted by onboard ECUs and detect therefrom a Bus Active condition, Ici after said Bus Active condition, détermine a frame profile according to characteristics of the received frame-IDs, /dl/ détermine vehicle type from the frame profile, with the help of a frame profile lookup table (22,22a) held in the diagnosis plug-in device (1) and/or in the host server (2), /e/ provide a diagnosis stacks dataset database (23) at the diagnosis plug-in device (1) and/or at the host server (2), comprising, for each recorded vehicle type, a diagnosis stacks dataset or a link thereto, said diagnosis stacks dataset comprising at least available request/answer services for the vehicle type of interest.