Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
  • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
  • G07C5/00—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles
  • G07C5/008—Registering or indicating the working of vehicles communicating information to a remotely located station

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle diagnostic systems. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and system of associating parts of a vehicle area network message together to simplify the use of vehicle diagnostic equipment.
• VAN vehicle area network
• Protocol J1708/1587 established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
• SAE Society of Automotive Engineers
• Protocol J1708/1587 establishes a serial data communications link for exchanging and monitoring data being communicated between microprocessors used in heavy-duty vehicle applications.
• Protocol J1708 generally defines the hardware requirements of the data communications link, while protocol J1587 deals with the actual data, the format of the data and/or functions that are to be transmitted across the data link.
• the communication links in trucks and other vehicles provides for the sharing of data among various components or modules that make up the vehicle. These components or modules can range from functional devices or systems incorporated into the vehicle, to extrinsic devices such as diagnostic equipment.
• data sent along the link is grouped into packets known as "messages".
• each message consists of three parts, with certain portions acting as an addressing or routing service that ensures that the message gets to the appropriate destination on the data link.
• the three parts of any message transmitted on the data link include 1) a Message Id 2) One or more Parameters and 3) Checksum.
• FIG. 1 depicts the parts of a typical data message according to an existing protocol.
• the first part is the Message Identification (MID) 5, which identifies the actual component or control system of the vehicle from which the data was transmitted, such as, for example, the engine, transmission, etc. No two components that are capable of transmitting data may have the same MID.
• MID Message Identification
• the second component of a message is a set of data characters, otherwise known as a parameter 7, which makes up the bulk of the message.
• the first portion of every parameter is reserved for what is known as the Parameter Identification (PID). This reserved portion is used to identify the data being sent by a MID, typically by identifying the particular subsystem or section of the control system that generated the message.
• PID Parameter Identification
• This reserved portion is used to identify the data being sent by a MID, typically by identifying the particular subsystem or section of the control system that generated the message.
• PID Parameter Identification
• SIDs Subsystem Identification Numbers
• SIDs can be assigned by the organization or agency that established the previously defined protocol. These SIDs can be used to identify those sections of a control system that do not have a pre-defined PID. SIDs should only be assigned to field-repairable or replaceable subsystems for which failures can be detected and isolated by the control system.
• the remaining data characters making up the parameter convey the meaning of the message. Included within these remaining data characters is a Failure Mode Identifier (FMI).
• FMI Failure Mode Identifier
• the FMI is a specific code that describes the type of failure, if any, detected in the subsystem identified by the PID.
• the FMI when combined with either the PID or SID, form a diagnostic trouble code (DTC).
• DTC diagnostic trouble code
• the last component of the message is a checksum 9, which is a specific character generated based on the sum of the MID value and the data characters of the message. The checksum is used to verify the error-free transmission of a message across the network.
• the invention is directed to a new method of organizing data that corresponds to a pre-defined protocol for a vehicle data link.
• the new method includes establishing message identification (MID) categories into which MID codes can be organized.
• PID parameter identification
• Specific codes of either code type can then be associated with either certain MID categories or certain PID functions, and vice versa. This allows a specific vehicle component, which is identified by a combination of MID and PID codes, to be specified without requiring one to know the specific code combination identifying that component.
• Figure 1 is a graphical depiction of the structure of a message according to an existing protocol.
• Figure 2 is an environmental diagram illustrating one example of a basic system according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• Figures 3A-3D illustrate an example of how a combination of MID and PID relationships may be selected by a user according to one embodiment of the present invention.
• Figures 4A-4D illustrate an example of how a combination of PID and MID relationships may be selected by a user according to another embodiment of the present invention.
• Description of the Preferred Embodiment Illustrated in Figure 2 is one example of how a system 10, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, might appear. Included within the system is diagnostic device 12 for momtoring one or more components 16 of a vehicle 14. Monitoring is accomplished by connecting diagnostic device 12 to the data link 18 that is incorporated in the vehicle 14. This puts the diagnostic device 12 in communication with the component 16, which is connected to data link 18. In this manner, the diagnostic device 12 can either intercept or request data from the component 16 regarding its operating state.
• MID codes Message Identification codes
• the protocol defines the type of data that can be transmitted along data link 18.
• SAE Society of Automotive Engineers
• two such MID codes include MID code 140 assigned to the instrument cluster, and MID code 174 representing a cranking/starter system.
• each of the MID codes established under a pre-defined protocol can be found to have a logical relationship with one or more other MID codes. Based on these logical relationships, each MID code can be assigned to one or more logical groups or categories. Thus, it may be best to assign MID code 140 (instrument cluster) to a general category representing systems that relate to the dashboard of a vehicle, while MID code 174 (cranking/starter system) may better fit
• the assignment of MID codes into categories can be achieved by various methods. For example, according to a first embodiment, the MID codes are grouped according to the vehicle system to which they belong. Alternatively, according to a second embodiment, the MID codes are grouped together based on how they logically relate to one another. Applying this method to an existing protocol, for example, protocol J1587, the MID codes are arranged into twenty groups. These twenty MID categories are listed in Table I presented below.
• MID categories presented in Table I are only one example of how the MID codes of a pre-defined protocol can be organized. Depending on the organizational relationship relied upon, numerous other examples of MID code categories can be generated and utilized to sort the numerous MID codes.
• PID codes Similar to MID codes, numerous Parameter Identification (PID) codes may also exist depending on the protocol being followed. For example, 502 different PID codes are available under protocol SAE J1587. 2 Like the MID codes, PID codes can be categorized in many ways. One way of categorizing PID codes, for example, may be by a commonly shared function each generally represents. Table II, presented below, lists one example of the general categories (referred to for the remainder of the application as "function") by which PID codes can be organized.
• Table II - PID Functions As before, the PID functions presented in Table II are only one example of how PID codes can be organized. Other PID general functions or categories can be developed depending on the organizational relationship applied to the PID codes. [0024] The organization of MID codes and PID codes into categories greatly simplifies the assignment and use of these codes by technicians and other persons who work with heavy trucks and other commercial vehicles. Consider the following example, provided for illustrative purposes, where a technician needs to perform diagnostic testing on a truck. This may involve connecting a computer-based diagnostic tool to the data link in order to monitor operational data from certain vehicle components or systems/subsystems.
• the technician must indicate which system or subsystem he or she wants to monitor by specifying the unique combination of MID code and PID code that identifies that particular system/subsystem.
• the diagnostic tool can be setup to greatly simplify the process, allowing the technician to specify the appropriate codes by working through a hierarchy-based menu system.
• Figures 3A-3D illustrate the overall steps of the selection process, along with an example of the type of data that may be illustrated by the diagnostic tool during each step.
• a first step 20 the technician is presented with a listing of MID categories 22 on a display device, such as, for example, a LCD display on a hand-held diagnostic tool or a computer monitor.
• a display device such as, for example, a LCD display on a hand-held diagnostic tool or a computer monitor.
• This can be either a complete listing of MID categories, or a partial listing of categories, such as only those
• the diagnostic tool Upon selecting one of the MID categories, the diagnostic tool proceeds on to the second step 30 of displaying a list of the individual MID codes 32 assigned to that category. See Figure 3B, which illustrates an example where, upon the technician selecting MID category number three (Transmission), a listing 32 and brief description 34 appears of all the MID codes assigned to this category and currently available on the data link. According to the present embodiment, only those MID codes that represent systems currently detected and confirmed to be communicating over the data link are provided. Alternatively, an option such as a "Show All" may be provided that will cause the diagnostics to list not only the codes of systems currently communicating, but also the codes of non-communicating systems.
• a device in accordance with this embodiment may then be designed to selectively list just those systems currently communicating, the systems known to be present but not communicating, or all the systems. If all the systems are to be listed, the MID codes could be distinguished from one another, either graphically or by other means, to identify the MID codes representing communicating systems and the codes representing non-communicating systems. [0027] Proceeding to Figure 3C, it is assumed for the purposes of the example that the technician selects MID code 131 (Power Takeoff). Upon making this selection, the diagnostic device initiates the third step 40 of listing all the PID functions 42 available under this MID code.
• the listed PID functions can be either a complete listing, indicating all of the PID functions available under the selected MID code, or a partial listing, such as only those PID functions under the selected MID code that correspond to one or more of the subsystems that the diagnostic tool currently detects on the data link.
• This PID code listing 52 may be a list of all available PID codes assigned to the selected PID function, or just a list of the PID codes assigned to the selected PID function that are accessible or retrievable.
• an "All” option can be selected. The “All” option will proceed to show all the PID codes in a functional category.
• the appropriate MTD-PID code combination is entered through a process that begins with the selection of a MID category.
• the present invention is not limited to this selection order, but can be configured to start with any of the categories or specific code assignments for either MID codes or PID codes. In some alternative embodiments, different types and numbers of categories may be used.
• Figures 4A-4D illustrate an alternative embodiment for entering one or more specific MID/PID codes where the process begins with the selection of a PID function.
• the first step 60 involves the listing of PID functions available to the technician.
• a drop-down list is displayed to the technician that presents only the MID categories associated with the selected PID function. For example, as illustrated in Figure 4B, upon selecting PID function number 1 (Communication), a listing of MID categories associated with this PID function is displayed.
• Figure 4C illustrates the example where the technician selects MID category "Dash", resulting in a list of MID codes assigned to the "Dash" category to be displayed.
• the diagnostic system Upon selecting one or more individual MID codes, the diagnostic system proceeds on to the fourth step 90 of displaying a list of related PID codes 92 and their corresponding descriptions 94. An example of this is illustrated in Figure 4D, where it is presumed that the technician selected MID code 140 (Instrument Cluster). Upon making this selection, a listing of PID codes 92 relating to the selected MID code is displayed. The technician can then select either an individual PID code or multiple PID codes, thereby specifying what diagnostic test or tests should be performed. [0035] Working with pre-defined protocol data, such as during vehicle diagnostic testing, is greatly simplified through the organization of both MID codes and PID codes into a plurality of groups. This organization eliminates the need of memorizing numerous specific codes.
• a user can find the MID code or PID code they are looking for by simply reviewing and selecting a more readily comprehendible code group. Furthermore, by associating certain codes (MID and/or PID) with certain code groups (MID and/or PID), specific MID-PID code combinations can be readily searched and selected by a user, in a time-efficient manner. Additionally, by allowing the association of various codes with meaningful descriptions and relationships, the ability to perform automated diagnostics is enhanced and made more user-friendly.

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• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Small-Scale Networks (AREA)
• Testing And Monitoring For Control Systems (AREA)
• Computer And Data Communications (AREA)

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• 2003
  • 2003-11-07 CN CNB2003801029717A patent/CN100419400C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2003-11-07 BR BR0315483-1A patent/BR0315483A/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-11-07 AU AU2003278450A patent/AU2003278450A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2003-11-07 EP EP03769753A patent/EP1561121A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2003-11-07 WO PCT/IB2003/005007 patent/WO2004044598A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 2003-11-07 JP JP2004551089A patent/JP2006507490A/ja active Pending

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