U.S. patent application number 10/196206 was filed with the patent office on 2002-12-05 for vehicle diagnostic system.
Invention is credited to Hoshino, Masatoshi, Iihoshi, Yoichi, Kanekawa, Nobuyasu, Ohsuga, Minoru, Sakurai, Kohei, Takaku, Yutaka.
Application Number | 20020183904 10/196206 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18916496 |
Filed Date | 2002-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020183904 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sakurai, Kohei ; et
al. |
December 5, 2002 |
Vehicle diagnostic system
Abstract
The present invention provides a vehicle diagnostic system
comprising an electronic control unit for controlling and
monitoring vehicle equipment, a radio communication means for
transmitting a vehicle diagnostic information to a
telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle or for
communicating between the vehicle and the telecommunication
equipment located outside the vehicle and for transmitting a
communication diagnostic signal to the electronic control unit and
receiving a response signal to the communication diagnostic signal,
and a communication line for connecting the electronic control unit
and the radio communication means wherein the response signal is
utilized to determine if the communication line is properly
functional.
Inventors: |
Sakurai, Kohei; (Hitachi,
JP) ; Kanekawa, Nobuyasu; (Hitachi, JP) ;
Ohsuga, Minoru; (Hitachinaka, JP) ; Hoshino,
Masatoshi; (Tsuchiura, JP) ; Iihoshi, Yoichi;
(Tsuchiura, JP) ; Takaku, Yutaka; (Mito,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DICKSTEIN SHAPIRO MORIN & OSHINSKY LLP
2101 L STREET NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20037-1526
US
|
Family ID: |
18916496 |
Appl. No.: |
10/196206 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10196206 |
Jul 17, 2002 |
|
|
|
10079502 |
Feb 22, 2002 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/31.4 ;
340/438 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 24/00 20130101;
G07C 2205/02 20130101; G05B 23/0267 20130101; G07C 5/0816 20130101;
G07C 5/085 20130101; G07C 5/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/33 ; 701/29;
340/438 |
International
Class: |
G06F 019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 1, 2001 |
JP |
2001-56474 |
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters
Patent of the United States is:
1. A vehicle diagnostic system comprising: an electronic control
unit for controlling and monitoring vehicle equipment; a radio
communication means for communicating between said vehicle and a
telecommunication equipment and for transmitting a diagnostic
signal to said electronic control unit and receiving a response
signal to said diagnostic signal; a communication line for
connecting said electronic control unit and said radio
communication means wherein said response signal is utilized to
determine if said communication line is properly functional; and
wherein said radio communication means transmits information other
than said diagnostic signal.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein if said communication line is
determined not to be properly functional a notification signal is
transmitted to said telecommunication equipment by said radio
communication means.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said notification signal is
returned back to said radio communication means by said
telecommunication equipment and compared to said transmitted
notification signal to determine if said communication means is
properly functional.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein if said communication line is
determined not to be properly functional a notification signal is
transmitted to a vehicle operator by said radio communication
means.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein if said communication line is
determined not to be properly functional for a predetermined period
of time said system disables said vehicle from operation.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said communication line is a
serial communication circuit.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein said radio communication means is
included in an on-vehicle information equipment.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein said radio communication means is
included in a cellular phone.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein said radio communication means is
included in a vehicle anti-theft system.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein said vehicle anti-theft system
utilizes an ignition key as said radio communication means.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein said radio communication means is
included in a keyless engine starting system.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein said keyless engine starting
system utilizes an ignition key as said radio communication
means.
13. The system of claim 1 wherein said radio communication means is
included in a radar device.
14. The system of claim 1 wherein said radio communication means is
capable of connecting to an external scan-tool connector.
15. The system of claim 1 wherein said radio communication means is
provided in an engine compartment of a vehicle.
16. The system of claim 1 wherein said system utilizes a harness
which connects said electronic control unit to said vehicle
equipment as an antenna for transmitting a notification signal.
17. The system of claim 1 wherein said telecommunication equipment
is located on a road.
18. The system of claim 1 wherein said system complies with an On
Board Diagnosis III system.
19. The system of claim 1 wherein said communication is transmitted
through the internet.
Description
[0001] This is a continuation of Application No. 10/079,502, filed
Feb. 22, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference.
[0002] The present invention relates to a diagnostic system in a
vehicle such as an automobile, and more specifically, to a vehicle
diagnostic system that transmits a diagnostic information or signal
of a vehicle by means of radio communication.
DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] Vehicle diagnosis pertains to self-diagnosis of an
abnormality of an engine, a transmission, and the like. The OBD II
(On-Board Diagnosis II) system of the United States is one example
of this vehicle diagnostic system. The system is particularly
suited to detecting deterioration in exhaust emissions using an
engine electronic control unit, and then notifying the vehicle user
of the failure. The diagnostic information at this time is stored
in a memory in the engine ECU as a code corresponding to the
failure. The diagnostic information can be read by connecting an
external scan tool to the engine ECU via a diagnosis connector at a
repair shop. In the repair shop, repair in response to the failure
code is performed.
[0004] Currently, for reducing diagnostic costs and shortening a
period from failure to repair, an OBD III system, which is a system
further developed from the OBD II system, is being reviewed by the
California atmospheric resource bureau in the United States. The
OBD III system is characterized in that a monitor station, base
station (collectively refer to as "telecommunication equipment")
and the like, automatically collects diagnostic information
radio-transmitted from each vehicle. In this regard, the integrity
of the diagnostic information becomes crucial. Unfortunately,
either through vehicle operator's manipulation or diagnostic system
failure, the diagnostic information is not always accurate.
[0005] Conventionally, a mechanism to judge whether or not vehicle
diagnostic information is correctly transmitted toward a
telecommunication equipment is both costly and unreliable due to
the numerous components necessitated by previous systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a vehicle diagnostic system
capable of transmitting diagnostic information or signal of a
vehicle to outside of the vehicle by means of radio communication
like OBD III, detecting abnormality of the vehicle diagnostic
system, which is caused by a failure of the vehicle diagnostic
system itself or by manipulation of a vehicle operator and
notifying the vehicle operator and/or a telecommunication equipment
about the abnormality of the vehicle diagnostic system. In
addition, the present invention provides a vehicle diagnostic
system at low cost without newly adding a dedicated radio
communication means for transmitting diagnostic information or
signal of a vehicle to a telecommunication equipment by means of
radio communication. In this way, it becomes possible to produce
vehicles, which support OBD III, and the like, while minimizing
costs.
[0007] In an object of the present invention a vehicle diagnostic
system is provided comprising an electronic control unit for
controlling and monitoring vehicle equipment, a radio communication
means for transmitting a vehicle diagnostic information to a
telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle or for
communicating between the vehicle and the telecommunication
equipment located outside the vehicle and for transmitting a
communication diagnostic signal to the electronic control unit and
receiving a response signal to the communication diagnostic signal,
and a communication line for connecting the electronic control unit
and the radio communication means wherein the response signal is
utilized to determine if the communication line is properly
functional.
[0008] In another object of the present invention a vehicle
diagnostic system is provided comprising an electronic control unit
for controlling and monitoring vehicle equipment, a radio
communication means for transmitting a vehicle diagnostic
information to a telecommunication equipment located outside the
vehicle or for communicating between the vehicle and the
telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle, and a
communication line for connecting the electronic control unit and
the radio communication means; wherein the transmitted vehicle
diagnostic information is returned back to the radio communication
means by the telecommunication equipment located outside the
vehicle and compared to the vehicle diagnostic information stored
in the electronic control unit to determine if the radio
communication means is properly functional.
[0009] In yet another object of the present invention a vehicle
diagnostic system is provided comprising an electronic control unit
for controlling and monitoring vehicle equipment, a radio
communication means for transmitting a vehicle diagnostic
information to a telecommunication equipment located outside the
vehicle or for communicating between the vehicle and the
telecommunication equipment located outside the vehicle, and a
communication line for connecting the electronic control unit and
the radio communication means; wherein the radio communication
means transmits or receives information other than the vehicle
diagnostic information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above advantages and features of the invention will be
more clearly understood from the following detailed description
which is provided in connection with the accompanying drawings.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the third embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram for stopping an engine in a case
where a vehicle user does not carry out repair or improvement
within a predetermined period of time in the vehicle diagnostic
system of FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the fifth embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the sixth embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the seventh embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the eighth embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the ninth embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the tenth embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 12 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the eleventh embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle which
is equipped with the vehicle diagnostic system of FIG. 9;
[0024] FIG. 14 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the twelfth embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle which
is equipped with the vehicle diagnostic system of FIG. 14;
[0026] FIG. 16 illustrates a vehicle diagnostic system according to
the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle which
is equipped with the vehicle diagnostic system of FIG. 16; and
[0028] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram in which vehicle diagnostic
information is transmitted from a vehicle, which is equipped with a
vehicle diagnostic system of the present invention for performing
short-distance communication to a base station, a monitor station,
or the like.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be
described below in connection with the drawings. Other embodiments
may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made
without departing from the spirit or scope of the present
invention. Like items are referred to by like reference numerals
throughout the drawings.
[0030] Referring now to the drawings, the vehicle diagnostic system
1 of FIG. 1 comprises an electronic control unit 2, a radio
communication means 3, and a serial communication line 4 that is
connected between the electronic control unit 2 and the radio
communication means 3. In this case, an electronic control unit is
a control unit that controls various kinds of vehicle equipment
including an engine, an automatic transmission, and a break, and
that diagnoses the vehicle equipment. The radio communication means
is a device that has a radio transmission circuit and/or a radio
receiving circuit, and an antenna.
[0031] In the electronic control unit 2, signals of various sensors
28 are inputted to an I/O 15 of a microcomputer 10 via an input
circuit 11 and in response to the input signals, a CPU 17 of the
microcomputer 10 performs an operation according to a control
program that is stored in a ROM 18. Then, the most appropriate
signal is transmitted to an output driver 12 via the I/O 15 and the
output driver 12 drives various actuators 29.
[0032] Here, while a vehicle is traveling, the microcomputer 10 of
the electronic control unit 2 controls the vehicle equipment as
described above. At this time, the microcomputer 10 also diagnoses
a state of the vehicle equipment according to information obtained
from diagnostic signals in relation to states of the various
sensors 28 and states of the actuators 29 of the output driver 12,
and stores the diagnostic information in a RAM 19 as a code
corresponding to a diagnostic result. When a failure occurs, the
microcomputer 10 lights up a warning lamp 27 to inform a vehicle
user that the failure has occurred, and to request the vehicle user
to carry out repairs. Then, the microcomputer 10 transmits vehicle
diagnostic information D, which is the diagnostic information of
the vehicle equipment stored in the RAM 19, to the radio
communication means 3 through the serial communication line 4.
[0033] The radio communication means 3 modulates by the frequency
the vehicle diagnostic information D using a radio
transmitting/receiving circuit 33, and then radio-transmits the
modulated vehicle diagnostic information D as a diagnostic
information signal from an antenna 34 to telecommunication
equipment or a base station 6 (hereinafter referred to as
telecommunication equipment).
[0034] In this manner, when a failure occurs in the vehicle
equipment, a status of the vehicle equipment, which has been
diagnosed by the electronic control unit 2, can be
radio-transmitted to the telecommunication equipment 6 as
diagnostic information of the vehicle equipment. The diagnostic
information of the vehicle equipment includes means the diagnostic
code and a vehicle code (VIN) specific to each vehicle.
[0035] In this connection, not only in a case where a failure
occurs in the vehicle equipment as described in this embodiment,
but also in a state in which there is no failure, the diagnostic
information may be always radio-transmitted to the
telecommunication equipment 6 at certain time intervals. In
addition, when receiving a diagnostic information request signal of
the telecommunication equipment 6 as a radio signal, said
diagnostic information may be radio-transmitted to the
telecommunication equipment 6 in response to this request. Unless
otherwise specified, each embodiment is described assuming that
said diagnostic information is automatically transmitted when a
failure occurs in the vehicle equipment.
[0036] The vehicle diagnostic system 1 of this embodiment has a
function of checking whether or not communication between the radio
communication means 3 and the electronic control unit 2 is being
performed normally. Specifically, the radio communication means 3
transmits a communication diagnostic signal Q to the electronic
control unit 2 as necessary and in response to it, the electronic
control unit 2 sends back a response signal A to the radio
communication means 3. Then, the radio communication means 3
decrypts or utilizes this response signal A and determines whether
or not the communication is being performed normally. In other
words, whether the communication line 4 is properly functional.
[0037] As the communication diagnostic signal Q, for example, an
instruction for performing an operation of a plurality of numerical
values appropriately, a different rolling code for each
transmission, and the like, may be used. In the case of the former,
the electronic control unit 2 performs a specified operation. In
the case of the latter the electronic control unit 2 searches an
appropriate code from among a plurality of codes stored in an
EEPROM 14, and sends the code back to the radio communication means
3. Next, the radio communication means 3 determines normality or
abnormality of the communication by comparing the code with a fixed
value stored in a memory 32. If the radio communication means 3
judges that the communication is not being performed normally, the
radio communication means 3 lights up a warning lamp, or takes
other actions, in order to warn the vehicle user of abnormality of
the vehicle diagnostic system and thereby requests the vehicle user
or operator to repair the vehicle diagnostic system and at the same
time, the radio communication means 3 also reports to the
telecommunication equipment 6.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 2, it is assumed that the electronic
control unit 2 is an engine ECU for controlling fuel injection,
ignition, and the like, of a vehicle's engine. The vehicle
diagnostic system is configured to carry out a function of stopping
the engine to prevent undue influence in the event that
communication between the radio communication means 3 and this
engine ECU 2 is not normally performed.
[0039] The engine ECU 2 inputs signals from a engine speed sensor
21 for measuring an engine speed, an air flow sensor 22 for
measuring a quantity of intake air into the engine, a knocking
sensor 23 for detecting flame-out of the engine, an oxygen sensor
24 for measuring oxygen concentration in exhaust gasses, and the
like, to the I/O 15 of the microcomputer 10 via the input circuit
11. In response to the input signals, the CPU 17 of the
microcomputer 10 performs an operation according to a control
program that is stored in the ROM 18. Then, the CPU 17 transmits
the most appropriate control signal to the output driver 12 via the
I/O 15. After that, this output driver 12 drives an injector 25 and
an igniter 26, and the like, which are actuators.
[0040] In this case, concerning a method for transmitting the
vehicle diagnostic information D to the telecommunication equipment
outside vehicle 6 in the event of a failure in the vehicle
equipment is the same as that described in the first embodiment.
Additionally, in this embodiment, an ignition switch (IGN SW)
signal, which notifies the radio communication means 3 of ON or OFF
of an ignition key, is inputted. When this ignition key becomes ON,
transmitting an engine-operation enable signal E to the engine ECU
2 by the radio communication means 3 permits the engine to start.
Also, the above-mentioned rolling code may be used as the
engine-operation enable signal E. In this case, the engine ECU 2
compares the transmitted code with an appropriate code from among a
plurality of codes stored in the EEPROM 14. As a result of the
comparison, only when both codes are the same, the engine ECU 2
drives the injector 25 and the igniter 26 to start the engine.
[0041] Beyond the method for inputting the ignition switch (IGN SW)
signal to the radio communication means 3, as shown in the third
embodiment of FIG. 3, after starting the engine, the engine ECU 2
transmits an engine-operation enable request signal EQ to the radio
communication means 3 and continues the engine operation by
receiving an engine-operation enable signal E from the radio
communication means 3. In this case, after transmitting the
engine-operation enable request signal EQ, if the engine-operation
enable signal E is not returned within a predetermined period of
time, the engine is stopped. In addition, transmitting an
engine-operation disable signal to the engine ECU 2 by the radio
communication means 3 may also disable the vehicle from
traveling.
[0042] In FIG. 4, if a failure of the vehicle equipment occurs, the
electronic control unit 2 stores vehicle diagnostic information D
in the RAM 19, and transmits the vehicle diagnostic information D
to the radio communication means 3. Then, the radio communication
means 3 radio-transmits vehicle diagnostic information D1 to the
telecommunication equipment 6. When receiving the diagnostic
information D1, the telecommunication equipment 6 sends vehicle
diagnostic information D1, which is the same as the received
diagnostic information D1, back to the radio communication means 3
of the vehicle.
[0043] The radio communication means 3 transmits the diagnostic
information to the electronic control unit 2. After that, the
electronic control unit 2 compares diagnostic information D2, which
has been transmitted, with the transmitted diagnostic information,
in other words, with the vehicle diagnostic information D stored in
the RAM 19 to check whether or not the radio communication means 3
is properly functional.
[0044] Also, even if communication between the electronic control
unit 2 and the radio communication means 3 is not normal due to a
breakage of the serial communication line 4, or the like, it is
judged that the radio communication means 3 is abnormal. Hence,
whether or not the communication between the electronic control
unit 2 and the radio communication means 3 is being performed
normally, is checked by using for the communication diagnostic
signal Q and the response signal A as described in the first
embodiment.
[0045] In this embodiment, in the event of a failure in the antenna
34, if the antenna 34 is removed on purpose, if shielding the
antenna 34 causes the communication to become disabled, or if data
is overwritten when transmitting the data to the telecommunication
equipment 6, then the diagnostic information D2 is not received
within a predetermined period of time, or the diagnostic
information D is varied from the diagnostic information D2. As a
result, the electronic control unit 2 judges that the radio
communication means 3 is abnormal. The electronic control unit 2,
therefore, warns the vehicle user of abnormality of the vehicle
diagnostic system by lighting up the warning lamp 27, and thereby
requests the vehicle user to repair the vehicle diagnostic
system.
[0046] Here, as opposed to the first embodiment, if a failure
occurs in the radio communication means 3, the failure cannot be
reported to the telecommunication equipment 6. Hence, even a
defective vehicle is continuously allowed to travel without penalty
and the like. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment configured to prevent this
problem from occurring.
[0047] In FIG. 5, if the CPU 17 in the microcomputer 10 of the
electronic control unit 2 judges that a failure has occurred in the
vehicle equipment, the CPU 17 sets a flag of a vehicle-equipment
failure flag setting means 63 to 1 (high signal), and at the same
time lights up the warning lamp 27. A comparator 62 compares the
diagnostic information D, which is stored in the RAM 19, with the
diagnostic information D2 that has been sent back from the
telecommunication equipment 6, as described above. Only if D is
equivalent to D2, the comparator 62 clears the flag of the
vehicle-equipment failure flag setting means 63 so that the flag
becomes 0 (low signal). On the other hand, if D is not equivalent
to D2, or if D2 is not returned within a predetermined period of
time, the flag of the vehicle-equipment failure flag setting means
63 is kept as 1. Moreover, an IGN-ON counter 60 counts a number of
times engine starts t by monitoring the ignition switch (IGN SW)
signal that indicates ON or OFF of the ignition key. The comparator
61 judges whether or not the number of times engine starts t has
exceeded a given value n. If the number exceeds the given value,
the comparator 61 outputs 1.
[0048] After that, if the flag of the vehicle-equipment failure
flag setting means 63 is 1, and if the comparator 61 judges that
the number of times engine starts t has exceeded the given value n,
a NAND circuit 64 outputs 0. Then, this output signal E is inputted
to an enable terminal of the output driver 12 that drives the
actuators 29 such as the injector 25 and the igniter 26. As a
result, the output driver 12 is always OFF, which stops the engine
disabling the vehicle from traveling. Also, if a polarity of the
enable terminal of the output driver 12 is reverse, an AND circuits
64 is used.
[0049] In this manner, the engine can be stopped if the vehicle
user does not carry out repair or improvement in a given period of
time that has elapsed since the failure of the vehicle equipment
occurred. Although this embodiment is adapted to the case where
abnormality of the radio communication means 3 continues, it is
also possible to configure the radio communication means 3 to have
the function of this embodiment so as to stop the engine in a
similar manner if the state, in which communication between the
electronic control unit 2 and the radio communication means 3 is
not normal, continues.
[0050] Hence, according to the first and the fourth embodiment, it
is possible to detect a failure or abnormality of the vehicle
diagnostic system like OBD III, which transmits diagnostic
information of the vehicle equipment by radio communication, by
checking whether or not communication between the electronic
control unit 2 and the radio communication means 3 is being
performed normally, or by checking whether or not the radio
communication means 3 is normal.
[0051] In addition, according to the second, the third, and the
fourth embodiment, it is possible to prevent the engine from
starting to disable the vehicle from traveling if the vehicle user
refuses to transmit the diagnostic information of the vehicle
equipment in spite of a failure in the vehicle equipment or
destroys the vehicle diagnostic system purposely. For example, if
the operator causes undue influence, such as breaking the
communication line between the electronic control unit 2 and the
radio communication means 3 or removing or shielding the antenna 34
of the radio communication means 3 or overwriting the diagnostic
information of the vehicle equipment.
[0052] In this manner, according to these embodiment, it is
possible to identify a vehicle, which increases exhaust emission in
exhaust gasses, without fail in order to request the vehicle user
to repair the vehicle at an early stage, and in order to disable
the vehicle, for which the fraud is carried out, from traveling.
Hence, air environmental protection, which is the purpose of the
vehicle diagnostic system like OBD III, can be achieved. Also, the
embodiments of the present invention does not require the addition
of special hardware for detecting a failure or abnormality of the
vehicle diagnostic system. Therefore, the above-mentioned effects
can be achieved at a low cost. Moreover, as shown in the fourth
embodiment, the communication line 4 between the electronic control
unit 2 and the radio communication means 3 is used for checking
whether or not diagnostic information transmitted from the
electronic control unit 2 is correctly transmitted to the
telecommunication equipment 6. Hecne, regardless of installed
locations of the electronic control unit and the radio
communication means, a failure and abnormality of the radio
communication means can be detected.
[0053] In FIG. 6, as the radio communication means 3, this
embodiment uses a radio communication means contained in on-vehicle
information equipment. In FIG. 6, an on-vehicle information
terminal 70 and an emergency notification device 71 in a driver's
seat area exchanges information I other than diagnostic information
of the vehicle equipment with the telecommunication equipment 6
located at the service center, or the like, through the radio
communication means 3. For example, when a driver wants to look for
a restaurant near from a location where the driver is now
traveling, a map to the restaurant is displayed on-screen of the
on-vehicle information terminal 70 by requesting the
telecommunication equipment 6 at the service center or the like, to
provide the information. In addition, in case of emergency
including a failure causing an accident or affecting vehicle's
traveling or a health condition of the driver, the driver can send
a request for help to the telecommunication equipment outside
vehicle 6 at the service center, or the like, by pressing a button
of the emergency notification device 71.
[0054] In this embodiment, the radio communication means 3
contained in such existing on-vehicle information equipment is
connected with the electronic control unit 2, and vehicle
diagnostic information D of the vehicle equipment at the time of
the failure is transmitted from this radio communication means 3 to
the telecommunication equipment 6. In this connection, the vehicle
diagnostic information D may be transmitted to the radio
communication means 3 through the on-vehicle information terminal
70.
[0055] In addition, the radio communication means 3 transmits a
communication diagnostic signal Q to the electronic control unit 2
as necessary and in response to this signal, the electronic control
unit 2 sends back a response signal A.
[0056] In FIG. 7, vehicle diagnostic information is
radio-transmitted to the telecommunication equipment 6 using the
radio communication means contained in the on-vehicle information
equipment. However, communication between the electronic control
unit and the radio communication means is performed by cable and by
means of radio communication.
[0057] Specifically, the engine ECU 2, a first ECU (for example,
ECU for air bag control) 7, a second ECU (for example, ECU for
transmission control) 8, a short-distance radio transmit-receive
device 74 are connected each other through a control system LAN
inside vehicle. For example, they are mutually connected through a
multiple communication line 4' such as CAN (Controller Area
Network). The short-distance radio transmit-receive device 74
comprises a transmit-receive controller 72 and a transmit-receive
circuit 73.
[0058] In addition, the radio communication means 3 is mutually
connected to the on-vehicle information terminal 70, the emergency
notification device 71, and the like, through an information system
LAN inside vehicle 75, and exchanges the information I other than
the diagnostic information of the vehicle equipment with the
telecommunication equipment outside vehicle 6 at the service
center, or the like, through the radio communication means 3. The
vehicle diagnostic information D from the various ECUs 7 and 8 is
transmitted to the short-distance radio transmit-receive device 74
through the control system LAN inside vehicle 4'. Then, the vehicle
diagnostic information D is radio-transmitted from the
short-distance radio transmit-receive device 74 to the radio
transmission means 3. After that, the radio transmission means 3
radio-transmits the diagnostic information, which has been
transmitted, to the telecommunication equipment 6. As the
short-distance radio transmit-receive device 74, for example, a
Bluetooth module, and the like, may be used.
[0059] On the other hand, as the radio communication means, as
shown in the seventh embodiment of FIG. 8, not the radio
communication means contained in the vehicle information equipment,
but the radio communication means 3 contained in a cellular phone
76 may be used. In this case, it is required to connect the
short-distance radio transmit-receive device 74 not only to the
control system LAN 4' but also to the information system LAN 75 to
perform communication with the cellular phones 76. However, only
one short-distance radio transmit-receive device 74 is sufficient
if one LAN inside vehicle is constructed by connecting between the
control system LAN 4' and the information system LAN 75. Also,
although it is not shown in the figure, as the cellular phone 76,
besides the radio communication means 3 for communicating with the
telecommunication equipment outside vehicle 6, the one in which the
short-distance radio transmit-receive device is built into is used.
In each of the sixth and the seventh embodiment, as described in
the first embodiment, there is a function of checking whether or
not communication between each electronic control unit and the
radio communication means is normal.
[0060] In addition to the effects described in from the first to
the fourth embodiment, all of the embodiments have an effect of
constructing a vehicle diagnostic system, which transmits the
diagnostic information of the vehicle equipment to outside of the
vehicle by means of radio communication such as OBD III, at low
cost. That is because the existing radio communication means in the
vehicle is used for radio transmission of the diagnostic
information of the vehicle equipment, and thereby the line used for
information other than the diagnostic information is also used for
the diagnostic information as the same hardware, which eliminates
the need for a new radio communication means.
[0061] Moreover, for the purpose of reducing vehicle assembly
man-hour and reducing cost and weight of a signal harness, the
electronic control unit is installed not in a conventional driver's
seat area but in a location near from the vehicle equipment, which
is controlled and diagnosed. In other words, the electronic control
unit is installed in the engine room. But, the radio communication
means of the on-vehicle information equipment is generally
installed in the driver's seat area. Hence, even if the
short-distance radio transmit-receive device is built into the
electronic control unit, it was difficult to perform radio
communication with the radio communication means in the driver's
seat area, which conventionally required a communication line
between the electronic control unit and the radio communication
means. However, in the sixth and the seventh embodiment, it is
possible to eliminate the need for the communication line between
the electronic control unit and the radio communication means by
installing the short-distance radio transmit-receive device, which
is connected to the control system LAN, in the driver's seat
area.
[0062] In FIG. 9, it is assumed that an antitheft control unit for
vehicle (hereinafter referred to as immobilizer ECU) or a control
unit for keyless engine starting is used as the radio communication
means for transmitting the vehicle diagnostic information. This
embodiment is described in detail by exemplifying the immobilizer
ECU as the radio communication means as below.
[0063] The immobilizer ECU 77 receives a radio signal C of an ID
code specific to each vehicle, which is transmitted from a
transmitter 35 of an ignition key 5, through the antenna 34. The
immobilizer ECU 77 then demodulates this received signal by the
radio transmitting/receiving circuit 33, and compares the
demodulated signal with a collation code stored in a memory 32
using the microcomputer 30. If the transmitted ID code is the same
as the collation code, the immobilizer ECU 77 transmits an
engine-operation enable signal E to the engine ECU 2 through a
serial communication circuit 31. This engine-operation enable
signal E differs at each engine starting. When receiving this
signal via the serial communication circuit 13, an engine ECU 2
compares the signal with a corresponding code from among a
plurality of codes stored in the EEPROM 14. As a result of the
comparison, only if both are the same, the injector 25 and the
igniter 26 are driven to start the engine.
[0064] While the vehicle is traveling, the engine ECU 2 controls
the vehicle equipment as described above, diagnoses a state of the
vehicle equipment according to signals obtained from sensors such
as the knocking sensor 23 and the oxygen sensor 24, and then stores
diagnostic information of this vehicle equipment in the RAM 19 as a
code corresponding to the diagnostic result.
[0065] When a failure occurs in the vehicle equipment, the engine
ECU 2 lights up the warning lamp 27 to inform the operator that the
failure has occurred, and thereby requests the operator to carry
out repairs. Then, the engine ECU 2 transmits the vehicle
diagnostic information D, which is stored in the RAM 19, to the
immobilizer ECU 77 through the serial communication line 4. The
immobilizer ECU 77 high-frequency-modulates the diagnostic
information D using the radio transmitting/receiving circuit 33 and
radio-transmits the diagnostic information D from the antenna 34 to
the telecommunication equipment outside vehicle 6 as a diagnostic
information signal.
[0066] Also, by building the immobilizer system, which is shown in
this embodiment, into the on-vehicle information equipment shown in
the fifth embodiment, the ID code from the ignition key may be
received using the radio communication means contained in this
on-vehicle information equipment.
[0067] In FIG. 10, an antenna connected to the immobilizer ECU 77
is a transmit-receive coil in a key cylinder. If there is an
antenna inside this key cylinder, radio transmission and reception
with outside of the vehicle is difficult. Therefore, radio
communication with outside of the vehicle is performed using the
ignition key 5 as the radio communication means 3.
[0068] In this ignition key 5, a radio transmit-receive chip 35' is
embedded. As is the case with the eighth embodiment, when the
engine starts, the ignition key 5 transmits the ID code C to the
transmit-receive coil 36. In addition, in the event that a failure
occurs in the vehicle equipment, this ignition key 5 receives the
diagnostic information D, which is stored in the RAM 19 of the
engine ECU 2, from the transmit-receive coil 36. Next, this
ignition key 5 radio-transmits the diagnostic information D to the
telecommunication equipment outside vehicle 6.
[0069] In FIG. 11, the engine ECU 2, a first ECU 7 (for example,
ECU for controlling an air bag), a second ECU 8 (for example, ECU
for controlling transmission), and the millimeter-wave radar
transmit-receive device 78 are mutually connected through the
control system LAN inside vehicle. For example, they are connected
through the multiple communication line 4' such as the CAN. The
millimeter-wave radar transmit-receive device 78 comprises a
transmit-receive controller 37 and a millimeter wave radar 38, and
is used for an automatic follow-up traveling system of a vehicle,
and the like.
[0070] The millimeter wave radar 38 transmits a detection wave R1
toward a vehicle traveling ahead, which is not shown in the figure
and receives a reflection wave R2 from this vehicle. Moreover, when
using the millimeter-wave radar transmit-receive device 78 as a
vehicle diagnostic system, in the event of a failure of the vehicle
equipment, the diagnostic information D stored in the engine ECU 2
is transmitted from the millimeter wave radar 38 to the
telecommunication equipment 6 via the radio communication means 3
that is contained in the millimeter-wave radar transmit-receive
device 78.
[0071] In FIG. 12, a vehicle diagnostic system that radio-transmits
diagnostic information of a vehicle by connecting, for example, to
a scan tool 50, which is already provided in the OBD 11-ready
vehicle, to the radio communication means 3 comprising a connector
capable of fitting with this connector 50.
[0072] Configurations of the engine ECU 2 and the radio
communication means 3, a method for transmitting diagnostic
information of vehicle equipment, a method for checking whether or
not communication between the engine ECU 2 and the radio
communication means 3 are properly functional are the same as the
first embodiment.
[0073] According to the eighth and the ninth embodiment, as is the
case with the second, the third, and the fourth embodiment, the
vehicle user may refuse to transmit diagnostic information of the
vehicle equipment in spite of a failure in the vehicle equipment
and break or remodel the vehicle diagnostic purposely. For example,
if the operator carries causes undue influence, for example,
breaking a communication line between the electronic control unit
and the radio communication means, or removing or shielding the
antenna of the radio communication means, it is possible to prevent
the engine from starting to disable the vehicle from traveling. For
example, in the eighth embodiment, the antenna 34, which is
connected to the immobilizer ECU 77, also has a function of
receiving the ID code C from the ignition key 5 in addition to a
function of transmitting the diagnostic information D stored in the
engine ECU 2. Hence, if the user removes or shields the antenna 34,
it becomes impossible to start the engine. Moreover, even if the
user breaks the serial communication line 4, the engine-operation
enable signal E is not sent to the engine ECU 2, which also
disables the engine from starting.
[0074] In addition, using the existing communication line and the
radio communication means in the vehicle, which are contained in an
immobilizer system, a keyless engine starting system, and the like,
eliminates the need for a new communication line and a radio
communication means, and also eliminates the need for vehicle
assembly man-hour for laying the new communication time. Therefore,
it is possible to construct a vehicle diagnostic system, which
transmits the diagnostic information of the vehicle equipment by
means of radio communication such as OBD III, at low cost.
[0075] In FIG. 13, the vehicle 100 comprises an engine ECU 2
mounted on the engine 110, the immobilizer ECU or the control unit
for keyless engine starting 77, which has the radio communication
means 3, the communication line 4 for connecting them, and the
antenna 34. FIG. 13 is an example showing that the antenna 34 is
mounted on a dashboard of the vehicle 100, and that short distance
communication with the telecommunication equipment 6 located on a
road or a gas station is performed.
[0076] In this manner, in the case of short distance communication,
even an antenna having a low power output is sufficiently capable
of communication. Therefore, the antenna of the existing
immobilizer system or the antenna of the keyless engine starting
system can be used as it is. In addition, because it is possible to
miniaturize the radio transmit-receive chip 35' that is built into
the ignition key in the ninth embodiment, transmission of the
diagnostic information from the ignition key 5 also becomes
possible.
[0077] FIG. 14 shows a configuration of an engine ECU 2 in a case
where the engine ECU 2 itself is provided with a radio
communication means for radio-transmitting the diagnostic
information of the vehicle equipment to outside of the vehicle.
Besides a connector for harness 42 for fitting with a connector 43
that is connected to various signal harnesses 44, the engine ECU 2
comprises a connector for antenna 40 for fitting with a connector
41 that is connected to the antenna 34. Additionally, the engine
ECU 2 is equipped with the radio transmitting/receiving circuit 33,
which modulates or demodulates a radio transmit-receive signal of
the antenna 34 that is fitted with the connector for antenna
40.
[0078] In the event that a failure occurs in the vehicle equipment,
or when receiving a diagnostic information request signal from the
telecommunication equipment outside vehicle 6, the diagnostic
information D stored in the engine ECU 2 is radio-transmitted to
the telecommunication equipment 6 directly from the engine ECU 2.
Hence, in this embodiment, the radio transmitting/receiving circuit
33 is mounted on a substrate of the engine ECU 2. However, a
configuration, in which the radio transmitting/receiving circuit 33
is built into the antenna-side connector 41 or built into the
connector for antenna 40 on the engine ECU side, is also possible.
Moreover, a Bluetooth module for short distance radio
communication, and the like, may also be used for the radio
transmitting/receiving circuit.
[0079] In addition, in this embodiment, by locating the engine ECU
itself in an engine room, specifically, in the engine ECU where
nobody can remove or access the engine ECU unless it is done in a
repair shop, or the like, it becomes possible to prevent undue
influence by the vehicle operator, an unfair practice including
removal of the radio communication means installed in the engine
ECU.
[0080] Additionally, in this embodiment, because the engine ECU is
provided with the radio communication means, the communication
line, which connects between the engine ECU and the radio
communication means, becomes unnecessary. In addition, from the
viewpoint of implementation, configuring an antenna having a
connector, or an antenna and a radio transmitting/receiving
circuits separately from the engine ECU, as shown in this
embodiment, permits the radio communication means to be attached to
the engine ECU easily.
[0081] FIG. 15 illustrates a vehicle 100, having an antenna 34
located on the engine ECU 2 that is mounted on the engine 110. A
radio signal is transmitted to and received from the
telecommunication equipment using this antenna 34. In this
embodiment, for the purpose of reducing vehicle assembly man-hour
and reducing cost and weight of a signal harness as described
above, the engine ECU is installed not in the conventional driver's
seat area but in the engine room. Hence, in FIG. 15, the antenna 34
faces toward a road so as to perform short-distance communication.
In this case, coaxial cable (a leakage) 120, which is laid under a
road, or in the vicinity of an oiling device of a gas station, or
the like, may be used for radio communication equipment outside
vehicle 6. Additionally, because of short-distance communication,
even an antenna having a low power output is sufficiently capable
of communication, which enables us to transmit the vehicle
diagnostic information at low cost.
[0082] FIG. 16 illustrates the use of a harness, which connects the
engine ECU to the vehicle equipment, as an antenna. In this figure,
the diagnostic information is radio-transmitted to the
telecommunication equipment 6 by: the radio transmitting/receiving
circuit 33 of the engine ECU 2 which modulates the diagnostic
information D of the vehicle equipment, which has been transmitted
by the microcomputer 10. Then the radio transmitting/receiving
circuit 33 passes a high-frequency current through a harness 45 as
an antenna via a low-frequency signal decoupling capacitor 46. In
addition, when receiving a signal, the radio transmitting/receiving
circuit 33 demodulates a high-frequency current generated in the
harness 45. This harness 45 is also used as a current path
functioned when passing a current through a solenoid 48 of an
actuator 111 via an output circuit 12. However, because a frequency
of the current for this load is sufficiently low as compared with a
frequency of said high-frequency current, the harness 45 can have
both of an antenna function and the function of passing a current
through the solenoid.
[0083] In this connection, as shown in FIG. 16, providing a coil 47
between a junction point (between the radio transmitting/receiving
circuit 33 and the output circuits 12) and the output circuits 12
enables efficient radio transmission and reception without passing
a high-frequency current to a battery and ground. Moreover, in this
embodiment, although the harness 45 connected to the output
circuits 12 is treated as an antenna, the harness connected to the
input circuit 11 may also be used as an antenna. In this case, or
if a load of the output circuits 12 is not a coil, inserting the
coil into an appropriate position of the harness 45 enables
efficient transmission and reception as described above.
[0084] In addition, in this embodiment, as is the case with the
twelfth embodiment, by locating the engine ECU itself in the engine
room, specifically, in the engine ECU in a place where nobody can
access it unless it is done in a repair shop, or the like, it
becomes possible to prevent an undue influence including removal of
the radio communication means installed in the engine ECU. In
addition, for example, if harnesses, which input signals of an
engine crank-angle sensor and a cam sensor, are used as antennas,
breaking these harnesses prevents the engine from being properly
controlled, which disables the vehicle from traveling.
[0085] Furthermore, not only the communication line, which is
connected between the engine ECU and the radio communication means,
but also the antenna for transmitting the diagnostic information of
the vehicle equipment becomes unnecessary. Therefore, it is
possible to construct a vehicle diagnostic system, which transmits
the diagnostic information of the vehicle equipment to outside of
the vehicle by means of radio communication such as OBD III, at low
cost.
[0086] FIG. 17 illustrates a vehicle 100 which transmits and
receives a radio signal to and from the telecommunication equipment
6 using the harness 45 that connects sensors or the actuator 111
(such as for example an oxygen sensor, a heater for heating the
oxygen sensor, and a solenoid for purging a canister) to the engine
ECU 2 mounted on the engine 110. Because this harness 45 is located
at a lower part of the vehicle, as is the case with FIG. 6, the
leakage coaxial cable 120, which is laid under the road, or in the
vicinity of the oiling device of the gas station, or the like, is
used for the radio communication equipment 6.
[0087] Another embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 18.
In this case, the vehicle diagnostic information is not transmitted
directly to a base station, a monitor station, or the like by means
of long-distance communication. As shown in FIG. 13, FIG. 15, or
FIG. 17, the diagnostic information of the vehicle equipment is
transmitted from the vehicle 100, which is equipped with a vehicle
diagnostic system that performs short-distance communication, to
the base station, the monitor station, or the like.
[0088] FIG. 18 shows a vehicle 100 on the left side which is
equipped with the vehicle diagnostic system according to the eighth
embodiment shown in FIG. 9. The vehicle 100 radio-transmits the
diagnostic information of the vehicle equipment to the
telecommunication equipment outside vehicle 6 installed in a oiling
machine 200.
[0089] Further, a vehicle 100' on the right side is equipped with
the vehicle diagnostic system according to the twelfth embodiment
shown in FIG. 14. The vehicle 100' radio-transmits the diagnostic
information of the vehicle equipment to the leakage coaxial cable
120 that is laid under a road in the vicinity of the oiling machine
200, and which serves as the telecommunication equipment 6. In
either case, as soon as a sensor, which is not shown in the figure,
detects that the vehicle 100 stopped in front of the oiling machine
200, or that oil supply is started, a diagnostic information
request signal is transmitted from the telecommunication equipment
6 to the vehicle 100. In response, transmission of the diagnostic
information from the vehicle 100 to the telecommunication equipment
6 is started. In this connection, only if there is a failure in the
vehicle equipment, the diagnostic information may be transmitted
from the vehicle side to the telecommunication equipment. Moreover,
as regards the gas station, if no response is received from the
vehicle 100 in response to the diagnostic information request
signal, which has been transmitted from the telecommunication
equipment outside vehicle 6 to the vehicle 100, due to an unfair
practice such as removal of an antenna, it is possible to take
measures such as stopping oil supply for example.
[0090] Next, the diagnostic information of each vehicle 100 is
demodulated by a radio transmitting/receiving circuit 210 of the
telecommunication equipment 6, and then transmitted to a computer
220 installed in a store, an office, or the like in tie gas
station. The diagnostic information of the vehicle equipment
concerning each vehicle 100 collected in this computer 220 is
transmitted to a server 240 in the base station, the monitor
station, or the like, through Internet 230.
[0091] According to the present invention, a vehicle diagnostic
system comprises: an electronic control unit for controlling
vehicle equipment and for diagnosing the vehicle equipment and a
radio communication means comprising a radio transmission circuit
and an antenna, for transmitting diagnostic information of the
vehicle equipment to a radio communication equipment wherein a
determination is made whether or not the communication between the
electronic control unit and the radio communication means is being
performed normally. Hence, it is possible to detect a failure of
the vehicle diagnostic system itself or abnormality of the vehicle
diagnostic system caused by a vehicle operator's undue influence
and warn the vehicle operator or notify the abnormality of the
vehicle diagnostic system to the telecommunication equipment.
[0092] Moreover, using a vehicle's existing communication line or a
vehicle's existing radio communication means, which is contained in
on-vehicle information equipment, a vehicle antitheft system, a
keyless engine starting system, a millimeter-wave radar
transmit-receive device, and the like, eliminates the need for a
communication line or a radio communication means, which is
specifically intended for OBD III, or the like and also eliminates
the need for vehicle assembly man-hour for laying the new
communication line. Therefore, it is possible to construct a
vehicle diagnostic system, which transmits the diagnostic
information of the vehicle equipment to outside of the vehicle by
means of radio communication such as OBD III at low cost.
Furthermore, building the radio communication means into the
electronic control unit, or connecting the radio communication
means to an external scan-tool connector for reading the diagnostic
information of the vehicle also eliminates the need for vehicle
assembly man-hour for a new communication line and for laying the
communication line. In addition, using a harness, which connects
the electronic control unit to the vehicle equipment, as an antenna
eliminates the need for adding an antenna.
[0093] Although the invention has been described above in
connection with exemplary embodiments, it is apparent that many
modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from
the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is
not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but
is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *