DEVICE FOR TRANSMITTING SIGNALS FROM A VEHICLE

The device for transmitting signals from a vehicle may include a controller, a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, and a fourth connector. The controller is in communication each of the connectors. The first connector includes a first connector type, which may be a male J1962 connector type, and is configured of transmitting more of a plurality of signals there through. The second connector includes a second connector type, which may be a female J1962 connector type, and is configured to transmit one of the plurality of signals there through. The third connector includes a third connector type, which may be an RJ45 jack, and is configured to transmit one of the plurality of signals there through. The fourth connector includes a fourth connector type, which may be a universal serial bus connector type, and is configured to send and receive the commands to/from the controller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a system10having a device12for transmitting signals from a vehicle14. In order to better illustrate the system10, the device12is shown to be separated from the vehicle14as indicated by line16. The vehicle14includes a vehicle network18. The vehicle network18may be a controller area network (“CAN”) commonly found in vehicles, but may be any suitable network for a vehicle, such as Ethernet, single wire control area network (“SWCAN”), or International Standard Organization (“ISO”) 1941.

The vehicle network18may be connected to a variety of different ECUs found on the vehicle. Further, the ECU may be part of a greater system that is dedicated to controlling the engine, transmission, brakes, and other safety systems of the vehicle. The vehicle network18is also in communication with a vehicle connector19. The vehicle connector19allows bi directional communication with vehicle network18with the device12via a cable. While any number of different connector types may be utilized, the vehicle connector19may be a female J1962 connector, sometimes referred to as an OBD II port.

Referring to the device12for transmitting signals, the device12may have a housing22. The device12may also include a first connector24, a second connector26, a third connector28, and a fourth connector30supported by the housing22. The first connector24may be a male J1962 connector that is configured to mate with the vehicle connector19. For example, the first connector24may be a male J1962 connector, while the vehicle connector19may a female J1962 connector. As such, using the appropriate cabling, the first connector24may be placed in electrical communication with the vehicle connector19. The vehicle connector19may then communicate with a controller of the device12for transmitting signals using a variety of different standards, such as Ethernet, CAN, SWCAN, ISO9141, or any other suitable network.

Turning our attention to the second connector26, the second connector26may communicate with the controller of the device12utilizing a variety of different networks, such as CAN, SWCAN, ISO9141, or any other suitable network. As to the third connector28, the third connector28may be an RJ45 Ethernet jack that communicates with the controller of the device12using Ethernet protocol standard.

As to the fourth connector30, this connector may be a USB type connector that can be connected to an external device, such as a personal computer32. As well known, personal computers32commonly include a USB port that allows communication with other USB devices using the appropriate USB cabling. As will be explained later in the Specification, the personal computer32is capable of communicating with the device12via USB connector30. The personal computer32will be able to dictate by programming the controller of the device12which signals are received by the first connector port24are to be sent to the second connector26or the third connector28.

Referring toFIG. 2, a more detailed illustration of the device12for transmitting signals is shown. In additional to the elements previously mentioned when describingFIG. 1, the device12includes the controller34. The controller34may be one of any number of commonly utilized microcontrollers. These microcontrollers may include a 68HC11 or other suitable microcontrollers. The controller34may be in communication with the personal computer32ofFIG. 1.

The controller34is in communication with a pin switching device36, an input selection device38, and an output selection device40. As to the pin switching device36, the pin switching device36is in communication with the first connector24, second connector26, the input selection device38, the output selection device40.

Based on signals received from the controller24, the pin switching device36allows information received from the pins of the first connector24to be communicated to the second connector26. For example, it may be possible that all the signals received from the first connector24may be communicated to the second connector26or perhaps a subset of the signals. In another example, it may be possible that Ethernet related signals from the first connector24may be removed, allowing only the non-Ethernet related signals to be communicated to the second connector26. More specifically, the protocol utilized by the first connector26maybe non-standard Ethernet and a second protocol utilized by the third connector28comprises 802.3 100 baseT Ethernet

By so doing, this allows signals received from the first connector24to still be received to a device connected to the second connector26, essentially allowing only the signals that the user of the device12desires to be transferred to the second connector26from the first connector24. The pin switching device34may also receive instructions regarding which inputs received from the first connector24to provide to the second connector26from the input selection device38. As stated previously, the input selection device38is connected to controller34which would dictate which signals are to be transferred from the first connector24to the second connector26.

Further, the pin switching device34may also be instructed to send signals to the output selection device40. The output selection device40could then relay these signals either directly or in multiplexing type manner to the third connector28or even to a wireless communication device42such as an IEEE 802.11 type transceiver. This functionality allows signals received from the first connector24to be communicated either directly to the second connector26, third connector28or the wireless communication device42.

Determining which signals are to be sent to the second connector26, third connector28or the wireless communication device42can be done by programming the controller34using the PC32. This allows the user of the device12the flexibility in determine which signals should be sent to which connectors. It should be understood that the controller34can be programmed by the PC32once and then function as programmed without having the device12connected to the PC32. Further, the controller34device12may also be programmed at the point of manufacture without the need for the user to program the device12using the PC32.

As stated previously, the input selection device38is in communication with the controller34as well as the pin switching device36. The controller34directs the input selection device38as to which signals to send to the output selection device40. The input selection device38may be connected to one or more Ethernet converters44which allow information to be converted to an Ethernet protocol. Information that has been converted to an Ethernet protocol can then been provided to the output selection device40. The output selection device40can then route information from the Ethernet converter44and/or pin switching device36to the third connector28, which was previously mentioned as being an RJ45 Ethernet jack. Additionally, the output selection device40could also route this information to a wireless transmitter, such as the wireless communication device42.

When configured as described above, the device12can allow information provided to the pins of the first connector24to be routed in a variety of different ways to the second connector26and/or third connector28. For example, if some of the pins of vehicle connector24are dedicated to transmit the Ethernet related information, the controller34can utilize the pin switching device26, input selection device36, and output selection device40to provide Ethernet related information to the third connector28and the non-Ethernet related information to the second connector26. Further, controller34could simply pass information received by the first connector24directly on to the second connector26. Additionally, the controller34could also multiplex all or some of the information received by the first connector24and output this information to the third connector28and/or the wireless transmitter38.