Formula server for diagnostic systems

An apparatus and method are provided and include a formula server having formulas and conversion modules that are separate from a diagnostic application of a diagnostic tool. The diagnostic tool receives the diagnostic data and transmits it to a remote computer, where the data is converted using a formula. The resulting data is then transmitted back to the diagnostic tool for display.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to providing conversion formulas. More particularly, the present invention relates to providing conversion formulas for diagnostic tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most modern vehicle are utilizing on board computers to control and monitor engine and electrical system functions. A scan tool can be used to communicate with the engine through a data link connector on the vehicle. The scan tool can retrieve diagnostic information such as trouble codes, and sensor and actuator information from the vehicle on board computers. Some of the diagnostic information has to be converted using a formula stored on a database.

The scan tool software databases are written based on information provided by the various manufacturers. The database can be verified on the vehicles for correct function and accuracy of the diagnostic data. Should the database contain an error, it usually relates to a conversion formula applied to the diagnostic data received from the vehicle. The conversion formula is an integral part of the software's database and requires a rebuild of the software on the scan tool once the error is determined.

In order to update the scan tool, costly updates have to be sent to each single scan tool and the updates have to be uploaded. The updates can be done on-site or the scan tool has to be returned to the manufacturer for updating. Thus, the updates increase the down time of the scan tool and repairs must wait until the tool is returned or updated.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide the conversion formulas apart from the diagnostic software database and from the diagnostic tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus is provided that in some embodiments a remote formula computer is provided that allows for data conversion remote from the diagnostic device and its software database.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a computer that converts data is provided, which can comprise of a processor to process information and operate the computer, a software stored on a memory of the computer and communicates with the processor, an input device for entering information into the computer, a computer readable reader that reads information stored on a computer readable media, a communication interface that communicates with a remote diagnostic device, and a system bus that allows communication between the memory, the processor, the input device, the computer readable reader and the communication interface, wherein the software includes a platform module and a data converter module and the software converts a data received from the remote diagnostic device using a conversion formula from the data converter module based on the platform module determination of the data's platform.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of converting data using a computer is provided, which can comprise of receiving data on a diagnostic device, transmitting the data from the diagnostic device to a remote computer for data conversion, converting the data at the remote computer using a conversion formula from a data converter module based on a platform module's determination of the data's platform, and transmitting the converted data to the diagnostic device.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a system for converting diagnostic data in a computer is provided, which can comprise of a processing means for processing information and operating the computer, a software means for providing instructions to the processing means for use on the computer, a memory means for storing the software means, an input device means for inputting information into the computer, a computer readable reader means that reads information stored on a computer readable media, a communication interface means for communicating with a remote diagnostic device, and a system bus for communicating between the memory means, the processing means, the input device means, the computer readable reader means and the communication interface means, wherein the software means includes a platform module and a data converter module and the software means converts a data received from the remote diagnostic device using a conversion formula from a data converter module based on the platform module's determination of the data's platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides an apparatus and method that provide formulas, such as conversion formulas apart from the scan tool and its diagnostic software and database.

FIG. 1is a front view of a scan tool100that can benefit from the formula according to an embodiment of the invention. The scan tool100can be any computing device, such as, for example, the Nemisys scan tool from Service Solutions (a unit of the SPX Corporation) in Owatonna, Minn. The scan tool100includes a housing102to house the various components of the scan tool, such as a display104, a user interface106, a power key108, a memory card reader110and a connector interface112. The display104can be any display, for example, LCD (liquid crystal display), VGA (video graphics array), touch display (can also be a user interface), etc. The user interface106allows the user to interact with the scan tool in order to operate the scan tool as desired. The user interface106can include function keys, arrow keys or any other type of keys that can manipulate the scan tool100in order to operate various menus that are presented on the display. The user interface106can also be a mouse or any other suitable input device, including a keypad. The user interface106can also include numbers or be alphanumeric. The power key108allows the user to turn the scan tool100on and off, as required.

Memory card reader110can be a single type card reader, such as a compact flash card, floppy disc, memory stick, secure digital, other types of flash memory or other types of memory. The memory card reader110can be a reader that reads more than one of the aforementioned memory such as a combination memory card reader. Additionally, the card reader110can also read any other computer readable medium, such as CD, DVD, UMD, etc.

The connector interface112allows the scan tool100to connect to an external device, such as an ECU (electronic control unit) of a vehicle, a computing device, an external communication device (such as a modem), a network, etc. through a wired or wireless connection. Connector interface112can also include a USB, FIREWIRE, modem, RS232, RS48J, and other connections to communicate with external devices, such as a hard drive, USB flash memory device, CD player, DVD player, UMD player or other computer readable medium devices.

FIG. 2is an illustration of a prior art system200. The system200includes application software202that includes a data converter module204. The data converter module is platform specific, such as to a scan tool100so that only conversion formulas for that scan tool are available for use. The data converter module204includes a conversion unit module206, a conversion format module208and conversion formula module210. The data converter module is part of the application software for the platform. The conversion unit module206converts the data from one unit to another if needed, for example, converting Celsius to Fahrenheit for temperature or from meters to millimeters for distance measurements and other units. The data converter module also includes a conversion format module208that translates the conversion to the correct format, such as the protocol for transmission that is issued by the platform. The data converter module includes the conversion formulas that will be needed for the platform.

A raw data, for example, can be voltage reading from a temperature sensor in the vehicle can be received. The data can be in any type of format due to variations in make and models of vehicles. Once the raw data is received, the data has to be converted by the data converter to the right format using the conversion formula. However, if the conversion format, conversion unit or the conversion formula is incorrect, the entire data converter portion of the application code will have to be replaced or updated. As stated above, when the application has to be updated, it can be costly to the manufacturer of the scan tool because the manufacturer has to guarantee that its database that it sold in the scan tool is correct. Thus, an update has to be sent out in the form of a CD, compact flash card or other computer readable medium so that the scan tool owner can update the database with the correct data converter. Alternatively, the scan tool has to be sent back to the manufacture for the update and this can be costly not only to the scan tool manufacturer but to the scan tool owner for the down time due to the update.

FIG. 3illustrates a formula server system300according to an embodiment of the invention. The formula server system300includes a formula server340or a computing device, such as a personal computer, or a server, a networked server such as a distributed server (internet) or any other computing device. The formula server can be a stand alone computer or a connected computer. The connection can be wireless, wired or both.

An example of formula server340, but not limited by this example, can read computer readable media that includes computer-executable instructions of the present invention. The formula server includes a processor that controls the computer. The processor uses the system memory and a computer readable memory device that includes certain computer readable recording media. A system bus connects the processor to a network interface, modem or other interface that accommodates a connection to another computer or network such as the Internet. As stated above, the connection can be wired or wireless. The system bus also connects the other components of the formula server together. The components include the processor, the system memory, an input and output device, a display and other components.

The formula system300includes a platform330and the formula server340. The platform330can be any platform such as diagnostic tool100described inFIG. 1. The platform330includes the application software302and a formula server interface320. The application software allows for the platform to perform its function, such as diagnostic functions. The formula server interface can be the connector interface112of tool100that allows the platform330to communicate through a wired or wireless connection. The wired connection can be direct to the formula server340or through a hub, router or other systems, including the internet. The wireless connection can be through any wireless system including Wi-Fi (802.11), infrared, LAN, WLAN, cellular, satellite, Bluetooth or any other wireless systems.

The formula server340includes the formula server interface320and platform abstraction316. The formula server can be used with any platform that requires conversion of data using a formula such as a scan tool, battery tester, battery charger, torque angle meter and other diagnostic tools. Other platforms can include medical devices such as MRI, EKG, blood flow monitors, and other devices. The formula server340contains a collection of formula abstractions in order for the server to serve various platforms and their respective formulas at one location.

The formula server340can be used for current formulas or any formulas that are new. New formulas may be created due to new vehicles specifications, new diagnostic techniques or for other reasons. The formula server is constructed and arranged to be adapted for any platform and its respective formulas that are used with that platform.

The platform abstraction316includes the data converter304that is needed in order for the platform to convert platform data for its final use by the user. The platform abstraction can direct which formula to use by the data converter based on the data received from a platform. The data converter304takes a platform data318and converts it using a conversion unit module306, the conversion format module308and the conversion formula module310. The conversion unit module converts the platform data to the desired unit. The conversion format module converts the platform data to the correct format desired by the user for that platform. The conversion formula converts the platform data to the desired information of the user. Once the conversion is completed, the desired information can be transmitted to the platform330for display on the display314. The transmission of the desired information can be accomplished using the wired and wireless method described above.

By having the server, the formulas can be stored at a location remote from the platform so that the server can be used to support various platforms and their respective diagnostic applications. The diagnostic data can be used on various platforms since the conversion of the data and the display can be done by the server and transmitted to the various platforms. For example, the diagnostic data can be converted and displayed on diagnostic tools made by various manufacturers, on personal computers running windows, Linux or Apple's OS X. Any defects in the formula can be instantly and cost effectively updated at one location, the server. Additionally, verification and testing of the formula can be done in the field without requiring a software build and thus, decrease testing time.

The present invention can be realized as computer-executable instructions in computer-readable media. The computer-readable media includes all possible kinds of media in which computer-readable data is stored or included or can include any type of data that can be read by a computer or a processing unit. The computer-readable media include for example and not limited to storing media, such as magnetic storing media (e.g., ROMs, floppy disks, hard disk, and the like), optical reading media (e.g., CD-ROMs (compact disc-read-only memory), DVDs (digital versatile discs), re-writable versions of the optical discs, and the like), hybrid magnetic optical disks, organic disks, system memory (read-only memory, random access memory), non-volatile memory such as flash memory or any other volatile or non-volatile memory, other semiconductor media, electronic media, electromagnetic media, infrared, and other communication media such as carrier waves (e.g., transmission via the Internet or another computer).

Communication media generally embodies computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated signal such as the carrier waves or other transportable mechanism including any information delivery media. Computer-readable media such as communication media may include wireless media such as radio frequency, infrared microwaves, and wired media such as a wired network. Also, the computer-readable media can store and execute computer-readable codes that are distributed in computers connected via a network. The computer readable medium also includes cooperating or interconnected computer readable media that are in the processing system or are distributed among multiple processing systems that may be local or remote to the processing system. The present invention can include the computer-readable medium having stored thereon a data structure including a plurality of fields containing data representing the techniques of the present invention.