FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device and system for reading
information from a vehicle bus and in particular, to such a device and system
in which the vehicular data from a vehicle bus is obtained by passive
coupling to the vehicle bus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicles such as cars and trucks, SUVs have an onboard computer
and/or at least one or more engine control module (ECM) that are utilized to
control and monitor the vehicle's operation. The controller provides for
monitoring various operational features and functions related to the vehicle
for example communicating with sensors to obtain data, identifying faults,
facilitating identifying repair .
The vehicle controller communicates vehicular data available primarily for
the vehicle service industry to facilitate detection, identification and repair of
vehicle faults. Vehicular data is communicated by at least one or more
Engine Control Units (ECU) to the vehicle's central controller and/or
processor and/or computer in the form of a message over a Vehicle Data Bus
('VB').
Generally sensors information and the like vehicular operational data
is communicated over a standardized communications system between the
on-board engine controller and an off-board tool or monitoring device, using
various defined protocols including but not limited to J1979; ISO-15031;
Controller Area Network (CAN); OBD II; J1939;; ISO 9141 (old K-line),
ISO 14230-4 (K-line); or the like vehicular protocol.
There is pertinent information that is communicated over the vehicle
bus (VB) that is valuable not only to vehicle manufacturers but also to
industries that are associated with the automotive industry or satellite
industries of the automotive industries. For example the vehicular data is
particularly important for fleet management.
Access to the VB data is best obtained by physically connecting to the VB.
However, vehicle manufactures are currently limiting third party access to
the VB information. Specifically vehicle manufacturers are refusing
warranty claims and/or responsibility if equipment of a third party includes
an intimate connection, wired and/or non-passive coupling, to the VB.
Vehicle manufacturers refuse warranty if non-manufacturer
equipment is connected on their VB line, particularly if they modify the
topology and the electric characteristics of the network.
One solution to this problem is taught by US Patent 8,548, 099 to
Berenger et al., where capacitive coupling clip is utilized to access the data
from the VB. This solution however is limited in that it requires a user to
physically access the VB lines and to associate them so as to allow for
capacitive coupling between the clip and the VB. Furthermore such is a
solution is cumbersome in term of its installation where it must be performed
by an expert so as to ensure that the proper wires are accessed.
Other available solutions, based on inductive coupling, also suffer
from the same downfall as direct access to the VB line wires is required to
obtain a good signal from the VB.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes these deficiencies of the
background by providing a device capable of passively connecting to a VB
without requiring to physically access and couple the device directly onto
the VB line wires.
The present invention provides a device for passively recovering data
communicated on the VB by utilizing a vehicle's built in bus port, for
example the OBD-II port. In embodiments of the present invention
preferably a VB port that is built into the vehicle, preferably and OBD-II
port, is utilized to gain access to the VB line, while the device is configured
to allow only passive coupling with the data bus signals, without affecting
the topology and the electric characteristics or the physical integrity of the
network associated with the VB, such that the device is galvanically isolated
from the VB line.
Within the context of this application the term passive connection
and/or coupling to a non-wired connection between two circuits and in
particular to a data bus where the connection is not a physical connection
between two electronic circuits. Most preferably the passive connection
includes an isolating layer to provide for galvanic isolation between passively
coupled and/or connected electronic circuits.
Within the context of this application the term passive transmission
and/or passive communication is signal communication and/or data transfer
that is provided by way of passive coupling between a data source and a data
Embodiments of the present invention provide a device in the form of
a vehicle bus plug for passively reading vehicular data communicated over a
Vehicle Data Bus ('VB') through a vehicle bus port, the plug provided to
passively couple with the VB so as to recover signals exchanged over the
VB and to process and communicated the passively attained signals, the
plug comprising:
a plug housing intended to couple with the vehicle's bus port using at
least one conducting data pin;
the at least one data pin is passively associated with electronic
circuitry module provided for passively attaining and processing the
vehicular data, the electronic circuitry module including an electronically
isolated layer forming a passive coupling interface provided to passively
couple and attain the vehicular data signals ; the passive coupling interface
provided in the form of an integrated circuit layer that functions to passively
coupled with an end of the least one data pin and wherein the layer is a
galvanically isolated layer within circuitry module ; and wherein an end of
the at least one data pin are galvanically isolated from the circuitry module
and the passive coupling interface layer by an intermediating bi-layered
integrated circuit board having a first conducting layer provided to receive
data form the at least two data pins and a second isolating layer provided to
galvanically isolate the conducting layer from the coupling interface layer ;
wherein the data pins have a pin body configured to associate with
the sockets of vehicle's bus port ; and wherein the location of the
conducting pins correspond to the data socket location of VB port .
Optionally the passive coupling interface may comprise an integrated
circuit layer that provides for passive coupling in the form of capacitive
coupling with the end of the at least one data pin.
Optionally the pins include at least two data pins.
Optionally the circuitry module comprises a processing module,
memory module and a communication module provided to process the
passively attained signal, the memory module provided to store the signals,
and the communication module provided to communicate the signals to an
external processor.
Optionally the device may further comprise at least two power pins
having a pin body provided to associate with the vehicle's bus port wherein
the location of the power pins correspond to the location of the vehicle's
internal power supply line provided as part of the port.
Optionally the power pins may be configured to power the circuitry
module by connecting to power supply module.
Optionally the circuitry module may comprise a power module
provided in the form of an internal power supply.
Optionally the internal power supply may be provided in the form of
a chargeable battery.
Optionally the internal power supply module may be powered by
induction from the power pins.
Optionally the circuitry module may provide for processing the
passively attained signals by way amplification, filtering and signal shaping.
Optionally the housing is provided in the form of an OBD-II plug.
Optionally and preferably the device housing is configured according
to the vehicle's bus port.
Optionally the isolating layer is provided from an isolating material
FR4 having a thickness of about 0.4mm.
An optional embodiment of the present invention provides a system
for passively obtaining vehicular data from the VB via a VB plug, the
system including the device according to the present invention in wireless
communication with an external processing unit.
Optionally the device communicates data processed with a processing
module disposed in the device, wherein the processed data is communicated
to the external processing unit.
Optionally the device communicates passive raw signals attained
from the VB for further processing with the external processing unit.
Optionally the external processing unit is a fleet management system.
Optionally the external processing unit is a communication gateway
forming part of a fleet management system.
Optionally the communication gateway is installed at a refueling
station as part of a fuel authorization system.
Optionally the device communicates data in response to a control
signal received from the fuel authorization system.
Optionally the device communicates data in response to a control
signal received from the communication gateway.
Optionally the vehicular data obtained includes at least one of
odometer reading, RPM readings, and fuel levels.
Optionally the external processing unit is a vehicular diagnostic
device.
Unless otherwise defined the various embodiment of the present
invention may be provided to an end user in a plurality of formats,
platforms, and may be outputted to at least one of a computer readable
memory, a computer display device, a printout, a computer on a network or
a user.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein
have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in
the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, methods, and
examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
Implementation of the method and system of the present invention involves
performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually,
automatically, or a combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual
instrumentation and equipment of preferred embodiments of the method and
system of the present invention, several selected steps could be implemented
by hardware or by software on any operating system of any firmware or a
combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selected steps of the
invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected
steps of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software
instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating
system. In any case, selected steps of the method and system of the invention
could be described as being performed by a data processor, such as a
computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions.
Although the present invention is described with regard to a
"computer" on a "computer network", it should be noted that optionally any
device featuring a data processor and/or the ability to execute one or more
instructions may be described as a computer, including but not limited to a
PC (personal computer), a server, a minicomputer, a cellular telephone, a
smart phone, a PDA (personal data assistant), a pager. Any two or more of
such devices in communication with each other, and/or any computer in
communication with any other computer, may optionally comprise a
"computer network".
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the
drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of
example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred
embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in order to
provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood
description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this
regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more
detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the
description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the
art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary device and
system according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a schematic illustration of an
exemplary device according to optional embodiments of the present
invention; and
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a schematic illustration of the passive
connecting interface according to optional embodiments of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The principles and operation of the present invention may be better
understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying
description.
The following figure reference labels are used throughout the description to
refer to similarly functioning components are used throughout the
specification hereinbelow.
10 External Processing Device;
15 vehicle bus (VB)
20 Vehicle Data Bus Port;
50 system;
100 VB device plug;
102 plug housing;
102a-c housing portions;
104 pins;
104d data pins;
104p power pins;
105 data pins conducting PCB layer;
106 isolating layer;
110 electronic circuitry module;
112 passive coupling layer;
114 memory module;
116 communication module;
118 processing module;
120 power module;
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of
a device 100 and system 50 according to the present invention for a device
100 that is capable of passively connecting to a Vehicle Data Bus ('VBD') 15
without requiring to physically access and couple the device directly onto the
VB line wires 15.
The present invention provides a device 100 configured to passively
recover data communicated on the VB by utilizing a vehicle's built in bus
port 20, for example a vehicle's OBD-II port as shown in FIG. 1, while
allowing access to the data communicated over the VB line 15 by way of
passive coupling without affecting the topology and the electric
characteristics or the physical integrity of the vehicle network associated
with the VB 15, provided by galvanically isolating device 100 from the VB
line 15 and port 20.
Device 100 comprises a housing 102, conducting pins 104, an
isolating layer 106 and electronic circuitry module 110. Preferably device
housing 102 is provided in configuration and shape that facilitates secure
coupling with a vehicles data port 20. For example, device housing 102
may be provided in the form of an OBD-II plug , for example as shown in
FIG. 2, so as to allow secure coupling with a vehicle fit with an OBD-II
port. Preferably housing 102 may be shaped and/or configured so as to
allow coupling with to any VB port known in the art, for example including
but not limited to OBD-II, ISO- 15031; Controller Area Network (CAN);
OBD II; J1939 truck standard; ISO 9041 (K-line), ISO 14230-4, or the like.
Optionally housing 102 may be provided from a plurality of housing
portions 102a-c, for example as shown in FIG. 2, that may be fit with one
another to form the overall configuration and/or shape of device housing
102.
Preferably device 100 is fit with at least two or more conducting pins
104, and more preferably with a plurality of conducting pins 104.
Preferably pins 104 are provided to couple and provide sufficient electrical
contact with port sockets 24 disposed on VB port 20. Preferably device
100 comprises at least one or more data pins 104d, positioned to correspond
to the data socket portion of port 20. Optionally device 100 may comprise
at least two or more data pins (104d, for example a shown in FIG. 3.
Optionally device 100 may further comprise power pins 104p, FIG. 3,
positioned to correspond to the data power supply sockets of port 20 that
transmit power from the vehicle's internal power supply.
Preferably data pins 104d provide for conducting VB data from
vehicle bus 15 through the appropriate data sockets 24 at port 20 to a
passive coupling interface 112 that provides for passive coupling between
VB 15 via pins 104,104d and circuitry 110 so as to enable passive
communication and/or passive signal transfer from data source VB 15 to
circuitry 110. Preferably pins 104 comprise at least one or more data pins
104d. Optionally and preferably pins 104 comprise at least two or more
data pins 104d.
Pins 104 and in particular data pins 104d are galvanically isolated
from circuitry 110 and coupling interface 112 with an isolating layer 106.
Preferably isolating layer 106 may be provided from optional isolating
materials as is known in the art for example including but not limited to
FR4, or the like materials. Optionally the isolating layer is provided with a
thickness of at least 0.4mm. Optionally the isolating layer thickness is
selected according to the isolating materials used and its isolating properties.
Vehicular data is passively communicated from VB 15 to device 100
in the following manner. Data is transmitted on VB 15 through data sockets
24 in VB port 20 and onto pins 104, the data is then transmitted to data pins
(104,104d) conducting PCB layerl05 which are then passively coupled with
passive coupling interface layer 112 wherein isolating layer 106 provides to
galvanically isolate and therein safeguard the electrical integrity of VB 15
and its associated networks.
Passive coupling interface layer 112, as best seen in FIG. 3, is a part
of circuity module 110, is an integrated circuit layer that provides for
passively attaining and/or picking up data transmitted on vehicle bus 15
through pins 104. Preferably once interface layer 112 has captured the
vehicular data, components of circuitry module 110 are provided to process,
store and communicate the data.
Optionally and most preferably passive coupling interface layer 112
may be configured to provide passive coupling by including capacitive
coupling having corresponding capacitive coupling circuitry.
Circuitry module 110 preferably comprises a passive coupling
interface layer 112, memory module 114, communication module 116,
processing module 118 and power module 120.
Preferably circuitry module 110 includes a central processing unit
118 in the form of a microprocessor that provides for controlling and
processing all data received from VB 15 through interface layer 112.
Processor module 118 provides for applying signal processing and/or any
algorithms required to abstract data from the raw vehicular data obtained
with passive interface layer 112.
Preferably once data is processed it may be stored with memory
module 114. Optionally memory module 114 may be provided form
memory of any form as is known in the art for example including but not
limited to flash memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, any
combination thereof or the like.
Preferably data stored with module 114 may be communicated to an
external processing device 10 with communication module 116. Preferably
communication module 116 provides for communicating any data
associated with and/or stored by device 100 according to communication
protocols that are known in the art. Optionally communication module 116
provides for any form of communication as is known in the art for example
including but not limited to wired, wireless, contactless, radio frequency
communication, optical communication, infrared communication, acoustic
communication, any combination thereof or the like.
Preferably circuitry module 110 is powered with a power module
120. Optionally power module 120 may be provided in optional forms for
example including an on board power supply in the form of a rechargeable
battery, super capacitor, capacitor or the like internal means for powering
circuitry module 110. Optionally and more preferably power module 120
may be powered with the vehicles internal power supply via power pins
104p that correspond to power socket 24 of VB port 20.
An optional embodiment of the present invention provides for
utilizing device 100 within a system 50 for communicating the vehicular
data processed by device 100 to external processing devices and/or servers
10. Optionally external processing devices 10 may be realized in optional
forms for example including but not limited to fleet management systems
and servers, re-fuel authorization systems, vehicular diagnostic devices, or
the like devices and/or computers the comprise processing and
communication capabilities.
FIG. 2 shows and exploded view of an optional embodiment of the
present invention where device 100 is realized as an OBD-II plug device.
Device 100 shown in FIG.2 is characterized in that housing 102 is an OBD-II
configuration having a main housing 102a, a front cover 102b and a back
cover 102c. Preferably front cover 102b provides for selecting the correct
data and power pin location. Preferably housing portion 102a comprises a
recess provided for receiving circuitry module 110, shown in an exploded
view, while back cover 102c is provided to contain module 110 within
housing portion 102a.
As shown pins 104 are passively coupled with circuitry module 110
via isolating layer 106 and passive coupling interfacing layer 112 shown in
the form of capacitive coupling layer. Interfacing layer 112 is configured to
associate with module 110 via processor 118.
FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the capacitive coupling setup
according to the present invention revealing a first conducting layer 105
provided to couple with a portion of pins 104, and the conducting layer 105 is
passively coupled with interface layer 112 by way of isolating layer 106 that
is sandwiched therebetween. Most preferably layer 106 ensures the galvanic
isolation and the electric integrity of the vehicle network that is associated
with pins 104, and vehicle bus 15 as it is galvanically isolated so as to
prevent any direct electronic interfacing between vehicle bus 15 and device
100.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited
number of embodiment, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional
relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size,
materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use,
are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in
the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not described to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be
resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Having described a specific preferred embodiment of the invention
with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the
present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment and that various
changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of ordinary skill in
the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention defined by
the appended claims.
Further modifications of the invention will also occur to persons
skilled in the art and all such are deemed to fall within the spirit and scope of
the invention as defined by the appended claims.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited
number of embodiment, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional
relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size,
materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use,
are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in
the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not described to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be
resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited
number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations,
modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for
clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be
provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various
features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a
single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub
combination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the
invention. Certain features described in the context of various embodiments
are not to be considered essential features of those embodiments, unless the
embodiment is inoperative without those elements.
Although the invention has been described in conjunction with
specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives,
modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications
and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not
be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to
the invention.
Section headings are used herein to ease understanding of the
specification and should not be construed as necessarily limiting.
While the invention has been described with respect to a limited
number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations,
modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1) A device in the form of a vehicle bus plug (100) for passively
reading vehicular data communicated over a Vehicle Data Bus ('VB')
through a vehicle bus port (20), the plug provided to passively couple with
said VB so as to recover signals exchanged over the VB and to process and
communicated the passively attained signals, the plug comprising:
a) a plug housing (102) intended to couple with the vehicle's bus port (20)
using at least one conducting data pin (104, 104d);
b) said at least one data pin (104,104d) is passively associated with
electronic circuitry module ( 110) provided for passively attaining and
processing said vehicular data, said electronic circuitry module ( 110)
including an electronically isolated layer forming a passive coupling
interface ( 112) provided to passively couple and attain said vehicular
data signals (50); said passive coupling interface ( 112) provided in the
form of an integrated circuit layer that functions to passively coupled
with an end of said least one data pin (104, 104d) and wherein said layer
( 112) is a galvanically isolated layer within circuitry module ( 110); and
wherein an end of said at least one data pin (104,104d) are galvanically
isolated from said circuitry module ( 1 10) and said passive coupling
interface layer ( 112) by an intermediating bi-layered integrated circuit
board having a first conducting layer (105) provided to receive data
form said at least two data pins (104d) and a second isolating layer (106)
provided to galvanically isolate said conducting layer (105) from said
coupling interface layer ( 112);
c) wherein said data pins (104,104d) have a pin body configured to
associate with the sockets (24) of vehicle's bus port (20); and wherein
the location of said conducting pins (104) correspond to the data socket
location of VB port (20).
2) The device of claim 1 wherein said passive coupling interface ( 112)
comprises an integrated circuit layer that provides for passive coupling in
the form of capacitive coupling with the end of said at least one data pin
(104,104d).
3) The device of claim 1 wherein said pins (104) include at least two data pins
(104d).
4) The device of claim 1 wherein said circuitry module ( 110) comprises a
processing module ( 118), memory module ( 114) and a communication
module ( 116) provided to process said passively attained signal, said
memory module provided to store said signals, and said communication
module provided to communicate said signals to an external processor (50).
5) The device of claim 1 further comprising two power pins (104,104p) having
a pin body provided to associate with the vehicle's bus port (20) wherein the
location of said power pins (104, 104p) correspond to the location of the
vehicle's internal power supply line provided as part of the port (20).
6) The device of claim 3 wherein said power pins (104,104p) are configured to
power said circuitry module ( 110) by connecting to power supply module
(120).
7) The device of claim 1 wherein said circuitry module ( 110) comprise a
power module (120) provided in the form of an internal power supply.
8) The device of claim 1 wherein said internal power supply is provided in the
form of a chargeable battery.
9) The device of claim 1 wherein said internal power supply module (120) is
powered by induction from said power pins (104,104p).
10)The device of claim 1 wherein said circuitry module ( 110) provides for
processing said passively attained signals by way amplification, filtering
and signal shaping.
1l)The device of claim 1 wherein said housing (102) is provided in the form of
an OBD-II plug.
12)The device of claim 1 wherein said housing (102) according to the vehicle
bus port (20),
13)A system for passively obtaining vehicular data from the VB via a VB plug,
the system including the device of any of claims 1 -10 in wireless
communication with an external processing unit (150).
14)The system of claim 13 wherein said device communicates data processed
with a processing module ( 118) disposed in said device, wherein the
processed data is communicated to said external processing unit (150).
15)The system of claim 13 wherein said device communicates passive raw
signals attained from the VB for further processing with said external
processing unit (150).
16)The system of claim 13 wherein said external processing unit (150) is a
fleet management system.
17) The system of claim 13 wherein said external processing unit (150) is a
communication gateway forming part of a fleet management system.
18)The system of claim 17 wherein said communication gateway is installed at
a refueling station as part of a fuel authorization system.
19)The system of claim 17 wherein said device communicates data in response
to a control signal received from said fuel authorization system.
20)The system of claim 19 wherein said device communicates data in response
to a control signal received from said communication gateway.
21)The device of any of claims 1-12 wherein the vehicular data obtained
includes at least one of odometer reading, RPM readings, and fuel levels.
22)The system of claim 13 wherein said external processing unit is a vehicular
diagnostic device.
23)The device of claim 1 wherein said isolating layer (106) is provided from an
isolating material FR4 having a thickness of about 0.4mm.