Interactive automotive diagnostic connector with integrated user communication capabilities

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12159494-B2
Application number	US-202117202650-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 16, 2021
Priority date	Mar 16, 2021
Publication date	Dec 3, 2024
Grant date	Dec 3, 2024

Abstract

A handheld, interactive connector for an automotive diagnostic device configured for engagement with a diagnostic port on a includes a housing and a connector port coupled to the housing. The connector port is configured to be plug connectable to the diagnostic port to establish a communication pathway between the connector and the vehicle. The connector further includes a control unit configured to receive a user initiation signal from a user sensing device and generate a speaker command signal in response to receiving the user initiation signal. A speaker is coupled to the housing and is in operative communication with the control unit to receive the speaker command signal therefrom. The speaker is configured to emit an audible signal corresponding to the speaker command signal.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An interactive communication interface for use between an automotive diagnostic device and a vehicle to guide a user in facilitating connection between the automotive diagnostic device and a vehicle electrical system for performing diagnostics on the vehicle, the communication interface comprising:
a hand-holdable housing;
a connector port coupled to the housing and configured to be plug connectable to the diagnostic port to facilitate communication of data signals with the vehicle;
a speaker coupled to the housing and operative to facilitate transmission of audio signals to a user;
a communication pathway coupled to the hand-holdable housing and connectable to the automotive diagnostic device, the communication pathway being configured to facilitate communication of both the data signals and the audio signals between the hand-holdable housing and the automotive diagnostic device, the audio signals including instructions associated with accessing and retrieving automotive diagnostic data and being transmissible along the communication pathway prior to any communication between the interactive communication interface and the diagnostic port; and
a user sensing device in operative communication with the speaker and configured to initiate audio communication with the user, via the speaker, in response to the user sensing device detecting a user entering an area proximate the diagnostic device.

2. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , wherein the user sensing device includes a microphone connected to the housing, the microphone being configured to detect the user entering the area proximate the diagnostic device via a verbal command received at the microphone.

3. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , wherein the user sensing device includes a proximity sensor capable of detecting the user being within a predetermined range of the proximity sensor.

4. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , further comprising a light connected to the housing and configured to illuminate an area adjacent the housing.

5. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 4 , wherein the connector port defines an engagement axis along which the connector port is connectable to the diagnostic port, the light being configured to emit light in a direction parallel to the engagement axis.

6. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , further comprising a memory circuit in communication with the speaker, the memory circuit having pre-recorded audio signals stored thereon.

7. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , wherein the user sensing device is coupled to the housing so as to be moveable with the housing.

8. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , wherein the user sensing device is disposed outside of the housing.

9. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , wherein the speaker is in operative communication with the connector port such that the speaker is configured to emit a speaker status signal based on a communication received from the vehicle.

10. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 9 , wherein the speaker status signal is representative of a passed, failed, or inconclusive status of the vehicle as determined based on an analysis of the communication received from the vehicle.

11. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 9 , wherein the speaker status signal is representative of a sequence of communications with the vehicle.

12. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , wherein communication pathway includes a cable.

13. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , further comprising a microphone coupled to the housing, wherein the communication pathway, the speaker, and the microphone are collectively configured to receive a verbal user request and communicate an audible response independent of a user navigating a digital screen.

14. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , wherein the audio signals include vehicle specific instructions.

15. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , wherein the audio signals include instructions for locating the diagnostic port on the vehicle.

16. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , wherein the audio instructions are configured to facilitate navigation through information on a digital screen associated with the automotive diagnostic device.

17. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , wherein the instructions associated with accessing and retrieving automotive diagnostic data are vehicle specific instructions.

18. The interactive communication interface recited in claim 1 , wherein the instructions associated with accessing and retrieving automotive diagnostic data include information regarding a location of the diagnostic port on the vehicle.

19. A handheld, interactive interface for use between an automotive diagnostic device and a diagnostic port on a vehicle to guide a user in facilitating connection between the automotive diagnostic device and a vehicle electrical system, the interface comprising:
a handheld housing;
a connector port coupled to the housing and configured to be plug connectable to the diagnostic port on the vehicle to facilitate communication of data signals with the vehicle;
a speaker coupled to the housing and operative to emit audio signals associated with use of the connector by a user; and
a communication pathway coupled to the handheld housing and connectable to the automotive diagnostic device, the communication pathway being configured to facilitate communication of both the data signals and the audio signals between the hand-holdable housing and the automotive diagnostic device, the audio signals including instructions associated with accessing and retrieving automotive diagnostic data and being transmissible along the communication pathway prior to any communication between the interface and the diagnostic port.

20. The interface recited in claim 19 , wherein the connector port includes an OBD-II connector port.

21. The interface recited in claim 19 , wherein the speaker emits audio communications in response to the connector port being connected to the diagnostic port on the vehicle.

22. The interface recited in claim 19 , wherein the connector port is configured to receive data from the vehicle and the speaker is configured to emit audio communications in response to receipt of data from the vehicle.

23. A method of providing audible assistance to a user to provide guidance in finding a diagnostic port on a vehicle and communicating with an onboard vehicle computer through the diagnostic port, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a user initiation signal from a user sensing device, the user initiation signal being received at a handheld interface configured for use between an automotive diagnostic device and the vehicle, the handheld interface including:
a housing,
a speaker being configured to transmit audio signals to a user,
a connector port coupled to the housing and configured to be plug connectable to the diagnostic port to facilitate communication of data signals with the vehicle; and
a communication pathway coupled to the housing and connectable to the automotive diagnostic device, the communication pathway being configured to facilitate communication of both the data

Assignees

• Innova Electronics Corp

Inventors

• Tran Jonathan

Classifications

• G07C5/008

  communicating information to a remotely located station (transmission systems for measured values G08C) · CPC title

• G06F3/167 Primary

  Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback · CPC title

• G07C2205/02

  using a vehicle scan tool · CPC title

• G07C5/0808 Primary

  Diagnosing performance data (testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005) · CPC title