Self-diagnostic non-bussed control module

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9510067-B2
Application number	US-201213654848-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 18, 2012
Priority date	Oct 18, 2012
Publication date	Nov 29, 2016
Grant date	Nov 29, 2016

Abstract

A non-bussed control module that receives an audio code is provided. The non-bussed control module includes a tone processing module, a self-diagnostic module, and a reporting module. The tone processing module receives the audio code, and sends a trigger signal if the audio code is received. The self-diagnostic module performs a self-diagnostic test for the non-bussed control module if the trigger signal is received, and generates a diagnostic signal indicative of the self-diagnostic test. The reporting module receives the diagnostic signal and determines a type of fault based on the diagnostic signal.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A non-bussed control module that receives an audio code, comprising:
a tone processing module, implemented as non-bussed hardware in a vehicle, for receiving the audio code and sending a trigger signal if the audio code is received;
a self-diagnostic module, implemented as non-bussed hardware in the vehicle, for performing a self-diagnostic test for the non-bussed control module if the trigger signal is received, and generating a diagnostic signal indicative of the self-diagnostic test; and
a reporting module, implemented as non-bussed hardware in the vehicle, for receiving the diagnostic signal and determining a type of fault based on the diagnostic signal.

2. The non-bussed control module of claim 1 , wherein the reporting module creates an audio output based on the type of fault.

3. The non-bussed control module of claim 2 , wherein the audio output is one of a tone sequence and a voice file that indicates the status of the non-bussed control module.

4. The non-bussed control module of claim 2 , comprising an output module that receives the audio output from the reporting module and amplifies the audio output.

5. The non-bussed control module of claim 1 , wherein the tone processing module requires a preconditioning event to occur before receiving the audio code.

6. The non-bussed control module of claim 5 , wherein the preconditioning event is one of an ignition-on event, and the non-bussed control module being powered.

7. The non-bussed control module of claim 1 , wherein the audio code is a specific sequence of audible tones containing diagnostic triggering information configured to induce the self-diagnostic module of the non-bussed control module into performing the self-diagnostic test.

8. The non-bussed control module of claim 1 , wherein the non-bussed control module includes an input that is one of a microphone input and an audio input line.

9. A vehicle including a vehicle communication bus that interconnects a plurality of control modules with one another, the vehicle comprising:
a non-bussed control module, implemented as non-bussed hardware in the vehicle, that receives an audio code, the non-bussed control module unconnected to the vehicle communication bus, the non-bussed control module comprising:
a tone processing module, implemented as non-bussed hardware in the vehicle, for receiving the audio code, and sending a trigger signal if the audio code is received;
a self-diagnostic module, implemented as non-bussed hardware in the vehicle, for performing a self-diagnostic test for the non-bussed control module if the trigger signal is received, and generating a diagnostic signal indicative of the self-diagnostic test; and
a reporting module, implemented as non-bussed hardware in the vehicle, for receiving the diagnostic signal and determining a type of fault based on the diagnostic signal.

10. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the reporting module creates an audio output based on the type of fault.

11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the audio output is one of a tone sequence and a voice file that indicates the status of the non-bussed control module.

12. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the non-bussed control module comprises an output module that receives the audio output from the reporting module and amplifies the audio output.

13. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the tone processing module requires a preconditioning event to occur before receiving the audio code.

14. The vehicle of claim 13 , wherein the preconditioning event is one of an ignition-on event, and the non-bussed control module being powered.

15. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the audio output is generated by a speaker located in the vehicle.

16. The vehicle of claim 9 , wherein the audio output is generated by one of a speaker located in a smartphone, a portable radio, an end-of-line tester, and a vehicle diagnostic device.

17. A method of initiating a self-diagnostic test in a non-bussed control module, comprising:
receiving an audio code by a tone processing module implemented as non-bussed hardware in a vehicle, the tone processing module sending a trigger signal if the audio code is received;
performing a self-diagnostic test for the non-bussed control module if the trigger signal is received by a self-diagnostic module;
generating a diagnostic signal indicative of the self-diagnostic test; and
receiving the diagnostic signal by a reporting module implemented as non-bussed hardware in the vehicle, the reporting module determining a type of fault based on the diagnostic signal.

18. The method of claim 17 , comprising creating an audio output based on the type of fault by the reporting module.

19. The method of claim 17 , comprising receiving the audio output by an output module and amplifying the audio output by the output module.

20. The method of claim 17 , comprising requiring a preconditioning event to occur before receiving the audio code by the tone processing module.

Assignees

• Gm Global Tech Operations Llc

Inventors

• Valeri Frank C
• Reilly Scott M
• Sleboda Pawel W
• Singer Ian R

Classifications

• H04Q2209/86

  Performing a diagnostic of the sensing device · CPC title

• H04Q9/00 Primary

  Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom · CPC title

• G08C23/02

  using infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic waves · CPC title