Computer assisted vehicle service featuring signature analysis and
Contents
1. 93345 NOLL 1504 5 LIMS 333 JILLOYHL TOYLNO9 Y3ZLSINVD W3LSAS H LNTO 9NINOI LIONO ATNGOW 1 OINO3 0313 NOILONNS HOLVOIGNI 0 ANIONS 71034405 GNVWWOD 1 SOd 021 27914 Sheet 3 of 10 U S Patent 3 1989 4 796 206 FIG 3 US Patent Jan 3 1989 Sheet 40f10 4 796 206 FIG 4 OVERVIEW OF TECHNICIAN TERMINAL 152 ALDL AND TOUCH lt AD 2 ADAPTER CARD lt _ 158 i ADAPTER CARD CABLE 150 460 167 ENHANCED COLOR ADAPTER CARD 142 169 PC COMPACT PRINTER AT CONTROLLER 512 SERIAL PARALLEL ADAPTER CARD 1 168 SERIAL PARALLEL 1200 BAUD ADAPTER CARD 2 __ 112 POWER CONTROL 111 UNIT 113 DISK DISKETTE ADAPTER CARD 15 12 DISKETTE 114 US Patent 3 1989 Sheet Sof10 4 796 206 FIG 5S MACHINE COVER CABLE FIG 6 PROBE amp SUPPRESSION DEVICE MACHINE COVER 160 gt TO ON BOARD 10 DIAGNOSTICS COMPUTER CABLE CONTROLLER CONNECTOR CONNECTOR PROBE CABLE _ U S Patent Jan 3 1989 Sheet 60f10 4 796 206 FIG 7 BATTERY CABLE MACHINE COVER MAIN MENU DIAGNOSTICS SERVICE MANUAL S2. lt sa 25 gt gt _j gt m e a ae T lt 5 Le FAULT CODES 2 FAULT TABLE FIG U S Patent FIG 11 512 500 490 480 3 1989 Sheet 10 10 4 796 206 MEMORY MAP AVAIL ABLE SPACE 104K FREE SPACE 104K USER PROCEDURE AREA 64K MINIMUM USER 128K GLOBAL DATA AREA FEX SYSTEM 210K 64 MINIMUM DOC VIEW 20K FEX WORK AREA 50K FEX OPERATING SYSTEM 140K DOS EXTENSIONS 22K SYSTEM AREA TOK IBM DOS 48K 4 796 206 1 COMPUTER ASSISTED VEHICLE SERVICE FEATURING SIGNATURE ANALYSIS AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Cross reference is made to the following patent appli cations such application having a common filing data and a common assignee with the present application U S patent application Ser No 06 869 870 filed June 2 1986 entitled Fault Isolation for Vehicle Using Multifunction Test Probe having R V Ballou et al as inventors PRIOR ART REFERENCES The following prior art references are of interest and are referred to in the specification The first four refer ences are specifically incorporated by reference herein 1 Booklet The Guide Personal Computers Vol ume IV 1985 International Business Machines Corpo ration Front and back covers P
3. 15 20 25 30 35 45 50 55 65
4. 8A and 8B illustrate interposer cable usage in conjunction with the cable of FIG 6 FIG 9 illustrates the diagnostic procedures described herein FIGS 10A B and C illustrate tables as they are organized in an alternative diagnostic procedure FIG 11 shows a typical utilization of the storage in the technician terminal computer a memory map for the software execution system FIG 12 shows a main menu screen displayed on a technician terminal monitor Same drawing sheet as FIG 7 DETAILED DESCRIPTION A technique is described herein which makes use of a computer based technician terminal that connects to a vehicle being serviced using the assembly line data link ALDL This data link is used by the various vehicle manufacturers to test the vehicle at the end of the as sembly lines It allows an off board computer to com municate with the computers on board the vehicle 4 796 206 3 When commanded the on board computer outputs data frames on the data link which contain information about the state of the various sensors switches relays and actuators that are controlled by the on board comput ers Included in the data are error codes representing faults detected and stored by the on board computers The network of FIG 1 includes a technician terminal 100 interfaced with a vehicle 101 and more specifically with the vehicle computer control system 102 Termi 100 has a data entry facility and touch interactive m
5. vehicle states to set which tests to run which signatures to use and what repair actions to take The technician terminal would usually be incorpo rated in the communications network FIG 1 The network connects all technician terminals to the data base in the support system 103 FIG 1 and to the host computer 105 which collects statistics on a periodic basis relative to the repair actions performed on the vehicles the data being stored in the master data base 104 As indicated the technician terminals may be con nected directly to the host via a network Statistical analysis programs are used to correlate the readings taken during problem analysis and isolation against the actual repair actions performed Based on the results of the analysis the signature tables the isolation sequence tables and the probe test tables are updated to reflect this later level of learning The updated tables are distributed to all technician terminals over the network 4 796 206 7 The network is also used to provide updates of new revised programs and display panels The system procedure is illustrated in the flow chart shown in FIG 9 and an alternative procedure makes use of tables shown in FIGS 10A B and C The Main Menu Procedure 10 is active whenever the terminal is powered on but not in use It displays the main menu on the monitor from which the technician selects the type of support desired A typical main menu is shown
6. ERVICE BULLETIN VEHICLE SPECS COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTIONS HELP U S Patent Jan 3 1989 Sheet 7of10 4 796 206 FIG 8A 181 114 C THROTTLE N POSITION SENSOR R ECM TO TPS CIRCUIT FIG 8B ENGINE 21 THROTTLE CONTROL 2 POSITION MODULE 22 SENSOR INTERPOSER CABLE INSERTED 160 T 163 CROSS POINT SWITCH TO PROBE CONTROLS US Patent Jan 3 1989 Sheet 8of10 4 796 206 SELECT SUPPORT TYPE MAIN VEHICLE SERVICE MENU PROCEDURE SERVICE BULLETINS SERVICE MANUAL ETC 9 SERVICE SET FIG CHECK GROUND INPUT OPTIONS CONNECT ALDL VEHICLE SERVICE PROCEDURE FAULT TABLE FAULT DETECTION PROCEDURE FDP DETECTS 1 OR MORE FAULTS PLACES THEM IN FAULT TABLE FAULT ANALYSIS PROCEDURE FAULT ANALYSIS TABLE 4 VIN 002 1002 FAP SEARCHES FoR 082 104 11236 FIRST MATCH IN 065 104 Joro 1251 THE FAULT SELECTED 044 137 __ ___ 217 ANALYSIS TABLE FAULT CODE SEQUENCING PROCEDURE RETURN CODE REPAIRED WILL CAUSE RERUNNING THE FDP TO VALIDATE REPAIR AND CREATE NEW FAULT LIST RETURN CODE CAUSES NEXT FLIP IN LIST TO EXECUTED SELECTED FAULT ISOLATION PROCEDURE TABLE FAULT CODE US Patent 3 1989 Sheet 90f10 4 796 206 O Oa Ewes 4 gt S
7. FAP there is a list in the form of tables 21 containing the name s of one or more isolation procedures These lists are also updated by the host system to reflect the results of statistical analysis of service histories Each procedure name in the list repre sents a component that has required a repair action when the related fault code was detected If the list contains more than one name they are ordered based upon frequency of cause The FSP 20 causes the procedure names at the top of the list to execute at the next hierarchical level The FAP and FSP procedures in blocks 16 and 20 may be combined into one procedure if desired and only one table may be set up to accommodate the data stored in tables 17 and 21 The combining of the Fault Analysis Procedure FAP and the Fault Sequencing Procedure FSP into one procedure called the Fault Analysis Procedure makes use of the tables shown in FIGS 10A B and C The Fault Analysis Procedure 1 Sorts the fault codes in the fault table 15a FIG 10 2 Searches the fault analysis table 17 FIG 10B for a line where all of the fault codes in that line are listed in the fault table 3 When a match is found then the FIPs listed in the Fault Analysis Table 17 are executed in order table 21a FIG 10C 4 Checks to see if it has already executed that FIP If it has then that FIP is not executed a second time 5 Continues to execute the FIPs on matching line in the Fault Analysis
8. Table 17a until the problem is fixed or there are no more FIPs to execute 6 If the problem is found and repaired the control is passed back to the Fault Detection Procedure 12 FIG 9 so it can recheck for faults 7 If none of the FIPs listed on the line in the Fault Analysis Table 17a solve the problem then the FAP goes to the next line in table and looks for matches Step 2 above Given the faults logged in the Fault Table 15 and the associated Fault Analysis table 17a the circled FIPs in FIG 10B would be executed Fault Isolation Procedure as at block 22 FIP is executed for the electrical or electronic components on the vehicle the procedure being selected from the group of procedures chosen by FSP 20 These procedures perform a complete test of the related part using the multi function test probe 160 A complete black box analysis of the component is performed There are of course some components such as lights radios power windows door locks etc that are not covered by pro cedures Many vehicles already have FIPs which cover these components There are also FIPs for non electri cal components such as throttle linkages vacuum hoses fuel system etc This test of components has one of the following results The test fails which will cause the FIP to invoke the proper procedure to guide the technician in the repair replace or adjustment required When the repair action is completed the same FIP will re r
9. United States Patent ro Boscove et al 54 COMPUTER ASSISTED VEHICLE SERVICE FEATURING SIGNATURE ANALYSIS AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 75 Inventors Joseph A Boscove Highland Beach Hobart L Kurtz Boca Raton both of Fla Jeffrey Prince William P Wiegand both of Birmingham Mich International Business Machines 73 Assignee Corporation Armonk N Y 21 Appl No 869 534 22 Filed Jun 2 1986 51 Int Cl 4 G06F 11 32 G06F 15 20 1521 US CL 364 551 01 364 431 01 73 116 58 Field of Seareh 364 550 551 431 01 364 424 73 116 117 3 56 References Cited U S PATENT DOCUMENTS 4 125 894 11 1978 Cashel et al 364 442 4 270 174 5 1981 Karlin et al 364 551 4 295 363 10 1981 Buck et al 73 117 3 4 375 672 3 1983 Kato et al 364 551 4 404 639 9 1983 McGuire et al 364 551 4 418 388 11 1983 Aligor et al 364 431 01 4 441 259 4 1984 Ezoe 73 117 4 476 531 10 1984 Marino et al 364 431 01 4 649 515 3 1987 Thompson et al 371 15 X 4 694 408 9 1987 Zaleski 364 551 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Booklet The Guide Personal Computer vol IV 1985 International Business Machines Corp Front amp Back Covers pp 8 10 11 31 34 36 Book Progr
10. a with known parameters in said diagnostic controller storage means any faults detected being stored in a fault table by fault code 3 analyzing by a Fault Analysis Procedure the de tected fault codes stored in the fault table by com parison with fault codes stored in a Fault Analysis Table to indicate a specific component suspected of being at fault the Fault Analysis Table being peri odically up dated from a host data base by statisti cal analysis of prior service reports and the Fault Analysis Procedure supplying all fault codes in the Fault Analysis Table that match one or more of those provided by the Fault Detection Procedure 10 5 20 25 35 40 45 55 60 65 10 4 accessing and selecting in Fault Sequencing Procedure for each fault supplied by the Fault Analysis Procedure one or more isolation proce dures stored in a light in said diagnostic controller such list each being related to a particular compo nent in said vehicle and also being periodically updated from said host data base the Fault Se quencing Procedure initiating execution of the procedure at the top of the list 5 utilizing said selected Fault Isolation Procedure and additional Fault Isolation Procedures in said list for testing of a related part in said vehicle by providing guidance via said display means for re pairing replacing or adjusting the related compo nent 2 The method of claim 1 further comprising the s
11. ammer s Guide to the IBM PC Peter Norton 1985 Microsoft Press Contents pp 5 6 7 12 42 44 68 102 106 130 143 144 4 796 206 Jan 3 1989 11 Patent Number 45 Date of Patent Book Electronic Engine Controls Chilton Book Co 1985 Frontispiece Contents 38 41 239 259 274 275 Article Specific Cell Location Assembly for Dis plays R V Ballou et al IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin Feb 1985 vol 27 No 9 pp 5104 5106 Article Computerized Diagnostic Tester at Hand Electrical World Aug 1 1975 pp 36 38 _ Article A Digital Electronic System for Automobile Testing and Diagnosis A Cross IEE Conference Jul 6 9 1976 London England pp 152 159 Primary Examiner Gary Chin Assistant Examiner Thomas G Black Attorney Agent or Firm D Kendall Cooper Richard A Tomlin 57 ABSTRACT computer based technician terminal is connected to a vehicle being serviced using an assembly line data link ALDL connection from an on board computer The data link provides status information and fault codes The technician is led through various procedures Dur ing set up the technician connects an ALDL cable from the terminal to the vehicle the vehicle indentification number VIN is entered and vehicle options are identi fied A fault detection procedure FDP in the terminal detects vehicle malfunctions by interrogating data re ceived via the ALDL f
12. ard amp Cables Probe Attachment Card amp Cables Printer Mobile Work STation Fault Isolation Repair Procedure Program Executor FEX Diagnostic Executive Remote Update Facility 4 796 206 5 Development System FDS In FIG 3 the technician terminal is housed in a con sole 140 mounted on wheels such as wheel 141 for greater mobility Console 140 has a display monitor 142 integrally incorporated therewith monitor 142 having an infrared touch panel on the face thereof keyboard such as the PC AT keyboard is incorporated within drawer 143 The console also has a printer 144 Drawers 145 and 146 are provided for storage drawer 146 ac commodating cables for example FIG 4 is an overview of the internal interconnections and primary elements in the technician terminal This includes the PC AT controller 150 infrared touch panel 151 associated with the display monitor 142 an ALDL and touch adapter Card 152 which besides panel 151 inputs receives input signals from the on board ECM by way of the ALDL cable 153 also shown in FIG 5 Cable 153 has connectors 154 and 155 as shown in FIG 5 for interconnection of the technician terminal with the ECM A probe adapter card 158 receives signals from a probe cable 160 also shown in greater detail in FIGS 6 and 8 IN FIG 6 probe cable 160 comprises portions 161 and 162 as well as a device 163 for use by the technician during diagnostics as more fully described in th
13. e co pending R V Ballou et al patent application cross referenced above FIGS 8A and 8B illustrate the attachment of the test probe cable 160 to a component Normally ECM 110 is connected to component 114 by way of cable 180 with connector 181 As mentioned Probe 160 consists of a multiple conductor cable attached to the probe control ler through adapter card 158 and terminated externally at a zero force insertion type connector 176 shown diagrammatically FIG 8B The attachment of the probe to a component to be tested such as throttle posi tion sensor 114 is accomplished by use of cables having the component connector 176 on one end and a connec tor 177 which mates with the test probe head 163 on the other end This cable is called a vehicle probe interface VPI The connector 176 of the VPI cable is inserted in line with the component to be tested and the other connector 177 is plugged into the probe head Use of the probe is fully described in the Ballou et al patent application The technician terminal may for battery checking purposes incorporate a battery cable 165 FIG 7 An enhanced color adapter card 167 FIG 4 is con nected to monitor 142 for output of display signals A printer 168 is driven by way of another adapter card 1 designated 169 while a modem 170 and power control unit 171 are connected to controlled 150 by way of adapter card 2 designated 172 Modem 170 can be an internal modem rather than ext
14. ection with FIG 9 While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described it is to be understood that there is no intention to limit the invention to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims We claim 1 A diagnostic method for use in diagnosing a vehi cle utilizing a diagnostic system the vehicle having an on board computer control system for monitoring and controlling vehicle functions and the diagnostic system including a technician terminal having a diagnostic controller for processing diagnostic signals representa tive of vehicle conditions said controller having data entry means data output means and storage means for storing vehicle parameters and diagnostic routines and said terminal having a display means for providing in structions for fault repair sequences said method com prising the steps of 1 displaying a main menu on said display means from which a vehicle setup is initiated including connecting the vehicle to the terminal and identify ing the vehicle and any vehicle options 2 utilizing a Fault Detection Procedure for detect ing vehicle malfunctions by interrogating data re ceived from said on board computer during differ ent vehicle states ignition on not running engine cranking engine idling and engine at higher speed and comparing said dat
15. ectly related to the electronics This has resulted in long diagnostic times incorrect repairs and multiple service visits for the same problem Considering the prior art references noted above Reference 1 The Guide describes an IBM Personal Computer AT that is a useful element in the diagnostic system set forth herein Reference 2 The Norton book illustrates various characteristics of the IBM Personal Computer AT such as programming the microproces sor keyboard etc Reference 3 the Chilton book de scribes engine control modules and systems that that are utilized herein Reference 4 the Ballou et al article describes a representative touch panel that may be used in the practice of the invention References 5 and 6 relate to computer based diagnostic systems for engines and are merely representative of prior systems Appli 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 55 65 2 cants system procedures are distinctively different from those systems The primary objective of the present invention is to provide semi automated diagnostic apparatus for vehi cles such apparatus incorporating computer diagnos tics SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the technique disclosed herein programs execute on an off board computer and by use of visual display prompt a technician to change the vehicle s state For each state change a sequence of tests are executed com paring information in data streams from a vehicle on boa
16. enu driven display and also incorporates a computer such as the IBM Personal Computer AT Prior Art References and 2 touch panel for the technician terminal is like that described in the Ballou et al Prior Art Reference 4 The computer control system 102 is like the control systems described in the Chilton Prior Art Reference 3 as further illustrated in FIG 2 herein Service Support System 103 FIG 1 may support one or more technician terminals and serve as a regional vehicle data base host computer 105 including master data base 104 acts as a service support system interface to the user company headquarters provides network management and supplies realtime feedback to manufacturing and engineering groups for example Alternatively the technician terminals may be con nected directly to the host computer 105 and data base 104 The automotive industry has for the past several years incorporated microcomputers electronic sensors and many electro mechanical components into vehicle designs to provide better monitoring and control of the engine operations More electronics are being added to provide control for other functions as well Transmis sion radio heat ventilation air conditioners instru ment panels memory seats and mirrors etc are some examples Future designs will include ever increasing amounts of hi tech features such as cellular radio tele phone vehicle attitude collision avoidance etc FIG 2 illustra
17. ernal as shown Both a 20 megabyte hard disk file 173 and a 1 2 megabyte floppy diskette file 174 are accommodated by adapter card 175 The infrared touch panel and display 142 interface with the IBM PC AT electronics for technician input The multi function measurement cables probes 153 160 supported by adapter cards 152 and 158 are for use by the technician in diagnosing and isolating a vehicle failure Functions performed by probe 160 are controlled by Vehicle Service Procedures programmed in controller 150 which interactively request the technician to take 10 20 35 50 55 60 65 6 reading inject source voltage ground or verify opera tional circuits The ALDL and touch adapter card 152 located in the technician terminal reads data presented to the ALDL connector from the vehicle ECM and formats the data in a standard manner acceptable to the PC Card 152 is programmable and accommodates various wiring con figurations data structures and line speeds A FEX Development System FDS is used that involves PC utility programs that run on the IBM PC to support development of Vehicle Service Procedures Examples of the utility programs are Table Generator Procedure Generator Service Bulletin Generator File Utilities The Fault Isolation Repair Procedure Program Exec utor FEX is the systems control program that operates the Technician Terminal The Vehicle Service Proce dures operate under control of FEX to
18. in FIG 12 Same drawing sheet as FIG 7 This includes Vehicle Service Procedure VSP 11 which leads the technician through the set up steps required for any service These include Validate vehicle power and ground systems Connect ALDL cable to the vehicle Input the vehicle identification number VIN Identify certain vehicle options The Fault Detection Procedure 12 FDP detects vehicle malfunctions by interrogating data received via the ALDL from the on board computer The data is read during different vehicle states Ignition on not running Engine cranking Engine idling Engine at 2500 RPM The data read represents the state of the various switches sensors and actuators on the vehicle The values read from each of the components are compared against known good parameters which are unique to the vehicle under test as identified by the VIN Values from the components are correlated to establish that even through they are within limits they are also correct relative to the state of the vehicle and relative to the values read from other components having inter depen dencies All faults detected during this procedure are placed in table 15 and control is passed to the next hierarchical procedure Each fault type is defined by a fault code The Fault Analysis Procedure 16 FAP using the fault codes from the tables 15 are arguments does a sequential compare against the contents of the Fault Analysis Table 17 Each entry i
19. lve The Transmission Converter Clutch TCC 128 lock is controlled by the ECM 110 through an electrical solenoid in the transmission When the vehicle speed sensor in the instrument panel signals the ECM that the vehicle has reached the correct speed the ECM ener gizes the solenoid which allows the torque converter to mechanically couple the engine to the transmission When the brake pedal is pushed or during deceleration passing etc the ECM returns the transmission to fluid drive The idle speed control 132 adjusts the idle speed to load conditions and lowers the idle speed under no load or low load conditions to conserve gasoline The Early Fuel Evaporative EFE system 130 used on some engines provides rapid heat to the engine in duction system to promote smooth start up and opera tion As noted the service tools heretofore available for servicing have not provided the necessary capabilities needed to diagnose and repair problems which are di rectly or indirectly related to the vehicle electronics As a result there have been long diagnostic times incorrect repairs and multiple service visits for the same problem The technician terminal FIGS 3 and 4 are designed to overcome these problems and may typically incorpo rate the following elements PC AT Based Controller 512KB Memory 1 2 MB 5 25 Diskette Drive 20MB Fixed Disk Drive 13 Color Monitor Infrared I R Touch Panel Communications Card ALDL Attachment C
20. n this table contains one or more fault codes Multiple codes in an entry repre sent a set that when detected concurrently indicate a specific component malfunction as being the most prob able cause A different fault code is assigned to each code set Fault Analysis Table 17 is continuously updated by the network host computer and redistributed to all ter minals in the network on some periodic basis such as daily but overnight so as to have minimum effect on system availability The updates to the tables are based upon statistical analysis of all Service Incident Reports SIR s that have been stored in the host data base since the last update period A SIR is generated and sent to the host for each repair action performed on a vehicle Each SIR contains the VIN detected fault codes com ponent readings and repair action taken This mecha nism over time increases the probability of finding and correcting the malfunctioning part on the first pass through the fault analysis table since the table is ordered based on frequency of success relative to the codes The search of the table continues until an entry is found whose fault codes match one or more of those passed by the FDP The fault code found such as 236 at block 18 in that entry is passed to the next hierarchi cal procedure 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 8 In the Fault Sequencing Procedure 20 FSP for each fault code passed by the
21. ny faults detected being stored in a fault table by fault code analyzing by Fault Analysis Procedure the de tected fault codes stored in the fault table by com parison with lines of fault codes stored in a first portion of a Fault Analysis Table to indicate a specific component suspected of being at fauit accessing and selecting for each fault supplied by the Fault Analysis Procedure one or more Fault Isolation Procedures stored in the form of fault code lists in a second portion of said Fault Analysis Table such lists each being related to a particular component in said vehicle storing one or more selected Fault Isolation Procedures in a predeter mined order the Fault Analysis Procedure initiat ing execution of the first Fault Isolation Procedure at the top of each list 4 utilizing the said first Fault Isolation Procedure and additional stored Fauit Isolation Procedures if required for testing of a related component in said vehicle by providing guidance via said display 4 796 206 11 12 Procedures in the event a check determines that the fault has not been corrected related component 6 The method of claim 4 further comprising the step 5 The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of of 5 transmitting results of the Fault Isolation Procedures to a host computer for analysis repeating the selected one or more Fault Isolation means for repairing replacing adjusting the 10
22. p 8 10 11 31 34 36 2 Book Programmer s Guide to the IBM Peter Norton 1985 Microsoft Press Contents Pp 5 6 7 12 42 44 68 102 106 130 143 144 3 Book Electronic Engine Controls Chilton Book Co 1985 Frontispiece Contents Pp 38 41 239 259 274 275 4 Article Speciic Cell Location Assembly for Dis plays R V Ballou et al IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin February 1985 Vol 27 No 9 Pp 5104 5106 5 Article Computerized Diagnostic Tester at Hand Electrical World Aug 1 1975 Pp 36 38 6 Article A Digital Electronic System for Automo bile TEsting and Diagnosis T A Cross IEE Confer ence July 6 9 1976 London England Pp 152 159 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to computerized automotive vehicle diagnostic apparatus and more particularly to a more efficient apparatus of this nature having improved performance in relation to the diagnostic procedures and related computer programs Microcomputers electronic sensors and other com ponents are incorporated into vehicles to monitor and control engine operations and other functions The increasing amount of electronic electrical and electro mechanical content in automobile designs has created a severe problem for the vehicle servicing envi ronment The service tools available for servicing do not provide the capabilities needed to diagnose and repair problems which are directly or indir
23. perform the following functions Guide Technician through service procedures Retrieve and store data Execute diagnostic procedures Build and display panels Control Test Probe operations Control ALDL Interface In the technique disclosed herein programs execut ing on the off bard computer in the technician terminal 140 FIGS 3 and 4 by use of a visual display prompt the technician to change the vehicle s state For each state change a sequence of tests are executed comparing information from the data streams against known good signatures The signature analysis includes interrogation of single parameters and the correlation of multiple parameters In the service environment where more time can be allocated for testing than that allowed at the end of an assembly line enhanced versions of the end of line test programs can be executed to provide detection capabil ity for more vehicle problems Building on this ability to detect faults with a computer the present system design describes how by the use of artificial intelligence con cepts a technician terminal can become smarter in it s ability to diagnose more vehicle problems Also as defined in the Ballou et al patent application a multi function program controlled probe supports fault isola tion to the component to be replaced repaired or ad justed The system structure defines a hierarchical set of programs which utilize the contents of tables that spec ify what
24. rd computer against known good parameters or signatures The signature analysis includes interrogation of single parameters and the correlation of multiple parameters In the service environment where more time can be allocated for testing than that allowed at the end of an assembly line enhanced versions of the end of line test programs can be executed to provide detection capabil ity for more vehicle problems Building on this ability to detect faults with a computer the present system design describes how by the use of artificial intelligence con cepts a technician terminal can become smarter in it s ability to diagnose more vehicle problems For a better understanding of the present invention together with other and further advantages and features thereof reference is made to the description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings the scope of the invention being pointed out in the appended claims BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings FIG 1 illustrates a network in which one or more technician terminals such as that described herein may be connected FIG 2 illustrates an engine control system for use on a vehicle shown in FIG 1 FIG 3 is a perspective view of the technician termi nal in a console configuration FIG 4 is a block diagram of the major components in the technician terminal FIGS 5 6 and 7 illustrate various cables for use with the technician terminal FIGS
25. rom the on board computer A fault analysis procedure FAP using the fault codes from a table as arguments does a sequential compare against the contents of a fault analysis table containing fault codes In a fault sequencing procedure FSP for each fault code passed by the FAP there is a list con taining the name s of one or more isolation procedures A fault isolation procedure FIP is provided for electri cal or electronic components on the vehicle to perform a complete test of the related part using a multifunction test probe Fault repair procedures guide the technician through the proper steps to accomplish the repair re placement or adjustment required 6 Claims 10 Drawing Sheets COMPUTER COMMAND CONTROL DIAGRAM THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR ENGINE 17 OVER TEMP DIAGNOSTIC 10 LIGHT FUNCTION INDICATOR ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE ENGINE AIR CONDITIONING CLUTCH 3 CATALYTIC CONVERTER EXHAUST SYSTEM US Patent Jan 3 1989 Sheet1of10 4 796 206 FIG 1 102 a VEHICLE SYSTEM 100 TECHNICIAN TERMINAL L 103 SERVICE SUPPORT SYSTEM MASTER DATA BASE 4 796 206 Sheet 2 of 10 Jan 3 1989 U S Patent W3LSAS 15 3NISN3 TOYLNOD 03395 801 HI 5 HOLATS YSLYSANOD 9373 NOISSIWSNVUL YOSN S z N39AXO HOSN3S 9N3 On S
26. tep of repeating the selected one or more Fault Isolation Procedures in the event a check determines that the fault has not been corrected 3 The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting results of the Fault Isolation Procedures to a host computer for analysis 4 A diagnostic method for use in diagnosing a vehi cle utilizing a diagnostic system the vehicle having an on board computer control system for monitoring and controlling vehicle functions and the diagnostic system including a technician terminal having a diagnostic controller for processing diagnostic signals representa tive of vehicle conditions said controller having data entry means data output means and storage means for storing vehicle parameters and diagnostic routines and said technician terminal having a display means for providing instructions for fault repair sequences said method comprising the steps of 1 displaying a main menu on said display means from which a vehicle setup is initiated including connecting the vehicle to the terminal and identify ing the vehicle and any vehicle options 2 utilizing a Fault Detection Procedure for detect ing vehicle malfunctions by interrogating data re ceived from said on board computer during differ ent vehicle states ignition on not running engine cranking engine idling and engine at higher speed and comparing said data with known parameters in said diagnostic controller storage means a
27. tes an engine control system used in General Motors GM vehicles since the 1981 model year and designated the Computer Command Control CCC System This system has many components in common with the earlier GM system referred to as the Computer Controlled Catalytic Converter C 4 sys tem These include the Electronic Control Module ECM 110 which is capable of monitoring and adjust ing more sensors and components than the ECM used on the C 4 system an oxygen sensor 111 an electroni cally controlled variable mixture carburetor 112 a three way catalytic converter 113 throttle position sensor 114 and coolant temperature sensor 115 a baro metric pressure BARO sensor 116 a manifold absolute pressure MAP sensor 117 a Check Engine light 120 on the instrument cluster and an Electronic Spark Tim ing EST distributor 122 which on some engines tur bocharged is equipped with an Electronic Spark Con trol ESC that retards ignition spark under some condi tions detonation etc Other components used by the CCC System include the Air Injection Reaction AIR Management System 123 charcoal canister purge control 124 Exhaust Gas Recirculation EGR valve control 125 engine speed sensor 129 transmission torque converter clutch sole noid 128 automatic transmission models only idle speed control 132 and early fuel evaporative EFE system 130 The ECM 110 in addition to monitoring sensors and sending a control signal
28. to the carburetor also controls 10 20 25 35 40 45 50 55 65 4 the following components sub systems charcoal canister purge control 124 AIR Management System 123 idle speed control 132 automatic transmission con verter clutch 128 distributor 122 ignition timing EGR valve control 125 EFE control 130 and the air condi tioner compressor clutch 131 The CCC ECM is equipped with a PROM assembly similar to the one used in the C 4 ECM The Air Management System 123 is an emission con trol that provides additional oxygen either to the cata lyst or the cylinder head ports in some cases exhaust manifold is composed of an air switching valve and or an air control valve controls the air pump flow and is itself controlled by the ECM 110 The charcoal canister purge control 124 is an electri cally operated solenoid valve controlled by ECM 110 and when energized blocks vacuum from reaching the canister purge valve When ECM 110 de energizes the purge control solenoid vacuum is allowed to reach the canister and operate the purge valve This releases the fuel vapors collected in the canister into the induction system The EGR valve control solenoid 125 is activated by ECM 110 When the engine is cold the ECM energizes the solenoid This blocks the vacuum signal to the EGR valve 125 When the engine is warm the ECM de ener gizes the solenoid and the vacuum signal is allowed to reach and activate the EGR va
29. un the test to validate the fix then return control to the FDP to determine if the repair action elimi nated all the fauits found on the initial pass If not then the same scenario is again followed 4 796 206 9 If the test completes with no failures the FIP returns control to the FAP which selects the next FIP names in the list and another suspected component is tested If there are no other FIP names in the list the FAP continues to search the fault analysis table until another match is found This scenario is re peated until all faults have been eliminated Thus the fault repair procedures guide the technician through the proper steps to accomplish the repair re placement or adjustment required This guidance is provided by sequences of display panels containing such things as adjustment procedures part locations removal sequences etc In the event that no trouble is found after having exercised all the FIPs that were invoked relative to the detected faults communication may be established through the network to the host system 105 and the fault codes detected along with user defined symptoms are transmitted to the data base 104 Host resident pro grams interrogate the service history files and transmit back to the terminal additional fault isolation proce dures to be tried FIG 11 illustrates a memory map assignment in PC AT controller 150 FIG 4 for the programs used to accomplish the procedures set forth in conn
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