VWGoA - Ex. 1018
`Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., Petitioner
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`1
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 22, 1986
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`Sheet 1 of7
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`4,602,127
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`US.‘ Patent
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`Jul. 22, 1986_
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`4,602,127
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 22, 1986
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`4,602,127
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 22, 1986
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 22, 1986
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 22, 1986
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`Sheet7of7
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`4,602,127
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`1
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`DIAGNOSTIC DATA RECORDER-
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`MICROFICHE APPENDIX
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`4,602,127
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`This specification includes a microfiche appendix
`having two microfiche with one hundred and three
`frames.
`
`BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates generally to vehicular
`diagnostic systems and particularly to a vehicular diag-
`nostic system employing a portable communications
`control station.
`
`With the advent of motor vehicles being equipped
`with computer control systems by the manufacturer,
`the repair of malfunctions has become substantially
`more sophisticated than in the past. In order for the
`vehicle computer to properly perform its control func-
`tion, it typically interrogates a variety of sensors which
`are used to monitor various vehicle operating parame-
`ters. In several of these vehicle computer systems, as
`many as twenty or more sensors are employed for con-
`trol purposes and to assist on-board diagnosis by the
`vehicle computer so that an immediate warning may be
`displayed to the vehicle operator. Examples of such
`vehicle computer systems are disclosed in the Kastura,
`et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,277,772 issued on July 7, 1981, and
`the Baumann, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,569 issued on
`May 12, 1981, which are both hereby incorporated by
`reference.
`’
`
`In many vehicle models, means for obtaining direct
`access to the monitored parameter data on a real time
`basis is installed at the factory so that various display
`tools, engine analyzers and so forth may be used to
`facilitate a more complete diagnosis than that provided
`by the vehicle computer. For example, in many General
`Motors vehicle models, an Assembly Line Communica-
`tions Link (ALCL) terminal is installed under the dash-
`board of the vehicle in the passenger compartment. This
`ALCL terminal is connected to an input/output (I/O)
`port of the vehicle computer or electronic control mod-
`ule (ECM) so as to permit the transmission of the moni-
`tored parameter data to the ALCL terminal upon the
`reception of the appropriate data enable signal at the
`ALCL terminal.
`
`In the past, hand held display tools have been em-
`ployed to selectively display the value or status of indi-
`vidual parameters. An example of such display tools are
`the ”Mini-Scanner” model 5247 and the “Multi-Scan-
`ner” model 3818 display tools marketed by Micro Pro-
`cessor Systems, Inc., Sterling Heights, Mich. Each of
`these tools provide one connector which is used to
`obtain the parameter data from the ALCL terminal and
`another connector which is adapted to draw electrical
`power from the vehicle cigarette lighter. These tools
`also provide switches to adjust the tool to the appropri-
`ate vehicle model and select the parameter desired to be
`displayed on the light emitting diode (LED) display of
`the tool. Additionally, a “Video Scanner” circuit de-
`signed by Micro Processor Systems, Inc., for use in
`connection with an engine analyzer console has been
`employed to simultaneously display all of the parameter
`data available on the cathode ray tube (CRT) of the
`engine analyzer.
`While the above-identified display devices have been
`found to be very effective in assisting the diagnosis of
`the engine and other vehicle systems by the automotive
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`mechanic, the need exists to have the capability of em-
`ploying the substantial computer power of a remote
`large scale data processor to analyze a variety of prob-
`lems associated with a vehicle. Additionally, it is well
`known in the art that many vehicle problems or mal-
`functions occur intermittently or occur only under ac-
`tual driving conditions. Thus even if the capabilities of
`a remote data processor are to be utilized,
`the need
`exists for a diagnostic system which is capable of col-
`lecting the parameter data during actual driving condi-
`tions and subsequently transferring this data to a remote
`data processor for analysis.
`Accordingly, it is a principle objective of the present
`invention to provide a communications control station
`for a vehicular diagnostic system which is capable of
`both recording and transmitting vehicle parameter data
`to a remote data processor station.
`It is another objective of the present invention to
`provide a communications control station which is ca-
`pable of both transmitting and receiving voice and data
`communications.
`
`It is a further objective of the present invention to
`provide a communications control station which is por-
`table and is adapted to derive all of its operating power
`from the vehicle.
`It is an additional objective of the present invention
`to provide a portable communications control station
`which is capable of checking the validity of the parame-
`ter data being recorded and/or transmitted.
`It is yet another objective of the present invention to
`provide a portable communications control station
`which is capable of servicing a variety of vehicle mod-
`els over a number of model years.
`It is yet a further objective of the present invention to
`provide a portable communications control station
`which is capable of transmitting recorded or real time
`parameter data to the remote data processing station
`from inside the vehicle.
`
`It is yet an additional objective of the present inven-
`tion to provide a portable communications control sta-
`tion which is capable of employing a commercial dis-
`play device for displaying selected parameter values,
`even while the parameter data is being recorded" and/or
`transmitted to the remote data processor.
`It is still another objective of the present invention to
`provide a vehicular diagnostic system in which tele-
`phone communication can be initiated at either the
`portable communication control station or the remote
`data processor station.
`It is still a further objective of the present invention to
`provide a vehicular diagnostic system in which at least
`one electronically controlled device in the vehicle can
`be operated at the remote data processor station.
`To achieve the foregoing objectives, the present in-
`vention provides a vehicular diagnostic system which
`generally comprises a portable communications control
`station and a remote data processor station. The control
`station includes a portable communications controller
`which comprises means for connecting the controller to
`a vehicle data link terminal capable of supplying param-
`eter data monitored by the vehicle computer, means for
`connecting the controller to a source of electrical
`power in the vehicle, microcomputer means for en-
`abling the flow of the parameter data through the data
`link terminal and for composing the data parameter data
`into a predetermined data stream, means for recording
`the data stream, and means for connecting the control-
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`4,602,127
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`let to a telephone line and for transmitting the data
`stream through the telephone line to the remote data
`processor station. Both the control station and the re-
`mote data processor station include telephone commu-
`nication means for enabling both voice and data com-
`munication transfer on an alternative basis between the
`control station and the data processor station.
`The present
`invention also provides a method of
`transferring parameter data, which generally comprises
`the steps of enabling the flow of the parameter data to
`the controller, composing the data into a predetermined
`data stream having at least one word for permitting the
`validity of the parameter data to be determined, and
`recording the data stream on magnetic tape. This
`method also includes the steps of playing back the re-
`corded data stream, determining the validity of the
`recorded parameter data, and transmitting this data
`through a telephone line to the remote data processing
`station.
`Additional advantages and features of the present
`invention will become apparent from a reading of the
`detailed description of the preferred embodiment which
`makes reference to the following set of drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a vehicular diagnos-
`tic system in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the display device
`shown in FIG. 1.
`
`FIGS. 3A—3C represent a schematic diagram of the
`portable communications controller shown in FIG. 1.
`FIGS. 4A—4B are schematic diagrams of a communi-
`cations circuit forming part of the remote data proces-
`sor shown in FIG. 1.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`Referring to FIG. 1, a diagrammatic view of a vehic-
`ular diagnostic system 10 according to the present in-
`vention is shown. The diagnostic system 10 generally
`‘comprises a portable communications control station 12
`and remote data processing station 14. The control
`station 12 is adapted to be employed in connection with
`a vehicle 16 which is equipped with an on-board com-
`puter 17 or other data acquisition system that permits
`access to one or more of the operating parameters being
`monitored in the vehicle. Thus, for example, the vehicle
`16 could be a General Motors automobile which is
`equipped with an ECM and an ALCL terminal for
`gaining access to the parameters monitored by the
`ECM. However, it should be understood that the pres-
`ent invention is not limited to any particular vehicle
`manufacturer, vehicle type or model year, or vehicle
`computer system, and that one of the advantages of the
`present invention is its versatility.
`The control station 12 features a novel communica-
`tions controller 18 which is conveniently housed in a
`molded plastic carrying case 20 of which only the bot-
`tom portion is shown for illustration purposes. The
`controller 18 provides for two connector cables 22 and
`24 which are used to connect the controller to the vehi-
`cle 16. Specifically, the connector cable 22 is used to
`connect the controller 18 to a suitable vehicle data
`terminal 23, such as an ALCL terminal, which is capa-
`ble of supplying data representative of the value or
`status of one or more of the operating parameters moni-
`tored by the vehicle computer 17. The connector cable
`24 is used to connect the controller 18 to the vehicle
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`cigarette lighter 25 or other appropriate source of elec-
`trical power in the vehicle 16.
`Although it should be appreciated that the controller
`18 could be modified to include its own self—contained
`source of electrical power, such a feature is considered
`unnecessary in View of the relatively low power con-
`sumption requirements of the control station 12 and in
`view of the fact that electrical power from the vehicle
`battery or alternator will also have to be supplied to the
`vehicle computer in order to obtain the parameter data
`needed for diagnosis. Accordingly,
`in the preferred
`embodiment all of the electrical power required to op-
`erate the controller 18 is provided by the vehicle.
`As will be more fully described below, the controller
`18 is adapted to transmit an enable signal along the
`connector cable 22 which will cause the vehicle com-
`puter to present the parameter data at the data link
`terminal in the vehicle 16 for transmission to the con-
`troller through the cable 22. Once this parameter data is
`received by the controller 18, the controller has the
`capability to direct this data to three different places.
`Firstly, the controller 18 includes a cassette recorder 26
`which can be used to store the parameter data on mag-
`netic tape. Secondly, the controller 18 includes a pair of
`telecommunication terminals 28 and 30 which can be
`used to transmit the data to the remote data processor
`station 14 via telephone communication, as will be more
`fully described below. Thirdly, the controller 18 in-
`cludes a display terminal 32 for transmitting the data to
`a display device, such as mini-scanner display device 34.0
`It is important to note that the controller 18 is capable
`of concomitantly recording the data, transmitting the
`data to the remote data processor station 14, and trans-
`mitting the data to the display device 34. Additionally,
`the controller 18 is also capable of first recording the
`data, and then transmitting the recorded data to the
`remote data processor station 14 and/or transmitting
`this data to the display device 34 during a play back
`mode. Similarly, the parameter data may be recorded
`and/or transmitted to the remote data processor station
`14 without the use of the display device 34.
`The control station 12 also includes a conventional
`telephone 36 which is connected to the telecommunica-
`tions terminal 28 of the controller 18 to establish tele-
`phonic communication with the remote data processing
`station 14. This provision also permits voice communi-
`cation between the control station 12 and the data pro-
`cessing station 14. Both voice and data communication
`may be transmitted between the control station 12 and
`the data processing station 14 via a conventional tele-
`phone system, or alternatively along a local telephone
`loop. Thus, for example, in FIG. 1 a telephone extension
`line 38 is connected at one end to the telecommunica-
`tions terminal 30 and connected to a conventional tele-
`phone wall plug 40 at the other end. Thereafter the
`voice or data communication is transferred, via the
`telephone system’s telephone lines 42, microwave trans-
`mitters and so forth, to the remote data processing sta-
`tion 14.
`At the remote data processing station 14, another
`telephone extension line 44 is connected at one end to a
`telephone wall plug 46 and at the other end to a com-
`puter terminal 48. A conventional speaker phone 50 or
`other telephone is also connected to the computer ter-
`minal 48 to permit voice communication at the data
`processing station 14. When a speaker phone is em-
`ployed, the keyboard 52 of the computer terminal may
`be used to enter and automatically dial the telephone
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`is first rewound to the appropriate position, the “play”
`button 64 on the cassette recorder 26 is depressed, and
`the “record/play” switch 61 is moved to the play posi-
`tion.
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`5
`number of the control station telephone 36 in order to
`initiate telephone communications at the data process-
`ing station 14.
`While the above described use of the telephone sys-
`tem may be advantageously used to permit the diagnosis
`of a vehicle 16 which is located thousands of miles away
`from the data processing station 14, a local telephone
`loop may also be employed in anapplication where the
`vehicle 16 is located within a few hundred feet of the
`data processing station 14. An example of such an appli-
`cation would be where the data processing station is
`located in a vehicle dealership, fleet service department,
`and the like. Accordingly, a telephone line 54 may be
`connected to the telephone extension lines 38 and 44,
`thereby bypassing the telephone system and still permit-
`ting the use of the telephone 36 and the speaker phone
`50. As will be more fully described below, the computer
`terminal 48 for such an application includes a telephone
`driver circuit for providing the necessary electrical
`power for the local telephone loop.
`From the foregoing description, it should be under-
`stood that telephone communication between the con-
`trol station 12 and the data processing station 14 may be
`initiated by either the control station or the data pro-
`cessing station. For example, to initiate telephone com-
`munication from the control station 12, a “data/talk”
`switch 56 on the controller 18 is switched to the “talk”
`position. Then, the telephone 36 turned on and tele-
`phone number of the data processing station 14 is en-
`tered by the operator at the control station. The com-
`puter terminal 48 at the data processing station 14 will
`detect the ringing signal, answer the call, and alert the
`operator at the data processing station. Once voice
`communication between these operators is established,
`the control station operator switches the data/talk
`switch 56 to the “data” position. In a matter of seconds,
`a “ready” light 58 on the controller 18 will turn on to
`indicate that the computers in the controller 18 and the
`computer terminal 48 are located together. At this
`point, the computer terminal 48 will begin receiving
`parameter data from the vehicle 16, providing that the
`vehicle’s ignition is turned on as well.
`,
`A “vehicle data” indicator light 60 is also provided
`on the controller 18 so that the control station operator
`will be able to confirm that parameter data from the
`vehicle 16 is flowing properly through the controller 18
`and being transmitted to the data processing station 14.
`The vehicle data light 60 will flash in synchronization
`with the digitally HI and LO bit transmissions of the
`parameter data.
`It should be noted at this point that the parameter
`data may be recorded at the control station 12 during
`the telephone transmission to the data processing station
`by manually switching a “record/play’-’ switch 61 to the
`record position and depressing the “record” button 62
`on the cassette recorder 26 in the controller 18. It
`should also be noted that where the parameter data
`being transmitted to the data processing station is re-
`corded data rather than live or real-time data from the
`vehicle 16, the vehicle data indicator light 60 will also
`flash on and off to confirm that the recorded parameter
`data from the cassette recorder 26 is being properly
`transmitted from the controller 18 to the data process-
`ing station 14. When it is desired to transmit recorded
`parameter data to the data processing station 14, the
`telephone communication is established in the same
`manner as described above. However, prior to estab-
`lishing this telephone communication, the cassette tape
`
`The controller 18 is also provided with a “data sync”
`indicator light 66 which is used to indicate that the
`computer in the controller 18 is properly synchronized
`with the flow of parameter data from the vehicle 16 in
`the recording mode. Additionally,
`in the play back
`mode, this light will also indicate that valid parameter
`data is being received from the cassette recorder 26. As
`will be discussed more fully below, the controller 18
`does not merely record the data in the form that it is
`received from the vehicle. Rather, this data is composed
`into a predetermined data stream format before the data
`is recorded by the cassette recorder 26. This is done to
`permit the computer in the controller 18 to determine if
`the data being played back from the cassette recorder 26
`is valid and if it is being properly transmitted to the data
`processing station 14. Additionally, since the controller
`18 is adapted to receive parameter data from several
`different vehicle models, and hence from various vehi-
`cle computers, the format of the data received will
`typically vary in data length, rate of transmission and
`data content. Accordingly, the controller 18 operates to
`automatically compose the flow of the parameter data
`into a single or standard format for subsequent analysis
`at the data processing station.
`Since various vehicle computers require different
`enable signals for causing the parameter data to be pres-
`ented at the data link teminal to the vehicle, the control-
`ler 18 also includes a “diagnostic mode” six position
`rotary switch 68 for selecting the appropriate type of
`enable signal for the particular model of the vehicle to
`be diagnosed. Thus, for example, in the preferred em-
`bodiment position “B” of the rotary switch 68 is used
`for 1981 General Motors passenger vehicles and other
`model year passenger vehicles having “full function”
`vehicle computer systems. Additionally, it should be
`noted that the controller could include a provision
`which would permit the enable signal to be selected at
`the data processing station.
`The controller 18 also includes a “call” indicator
`light 70 which is used to alert the control station opera-
`tor that the data processing station operator wishes to
`switch from data communication back to voice commu-
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`nication. In the preferred embodiment, the data process-
`ing station operator can cause the call light 70 to turn on
`by simply depressing the appropriate key on the key-
`board 52 of the computer terminal 48. This feature of
`the present invention is particularly advantageous be-
`cause it permits the data processing station operator to
`convey the diagnosis of the vehicle problem immedi-
`ately after the parameter data has been analyzed at the
`data processing station 14. Additionally, it may be desir-
`able for the data processing station operator to request
`that the control station operator change one or more of
`the vehicle parameters, such as the engine speed, after
`an initial analysis of the parameter data before transmit-
`ting further data to the data processing station. It should
`also be noted that the control station operator may
`re-initiate voice communication with the data process-
`ing station operator by moving the “data/talk” switch
`56 to the talk position. This will interrupt the flow of
`data and signal the data processing station operator via
`an appropriate message on the CRT 72 of the computer
`terminal 48.
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`Another important feature of the present invention is
`a provision which enables the data processing station
`operator to energize, de-energize or otherwise operate
`any electronically controlled device in the vehicle
`which is controlled by or through an appropriately 5
`programmed vehicle computer. Thus, for example, the
`
`8
`used to provide a visual display of the parameter data
`on the screen of the CRT 72. An example of a typical
`parameter data display on the CRT screen of the com-
`puter terminal 48 is shown below in TABLE 1 for a
`1984 General Motors’ passenger vehicle having a “full
`function” vehicle computer system.
`
`12
`
`
`
`(C) 1983
`OPEN LOOP
`"1984 FULL FUNCTION SYSTEM"
`153
`18
`PROM ID NUMBER IS
`ENGINE SPEED (RPM) =
`2050 VEHICLE SPEED (MPH) =
`LEAN
`M/C SOLENOID DWELL = 12
`COOLANT TEMP DEG C. = 25
`EXHAUST GASES ARE
`2.00
`OXYGEN SENSOR (mV) =
`450
`TPS SENSOR VOLTS =
`.12
`MAP or VAC VOLTS =
`BARD SENSOR VOLTS =
`4.00 NOSE SWITCH
`OFF
`PARK/NEUTRAL SWITCH ON
`A/C SWITCH
`OFF WOT SWITCH
`OFF
`EGR SOLENOID DWELL
`48
`CCP SOLENOID
`OFF AIR CONTROL SOLENOID OFF
`AIR SWITCH SOLENOID
`ON
`TCC SOLENOID
`OFF THIRD GEAR SWITCH
`OFF
`FOURTH GEAR SWITCH
`OFF
`EFE SOLENOID
`OFF IDLE SPEED CONTROL
`DOWN SPARK COUNTS
`152
`BATTERY VOLTAGE =
`13.0 CROSSOVER COUNTS
`0
`T CODES - l2, 15, 21, 24,45, SI, 54, 55
`T CODE DESCRIPTION - 51 = PROM ERROR
`Fl = RESTART F3 = CALL F5 = AIR
`MODEM READY
`
`vehicle 16 includes an air switch solenoid 74 which is
`used to control the supply of air to the exhaust manifold
`as an aid in reducing exhaust emissions. The vehicle
`computer is programmed to permit the air switch sole-
`noid 74 to be operated by an appropriate air control
`signal received at the data link terminal. In accordance
`with the present invention, the data processing station
`operator can energize this solenoid by depressing a
`...predetermined key on the keyboard 52 of the computer
`terminal 48. Additionally, it should be understood that
`.the computer in the terminal 48 could also be appropri-
`ately programmed to automatically energize the sole-
`I noid 74 as part of the data analysis procedure employed
`at the data processing station 14. While this remote
`control aspect of the present invention is described in
`connection with the air switch solenoid 74, it will be
`appreciated that the principles of the present invention
`:are also applicable to other electronically controlled
`devices and circuits in the vehicle. For example, and
`‘without limitation,
`the vehicle diagnostic system 10
`'::.may be readily adapted to remotely control carburetor
`"-or fuel mixture control solenoids and motors, electronic
`spark -control circuits,
`idle speed control. switches,
`torque converter control solenoids, exhaust gas recircu-
`lation solenoids. Additionally,
`in vehicle computers
`which employ electronically erasable and programma-
`ble memories for storing the vehicle computer applica-
`tion software or programs, the vehicle diagnostic sys-
`tem 10 is capable of being -appropriately programmed to
`permit these vehicle computer memories to be re-pro-
`grammed from the data processing station 14.
`In one embodiment according to the present inven-
`tion, the computer in the computer terminal 48 has the
`capacity to analyze the parameter data from the vehicle
`16, as well as to remotely operate electronically con-
`trolled devices and circuits in the vehicle and provide
`telecommunication between the control station 12 and
`the data processing station 14. However, it should be
`understood that a separate, higher capacity computer
`could be connected to the computer terminal 48 for
`providing an analysis of the parameter data. Addition-
`ally, various peripheral devices, such as printers and so
`forth, could also be connected to the computer terminal
`48.
`
`While it may be advantageous for the data processing
`station computer to perform one or more pre-pro-
`grammed tests on the parameter data transmitted by the
`controller 18, the computer terminal 48 may also be
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`It will be observed from TABLE 1 that in addition to
`displaying the parameter data, the computer terminal 48
`also displays the identification of certain trouble (T)
`codes, which are generated by the vehicle computer to
`indicate a problem in a given circuit. For example, T
`code “5l” is used to indicate that there is an error in the
`programmable read only memory (PROM) for the vehi-
`cle computer. The screen of the CRT 72 also displays
`the description of three programmable function keys
`(F1, F3, and F5) on the keyboard 52. Specifically, the
`“F1” function key is used to restart the flow of parame-
`ter data from the controller 18. The “F” function key is
`used for causing the call light 70 on the controller 18 to
`light up or flash, and the “F5” function key is used to
`energize the air switch solenoid 74 in the vehicle.
`In one embodiment according to the present inven-
`tion, the CRT 72 is also used to display various mes-
`sages and prompts to assist the data processing station
`operator. For example,
`these messages and prompts
`include the description of function key “F9” which is
`used to initiate the sequence for placing a telephone call,
`a request for the telephone number of the control sta-
`tion to be entered via the keyboard 52, a menu of the
`vehicle model year and computer types, and a request
`to enter the appropriate model year and computer type
`of the vehicle to be analyzed.
`Figuring to FIG. 2, a front elevation View of the
`mini-scanner display device 34 is shown. The mini-scan-
`ner shown provides an example of a commercial display
`device which may be connected to the controller 18 to
`display selected parameter data on either a real time or
`pre-recorded basis. The display device 34 includes a
`first slide switch 76 for selecting the appropriate com-
`puter system for the vehicle under test, and a second
`slide switch 78 to select the parameter desired to be
`displayed on the LED display 80. A switch 82 is also
`provided for selecting the parameters on either of the
`two columns of parameters available for display. Addi-
`tionally, a spring biased switch 84 is provided for ener-
`gizing the air switch solenoid in the Vehicle. It should be
`noted that the controller 18 is adapted to permit the air
`switch solenoid 74 to be energized from either the data
`processing station 14 or from the control station 12
`when the display device 34 is connected to the control-
`ler.
`
`Referring to FIGS. 3A—3C a schematic diagram of
`the circuitry for the controller 18 is shown. The heart of
`controller circuit (IC) includes the central processing
`
`12
`
`

`
`9
`unit for the controller 18 and 128 bytes of random ac-
`cess memory (RAM). While in one embodiment ac-
`cording to the present invention the microcomputer 86
`is a Motorola 6802 microcomputer IC, it should be
`noted that the present invention is not limited to this
`particular type of computer. Additionally, it should be
`understood that the principles of the present invention
`are applicable to a wide variety of circuit components,
`and the specific circuit components described below are
`intended to be only exemplary of one embodiment ac-
`cording to the present invention.
`A crystal 88 is connected to the microcomputer 86 to
`provide 1 Mhz clock frequency required by the mi-
`crocomputer. The microcomputer 86 includes an eight
`bit data port, a sixteen bit address port and several con-
`trol pins, which are all connected to a bonus structure '
`90 which is shown as a single conductor for illustration
`purposes. The controller circuitry also includes three
`memory circuits 92-96 and an address decoder circuit
`98. The memory circuits 92 and 94 are four-bit RAM
`memories which are connected such that the memory
`circuit 92 stores the four least significant bits (D0-D3)
`of an eight bit data word and the memory circuit 94
`stores the four most significant bits (D4-D8) of the data
`word. The memory circuit 96 is an erasable program-
`mable read only memory (EPROM) which is used to
`store the operating or application software for the con-
`troller 18. This software controls all of the data han-
`dling, recording and telecommunication functions of
`the controller 18 described above, and is set forth in a
`microfiche appendix hereto which is incorporated by
`reference.
`The address decoder circuit 98 is used to direct data
`flow on the bus 90 to the appropriate circuit compo-
`nent. For example, the output conductor “CSO” from
`the address decoder 98 is used to enable the memory
`circuits 92 and 94 to read, or write data present on the
`bus 90. Whether data is written or read from these mem-
`ories depends upon the status of the “R/W’ output pin
`of the microcomputer 86.
`_
`The remaining circuit components in the controller
`circuit directly connected to the bus 90 are two asyn-
`chronous communications interface ' adapter (ACIA)
`circuits 100-102 and a versatile interface adapter (VIA)
`circuit 104. The ACIA circuit 100 provides a serial
`interface between the microcomputer bus 90 and the
`tape recorder communications circuitry, while the
`ACIA circuit 102 provides a serial interface between
`the bus 90 and the telephone communications circuitry.
`The VIA circuit 104 provides a parallel input/output
`interface for the microcomputer via bus 90. As indi-
`cated in FIG. 3B, the pins of the VIA circuit 104 oppo-
`site the bus 90 are connected to a terminal, which is
`generally designated by reference numeral 106. The
`terminal 106 is used to connect the controller circuitry
`of FIGS. 3A and 3B with the controller circuitry of
`FIG. 3C.
`
`FIG. 3C includes the interface circuitry for commu-
`nication with the vehicle data link terminal, the display
`device 34, the telephone 36, and the telephone line 38.
`Referring first to communication with the vehicle 16,
`the controller circuitry includes a terminal 108 which is
`connected to the cable 22. In this embodiment, the ter-
`minal 108 provides for three inputs 110-114 from the
`vehicle and two outputs 116-118 from the controller.
`The input 110 is used to receive parameter data from
`vehicles having diesel or carbureted engines, while the
`input 112 is used to receive parameter data from vehi-
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4,602,127
`
`10
`cles having electronic fuel injected engines. The input
`114 is used to receive the status on a particular parame-
`ter which in some vehicles is separated from the rest of
`the parameter data. Specifically, input 114 is used to
`receive the duty cycle of the mixture control solenoid
`which is used to change the air/fuel mixture in the
`engine’s carburetor. Since this solenoid may typically
`turn on and off ten times a second, the vehicle computer ~
`provides a measurement of the duty cycle in degrees
`dwell.
`
`The output 116 is used to transmit the appropriate
`enable signal to the vehicle computer which will cause
`the parameter data to be presented at the data link ter-
`minal, and hence transm