Multipurpose in-vehicle diagnostic II adapter
The present invention is directed to an extension connector. The extension connector may include a first connector communicatively coupled to an in-vehicle connector associated with an automobile. The extension connector may further include a second connector that may be communicatively coupled to the first connector. The extension connector may further include a third connector that may be communicatively coupled to the first connector and the second connector.
1. An in-vehicle diagnostic connector adapter comprising:
a first connector for communicatively coupling to the in-vehicle diagnostic connector;
a second connector communicatively coupled to the first connector, the second connector providing physical and electrical features that are substantially the same as the in-vehicle diagnostic connector;
a third connector for facilitating access to a plurality of signals communicatively coupled between the first connector and the second connector; and
a housing suitable for long-term in-vehicle use and for rigidly and compactly integrating the first, second, and third connectors, the second connector disposed to be accessible when the first connector is connected to the in-vehicle diagnostic connector.
2. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein the first and second connectors are J1962 compatible connectors.
3. The adapter of claim 2 , wherein the third connector comprises a sixteen terminal connector arranged as two parallel rows of eight terminals.
4. The adapter of claim 3 , wherein signals of the in-vehicle diagnostic connector are available on correspondingly numbered terminals of each of the first, second, and third connectors.
5. The adapter of claim 1 , further including a processor integrated into the housing and communicatively coupled to a portion of the first connector signals to provide processed signals to the third connector.
6. The adapter of claim 5 , wherein a portion of the processed signals conform to signaling requirements that are different than those provided by the in-vehicle diagnostic connector.
7. The adapter of claim 5 , further including a wireless transceiver in communication with the processor to facilitate access to the in-vehicle diagnostic connector signals via one of Bluetooth, WiFi, WiMax, and LTE wireless communication.
8. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein the third connector is disposed at substantially a right angle to the first connector.
9. The adapter of claim 1 , wherein the first and second connectors are J1939 compatible connectors.
10. The adapter of claim 9 , wherein the third connector comprises a nine terminal connector arranged as two parallel rows of terminals.
11. The adapter of claim 10 , wherein signals of the in-vehicle diagnostic connector are available on correspondingly numbered terminals of each of the first, second, and third connectors.