Self-diagnostic non-bussed control module
View Patent ↗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.
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.