Method for diagnosing error of vehicle electronic component

- HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY

A method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component capable of being performed without an actual driving test by building up a database of unusual waveform data that generates an erroneous operation of a vehicle electronic component is disclosed. The unusual waveform data are obtained through a process simultaneously collecting input and output waveforms of a problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle; a process analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes an erroneous operation of the problematic component; and a process extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) priority to Korean Application No. 10-2007-0133096, filed on Dec. 18, 2007 and Korean Application No. 10-2007-0133097, filed on Dec. 18, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application Nos. 2007-0133096 and 2007-0133097, filed on Dec. 18, 2007, respectively, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing an error in a vehicle electronic component, where the electronic component is capable of sampling an unusual waveform that causes an erroneous operation of the electronic component, and then sharing the sampled unusual waveforms on a network to improve performance of corresponding electronic components at home and abroad.

2. Background Art

When a new electronic component is developed, it is necessary to test whether the electronic component operates without malfunction. For example, after a newly developed vehicle component is mounted on a vehicle, performance of the component or an erroneous operation of the component is tested through a vehicle driving test under various conditions.

When it is necessary to perform the performance test on the vehicle electronic component under special conditions, for example conditions that are different from conditions such as a road or a climate, etc., in an overseas region with these special conditions, it can be burdensome that the overseas region with these special conditions must be visited such that a suitable performance test can be performed on the electronic component. Furthermore, such a test should be repeated whenever the electronic component is upgraded, which results in a high cost and, further, is inefficient.

A test or an error diagnosis of the vehicle electronic component has been performed in a setting wherein an expert senses and notes an erroneous lighting of a lamp, malfunction of a navigation system, an error or not of an audio system, an erroneous operation of a gear transmission, noise of an engine, and/or erroneous operations of other electronic components, according to his sensations while driving the vehicle.

However, when an erroneous operation of an electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports such as an airbag control unit (ACU) is detected, it can be difficult to determine if the erroneous operation occurs due to any cause, for example, due to an error of a signal input to any port. Further, if such an erroneous operation occurs only under specific conditions, then the specific conditions should be reproduced in order to verify whether a defect related to the erroneous operation is suitably removed when the related electronic component is improved. Accordingly, the vehicle driving test should be repeated under the same driving conditions as prior test conditions, and on the same road as a prior road, which requires a considerable effort and cost.

In an electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports, as a scheme for finding an unusual input waveform that causes an erroneous operation of the electronic component, a digital scope or a recorder may be used. Accordingly, it is possible to find an abnormal input waveform as soon as the electronic component is erroneously operated, using the digital scope or store input/output waveforms of the electronic component, and then suitably extract the unusual input waveform, using the recorder.

In the case of using the digital scope, since the digital scope has limited channels on the order of 4, an individual diagnosing an error may select the input/output port to be problematic among the input/output ports of the electronic component by chance, and the individual will perform the diagnostic test until the erroneous operation occurs. Further, the individual diagnosing the error should wait while watching a monitor until the occurrence of the erroneous operation is confirmed. Accordingly, since the recorder may currently measure and store only a waveform of a few milliseconds, it is almost impossible to find causes of the erroneous operation of a vehicle electronic component due to a waveform above a few milliseconds using the recorder.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component, the method being capable of easily finding causes of an erroneous operation of the electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports to suitably improve the performance of the electronic component.

The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component capable of easily confirming an improvement or not in a performance of the electronic component without performing a driving test in a state of mounting the electronic component in a vehicle.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the invention provides a method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports preferably comprising: (a) a process sharing unusual waveform data that cause an erroneous operation of a problematic component through a communication network, wherein the unusual waveform data are preferably obtained through at least one of: (a-1) a process simultaneously suitably collecting input and output waveforms of the problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle; (a-2) a process suitably analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes the erroneous operation of the problematic component; and (a-3) a process suitably extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time; and (b) a process suitably obtaining the unusual waveform data and reproducing the unusual waveform data into original input waveforms to input the original input waveforms to input ports of a test component, thereby testing an erroneous operation or not of the test component.

In the (a-1) process, the input and output waveforms may preferably be collected through attenuation probes connected to input/output lines electrically connecting the vehicle and the problematic component; and in the (b) process, the unusual waveform data may be suitably reproduced through a waveform generator and then amplified to be input to the input ports.

In the (a-1) process, the input and output waveforms may be preferably collected from all input/output lines electrically connecting input/output ports of the problematic component and the vehicle.

In the (a-1) process, the input and output waveforms may be preferably collected through a waveform collector 31 constituted to sample waveforms in real time through multiple channels and attach time and channel information to the sampled waveforms to periodically store them.

In the (b) process, the unusual waveform data may be preferably reproduced into the original waveform data through a waveform generator with multiple channels.

In the (a-1) process, the input and output waveforms may be preferably obtained in a state where the vehicle is being driven.

According to other aspects of the present invention, there is preferably provided a method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports comprising: (a) a process simultaneously suitably collecting input and output waveforms of a problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle; (b) a process suitably analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes an erroneous operation of the problematic component; (c) a process suitably extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time; and (d) a process suitably correspondingly applying the input waveforms extracted in the (c) process to each of input ports of the problematic component, but also extracting an unusual input waveform that generates the unusual output waveform while sequentially releasing the application of the input waveforms one by one.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports comprising:(a) a process preferably sharing unusual waveform data that cause an erroneous operation of a problematic component through a communication network, wherein the unusual waveform data are obtained at least through: (a-1) a process simultaneously suitably collecting input and output waveforms of the problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle; (a-2) a process suitably analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes the erroneous operation of the problematic component; (a-3) a process suitably extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time; and (a-4) a process suitably correspondingly applying the input waveforms extracted in the (a-3) process to each of input ports of the problematic component, but also extracting an unusual input waveform that generates the unusual output waveform while sequentially releasing the application of the input waveforms one by one; and (b) a process suitably obtaining the unusual waveform data and reproducing the unusual waveform data into original input waveforms to input the original input waveforms to corresponding input ports of a test component in operation, thereby testing an erroneous operation or not of the test component.

According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, since unusual waveforms sampled from the electronic components having various erroneous operation causes are preferably stored in a database and shared on a network, required waveform data may be suitably downloaded anytime and anywhere, to be able to be easily used in improving the performance of the electronic components.

According to further preferred embodiments, it is not required to perform the driving test on a road in a state of mounting the electronic component in the vehicle in order to confirm the improved performance of the electronic component.

According to other preferred embodiments, an unusual input waveform that causes the erroneous operation of the electronic component can be determined with considerable ease, and can be used in improving the performance of electronic components. In particular embodiments of the invention as described herein, it is also possible to easily and efficiently deal with the erroneous operation of the electronic component caused by, for example, several unusual waveforms.

It is understood that the term “vehicle” or “vehicular” or other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g. fuels derived from resources other than petroleum).

As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example both gasoline-powered and electric-powered.

The above features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain by way of example the principles of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features, and advantages of preferred embodiments of the present invention will be more fully described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing one example of a configuration of a system that performs a method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating one example of a method for analyzing causes of an erroneous operation of an electronic component according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view showing one example of an edited waveform according to the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a schematic view illustrating one example of a method for confirming an erroneous operation or not of an electronic component according to the present invention; FIG. 4B is a schematic view illustrating another example of a method for confirming an erroneous operation or not of an electronic component according to the present invention; FIG. 5A is a view showing examples of normal input waveforms; and

FIG. 5B is a view showing examples of abnormal input waveforms for comparison with the input waveforms shown in FIG. 5A.

DESCRIPTION

As described herein, the present invention includes a method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports comprising (a) a process of sharing unusual waveform data that cause an erroneous operation of a problematic component through a communication network; and (b) a process of obtaining the unusual waveform data and reproducing the unusual waveform data into original input waveforms to input the original input waveforms to input ports of a test component, thereby testing an erroneous operation or not of the test component.

In one embodiment, the unusual waveform data are obtained through one or more of (a-1) a process of simultaneously collecting input and output waveforms of the problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle, (a-2) a process analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes the erroneous operation of the problematic component; and (a-3) a process extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time.

The invention also features a method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports comprising (a) a process of simultaneously collecting input and output waveforms of a problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle, (b) a process of analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes an erroneous operation of the problematic component, (c) a process of extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time, and (d) a process of applying the input waveforms extracted in the step (c) to each of input ports of the problematic component.

IN one embodiment, step (d) of the method further comprises extracting an unusual input waveform that generates the unusual output waveform while sequentially releasing the application of the input waveforms one by one.

The invention also features a method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports comprising (a) a process of sharing unusual waveform data that cause an erroneous operation of a problematic component through a communication network; and (b) a process of obtaining the unusual waveform data and reproducing the unusual waveform data into original input waveforms to input the original input waveforms to corresponding input ports of a test component in operation, thereby testing an erroneous operation or not of the test component.

In one embodiment, the unusual waveform data are obtained at least through (a-1) a process simultaneously collecting input and output waveforms of the problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle (a-2) a process analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes the erroneous operation of the problematic component (a-3) a process extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time; and (a-4) a process correspondingly applying the input waveforms extracted in the (a-3) process to each of input ports of the problematic component, and extracting an unusual input waveform that generates the unusual output waveform while sequentially releasing the application of the input waveforms one by one.

Hereinafter, a method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In a first preferred embodiment, a configuration of a system required to perform the method for diagnosing an error of the vehicle electronic component according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to exemplary FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the system preferably comprises attenuation probes 20, a waveform collector 31, a waveform generator 32, and an amplifier 70, as a means that collects and reproduces waveforms, a waveform editor 40 as a means that suitably extracts, stores in database and shares required waveforms from the collected waveforms, and a DB server 50 accessible from remote terminals 60. In further embodiments, the waveform collector 31 and the waveform generator 32 are preferably constituted to be suitably incorporated into a single piece of simulator equipment 30 with a portable size.

In certain preferred embodiments, the waveform collector 31, which has a kind of digital scope function and record function, suitably receives and stores input/output waveforms from a problematic component 11 suitably mounted in a vehicle 10 in real time using a plurality of attenuation probes 20, for example, 100:1 probes. Since it is impossible to obtain the waveforms directly from input/output ports of the problematic component 11 in operation, the waveforms are preferably collected by connecting the attenuation probes 20 to each of a power supply and input/output signal lines (commonly referred to as input/output lines 12 and 13) connecting the vehicle 10 and the problematic component 11.

Preferably, such a waveform collector 31 needs to have several tens of channels with, for example, sampling a rate of 100 MS/s, resolution of 14 bits, and bandwidth of 100 MHz, and needs to use a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) express link suitably capable of performing data streaming of 1 GB/s and if possible, a PXI (PCI Extensions for Instrumentation) express link as a data bus. In further embodiments, the wave collector 31 preferably uses a storage with a TB-grade of capacity capable of writing data of 600 Mb per second as a storage, and uses a Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) as a storing scheme. Further, the wave collector preferably uses a CPU of a Dual Core or an Octa Core or more as a CPU.

According to further preferred embodiments, the waveform editor 40 is preferably used for edition of original waveform data collected in the waveform collector 31 and detection of an unusual waveform through an analysis of the waveform data, etc. Such a waveform editor 40 needs to be suitably equipped with a PC operating-based dedicated analysis tool in order to easily extract only a required portion of the original waveform data or easily analyze the original waveform data.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention as described herein, the DB server 50 preferably stores the edited waveform data generated in the waveform editor 31. Further, such a DB server 50 is network-connected to the remote terminals 60. Preferably, the edited waveform data are suitably sorted and stored according to a predetermined rule so that users accessing the DB server 50 through the remote terminals 60 may easily find and download necessary waveform data. Preferably, the edited waveform data may be sorted, for example, according to kinds and erroneous operation causes of the electronic component of which the waveform data are obtained, a road on which the driving test is performed, a region, a climate, driving conditions, etc., although not limited only to these examples.

According to further embodiments, the waveform generator 32 is used to suitably reproduce the edited waveform data stored in the DB server 50 into analog waveforms. The waveforms reproduced in the waveform generator 32 are output to input ports of a test component 80, which is the same kind as the problematic component 11. Accordingly, in further preferred embodiments, the waveform generator 32 preferably has at least several tens of channels as in the waveform collector 31, and the waveforms output through these channels are preferably synchronized. Accordingly, such a waveform generator 32 has a resolution of 16 bits and sampling rate of 200 MS/s, and suitably requires a PCI-based PXI express link as a data bus. As such a waveform generator 32, a waveform generator such as a PXI-5422 product obtainable from National Instrument, Inc., may be suitably used.

According to further preferred embodiments of the invention as described herein, the amplifier 70 is used to again amplify the waveforms reproduced in the waveform generator 32 to suitably reproduce the waveforms into the same waveforms as the original waveforms collected from the waveform collector 31. The waveforms amplified in this amplifier 70 are output to the input ports of the test component 80.

The method for diagnosing an error of the vehicle electronic component using the above-mentioned system according to exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described. (i) In an exemplary embodiment, first, the waveform data are suitably collected. As shown in FIG. 1, the input and output waveforms are simultaneously collected in real time from the input/output lines 12 and 13 mutually electrically connecting the vehicle 10 and the problematic component 11 through the attenuation probes 20, while driving the vehicle 10 in which the erroneously operated problematic component 11 is mounted. Preferably, in order to easily extract the unusual waveform, the input and output waveforms are preferably collected from all the input/output lines 12 and 13 of the problematic component 11. Further, the waveform data input to the waveform collector 31 are periodically stored together with sampling time and channel information in the storage, for example, they are cut and stored by a sampling amount during one minute in the storage. The channel information is channel information of the waveform collector 31 to which any waveform is input and at the same time, is information of the input/output ports of the problematic component 11 of which the corresponding waveform is collected. The waveform collector 31 and the waveform generator 32 are preferably constituted to be incorporated into the simulator equipment 30 with the portable size.

(ii-1) In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, second, the unusual waveform data are suitably extracted from the collected waveform data. Preferably, the unusual waveform data may be extracted by obtaining information on a point in time of generation of the unusual output waveform that causes the erroneous operation of the problematic component 11 through analysis of the output waveforms among the collected waveform data and then extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point in time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time. Preferably, the point in time generation of the unusual output waveform may be suitably obtained by setting a reference value (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) over which the erroneous operation is suitably expected to be generated, in view of characteristics of the problematic component 11 and checking the point in time of generation of an output waveform with waveform variation above the reference value using the waveform editor 40. Preferably, since sampling time information on the input and output waveforms is known, it is possible to extract input waveforms input to the problematic component 11 before and after the point in time of generation of this output waveform. Such extracted input waveforms (original waveforms) are suitably edited (edited waveforms), for example, added or cut, etc., for capacity reduction. Preferably, whether the obtained input waveforms really cause the erroneous operation in the problematic component 11 may be immediately confirmed by inputting the corresponding unusual input waveforms to the input port of the problematic component 11.

(ii-2) According to further preferred embodiments, the unusual waveform data stated in the (ii-1) process is, for example, a bundle of the input waveforms input to all the input ports of the problematic component 11. Accordingly, in order to accurately reveal the cause of the erroneous operation of the problematic component 11, it is required to confirm which one out of the input waveforms to which input port of the problematic component 11 causes the erroneous operation, and to extract it. Referring to FIG. 2, in a cause analysis of the erroneous operation, an unusual waveform data(a bundle of the input waveforms) is output to the problematic component 11 using the simulator equipment 30 provided with a waveform generator 31 and the amplifier 70.

More concretely, the analysis may be made in a scheme that the unusual waveform data is repeatedly output to the problematic component 11 as disconnecting connections between ports of the problematic component 11 and the amplifier 70 one by one (refer to the sequence of {circle around (1)}→{circle around (2)}→{circle around (3)}→{circle around (4)} shown in FIG. 2) and confirming whether the erroneous operation of the sample component 11 occurs or not, each time the output of the unusual waveform data is repeated. As an example shown in FIG. 3, the unusual input waveform (original waveform) obtained with such a scheme is edited (edited waveform) in an appropriate size. To remove the erroneous operation of the problematic component, it is necessary to remove the cause itself generating such an unusual input waveform. If the unusual input waveform is inevitable, however, the electronic component is controlled so as not to be erroneously operated by the unusual input waveform (that is, the electronic component is re-designed to ignore the unusual input waveform).

(iii) In another exemplary embodiment, third, the unusual waveform data (edited waveform) extracted as described above are shared. The share may be made in various schemes such as a scheme that a database of the unusual waveform data is built up to be uploaded to the DB server 50 accessible through the communication network, etc.

(iv) In a further exemplary embodiment, fourth, the unusual waveform data shared on the DB server 50 are suitably obtained so that the erroneous operation or not of the test component 11 is suitably tested using the simulator equipment 30 and the amplifier 70. In certain preferred embodiments, this test of the erroneous operation or not may be made, for example, by the two exemplary methods shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. First, referring to FIG. 4A, in one preferred embodiment, the erroneous operation or not of the test component 80 may be tested by suitably reproducing the unusual waveform data extracted in the (ii-1) process into the original input waveforms (the input waveforms input to all the input ports of the problematic component) and inputting the original input waveforms to the input ports of the test component. In other preferred embodiments, referring to FIG. 4B, the erroneous operation or not of the test component 80 may also be suitably tested by reproducing the unusual waveform data extracted in the (ii-2) process into an original input waveform (an input waveform input to a particular input port of the problematic component) and inputting the original input waveform to the particular input port of the test component in operation. In this embodiment, signals from the vehicle are preferably input to input ports of test component 80 other than the corresponding input ports. Accordingly, it is possible to diagnose the error of the electronic component by the simulation without requiring an actual driving test.

Referring to exemplary FIGS. 5A and 5B, examples of the unusual waveforms that cause the erroneous operation of the electronic component are described. Preferred examples of normal input waveforms input to a battery and an ACC are shown in FIG. 5A, and an example in which the input waveform input to the ACC has unusualness due to a momentary power supply variation is shown in FIG. 5B. In FIG. 5B, [waveform 1] and [waveform 2] are enlarged waveforms of the waveforms input to the ACC, respectively. [Waveform 1] is a waveform having a voltage variation of 40.11V generated for 164 ms and this degree of voltage variation may cause erroneous operation of the ACC. [waveform 2] is a waveform having a relatively low voltage variation of 12.07V generated for relatively short time of 4.7 μs and the ACC may not be erroneously operated by this degree of voltage variation. An expert can detect and extract these kinds of unusual waveforms using a voltage variation thereof.

Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to its presently preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalents can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports comprising:

(a) a process sharing unusual waveform data that cause an erroneous operation of a problematic component through a communication network, wherein the unusual waveform data are obtained through at least one of: (a-1) a process simultaneously collecting input and output waveforms of the problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle; (a-2) a process analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes the erroneous operation of the problematic component; and (a-3) a process extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time; and
(b) a process obtaining the unusual waveform data and reproducing the unusual waveform data into original input waveforms to input the original input waveforms to input ports of a test component, thereby testing an erroneous operation or not of the test component.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein in the (a-1) process, the input and output waveforms are collected through attenuation probes connected to input/output lines electrically connecting the vehicle and the problematic component; and

in the (b) process, the unusual waveform data are reproduced through a waveform generator and then amplified to be input to the input ports.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein in the (a-1) process, the input and output waveforms are collected from all input/output lines electrically connecting input/output ports of the problematic component and the vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein in the (a-1) process, the input and output waveforms are collected through a waveform collector 31 constituted to sample waveforms in real time through multiple channels and attach time and channel information to the sampled waveforms to periodically store them.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein in the (b) process, the unusual waveform data are reproduced into the original waveform data through a waveform generator with multiple channels.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein in the (a-1) process, the input and output waveforms are obtained in a state where the vehicle is being driven.

7. A method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports comprising:

(a) a process simultaneously collecting input and output waveforms of a problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle;
(b) a process analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes an erroneous operation of the problematic component;
(c) a process extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time; and
(d) a process correspondingly applying the input waveforms extracted in the (c) process to each of input ports of the problematic component, but also extracting an unusual input waveform that generates the unusual output waveform while sequentially releasing the application of the input waveforms one by one.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein in the (a) process, the input and output waveforms are collected through attenuation probes connected to input/output lines electrically connecting the vehicle and the problematic component.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein in the (a) process, the input and output waveforms are collected from all input/output lines connecting input/output ports of the problematic component and the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein in the (a) process, the input and output waveforms are collected through a waveform collector 31 constituted to sample waveforms in real time through multiple channels and attach time and channel information to the sampled waveforms to periodically store them.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein in the (a) process, the input and output waveforms are obtained in a state where the vehicle is being driven.

12. A method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports comprising:

(a) a process sharing unusual waveform data that cause an erroneous operation of a problematic component through a communication network, wherein the unusual waveform data are obtained at least through: (a-1) a process simultaneously collecting input and output waveforms of the problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle; (a-2) a process analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes the erroneous operation of the problematic component; (a-3) a process extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time; and (a-4) a process correspondingly applying the input waveforms extracted in the (a-3) process to each of input ports of the problematic component, but also extracting an unusual input waveform that generates the unusual output waveform while sequentially releasing the application of the input waveforms one by one; and
(b) a process obtaining the unusual waveform data and reproducing the unusual waveform data into original input waveforms to input the original input waveforms to corresponding input ports of a test component in operation, thereby testing an erroneous operation or not of the test component.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein in the (a-1) process, the input and output waveforms are collected through attenuation probes connected to input/output lines electrically connecting the vehicle and the problematic component; and

in the (b) process, the unusual waveform data are reproduced through a waveform generator and then amplified to be input to the input ports.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein in the (a-1) process, the input and output waveforms are collected from all input/output lines electrically connecting input/output ports of the problematic component and the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein in the (a-1) process, the input and output waveforms are collected through a waveform collector 31 constituted to sample waveforms in real time through multiple channels and attach time and channel information to the sampled waveforms to periodically store them.

16. A method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports comprising:

(a) sharing unusual waveform data that cause an erroneous operation of a problematic component through a communication network; and
(b) obtaining the unusual waveform data and reproducing the unusual waveform data into original input waveforms to input the original input waveforms to input ports of a test component, thereby testing an erroneous operation or not of the test component.

17. The method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports of claim 16, wherein the unusual waveform data are obtained through one or more of:

(a-1) simultaneously collecting input and output waveforms of the problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle;
(a-2) analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes the erroneous operation of the problematic component; and
(a-3) extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time.

18. A method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports comprising:

(a) simultaneously collecting input and output waveforms of a problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle;
(b) analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes an erroneous operation of the problematic component;
(c) extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time; and
(d) applying the input waveforms extracted in the step (c) to each of input ports of the problematic component.

19. The method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component of claim 18, wherein step (d) further comprises extracting an unusual input waveform that generates the unusual output waveform while sequentially releasing the application of the input waveforms one by one.

20. A method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component with a plurality of input/output ports comprising:

(a) sharing unusual waveform data that cause an erroneous operation of a problematic component through a communication network; and
(b) obtaining the unusual waveform data and reproducing the unusual waveform data into original input waveforms to input the original input waveforms to corresponding input ports of a test component in operation, thereby testing an erroneous operation or not of the test component.

21. The method for diagnosing an error of a vehicle electronic component of claim 20, wherein the unusual waveform data are obtained at least through:

(a-1) simultaneously collecting input and output waveforms of the problematic component in operation in real time in a state where the problematic component is electrically connected to a vehicle;
(a-2) analyzing the output waveforms to obtain information on a point in time of generation of an unusual output waveform that causes the erroneous operation of the problematic component;
(a-3) extracting input waveforms during a predetermined time before and after the point of time of generation of the unusual output waveform using the information on the point in time; and
(a-4) correspondingly applying the input waveforms extracted in the (a-3) to each of input ports of the problematic component, and extracting an unusual input waveform that generates the unusual output waveform while sequentially releasing the application of the input waveforms one by one.
Patent History
Publication number: 20090153315
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 20, 2008
Publication Date: Jun 18, 2009
Applicant: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY (Seoul)
Inventors: Jin Gon Han (Busan), Joon Sang Kim (Incheon), Myung Sung Choi (Ulsan), Sung Hwan Jang (Ulsan)
Application Number: 12/274,945
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Operation Efficiency (e.g., Engine Performance, Driver Habits) (340/439)
International Classification: B60Q 9/00 (20060101);