Measuring and testing – Test stand – For engine
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-07
2001-05-08
McCall, Eric S. (Department: 2855)
Measuring and testing
Test stand
For engine
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227043
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods and apparatus for electronically diagnosing and analyzing the performance of machines, such as internal combustion engines. The invention relates particularly to digital engine analyzers of the type which display digitized information on an oscilloscope screen.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The present invention is an improvement of the digital engine analyzer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,935, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. That analyzer includes a set of probes for coupling to an associated automotive engine under analysis and for receiving input signals therefrom. The analyzer processes these signals, digitizes them and stores them for further processing and/or display. The system also is responsive to the input signals for generating display data for display on a CRT display screen.
The system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,935 is sold by Snap-on Incorporated under the designation MT-3000. That system is available with a remote control unit, much like a television remote control, by which an operator can operate the front panel controls of the engine analyzer from a remote location up to 20 feet away. However, this requires that the operator be in the line of sight to the analyzer display screen so that he can see the screen and must be close enough so that he can discern what is being displayed, so as to determine which control functions need to be exercised and to be able to confirm their execution.
It is known to transmit display data from a central processing unit to a remote display unit by wire transmission over telephone lines, such a system being disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,739,253. However, such wire-line systems are not suitable for use in automotive service or repair facility environments. It is also known to utilize portable computer terminals in wire or wireless communication with other terminals in a network system, but such portable terminals operate substantially like any other computer terminal, having substantial processing power, and being quite expensive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of this invention to provide an improved machine diagnosis and analysis system which avoids the disadvantages of prior systems while affording additional structural and operating advantages.
An important feature of the invention is the provision of a system which provides for a remote display capability.
In connection with the foregoing feature, a further feature of the invention is the provision of a system of the type set forth, which provides for wireless communication between a remote display unit and a central processing unit.
A further feature of the invention is the provision of a portable remote display unit for use in a system of the type set forth.
Certain ones of these and other features of the invention are attained by providing a system for analyzing operating parameter data from a machine comprising: an analyzing unit including a first display screen, at least one probe for connecting the analyzing unit to an associated machine for receiving operating parameter data from the machine, the analyzing unit including display processing means coupled to the first display screen and to the at least one probe and responsive to the parameter data for generating display data and causing the display data to be displayed on the first display screen, and a wireless transmitter coupled to the display processing means for wireless transmission of the display data displayed on the first display screen; and a remote portable display apparatus having a second display screen, and a wireless receiver coupled to the second display screen to receive the display data transmitted by the transmitter for display thereof on the second display screen.
Other features of the invention are attained by providing a remote portable display apparatus comprising: a housing, a display screen disposed in the housing, a wireless receiver disposed in the housing and coupled to the display screen for display of received data on the display screen, a control unit disposed in the housing for generating control signals, and a wireless transmitter disposed in the housing and coupled to the control unit for transmitting the control signals.
The invention consists of certain novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the spirit, or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.
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Snap-on Incorporated 1996 Catalog, pp. E4 and E6, respectively disclosing MT3000 Digital Engine Analyzer and MT3000-600 Remote Control Unit.
Hoferitza Mark A.
Schoenbeck Michael D.
McCall Eric S.
Shaw Seyfarth
Snap-on Technologies, Inc.
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