Interconnect device for detecting whether a vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) data port includes circuitry which prevents back feeding of power through the OBD data port

摘要

An interconnect device is disclosed for detecting whether an vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) data port includes a blocking diode or equivalent, that prevents back feeding of power through the OBD data port. If a diode is detected, the interconnect device alerts the user that the power cannot be back fed through the OBD II port connector. In such a condition, an alternate means is used to preserve the data mentioned above. Specifically, an alternative power supply can be connected directly to the battery cables that will be disconnected from the battery, for example, by way of battery clamps. In this way the alternative power supply is used to preserve the data until a new battery is reconnected to the vehicle battery cables. If a diode is not detected by the interconnect device, the interconnect device displays this fact to the user. The interconnect device includes circuitry for detecting and displaying whether a diode is connected in series with a power pin of the OBD II port connector. In addition, the interconnect device includes an OBD II port connector on one end connected by way of a cable to a connector, such as a cigarette lighter connector or hardwired directly to an alternate power supply.

主权项

1. An interconnect device for detecting whether a vehicle electrical system prevents back feeding of power through an on-board diagnostics (“OBD”) data port, the interconnect device comprising:
an electrical connector to electrically couple with a vehicle electrical system via a vehicle OBD port connector; a detection circuit electrically coupled to said electrical connector, the detection circuit to detect whether the vehicle electrical system includes blocking circuitry that prevents back feeding of power through the vehicle OBD port connector; an indicating device; and control circuitry operatively coupled to said detection circuit, the control circuitry configured to supply power from an alternate power supply to said electrical connector if said detection circuit detects that the vehicle electrical system does not contain said blocking circuitry.