EP2259230A1

EP2259230A1 - Programmable on-board diagnostic module, connectable to an automotive diagnostic socket

Info

Publication number: EP2259230A1
Application number: EP10165023A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bruno Vianello
Original assignee: TEXA SpA
Current assignee: TEXA SpA
Priority date: 2009-06-04
Filing date: 2010-06-04
Publication date: 2010-12-08
Also published as: ITTV20090117A1; IT1394809B1

Abstract

An on-board automotive diagnostic module (1) connectable to an automotive diagnostic socket (2) of an on-board diagnostic system (3) of a vehicle to receive a series of vehicle diagnostic parameters. The on-board automotive diagnostic module (1) comprising a connection socket (12) provided with a plurality of connection pins (13) adapted to be connected in a stable, but easily removable manner, to corresponding diagnostic pins of the automotive diagnostic socket (2), and a control module (14) provided with a plurality of communication pins (15), each of which is associated with a communication of vehicle diagnostic parameters; and an electronic configuration array (16) comprising a plurality of selective interconnection means (17), each of which may be operated to connect each of the communication pins (15) of the control module (14) to any of the connection pins (13) of the connection socket (12).

Description

The present invention relates to a programmable on-board diagnostic module, which is connectable to an automotive diagnostic socket to acquire and store diagnostic parameters related to the operation of the vehicle.
In particular, the present invention relates to a programmable on-board diagnostic module, i.e. a storage module, which can be installed aboard a vehicle, which is configured so as to be connected in a stable, but easily removable manner to a diagnostic socket of an electronic on-board diagnostic system of a land vehicle corresponding, in particular, to a motor vehicle, so as to acquire therefrom and store a series of vehicle diagnostic parameters to supply them to an external automotive diagnostic apparatus, to which explicit reference will be made in the following description without therefore loosing in generality.
As known, last generation motor vehicles are provided with an electronic on-board diagnostic system comprising an automotive diagnostic socket made in compliance with OBD (On Board Diagnostic) or E-OBD (European OBD) standards, which is structured so as to be connected to external reading apparatuses to allow the latter to communicate with the electronic system in charge of controlling vehicle emissions, for receiving a series of vehicle diagnostic parameters from the latter.
Furthermore, it is known that OBD or E-OBD standards impose common constraints associated with the physical configuration of the diagnostic socket, which is provided with two parallel rows of eight pins facing one another in pairs, but there are no common rule regarding the data communication protocol to be used with the vehicle diagnostic system, and/or information commonly identifying the pins to be employed to access specific types of vehicle diagnostic parameters, not associated with gas emission-related information.
In particular, nowadays, motor vehicle makers employ various "proprietary" communication protocols, the most common of which are, for example, SAEJ1850 PWM/VPW, SAEJ2284 CAN-H/CAN-L, IS09141-2, ISO14230, and contextually configure the diagnostic system of the motor vehicle associated with the various on-board electronic systems not involved in the emission control, thus establishing both the pins of the diagnostic socket dedicated to access the communication with the various systems and the software communication protocol, as desired.
The aforesaid differentiation between communication protocols and data access functions assigned to the pins of the OBD diagnostic socket often causes "incompatibility" when reading data by external automotive diagnostic apparatuses which, despite being provided with an OBD connection socket, which may be connected to the automotive diagnostic socket, are configured to dialogue by means of a different communication protocol from that used by the vehicle diagnostic system, and/or have pins with different data access functions from the corresponding pins of the automotive diagnostic socket.
The aforesaid incompatibility when reading data is particularly felt in diagnostic modules to be used aboard vehicles which, as known, are small-sized portable on-board storage modules which are connected to the diagnostic socket to serve a function of acquiring and storing diagnostic parameters.
Whenever the vehicles parameters need to be processed to monitor the vehicle operation, an external processing system reads the vehicle parameters stored in the on-board diagnostic module.
The on-board storage modules typically comprise a memory unit, an OBD connection socket connectable to an OBD diagnostic socket, and a processing unit, which communicates with the diagnostic system by means of the OBD connection socket to receive the diagnostic parameters and store the acquired parameters in the memory unit.
The processing unit is typically pre-programmed, i.e. implements a specific firmware which includes the implementation of a predetermined communication protocol by the processing unit itself through the predetermined pins of the OBD connection socket.
It is therefore apparent that the on-board storage module may be only compatible with the diagnostic system implementing the same logical communication protocol on the corresponding pins of the OBD socket, but it may not be used for reading data from "incompatible" diagnostic systems, i.e. implementing different logical communication protocols.
It is thus the object of the present invention to provide an on-board programmable storage module, i.e. which is configurable in a simple, cost-effective manner to acquire vehicle diagnostic parameters from a vehicle diagnostic system.
According to the present invention, an on-board storage module is provided as set forth in claim 1 and preferably, but not necessarily, in any one of the subsequent claims, either directly or indirectly depending on claim 1.
According to the present invention, a system for programming the on-board storage module is further provided as set forth in claim 7 and in any one of the claims either directly or indirectly depending on claim 7.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limitative embodiment thereof, in which:

figure 1 diagrammatically shows an on-board storage module connectable to the automotive diagnostic socket according to the dictates of the present invention;
figure 2 diagrammatically shows the on-board storage module in a condition of connection to a test apparatus and to a programming unit;
figure 3 shows a block diagram of the on-board storage module shown in figure 1;
figure 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the on-board storage module shown in figure 1;
figure 5 shows a variant of the on-board storage module shown in figure 1; whereas
figure 6 diagrammatically shows an embodiment of the array of the on-board storage module in figure 5.

With reference to figures 1 and 2, numeral 1 indicates as a whole an on-board automotive diagnostic module 1, i.e. an on-board programmable storage module, which is configured to be connected in a stable, but easily removable manner to a diagnostic socket 2 of an on-board diagnostic system 3 of a land vehicle, corresponding in particular to a motor vehicle, so as to acquire a series of vehicle diagnostic parameters therefrom.
The on-board automotive diagnostic module 1 is further configured to communicate the vehicle diagnostic parameters to a test apparatus 4 outside the vehicle, which serves the function of processing the vehicle diagnostic parameters to determine information related to the operation of the vehicle itself.
The on-board automotive diagnostic module 1 is configured to communicate with the on-board diagnostic system 3, so as to acquire vehicle diagnostic parameters during vehicle operation, preferably but not necessarily during the travel thereof, and to communicate with the test apparatus 4 in order to supply the acquired diagnostic parameters thereto.
The on-board diagnostic system 3 is installed in the vehicle and comprises: a series of sensors 5 arranged in the vehicle 3 to measure vehicle diagnostic magnitudes; and/or one or more on-board control units 6 to manage the acquisition of vehicle diagnostic parameters and to control the operation of the members/assemblies provided in the vehicle, e.g. the fuel supply/exhaust members, the engine assembly, and/or similar automotive assemblies/members/devices.
The on-board diagnostic system 3 further comprises, in addition to the automotive diagnostic socket 2, a series of data communication lines or buses 8, which connect the automotive diagnostic socket 2 to the sensors 5 and/or to the on-board control units 6 to allow the external communication of vehicle parameters.
In particular, the vehicle diagnostic parameters may be associated with various types of magnitudes/information, such as for example: information related to engine air/fuel metering, and/or to ignition system faults, and/or to engine faults, and/or to gearbox and transmission faults, and to any other similar vehicle information.
The on-board electronic control units 6, shown in the example in figure 1, are configured to control the communication of vehicle diagnostic parameters with the on-board automotive diagnostic module 1 through the diagnostic socket 2, by implementing predetermined communication protocols. In this case, the on-board electronic units 6 may implement one or more of the following data communication protocols through the diagnostic socket 2: SAEJ1850 PWM/VPW, and/or SAEJ2284 CAN-H/CAN-L, and/or IS09141-2 or ISO14230, or any other similar protocol included in the OBD standard.
It is worth specifying that the on-board electronic control unit 6 may be configured to implement additional communication protocols established by diagnostic standards deriving from, or substantially equivalent to, the OBD protocol, or the E-OBD protocol, or the OBD-II protocol, or any standard deriving from a technical evolution of the OBD standard.
In the example shown, the diagnostic socket 2 is preferably, but not necessarily positioned in the vehicle passenger compartment, and has a physical configuration of its pins 2a for preferably, but not necessarily meeting the OBD diagnostic standard.
The on-board diagnostic system 2 implementing the above-mentioned OBD communication protocols or the like is known and therefore it will not be further described except to specify that the OBD diagnostic socket 2 has a substantially trapezoid-shaped, side edge in relief and is provided with sixteen diagnostic pins 2a, which are arranged in groups of eight on two parallel rows and are facing one another in pairs.
With reference to figures 2 and 3, the on-board automotive diagnostic module 1, i.e. the on-board storage module, comprises a connection socket 12 preferably, but not necessarily an OBD socket, connectable to the diagnostic socket 2 and provided with a plurality of connection pins 13; a control module 14 having in turn a plurality of communication pins 15, each of which is associated with data transmission/reception; and an electronic configuration array 16, comprising a plurality of selective interconnection devices 17 (only some of which are shown for simplicity in figure 3), each of which may be actuated to connect each of the communication pins 15 of the control module 14 to any one of the connection pins 13 of the connection socket 12.
In particular, in the embodiment shown in figure 3, the on-board automotive diagnostic module 1 is configured to be reprogrammed in order to connect each communication pin 15 to one and only one connection pin 13 of the connection socket 12, as desired.
According to a possible embodiment, the on-board automotive diagnostic module 1 is configured to be reprogrammed in order to connect each communication pin 15 to several connection pins 13.
According to a possible embodiment, the on-board automotive diagnostic module 1 is configured to be reprogrammed in order to connect each connection pins 13 to one or more communication pins 15, as desired.
The selective interconnection devices 17 of the electronic configuration array 16 shown in figure 3 may be reversibly actuated by means of respective COMi signals and may comprise micro switches, which may be opened/closed upon command.
More in detail, the electronic configuration array 16 may be conveniently made by means of a miniaturized integrated circuit, i.e. a microchip, and in this case, the selective interconnection devices 17 may be MOSFET transistors, or BJT transistors, or similar transistors.
The on-board automotive diagnostic module 1 further comprises a memory module 7, a communication module 18, which is configured to communicate with an external programming unit 19 through a communication system 20 for receiving a programming signal PRO therefrom, which signal contains the configuration of the operations to be imparted to the selective interconnection devices 17 of array 16, and a data acquisition program to be implemented by the control module 14 to read the parameters of the diagnostic system 3.
The configuration of the operations contained in the programming signal PRO to be imparted to the array 16 comprises the opening or closing statse to be imparted to the micro switches 17 of the array 16, while the data acquisition program contained in the PRO signal comprises the set of operations that the control module 14 should carry out while acquiring automotive parameters, and communication protocol which may be employed by the same.
The on-board automotive diagnostic module 1 further comprises a control module 11 receiving the programming signal PRO from the communication module 18. In particular, the control module 11 generates the opening/closing COMi signals of the selective interconnection devices 17 according to the programming signal PRO, and stores the data acquisition program in the memory module 7, which program is intended to be implemented in the control module 14.
The communication system 20 may correspond to a wireless network or to any other similar communication network capable of allowing to exchange data between two devices or it may comprise electric connection wires.
The control module 14 is configured to implement the operations included in the data acquisition firmware stored in the memory module 7 and the corresponding communication protocol so as to acquire and store vehicle diagnostic parameters determined by the vehicle diagnostic system 3.
In the example shown in figure 1, the control module 14 has at least six communication pins 15, one pair of communication pins being employed to exchange encoded data/parameters according to a first communication protocol, preferably the SAEJ1850 PWM/VPW protocol; a pair of communication pins 15 is associated with the exchange of encoded data/parameters according to a second communication protocol, preferably the SAEJ2284 CAN-H/CAN-L protocol, while a pair of communication pins 15 is associated with the exchange of encoded data/parameters according to a third communication protocol, preferably the IS09141-2 protocol.
More in detail, two communication pins 15 are adapted to serve a function corresponding to the function served by the communication lines +J1850 and - J1850, respectively, included in the SAEJ1850 PWM/VPW protocol; two communication pins 15 are adapted to serve a function corresponding to the function served by the CAN-H and CAN-L lines, respectively, included in the SAEJ2284 CAN-H/CAN-L protocol; while two communication pins 15 are adapted to serve a function corresponding to the function served by the K and L lines as required by the IS09141-2 communication protocol.
With reference to figures 2 and 3, the programming unit 19 is provided with a memory module 22 containing a plurality of data organized as follows. The data comprise a plurality of types of vehicle diagnostic parameters and a plurality of vehicle model types. A configuration of operations to be imparted to the configuration array 16 and a data acquisition and storage program to be implemented by the control module 14 are univocally associated with each data pair formed by a vehicle diagnostic parameter and a vehicle model. In other words, by selecting the type of vehicle parameter to be monitored and a vehicle model, a corresponding configuration of the array 16 and a corresponding data acquisition program is obtained.
The programming unit 19 further comprises an interface 21 adapted to allow a user to select the type of diagnostic parameter to be acquired and the vehicle model to which the automotive diagnostic module 1 is intended to be connected; a communication unit 23 communicating with the automotive diagnostic module 1 by means of the communication system 20, and a central control unit 24 configured to determine the configuration of the array 16 in the memory module 22 and the data acquisition program associated with the type of parameter and with the vehicle model, so as to generate and transmit the signal PRO to the automotive diagnostic module 1.
The automotive diagnostic module 1, i.e. the storage module, may be configured so as to essentially implement three operative steps: a step of programming, in which a configuration of array 16 is implemented to prepare the automotive diagnostic module 1 to correctly read the vehicle model parameters (as shown in figure 2); a step of acquiring data, in which the automotive diagnostic module 1 is connected to the diagnostic socket 2 to acquire the parameters (as shown in figure 1); and a step of analyzing data, during which the automotive diagnostic module 1 communicates data acquired by the test apparatus 4.
Figure 4 shows the operations implemented during the step of programming the automotive diagnostic module 1, i.e. the on-board storage module.
The step of selecting the type of diagnostic parameters and the vehicle model (block 100) through the user interface 21 of the programming unit 19 is firstly carried out.
At this point, the central control unit 24 of the programming unit 19 determines the memory module 22, the configuration of the operations, and the data acquisition program according to the selected parameter type and vehicle model (block 110). The central control unit 24 of the programming unit 19 controls the transmission of the PRO signal containing the determined operation configuration and data acquisition program (block 120).
At this point, the automotive diagnostic module 1 receives the PRO signal and generates the COMi commands according thereto, which configure the array 16 (block 130) thus determining the connections between the communication pins 15 and the connection pins 13 of the connection socket 12 (block 140). The automotive diagnostic module 1 further stores and configures the data acquisition program in the memory module 7 according to the PRO signal (block 150), thereby ending its programming.
From the above it is worth noting that the step of programming may preferably occur before the step of acquiring data. However, the automotive diagnostic module 1 may temporarily interrupt the step of acquiring data in progress whenever a PRO signal is received, in order to carry out the aforesaid step of programming and then resume the parameter acquisition according to the new set configuration. This procedure may allow to acquire new types of vehicle diagnostic parameters in real time, for example.
The step of acquiring data includes connecting the on-board automotive diagnostic module 1 to the diagnostic socket 2, and communicating data to the diagnostic system 3. In particular, during this step, the control module 14 implements the stored data acquisition program. In this case, the data acquisition program includes implementing a given communication protocol through one or more communication pins 15 so as to correctly read the parameters by means of the connection pins 13 connected to the communication pins 15 themselves by the array 16.
The on-board automotive diagnostic module 1 further preferably includes, upon the reception of a data request command, communicating the parameters acquired to the test apparatus 4.
The on-board automotive diagnostic module described above is highly advantageous. Being programmable, the automotive diagnostic module is compatible for acquiring vehicle diagnostic parameters independently from the type of motor vehicle.
It is finally apparent that changes and variations may be made to the on-board automotive diagnostic module described above, without departing from the scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.
In particular, the embodiment shown in figures 5 and 6 relates to an on-board automotive diagnostic module 25, which is similar to the on-board automotive diagnostic module 1, the component parts of which are indicated, where possible, using the same reference numbers which indentify corresponding parts of the module 1 itself.
The on-board automotive diagnostic module 25 differs from the on-board automotive diagnostic module 1 because the selective interconnection devices 17, instead of being reversibly actuated by the control module 14, are irreversibly actuated by an external operation carried out by the programming unit 19.
In particular, the on-board automotive diagnostic module 25 is provided with a configuration array 16 in which each selective interconnection device 17 is adapted to be opened/closed only once in a permanent, definitive manner by means of the programming unit 19.
In the example shown in figure 5, each selective interconnection device 17 is of the "normally closed" type, and is adapted to switch from a closing position, in which it connects a communication pin 15 to one or more connection pins 13 of the connection socket 12, to an opening operation obtainable by means of an external operation, in which the connection between the pins 12 and 13 themselves is interrupted.
For this purpose, the selective interconnection devices 17 comprise microfuses 35 or any other similar type of irreversible operating switch.
With reference to the embodiment shown in figure 6, the configuration array 16 comprises a series of programming terminals 30 adapted to allow a user to control the irreversible opening of the microfuses 35 by means of the programming unit 19.
In this case, in the embodiment shown in figures 5 and 6, the configuration array 16 comprises four programming terminals 30, a first programming terminal of which is connected to an intermediate node 31 present along the circuit connection line 32 of the pins 13 and 15. In particular, the intermediate node 31 is connected on one hand to a pin 15 through a signal conditioning line, and on the other hand, to a pin 13 through two circuit branches along which corresponding microfuses 35 are arranged.
A second programming terminal 30 is connected to an intermediate node 31 present along the circuit connection line of pins 13 and 15. In particular, the intermediate node 31 is connected, on one hand, to a pin 15 through a signal conditioning line, and on the other hand, to two pins 13 through two circuit branches along which corresponding microfuses 35 are arranged.
A third programming terminal 30 is connected to an intermediate node 31 present along the circuit connection line of pins 13 and 15. In particular, the intermediate node 31 is connected, on one hand, to a pin 15 through a signal conditioning line, and on the other hand, to three pins 13 through three circuit branches along which corresponding microfuses 35 are arranged.
The fourth programming terminal 30 is connected to an intermediate node 31 present along the circuit connection line of pins 13 and 15. In particular, the intermediate node 31 is connected, on one hand, to a pin 15 through a signal conditioning line, and on the other hand, to six pins 13 through six corresponding circuit branches along which corresponding microfuses 35 are arranged.
With reference to figure 5, the four programming terminals 30 are centrally arranged in the connection socket 12, in the space between the two rows of pins 13, and are configured to be connected to respective programming pins 30 provided in the programming unit 19.
In particular, the external programming unit 19 comprises a programming socket 27, the shape of which is substantially complementary with that of the connection socket 12, in order to be connected to the connection socket 12 itself in a stable but removable manner.
In the example shown in figure 5, the programming socket 27 comprises twenty programming pins, sixteen pins 40a of which are arranged on two parallel rows and are facing one another in pairs according to the same configuration of the connection pins 13 of the connection socket 12, so as to be connected with the latter while the remaining four connection pins 40b are adapted to be connectd with the corresponding four programming pins 30 of the configuration array 16.
The programming unit 19 is connected to the programming socket 27 and is configured to circulate an overcurrent upon command, by means of a circuit branch between a connection pin 13 and a programming pin 30, so as to cause the microfuse 35 arranged along the circuit branch itself to blow.
In particular, for example, the programming unit 19 may control the irreversible opening of the microfuse 35 by applying a predetermined voltage between the first programming pin 30 and the connection pin 13. Thereby, the predetermined overcurrent which, circulating in the circuit branch, causes the blowing and thus the opening of the microfuse 35 is generated. It is apparent that such an operation may be controlled to obtain the opening of any one of the remaining microfuses.
The programming of the array 16 of the automotive diagnostic module 25 may be carried out similarly to the programming of the automotive diagnostic module 1 according to the vehicle model and/or the required vehicle diagnostic parameters.
For this purpose, the programming unit 19 may be provided with a memory module containing the information related to the different configuration of the array organized in a completely similar manner to the information contained in the memory module 22 described above. The programming unit 19 may be further provided with a user interface 21 by means of which a user can impart commands for selecting the vehicle model and/or the vehicle diagnostic parameters, and/or commands for activating the programming step.
The programming unit 19 is thus configured to receive the model of the motor vehicle from the user and/or the vehicle diagnostic parameters selectable by the user, and it determines the programming to be implemented by the array 16 by means of the memory module.
In use, the step of programming the automotive diagnostic module 25 includes connecting the connection socket 12 to the programming socket 27. At this point, by means of the user interface of the programming unit 19, the user selects the vehicle model and/or the vehicle diagnostic parameters to be acquired by the on-board diagnostic system 3.
The programming unit 19 identifies 22 the configuration to be imparted to the array 16 in the memory module, according to the vehicle model and/or to the vehicle diagnostic parameters. Once the configuration has been identified, the programming unit 19 controls the irreversible opening of the microfuses 35, as provided for in the configuration itself. At this point, the automotive diagnostic module 25 ends its configuration and may be connected to the diagnostic socket 2 of the vehicle and start the acquisition of the vehicle parameters.

Claims

An on-board storage module (1) structured to be connected to an automotive diagnostic socket (2) of a on-board electronic system (3) of a vehicle and configured to receive and store vehicle diagnostic data and supply stored vehicle diagnostic data to an external electronic diagnostic apparatus (4);
said on-board storage module (1) comprising:
- storage means (7) storing the vehicle diagnostic data;

- a connection socket (12) configured to be coupled in a stable, but easily removable manner to said automotive diagnostic socket (2) and provided with a plurality of connection pins (13) structured to be coupled with corresponding pins of said automotive diagnostic socket (2);

- electronic control means (14), which are provided with a plurality of communication pins (15) and are configured to receive vehicle diagnostic data from said on-board electronic system (3) by means of said communication pins (15) so as to store the data in said storage means (7);
said on-board storage module (1) being characterized in that it comprises a programmable electronic array (16) comprising a plurality of selective interconnection means (17), each of which can be actuated to connect each of said communication pins (15) of said electronic control means (14) to at least one of said connection pins (13) of said connection socket (12).
An on-board storage module according to claim 1, wherein said electronic control means (14) are configured to:
- receive from an external programming unit (19) a programming signal (PRO) containing the opening/closing states to be controlled to said selective interconnection means (17), and a vehicle data acquisition program containing a communication protocol adapted to be implemented by said electronic control means (17) to communicate with said on-board electronic system (3) so as to receive vehicle diagnostic data;

- control the opening/closing of said selective interconnection means (17) according to said programming signal (PRO) and implement said communication protocol so that the electronic control means (14) receive vehicle data from said electronic on-board system (3);

- store vehicle diagnostic data in the storage means (7);

- communicate the vehicle diagnostic data stored in the storage means (7) to the external diagnostic apparatus (4), in response to a data request command.
An on-board storage module according to claim 1, wherein each selective interconnection means (17) is programmable to permanently and irreversible open by means of an external programming operation.
An on-board storage module according to claim 3, wherein said selective interconnection means (17) comprise microfuses (35).
An on-board storage module according to claim 4, wherein said connection socket (12) comprises programming pins (30), which are connected to respective microfuses (35) to allow one or more microfuses (35) to blow during a step of programming the on-board storage module (1).
An on-board storage module according to claim 5, wherein each programming pin (30) is connected to a connection pin (13) by means of a circuit line along which a microfuse (35) is placed; the circulation of a programming current between said programming pin (30) and said connection pin (13) causing the irreversible opening of said microfuse (35).
A system for programming an on-board storage module (1), which is structured to be connected to an on-board electronic system (3) of a motor vehicle by means of an automotive diagnostic socket (2) and is configured to supply stored vehicle diagnostic data to an external electronic diagnostic apparatus (4);
said system being characterized in that said on-board storage module (1) comprises:
- storage means (7) storing the vehicle diagnostic data;

- a connection socket (12) structured to be coupled in a stable, but easily removable manner to said automotive diagnostic socket (2) and provided with a plurality of connection pins (13) structured to be coupled with corresponding pins of said automotive diagnostic socket (2);

- electronic control means (14), which are provided with a plurality of communication pins (15) and are configured to receive vehicle diagnostic data from said on-board electronic system (3) by means of said communication pins (15) so as to store the data in said storage means (7); an electronic configuration array (16) comprising a plurality of selective interconnection means (17), each of which can be actuated to connect each of said communication pins (15) of said electronic control means (14) to at any one of said connection pins (13) of said connection socket (12); and in that
said system further comprises an external programming unit (19) configured so as to control the closing/opening of said selective interconnection means (17) according to the type of vehicle and/or to the type of vehicle diagnostic data to be stored.
A system according to claim 7, wherein said external programming unit (19) is configured to:
- store a plurality of data indicating a plurality of vehicle types, a plurality of configurations related to the opening/closing states to be imparted to the selective interconnection means (17) of said array for each vehicle type, and a plurality of data acquisition and storage programs, each of which is associated with a determined vehicle type; each data acquisition and storage program comprising a data communication protocol;

- generate a programming signal (PRO) containing the opening/closing states to be imparted to said selective interconnection means (17), and a vehicle data acquisition program containing a communication protocol, according to a vehicle type and/or to a type of vehicle diagnostic data selected by a user;
and wherein
the electronic control means (14) of said on-board storage module (1) are configured to:

- receive said programming signal (PRO) from said programming unit (19);

- control the opening/closing of said selective interconnection means (17) according to said programming signal (PRO) and implement said communication protocol so that the electronic control means (14) receive vehicle data from said on-board system (3).
A system according to claim 7, wherein said selective interconnection means (17) are programmable to permanently, irreversibly open by means of an external programming operation carried out by means of said programming unit (19), according to a vehicle type and/or to a type of vehicle diagnostic data selected by a user.
A system according to claim 9, wherein said selective interconnection means (17) comprise respective microfuses (35); said connection socket (12) comprising programming pins (30), which are connected to respective microfuses (35) by means of circuit lines;
said external programming unit (19) comprising a programming socket (27) shaped so as to have a shape substantially complementary to said connection socket (12) and comprising connection pins (40b) structured to couple with said respective programming pins (30); said external programming unit (19) being further configured to circulate an overcurrent upon command through a circuit branch between any one of said connection pins (13) and any one of said programming pins (30), so as to cause a determined microfuse (35) arranged along said circuit branch to blow.