Distributed diagnostic system
First Claim
1. A diagnostic tool comprising:
- a processing unit;
a vehicle communication interface;
a network communication interface;
an output device for communicating with a user;
a data storage; and
a diagnostic routine executable by the processing unit to (i) download data from the on-board computer of a vehicle, (ii) communicate with a remote host, and (iii) provide diagnosis information to the user;
wherein the diagnostic tool receives data from the on-board computer of the vehicle via the vehicle communication interface, and communicates with the remote host via the network communication interface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system diagnosing vehicle faults using a diagnostic tool capable of communicating with a remote host. Diagnostic data, vehicle data, and a diagnostic routine are stored in data storage of a diagnostic tool. The diagnostic data defines vehicle fault descriptions, corresponding vehicle fault symptoms, and corresponding repair instructions, and the vehicle data defines vehicle operation information. The diagnostic tool is capable of communicating with a remote host that can diagnose vehicle faults using the vehicle data, and send diagnosis information, including a diagnosis and repair instructions to the diagnostic tool. In response to receiving diagnosis information from the remote host, the diagnostic tool displays the information to a user. Advantageously, the system and method can allow the diagnostic tool access to additional computing power and external databases for diagnosing vehicle faults.
68 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A diagnostic tool comprising:
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a processing unit;
a vehicle communication interface;
a network communication interface;
an output device for communicating with a user;
a data storage; and
a diagnostic routine executable by the processing unit to (i) download data from the on-board computer of a vehicle, (ii) communicate with a remote host, and (iii) provide diagnosis information to the user;
wherein the diagnostic tool receives data from the on-board computer of the vehicle via the vehicle communication interface, and communicates with the remote host via the network communication interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A diagnostic system comprising:
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a remote host accessible via a network; and
a diagnostic tool comprising;
a processing unit;
a vehicle communication interface;
a network communication interface;
an output device for communicating with a user;
a data storage; and
a diagnostic routine executable by the processing unit to (i) download data from the on-board computer of a vehicle, (ii) communicate with the remote host, and (iii) provide diagnosis information to the user;
wherein the diagnostic tool receives data from the on-board computer of the vehicle via the vehicle communication interface, and communicates with the remote host via the network communication interface; and
wherein the remote host responds to the communication from the diagnostic tool by (i) diagnosing a vehicle fault and (ii) communicating information regarding the vehicle fault to the diagnostic tool. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of diagnosing a vehicle fault using a diagnostic tool, the method comprising:
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downloading vehicle information from the vehicle'"'"'s on-board computer;
determining whether additional computing power is required to diagnose the vehicle fault;
in response to the determination, establishing a connection with a remote host;
sending at least a portion of the vehicle information to the remote host;
receiving diagnosis information from the remote host; and
outputting the diagnosis information to a user. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification