Off-board tool with programmable actuator

• US 20060149436A1
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Service Solutions US LLC (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Sheppard, Robert C., Bertosa, Thomas J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,086,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A programmable actuator having multiple programmable functions is provided. The programmable actuator may be used on an off-board tool. In accordance with an embodiment, an off-board tool, OBT, including a user-defined programmable actuator is provided. In accordance with another embodiment, an OBT includes a processor, an internal memory, a programmable actuator, program logic and perform function logic. In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method of actuating performance of a user-defined series of functions for a OBT is provided. The method includes the step of actuating a programmable actuator of the OBT with a single actuating action.

Claims

1. An diagnostic device configured to obtain information from a vehicle diagnostic system comprising:

an OBT having a user-defined programmable actuator.

2. The diagnostic device of claim 1 wherein the OBT is one of a scan tool or a code reader

3. The diagnostic device of claim 2, wherein the programmable actuator is programmed to effectuate performance of one or more functions upon actuation.

4. The diagnostic device of claim 3, wherein the one or more functions are selected from a list including one or more of read codes, I/M readiness, or erase codes.

5. The diagnostic device of claim 3, wherein the one or more functions are selected from a list including one or more of view data, freeze frame, pending codes, oxygen monitor data, or diagnostic monitor data.

6. The diagnostic device of claim 2, wherein the programmable actuator is programmed to effectuate performance of a plurality of functions upon actuation.

7. The diagnostic device of claim 1, wherein the programmable actuator is a button.

8. The diagnostic device of claim 1, further including:

program logic for programming the programmable actuator.

9. The diagnostic device of claim 7, further including:

perform function logic for performing functions programmed by the program logic.

10. An diagnostic device for obtaining information from a vehicle diagnostic system comprising:

a processor and internal memory;

a programmable actuator;

program logic for programming the programmable actuator, wherein a plurality of functions for the programmable actuator are created and stored in the internal memory; and

perform function logic for performing the plurality of functions, whereby the processor executes the functions upon actuation of the programmable actuator.

11. The diagnostic device of claim 10 wherein the programmable actuator is a programmable button.

12. The diagnostic device of claim 10 wherein the plurality of functions are selected from a list including one or more of read codes, I/M readiness, or erase codes.

13. The diagnostic device of claim 10, wherein the one or more functions are selected from a list including one or more of view data, freeze frame, pending codes, oxygen monitor data, or diagnostic monitor data.

14. The diagnostic device of claim 10, wherein the program logic includes creating the plurality of functions on a remote computer and uploading the functions to the diagnostic device.

15. The diagnostic device of claim 10, wherein the perform function logic includes performing the functions in the order set forth in program logic.

16. The diagnostic device of claim 10, wherein the program logic includes logic for selecting the plurality of functions for the programmable actuator from a list of functions.

17. A method of actuating performance of a user-defined series of functions for a OBT, comprising:

connecting the OBT to a vehicle; and

actuating a programmable actuator of the OBT with a single actuating action to carry out one or more user identified functions.

18. The method of claim 17, further including:

programming the programmable actuator with the series of functions.

19. The method of claim 17, further including selecting a series of functions from a list of functions.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the series of functions include one or more of the following:

read codes, I/M readiness, or erase codes.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the series of functions include one or more of the following:

view data, freeze frame, pending codes, oxygen monitor data, or diagnostic monitor data.

22. A method of programming a programmable actuator for an OBT configured to connect to a vehicle diagnostic system comprising;

entering into a programming mode;

selecting a desired function for the programmable actuator to implement; and

storing the selected function so that activation of the programmable actuator causes the desired function.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein entering the programming mode comprises activating the programmable actuator for at least a selected length of time.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the selected length of time is about 3 seconds.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein selecting a desired function comprises scrolling through a predetermined list of functions.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein scrolling through the predetermined list of functions comprises activating the programmable actuator for less then a selected length of time.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein storing the selected function comprises activating the programmable actuator for at least a selected length of time.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising connecting the ODT to the vehicle.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising activating the programmable actuator to cause the selected function to automatically perform the programmed function.