Off-board tool with optical scanner
First Claim
1. An off-board tool (OBT) comprising a processor and in circuit communication with:
- a) vehicle communication circuitry for linking to a vehicle diagnostic system and obtaining vehicle identification information;
b) an optical scanner for optically obtaining vehicle information including a vehicle identification number (VIN);
c) memory; and
d) an output device;
wherein the memory comprises logic for causing the OBT to link with the vehicle diagnostic system, logic for retrieving diagnostic data from the vehicle diagnostic system and logic for causing the optical scanner to optically obtain vehicle information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Exemplary embodiments of an improved OBT are provided. General concepts of the invention include an OBT combined with an optical scanner. In one embodiment, the OBT includes a housing that at least partially retains a processor; vehicle communication circuitry for linking to a vehicle diagnostic system, and an optical reader for optically obtaining additional information. Another exemplary embodiment includes an OBT used in conjunction with a bar code scanner and/or a camera. In addition, a method of obtaining diagnostic data from the vehicle diagnostic system and optically obtaining information using an off-board device is provided.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. An off-board tool (OBT) comprising a processor and in circuit communication with:
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a) vehicle communication circuitry for linking to a vehicle diagnostic system and obtaining vehicle identification information;
b) an optical scanner for optically obtaining vehicle information including a vehicle identification number (VIN);
c) memory; and
d) an output device;
wherein the memory comprises logic for causing the OBT to link with the vehicle diagnostic system, logic for retrieving diagnostic data from the vehicle diagnostic system and logic for causing the optical scanner to optically obtain vehicle information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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4. (canceled)
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18. An automotive diagnostic tool comprising:
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a) a processor;
b) means for retrieving at least one bit of data from a vehicle diagnostic system including vehicle identification information;
c) means for optically obtaining at least one piece of vehicle specific information including a vehicle identification number (VIN); and
d) memory;
wherein the processor, the means for retrieving at least one bit of data from a vehicle diagnostic system, the means for optically obtaining at least one piece of vehicle specific information and the memory are in circuit communication with one another. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of performing a test on a vehicle having a vehicle diagnostic system comprising:
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optically scanning vehicle information including a vehicle identification number using an off-board tool (OBT);
establishing circuit communication between the OBT and the vehicle diagnostic system;
requesting at least one bit of data from the vehicle diagnostic system;
receiving the at least one bit of data from the vehicle diagnostic system regarding identification of the vehicle;
providing an output as a function of the at least one bit of data; and
providing an output as a function of the optically scanned vehicle information obtained. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of performing a test on a vehicle having a vehicle diagnostic system comprising:
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optically scanning vehicle information using an off-board tool (OBT);
establishing circuit communication between the OBT and the vehicle diagnostic system;
requesting at least one bit of data from the vehicle diagnostic system;
receiving the at least one bit of data from the vehicle diagnostic system;
providing an output as a function of the at least one bit of data;
providing an output as a function of the optically scanned vehicle information obtained, wherein optically scanning vehicle information using an OBT comprises optically scanning vehicle specific information with a camera, and storing an image of the malfunction indication light.
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31. A method of performing a test on a vehicle having a vehicle diagnostic system comprising:
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optically scanning vehicle information using an off-board tool (OBT);
establishing circuit communication between the OBT and the vehicle diagnostic system;
requesting at least one bit of data from the vehicle diagnostic system;
receiving the at least one bit of data from the vehicle diagnostic system;
providing an output as a function of the at least one bit of data;
providing an output as a function of the optically scanned vehicle information obtained, wherein optically scanning vehicle information using an OBT comprises optically scanning vehicle specific information with a camera, and storing an image of a part that has been tampered with.
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32. A method of performing a test on a vehicle having a vehicle diagnostic system comprising:
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optically scanning vehicle information using an off-board tool (OBT);
establishing circuit communication between the OBT and the vehicle diagnostic system;
requesting at least one bit of data from the vehicle diagnostic system;
receiving the at least one bit of data from the vehicle diagnostic system;
providing an output as a function of the at least one bit of data;
providing an output as a function of the optically scanned vehicle information obtained, wherein optically scanning vehicle information using an OBT comprises optically scanning vehicle specific information with a camera, and obtaining an image of a part that is difficult to see.
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Specification