Scan tool with integrated global positioning system

• US 20080195271A1
• Filed: 02/12/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Bertosa, Thomas, Gessner, Michael, Namaky, Hamid
• Granted Patent: US 9,208,627 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/002 for traffic control, mobile tracking, guidance, surveillance or anti-collision
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool includes a global positioning system. The diagnostic tool can provide diagnostic data, global position and altitude to the user. The diagnostic tool can alert the user or the owner if the tool determines that it has been removed from a predefined area. The tool retrieves data from the determined altitude so that the vehicle can be serviced for optimal operations at that altitude.

Claims

1. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:

a processor that operates a software having a database;

a memory that stores the software operated by the processor;

a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle;

a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol;

an input device for inputting information into the diagnostic tool;

a display that displays information to a user;

a global positioning system receiver coupled to the processor; and

a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, the signal translator, the input device, the display and the global positioning system receiver.

2. The diagnostic tool of claim 1 further comprising an altimeter coupled to the processor, wherein the altimeter provides an altitude of the diagnostic tool.

3. The diagnostic tool of claim 1 further comprising a global positioning system antenna coupled to the global positioning system receiver, wherein the global positioning receiver and the global positioning antenna provide a global position of the diagnostic tool.

4. The diagnostic code of claim 1, wherein the global positioning system receiver interacts with satellites and provides a location and altitude of the diagnostic tool.

5. The diagnostic tool of claim 2, wherein the database contains altitude related data for servicing the vehicle.

6. The diagnostic tool of claim 1 further comprising a wireless communication circuitry.

7. The diagnostic tool of claim 6, wherein the diagnostic tool is programmed to wireless alert a person when the tool is moved from a predefined location.

8. The diagnostic tool of claim 2, wherein the tool provides both diagnostic information and the altitude of the vehicle to the user.

9. The diagnostic tool of claim 4, wherein when the altitude of the tool is known, the processor automatically retrieves from the database data related to that altitude so that the user can service the vehicle for that altitude.

10. A method of operating a diagnostic tool for a vehicle, comprising:

linking the diagnostic tool with a vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic computer via the vehicle'"'"'s data link connector;

communicating with the vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic computer in a communication protocol;

retrieving diagnostic data from the vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic computer; and

determining an altitude of the vehicle with the diagnostic tool having a global positioning system receiver.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising alerting the user when the diagnostic tool is removed from a predefined area.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising alerting a remote device via a wireless communication circuitry when the diagnostic tool is removed from a predefined area.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the tool determines via the global positioning system receiver when it is removed from the predefined area.

14. The method of claim 10 further comprising retrieving altitude related data based on the altitude determined by the diagnostic tool so that the user can service the vehicle for that altitude.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

determining the location of the diagnostic tool with the global positioning system receiver; and

displaying the location, the altitude and diagnostic data via a display on the diagnostic tool.

16. A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, comprising:

a means for processing that operates a software having a database;

a means for storing that stores the software operated by the means for processing;

a means for connecting that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle;

a means for translating that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol;

a means for inputting that allows a user to input information into the diagnostic tool;

a means for displaying that displays information to the user;

a means for determining a global position coupled to the means for processing; and

a means for housing surrounding the means for processing, the means for storing, the means for connecting, the means for translating, the means for inputting, the means for displaying and the means for determining the global position.

17. The diagnostic tool of claim 16 further comprising a means for determining an altitude coupled to the means for processing, wherein the means for determining the altitude provides an altitude of the diagnostic tool.

18. The diagnostic tool of claim 16 further comprising a global positioning system antenna coupled to the means for determining the global position, wherein the means for determining the global position and the global positioning antenna provide a global position of the diagnostic tool.

19. The diagnostic tool of claim 16, wherein the means for determining the global position interacts with satellites and provides a location and altitude of the diagnostic tool.

20. The diagnostic tool of claim 16, wherein the database contains altitude related data for servicing the vehicle.

21. The diagnostic tool of claim 16 further comprising a means for wireless communication.

22. The diagnostic tool of claim 16, wherein the diagnostic tool is programmed to wireless alert a person when the tool is moved from a predefined location.

23. The diagnostic tool of claim 16, wherein the tool provides both diagnostic information and the altitude of the vehicle to the user.

24. The diagnostic tool of claim 16, wherein when the altitude of the tool is known, the means for processing automatically retrieves from the database data related to that altitude.