Handheld Automotive Diagnostic Tool with VIN Decoder and Communication System
First Claim
1. A method of diagnosing a vehicle having an onboard computer and a vehicle identification number, the onboard computer configured to transmit the vehicle identification number in response to receipt of an identification request, the identification request being transmitted in a basic communication protocol, the onboard computer including diagnostic data being retrievable in response to receipt of a diagnostic request in a diagnostic protocol, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. connecting a scan tool to the onboard computer;
b. retrieving the vehicle identification number from the onboard computer;
c. matching the vehicle identification number with a protocol database including diagnostic protocols associated with vehicle identification numbers to determine the diagnostic protocol for the onboard computer;
d. re-configuring the scan tool to communicate in the diagnostic protocol;
e. transmitting a diagnostic request in the diagnostic protocol from the scan tool to the onboard computer;
f. receiving diagnostic data from the onboard computer;
g. transmitting the diagnostic data from the scan tool to a cell phone via a local connectivity circuit;
h. transmitting the diagnostic data from the cell phone to a main server via a cellular telephone network, the main server having a diagnostic database being arranged to map vehicle diagnostic data to a possible vehicle fix(es);
i. soliciting a bid from a repair shop to perform the possible vehicle fix; and
j. communicating the bid to the cell phone via the cellular telephone network.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Provided is a method of receiving data from a vehicle onboard computer. The onboard computer is configured to transmit vehicle identification data in response to receipt of an identification request, which is transmitted in a basic communication protocol. The onboard computer is further configured to transmit private operational data in response to receipt of a private data request. The private data request is transmitted in a diagnostic protocol. The method includes connecting a scan tool to the onboard computer, and polling the onboard computer to identify the basic communication protocol. The identification request is then transmitted to the onboard computer. Vehicle identification data is subsequently received from the onboard computer. A protocol database having a plurality of diagnostic protocols is then accessed. Each diagnostic protocol is associated with respective vehicle identification data. The diagnostic protocol is then determined based on the received vehicle identification data.
-
Citations
22 Claims
-
1. A method of diagnosing a vehicle having an onboard computer and a vehicle identification number, the onboard computer configured to transmit the vehicle identification number in response to receipt of an identification request, the identification request being transmitted in a basic communication protocol, the onboard computer including diagnostic data being retrievable in response to receipt of a diagnostic request in a diagnostic protocol, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a. connecting a scan tool to the onboard computer; b. retrieving the vehicle identification number from the onboard computer; c. matching the vehicle identification number with a protocol database including diagnostic protocols associated with vehicle identification numbers to determine the diagnostic protocol for the onboard computer; d. re-configuring the scan tool to communicate in the diagnostic protocol; e. transmitting a diagnostic request in the diagnostic protocol from the scan tool to the onboard computer; f. receiving diagnostic data from the onboard computer; g. transmitting the diagnostic data from the scan tool to a cell phone via a local connectivity circuit; h. transmitting the diagnostic data from the cell phone to a main server via a cellular telephone network, the main server having a diagnostic database being arranged to map vehicle diagnostic data to a possible vehicle fix(es); i. soliciting a bid from a repair shop to perform the possible vehicle fix; and j. communicating the bid to the cell phone via the cellular telephone network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of diagnosing a vehicle having an onboard computer and a vehicle identification number, the onboard computer configured to transmit the vehicle identification number in response to receipt of an identification request, the identification request being transmitted in a basic communication protocol, the onboard computer including diagnostic data being retrievable in response to receipt of a diagnostic request in a diagnostic protocol, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a. connecting a scan tool to the onboard computer; b. retrieving the vehicle identification number from the onboard computer; c. matching the vehicle identification number with a protocol database including diagnostic protocols associated with vehicle identification numbers to determine the diagnostic protocol for the onboard computer; d. re-configuring the scan tool to communicate in the diagnostic protocol; e. transmitting a diagnostic request in the diagnostic protocol from the scan tool to the onboard computer; f. receiving diagnostic data from the onboard computer; g. transmitting the diagnostic data from the scan tool to a cell phone via a local connectivity circuit; and h. transmitting the diagnostic data from the cell phone to a main server via a cellular telephone network. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
-
-
18. A method of receiving data from an onboard computer located on a vehicle, the onboard computer configured to transmit vehicle identification data in response to receipt of an identification request, the identification request being transmitted in a basic communication protocol, the onboard computer further being configured to transmit private operational data in response to receipt of a private data request, the private data request being transmitted in a diagnostic protocol, the method comprising the steps of:
-
a. connecting a scan tool to the onboard computer; b. polling the onboard computer to identify the basic communication protocol; c. transmitting the identification request to the onboard computer in the basic communication protocol; d. receiving the vehicle identification data from the onboard computer; e. accessing a protocol database having a plurality of diagnostic protocols, each diagnostic protocol being associated with respective vehicle identification data; and f. determining the diagnostic protocol based on the received vehicle identification data. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
-
Specification