SCAN TOOL USER INTERFACE
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Accused Products
Abstract
A scan tool is provided which comprises a housing which houses a display and six mode buttons. The scan tool is communicable with an OBD of an automobile and provides information retrieved therefrom to a user of the scan tool in an efficient and effective manner. In particular, the display displays a plurality of information on one screen. For example, the display may display information related to I/M Monitor Status simultaneously with MIL status, stored, pending or historical codes. Further, the scan tool allows the user to switch between modes by depressing the mode button of the mode without having to manually exit the current mode and manually enter the mode.
66 Citations
18 Claims
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1-12. -12. (canceled)
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13. A method for assisting a user in retrieving and displaying relevant data on operating conditions of a vehicle from a vehicle'"'"'s computer using a scan tool, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. selecting a mode on the scan tool from a plurality of modes, each mode from the plurality of modes having a submenu with an associated set of data; b. retrieving and displaying a first set of data on the scan tool, the first set of data relating to the vehicle'"'"'s operating condition from the vehicle'"'"'s computer, the retrieving and displaying a first set of data step consisting essentially of the step of selecting a scan tool display first mode without any further user intervention; c. retrieving and displaying a second set of data on the scan tool, the second set of data relating to the vehicle'"'"'s operating condition from the vehicle'"'"'s computer, the retrieving and displaying a second set of data step consisting essentially of the step of selecting a scan tool display second mode without any further user intervention; d. switching from the submenu associated with one mode on the scan tool from the plurality of modes on the scan tool to the submenu associated with a different mode on the scan tool from a plurality of modes by depressing a button corresponding to the different mode without any further user intervention; and e. wherein the scan tool display first mode is a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) mode and the scan tool display second mode is a freeze frame mode. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for assisting a user in retrieving relevant data on operating conditions of a vehicle from a vehicle'"'"'s computer using a scan tool, the method comprising the steps of:
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a. entering a start up mode by connecting the scan tool to the vehicle'"'"'s computer; b. displaying vehicle year, make, model, engine and at least one of ignition status and malfunction indicator lamp status in response to connecting the scan tool to the vehicle'"'"'s computer; c. downloading diagnostic trouble codes from the vehicle'"'"'s computer to the scan tool; d. generating a visual output signal in the handheld scan tool, the visual output being representative of passed/failed/inconclusive status of the vehicle as determined from the downloaded diagnostic trouble codes; e. wherein the visual outputs being representative of passed/failed/inconclusive status are green light, red light, and yellow light, respectively; and f. wherein the entering start up mode step consists essentially of the step of connecting the scan tool to the vehicle'"'"'s computer.
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Specification