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First Claim
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1. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
- a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool;
a memory that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, the memory communicates with the processor;
a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, the connector interface communicates with the processor;
a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, the signal translator communicates with the processor;
a display having an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, the display communicates with the processor;
an input device that includes a button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and
a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, the signal translator, the input device, and the display.
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Abstract
A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein an indicator is indicated on a display if additional information is available for the retrieved DTC for a specific vehicle. The indicator can be shown on a screen showing a DTC in a freeze frame menu and freeze frame data list modes. With a press of a key or automatically, the diagnostic tool can access its database or a remote database to retrieve the additional information.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
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a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool; a memory that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, the memory communicates with the processor; a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, the connector interface communicates with the processor; a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, the signal translator communicates with the processor; a display having an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, the display communicates with the processor; an input device that includes a button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, the signal translator, the input device, and the display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
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a means for processing to control functions of the diagnostic tool; a means for storing that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, the means for storing communicates with the means for processing; a means for interfacing that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, the means for interfacing communicates with the means for processing; a means for translating that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, the means for translating communicates with the means for processing; a means for displaying having an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, the means for displaying communicates with the means for processing; a means for inputting that includes a button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and a means for housing surrounding the means for processing, the means for storing, the means for interfacing, the means for translating, the means for inputting, and the means for displaying. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of retrieving additional diagnostic information using a diagnostic tool, comprising the steps of:
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retrieving a diagnostic data code (DTC) from a vehicle with the diagnostic tool; inputting the vehicle'"'"'s information into the diagnostic tool with an input device of the diagnostic tool; searching a vehicle specific database with a processor of the diagnostic tool to determine if additional diagnostic information is available for the DTC; and displaying an indicator on a display of the diagnostic tool if additional information is available for the DTC based on the DTC and vehicle information. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
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a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool; a memory that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, the memory communicates with the processor; a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, the connector interface communicates with the processor; a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, the signal translator communicates with the processor; an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, the display communicates with the processor; a display to display that displays the additional diagnostic information; an input device that includes a button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, the signal translator, the input device, and the display.
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Specification