Diagnostic Tool With Smart Camera

• US 20120209470A1
• Filed: 02/15/2011
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Gilbert, Harry, Bertosa, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,989,950 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/31.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/434 using image data, e.g. images, photos, pictures taken by a user
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• 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

Abstract

A diagnostic tool that includes a smart camera. The smart camera can be used to capture an image of the part that needs to be replaced. The image can also include the bar code that may be attached to the part. The image can be used to search a parts information database for additional parts information such as part number, manuals, pictures, etc. A further search of a parts supplier'"'"'s database can be conducted using a location of the diagnostic tool to determine the nearest parts supplier that has the part available and the best price.

Claims

1. A diagnostic tool for 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 parts 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 that displays information including the part information, the display communicates with the processor;

a camera that takes an image of the part and communicates with the processor; and

a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, the signal translator, and the display.

2. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the image is a bar code on the part that can be used to search the parts information database.

3. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the processor uses the image of the part taken by the camera to search for part'"'"'s information in the parts information database.

4. The diagnostic tool of claim 3, wherein the part'"'"'s information include at least one of the following:

part number, part specification, part diagram, and part manual.

5. The diagnostic tool of claim 1 further comprising:

a wireless communication interface that communicates with a part supplier'"'"'s database to determine availability and pricing of the part; and

an input device communicating with the processor.

6. The diagnostic tool of claim 1 further comprising a global positioning system that locates a location of the diagnostic tool so that the location can be used to find the nearest part supplier store that has the part available.

7. The diagnostic tool of claim 6, wherein the nearest part supplier store has the best price for the part.

8. A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, comprising:

a means for controlling the functions of the diagnostic tool;

a means for storing a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of parts information, the means for storing communicates with the means for controlling;

a means for interfacing with the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, the means for interfacing communicates with the means for controlling;

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 controlling;

a means for displaying information including the part information, the display communicates with the means for controlling;

a means for imaging the part and communicates with the means for controlling; and

a means for housing surrounding the means for controlling, the means for storing, the means for interfacing, the means for translating, and the means for displaying.

9. The diagnostic tool of claim 8, wherein the image is a bar code on the part that can be used to search the parts information database.

10. The diagnostic tool of claim 8, wherein the means for controlling uses the image of the part taken by the means for imaging to search for part'"'"'s information in the parts information database.

11. The diagnostic tool of claim 10, wherein the part'"'"'s information include at least one of the following:

part number, part specification, part diagram, and part manual.

12. The diagnostic tool of claim 8, further comprising:

a wireless communication interface that communicates with a part supplier'"'"'s database to determine availability and pricing of the part; and

a means for inputting that communicates with the means for controlling.

13. The diagnostic tool of claim 8 further comprising a global positioning system that locates a location of the diagnostic tool so that the location can be used to find the nearest part supplier store that has the part available.

14. The diagnostic tool of claim 13, wherein the nearest part supplier store has the best price for the part.

15. A method of identifying a part, comprising the steps of:

obtaining an image of a part that needs to be replaced from a camera;

searching a part information database using the image for a part'"'"'s information, the part information database located on a computing device that communicates with the camera; and

identifying the part'"'"'s information from the part information database based on the image.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of:

searching a part supplier'"'"'s database for availability of the part; and

displaying the part'"'"'s information on a display.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of;

locating a location of the computing device with a global positioning system; and

searching for a nearest part supplier having the part available using the location.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of searching a nearest supplier having the best price for the part.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the display is on the camera or the computing device.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the image is a bar code.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein the part'"'"'s information include at least one of the following:

part number, part specification, part diagram, and part manual.