Diagnostic Tool with Global Positioning System and Alerts

• US 20120313771A1
• Filed: 06/09/2011
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions, Inc. (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Wittliff, William W. III
• Granted Patent: US 9,030,312 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/441
• 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 that alerts a user when a condition is exceeded. Examples of conditions include that the user is speeding during the test drive or has driven passed a defined area. The user can be alerted to such conditions. The owner of the shop may also locate the diagnostic tool by using a location server.

Claims

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

a processor;

a memory that stores a diagnostic software that communicates with the processor to perform a diagnostic function;

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;

a global positioning system receiver coupled to the processor and provides a location of the diagnostic tool; and

a wireless communication circuit that communicates with a remote computing device regarding the location of the diagnostic tool, wherein the processor alerts a user when a predefined event occurs.

2. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the remote computing device is a location server.

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

4. The diagnostic code of claim 2, wherein the diagnostic tool includes an identification number that is used to register the diagnostic tool with the location server.

5. The diagnostic code of claim 1, wherein the diagnostic tool includes an identification number that is used to register the diagnostic tool with a location server.

6. The diagnostic tool of claim 2, wherein the location of the diagnostic tool is discoverable by a user accessing the location server.

7. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the diagnostic tool displays on a display a speed limit of a location of the vehicle and a speed of the vehicle based on data from the global position system receiver.

8. The diagnostic tool of claim 7, wherein the diagnostic tool alerts a user that the speed of the vehicle exceeds the speed limit of the location determined the global position system receiver.

9. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the diagnostic tool alerts a user that he has travelled beyond a defined area based on the location of the diagnostic tool determined by the global position system receiver.

10. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein diagnostic tool provides locations of a test drive by the user determined by the global position system receiver.

11. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the predefined event is the vehicle is travelling faster than a speed limit or travelling beyond an area based on a location determined by the global position system receiver.

12. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the processor displays on a display a test drive route to a user in order to confirm a diagnosis or gather additional data for a diagnosis of the vehicle.

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

connecting the diagnostic tool to the vehicle to conduct a diagnostic test;

driving the vehicle to conduct the diagnostic test;

communicating wirelessly with a remote computing device a location of the vehicle; and

alerting a user of the diagnostic tool when a condition based on the location or a speed is exceeded.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the condition is the vehicle exceeding a speed limit for the location of the diagnostic tool.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the condition is the diagnostic tool'"'"'s location is not in a defined area.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the alert is a flashing of at least a portion of a display on the diagnostic tool.

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

means for processing;

a means for storing a diagnostic software that communicates with the means for processing to perform a diagnostic function;

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

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

a means for locating a location of the diagnostic tool, the means for locating coupled to the means for processing; and

a means for communicating wirelessly with a remote computing device regarding the location of the diagnostic tool, wherein the means for processing alerts a user when a predefined event occurs.

18. The diagnostic tool of claim 17, wherein the remote computing device is a location server.

19. The diagnostic tool of claim 17 further comprising an altimeter coupled to the means for processing, wherein the altimeter provides altitude information of the diagnostic tool.

20. The diagnostic code of claim 18, wherein the diagnostic tool includes an identification number that is used to register the diagnostic tool with the location server.

21. The diagnostic code of claim 17, wherein the diagnostic tool includes an identification number that is used to register the diagnostic tool with a location server.

22. The diagnostic tool of claim 18, wherein the location of the diagnostic tool is discoverable by a user accessing the location server.

23. The diagnostic tool of claim 17, wherein the diagnostic tool displays on a display a speed limit of a location of the vehicle and a speed of the vehicle based on data from means for locating.

24. The diagnostic tool of claim 23, wherein the diagnostic tool alerts a user that the speed of the vehicle exceeds the speed limit of the location of the diagnostic tool.

25. The diagnostic tool of claim 17, wherein the diagnostic tool alerts a user that he has travelled beyond a defined area based on the location of the diagnostic tool.

26. The diagnostic tool of claim 17, wherein diagnostic tool provides locations of a test drive by the user.

27. The diagnostic tool of claim 17, wherein the means for processing displays on a display a test drive route to a user in order to confirm a diagnosis or gather additional data for a diagnosis of the vehicle.