Method and Apparatus for Identifying Related Fix Information and Parts Number

• US 20140088818A1
• Filed: 12/03/2013
• Published: 03/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Inventors: Bertosa, Thomas, Gessner, Michael, Fish, James
• Granted Patent: US 9,292,977 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29.6
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0639 Item locations
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005

Abstract

A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein a faulty part and its part number is determined based on a retrieved DTC for a specific vehicle. The part number may include the original manufacturer'"'"'s number and a generic equivalent manufacturer'"'"'s number (if available). The diagnostic tool can search a parts database of various parts suppliers for their pricing and location. The diagnostic tool can also provide suggested fixes to the user based on the retrieved DTC.

Claims

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

a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool and retrieves diagnostic trouble code (DTC) from the vehicle;

a memory that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool, the memory communicates with the processor;

a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to 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; and

a wireless communication port that communicates with a remote device and a remotely located parts database, wherein the processor accesses a part information stored on the remotely located parts database and use the part information to identify a first faulty part and a first faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC, and wherein the processor communicates with the remote device to search for the part at a parts supplier.

2. The tool of claim 1 further comprising:

a display to display information to a user;

an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information is available for the retrieved DTC; and

an input device that includes a button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present.

3. The tool of claim 2, wherein the additional diagnostic information include suggested fixes that are based on previous successful diagnose of a symptom that caused the DTC in the vehicle.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the processor further accesses the part information stored on the remotely located parts database and use the part information to identify a second faulty part and a second faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the processor accesses the part information stored on the remotely located parts database and use the part information to identify the first faulty part and the first faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC and on a vehicle identification number of the vehicle entered in an input device.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the processor accesses the part information stored on the remotely located parts database and use the part information to identify the first faulty part and the first faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC and on a category of the faulty part entered in an input device.

7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the identified first faulty part and first faulty part number information are forwarded to a mobile device.

8. The tool of claim 1 further comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS) that determines a location of the diagnostic tool, wherein the GPS is used to determine a location of a nearest part supplier to the diagnostic tool.

9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the faulty part number includes an original equipment manufacturer'"'"'s number and any equivalent generic part manufacturer'"'"'s number.

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

a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool and retrieves diagnostic trouble code (DTC) from the vehicle;

a memory that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic data, the memory communicates with the processor;

a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to 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; and

a wireless communication port that communicates with a remote device and a remotely located parts database, the wireless communication port receives a part information stored on the remotely located parts database and transmits it to the processor, which uses the part information to identify a first faulty part and a first faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC, and wherein the processor accesses the remote device to search for the part at a parts supplier.

11. The tool of claim 10 further comprising:

a display to display information to a user;

an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information is available for the retrieved DTC; and

an input device that includes a button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present.

12. The tool of claim 10, wherein the additional diagnostic information include suggested fixes that are based on previous successful diagnose of a symptom that caused the DTC in the vehicle.

13. The tool of claim 10, wherein the processor further accesses the part information stored on the remotely located parts database and use the part information to identify a second faulty part and a second faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC

14. The tool of claim 10, wherein the processor accesses the part information stored on the remotely located parts database and use the part information to identify the first faulty part and the first faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC and on a vehicle identification number of the vehicle entered in an input device.

15. The tool of claim 10, wherein the processor accesses the part information stored on the remotely located parts database and use the part information to identify the first faulty part and the first faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC and on a category of the faulty part entered in an input device.

16. The tool of claim 10, wherein the identified first faulty part and first faulty part number information is forwarded to a mobile device.

17. The tool of claim 10 further comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS) that determines a location of the diagnostic tool, wherein the GPS is used to determine a location of a nearest part supplier to the diagnostic tool.

18. The tool of claim 10, wherein the faulty part number includes an original equipment manufacturer'"'"'s number and any equivalent generic part manufacturer'"'"'s number.

19. A method of identifying a part of a vehicle using a diagnostic tool, comprising the steps of:

retrieving a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) from the vehicle with the diagnostic tool;

inputting the vehicle'"'"'s information into the diagnostic tool with an input device of the diagnostic tool;

searching a remotely located parts database with a processor of the diagnostic tool to determine a faulty part and faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC; and

displaying the faulty part number on a display.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the searching the parts database include searching for an original equipment manufacturer'"'"'s number and any equivalent generic part manufacturer'"'"'s number.