DOCKED/UNDOCKED VEHICLE COMMUNICATION INTERFACE MODULE
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A portable diagnostic tool system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a vehicle communication interface (VCI) configured to communicate with a data link connector on the vehicle and to receive diagnostic data from the vehicle; and
a diagnostic tool configured to receive diagnostic data from the VCI via a wired or a wireless connection, wherein when using the wired connection the diagnostic tool and the VCI are configured to provide power to each other and communicate with each other through the wired connection, wherein when the diagnostic tool and the VCI are disconnected from the wired connection, the diagnostic tool and the VCI are configured to continue to communicate with each other using the wireless connection and further configured to transition from the wired connection to the wireless connection without having to reboot the diagnostic tool or the VCI.
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Abstract
A diagnostic system that includes a vehicle communication interface (VCI) and a diagnostic tool is provided. When the VCI and the diagnostic tool are coupled together through a wired connection, the VCI and the diagnostic tool can communicate with each other and provide power, as needed, to each other. The VCI and the diagnostic tool can also communicate with each other wirelessly when they are not directly coupled to each other. The VCI and the diagnostic tool are configured so that communication is uninterrupted when going from the wired connection to the wireless connection and vice versa.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A portable diagnostic tool system for a vehicle, comprising:
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a vehicle communication interface (VCI) configured to communicate with a data link connector on the vehicle and to receive diagnostic data from the vehicle; and a diagnostic tool configured to receive diagnostic data from the VCI via a wired or a wireless connection, wherein when using the wired connection the diagnostic tool and the VCI are configured to provide power to each other and communicate with each other through the wired connection, wherein when the diagnostic tool and the VCI are disconnected from the wired connection, the diagnostic tool and the VCI are configured to continue to communicate with each other using the wireless connection and further configured to transition from the wired connection to the wireless connection without having to reboot the diagnostic tool or the VCI. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A vehicle communication interface (VCI) that links with a vehicle to collect vehicle diagnostic data, comprising:
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a processor that processes the vehicle diagnostic data; a signal translator that translates a vehicle communication protocol; a memory that stores the vehicle diagnostic data; a wireless communication interface configured to allow wireless communication with a diagnostic tool; a first connector that connects to a data link connector on the vehicle to receive the vehicle diagnostic data; and a second connector that allows the VCI to connect to the diagnostic tool, wherein when the VCI is connected to and communicating with the diagnostic tool via the second connector and then disconnected from diagnostic tool, the VCI will continue to communicate with the diagnostic tool via a wireless connection. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of communicating between a vehicle communication interface (VCI) and a vehicle diagnostic tool, comprising the steps of:
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connecting the VCI with the vehicle diagnostic tool through a VCI connector interface on the vehicle diagnostic tool; receiving vehicle diagnostic data from the vehicle by the VCI; communicating the vehicle diagnostic data from the VCI to the vehicle diagnostic tool; providing power as needed from the VCI to the vehicle diagnostic tool and vice versa; and maintaining uninterrupted communication via a wireless connection between the VCI and the scan tool when the VCI is disconnected from the vehicle diagnostic tool. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification