Diagnostic tool security key
First Claim
1. A method for preventing unauthorized downloading of software into a diagnostic tool, comprising the steps of:
- providing a first external storage device that is electrically coupled to the diagnostic tool, the first external storage device including a first security signature;
providing a second external storage device that is electrically coupled to the diagnostic tool, the second external storage device including software; and
downloading the software into an internal storage device of the diagnostic tool when a second security signature included within the diagnostic tool is the same as the first security signature included within the first external storage device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A diagnostic tool includes a security system which prevents the unauthorized downloading of updated software. In one embodiment, a first external storage device includes a first security signature and is electrically coupled to the diagnostic tool. A second external storage device includes software and is also electrically coupled to the diagnostic tool. When a second security signature located within the diagnostic tool is the same as the first security signature included within the first external storage device, the diagnostic tool downloads the software into an internal storage device located within the diagnostic tool. In another embodiment, an external storage device includes software and is electrically coupled to the diagnostic tool. Upon initial use, a first security signature which is the same as a second security signature located within the diagnostic tool is written by the diagnostic tool to the external storage device. Thereafter, if a user attempts to utilize the external storage device with a different diagnostic tool, that diagnostic tool will not run the software located on the external storage device.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method for preventing unauthorized downloading of software into a diagnostic tool, comprising the steps of:
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providing a first external storage device that is electrically coupled to the diagnostic tool, the first external storage device including a first security signature; providing a second external storage device that is electrically coupled to the diagnostic tool, the second external storage device including software; and downloading the software into an internal storage device of the diagnostic tool when a second security signature included within the diagnostic tool is the same as the first security signature included within the first external storage device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A diagnostic tool for communicating with a plurality of motor vehicle control units, the diagnostic tool preventing the unauthorized downloading of software into the diagnostic tool, the diagnostic tool comprising:
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a processor for controlling the downloading of software into the diagnostic tool; a first port for electrically coupling the processor to a first storage device, the first storage device including a first security signature; and a second port for electrically coupling the processor to a second storage device, the second storage device including software, wherein the diagnostic tool downloads the software into a third storage device located within the diagnostic tool when a second security signature stored within the diagnostic tool is the same as the first security signature included within the first storage device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method for preventing unauthorized downloading of software into a diagnostic tool, comprising the steps of:
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providing an external storage device that is electrically coupled to the diagnostic tool, the external storage device including a first security signature and software; and downloading the software into a memory of the diagnostic tool when a second security signature included within the diagnostic tool is the same as the first security signature included within the external storage device. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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27. A diagnostic tool for communicating with a plurality of motor vehicle control units, the diagnostic tool preventing the unauthorized downloading of software by the diagnostic tool, the diagnostic tool comprising:
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a processor for executing the software; a port for electrically coupling the processor to an external storage device, the external storage device including a first security signature and software, where the diagnostic tool downloads the software into a memory of the diagnostic tool when a second security signature included within the diagnostic tool is the same as the first security signature included within the external storage device. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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Specification