Test procedures using pictures

• US 7,209,815 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2004
• Issued: 04/24/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Inventors: Grier, Jeff, Reddy, Sunil, Cancilla, Jim J., Hoffmeister, Vaclav, Trsar, Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Cuong
• Application Number:
  US11/024,241
• Publication Number:
  US 20060142909A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 701 32- 33, 701/29, 345/856, 717137-144, 382/305, 707/3, 340/438
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

A method for test procedures using pictures for a vehicle diagnostic system that includes providing text items, examining text items, accessing a database of picture items corresponding to text items, correlating picture items with at least a portion of the text items, replacing the at least a portion of the text items with the corresponding picture items, and displaying an image including at least one picture item.

Claims

1. A method for diagnosing a vehicle using pictures, the method comprising:

providing text items related to diagnosing a vehicle;

examining the text items to determine whether particular text items can be replaced with picture items

accessing a database of picture items corresponding to particular text items;

correlating picture items with at least a portion of the text items;

retrieving the correlated picture items;

replacing at least a portion of the text items with the correlated picture items;

displaying an image including at least one picture item; and

diagnosing faults related to a vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prompting a developer to select a portion of text items to be replaced with picture items from a database.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prompting a user with a choice of displaying text items simultaneously with corresponding picture items.

4. The method of claim 1,further comprising downloading picture items to the database of picture items.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein downloading picture items further comprises storing picture items to the database of picture items.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the database of picture items comprises animations.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the database of picture items comprises sounds.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the database of picture items comprises colors.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the database of picture items comprises factory procedure pictures.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prompting the user with a choice of toggling between text items and picture items.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein examining diagnostic text items further comprises:

recognizing text items with corresponding picture items;

prompting the user to choose between displaying picture items or picture items along with text items.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the text item is a test.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the picture item is a component picture.

14. A method for diagnosing a vehicle using pictures, the method comprising:

diagnosing faults relating to a vehicle;

providing diagnostic text items relating to a vehicle;

recognizing diagnostic text items, including identifying particular diagnostic text items for which to search for correlated picture items;

based on the identified diagnostic text items, accessing a database of picture items corresponding to diagnostic text items;

correlating picture items with at least a portion of the text items;

replacing the at least a portion of the text items with the corresponding picture items; and

displaying an image including at least one picture item.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the text items include tests.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the text items include information relating to faults.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the text items include solutions.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

prompting on the display device an option to toggle between text items and picture items.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

prompting a selection of which text items should be replaced with picture items.

20. A method for diagnosing a vehicle using pictures, the method comprising:

connecting to a vehicle;

executing a diagnostic routine for diagnosing faults relating to a vehicle;

in response to the diagnostic routine for diagnosing faults relating to a vehicle, executing a diagnostic routine for replacing text items with picture items;

providing diagnostic text items relating to faults;

accessing a database of picture items corresponding to the diagnostic text items;

correlating picture items with at least a portion of the text items;

replacing at least a portion of the diagnostic text items with the correlated picture items; and

displaying an image including at least one picture item.