Scan tool user interface

• US 7,437,227 B2
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Issued: 10/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Original Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Inventors: Andreasen, Keith, Rich, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Behncke; Christine M
• Application Number:
  US10/898,268
• Publication Number:
  US 20060027650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,545 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/32, 701/35, 701/33, 340/438, 340/439, 340/146.2, 714/100, 714/48, 714/25, 702/35, 345/905
• US Class Current: 701/35
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005

Abstract

A scan tool is provided which comprises a housing which houses a display and six mode buttons. The scan tool is communicable with an OBD of an automobile and provides information retrieved therefrom to a user of the scan tool in an efficient and effective manner. In particular, the display displays a plurality of information on one screen. For example, the display may display information related to I/M Monitor Status simultaneously with MIL status, stored, pending or historical codes. Further, the scan tool allows the user to switch between modes by depressing the mode button of the desired mode without having to manually exit the current mode and manually enter the desired mode.

Claims

1. A method for assisting a user in retrieving relevant data on operating conditions of a vehicle from a vehicle'"'"'s computer using a handheld scan tool with a hierarchical menu structure, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a menu structure in the scan tool comprising;

i. a first level of the menu structure which is a start up mode of the scan tool upon being connected to the vehicle'"'"'s computer;

ii. a second level of the menu structure having first and second modes, the first and second modes being respectively associated with first and second buttons; and

iii. a third level of the menu structure wherein a different set of operating conditions are associated with each mode;

b. entering the start up mode by connecting the scan tool to the vehicle'"'"'s computer;

c. depressing only the first button on the scan tool to enter the first mode and retrieve data from the display data within the third level on the scan tool without any further user intervention, the data of the third level being vehicle operating conditions from the vehicle'"'"'s computer associated with the first mode;

d. depressing only the second button on the scan tool to enter the second mode and retrieve data from the and display data within the third level on the scan tool without any further user intervention, the data of the third level being vehicle operating conditions from the vehicle'"'"'s computer associated with the second mode;

e. wherein switching between displaying data within the third level associated with the first and second modes does not require the user to navigate a menu or a submenu; and

f. wherein the method proceeds independently of resources external to the scan tool.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the scan tool and the vehicle'"'"'s computer is OBD (on board diagnostic system) II compliant.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein operating conditions associated with the first mode are pending codes and diagnostic trouble codes of an on board diagnostic system.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein operating conditions associated with the second mode are freeze frame data of an on board diagnostic system.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the entering start up mode step comprises the step of:

a. downloading diagnostic trouble codes from the vehicle'"'"'s computer to the scan tool;

b. generating a visual output signal in the handheld scan tool, the visual output being representative of passed/failed/inconclusive status of the vehicle as determined from the downloaded diagnostic trouble codes; and

c. wherein the entering start up mode step consists essentially of the step of connecting the scan tool to the vehicle'"'"'s computer.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the visual outputs being representative of passed/failed/inconclusive status are green light, red light and yellow light, respectively.