Use of automotive diagnostics console to diagnose vehicle
First Claim
1. A customer driven process of diagnosing and repairing a vehicle comprising:
- a) temporarily providing a customer with an automotive diagnostic tool;
b) receiving vehicle diagnostic signals from the diagnostic tool at a console;
c) accessing a diagnostic database from the console;
d) correlating the vehicle diagnostic signals to vehicle defect information in the diagnostic database;
e) generating a vehicle defect report based on the correlation between the vehicle diagnostic signals and vehicle defect information;
f) accessing a service database;
g) correlating the vehicle defect report with service information in the service database, the service information including data relating to the cost to provide services to correct vehicle defect conditions;
h) generating a service report based on the correlation between the vehicle defect report and the service information;
i) accessing a parts database;
j) correlating the vehicle defect report with parts information in the parts database, the parts information including data relating to the cost of vehicle parts needed to correct vehicle defect conditions at the automotive parts/service facility; and
k) generating a parts report based on the correlation between the vehicle defect report and the parts information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A customer driven process of diagnosing and repairing a vehicle. The process involves temporarily providing a customer with a diagnostic tool that can receive vehicle diagnostic signals from a vehicle on-board computer. The customer then uses the tool to upload diagnostic signals from the car, and returns the tool to the automotive parts/service facility. The vehicle diagnostic signals are communicated to a console, which then accesses a database(s). The database(s) includes information relating to the vehicle malfunction, the repairs needed, and the parts required to complete those repairs. The process also allows automatic scheduling of repairs and purchasing of parts from the automotive parts/service facility. Upon payment of any prescribed fees, the process outputs report information to the customer.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A customer driven process of diagnosing and repairing a vehicle comprising:
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a) temporarily providing a customer with an automotive diagnostic tool; b) receiving vehicle diagnostic signals from the diagnostic tool at a console; c) accessing a diagnostic database from the console; d) correlating the vehicle diagnostic signals to vehicle defect information in the diagnostic database; e) generating a vehicle defect report based on the correlation between the vehicle diagnostic signals and vehicle defect information; f) accessing a service database; g) correlating the vehicle defect report with service information in the service database, the service information including data relating to the cost to provide services to correct vehicle defect conditions; h) generating a service report based on the correlation between the vehicle defect report and the service information; i) accessing a parts database; j) correlating the vehicle defect report with parts information in the parts database, the parts information including data relating to the cost of vehicle parts needed to correct vehicle defect conditions at the automotive parts/service facility; and k) generating a parts report based on the correlation between the vehicle defect report and the parts information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification