Method of flash programming scan tools and pass thru devices over wireless communications

• US 7,979,178 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2007
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Bertosa, Thomas, Gessner, Michael, Koran, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu; Yonel
• Application Number:
  US11/790,746
• Publication Number:
  US 20080269975A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,537 Days
• Field of Search: 701 29- 36, 702182-184, 340/438
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C

Abstract

A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool includes a wireless communication circuit to retrieve diagnostic software from a remote computing device. When operated, the scan tool can determine if the loaded diagnostic software is appropriate for the vehicle under test. If not, the diagnostic tool can retrieve the appropriate diagnostic software from the remote computing device. The retrieved or second diagnostic software is then operated to reprogram the diagnostic tool to remove the previously loaded software and allow a user to service a vehicle.

Claims

1. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:

a processor;

a memory that stores a first diagnostic software that operates the processor to perform a diagnostic function;

a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle;

a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol;

a wireless communication circuit that communicates with a remote computing device to retrieve a second diagnostic software that is different from the first diagnostic software;

a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, the signal translator, and the wireless communication circuit

a global positioning system receiver coupled to the processor and housed within the housing; and

an altimeter coupled to the processor, wherein the altimeter provides an altitude information of the diagnostic tool.

2. The diagnostic code of claim 1, wherein the second diagnostic software communicates and retrieves diagnostic data from the vehicle when the first diagnostic software can not.

3. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the remote computing device is selected from a group consisting of a personal computer, a laptop, a server, and a computer located on the internet.

4. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the remote computing device contains diagnostic software for at least two vehicle manufacturer.

5. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the second diagnostic software received by the wireless communication circuit is saved in a random access memory.

6. The diagnostic tool of claim 5, wherein the second diagnostic software saved in the random access memory is operated to reprogram a read only memory and removes the first diagnostic software from the diagnostic tool so that a user can service the vehicle.

7. A method of operating a diagnostic tool for a vehicle, comprising:

connecting the diagnostic tool to the vehicle;

determining whether a first diagnostic software operating on the diagnostic tool is appropriate for the vehicle;

communicating wirelessly with a remote computing device to obtain a second diagnostic software if the first diagnostic software is determined to be inappropriate;

retrieving the second diagnostic software from the remote computing device;

storing the second diagnostic software in the diagnostic tool;

operating the second diagnostic software to diagnose the vehicle; and

providing location information via a global positioning system and an altimeter.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second diagnostic software is stored in a random access memory.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the second diagnostic software reprograms a read only memory on the diagnostic tool and removes the first diagnostic software from the diagnostic tool.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising displaying diagnostic information to a user on a display of the diagnostic tool.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the first diagnostic software is inappropriate when it can not be used to obtain diagnostic information from the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 7 further comprising inputting identification information for the vehicle into the diagnostic tool in order for the diagnostic tool to determine if the first diagnostic software is appropriate for the vehicle.

13. A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, comprising:

means for processing that is operated by a software program;

means for storing that stores a first software that operates the means for processing to perform a diagnostic function;

means for connecting that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle;

means for translating that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol;

means for wirelessly communicating that communicates with a remote computing device to retrieve a second diagnostic software that is different from the first diagnostic software;

means for housing surrounding the means for processing, the means for storing, the means for connecting, the means for translating, and the means for wirelessly communicating;

means for determining a global position coupled to the means for processing and housed within the means for housing; and

an altimeter coupled to the means for processing, wherein the altimeter provides an altitude information of the diagnostic tool.

14. The diagnostic tool of claim 13, wherein the second diagnostic software communicates and retrieves diagnostic data from the vehicle when the first diagnostic software can not.

15. The diagnostic tool of claim 14, wherein the second diagnostic software received by the means for wirelessly communicating is saved in the means for storing.

16. The diagnostic tool of claim 15, wherein the second diagnostic software saved in the means for storing is operated to reprogram a read only memory and removes the first diagnostic software from the diagnostic tool.