Vehicular diagnostic tool with detachable memory and method of operation thereof
First Claim
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1. A vehicle diagnostic tool, comprising:
- a vehicle interface configured to be connected to a vehicle and to communicate with the vehicle;
a processor configured to perform a diagnostic test on a system within the vehicle by communicating with the vehicle through the vehicle interface;
a removable memory device configured to store data collected during the diagnostic test and to store special technical instructions that provides information to a technician about future testing of the vehicle, wherein the removable memory device is retained by an owner of the vehicle after the diagnostic test has been performed; and
a data storage interface electronically connected to the processor and configured to receive the removable memory device.
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Abstract
A vehicle diagnostic tool configured to interface with a removable memory device. The removable memory device is configured to store information about the vehicle such as, for example, the maintenance history of the vehicle and notes or special instructions from one or more mechanics having performed the maintenance. The memory device, once disengaged from the diagnostic tool, is given to the vehicle'"'"'s owner for safekeeping and may be incorporated in a key, fob or other device that the owner would often have available when operating the vehicle. Also, a method of collecting and storing vehicle data is also provided.
2 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A vehicle diagnostic tool, comprising:
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a vehicle interface configured to be connected to a vehicle and to communicate with the vehicle; a processor configured to perform a diagnostic test on a system within the vehicle by communicating with the vehicle through the vehicle interface; a removable memory device configured to store data collected during the diagnostic test and to store special technical instructions that provides information to a technician about future testing of the vehicle, wherein the removable memory device is retained by an owner of the vehicle after the diagnostic test has been performed; and a data storage interface electronically connected to the processor and configured to receive the removable memory device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of storing vehicle data, the method comprising:
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performing a diagnostic test on a vehicle system using a vehicle diagnostic tool; storing information related to the diagnostic test and special technical instructions that provides information to a technician about future testing of the vehicle on a removable memory device that is removably engaged with the vehicle diagnostic tool; and providing the removable memory device to an operator of the vehicle after the diagnostic test has been completed and the information having been stored on the removable memory device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A vehicle diagnostic tool, comprising:
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means for interfacing configured to be connected to a vehicle and to communicate with the vehicle; means for processing configured to perform a diagnostic test on a system within the vehicle by communicating with the vehicle through the means for interfacing; means for storing configured to store data collected during the diagnostic test and to store special technical instructions that provides information to a technician about future testing of the vehicle, wherein the means for storing is retained by an owner of the vehicle after the diagnostic test has been performed; and means for receiving electronically connected to the means for processing and configured to receive the means for storing.
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Specification