Code connect information access
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
- a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool;
a memory that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, wherein the memory communicates with the processor;
a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, wherein the connector interface communicates with the processor;
a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, wherein the signal translator communicates with the processor;
a display having an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information including reported fixes stored on the database of the diagnostic tool, is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, wherein the display communicates with the processor;
an input device that includes a dedicated hardware button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and
a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, the signal translator, the input device, and the display.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein an indicator is indicated on a display if additional information is available for the retrieved DTC for a specific vehicle. The indicator can be shown on a screen showing a DTC in a freeze frame menu and freeze frame data list modes. With a press of a key or automatically, the diagnostic tool can access its database or a remote database to retrieve the additional information.
33 Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
-
a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool; a memory that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, wherein the memory communicates with the processor; a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, wherein the connector interface communicates with the processor; a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, wherein the signal translator communicates with the processor; a display having an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information including reported fixes stored on the database of the diagnostic tool, is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, wherein the display communicates with the processor; an input device that includes a dedicated hardware button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, the signal translator, the input device, and the display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
-
means for processing that controls functions of the diagnostic tool; means for storing that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, wherein the means for storing communicates with the means for processing; means for interfacing that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, wherein the means for interfacing communicates with the means for processing; means for translating that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, wherein the means for translating communicates with the means for processing; means for displaying having an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information including reported fixes stored on the diagnostic tool, is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, wherein the means for displaying communicates with the means for processing; a dedicated hardware button to retrieve the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and means for housing surrounding the means for processing, the means for storing, the means for interfacing, the means for translating, the dedicated hardware button, and the means for displaying. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A method of retrieving additional diagnostic information using a diagnostic tool, comprising the steps of:
-
retrieving a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) from a vehicle with the diagnostic tool; receiving an input of the vehicle'"'"'s information into the diagnostic tool with an input device of the diagnostic tool; searching a vehicle specific database that is stored on a memory of the diagnostic tool with a processor of the diagnostic tool to determine if additional diagnostic information including reported fixes is available for the DTC; displaying an indicator on a display of the diagnostic tool if additional information is available for the DTC based on the DTC and vehicle information; and receiving an input of a pressed dedicated hardware key on the input device to retrieve the additional diagnostic information, if the additional diagnostic information is available. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
-
a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool; a memory that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, wherein the memory communicates with the processor; a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, wherein the connector interface communicates with the processor; a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, wherein the signal translator communicates with the processor; an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information that includes reported fixes is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle; a display that displays the additional diagnostic information, wherein the display communicates with the processor; an input device that includes a dedicated hardware button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, the signal translator, the input device, and the display. - View Dependent Claims (26)
-
Specification