Method and apparatus for identifying related fix information and parts number
First Claim
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1. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
- a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool and retrieve diagnostic trouble code (DTC) from the vehicle;
a memory that stores software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information and vehicle parts, the memory communicates with the processor;
a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to the vehicle, 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, the signal translator communicates with the processor;
a display to display information to a user, wherein the display is configured to display an indicator if additional diagnostic information in the memory is available for the retrieved DTC;
an input device that includes a button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and
a wireless communication port that communicates with a remote device having remotely located parts database, wherein the processor accesses a part information stored on the remotely located parts database and use the part information to identify a first faulty part and a first faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC, and wherein the processor with the remote device to search searches for the first faulty part at a parts supplier.
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Abstract
A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein a faulty part and its part number is determined based on a retrieved DTC for a specific vehicle. The part number may include the original manufacturer'"'"'s number and a generic equivalent manufacturer'"'"'s number (if available). The diagnostic tool can search a parts database of various parts suppliers for their pricing and location. The diagnostic tool can also provide suggested fixes to the user based on the retrieved DTC.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
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a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool and retrieve diagnostic trouble code (DTC) from the vehicle; a memory that stores software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information and vehicle parts, the memory communicates with the processor; a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to the vehicle, 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, the signal translator communicates with the processor; a display to display information to a user, wherein the display is configured to display an indicator if additional diagnostic information in the memory is available for the retrieved DTC; an input device that includes a button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and a wireless communication port that communicates with a remote device having remotely located parts database, wherein the processor accesses a part information stored on the remotely located parts database and use the part information to identify a first faulty part and a first faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC, and wherein the processor with the remote device to search searches for the first faulty part at a parts supplier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
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a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool and retrieve diagnostic trouble code (DTC) from the vehicle; a memory that stores software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic data and parts, the memory communicates with the processor; a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to the vehicle, 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, the signal translator communicates with the processor; a display to display information to a user, wherein the display is configured to display an indicator if additional diagnostic information is available in the memory for the retrieved DTC; an input device that includes a button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and a wireless communication port that communicates with a remote device having a remotely located parts database, the wireless communication port receives a part information stored on the remotely located parts database and transmits it to the processor, which uses the part information to identify a first faulty part and a first faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC, and wherein the processor searches for the first faulty part at a parts supplier. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of identifying a part of a vehicle using a diagnostic tool, comprising the steps of:
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retrieving a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) from the vehicle with the diagnostic tool; indicating on a display of the diagnostic tool if additional diagnostic information stored on a memory of the diagnostic tool is available for the retrieved DTC; inputting the vehicle'"'"'s information into the diagnostic tool with an input device of the diagnostic tool; retrieving the additional diagnostic information when a button on the input device is pressed; searching a remotely located parts database with a processor of the diagnostic tool to determine a faulty part and faulty part number based on the retrieved DTC; and displaying the faulty part number on a display. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification