Auto ID and fingerprint system and method thereof
First Claim
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1. A diagnostic tool, comprising:
- a processor that controls a plurality of functions of the diagnostic tool;
a memory that stores diagnostic software and software to operate the plurality of functions of the diagnostic tool, wherein the diagnostic software includes a vehicle information database;
a vehicle connector interface configured to connect the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in a vehicle under test, wherein the vehicle connector interface retrieves vehicle diagnostic data including partial vehicle identification data from an electronic control unit of the vehicle under test, the partial vehicle identification data from the vehicle connector interface including less than sufficient vehicle information necessary for identifying a vehicle; and
a wireless interface configured to communicate with a smart phone and receive inputs from the smart phone including additional partial vehicle identification data, the additional partial vehicle identification received by the wireless interface including less than sufficient vehicle information necessary for identifying a vehicle, wherein the processor is configured to automatically identify the vehicle under test by combining the partial vehicle identification data retrieved by the vehicle connector interface and the additional partial vehicle identification data received by the wireless interface and comparing the combined data to the vehicle information database.
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Abstract
A diagnostic tool that can communicate with a computing device such as smart phone is provided. The diagnostic tool can include a power management system that allows the dynastic tool to enter lower power state in order to prevent the power drain of vehicle battery. The diagnostic tool can also AutoID a vehicle or use a “fingerprinting” process to identify the vehicle. A crediting system is provided that can be used to credit a 3rd party for software purchased for use by the diagnostic tool or smart phone.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A diagnostic tool, comprising:
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a processor that controls a plurality of functions of the diagnostic tool; a memory that stores diagnostic software and software to operate the plurality of functions of the diagnostic tool, wherein the diagnostic software includes a vehicle information database; a vehicle connector interface configured to connect the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in a vehicle under test, wherein the vehicle connector interface retrieves vehicle diagnostic data including partial vehicle identification data from an electronic control unit of the vehicle under test, the partial vehicle identification data from the vehicle connector interface including less than sufficient vehicle information necessary for identifying a vehicle; and a wireless interface configured to communicate with a smart phone and receive inputs from the smart phone including additional partial vehicle identification data, the additional partial vehicle identification received by the wireless interface including less than sufficient vehicle information necessary for identifying a vehicle, wherein the processor is configured to automatically identify the vehicle under test by combining the partial vehicle identification data retrieved by the vehicle connector interface and the additional partial vehicle identification data received by the wireless interface and comparing the combined data to the vehicle information database. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 19)
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10. A diagnostic tool, comprising:
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a processor that controls a plurality of functions of the diagnostic tool including automatically identifying a vehicle under test; a memory that stores diagnostic software and software to operate the plurality of functions of the diagnostic tool, wherein the diagnostic software includes a vehicle information database; a vehicle connector interface configured to connect the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle under test, wherein the vehicle connector interface retrieves vehicle diagnostic data including partial vehicle identification data from an electronic control unit of the vehicle under test, the partial vehicle identification data from the vehicle connector interface including less than sufficient vehicle information necessary for identifying a vehicle; and a wireless interface configured to communicate with a smart phone and receive inputs from the smart phone including additional partial vehicle identification data, the additional partial vehicle identification received by the wireless interface including less than sufficient vehicle information necessary for identifying a vehicle, wherein the processor is configured to automatically identify a previous vehicle under test by combining the partial vehicle identification data retrieved by the vehicle connector interface and the additional partial vehicle identification data received by the wireless interface and comparing the combined data to the vehicle information database, and wherein the partial vehicle identification data retrieved by the vehicle connector interface includes nonstandard parameter ID mode 1, 5 or 9 and non standard I/M monitors unique to the previous vehicle under test. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20)
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16. A method of identifying a vehicle under test, comprising the steps of:
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storing, in a memory of a diagnostic tool, diagnostic software and software to operate a plurality of functions of the diagnostic tool, wherein the diagnostic software includes a vehicle information database; controlling, with a processor of the diagnostic tool, the plurality of functions of the diagnostic tool including automatically identifying a previous vehicle under test; retrieving, with a vehicle connector interface of the diagnostic tool, vehicle diagnostic data including partial vehicle identification data from an electronic control unit of the vehicle under test, the partial vehicle identification data from the vehicle connector interface including less than sufficient vehicle information necessary for identifying a vehicle; receiving, from a smart phone and with a wireless interface of the diagnostic tool, additional partial vehicle identification data which is less than sufficient vehicle information necessary for identifying a vehicle; identifying the previous vehicle under test by combining the partial vehicle identification data retrieved by the vehicle connector interface and the additional partial vehicle identification data received by the wireless interface and comparing the combined data to the vehicle information database, wherein the partial vehicle identification data retrieved by the vehicle connector interface includes nonstandard parameter ID mode 1, 5 or 9 and non standard I/M monitors unique to the previous vehicle under test. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification