Scan tool user interface

• US 20060027650A1
• Filed: 07/22/2004
• Published: 02/09/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Original Assignee: Innova Electronics Corporation (Innova Telematics Solutions)
• Inventors: Andreasen, Keith, Rich, David S. II
• Granted Patent: US 7,437,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/384
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005

Abstract

A scan tool is provided which comprises a housing which houses a display and six mode buttons. The scan tool is communicable with an OBD of an automobile and provides information retrieved therefrom to a user of the scan tool in an efficient and effective manner. In particular, the display displays a plurality of information on one screen. For example, the display may display information related to I/M Monitor Status simultaneously with MIL status, stored, pending or historical codes. Further, the scan tool allows the user to switch between modes by depressing the mode button of the desired mode without having to manually exit the current mode and manually enter the desired mode.

Claims

1. A method for assisting a user in retrieving relevant data on operating conditions of a vehicle from a vehicle'"'"'s computer using a scan tool with a hierarchical menu structure, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a menu structure comprising;

i. a first level of the menu structure which is a start up mode of the scan tool upon being connected to the vehicle'"'"'s computer;

ii. a second level of the menu structure having first and second modes, the first and second modes being respectively associated with first and second buttons; and

ii. a third level of the menu structure wherein a different set of operating conditions are associated with each mode;

b. entering the start up mode by connecting the scan tool to the vehicle'"'"'s computer;

c. depressing only the first button on the scan tool to enter the first mode and display data within the third level without any further user intervention, the data of the third level being vehicle operating conditions associated with the first mode;

d. depressing only the second button on the scan tool to enter the second mode and display data within the third level without any further user intervention, the data of the third level being vehicle operating conditions associated with the second mode; and

e. wherein switching between displaying data within the third level associated with the first and second modes does not require the user to scroll up to the first or second levels.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the scan tool and the vehicle'"'"'s computer is OBD (on board diagnostic system) II compliant.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein operating conditions associated with the first mode are pending codes and diagnostic trouble codes of an on board diagnostic system.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein operating conditions associated with the second mode are freeze frame data of an on board diagnostic system.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the entering start up mode step comprises the step of:

a. downloading diagnostic trouble codes from the vehicle'"'"'s computer to the scan tool;

b. generating a visual output signal in the handheld code reader, the visual output being representative of passed/failed/inconclusive status of the vehicle as determined from the downloaded diagnostic trouble codes; and

c. wherein the entering start up mode step consists essentially of the step of connecting the scan tool to the vehicle'"'"'s computer.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the visual outputs being representative of passed/failed/inconclusive status are green light, red light and yellow light, respectively.

7. A method for assisting a user in retrieving relevant data on operating conditions of a vehicle from a vehicle'"'"'s computer using a scan tool, the method comprising the steps of:

a. retrieving a first set of data on the vehicle'"'"'s operating condition from the vehicle'"'"'s computer, the retrieving a first set of data step consisting essentially of the step of depressing a scan tool display DTC button without any further user intervention; and

b. retrieving a second set of data on the vehicle'"'"'s operating condition from the vehicle'"'"'s computer, the retrieving a second set of data step consisting essentially of the step of depressing a scan tool display freeze frame button without any further user intervention.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of retrieving a third set of data on the vehicle'"'"'s operating condition from a vehicle'"'"'s computer, the retrieving a third set of data step consisting essentially of the step of connecting the scan tool to a vehicle'"'"'s computer connector without any further user intervention.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the third set of data is inspection and monitor status of an on board diagnostic system.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the first set of data is pending codes and diagnostic trouble codes of an on board diagnostic system.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the second set of data is freeze frame data of an on board diagnostic system.