Code Connect Information Access

• US 20110246018A1
• Filed: 01/07/2011
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Inventors: Lancki, Alfred L., Roberts, Bob, Bertosa, Thomas, Gessner, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,788,137 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/32
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0428 Safety, monitoring G05B19/0423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24056 Portable, detachable module to input test signals, read test results
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24069 Diagnostic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24091 Display indication out of order, alarm indication
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2637 Vehicle, car, auto, wheelchair

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.

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, the memory communicates with the processor;

a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in 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 having an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, the display communicates with the processor;

an input device that includes a 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.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the additional diagnostic information include suggested fixes that are based on previous successful diagnose of a symptom that caused the DTC in the vehicle.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the additional diagnostic information include suggested fixes based on previous successful diagnose of a symptom that caused the DTC for that specific vehicle, and wherein the specific vehicle'"'"'s make and model were entered into the diagnostic tool.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the availability of additional diagnostic information is determined by the processor based on the DTC that is associated with a particular vehicle'"'"'s make and model.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the additional diagnostic information is stored at a remote location and is accessed by the diagnostic tool via a wireless connection.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the processor searches the database of diagnostic information for the additional diagnostic information based on the DTC and the vehicle'"'"'s make and model.

7. The tool of claim 1, wherein the indicator is an icon or an LED on the display.

8. The tool of claim 1, wherein the indicator can be displayed in one of the following functions:

a freeze frame mode, a DTC display mode, and freeze frame data mode.

9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the diagnostic tool includes a global position system that determines a location of the diagnostic tool.

10. The diagnostic tool of claim 2, wherein the suggested fixes include top fixes for the vehicle based on the DTC retrieved.

11. A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:

a means for processing to control functions of the diagnostic tool;

a means for storing that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, the means for storing communicates with the means for processing;

a means for interfacing that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, the means for interfacing communicates with the means for processing;

a means for translating that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, the means for translating communicates with the means for processing;

a means for displaying having an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, the means for displaying communicates with the means for processing;

a means for inputting that includes a button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and

a means for housing surrounding the means for processing, the means for storing, the means for interfacing, the means for translating, the means for inputting, and the means for displaying.

12. The tool of claim 11, wherein the additional diagnostic information include suggested fixes that are based on previous successful diagnose of a symptom that caused the DTC in the vehicle.

13. The tool of claim 11, wherein the additional diagnostic information include suggested fixes based on previous successful diagnose of a symptom that caused the DTC for that specific vehicle, and wherein the specific vehicle'"'"'s make and model were entered into the diagnostic tool.

14. The tool of claim 11, wherein the availability of additional diagnostic information is determined by the means for processing based on the DTC that is associated with a particular vehicle'"'"'s make and model.

15. The tool of claim 11, wherein the additional diagnostic information is stored at a remote location and is accessed by the diagnostic tool via a wireless connection.

16. The tool of claim 11, wherein the means for processing searches the database of diagnostic information for the additional diagnostic information based on the DTC and the vehicle'"'"'s make and model.

17. The tool of claim 11, wherein the indicator is an icon or an LED on the means for displaying.

18. The tool of claim 11, wherein the indicator can be displayed in one of the following functions:

a freeze frame mode, a DTC display mode, and freeze frame data mode.

19. The tool of claim 11, wherein the diagnostic tool includes a global position system that determines a location of the diagnostic tool.

20. The diagnostic tool of claim 12, wherein the suggested fixes include top fixes for the vehicle based on the DTC retrieved.

21. A method of retrieving additional diagnostic information using a diagnostic tool, comprising the steps of:

retrieving a diagnostic data code (DTC) from a vehicle with the diagnostic tool;

inputting the vehicle'"'"'s information into the diagnostic tool with an input device of the diagnostic tool;

searching a vehicle specific database with a processor of the diagnostic tool to determine if additional diagnostic information is available for the DTC; and

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.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the steps of:

determining if additional diagnostic information is available for the DTC in the vehicle specific database; and

displaying the DTC along with the indicator.

23. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of:

pressing a key on the input device to retrieve the additional diagnostic information, if it is available.

24. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of

retrieving the additional diagnostic information from a remote computing device.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the additional diagnostic information include suggested fixes based on previous successful diagnose of a symptom that caused the DTC for that specific vehicle.

26. 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, the memory communicates with the processor;

a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in 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;

an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, the display communicates with the processor;

a display to display that displays the additional diagnostic information;

an input device that includes a 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.