CODE EVALUATOR TOOL WITH URGENCY INDICATOR

• US 20150269795A1
• Filed: 06/08/2015
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLC (SPX Corporation)
• Inventors: Wittliff, William W., Biswas, Shilpi, Grabowski, Jennifer, Freshour, Phillip, Namaky, Hamid
• Granted Patent: US 9,424,695 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005

Abstract

A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool can be configured to communicate a message including indicators to indicate the condition of the vehicle using a database and the DTCs present in the vehicle. The message can indicate for each DTC retrieved from the vehicle, the level of repair urgency and whether the vehicle can be driven without damaging the vehicle through one or both of a display and a speaker.

Claims

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

a processor that processes a diagnostic data from the vehicle;

a memory that stores a database that provides a condition of the vehicle, wherein the database includes a plurality of stored diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and a level of urgency corresponding to each of the stored DTCs, wherein the corresponding level of urgency is determined from information related to vehicle service;

a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle in order to retrieve a stored DTC;

a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol;

a wireless communication circuit configured to communicate with an audio and visual system of the vehicle, the audio and visual system includes a display and a speaker;

an indicator that indicates the level of urgency and an action corresponding to that level of urgency for the retrieved DTC, wherein the wireless communication circuit communicates the indicator to one or both of the display and the speaker in the vehicle; and

a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, and the wireless communication circuit.

2. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the level of urgency informs a user when the vehicle should be serviced based on the retrieved DTC.

3. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the level of urgency includes three levels of urgency ranging from attention, caution and urgent repair needed.

4. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication circuit is configured to communicate directly with the audio and visual system of the vehicle.

5. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein diagnostic tool provides the indicator to the audio and visual system via the data link connector.

6. The diagnostic tool of claim 1 further comprising:

a user interface that includes a read button that also acts as a first scroll button and a back button that also acts as a second scroll button.

7. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the indicator indicates via a text message.

8. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the display includes one or more displays of:

a rear view mirror, a head up display, a navigation screen, an instrument panel, and a side view mirror.

9. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the indicator is also sent to a wireless computing device.

10. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication circuit is configured to be in wireless communication with a vehicle'"'"'s onboard computer.

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

a processor that processes a diagnostic data from the vehicle;

a memory that stores a database configured to provide a condition of the vehicle, wherein the database includes a plurality of stored diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and a level of urgency corresponding to each of the stored DTCs;

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

a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol;

an indicator that indicates the level of urgency corresponding to a retrieved DTC matching the stored DTC, and the indicator indicates an action corresponding to that level of urgency; and

a wireless communication circuit configured to communicate wirelessly with one or both of a display and a speaker in the vehicle.

12. The diagnostic tool of claim 11, wherein the wireless communication circuit is also in communication with one or more of a smart phone device, a global positioning system, a tablet, a personal laptop computer, and a PDA.

13. The diagnostic tool of claim 11, wherein the display includes one or more of:

a vehicle'"'"'s navigation screen, a head up display, a side mirror, a rear view, and an instrument panel.

14. The diagnostic tool of claim 11, wherein the wireless communication directly communicates with the speaker or the display.

15. A method of indicating an urgency repair level of a vehicle, comprising:

allowing, with a signal translator of a diagnostic tool, a communication between the diagnostic tool and a data link connector that communicates with a vehicle diagnostic computer;

retrieving a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) set in the vehicle diagnostic computer through the data link connector;

determining a level of urgency of the retrieved diagnostic trouble code from a database in the diagnostic tool, wherein the database includes a plurality of stored diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and the level of urgency corresponding to each of the stored DTCs, and wherein the corresponding level of urgency is determined from information related to vehicle service; and

providing to a user, through one or both of a speaker and a display, an indicator that indicates the level of urgency of repair condition for the retrieved DTC that corresponds to the stored DTCs, and wherein the indicator indicates an action corresponding to that level of urgency.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein database further comprises multiple levels of urgency including three levels of urgency ranging from attention, caution and urgent repair needed.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the DTC is retrieved automatically when the diagnostic tool is connected to the vehicle and the vehicle is powered on.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the diagnostic tool directly communicates with an audio visual system of the vehicle, the audio visual system includes the speaker and the display.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the indicator is displayed on one of a vehicle'"'"'s navigation screen, a head up display, a side mirror, a rear view, or an instrument panel.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein each stored DTC will have its own corresponding urgency indicator.