Method for updating vehicle diagnostics software

• US 7,272,475 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2004
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Gawlik, Thomas A., Zambo, Michael G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black; Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): Louie; Wae Lenny
• Application Number:
  US11/002,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20060122746A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/33, 701/35, 702182-184
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• 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 method for updating vehicle diagnostics software via a telematics unit is based on the occurrence of a service event as detected by the telematics unit. Upon the connection of a vehicle diagnostics device to a vehicle, the telematics unit receives a scan tool configuration data and a vehicle code. The determination whether the scan tool configuration is current based on the vehicle code is made at the telematics unit. Based on the determination, the call center sends an updated scan tool configuration data to the telematics unit. The telematics unit offers the updated scan tool configuration data to the vehicle diagnostics device for reprogramming.

Claims

1. A method of updating a scan tool, comprising the steps of:

receiving a scan tool configuration level supplied to a vehicle from a scan tool connected to the vehicle;

wirelessly connecting to a call center from the vehicle using a telematics unit on the vehicle;

accessing a scan tool database at the call center and determining whether a diagnostics software upgrade is needed by comparing the scan tool configuration level with information obtained from the scan tool database; and

in response to determining that the diagnostics software upgrade is needed;

providing the diagnostics software upgrade from the call center to the vehicle via the telematics unit; and

reprogramming the scan tool using the diagnostics software upgrade.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step further comprises receiving the scan tool configuration level as data transmitted to the telematics unit from the scan tool via a data link connector.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the accessing step further comprises sending the information to the telematics unit from the call center and determining whether the diagnostics software upgrade is needed by comparing the information and scan tool configuration level at the telematics unit.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the reprogramming step further comprises querying a service technician about the diagnostics software upgrade via the scan tool and upgrading the scan tool if the technician accepts.

5. A method of updating a scan tool, comprising the steps of:

connecting a scan tool to a vehicle telematics unit via a data link connector;

sending current scan tool configuration level data from the scan tool to the vehicle telematics unit;

establishing a wireless connection between the telematics unit and a call center;

accessing information from a scan tool database at the call center;

sending the information from the call center to the telematics unit;

determining whether a diagnostics software upgrade is needed by comparing, at the telematics unit, the information with the current scan tool configuration level data;

providing the diagnostics software upgrade from the call center to the vehicle if the diagnostics software upgrade is determined to be needed; and

reprogramming the scan tool using the diagnostics software upgrade.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the sending step is initiated by the scan tool.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the sending step is initiated by the telematics unit.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the scan tool configuration level further comprises software revision information.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein the reprogramming step further comprises querying a service technician about the diagnostics software upgrade via the scan tool and upgrading the scan tool if the technician accepts.