Programmable function key on wireless OBDII interface

• US 8,296,008 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2008
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Sampson, Dan, Webster, Thomas L., Mattox, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Olsen, Lin B
• Application Number:
  US12/048,719
• Publication Number:
  US 20080228344A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,684 Days
• Field of Search: 701/33
• US Class Current: 701/31.5
• 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

Abstract

A vehicle diagnostic device is provided that includes a programmable function to control a function on an emission computer workstation. The function key can be programmed to interact and manipulate with the workstation. The vehicle diagnostic device allows a user to wirelessly communicate with the workstation while located in the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle diagnostic device used in emissions testing, comprising:

a processor that controls the vehicle diagnostic device used in the emissions testing;

a memory that contains a software for use by the processor to conduct the emissions testing;

a communication protocol circuit in communication with the processor and communicates in a communication protocol of a vehicle;

a wireless communication module in communication with the processor and allows the vehicle diagnostic device to communicate wirelessly with a remote computing device;

a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) on a housing to indicate information to a user as to a state of the vehicle diagnostic device; and

a programmable function key that is programmable to run a function on the remote computing device.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising of:

a yes key in communication with the processor and configured to answer affirmatively to a question posed by the remote computing device; and

a no key in communication with the processor and configured to answer negatively to a question posed by the remote computing device.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the yes and no buttons are further configured to scroll through an information screen displayed on a display of the remote computing device when pressed.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the programmable function key is programmed to start an emission testing software on the remote computing device.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the programmable function key is programmed to display a menu of the emission testing software on the remote computing device.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the programmable function key is programmed to record on-board diagnostic II (OBD II) data from the vehicle when pressed a first time and to stop recording when pressed a second time.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the programmable function key is programmed to clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the vehicle.

8. The device of claim 4, wherein the programmable function key is programmed to display diagnostic information such as status of readiness monitors in the vehicle on a display of the remote computing device.

9. A method of controlling a remote workstation with a vehicle diagnostic device used in emissions testing, comprising:

receiving a first input from a programmable function button on the vehicle diagnostic device used in the emissions testing to start an emission testing software on the remote workstation;

displaying the emission testing software on a display of the remote workstation;

receiving a second input from the programmable function button to display a menu of functions of the emission testing software on the display of the remote workstation;

receiving a selection of various functions on the menu through the programmable function button; and

receiving a third input from the programmable function button to start the emissions testing.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving an affirmative input from a yes key that is configured to answer affirmatively to a question posed by the emission testing software; and

receiving a negative input from a no key that is configured to answer negatively to a question posed by the emission testing software.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving a first directional input from a yes key that is configured to scroll information in a first direction; and

receiving a second directional input from a no key that is configured to scroll information in a second direction.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving a first recording input from the programmable function button to record on-board diagnostic II (OBD II) data from a vehicle when pressed a first time; and

receiving a second recording input from the programmable function button for a second time to stop recording of on-board diagnostic II (OBD II) data from the vehicle.

13. A vehicle diagnostic device used in emissions testing, comprising:

means for processing configured to control the vehicle diagnostic device used in the emissions testing;

means for storing for configured to contain a software for use by the means for processing to conduct the emissions testing;

means for communicating configured to communicate in a communication protocol of a vehicle and is in communication with the means for processing;

means for wireless communication in communication with the means for processing and allows the vehicle diagnostic device to communicate wirelessly with a remote computing device;

means for indicating on a housing to indicate information to a user as to a state of the vehicle diagnostic device; and

means for programming function that is programmable to run a function on the remote computing device.

14. The device of claim 13 further comprising of:

means for responding affirmatively that is in communication with the means for processing and configured to answer affirmatively to a question posed by the remote computing device; and

means for responding negatively that is in communication with the means for processing and configured to answer negatively to a question posed by the remote computing device.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein means for responding affirmatively and means for responding negatively are further configured to scroll through an information screen displayed on a display of the remote computing device when pressed.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein the means for programming function is programmed to start an emission testing software on the remote computing device.

17. The device of claim 13, wherein the means for programming function is programmed to display an emissions testing menu of the software on the remote computing device.

18. The device of claim 13, wherein the means for programming function is programmed to record on-board diagnostic (OBD II) data from the vehicle when pressed a first time and to stop recording when pressed a second time.

19. The device of claim 13, wherein the means for programming function is programmed to clear diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) stored in the vehicle.

20. The device of claim 13, wherein the means for programming function is programmed to display diagnostic information such as status of readiness monitors in the vehicle on a display of the remote computing device.