Method and system for retrieving diagnostic information from a vehicle
First Claim
1. An off-board device for establishing a communication link with a vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic system, comprising:
- an input device for inputting information regarding the vehicle, the information including a vehicle type for identifying a preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type;
a processor that processes information from the vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic system and configured to receive the information from the input device, compare the information from the input device to an exception list, determine whether the vehicle type is on the exceptions list, and if the vehicle type is on the exception list, identify the preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type before establishing a communication link with the vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic system;
a communication circuitry configured to communicate in a communication protocol with the vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic system, wherein the communication protocol is the preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type if the vehicle type is on the exceptions list, and to communicate with the processor a memory in communication with the processor; and
a display that displays information and is in communication with the processor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Exemplary embodiments of off-board tools (OBTS) may be used in vehicle inspection maintenance programs are provided. The OBT may include a processor, vehicle communication circuitry for linking to a vehicle diagnostic system, host interface circuitry for communicating with a host computer, and voltage determination circuitry for measuring a voltage through the vehicle diagnostic system. The OBT may include logic for storing a communications protocol used to link with a vehicle diagnostic system that is preferably used for re-establishing dropped communications links. In addition, the OBT may contain logic for testing at least one component of a starting and/or charging system of a vehicle. Still other embodiments may include logic for sending unsolicited messages to a host computer. Additional embodiments may include logic for determining the minimum number of messages that must be received by an OBT.
86 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An off-board device for establishing a communication link with a vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic system, comprising:
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an input device for inputting information regarding the vehicle, the information including a vehicle type for identifying a preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type; a processor that processes information from the vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic system and configured to receive the information from the input device, compare the information from the input device to an exception list, determine whether the vehicle type is on the exceptions list, and if the vehicle type is on the exception list, identify the preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type before establishing a communication link with the vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic system; a communication circuitry configured to communicate in a communication protocol with the vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic system, wherein the communication protocol is the preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type if the vehicle type is on the exceptions list, and to communicate with the processor a memory in communication with the processor; and
a display that displays information and is in communication with the processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An off-board system for establishing a communication link with a vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic system, comprising:
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means for inputting information regarding the vehicle, the information including a vehicle type for identifying a preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type; means for processing configured to process information from the vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic system and to receive the information from the means for inputting information, to compare the information from the means for inputting information to an exception list, to determine whether the vehicle type is on the exceptions list, and if the vehicle type is on the exception list, to identify the preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type before establishing a communication link with the vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic system; means for communicating configured to communicate in a communication protocol with the vehicle'"'"'s diagnostic system, wherein the communication protocol is the preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type if the vehicle type is on the exceptions list, the means for communicating communicates in a preferred communication protocol that was predetermined to work and associated with the vehicle type, and to communicate with the means for processing means for storing in communication with the means for processing; and means for displaying information and is in communication with the means for processing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification