System and method for a diagnostic software service

• US 9,632,920 B2
• Filed: 05/04/2015
• Issued: 04/25/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Matco Tools (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Matco Tools (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Green, John, Biniak, Kimber, Katzenmeyer, Brian, Jones, Jason
• Primary Examiner(s): Wilson, Yolanda L
• Application Number:
  US14/703,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20150317243A1
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3688 for test execution, e.g. scheduling of test suites
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3692 for test results analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/127 Shopping or accessing services according to a time-limitation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0825 using optical means
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/084 using delegated authorisation, e.g. open authorisation [OAuth] protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/086 using security domains

Abstract

Systems and methods for a diagnostic software service that utilizes a subscription model to distribute diagnostic software to diagnostic tools. A diagnostic application is installed on a mobile device. The mobile device communicates with an adapter which can be coupled to a vehicle. An application server provides software modules that are available to be subscribed to by a technician and, once subscribed, can be utilized via the diagnostic application. Subscription to software modules enable the technician to add and utilize specific diagnostic functionality in an a la carte manner.

Claims

1. A mobile electronic communication device for use by a vehicle maintenance technician for motor vehicle maintenance, comprising:

a user interface;

a display; and

a processor coupled to computer-readable storage medium on the mobile device having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for a subscription software application for use in maintenance of a motor vehicle, the subscription software application, when executed by the processor, configuring the processor to;

output, on the display of the mobile device, a list of diagnostic software modules stored via an integrated module of the mobile device or an extension module of the mobile device, the list of diagnostic software modules available for utilization by the vehicle maintenance technician for analysis of vehicle data associated with the motor vehicle, with the available diagnostic software modules being adapted for utilization with a corresponding motor vehicle characterized by at least one vehicle characteristic selected from a group of vehicle characteristics comprising vehicle manufacturer, model, model year, intended country of use, intended country of sale and vehicle subsystem;

receive, via the user interface of the mobile device, a selection of a desired diagnostic software module by a user from among the list of diagnostic software modules;

receive a commitment of payment for access to the desired diagnostic software module;

communicate the selection of the desired diagnostic software module to a first system, with the first system being remote from the motor vehicle to be maintained;

communicate the commitment of payment to a second system, with the second system being remote from the motor vehicle to be maintained; and

receive the selected diagnostic software module, as a download, to enable operation, in response to an authorization signal, of the desired diagnostic software module, when located in a local area relative to the motor vehicle to be maintained, for generating an analysis result from an analysis of at least a portion of the vehicle data and for outputting the analysis result to the display.

2. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first and second remote systems constitute a single remote system such that the subscription software application configures the processor to communicate the selection of the desired diagnostic software module and the commitment of payment to the single remote system.

3. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the first remote system and the second remote system are two different remote systems.

4. The mobile device of claim 1, further comprising a communication interface for receiving data associated with a motor vehicle,

wherein the communication interface comprises a receiver configured to receive the vehicle data transmitted by at least one control unit of the motor vehicle.

5. The mobile device of claim 1, further comprising a communication interface for receiving data associated with a motor vehicle,

wherein the communication interface is configured to receive at least some of the vehicle data from data storage remote from the motor vehicle.

6. The mobile device of claim 1, further comprising a communication interface for receiving data associated with a motor vehicle,

wherein the communication interface comprises a receiver configured to receive at least some of the vehicle data associated with the motor vehicle transmitted by a vehicle communication interface operatively coupled to the motor vehicle.

7. The mobile device of claim 1, the subscription software application further configuring the processor to store the desired diagnostic software module on the computer-readable storage medium of the mobile device.

8. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the desired diagnostic software module is stored on the computer-readable storage medium of the mobile device, and wherein only when the mobile device receives the authorization signal is access granted for the use of the desired diagnostic software module via the mobile device.

9. The mobile device of claim 1, the subscription software application further configuring the processor to:

communicate, to a remote server, a request for analysis of at least some of the vehicle data by the desired diagnostic software module;

receive analysis results from the remote server at the mobile device; and

output the analysis results to the display.

10. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the authorization signal enables the operation of the desired diagnostic software module for a predetermined number of uses.

11. The mobile device of claim 1, wherein the authorization signal enables the operation of the desired diagnostic software module for a predetermined period of time.

12. Non-transitory, computer-readable storage media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for a diagnostic software service for use in maintenance of a motor vehicle, the computer-executable instructions comprising:

a first set of instructions for the diagnostic software service that, when executed by a first processor, configures the first processor to;

(1) display a list of diagnostic software modules available for use to analyze vehicle data associated with the motor vehicle and to generate analysis results adapted for use in maintenance of the motor vehicle, with the available diagnostic software modules being adapted for utilization with a corresponding motor vehicle characterized by at least one vehicle characteristic selected from a group of vehicle characteristics comprising vehicle manufacturer, model, model year, intended country of use, intended country of sale and vehicle subsystem wherein the list of diagnostic software modules are stored via an integrated module of the first processor or an extension module of the first processor,

(2) receive a selection of a desired diagnostic software module by a user from among the list of diagnostic software modules available, and

(3) communicate the selection of the desired diagnostic software module to a first system, with the first system being remote from the motor vehicle to be maintained;

a second set of instructions for the diagnostic software service that, when executed by a second processor, configures the second processor to;

(4) receive a commitment of payment for access to the desired diagnostic software module, and

(5) communicate the commitment of payment to a second system, with the second system being remote from the motor vehicle to be maintained;

a third set of instructions for the diagnostic software service that, when executed by the first processor in a local area relative to the motor vehicle to be maintained, configures the first processor to;

(6) receive vehicle data associated with a motor vehicle, and

(7) receive the selected diagnostic software module, as a download, and to operate the desired diagnostic software module to analyze the vehicle data to generate analysis results adapted for use in the maintenance of the motor vehicle; and

a fourth set of instructions for the diagnostic software service that, when executed by the first processor in a local area relative to the motor vehicle to be maintained, configures the first processor to;

(8) receive the analysis results generated from analysis of the vehicle data, and

(9) output the analysis results to a display associated with the first processor and adapted for viewing by vehicle maintenance technician personnel when located in a local area relative to the motor vehicle to be maintained.

13. The computer-readable storage media of claim 12, wherein the fourth set of instructions are executable by a processor of a mobile electronic communication device having a user interface and a display, the processor of the mobile device constituting at least the first processor.

14. The computer-readable storage media of claim 12 wherein the first set, the second set, the third set, and the fourth set of instructions are respectively stored on a computer-readable storage medium to be executable by a single processor constituting the first processor and the second processor.

15. The computer-readable storage media of claim 12, the computer-executable instructions further comprising a fifth set of instructions of the diagnostic software service that, when executed by a third processor, configures the third processor to enable operation of the desired diagnostic software module responsive to the selection of the desired diagnostic software module and the commitment of payment.

16. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for enabling operation of a diagnostic software module for use in maintenance of a motor vehicle, the computer-executable instructions comprising:

a software application that, when executed by a processor, configures the processor to;

output a list of diagnostic software modules stored via an integrated module of the processor or an extension module of the processor, the list of diagnostic software available for utilization by a vehicle maintenance technician for analysis of vehicle data associated with a motor vehicle, with the available diagnostic software modules being adapted for utilization with a corresponding motor vehicle characterized by at least one vehicle characteristic selected from a group of vehicle characteristics comprising vehicle manufacturer, model, model year, intended country of use, intended country of sale and vehicle subsystem;

receive a selection of a desired diagnostic software module by a user from among the list of diagnostic software modules;

receive a commitment of payment for access to the desired diagnostic software module;

receive the desired diagnostic software module as a download; and

enable operation of the desired diagnostic software module via a mobile electronic communication device having a user interface and a display, to generate analysis results in a local area relative to the motor vehicle to be maintained based on at least a portion of the vehicle data for output to the display of the mobile device wherein the software application is executable by the processor and the processor is a computer processor of the mobile device.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the software application further configures the computer processor of the mobile device to receive an authorization signal and to enable access to the desired diagnostic software responsive to the authorization signal.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the software application further configures the computer processor of the mobile device to receive, with a communication interface of the mobile device, at least a portion of the vehicle data transmitted from the motor vehicle.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the software application further configures the computer processor of the mobile device to obtain at least some of the vehicle data from data storage remote from the motor vehicle.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the software application further configures the processor to:

communicate the selection of the desired diagnostic software module to a first remote system; and

communicate the commitment of payment to a second remote system.

21. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the software application further configures to the processor to communicate an identifier associated with the mobile device to at least one of the first remote system or the second remote system to enable the operation of the diagnostic software via the mobile device.

22. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the first and second remote systems constitute a single remote system such that the software application further configures the processor to communicate the selection of the desired diagnostic software module and the commitment of payment to the single remote system.

23. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, wherein the software application further enables the processor to communicate a signal for authorization to debit an amount from an account of credits, constituting the commitment of payment, with a credit being exchangeable for access to the desired diagnostic software module.

24. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the software application further enables the processor to communicate a request to a server configured to support the operation of the desired diagnostic software module, the request instructing the server to enable access to the desired diagnostic software module via the mobile device.

25. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the commitment of payment is indicative of a monetary sum that enables a predetermined number of uses of the desired diagnostic software module.

26. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein the commitment of payment is indicative of a monetary sum that enables use of the diagnostic software module for a predetermined period of time.

27. A non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for a diagnostic software service hosted on a remote server for use in maintenance of a motor vehicle, the computer-executable instructions comprising:

a software application configured to be executed by a processor to enable the processor to;

receive a selection of a desired diagnostic software module made by a user, from a list of available diagnostic software modules, the list of available diagnostic software modules provided by the processor and stored via an integrated module of the processor or an extension module of the processor, with the available diagnostic software modules being adapted for utilization with a corresponding motor vehicle characterized by at least one vehicle characteristic selected from a group of vehicle characteristics comprising vehicle manufacturer, model, model year, intended country of use, intended country of sale and vehicle subsystem;

receive a commitment of payment for use of the desired diagnostic software module;

receive vehicle data associated with a motor vehicle;

receive the desired diagnostic software module as a download;

analyze the vehicle data in a local area relative to the motor vehicle to be maintained to generate analysis results via the desired diagnostic software module; and

communicate the analysis results to a display of a mobile electronic communication device and adapted for viewing by vehicle maintenance technician personnel when located adjacent the motor vehicle wherein the mobile device includes the processor.