# US 11,029,813 B2 · System and method for providing an interactive vehicle diagnostic display

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- Number: US 11,029,813 B2
- Document ID: US11029813B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/542,276
- Filed: 2019-08-15
- Published: 2019-12-05
- Granted: 2021-06-08
- Earliest claimed: 2016-10-05
- Assignees: Snap-on Incorporated
- Applicants: Snap-on Incorporated
- Inventors: Patrick S. Merg; Todd Mercer; Roy Steven Brozovich; David Costantino
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11029813B2

## CPC

- G06F 3/04817: using icons (graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34)
- G05B 23/0216: {Human interface functionality, e.g. monitoring system providing help to the user in the selection of tests or in its configuration}
- G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
- G06F 3/04847: Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
- G07C 5/0808: {Diagnosing performance data (testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005)}
- G07C 5/0816: {Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction}
- G07C 5/0825: {using optical means}
- H04W 4/70: Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
- G06F 3/0483: Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
- G06F 3/0488: using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
- G06F 2203/04806: Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
- G06Q 10/20: Administration of product repair or maintenance
- G06Q 50/40: Business processes related to the transportation industry (shipping G06Q10/083)
- G07C 5/008: {communicating information to a remotely located station (transmission systems for measured values G08C)}
- G07C 2205/02: using a vehicle scan tool
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- G07C: TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

A client computing system (CCS) receives a download including (i) an image representative of at least one circuit in a vehicle, the at least one circuit including a first circuit configured for carrying a first signal within the vehicle, and (ii) symbol data associated with at least one symbol, the at least one symbol including a first symbol. After receiving the download, the CCS displays the image and the at least one symbol. The CCS then receives a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol. The CCS then responsively receives, from the vehicle, data representing value(s) of the first signal. The CCS then determines a first display-location at which to display the data representing the value(s) of the first signal. While the image and the at least one symbol are displayed, the CCS then displays, at the first display-location, the data representing the value(s) of the first signal.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system comprising:
a display;
one or more transceivers;
one or more processors; and
non-transitory computer-readable data storage comprising instructions executable by the one or more processors to cause the system to perform operations comprising:
receiving, from a server, a download including (i) an image representative of at least one circuit connected to or part of a vehicle component in a vehicle, wherein the at least one circuit includes a first circuit configured for carrying a first signal within the vehicle, (ii) symbol data associated with at least one symbol, the at least one symbol including a first symbol that corresponds to the first circuit, and (iii) a baseline value of the first signal, wherein the baseline value is based, at least in part, on a measurement of one or more comparable signals produced within one or more other vehicles that are a same year, make, and model as the vehicle, and wherein the comparable signals and the first signal are output by a common type of vehicle component;
displaying, on the display after receiving the download, the image and the at least one symbol;
receiving, while the image and the at least one symbol are displayed on the display, a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol that corresponds to the first circuit;
transmitting, to the vehicle by the one or more transceivers in response to receiving the first input, a request for data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle;
receiving, from the vehicle in response to transmitting the request, the data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle; and
displaying, on the display while the image and the at least one symbol are displayed on the display, the data representing that least one value of the first signal within the vehicle and the baseline value.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein displaying the data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle includes displaying the data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle within a threshold number of pixels to a location at which the first circuit is displayed on the display.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein:
the download further includes a first parameter identifier and an electronic control unit identifier, and
the first parameter identifier corresponds to one or more of the first circuit or the first signal,
the electronic control unit identifier corresponds to an electronic control unit within the vehicle that is operable to transmit a vehicle data message that includes the first parameter identifier and the data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle, and
wherein receiving the data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle occurs at least in part by receiving the vehicle data message from the vehicle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the vehicle data message that includes the first parameter identifier and the data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle is arranged according to a vehicle data message protocol selected from among a Society of Automotive Engineers J1850 vehicle data message protocol, a controller area network vehicle data message protocol, or a K-Line vehicle data message protocol.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein:
the one or more transceivers include a transceiver of a data link connector interface that is connected directly to a data link connector within the vehicle, and
the data link connector within the vehicle is arranged according to a Society of Automotive Engineers J1962 specification.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a digital volt-ohmmeter or a digital multimeter,
wherein the operations further comprise receiving data representing at least one value of the first signal from the digital volt-ohmmeter or the digital multimeter.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1,
wherein the download further includes (i) at least one minimum code setting value of the first signal and (ii) at least one maximum code setting value of the first signal, and
wherein the operations further comprise:
displaying, on the display simultaneously, the data representing at least one value of the first signal and the minimum and maximum code setting values.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1,
wherein the at least one value of the first signal comprises multiple values of the first signal,
wherein the multiple values of the first signal include a most-recent value of the first signal, a minimum value of the first signal, and a maximum value of the first signal, and
wherein the operations further comprise:
displaying, on the display simultaneously, the most-recent value of the first signal, the minimum value of the first signal, and the maximum value of the first signal.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1,
wherein the at least one circuit further includes a second circuit,
wherein the second circuit is configured for carrying a second signal within the vehicle,
wherein the image includes a first portion representative of the first circuit and a second portion representative of the second circuit,
wherein displaying the image includes displaying both the first and second portions of the image, and
wherein the operations further comprise:
displaying, on the display, a selection graphic associated with the second circuit;
receiving a second input corresponding to selection of the selection graphic associated with the second circuit;
receiving, from the vehicle in response to receiving the second input, data representing at least one value of the second signal; and
displaying, on the display while the image, the at least one symbol, and the data representing at least one value of the first signal are displayed on the display, the data representing at least one value of the second signal.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein:
the at least one circuit further includes a second circuit,
the second circuit is configured for carrying a second signal within the vehicle,
the image includes a first portion representative of the first circuit and a second portion representative of the second circuit,
displaying the image includes initially displaying the first portion of the image without displaying the second portion of the image, and
the operations further comprise:
displaying, on the display while initially displaying the first portion of the image without displaying the second portion of the image, a selection graphic associated with the second circuit;
receiving a second input corresponding to selection of the selection graphic associated with the second circuit;
in response to receiving the second input, (i) receiving, from the vehicle, data representing at least one value of the second signal and (ii) displaying, on the display, the second portion of the image; and
displaying, on the display while the first portion of the image, the at least one symbol, and the data representing at least one value of the first signal are displayed on the display, the second portion of the image and the data representing at least one value of the second signal.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the operations further comprise:
displaying the second portion of the image without displaying the first portion of the image.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the symbol data includes at least one coordinate point indicating where on the image to display the first symbol.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12,
wherein the at least one coordinate point includes a set of pixel coordinate points identifying a region within a predetermined threshold distance from the first symbol,
wherein the operations further comprise:
determining when a user interface selector enters the region within the predetermined threshold distance from the first symbol; and
performing an action in response to determining when the user interface selector enters the region within the predetermined threshold distance from the first symbol.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the action includes an action including at least one of: (i) requesting information not included within the download, (ii) displaying a pop-up window, or (iii) displaying a pop-up menu.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one coordinate point includes a default set of coordinate points for a default size of the image.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal includes an electrical signal or an optical signal.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein displaying the data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle and the baseline value includes displaying both the at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle and the baseline value simultaneously.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein:
the request for data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle includes a single request for the vehicle to periodically or continuously transmit a most-recent measured value of the first signal, and
the data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle includes multiple values of the first signal.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein transmitting the request, in response to receiving the first input, includes transmitting a request for data representing a value of the first signal within the vehicle multiple times.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein transmitting the request for data representing a value of the first signal within the vehicle multiple times includes transmitting the request for data representing a value of the first signal within the vehicle periodically.

### Claim 21

A method comprising:
receiving, from a server, a download including (i) an image representative of at least one circuit connected to or part of a vehicle component in a vehicle, wherein the at least one circuit includes a first circuit configured for carrying a first signal within the vehicle, (ii) symbol data associated with at least one symbol, the at least one symbol including a first symbol that corresponds to the first circuit, and (iii) a baseline value of the first signal, wherein the baseline value is based, at least in part, on a measurement of one or more comparable signals produced within one or more other vehicles that are a same year, make, and model as the vehicle, and wherein the comparable signals and the first signal are output by a common type of vehicle component;
displaying, on a display after receiving the download, the image and the at least one symbol;
receiving, while the image and the at least one symbol are displayed on the display, a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol that corresponds to the first circuit;
transmitting, to the vehicle in response to receiving the first input, a request for data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle;
receiving, from the vehicle in response to transmitting the request, the data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle; and
displaying, on the display while the image and the at least one symbol are displayed on the display, the data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle and the baseline value.

### Claim 22

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that, upon execution by a computing system, cause the computing system to perform operations comprising:
receiving, from a server, a download including (i) an image representative of at least one circuit connected to or part of a vehicle component in a vehicle, wherein the at least one circuit includes a first circuit configured for carrying a first signal within the vehicle, (ii) symbol data associated with at least one symbol, the at least one symbol including a first symbol that corresponds to the first circuit, and (iii) a baseline value of the first signal, wherein the baseline value is based, at least in part, on a measurement of one or more comparable signals produced within one or more other vehicles that are a same year, make, and model as the vehicle, and wherein the comparable signals and the first signal are output by a common type of vehicle component;
displaying, on a display of the computing system after receiving the download, the image and the at least one symbol;
receiving, while the image and the at least one symbol are displayed on the display, a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol that corresponds to the first circuit;
transmitting, to the vehicle in response to receiving the first input, a request for data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle;
receiving, from the vehicle in response to transmitting the request, the data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle; and
displaying, on the display while the image and the at least one symbol are displayed on the display, the data representing at least one value of the first signal within the vehicle and the baseline value.