# US 12,770,438 B2 · Method and system for servicing a vehicle using a test set

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- Number: US 12,770,438 B2
- Document ID: US12770438B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/667,997
- Filed: 2022-02-09
- Published: 2023-08-10
- Granted: 2026-10-20
- Earliest claimed: 2022-02-09
- Assignees: Snap-on Incorporated
- Applicants: Snap-on Incorporated
- Inventors: Patrick S. Merg; Roy S. Brozovich; Jacob G. Foreman; Joshua C. Covington; Brett A. Kelley; Joseph R. Grammatico; Bradley R. Lewis; Thomas J. Ward; Damien J. Coleman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12770438B2

## CPC

- G07C 5/006: {Indicating maintenance}
- G07C 5/008: {communicating information to a remotely located station (transmission systems for measured values G08C)}
- G07C 5/02: Registering or indicating driving, working, idle, or waiting time only (apparatus forming part of taximeters G07B13/00)
- H04W 4/46: for vehicle-to-vehicle communication [V2V]
- 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)

## Abstract

A method for performing test set. After determining the test set and a vehicle identifier, a processor of a computing system determines: (1) a component test (CT) and a functional test command (FTC), (2) the CT and a first set of parameter identifiers (PIDs), or (3) the FTC and a second set of PIDs. The CT corresponds to a particular vehicle component. The FTC is for requesting control of a controllable vehicle component. If the CT is determined, a test device is configured to be in a mode to perform the CT. If the FTC is determined, a GUI including a user-selectable control corresponding to the FTC is displayed. If the first or second set of PIDs is determined, a set of parameter values corresponding to the determined set of PIDs is received and displayed in response to vehicle data messages transmitted by the computing system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
determining, by a processor of a computing system including a test meter or scope, a test set to perform on a vehicle, wherein:
the vehicle and the test set correspond to a particular vehicle identifier,
the vehicle includes a particular component, a controllable component, and an electronic control unit,
the test set is defined by a test set file including first, second, and third test set elements,
the first test set element defines a component test for measuring a target signal corresponding to the particular component,
the second test set element defines a functional test identifying a functional test command for controlling the controllable component, and
the third test set element defines a parameter identifier (PID) reading task;
providing, at the computing system, a user-selectable control corresponding to the test set;
receiving a single selection of the user-selectable control corresponding to the test set; and
in response to receiving the single selection of the user-selectable control corresponding to the test set, the processor executing program instructions to perform the following limitations:
configuring the test meter or scope automatically to establish a configured test meter or scope by changing existing configuration parameters of the test meter or scope to match configuration parameters contained in the test set file or stored in memory at the computing system and referenced by the test set file, the configured test meter or scope being in a mode to perform the component test for measuring the target signal corresponding to the particular component;
initiating, at the configured test meter or scope, a performance of the component test;
transmitting, by the processor to the electronic control unit during the performance of the component test, a first vehicle data message including the functional test command;
transmitting, by the processor to the electronic control unit, a set of vehicle data messages during the performance of the component test and while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message;
receiving, in response to transmitting the set of vehicle data messages, a set of parameter values received during the performance of the component test and while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message including the functional test command, the set of parameter values corresponding to a set of parameter identifiers; and
outputting, on a display, a graphical user interface including:
a first user-selectable control corresponding to a functional test command for requesting control of the controllable component,
a representation of the target signal measured by the configured test meter or scope during the performance of the component test, and
the set of parameter values received during the performance of the component test and while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message including the functional test command.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein:
configuring the test meter or scope includes configuring an electrical measurement meter to operate with at least one particular measurement mode selected from the group consisting of:
an amperage measurement mode,
a capacitance measurement mode,
a continuity measurement mode,
a duty cycle measurement mode,
a frequency measurement mode,
a pulse width measurement mode,
a resistance measurement mode,
a temperature measurement mode, and
a voltage measurement mode.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein configuring the test meter or scope automatically includes changing one or more configuration parameters from the group consisting of: a display unit, a time scale, an upper range and/or lower range for a vertical axis, a unit and/or time scale for a horizontal axis, a measurement sample rate, a trigger source, a trigger position, an oscilloscope trigger mode, an oscilloscope trigger voltage, and a voltage offset.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the representation of the target signal measured by the configured test meter or scope during the performance of the component test comprises a first waveform within a graph.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein:
the representation of the target signal measured by the configured test meter or scope during the performance of the component test is output within a first graph including a first axis representing time,
the graphical user interface includes a first indicator in proximity to the first axis, and
the first indicator corresponds to a particular time at which performance of the component test and while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message including the functional test command was initiated or ended.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
displaying a first baseline threshold corresponding to a particular parameter identifier of the first-set of parameter identifiers and to a first operating condition of the vehicle,
outputting, by the processor on the display, a prompt for manually adjusting an operating condition of the vehicle to a second operating condition of the vehicle during the performance of the component test and while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message including the functional test command, and
displaying, in response to manually adjusting the operating condition of the vehicle to the second operating condition of the vehicle, a second baseline threshold corresponding to the particular parameter identifier and to the second operating condition of the vehicle.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein:
the processor determines the component test and the set of parameter identifiers,
the set of parameter identifiers includes a particular parameter identifier that corresponds to parameter values representing the target signal, and
the method further comprises:
determining, by the processor, a particular time corresponding to a first parameter value representing the target signal,
determining, by the processor, a measurement value based on the performance of the component test during a time period in which the processor receives the set of parameter values,
determining, by the processor, a difference between the measurement value and the first parameter value, and
outputting, by the processor within the graphical user interface, a representation of the difference.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
outputting, by the processor on the display, a prompt for manually adjusting an operating condition of the vehicle to a second operating condition of the vehicle while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message including the functional test command, and
displaying, in response to manually adjusting the operating condition of the vehicle to the second operating condition of the vehicle, a baseline threshold corresponding to a particular parameter identifier and to the second operating condition of the vehicle.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by the processor in response to transmitting a set of vehicle data messages to the vehicle prior to the performance of the component test, a second set of parameter values corresponding to the set of parameter identifiers, and
outputting, by the processor within the graphical user interface, the second set of parameter values corresponding to the set of parameter identifiers, and the representation of the target signal measured by the configured test meter or scope during the performance of the component test.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
displaying a first baseline threshold corresponding to a particular parameter identifier of the set of parameter identifiers and to a first operating condition of the vehicle, and
outputting, by the processor on the display, a prompt for manually adjusting an operating condition of the vehicle to a second operating condition of the vehicle while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message, and
displaying, in response to manually adjusting the operating condition of the vehicle to the second operating condition of the vehicle, a second baseline threshold corresponding to the particular parameter identifier and to the second operating condition of the vehicle.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein:
the set of parameter identifiers includes a particular parameter identifier that corresponds to parameter values representing the target signal, and
the method further comprises:
determining, by the processor, a particular time corresponding to a first parameter value representing the target signal,
determining, by the processor, a measurement value based on the performance of the component test while receiving the set of parameter values,
determining, by the processor, a difference between the measurement value and the first parameter value, and
outputting, by the processor within the graphical user interface, a representation of the difference.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by the processor in response to transmitting a set of vehicle data messages to the vehicle during a time period prior to a time period while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message, a second set of parameter values corresponding to the set of parameter identifiers, and
outputting, by the processor within the graphical user interface, the second set of parameter values corresponding to the second set of parameter identifiers.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein:
the graphical user interface comprises a first graphical user interface,
the computing system includes a menu system having a navigable menu including separate menu selections to cause the display to show a second graphical user interface, a third graphical user interface, or a fourth graphical user interface,
the second graphical user interface includes a second user-selectable control corresponding to the functional test command without any representation of performance of a component test or any parameter values corresponding to a parameter identifier,
the third graphical user interface includes a representation of performance of the component test during a time when the processor does not receive any parameter values corresponding to a parameter identifier or during a time an electronic control unit of the vehicle is controlled in response to a functional test command, and
the fourth graphical user interface includes a set of parameter values corresponding to a set of parameter identifiers without any representation of performance of a component test or any user-selectable control corresponding to a functional test command.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The method according to claim 13, further comprising:
outputting, within the first graphical user interface, first guidance for performing the test set, and
outputting, within the second graphical user interface, the third graphical user interface, or the fourth graphical user interface, second guidance,
wherein the first guidance includes guidance not contained in the second guidance.

### Claim 15

A computing system comprising: a display; a processor; a test meter or scope, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by the processor to perform functions comprising:
determining, by the processor, a test set to perform on a vehicle, wherein:
the vehicle and the test set correspond to a particular vehicle identifier,
the vehicle includes a particular component, a controllable component, and an electronic control unit,
the test set is defined by a test set file including first, second, and third test set elements,
the first test set element defines a component test for measuring a target signal corresponding to the particular component,
the second test set element defines a functional test identifying a functional test command for controlling the controllable component, and
the third test set element defines a parameter identifier (PID) reading task;
providing, at the computing system, a user-selectable control corresponding to the test set;
receiving a single selection of the user-selectable control corresponding to the test set; and
in response to receiving the single selection of the user-selectable control corresponding to the test set, the processor executing program instructions to perform following limitations:
configuring the test meter or scope automatically to establish a configured test meter or scope by changing existing configuration parameters of the test meter or scope to match configuration parameters contained in the test set file or stored in memory at the computing system and referenced by the test set file, the configured test meter or scope being in a mode to perform the component test for measuring the target signal corresponding to the particular component;
initiating, at the configured test meter or scope, a performance of the component test;
transmitting, by the processor to the electronic control unit during the performance of the component test, a first vehicle data message including the functional test command;
transmitting, by the processor to the electronic control unit, a set of vehicle data messages during the performance of the component test and while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message;
receiving, in response to transmitting the set of vehicle data messages, a set of parameter values received during the performance of the component test and while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message including the functional test command, the set of parameter values corresponding to a set of parameter identifiers; and
outputting, on the display, a graphical user interface including:
a first user-selectable control corresponding to a functional test command for requesting control of the controllable component,
a representation of the target signal measured by the configured test meter or scope during the performance of the component test, and
the set of parameter values received during the performance of the component test and while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message including the functional test command.

### Claim 16

A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions executable by a processor to cause a computing system including a test meter or scope to perform functions comprising:
determining, by the processor, a test set to perform on a vehicle, wherein:
the vehicle and the test set correspond to a particular vehicle identifier,
the vehicle includes a particular component, a controllable component, and an electronic control unit,
the test set is defined by a test set file including first, second, and third test set elements,
the first test set element defines a component test for measuring a target signal corresponding to the particular component,
the second test set element defines a functional test identifying a functional test command for controlling the controllable component, and
the third test set element defines a parameter identifier (PID) reading task;
providing, at the computing system, a user-selectable control corresponding to the test set;
receiving a single selection of the user-selectable control corresponding to the test set; and
in response to receiving the single selection of the user-selectable control corresponding to the test set, the processor executing program instructions to perform the following limitations:
configuring the test meter or scope automatically to establish a configured test meter or scope by changing existing configuration parameters of the test meter or scope to match configuration parameters contained in the test set file or stored in memory at the computing system and referenced by the test set file, the configured test meter or scope being in a mode to perform the component test for measuring the target signal corresponding to the particular component;
initiating, at the configured test meter or scope, a performance of the component test;
transmitting, by the processor to the electronic control unit during the performance of the component test, a first vehicle data message including the functional test command;
transmitting, by the processor to the electronic control unit, a set of vehicle data messages during the performance of the component test and while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message;
receiving, in response to transmitting the set of vehicle data messages, a set of parameter values received during the performance of the component test and while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message including the functional test command, the set of parameter values corresponding to a set of parameter identifiers; and
outputting, on a display, a graphical user interface including:
a first user-selectable control corresponding to a functional test command for requesting control of the controllable component,
a representation of the target signal measured by the configured test meter or scope during the performance of the component test, and
the set of parameter values received during the performance of the component test and while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message including the functional test command.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the further limitations comprise:
initiating a timer to count a particular amount of time, and
after the timer expires, transmitting another vehicle data message to change a state of the controllable component from a first state corresponding to the functional test command to a second state.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The method according to claim 17, further comprising:
displaying a first icon corresponding to a transmission time of the first vehicle data message including the functional test command and a second icon indicating that a functional test corresponding to the functional test command has toggled on or off.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein providing the user-selectable control corresponding to the test set includes displaying the user-selectable control corresponding to the test set within a second graphical user interface.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein providing the user-selectable control corresponding to the test set includes configuring a key of a keyboard at the computing system as the user-selectable control.

### Claim 21 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
outputting, on the display, a second graphical user interface arranged with one or more user selectable controls for selecting search criteria;
determining search criteria based, at least in part, on one or more selections made from the second graphical user interface; and
outputting, on the display based on the search criteria, a third graphical user interface including one or more user-selectable controls corresponding to a respective test set,
wherein determining the test set to perform on the vehicle includes selection of a particular user-selectable control on the third graphical user interface.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The method according to claim 21, further comprising:
receiving, at the processor from the vehicle, a vehicle data message including data indicative of the particular vehicle identifier,
wherein the search criteria includes the particular vehicle identifier.

### Claim 23 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein:
the set of parameter values and the representation of the target signal are output within a graph including an axis representing time,
the graphical user interface includes an indicator in proximity to the axis, and
the indicator corresponds to a particular time at which performance of the component test was initiated or ended.

### Claim 24 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein:
the set of parameter values are output within a graph including an axis representing time,
the graphical user interface include an indicator in proximity to the axis, and
the indicator corresponds to a particular time at which performance of the component test and while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message including the functional test command was initiated or ended.

### Claim 25 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by the processor in response to transmitting a set of vehicle data messages to the vehicle after the performance of the component test, a second set of parameter values corresponding to the set of parameter identifiers, and
outputting, by the processor within the graphical user interface, the second third set of parameter values corresponding to the set of parameter identifiers, and the representation of the target signal measured by the configured test meter or scope during the performance of the component test.

### Claim 26 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising:
receiving, by the processor in response to transmitting a set of vehicle data messages to the vehicle during a time period after a time period while the controllable component is controlled in response to transmitting the first vehicle data message, a second set of parameter values corresponding to the set of parameter identifiers, and
outputting, by the processor within the third graphical user interface, the second set of parameter values corresponding to the set of parameter identifiers.