Kiosk based vehicle diagnostic system

A vehicle diagnostic system for use with a handheld communication device, the vehicle diagnostic system comprising:

• a kiosk having:
• a housing;
• a processor disposed within the housing and capable of generating a signal associated with a visual code;
• a display associated with the housing and in communication with the processor to receive the signal, the display being configured to depict the visual code thereon in response to receipt of the signal, the visual code being readable by the handheld communication device and associated a unique electronic identifier;
• and
• a diagnostic tool engageable with the housing and connectable to a vehicle to retrieve vehicle data therefrom;
• and
• a remote server in communication with the kiosk and disposable in communication with the handheld communication device, the server being capable of:
• receiving a signal from the handheld communication device including the unique electronic identifier;
• receiving a signal from the kiosk including the vehicle data;
• analyzing the vehicle data to determine a diagnostic solution;
• and
• storing the diagnostic solution such that the diagnostic solution is retrievable in response to receipt of a subsequent signal including the unique electronic identifier.

A vehicle diagnostic system for use with a handheld communication device, the vehicle diagnostic system comprising:

• a kiosk having:
• a housing;
• a transceiver disposed within the housing and configured to communicate with the handheld communication device;
• a processor disposed within the housing and capable of generating a signal including an associated visual code;
• a display associated with the housing and in communication with the processor to receive the signal, the display being configured to depict the visual code thereon in response to receipt of the signal, the visual code being readable by the handheld communication device and being associated with instructions for configuring the handheld communication device to communicate with the transceiver;
• and
• a diagnostic tool in communication with the housing and communicable with a vehicle to retrieve data therefrom;
• and
• computer executable instructions downloadable onto the handheld communication device for configuring the handheld communication device to:
• read the visual code depicted on the display;
• and
• establish communication between the handheld communication device and the kiosk to facilitate data transfer between the handheld communication device and the kiosk.

A vehicle diagnostic kiosk for use with a handheld communication device and a remote server capable of analyzing vehicle data to determine a diagnostic solution, the vehicle diagnostic kiosk comprising:

• a housing;
• a processor disposed within the housing and capable of generating a signal associated with a visual code;
• a display connected to the housing and in communication with the processor to receive the signal, the display being configured to depict the visual code thereon in response to receipt of the signal, the visual code being readable by the handheld communication device and associated a unique electronic identifier;
• a diagnostic tool engageable with the housing and connectable to a vehicle to retrieve vehicle data therefrom;
• and
• a transceiver in communication with the processor and the diagnostic tool and disposable in communication with the server for uploading:
• vehicle data retrieved from the diagnostic tool to the server for obtaining a diagnostic solution;
• and
• identification criteria associated with the visual code for use by the server when storing the diagnostic solution such that the diagnostic solution is retrievable from the server in response to receipt of a subsequent signal including the identification criteria.