# US 2021/0279978 A1 · Kiosk based vehicle diagnostic system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0279978 A1 - Document ID: US20210279978A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/812,909 - Filed: 2020-03-09 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2020-03-09 - Assignees: Innova Electronics Corporation - Applicants: Innova Electronics Corporation - Inventors: David Rich; Kim Nguyen; Nicholas Ruiz; Mike Berkaw - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210279978A1 ## CPC - G07C 5/0808: {Diagnosing performance data (testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005)} - H04W 12/03: Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption - G06K 7/1095: {the scanner comprising adaptations for scanning a record carrier that is displayed on a display-screen or the like} - G06K 7/1417: {2D bar codes} - G06K 19/06037: {multi-dimensional coding} - G06K 19/06112: {the marking being simulated using a light source, e.g. a barcode shown on a display or a laser beam with time-varying intensity profile} - G06Q 20/3224: {Transactions dependent on location of M-devices} - G07C 5/006: {Indicating maintenance} - G07C 5/008: {communicating information to a remotely located station (transmission systems for measured values G08C)} - G07C 5/0825: {using optical means} - G07C 5/085: {using electronic data carriers} - G07F 13/025: {wherein the volume is determined during delivery} - G07F 15/005: {dispensed for the electrical charging of vehicles (electrical charging as such, B60L50/00)} - G07F 17/0014: {for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 (meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00)} - G07F 17/20: for washing or drying articles, e.g. clothes, motor cars - G07F 17/24: for parking meters - G07G 1/009: {the reader being an RFID reader} - H04L 63/0428: {wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload} - H04L 67/12: specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks - H04N 7/183: {for receiving images from a single remote source} - H04W 4/44: for communication between vehicles and infrastructures, e.g. vehicle-to-cloud [V2C] or vehicle-to-home [V2H] - H04W 12/77: Graphical identity - G06Q 10/087: Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders - G06Q 10/20: Administration of product repair or maintenance - G06Q 20/18: involving self-service terminals [SST], vending machines, kiosks or multimedia terminals - G07C 2205/02: using a vehicle scan tool - Y02T 90/12: Electric charging stations - 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) - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - 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 - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - G07G: REGISTERING THE RECEIPT OF CASH, VALUABLES, OR TOKENS - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION ## Abstract A vehicle diagnostic includes a kiosk a display configured to depict a visual code thereon, with the visual code being readable by a handheld communication device and associated a unique electronic identifier. The kiosk additionally includes a diagnostic tool connectable to a vehicle to retrieve vehicle data therefrom. A remote server is in communication with the kiosk and is disposable in communication with the handheld communication device. The server is 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle diagnostic method comprising: generating a visual code on a kiosk display for scanning by a camera on a handheld communication device; receiving, at the kiosk, vehicle data retrieved from a vehicle under test; sending a signal to a remote server, the signal including the vehicle data and an identifier associated with the visual code; analyzing the vehicle data to determine a possible vehicle fix associated with the vehicle data; and storing the possible vehicle fix on the remote server in a manner which allows for subsequent retrieval of the possible vehicle fix from the remote server in response to receiving the identifier at the remote server. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting the possible vehicle fix from the remote server to the handheld communication device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: communicating the vehicle data from the handheld communication device to the kiosk; and deriving at least one vehicle communication protocol from the vehicle data. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 3, further comprising the steps of: scanning the visual code onto a handheld communication device; acquiring vehicle diagnostic data from the vehicle under test via the handheld communication device; communicating the vehicle data from the handheld communication device to the kiosk or to the remote server. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 1, wherein the generating step includes generating a non-human readable visual code on the kiosk display. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 1, wherein the generating step includes generating a QR code on the kiosk display. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of encrypting the signal prior to sending the signal to the remote server. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 1, wherein the vehicle data includes vehicle identifying information. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 1, wherein the vehicle data includes vehicle diagnostic information. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 1, wherein the vehicle diagnostic information includes sensor data or diagnostic trouble codes. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 1, wherein the identifier is transaction specific. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of communicating the identifier to the remote server via the handheld communication device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 1, wherein the step of sending the signal to the remote server includes sending the signal from the kiosk to the remote server via the Internet. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The vehicle diagnostic method recited in claim 1, wherein the step of sending the signal to the remote server includes sending the signal from the kiosk to the remote server via the handheld communication device. ### Claim 15 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. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 15, wherein the server is configured to communicate the diagnostic solution to the handheld communication device for presentation on the handheld communication device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 15, wherein the server is configured to communicate the diagnostic solution to the kiosk for presentation on the display. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 15, wherein the kiosk includes a transceiver in communication with the processor and capable of communicating with the handheld communication device via wired or wireless communication. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 15, wherein the kiosk includes a local communications database including a plurality of vehicle protocols correlated with vehicle identification information. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 15, wherein the visual code is a QR code. ### Claim 21 (depends on 15) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 15, wherein the vehicle data includes diagnostic trouble codes, and the diagnostic solution includes a most likely fix based on at least one of the diagnostic trouble codes. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 15, wherein the kiosk additionally includes a speaker coupled to the housing and capable of emitting audible signals during operation of the kiosk. ### Claim 23 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. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 23, wherein the computer executable instructions further configure the handheld communication device to identify a kiosk communication characteristic associated with the visual code in response to receipt of the visual code. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 24, wherein the kiosk communication characteristic is a communication protocol. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 24, wherein the kiosk communication characteristic is a communication address. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 23, wherein the computer executable instructions further configure the handheld communication device to display a prompt to a user to enter vehicle identification information into the handheld communication device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 23, wherein the computer executable instructions further configure the handheld communication device to utilize an onboard camera to optically obtain vehicle identification information from a vehicle. ### Claim 29 (depends on 23) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 23, wherein the computer executable instructions further configure the handheld communication device to display diagnostic information associated with the data retrieved by the diagnostic tool. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 29, wherein the diagnostic information includes diagnostic trouble codes. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 29, wherein the diagnostic information includes a diagnostic solution associated with the retrieved data. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 29, wherein the computer executable instructions further configure the handheld communication device to depict content simultaneously depicted on the display of the kiosk. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 29, wherein the kiosk display is configured to display information associated with the data retrieved by the diagnostic tool. ### Claim 34 (depends on 29) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 29, wherein the handheld communication device display is configured to display information associated with the data retrieved by the diagnostic tool. ### Claim 35 (depends on 29) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 29, wherein the visual code is a QR code. ### Claim 36 (depends on 23) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 23, wherein the diagnostic tool is connected to the housing and is connectable with the vehicle. ### Claim 37 (depends on 23) The vehicle diagnostic system recited in claim 23, wherein the computer executable instructions further configure the handheld communication device to establishing communication between the handheld communication device and the kiosk in response to reading the visual code. ### Claim 38 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.