Automotive diagnostic service tool with hand held tool and master controller

A service tool for monitoring operation of a vehicle and for diagnosing problems with the operation of the vehicle, the vehicle having at least one on-board controller for controlling the operation of the vehicle, said on-board controller having a communication bus for communicating with external devices and with other on-board vehicle systems, said service tool comprising:

• an off-board master controller having a processor and memory, said off-board master controller providing access to diagnostic-related data information;
• a portable hand held diagnostic tool having a processor and memory for executing diagnostic software routines and for collecting data, said hand held diagnostic tool having a first communication port for facilitating receipt and transmission of communication signals between the hand held diagnostic tool and the vehicle communication bus, and said hand held diagnostic tool further having a second communication port for facilitating receipt and transmission of communication signals between the hand held diagnostic tool and the off-board master controller;
• a first signal communication means for providing data communication between the first communication port of the hand held diagnostic tool and the vehicle communication bus;
• and
• a second communication means for providing data communication between the second communication port of the hand held diagnostic tool and the off-board master controller.

A method of monitoring operation of a vehicle and for diagnosing problems with the operation of the vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a hand held diagnostic tool coupled to a communication bus on the vehicle for allowing communication between the hand held diagnostic tool and one or more on-board vehicle systems, said hand held diagnostic tool having a processor and memory for executing diagnostic software routines;
• providing an off-board master controller coupled in communication with the hand held diagnostic tool, said off-board master controller having a processor and memory containing diagnostic related information;
• executing at least one predefined software routine with the hand held diagnostic tool;
• receiving test data information from the vehicle;
• and
• updating the memory of the hand held diagnostic tool with the master controller.