Vehicle state tracking method and apparatus for diagnostic testing

#The present invention relates generally to diagnostic equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to tracking a vehicle state during a diagnostic test sequence, such as a vehicle diagnostic test sequence, for diagnostic systems.

#Diagnostic systems are used by technicians and professionals in virtually all industries to perform basic and advanced system testing functions. For example, in the automotive, trucking, heavy equipment and aircraft industries, diagnostic test systems provide for vehicle onboard computer fault or trouble code display, interactive diagnostics, multiscope and multimeter functions, and electronic service manuals. In the medical industry, diagnostic systems provide for monitoring body functions and diagnosis of medical conditions, as well as system diagnostics to detect anomalies in the medical equipment.

#In many industries, diagnostic systems play an increasingly important role in manufacturing processes, as well as in maintenance and repair throughout the lifetime of the equipment or product. Some diagnostic systems are based on personal computer technology and feature user-friendly, menu-driven diagnostic applications. These systems assist technicians and professionals at all levels in performing system diagnostics on a real-time basis.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary vehicle diagnostic test setup of a type suitable for carrying out the functions of an embodiment of the invention.

#FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle state tracker according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

#FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps that may be followed to track the state of a vehicle in accordance with one embodiment of the method or process.

#An embodiment of the present invention provides a vehicle state tracker that facilitates performance of vehicle diagnostic test sequences by tracking the state of the subject vehicle during and between individual diagnostic test procedures. The vehicle state tracker can help to eliminate duplication of efforts during a diagnostic test sequence by keeping track of the current vehicle test configuration and providing test preparation steps to reconfigure the vehicle between individual diagnostic procedures without redundant steps. The vehicle state tracker can track the current state of the vehicle by maintaining a current list of preconditions, or vehicle test configuration information.

#The vehicle state tracker can include a precondition determiner that can determine the preconditions required for a subsequent diagnostic procedure, a state reader that can read a current state, for example, from a memory register, and a setting verifier than can verify the current setting of the vehicle state with regard to an individual precondition required for the diagnostic procedure. The vehicle state tracker can also include a test prep step formatter that can format a test preparation step related to a required precondition for display on a display device, if the precondition is required for the test procedure and the current setting of the vehicle state corresponding to the precondition is not valid. The vehicle state tracker can further include a feedback receiver that can receive feedback from a user, the vehicle or test equipment indicating that the required precondition has been satisfied, and a state updater that can update the vehicle state, for example, in a memory register, to reflect the status of the precondition.

#Similarly, the vehicle state tracker can determine a vehicle condition that is not required for the subsequent diagnostic procedure, verify the current setting of the vehicle state with regard to the condition, and format a test preparation step that instructs the vehicle technician to reverse the condition, if the condition is not required for the subsequent test procedure and the current setting is valid.