Vehicle diagnostic equipment providing hands free operation

#This application is a National Stage application of International Application No. PCT/EP2006/065414, filed Aug. 17, 2006.

#1. Field

#This invention relates to vehicle diagnostic equipment, including scan tools that analyze data streams, such as data streams that comply with the OBD II or EOBD data stream specifications. The invention more particularly relates to a vehicle diagnostic tool that is voice activated. Such a tool may be operated during a test drive of the vehicle being tested in a hands free configuration.

#FIG. 1 is a schematic showing a typical scenario during operation of a vehicle diagnostic system in accordance with the teaching of the invention.

#FIG. 2 shows an example of a system in accordance with the teaching of the invention.

#FIG. 3 shows in block form an architecture in accordance with the teaching of the invention

#FIG. 1 is a schematic showing a typical driving scenario during operation of a vehicle diagnostic system in accordance with the teaching of the invention

#As shown in FIG. 1, a driver 101, typically the technician or mechanic undertaking the test, is seated in the driver's seat 102 of the vehicle and is concentrating on driving the vehicle. While seated, the hands 103 of the driver are on is the steering wheel 104, and his eyes are looking forward to observe the road and traffic conditions. Although he is concentrating on the road, the driver is capable of uttering voice commands through his mouth or listening to sounds within the vehicle through his ears.

#An example of a vehicle diagnostic system 201 in accordance with the teaching of the invention is shown in FIGS. 2 & 3. Such a system is configured to take advantage of the capabilities of the driver 101 of FIG. 1, specifically his capability to talk while driving and is controllable by the voice commands of the driver. The system 201 includes a voice activation control module 120 that is responsive to voice commands uttered by the driver 101.