Automotive diagnostic tool with projection display and virtual input

An automotive diagnostic tool configured for use with a vehicle having an onboard vehicle computer, the automotive diagnostic tool comprising:

• a tool body;
• a diagnostic processing unit disposed within the tool body and configured to be operatively connectable with the onboard vehicle computer to receive vehicle data therefrom and to process the data and generate a diagnostic display signal;
• and
• a diagnostic display projector connected to the tool body and in communication with the diagnostic processing unit, the projector being configured to project a diagnostic display image in response to the diagnostic display signal on an adjacent surface separate from the tool body.

An automotive diagnostic tool configured for use with a vehicle having an onboard vehicle computer, the automotive diagnostic tool comprising:

• a tool body;
• a input detection sensor connected to the tool body and configured to detect motions of a user relative to the tool body to generate an input signal;
• and
• a diagnostic processing unit disposed within the tool body and connected to the input detection sensor for receiving the input signal therefrom, the diagnostic processing unit being configured to be operatively connectable with the onboard vehicle computer to receive vehicle data therefrom and to process the data and generate a display signal associated with the vehicle data and the input signal.

A handheld electronic device comprising:

• a tool body;
• a input detection sensor connected to the tool body and configured to detect motions of a user within a field of view proximate the tool body, and to generate an input signal responsive to the detected motions;
• a diagnostic processing unit disposed within the tool body and connected to the input detection sensor for receiving the input signal therefrom, the diagnostic processing unit being configured to generate a display signal corresponding to the input signal;
• and
• a first projector connected to the tool body and in communication with the input detection sensor, the first projector being configured to project a display image corresponding to the display signal proximate the field of view on an adjacent surface separate from the tool body.