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US 8,788,137 B2Granted
Code connect information access
AssigneeBosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
InventorsThomas Bertosa, Bob Roberts, Michael Gessner, Alfred L. Lancki
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein an indicator is indicated on a display if additional information is available for the retrieved DTC for a specific vehicle. The indicator can be shown on a screen showing a DTC in a freeze frame menu and freeze frame data list modes. With a press of a key or automatically, the diagnostic tool can access its database or a remote database to retrieve the additional information.
Claims26
A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
- a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool;
- a memory that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, wherein the memory communicates with the processor;
- a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, wherein the connector interface communicates with the processor;
- a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, wherein the signal translator communicates with the processor;
- a display having an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information including reported fixes stored on the database of the diagnostic tool, is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, wherein the display communicates with the processor;
- an input device that includes a dedicated hardware button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present;
- and
- a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, the signal translator, the input device, and the display.
5 more elements
A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
- means for processing that controls functions of the diagnostic tool;
- means for storing that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, wherein the means for storing communicates with the means for processing;
- means for interfacing that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, wherein the means for interfacing communicates with the means for processing;
- means for translating that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, wherein the means for translating communicates with the means for processing;
- means for displaying having an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information including reported fixes stored on the diagnostic tool, is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, wherein the means for displaying communicates with the means for processing;
- a dedicated hardware button to retrieve the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present;
- and
- means for housing surrounding the means for processing, the means for storing, the means for interfacing, the means for translating, the dedicated hardware button, and the means for displaying.
5 more elements
A method of retrieving additional diagnostic information using a diagnostic tool, comprising the steps of:
- retrieving a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) from a vehicle with the diagnostic tool;
- receiving an input of the vehicle's information into the diagnostic tool with an input device of the diagnostic tool;
- searching a vehicle specific database that is stored on a memory of the diagnostic tool with a processor of the diagnostic tool to determine if additional diagnostic information including reported fixes is available for the DTC;
- displaying an indicator on a display of the diagnostic tool if additional information is available for the DTC based on the DTC and vehicle information;
- and
- receiving an input of a pressed dedicated hardware key on the input device to retrieve the additional diagnostic information, if the additional diagnostic information is available.
3 more elements
A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising:
- a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool;
- a memory that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, wherein the memory communicates with the processor;
- a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, wherein the connector interface communicates with the processor;
- a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, wherein the signal translator communicates with the processor;
- an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information that includes reported fixes is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle;
- a display that displays the additional diagnostic information, wherein the display communicates with the processor;
- an input device that includes a dedicated hardware button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present;
- and
- a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, the signal translator, the input device, and the display.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.