Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.

Spx Corporation

Service Solutions U.S. LLC

Actron Manufacturing Company

Robert Boschgmbh

Michael Gessner

Thomas J Bertosa

Hamid Namaky

Robert A Roberts

James Fish

Robert Charles Sheppard

Neil Somos

Alfred L Lancki

Donald J Rodemann

Bob Roberts

Matthew H Koran

Phillip Freshour

A software and method for updating a scan tool with limited memory are provided. An available diagnostic software database is located remotely from the scan tool. The diagnostic software database is vastly larger than the available memory on the scan tool. The technician can access the database and download the software modules he needs based on the vehicle or vehicles he is servicing and the available scan tool memory.

Method of updating and configuring a scan tool

A diagnostic tool that can communicate with a computing device such as smart phone is provided. The diagnostic tool can include a power management system that allows the dynastic tool to enter lower power state in order to prevent the power drain of vehicle battery. The diagnostic tool can also AutoID a vehicle or use a 'fingerprinting' process to identify the vehicle. A crediting system is provided that can be used to credit a 3party for software purchased for use by the diagnostic tool or smart phone.

Auto ID and fingerprint system and method thereof

A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein a faulty part and its part number is determined based on a retrieved DTC for a specific vehicle. The part number may include the original manufacturer's number and a generic equivalent manufacturer's number (if available). The diagnostic tool can search a parts database of various parts suppliers for their pricing and location. The diagnostic tool can also provide suggested fixes to the user based on the retrieved DTC.

Method and apparatus for identifying related fix information and parts number

A system and method for managing information between a diagnostic tool and a networked computing device are provided. The system made up of a diagnostic tool for retrieving information from a vehicle under test, a networked computing device for providing information concerning the vehicle under test, and an information management device for assisting communication between the diagnostic tool and the networked computing device. Information is gathered by the diagnostic tool and sent to the information management device which determines how to process the information, which may then be sent to the networked computing device for processing and returning relevant data to the information management device, and potentially to the diagnostic tool.

Method and apparatus to manage information between a scan tool and networked devices

A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool includes a global positioning system. The diagnostic tool can provide diagnostic data, global position and altitude to the user. The diagnostic tool can alert the user or the owner if the tool determines that it has been removed from a predefined area. The tool retrieves data from the determined altitude so that the vehicle can be serviced for optimal operations at that altitude.

Scan tool with integrated global positioning system

A method and apparatus is provided that allows a technician to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and remove any duplicates. The diagnostic tool can retrieve DTCs from the various diagnostic systems in the vehicle, remove any duplicates and display a unique list of DTCs. The diagnostic tool can also erase all DTCs including any duplicates from the vehicle after repairs have been completed. The tool can retrieve the DTCs without the user selecting the system to retrieve from.

Method and apparatus for reading and erasing diagnostic trouble codes from a vehicle

Smart power management system and method thereof

An apparatus and method for tracking, scheduling, and reminding about maintenance status are provided. The apparatus connects to a vehicle and retrieves state information from the vehicle. The apparatus analyzes at least the state information to determine a maintenance status of the system, and creates an alert based on at least the maintenance status of the vehicle. The alert is provided to a user, and the user can instruct the apparatus to respond to the maintenance status through selection of options provided by the alert. Through the options, the apparatus may provide the user with options for maintenance service, schedule the service, and remind the user of the scheduled service.

Method and apparatus for tracking, scheduling, and reminding about maintenance status

A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input device for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information from the input device and communication with the vehicle from the signal translator, the processor controlling a reception of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, the processor receiving a selected information of a user and configuration of the diagnostic tool through the input device and correlating the configuration information with the user information, the processor processing the received diagnostic data according to the selected configuration information corresponding to the selected user by the input unit, a memory storing a software controlled by the processor, the memory storing the configuration information according to the corresponding user information, and a display unit receiving and displaying diagnostic information according to the selected stored configuration information according to the user.

User configurable scan tool

Exemplary embodiments of off-board tools (OBTs) may be used in vehicle inspection maintenance programs are provided. The OBT may include a processor, vehicle communication circuitry for linking to a vehicle diagnostic system, host interface circuitry for communicating with a host computer, and voltage determination circuitry for measuring a voltage through the vehicle diagnostic system. The OBT may include logic for storing a communications protocol used to link with a vehicle diagnostic system that is preferably used for re-establishing dropped communications links. In addition, the OBT may contain logic for testing at least one component of a starting and/or charging system of a vehicle. Still other embodiments may include logic for sending unsolicited messages to a host computer. Additional embodiments may include logic for determining the minimum number of messages that must be received by an OBT.

Method and system for retrieving diagnostic information from a vehicle

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.

Code connect information access

A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input device for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information from the input device and communication with the vehicle from the signal translator, the processor controlling a reception of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, the processor receiving a selected information of a user and configuration of the diagnostic tool through the input device and correlating the configuration information with the user information, the processor processing the received diagnostic data according to the selected configuration information corresponding to the selected user by the input unit, a memory storing the configuration information according to the corresponding user information, and a display unit receiving and displaying diagnostic information according to the selected stored configuration information according to the user.

A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input unit for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information and communication with the vehicle, the processor controlling a recording of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, a memory storing a software including a database controlled by the processor, the memory storing baseline data of the vehicle and recorded diagnostic data in the database, the processor comparing the stored baseline data and recorded diagnostic data, and a display unit displaying information according to the comparison between the stored baseline data and recorded diagnostic data. The comparison can also be made on a separate computer storing the baseline data and receiving the recorded data from the diagnostic tool.

Diagnostic tool with advanced diagnostic capabilities

Exemplary embodiments of off-board tools (OBTS) may be used in vehicle inspection maintenance programs are provided. The OBT may include a processor, vehicle communication circuitry for linking to a vehicle diagnostic system, host interface circuitry for communicating with a host computer, and voltage determination circuitry for measuring a voltage through the vehicle diagnostic system. The OBT may include logic for storing a communications protocol used to link with a vehicle diagnostic system that is preferably used for re-establishing dropped communications links. In addition, the OBT may contain logic for testing at least one component of a starting and/or charging system of a vehicle. Still other embodiments may include logic for sending unsolicited messages to a host computer. Additional embodiments may include logic for determining the minimum number of messages that must be received by an OBT.

Growing community of inventors

Akron, OH, United States of America

Michael Gessner