Abstract: A method for performing a vehicle diagnostic process for diagnosing, scanning and/or programming a vehicle includes recording a diagnostic message from a diagnostic computer device to generate a recorded diagnostic message, transmitting the recorded diagnostic message to a local computer at a repair facility, with the diagnostic computer device being located remotely from the repair facility, and playing the recorded diagnostic message at the local computer for delivery via an interface device to an electronic system of a vehicle. The method then further includes recording with the local computer a vehicle message from the electronic system of the vehicle to generate a recorded vehicle message in response to playing the recorded diagnostic message, and transmitting the recorded vehicle message from the local computer to the diagnostic computer device.

Abstract: A vehicle communication interface cable includes a vehicle connector having a connector body and configured to connect to a diagnostic port of a vehicle, a vehicle communication interface connector having a connector body and configured to connect to a vehicle communication interface, a flexible cable portion having one or more conductors and extending between the vehicle connector and the vehicle communication interface connector, and a battery module comprising a housing for a battery. The battery module is integrated with the cable portion and a pair of battery wires extend from the housing to the vehicle communication interface connector to provide power to a vehicle communication interface from a battery within the housing when the vehicle communication interface connector is connected to the vehicle communication interface.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically scanning an electronic system of a vehicle with an automated diagnostic scanning tool having a controller, at least one vehicle communication protocol, at least one diagnostic scanning program, and an automated control program. The automated diagnostic scanning tool is configured to be connected to the electronic system of a vehicle by a cable and detects power from the vehicle via the cable, with the automated diagnostic scanning tool further configured to select and launch a diagnostic scanning program to perform a diagnostic scan of the electronic system of the vehicle in response to detecting power from the vehicle.

Abstract: A method is provided for a parent to determine a geo location of a child and the child may defer the release of their location by providing an affirmative response to the parent, the parent and child each having a network accessible device and the child's device being GPS enabled. The method utilizes a server based application in which the parent may request a response from the child. The application starts a countdown timer and the child must respond to the parent before the timer expires. If the timer expires and the child has not responded, the application attempts to determine the geo location of the child's device and forward any determined location to the parent's device. The method provides a parent peace of mind that they might locate their child in an emergency while providing the child a level of autonomy without feeling that they are constantly being watched.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system and method includes connecting a vehicle interface device to a diagnostic port of a vehicle to be in communication with an electrical system of the vehicle for diagnosing the vehicle, and running a selected one of multiple available diagnostic application scan programs via the vehicle interface device to generate a scan log file of the electrical system of the vehicle, where the scan log file is generated in one of a plurality of possible native file formats depending on the selected diagnostic application program. A diagnostic evaluation tool program extracts diagnostic data from the scan log file, where the diagnostic evaluation tool program is configured to extract diagnostic data from scan log files in each of the plurality of possible native file formats, and outputs the diagnostic data to a scan database in a common format from which detailed diagnostic reports are generated.

Abstract: An automated vehicle diagnostic navigation system and method includes a diagnostic computer having a diagnostic application program operable to perform a diagnostic evaluation of a vehicle by performing a diagnostic scan of an electronic system of the vehicle, where the diagnostic application program includes a hierarchical structure for initiation of a diagnostic scan of the vehicle based on the make, model and year of the vehicle, and includes a diagnostic navigation program configured to interface with the diagnostic application program, with the diagnostic navigation program configured to receive an input of the make, model and year of the vehicle. The diagnostic navigation program is operable to provide automated sequential inputs to the diagnostic application program based on the make, model and year of the vehicle to navigate the hierarchical structure of the diagnostic application program to initiate and perform a diagnostic scan of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle interface device for diagnosing, scanning and programming an electrical system of a vehicle having a housing and being connectable to an electrical system of a vehicle, a local diagnostic computer, and a remote diagnostic computer. The vehicle interface device is selectively switchable for operation in either a local mode or a remote mode. In the local mode, the vehicle interface device is connected with the local diagnostic computer and operates as a pass-thru device. In the remote mode, the vehicle interface device is connected with the remote diagnostic computer.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic device for use in diagnosing, scanning and programming an electrical system of a vehicle having a housing, a computer with a screen disposed within the housing with the screen being disposed at an opening of the housing. The vehicle diagnostic device further includes a circuit board configured to operate as a SAE J2534 pass-thru device and disposed within the housing, with the circuit board including a multi-pin connector disposed at an aperture of the housing. A cable connects the computer and circuit board for communications there between. The circuit board is configured to receive vehicle data signals from a vehicle via the connector and convert the vehicle data signals for transmission to the computer via the cable. The computer is further configured to transmit signals to the circuit board via the cable for conversion by the circuit board to vehicle data signals for transmission via the connector to the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting remote use of a diagnostic scan tool computer device for scanning, diagnosing and/or programing a vehicle at a repair facility. A time duration for exchange of data signals between the diagnostic scan tool and an electronic system of a vehicle is tracked via a monitor application on a computer device. The tracked time is compared to a predetermined expected time threshold for the operation of exchanging data signals between the diagnostic scan tool and the electronic system of the vehicle, and an alert is provided if the tracked time exceeds the predetermined expected time threshold for the operation indicating that the diagnostic scan tool is being operated remotely from the vehicle. An electronic identifier of the diagnostic scan tool may be detected such that the number of times the diagnostic scan tool is used may be tracked and compared to an expected threshold.

Abstract: A method and system of diagnosing a vehicle with a vehicle diagnostic system that is configured to scan an electrical system of a vehicle for error codes using a minimally expensive with respect to monetary cost and test duration scanning program. The vehicle diagnostic system is operatively connected with the electrical system of a vehicle via a diagnostic port of the vehicle, with the vehicle diagnostic system determining whether the vehicle is equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to select an appropriate diagnostic scanning program based thereon.

Abstract: A drumming exercise method and system involves detecting the striking of a surface with a drum stick by a user, and calculating a calorie expenditure of the user based on the detection. The system may be configured as a digital drum machine having drum pads and sensors operatively connected with the drum pads, and a processor that receive signals from the sensors to detect the striking of a surface with a drum stick. Alternatively, the system may be configured as drum sticks that include a sensor and a processor, with the sensor detecting the striking of a surface and the processor transmitting information thereon to calculate an expenditure of calories. Still further, the system may comprise a digital video camera and computer with recognition software, with the camera capturing images of a user performing drumming motions, and the computer detecting the striking via the recognition software.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system and method includes connecting a vehicle interface device to a diagnostic port of a vehicle to be in communication with an electrical system of the vehicle for diagnosing the vehicle, and running a selected one of multiple available diagnostic application scan programs via the vehicle interface device to generate a scan log file of the electrical system of the vehicle, where the scan log file is generated in one of a plurality of possible native file formats depending on the selected diagnostic application program. A diagnostic evaluation tool program extracts diagnostic data from the scan log file, where the diagnostic evaluation tool program is configured to extract diagnostic data from scan log files in each of the plurality of possible native file formats, and outputs the diagnostic data to a scan database in a common format from which detailed diagnostic reports are generated.

Abstract: A method and system of diagnosing and/or programming a vehicle with a vehicle interface device that is configured to operate on a predetermined use basis. The vehicle interface device is operatively connected with one or more electronic control units of a vehicle via a diagnostic port of the vehicle. The interface device is enabled to be operable to diagnose and/or program a vehicle for a predetermined use, such as by receiving an activation signal. The vehicle interface device is subsequently disabled from operating to diagnose and/or program a vehicle upon the vehicle interface device operating for the predetermined use.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system and method of performing vehicle diagnostics includes a local system that is adapted to connect with a vehicle and a remote system that is adapted to connect with the local system via an Internet. The local system has a vehicle interface and a local computer system operatively connected with the vehicle interface. The local computer system operates a diagnostic program specific to the vehicle under test. The remote system has a remote diagnostic control program. The remote diagnostic control program interfaces with the local computer system for performing a diagnostic evaluation of a vehicle under test. The remote system controls the local system to perform the diagnostic evaluation of the vehicle under test exclusive of the local system operator.

Abstract: A vehicle computer service device for programming and/or diagnosing a vehicle computer system includes a case defining an internal compartment, with a battery charger and a control retained within the compartment. The control includes a controller and a computer having a display with the computer being operably connected with the controller and the controller configured to be operatively connected with the OBD port of a vehicle to reprogram computer control modules of the vehicle. The control may detect when the battery charger is connected to a vehicle battery and be configured to be inoperable to reprogram a computer control module of a vehicle when the control is unconnected to a vehicle battery. A pair of posts extend from the case, where cables may be attached to the posts and the terminals of a battery of a vehicle that is being reprogrammed to ensure the vehicle is powered during a reprogramming operation.

Abstract: A vehicle battery charger includes a charger housing that contains electrical circuitry that is configured to couple with a power source for charging a vehicle battery. The battery charger also includes two projecting members that are coupled with the electrical circuitry and that extend through spaced apart apertures in the charger housing. An exterior portion of each of the two projecting members comprises an exposed conductive surface that is configured to be engaged by a clamp of a jumper cable that extends to the vehicle battery.