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.

Abstract: A device for sending and receiving messages between an electronic control unit of a vehicle and an external device includes a processor, a memory, a first port, and a second port. The memory, first port, and second port are each in communication with the processor. The first port is configures to communicate with the electronic control unit of a vehicle, while the second port is configured to communicate with the external device. The processor is configured to receive a request message from the external device via the second port, transmit the request message to the electronic control unit of the vehicle; receive requested information from the electronic control unit of the vehicle based on the request message, and determine an information subset in the requested information that should be transmitted to the external device; and transmitting the information subset to the external device.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing and repairing vehicles includes a diagnostic vehicle system having at least one electronic controller for configured to execute algorithms that generate data related to the diagnostic operations of the vehicle. Also includes is an interface in communication with the at least one electronic controller of the diagnostic vehicle system and at least one electronic controller of the vehicle. The electronic controller is configured to provide access via an application programming interface to a user via the interface to data generated by the algorithms and restrict access to the algorithms that generate the data related to the diagnostic operations of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system includes a simulator device having a computing device having a computer processor and a computer readable medium. The simulator device further includes a communication port configured for communicating with an emissions inspection tool. The simulator device also has a database associated with the computing device and including multiple vehicle profiles, wherein individual ones of the multiple vehicle profiles include a plurality of Engine Control Units (ECUs), and wherein individual ones of the plurality of ECUs are configured to simulate a plurality of Parameter IDs (PIDs) and corresponding response codes. The individual ones of the multiple vehicle profiles are independently selectable for providing at least one PID response code to the vehicle inspection tool. The computing device is configured to perform a vehicle simulation for auditing a vehicle inspection tool.

Abstract: A system and method for sending and receiving messages from an electronic control unit of a vehicle to determine if the vehicle is safe includes a processor, a display and a port. The port and display are in communication with the processor. The port is configured to communicate with the electronic control unit of the vehicle. The processor is configured to receive information from the electronic control unit of the vehicle. The information includes processing of at least one trouble code or other data from at least one subsystem of the vehicle. The processor is further configured to determine and display on the display device a safety state of the vehicle based on the received trouble codes or data from the subsystem of the vehicle.

Abstract: A device includes a processor in communication with a first port, a second port and a third port. The first port is configured to communicate via a diagnostic cable with an electronic control unit of a vehicle. The diagnostic able cable has a first end configured to connect to a vehicle port and a second end configured to connect to the first port. The processor is configured to selectively test the communication capability of the diagnostic cable when the first end of the diagnostic cable is connected to the third port and the second end of the diagnostic cable is connected to the first port.

Abstract: A device for sending and receiving messages between an electronic control unit of a vehicle and an external device includes a processor, a memory, a first port, and a second port. The memory, first port, and second port are each in communication with the processor. The first port is configures to communicate with the electronic control unit of a vehicle, while the second port is configured to communicate with the external device. The processor is configured to receive a request message from the external device via the second port, transmit the request message to the electronic control unit of the vehicle; receive requested information from the electronic control unit of the vehicle based on the request message, and determine an information subset in the requested information that should be transmitted to the external device; and transmitting the information subset to the external device.

Abstract: The device for transmitting signals from a vehicle may include a controller, a first connector, a second connector, a third connector, and a fourth connector. The controller is in communication each of the connectors. The first connector includes a first connector type, which may be a male J1962 connector type, and is configured of transmitting more of a plurality of signals there through. The second connector includes a second connector type, which may be a female J1962 connector type, and is configured to transmit one of the plurality of signals there through. The third connector includes a third connector type, which may be an RJ45 jack, and is configured to transmit one of the plurality of signals there through. The fourth connector includes a fourth connector type, which may be a universal serial bus connector type, and is configured to send and receive the commands to/from the controller.