Abstract: A method of providing vehicle diagnostics may include receiving a first communication from a user, processing the first communication using a natural language processing (NLP) model to produce NLP model output including a sequence of words, extracting one or more keywords from the sequence of words, and instructing a data acquisition and transfer device (DAT) connected to an OBD port of a vehicle to perform a selected function based on the one or more keywords. The method may further include receiving diagnostic data from the DAT, the diagnostic data having been retrieved from the vehicle by the DAT in accordance with the selected function, and determining a diagnostic condition of the vehicle based on the diagnostic data.

Abstract: A handheld, interactive connector for an automotive diagnostic device configured for engagement with a diagnostic port on a includes a housing and a connector port coupled to the housing. The connector port is configured to be plug connectable to the diagnostic port to establish a communication pathway between the connector and the vehicle. The connector further includes a control unit configured to receive a user initiation signal from a user sensing device and generate a speaker command signal in response to receiving the user initiation signal. A speaker is coupled to the housing and is in operative communication with the control unit to receive the speaker command signal therefrom. The speaker is configured to emit an audible signal corresponding to the speaker command signal.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) sensor on a vehicle includes receiving a signal at a handheld vehicle diagnostic tool from an onboard vehicle computer, with the signal including a list of ADAS sensors located on the vehicle. The list is displayed on the diagnostic tool and user input is received on the diagnostic tool identifying a selected ADAS sensor from the list. Calibration instructions associated with the selected ADAS sensor are displayed in response to receiving the user input. An image is projected onto a projection surface adjacent the vehicle, with the projected image being associated with calibrating the selected ADAS sensor. Computer executable instructions are executed on the diagnostic tool to autonomously calibrate the selected ADAS sensor using the projected image in response to receipt of the user input and projecting the image onto the projection surface.

Abstract: A diagnostic process includes analyzing vehicle data received from a vehicle to identify diagnostic data, and to determine an identity of the vehicle. A most likely fix is determined based on a combined assessment of the diagnostic data and the vehicle identity. A determination of a special function test to run on the vehicle is made based on the determined most likely fix. A signal is generated to run the special function test, and a determination of a pass or fail status is made based on the special function test. If no special function test is associated with the most likely fix, more targeted testing can be implemented through the use of a test box configured to monitor communications along communication pathways on the vehicle, and also to selectively activate/deactivate components on the vehicle.

Abstract: A battery and alternator simulator for use in testing operational capability of a battery tester includes a user interface configured to receive a user input signal associated with a desired testing condition. The simulator additionally includes a signal database includes a plurality of testing conditions and a plurality of testing signals stored thereon, each testing condition being matched with one of the plurality of testing signals. A processor is in communication with the user interface and the signal database, with the processor being configured to identify one of the testing signals based on the testing condition associated with the received user input signal. A pair of testing terminals is in operative communication with the processor and is configured to be electrically connectable to a corresponding pair of terminals on the battery tester for communicating the testing signal to the battery tester.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system includes a first diagnostic server including a diagnostic database having historical data matched with possible vehicle fixes, and configured to receive retrieved vehicle data and identify a most likely vehicle fix associated therewith. The first diagnostic server is associated with a first processing capability. The system additionally includes a second diagnostic server including a diagnostic algorithm operatively associated therewith and configured to identify a possible vehicle fix based on an assessment of the retrieved diagnostic data according to predefined criteria associated with the diagnostic algorithm. The second diagnostic server is associated with a second processing capability.

Abstract: A system for use with a handheld electronic device for coordinating retrieval of diagnostic information from a vehicle includes computer readable instructions downloadable onto the handheld electronic device for configuring the handheld electronic device to receive a request signal from a scheduling server. The request signal includes vehicle information of a third-party vehicle for which retrieval of diagnostic information has been requested. The computer readable instructions further configure the handheld electronic device to display information related to the received request signal on the handheld electronic device and receive user input representative of the user agreeing to retrieve the diagnostic information from the third-party vehicle. The computer readable instructions additionally configure the handheld electronic device to send an accept signal to the scheduling server in response to receipt of the user input.

Abstract: A method of providing vehicle diagnostics may include receiving a first communication from a user, processing the first communication using a natural language processing (NLP) model to produce NLP model output including a sequence of words, extracting one or more keywords from the sequence of words, and instructing a data acquisition and transfer device (DAT) connected to an OBD port of a vehicle to perform a selected function based on the one or more keywords. The method may further include receiving diagnostic data from the DAT, the diagnostic data having been retrieved from the vehicle by the DAT in accordance with the selected function, and determining a diagnostic condition of the vehicle based on the diagnostic data.

Abstract: A probe device has a main body and a probe body with different joints, where each joint rotates along different rotatable directions relative to one another. A user of the probe device may rotate the probe body relative to the main body along two separate rotatable axes to reach behind areas that are difficult to reach into using a probe device without rotatable components.

Abstract: A diagnostic condition indexed kit for implementing a do-it-yourself automotive repair includes at least one replacement part compatible with a specified vehicle, at least one tool for installing the replacement part(s) in the specified vehicle, and packaging containing the replacement part(s) and the tool(s). The packaging may include an indicator, accessible from outside the packaging, referencing the specified vehicle and a diagnostic condition associated with the specified vehicle that is repairable by installation of the replacement part(s). A scan tool or app-loaded mobile device may be operable to communicate with an onboard computer of a vehicle and receive one or more repair codes associated with the diagnostic condition and vehicle-identifying information from the onboard computer and identify the kit based on the received repair code(s) and vehicle-identifying information. A server may match the repair code(s) and vehicle diagnostic information to a kit identifier.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system includes a first diagnostic server including a diagnostic database having historical data matched with possible vehicle fixes, and configured to receive retrieved vehicle data and identify a most likely vehicle fix associated therewith. The first diagnostic server is associated with a first processing capability. The system additionally includes a second diagnostic server including a diagnostic algorithm operatively associated therewith and configured to identify a possible vehicle fix based on an assessment of the retrieved diagnostic data according to predefined criteria associated with the diagnostic algorithm. The second diagnostic server is associated with a second processing capability.

Abstract: A method of providing mobile application-based assistance with vehicle emissions testing compliance includes establishing a user profile associated with a user of a mobile communication device, receiving, from an emissions test provider identified by the mobile application, diagnostic data retrieved from the vehicle using a diagnostic tool and subsequently uploaded to the at least one server, providing the received diagnostic data to a government-authorized server that is capable of deriving an emissions test result for the registered vehicle based on the received diagnostic data, receiving the emissions test result from the government-authorized server, associating the emissions test result with the user profile by matching a VIN included in the received diagnostic data with a VIN included in the user profile, and providing the emissions test result to the mobile communication device, the emissions test result being displayable on the mobile communication device by the mobile application.

Abstract: A multi-functional automotive diagnostic device includes a base unit having a display screen and a base electrical connector. The device additionally includes a first cartridge including a first body, a first electrical connector, and a first automotive tool. The device further includes a second cartridge including a second body, a second electrical connector, and a second automotive tool. The first and second cartridges are interchangeably engageable with the base unit, such that engagement of the first cartridge to the base unit occurs when the first electrical connector is electrically connected to the base electrical connector which configures the base unit to operate in accordance with the first automotive tool and engagement of the second cartridge to the base unit occurs when the second electrical connector is electrically connected to the base electrical connector which configures the base unit to operate in accordance with the second automotive tool.

Abstract: A system for providing mobile application-based vehicle diagnostics includes a mobile communication device (“device”) having an installed mobile application (“app”). The app receives an instruction to obtain vehicle condition information of a vehicle, determines a geolocation of the device, and displays a geolocation of a diagnostic service provider on the device. A diagnostic tool operable by the diagnostic service provider retrieves diagnostic data from the vehicle. A server operable by a different entity than the diagnostic service provider establishes a user profile associated with a user of the device and including a vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle, receives the diagnostic data from the diagnostic tool, detects the VIN in the diagnostic data, derives vehicle condition information from the diagnostic data, associates the vehicle condition information with the user profile by matching the VIN, and provides the vehicle condition information to the app to be displayed on the device.

Abstract: An aftermarket vehicle communication device engageable to a vehicle for providing location information associated with the vehicle to a V2X data stream. The device includes a housing configured to be detachably engageable to the vehicle. A GPS circuit is coupled to the housing and is disposable in communication with a GPS system to receive a GPS signal therefrom, with the received GPS signal being representative of a location of the vehicle when the housing is engaged to the vehicle. An antenna circuit is also coupled to the housing and is in communication with the GPS circuit. The antenna circuit is configured to receive the GPS signal from the GPS circuit and communicate the GPS signal to the V2X data stream.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic includes a kiosk a display configured to depict a visual code thereon, with the visual code being readable by a handheld communication device and associated a unique electronic identifier. The kiosk additionally includes a diagnostic tool connectable to a vehicle to retrieve vehicle data therefrom. A remote server is in communication with the kiosk and is disposable in communication with the handheld communication device. The server is capable of: receiving a signal from the handheld communication device including the unique electronic identifier; receiving a signal from the kiosk including the vehicle data; analyzing the vehicle data to determine a diagnostic solution; and storing the diagnostic solution such that the diagnostic solution is retrievable in response to receipt of a subsequent signal including the unique electronic identifier.

Abstract: A method of mobile application-based vehicle diagnostics comprises establishing a user profile associated with a user of a mobile communication device, the profile including a vehicle identification number (VIN) associated with a vehicle operated by the user, receiving an instruction to obtain vehicle condition information, determining a geolocation of the device, in response to the instruction, directing the user to a nearby diagnostic service provider having a capability to retrieve diagnostic data including the VIN from the registered vehicle and upload the retrieved diagnostic data to a server or other data processor associated with a diagnostic database for deriving vehicle condition information from retrieved diagnostic data, receiving the vehicle condition information from the server, the vehicle condition information having been derived from the diagnostic data uploaded by the diagnostic service provider and associated with the user based on the VIN included in the diagnostic data, and displaying the