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

Abstract: A probe device has a main body and a probe body that can be rotatable relative to one another to change a shape of the probe device. This allows a user to use the probe device with the rotated probe body to reach behind areas that are difficult to reach into when the probe body is not rotated. The probe device could also have both a probe connector and an inductive clamp, where the probe connector could be used to measure a voltage of a conductive surface of an electronic circuit under test and the inductive clamp could be used to inductively measure a current flowing through a wire of an electronic circuit under test. The probe device is preferably configured with a grip configured to open and close the inductive clamp and a user interface positioned opposite the grip.

Abstract: A system for providing vehicle information to a user via audible signals. The system includes a data acquisition and transfer device disposable in communication with a vehicle computer on a vehicle to receive diagnostic data therefrom. A remote diagnostic server is disposable in communication with the data acquisition and transfer device to receive the diagnostic data. The remote diagnostic server includes a plurality of preset vehicle conditions stored thereon, and is operative to analyze the diagnostic data and generate an alert signal when the diagnostic data represents at least one of the preset vehicle conditions. The alert signal is receivable by a mobile communication device and is configured to allow the mobile communication device to generate an audible signal based on the alert signal. The audible signal includes diagnostic information associated with the diagnostic data received from the vehicle computer.

Abstract: A method of determining a critical vehicle event. The method includes receiving vehicle speed data and airbag status data at a remote server. The method further includes deriving, at the remote server, a vehicle deceleration from the vehicle speed data. The airbag status data is analyzed at the remote server to determine whether an airbag on the vehicle has deployed, wherein the analyzing of the airbag status data occurs when a magnitude of the derived vehicle deceleration is above a preset magnitude. The method additionally comprises generating a critical event confirmation signal when the airbag status data reveals deployment of the airbag on the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for providing vehicle information to a user via audible signals. The system includes a data acquisition and transfer device disposable in communication with a vehicle computer on a vehicle to receive diagnostic data therefrom. A remote diagnostic server is disposable in communication with the data acquisition and transfer device to receive the diagnostic data. The remote diagnostic server includes a plurality of preset vehicle conditions stored thereon, and is operative to analyze the diagnostic data and generate an alert signal when the diagnostic data represents at least one of the preset vehicle conditions. The alert signal is receivable by a mobile communication device and is configured to allow the mobile communication device to generate an audible signal based on the alert signal. The audible signal includes diagnostic information associated with the diagnostic data received from the vehicle computer.

Abstract: Provided is a method of completing an incomplete drive cycle test on a vehicle resulting from an incomplete vehicle monitoring process. The method includes establishing a communication link between a portable electronic device and a vehicle computer, and receiving initial diagnostic data from the vehicle computer using the portable electronic device. The initial diagnostic data is analyzed to identify the incomplete vehicle monitoring process and a driving procedure for resetting an incomplete vehicle monitor associated with the incomplete vehicle monitoring process. Live data is received from the vehicle computer while the vehicle is in motion to track progression through the driving procedure. The method may include receiving subsequent diagnostic data from the vehicle while the vehicle is in motion. The subsequent diagnostic data is analyzed while the vehicle is in motion to determine if the status of the incomplete vehicle monitoring process transitions to complete.