Abstract: A system and method for assessing a vehicle's electronic system after a crash includes a vehicle diagnostic computer tool configured to be operatively connected with an electronic system of a vehicle to obtain scan data from the electronic system of the vehicle using a diagnostic scanning program and to obtain collision data from an event data recorder of the vehicle using a collision data recorder program. The collision data and scan data are reported together, such as in a report generated by the vehicle diagnostic computer tool, for evaluating whether vehicle systems requiring repair based on the scan data are attributable to a particular collision event based on the collision data.

Abstract: A system and method of calibrating vehicle safety systems utilizes a vehicle diagnostic computer tool that is configured to be connected to a diagnostic port of a vehicle to be in communication with an electronic system of the vehicle to determine vehicle safety systems present on the vehicle and generating a list of vehicle safety systems that require calibration. Calibration instructions are provided via the computer tool for selected safety systems requiring calibration, with the computer tool receiving and recording calibration confirmation signals while the vehicle safety system is calibrated per the calibration instructions, where the calibration confirmation signals corresponding to steps of the calibration instructions and provide an indication that the associated step has been completed. The system and method thus enable confirmation and documentation of the proper completion of a static or dynamic calibration of an electronic system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method includes connecting an interface device to a port of a vehicle to be in communication with an electrical system of the vehicle for monitoring the vehicle, and running a selected one of multiple available calibration and/or repair programs via the interface device to generate a calibration/repair data file of the vehicle, where the data/log file is generated in one of a plurality of possible native file formats. A report generation tool acquires screen captures and/or screen recordings to document the data/information displayed during the steps of a calibration/repair procedure. An evaluation tool extracts calibration/repair data from the data/log file, where the evaluation tool is configured to extract calibration/repair diagnostic data from data/log files in each of the plurality of possible native file formats, and outputs the calibration/repair diagnostic data to a database in a common format from which detailed calibration/repair diagnostic reports are generated.

Abstract: A system and method of diagnosing a vehicle electronic system and searching for relevant vehicle information pertaining thereto includes a vehicle diagnostic computer tool configured to operate in a mode to scan a vehicle to obtain diagnostic scan data, obtaining a plurality of diagnostic scan data results from the electronic system of the vehicle with the vehicle diagnostic computer tool using a diagnostic scanning program, designating particular ones of the diagnostic scan data results using the vehicle diagnostic computer tool, and performing a search for vehicle information related to the designated particular ones of the diagnostic scan data results. The diagnostic scan data results for searching can be designated by an operator via a listing on the computer tool, or can be automatically designated by the computer tool by way of input criteria entered into the vehicle diagnostic computer tool.

Abstract: A method and system of diagnosing a vehicle electrical system and categorizing fault codes includes using a vehicle diagnostic computer tool that is configured to be connected to a diagnostic port of a vehicle to be in communication with an electronic system of the vehicle and running a diagnostic application program with the vehicle diagnostic computer tool to determine fault codes present in the electronic system of the vehicle. The method and system further include processing the fault codes with a fault code evaluation program to categorize the fault codes into collision fault codes that are deemed to have resulted from collision damage to the vehicle or mechanical fault codes that are deemed to not have resulted from collision damage to the vehicle. The vehicle diagnostic system generates a report file listing the fault codes as categorized.

Abstract: A method and system of diagnosing a vehicle with a vehicle diagnostic system to provide repair recommendations includes connecting a vehicle diagnostic computer tool to a diagnostic port of a vehicle to be in communication with an electronic system of the vehicle and reading vehicle data information of the vehicle with the vehicle diagnostic computer, such as diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). A diagnostic evaluation program is operable to detect whether particular electrical vehicle systems are present on the vehicle, such as safety systems including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. The system may additionally receive information regarding damage to the vehicle, such as from a collision. The system includes a repair information database and a report generator program that is operable to generate a repair recommendation report, including for example based on the vehicle data information, the particular electrical vehicle systems determined to be present, and the damage to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing a vehicle electronic system. A vehicle diagnostic system comprises a vehicle diagnostic computer tool configured to operate in a mode to scan a vehicle for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). The vehicle diagnostic computer tool is connected with a diagnostic port of the vehicle to be in communication with an electronic system of the vehicle. The DTCs are reported by the vehicle's electronic system. An aftermarket diagnostic scan program is run to scan for DTCs, and the scan data acquired by the aftermarket diagnostic scan program is recorded. An original equipment manufacturer (OEM) diagnostic scan program is run to scan for DTCs, and the scan data acquired by the OEM diagnostic scan program is recorded. The scan data acquired by the aftermarket diagnostic scan program is compared to the scan data acquired by the OEM diagnostic scan program.

Abstract: A method of facilitating access to one or more vehicle service programs, such as diagnostic software applications, for servicing an electronic system of a vehicle with a vehicle diagnostic computer tool that is configured to interface with the electronic system of a vehicle at a repair facility includes storing in computer memory a profile file for each of one or more users, where each profile file comprises credential data for a selected user for accessing one or more vehicle service programs, providing credential manager software configured to access user profile files to obtain credential data, using the credential manager software to selectively obtain credential data of a selected user for a selected vehicle service program, and supplying the credential data for the selected user with the credential manager software to the selected vehicle service program to access the selected vehicle service program for servicing the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system and method for identifying and presenting vehicle safety systems on a vehicle for calibration by an operator includes providing a vehicle diagnostic computer tool that includes a display screen and is configured to be connected to a diagnostic port of a vehicle. The vehicle diagnostic tool is configured to determine vehicle safety systems present on the vehicle and to receive vehicle damage information inputs corresponding to areas on the vehicle in which there is damage. A system list program generates a list of vehicle safety systems equipped on the vehicle requiring calibration based on the determined vehicle safety systems present on the vehicle and the vehicle damage information inputs, where the list corresponds to vehicle safety systems present on the vehicle that are disposed in damage areas. The vehicle diagnostic computer tool is further configured to display the list on the screen.

Abstract: A system and method of establishing remote diagnostic data communications between a local diagnostic computer system and a remote diagnostic computer system comprising connecting a local vehicle diagnostic computer system at a repair facility to a vehicle at the repair facility to be in communication with an electronic system of the vehicle, initiating a connection between the local vehicle diagnostic computer system and a remote diagnostic computer system, where the remote diagnostic computer system is located remotely from the repair facility and comprises a diagnostic application program for use with the electronic system of the vehicle, and selecting a remote data connectivity profile based on one or more data connectivity factors with the remote data connectivity profile being operable to set diagnostic data transmission parameters between the remote and local vehicle diagnostic computer systems whereby diagnostic data is then communicated based on the remote data connectivity profile.

Abstract: A method and system for guiding selection of a diagnostic scan program for diagnosing an electronic system of a vehicle with a vehicle diagnostic computer tool and a scan evaluation program, where the diagnostic tool includes a display screen and is configured to be connected to a diagnostic port to be in communication with an electronic system of the vehicle and to operate in a mode to diagnose a vehicle. The diagnostic tool receives scan selection inputs and the diagnostic tool generates a recommendation to use either an aftermarket diagnostic scan program or an OE diagnostic scan program based on the scan selection inputs, where the recommendation is displayed on the screen of the diagnostic tool. The vehicle diagnostic computer tool is further configured to enable a user to accept the recommendation to use either the aftermarket or OE diagnostic scan program to diagnose the electronic system of the vehicle.

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. 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).

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: Diagnosing vehicle anomalies efficiently is dependent upon the expertise of the repair technician, but also the availability of resources. As vehicles have become increasingly computerized, repair technicians have become increasingly specialized in a smaller number of vehicle models. Dealerships and large repair shops have an advantage in that they can more easily afford to obtain specialized electronic tools. However, repair technicians in smaller repair shops often are more skilled, but are unable to afford access to advanced electronic tools and software. A system for using remotely located resources to improve the diagnosis and resolution of vehicle anomalies, including the use of expert technicians and vehicle-specific databases, is disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle communication interface cable includes a vehicle connector having a connector body configured to connect to a diagnostic port of a vehicle, and includes a vehicle communication interface connector having a connector body configured to connect to a vehicle communication interface, and a cable portion extending between the vehicle connector and vehicle communication interface connector, with the cable portion enabling communication from the vehicle connector to the vehicle communication interface connector. An oscilloscope circuit is integrated with the cable portion and is operatively connected with the vehicle connector to obtain measurements from the diagnostic port when connected thereto, with the oscilloscope circuit being operatively connected with the vehicle communication interface connector to provide measurements from the diagnostic port to the vehicle communication interface when the vehicle communication interface connector is connected to the vehicle communication interface.

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 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 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 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.