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.