Abstract: A method of supporting secure access to an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle may comprise receiving, from a diagnostic tool connected to the vehicle, encrypted data including an ECU address corresponding to the ECU, vehicle identification information of the vehicle, and a security seed, decrypting the encrypted data, retrieving, from a database, an initialization vector based on the ECU address and the vehicle identification information, calculating a security key based on the initialization vector and the security seed using an application programming interface (API) associated with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the ECU, encrypting the security key, and sending the encrypted security key to the diagnostic tool to be decrypted and used by the diagnostic tool to gain secure access to the ECU.

Abstract: An automotive diagnostic digital training system comprising a virtual vehicle including a data simulating processor and a database in communication with the data simulating processor and having simulated, vehicle-specific vehicle data stored thereon. The data simulating processor is configured to access simulated vehicle data stored on the database and generate a signal including a desired set of simulated vehicle data. A student workstation is disposable in communication with the virtual vehicle. The student workstation includes a handheld diagnostic device configured to communicate with the virtual vehicle to receive the simulated, vehicle-specific vehicle data therefrom and generate a student input signal representative of a student diagnostic decision.

Abstract: A system and method provides for safeguarded selection of a polarity for selected application of power or ground to a test circuit via a circuit tester test probe. A positive polarity selection switch is aligned with a negative polarity selection switch on a probe surface. A virtual switch indicia is shown on a probe display with an actuation axis of the virtual switch oriented to correspond to relative alignment of the polarity switches. Pressing the positive polarity switch places the virtual switch in a first position indicating a positive probe polarity selection and pressing the negative polarity switch places the virtual switch in a second position indicating a negative probe polarity selection. Additional polarity selection indicia are generated to reinforce user recognition of a selected polarity to avoid circuit or probe damage.

Abstract: A method of supporting secure access to an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle may comprise receiving, from a diagnostic tool connected to the vehicle, encrypted data including an ECU address corresponding to the ECU, vehicle identification information of the vehicle, and a security seed, decrypting the encrypted data, retrieving, from a database, an initialization vector based on the ECU address and the vehicle identification information, calculating a security key based on the initialization vector and the security seed using an application programming interface (API) associated with an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the ECU, encrypting the security key, and sending the encrypted security key to the diagnostic tool to be decrypted and used by the diagnostic tool to gain secure access to the ECU.

Abstract: A diagnostic system and method for identifying and resolving vehicle Controller Area Network (CAN) bus faults is disclosed. The system connects to a vehicle's data link connector (DLC) and automatically retrieves diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) from multiple electronic control units (ECUs). It filters the DTCs to identify those related to CAN communication errors, groups repeated DTCs across ECUs to highlight systemic faults, and assigns repair priority based on status, scope, and criticality. A user interface displays prioritized DTCs with definitions, affected systems, possible causes, and repair guidance. Upon technician input, the system re-scans the network to confirm resolution and updates the display accordingly. The invention supports semantic and conceptual recognition of communication faults, enabling robust, language-agnostic analysis.

Abstract: A diagnostic method for a vehicle includes receiving a signal identifying a selected test from several available tests. Prescribed operational conditions associated with the test are identified and a first data set from the vehicle indicative of vehicle operating conditions is received. The vehicle operating conditions are compared with the prescribed operational conditions to evaluate compliance therebetween. When the vehicle operating conditions comply with the prescribed operational conditions, multiple operating parameters associated with the selected test are identified. A second data set is received from the vehicle including data indicative of multiple operating parameters associated with the selected test. The received second data set is compared with an optimal data set to identify a portion that does not comply with the optimal data set. A most likely solution is identified based on the portion of the received second data set that does not comply with the optimal data set.

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 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 method of providing vehicle diagnostics includes receiving diagnostic data collected from an on-board diagnostics (OBD) port of a vehicle, the diagnostic data including identification information of the vehicle and at least one diagnostic trouble code (DTC) or other fault indication associated with a component of the vehicle. The method may further include deriving, from the at least one fault indication and the identification information, one or more simulated output parameters for simulating an output of the component, receiving live data collected from the OBD port of the vehicle based on a simulated output of the component generated according to the one or more simulated output parameters, and deriving vehicle condition information from the at least one fault indication and the live data.

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 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 vehicle diagnostic method is based on an analysis of communication signals on a vehicle having a plurality of electronic control units (ECUs). The vehicle diagnostic method includes transmitting an ECU status request signal to the vehicle and receiving a status response signal from the vehicle. The status response signal includes a first group of ECUs on the vehicle that have responded to the transmitted ECU status request signal. The method additionally includes receiving communication DTCs from the vehicle, with the communication DTCs being associated with a second group of ECUs. A primary probable cause ECU is identified by comparing the second group of ECUs to the first group of ECUs, the primary probable cause ECU being included in the second group of ECUs and not in the first group of ECUs.

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.