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 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 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 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: 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 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.

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.

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 using a minimally expensive with respect to monetary cost and test duration scanning program. 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) to select an appropriate diagnostic scanning program based thereon.

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.