Vehicle diagnostic device

Abstract

An apparatus and method is provided that allows a user to record events in a vehicle via a vehicle data recorder in the latest communication protocols, such as Controller Area Network. The vehicle data recorder can record data from the event when a trigger button is actuated by the user and the CAN communication can be controlled by the CAN controller. The data can transferred to a host workstation, where the user can analyze the data from the event and diagnose the problem causing the event.

1 . A vehicle performance monitoring system comprising: 
 a vehicle data recorder configured to connect to a vehicle data outlet and configured to selectively record vehicle data, and pass vehicle data to a host workstation.    
   
   
       2 . The vehicle performance monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle data recorder is further configured to selectively record vehicle data and pass vehicle data to a host workstation.  
   
   
       3 . The vehicle performance monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle data recorder is portable and fits inside a vehicle to permit vehicle data to be sent to the vehicle data recorder while the vehicle is operated.  
   
   
       4 . The vehicle performance monitoring system of  claim 3 , further comprising a host workstation that is portable and fits inside a vehicle to permit vehicle data to be displayed while the vehicle is operated.  
   
   
       5 . The vehicle performance monitoring system of  claim 4 , wherein the vehicle data displayed is real time data.  
   
   
       6 . The vehicle performance monitoring system of  claim 5 , wherein the host workstation records the data while the data is displayed.  
   
   
       7 . The vehicle performance monitoring system of  claim 1 , further comprising a host workstation wherein the host workstation is a scan tool.  
   
   
       8 . The vehicle performance monitoring system of  claim 1 , further comprising a host workstation wherein the host workstation is a PC computer.  
   
   
       9 . The vehicle performance monitoring system of  claim 8 , wherein the PC computer is a portable computer.  
   
   
       10 . The vehicle performance monitoring system of  claim 1 , further comprising a connection operatively connecting the host workstation to least one of an internet, Ethernet, and a network.  
   
   
       11 . The vehicle performance monitoring system of  claim 1 , further comprising a data base for storing the data.  
   
   
       12 . A vehicle performance monitoring system comprising: 
 means for recording vehicle data configured to connect to a vehicle data outlet and configured to selectively record vehicle data, and pass vehicle data to a host workstation; and    a host workstation operatively connected to the recording means.    
   
   
       13 . The vehicle performance monitoring system of  claim 12 , wherein the means for recording and the host workstation are portable.  
   
   
       14 . The vehicle performance monitoring system of  claim 12 , wherein the host workstation has a data display and displays real time data.  
   
   
       15 . A method of monitoring vehicle performance comprising: 
 plugging in a vehicle data recorder into a vehicle data port;    passing data through the vehicle data recorder to a host workstation; and    wherein the data is passed through to the host workstation in real time.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising recording the data.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising displaying the data.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising displaying the date inside the vehicle.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising analyzing the data.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising making the data available over at least one of an internet, Ethernet, and a network.