Error Message Details for Debug Available to End User

Abstract

A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input device for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information from the input device and communication with the vehicle from the signal translator, the processor controlling a reception of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, a memory storing a software controlled by the processor, the memory storing information relating to the diagnostic tool and information relating to the configuration of the diagnostic tool and the configuration of the communication with the unit being tested, and an output unit connected to the processor indicating information according to the received and processed information relating to the diagnostic tool and information relating to the diagnosing of the vehicle.

1 . A method of operating a diagnostic tool for a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 communicating with the vehicle in a communication protocol with a signal translator of the diagnostic tool;   determining an error with the configuration or operation of the diagnostic tool with a processor of the diagnostic tool;   indicating the error with the configuration or operation of the diagnostic tool with the processor; and   displaying, with a display of the diagnostic tool, additional information regarding the error with the configuration of the diagnostic tool.   
     
     
         2 . The method of claim I further comprising the step of:
 determining whether the diagnostic tool is operating correctly according to a predetermined standard.   
     
     
         3 . The method of claim I further comprising the step of:
 determining whether the error is with all the diagnostic tools of the same type.   
     
     
         4 . The method of claim I further comprising the steps of:
 determining the configuration information of the diagnostic tool and the vehicle; and   providing the communication information between the vehicle and the diagnostic tool.   
     
     
         5 . The method of claim I further comprising the steps of:
 recording, outputting and inputting configuration data of the vehicle and diagnostic tool according to selected parameters.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 remotely displaying diagnostic information of a hardware and software of the diagnostic tool, the configuration of the diagnostic tool, the communication between the diagnostic tool and the vehicle, and the configuration of the vehicle. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of:
 transferring a diagnostic information and the configuration information of the diagnostic tool and the vehicle to a remote service station. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 outputting a cable connection information of a cable connecting the diagnostic tool to the vehicle.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 displaying configuration information of the diagnostic tool when there is an error in the communication between the diagnostic tool and the vehicle.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  being stored in a computer readable disk and being executable through a system software stored on the computer readable disk. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of:
 remotely instructing and receiving information from the diagnostic tool.