Cellular phone configured with off-board device capabilities and starter/charger and battery testing capabilities

Abstract

In one embodiment, a system for retrieving diagnostic information from a vehicle diagnostic system, includes a cellular phone with a processor in circuit communication with a first memory portion, a display, an input device, a telecommunications circuit, and an interface port, and an adaptor configured to allow a connection between the cellular phone and the vehicle diagnostic system, the adaptor comprising a second memory portion, a communications circuit, and an interface circuit.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method of displaying vehicle data comprising:
 generating with a handheld device with cellular connectivity a communication protocol for communicating with a vehicle computer module;   placing the handheld device in circuit communication with the vehicle computer module using the generated communication protocol;   generating vehicle data with the vehicle computer module;   processing the generated vehicle data; and   displaying on a display of the handheld device display data based upon the processed received vehicle data.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 transmitting the generated vehicle data to a remote computer using the handheld device, wherein processing the generated vehicle data comprises:   processing the generated vehicle data at the remote computer.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein placing the handheld device in circuit communication with the vehicle computer module using the generated communication protocol comprises placing the handheld device in direct communication with the vehicle computer module. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein placing the handheld device in circuit communication with the vehicle computer module using the generated communication protocol comprises placing the handheld device in wireless communication with the vehicle computer module. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the generated vehicle data comprises battery data. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the generated vehicle data comprises alternator data. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 transmitting error/fault codes from a remote computer system to the handheld device.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the display data comprises graphical data. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the display data comprises parts data. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the display data comprises instruction data. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the display data comprises a message to a customer indicating that a vehicle needs to be serviced. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein:
 processing the generated vehicle data comprises processing the generated vehicle data with the handheld device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 transmitting data associated with a vehicle to a remote computer using the handheld device; and   transmitting the communication protocol to the handheld device based upon the transmitted data.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 transmitting the generated vehicle data to a remote computer using the handheld device, wherein processing the generated vehicle data comprises:   processing the generated vehicle data at the remote computer.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein placing the handheld device in circuit communication with the vehicle computer module using the generated communication protocol comprises placing the handheld device in direct communication with the vehicle computer module. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein placing the handheld device in circuit communication with the vehicle computer module using the generated communication protocol comprises placing the handheld device in wireless communication with the vehicle computer module. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the generated vehicle data comprises battery data. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the generated vehicle data comprises alternator data. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 transmitting error/fault codes from a remote computer system to the handheld device.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the display data comprises parts data.