Diagnostic Tool Duplicate DTC Removal and Clearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) often include duplicates, which complicate diagnosis and increase repair time and cost, as technicians must research and clear each duplicate code individually, without an efficient method to identify and remove them.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic tool that retrieves DTCs from vehicle systems, identifies and removes duplicates, and clears all codes with a single operation, using multiple communication protocols to ensure comprehensive and accurate diagnosis and repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a technician uses traditional code readers to retrieve DTCs from vehicle systems, then the technician can access diagnostic information, but the technician must manually research and clear each duplicate code individually, increasing diagnosis time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic tool automatically identifies and flags duplicate DTCs without requiring technician intervention. The system self-services by comparing retrieved codes against a database, automatically detecting duplicates, and presenting a filtered unique list to the technician, eliminating manual research time.
Solution Approach 2:
A database of known duplicate DTC patterns serves as an intermediary between the vehicle's diagnostic system and the technician. This database mediates the identification process by pre-storing knowledge of duplicate code relationships, enabling automatic detection and reducing the information gap the technician would otherwise need to bridge through manual research.
2Productivity
If a technician manually clears each DTC individually from vehicle systems, then all codes can be removed, but the process is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple individual code clearing operations into a single batch operation. After identifying all DTCs (including duplicates) that need to be cleared, the tool executes a consolidated clearing command that removes all specified codes in one action, rather than requiring sequential individual clearing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary identification and grouping of all codes that need to be cleared before executing the clearing operation. By pre-processing the code list and organizing it into a single clearing command set, the system prepares the work in advance, enabling efficient bulk execution and eliminating repeated individual clearing steps.
3Reliability
If multiple vehicle systems share common sensors, then comprehensive monitoring is achieved, but duplicate DTCs are generated across different systems indicating the same problem
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts duplicate DTCs from the complete retrieved list and separates them from unique codes. By taking out the duplicate entries and identifying them as such, the system maintains comprehensive diagnostic coverage while simplifying the presentation to the technician, who then focuses only on unique problem indicators.
Solution Approach 2:
The DTC list is segmented into unique codes and duplicate codes. This segmentation divides the complex information set into manageable categories, allowing the technician to distinguish between genuinely different problems (unique codes) and redundant reports of the same issue (duplicates), thereby reducing perceived complexity while maintaining diagnostic thoroughness.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus is provided that allows a technician to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and remove any duplicates. The diagnostic tool can retrieve DTCs from the various diagnostic systems in the vehicle, remove any duplicates and display a unique list of DTCs. The diagnostic tool can also erase all DTCs including any duplicates from the vehicle after repairs have been completed. The tool can retrieve the DTCs without the user selecting the system to retrieve from.