Context-Aware Vehicle Scan Tool Setup for Faster Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Technicians face inefficiencies in selecting and configuring vehicle scan tool functionality due to siloed information between computing devices, leading to suboptimal selection and time wastage during vehicle servicing.
Innovation Solution
Automated initialization of vehicle scan tools through user-selectable options on computing devices, which identify relevant scan tool functions based on contextual information and dynamically adjust link presentation based on available tools, allowing single-click initiation of functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If technicians manually configure vehicle scan tools using printed diagnostic information, then they can access vehicle service content, but they experience time wastage and inefficiency due to siloed information between computing devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the computing device displaying service content with the vehicle scan tool by enabling direct electronic communication between them. This eliminates the need for printed materials and manual configuration, allowing technicians to access diagnostic information and configure scan tools through a unified digital interface, thereby reducing both information loss and time waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device acts as an intermediary between the information source and the vehicle scan tool. It receives service content, processes it, and automatically transmits relevant diagnostic information and configuration parameters to the scan tool, eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing technician time while maintaining information accessibility.
2Ease of operation
If technicians manually navigate through scan tool menus to select functions, then they can configure the scan tool, but they require multiple navigation steps which reduces productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically determining the appropriate scan tool functions and configuration parameters based on the displayed service content before the technician needs to use them. The computing device pre-configures the scan tool with the necessary settings and transmits them automatically, eliminating the need for technicians to manually navigate through multiple menu steps and thereby improving both ease of operation and productivity.
3Reliability
If technicians use printed diagnostic information, then they can reference service content, but they cannot dynamically update or interact with the information in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by enabling bidirectional communication between the computing device and the vehicle scan tool. The computing device can receive real-time diagnostic data from the scan tool and update the displayed service content accordingly, allowing technicians to access accurate, up-to-date information while maintaining the ability to interact with and adapt the diagnostic process in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a method includes receiving, from a computing device, (i) a user identifier, (ii) a vehicle identifier for a vehicle, and (iii) contextual information related to vehicle service content currently displayed on the computing device. Based on the contextual information, the method includes determining a vehicle scan tool function to perform on the vehicle. The method further includes identifying a vehicle scan tool associated with the user identifier. The method also includes causing a selectable vehicle scan tool initialization option to be displayed on the computing device. The method further includes receiving, from the computing device, a selection of the selectable vehicle scan tool initialization option. In response to receiving the selection, the method additionally providing instructions to initialize the vehicle scan tool to perform the vehicle scan tool function on the vehicle.