Method of updating and configuring a scan tool
A software and method for updating a scan tool with limited memory are provided. An available diagnostic software database is located remotely from the scan tool. The diagnostic software database is vastly larger than the available memory on the scan tool. The technician can access the database and download the software modules he needs based on the vehicle or vehicles he is servicing and the available scan tool memory.
1. A method of updating an automotive scan tool, comprising the steps of:
receiving login information, via an input device, at a computer that includes a vehicle diagnostic software database, the database containing diagnostic software modules for various vehicles;
receiving vehicle identifying information entered into the computer so that the computer can identify the available diagnostic software modules for the identified vehicle;
providing, on a display, a list of available diagnostic software modules based on the identified vehicle;
scanning an available memory of the scan tool with the computer to determine an available memory;
displaying, on the display, the available memory;
receiving a selection of the vehicle diagnostic software modules from a list of available software modules based on the entered vehicle;
displaying, on the display, a downloading screen that provides options for selection for downloading the vehicle diagnostic software modules including downloading wirelessly to the scan tool, downloading to the scan tool through a wired connection, and downloading to a memory device; and
downloading the selected vehicle diagnostic software modules based on the selected one of downloading wirelessly to the scan tool, downloading to the scan tool through the wired connection, and downloading to the memory device.
2. The updating method of claim 1 further comprising the step of purchasing the selected vehicle diagnostic software modules.
3. The updating method of claim 2 , wherein the step of purchasing is paying after the selection is selected.
4. The updating method of claim 2 , wherein the step of purchasing is paying with a prepaid account.
5. The updating method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle information is the vehicle identification number.
6. The updating method of claim 1 , wherein the step of downloading is to download to a flash memory device.
7. The updating method of claim 1 further comprising the step of preventing unauthorized use of the selected software modules on the scan tool if the software module is not licensed for the scan tool.
8. The updating method of claim 1 further comprising the step of preventing unauthorized use of the selected software modules on the scan tool if a license is not valid for the software modules.
9. The updating method of claim 1 , wherein the computer displays the available memory on the scan tool.
10. The updating method of claim 1 , wherein the computer is a remote computer connected to the scan tool or a local computer via an internet connection.
11. The updating method of claim 1 , wherein entering the vehicle identifying information is selecting the vehicle from the list of make and models.
12. The updating method of claim 1 , wherein the list is icons of the software modules.
13. An article comprising a machine-accessible medium having associated data, wherein the data, when accessed, results in a computer performing:
displaying a login screen on a display of the computer, the computer includes a vehicle diagnostic software database, the database containing diagnostic software modules for various vehicles;
displaying a vehicle identification screen on the display so that a user can enter vehicle identifying information into the computer so that the computer can identify the available diagnostic software modules for the identified vehicle;
displaying a list of the available diagnostic software modules based on the identified vehicle;
allowing a selection by the user of the vehicle diagnostic software modules from the list of available software modules based on the entered vehicle;
scanning an available memory of the scan tool with the computer to determine an available memory;
displaying the available memory;
displaying a downloading screen so that the user can select how the vehicle diagnostic software modules will be downloaded including downloading wirelessly to the scan tool, downloading to the scan tool through a wired connection, and downloading to a memory device; and
downloading the selected vehicle diagnostic software modules based on the selected one of downloading wirelessly to the scan tool, downloading to the scan tool through a wired connection, and downloading to a memory device,
wherein the selected vehicle diagnostic software modules comprise a license for use on the automotive scan tool.
14. A method of updating an automotive scan tool, comprising the steps of:
receiving login information, via an input device, at a computer that includes a vehicle diagnostic software database, the database containing diagnostic software modules for various vehicles;
receiving vehicle identifying information entered into the computer so that the computer can identify the available diagnostic software modules for the identified vehicle;
providing, on a display, a list of available diagnostic software modules based on the identified vehicle;
scanning an available memory of the scan tool with the computer to determine an available memory;
displaying, on the display, the available memory;
receiving a selection of the vehicle diagnostic software modules from a list of available software modules based on the entered vehicle;
displaying, on the display, a downloading screen that provides options for selection for downloading the vehicle diagnostic software modules including downloading wirelessly to the scan tool, downloading to the scan tool through a wired connection, and downloading to a memory device; and
downloading the selected vehicle diagnostic software modules based on the selected one of downloading wirelessly to the scan tool, downloading to the scan tool through the wired connection, and downloading to the memory device,
wherein the selected vehicle diagnostic software modules comprise a license for use on the automotive scan tool.
15. The updating method of claim 14 further comprising the step of purchasing the selected vehicle diagnostic software modules.
16. The updating method of claim 14 , wherein the license authorizes the vehicle diagnostic software modules to be used on any scan tool.
17. The updating method of claim 14 , wherein the license authorizes the vehicle diagnostic software modules to be used on an authorized scan tool.
18. The updating method of claim 14 , wherein the license authorizes the vehicle diagnostic software modules to be copied for a predetermined amount of time.
19. The updating method of claim 14 , wherein licensing is authorizing the number of times vehicle diagnostic software modules may be downloaded onto the scan tool for a predetermined period of time.