Patent ID: 8832825

Claim:
A method for locally authenticating a vehicle diagnostic tool with a vehicle using a challenge-response authentication scheme, the method comprising: receiving a pairing request from the vehicle diagnostic tool; presenting a user with a challenge through at least one of an audio system and an LCD display associated with the vehicle, wherein the challenge includes at least one of an alphanumeric code displayed to the user through the LCD display and a requested local action, wherein the requested local action includes a requested actuation of at least one of a button and a toggle switch of the vehicle; receiving a response to the challenge from the user, wherein the response includes at least one of a representation of an entered alphanumeric code from the vehicle diagnostic tool and a sequence of user actions within the vehicle, wherein the sequence of user actions includes an actuation of the at least one of the button and the toggle switch of the vehicle; and authenticating the vehicle diagnostic tool if the response from the user is identical to an expected response.