Patent ID: 8412401

Claim:
An off-board device for establishing a communication link with a vehicle's diagnostic system, comprising: an input device for inputting information regarding the vehicle, the information including a vehicle type for identifying a preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type; a processor that processes information from the vehicle's diagnostic system and configured to receive the information from the input device, compare the information from the input device to an exception list, determine whether the vehicle type is on the exceptions list, and if the vehicle type is on the exception list, identify the preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type before establishing a communication link with the vehicle's diagnostic system; a communication circuitry configured to communicate in a communication protocol with the vehicle's diagnostic system, wherein the communication protocol is the preferred communication protocol associated with the vehicle type if the vehicle type is on the exceptions list, and to communicate with the processor a memory in communication with the processor; and a display that displays information and is in communication with the processor.