Patent ID: 8788137

Claim:
A diagnostic tool for diagnosing a vehicle, comprising: a processor to control functions of the diagnostic tool; a memory that stores a software to operate the diagnostic tool and a database of diagnostic information, wherein the memory communicates with the processor; a connector interface that connects the diagnostic tool to a data link connector in the vehicle, wherein the connector interface communicates with the processor; a signal translator that allows the diagnostic tool to communicate with the vehicle in at least one communication protocol, wherein the signal translator communicates with the processor; a display having an indicator that indicates that additional diagnostic information including reported fixes stored on the database of the diagnostic tool, is available for a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) retrieved from the vehicle, wherein the display communicates with the processor; an input device that includes a dedicated hardware button that retrieves the additional diagnostic information when the indicator is present; and a housing surrounding the processor, the memory, the connector interface, the signal translator, the input device, and the display.