Patent ID: 7257472

Claim:
A method for performing at least one of fault diagnosis and control information reprogramming in a vehicle control unit having messages stored in a memory area that are transferable to a diagnostic handset that is operable within a range of 100 m around a vehicle, comprising: selecting particular messages from a total set of said messages stored in the memory area, transferring the particular messages from the memory area over any of a plurality of different vehicle data buses having a plurality of different message protocols to a data protocol converter, converting the particular messages from one of said message protocols, unknown to the diagnostic handset, into a data format for subsequent transfer to the diagnostic handset via a wireless interface using the data protocol converter, outputting particular data, including any of software for improved vehicle component operation, parameters for improved vehicle component operation, and a vehicle hardware description relating to a configuration of reconfigurable vehicle hardware, with the diagnostic handset, obtaining the fault diagnosis from said diagnostic handset when said fault diagnosis is performed, and transferring said particular data directly from the diagnostic handset to the data protocol converter via the wireless interface, converting the particular data received from the diagnostic handset into said one of said message protocols permitting transfer of the particular data over any of a plurality of different vehicle data busses, and transferring the particular data to the control unit over one of said plurality of different vehicle data buses when said control information reprogramming is performed.