Patent ID: 7376497

Claim:
An automotive care communications console for communicating between a stand alone handheld diagnostic tool that independently retrieves vehicle trouble codes from an on-board computer of a vehicle and at least one database correlating the trouble codes to repair activities, the console comprising: a) a connection port engagable to the handheld diagnostic tool for uploading the vehicle trouble codes from the diagnostic tool to the console after the tool is disconnected from the vehicle on-board computer; b) at least one database including information selected from the group of vehicle defect information, vehicle service information, and parts information; c) a first communications module for communicating vehicle trouble codes from the connection port to the database(s) to access the selected information correlated to the vehicle trouble codes, the assessment being implemented independent of any processing functions of the diagnostic tool wherein the hand held device functions independently of the consul, to access, store and transport diagnostic information to the consul; d) a payment mechanism for charging a customer for the selected information; and e) an output terminal for outputting the selected information; (f) wherein the database correlates vehicle defect information with vehicle service information, identifying the costs of needed repairs, the price of the needed repairs, and for scheduling the needed repairs.