US 12,147,866 B2
Method and system for determining whether a dongle is in spatial proximity to a vehicle diagnostic tool
Derrick R. Steel, Gurnee, IL (US); Joseph R. Grammatico, San Jose, CA (US); Roy S. Brozovich, Campbell, CA (US); Joshua C. Covington, San Juan Bautista, CA (US); and Kahlil H. Cacabelos, San Jose, CA (US)
Assigned to Snap-on Incorporated, Kenosha, WI (US)
Filed by Snap-on Incorporated, Kenosha, WI (US)
Filed on Sep. 3, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/465,843.
Prior Publication US 2023/0072266 A1, Mar. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. G06K 7/10 (2006.01); G07C 5/00 (2006.01); G07C 5/08 (2006.01)
CPC G06K 7/10366 (2013.01) [G06K 7/10128 (2013.01); G07C 5/008 (2013.01); G07C 5/0825 (2013.01)] 28 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a dongle including a vehicle communication transceiver, a first wireless transceiver, and a vehicle connector;
a vehicle diagnostic tool including a first processor, a proximity sensing component, an output device, a second wireless transceiver, and a housing including multiple walls that form a recess at the housing, wherein:
the proximity sensing component is operable to output signals including a first output signal of the proximity sensing component,
the first processor is operable to receive the first output signal of the proximity sensing component and make a first determination, the first determination being indicative of whether the first output signal of the proximity sensing component indicates an object is in spatial proximity to the proximity sensing component and within the recess,
the first processor is operable to output using the output device a notification based at least in part on the first determination,
the vehicle communication transceiver is operable to perform a vehicle communication directly with a vehicle while the vehicle connector is connected to an on-board diagnostic connector of the vehicle,
the second wireless transceiver is operable to communicate wirelessly with the first wireless transceiver to trigger transmission of a vehicle communication from the dongle to the vehicle while the vehicle connector is connected to the on-board diagnostic connector of the vehicle, and
the vehicle diagnostic tool is adapted to removably retain the dongle within the recess.