Abstract: The present invention is protective enclosure that is configured to receive an electronic device, such as a pocket PC or a PDA. The protective enclosure includes an interface device capable of coupling with the electronic device and a vehicle diagnostic system, thereby placing the electronic device in circuit communication with a vehicle diagnostic system. A communications protocol is generated by the interface device to establish communications with the vehicle diagnostic system. The vehicle diagnostic information is received and the interface adapter is capable of communicating the diagnostic information to the electronic device.

Abstract: An improved hand held starting/charging system tester. According to one aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester includes a connector to which various test cables can be removably connected to the tester. Detection circuitry within the tester determines which of several types of test cable is connected to the tester before testing. According to another aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester includes an improved user interface that permits a user to review test data from previously performed tests and further permits a user to either skip a previously performed test (thereby retaining the previously collected data for that test) or re-do the test (thereby collecting new data for that test). According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the portable handheld tester that performs a more complete set of tests of the starting/charging system.

Abstract: An improved scan tool, e.g., for OBD II, for use with vehicle computer networks. The improved scan tool determines the proper protocol to use to communicate with a vehicle computer network. The proper protocol is determined by requesting information from the vehicle computer network using a plurality of protocols and selecting the protocol that returns the most pieces of information. In addition, the improved scan tool determines a communications drop-out with one or more modules and automatically recovers from the communications drop-out.

Abstract: A timing light for measuring timing of spark ignition has separate displays of engine RPM and timing advance. Another aspect of the invention provides a flashlight function which triggers the flash tube of the timing light to produce a constant bright light source for locating timing marks within an engine compartment. The flashlight function can be incorporated into a dual display digital timing light, or other timing light designs. A dedicated control on the timing light functions to place the flash tube in a continuous flashlight mode.

Abstract: A multi-test, hand-held instrument and method for testing manifold absolute pressure (MAP) and mass air flow (MAF) sensors includes a housing enclosing a battery and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit can test d.c. voltage output signals and frequency output signals from MAP/MAF sensors and can test continuity and battery strength. Electrical leads extend outwardly from the housing and are connectable to the sensor being tested. A pair of light indicators, comprising LEDs and resistors connected in parallel, are selectively illuminated to allow the test instrument to be used to test both MAP and MAF sensors, and to test these components on different makes and models of vehicles.

Abstract: A voice transmission system for a conventional gas mask or face mask includes a body enclosing a microphone, an amplifier assembly and a speaker. The microphone is mounted within a cavity formed in the body, while the amplifier assembly and speaker are mounted within a main compartment of the body. The microphone, amplifier assembly, speaker and a set of batteries are electrically interconnected. The batteries are enclosed within one or more battery compartments in the body. A mounting assembly having a bracket with threaded, resilient segments is also connected to the body. The resilient segments of the bracket are designed to releasably couple the body to the voice emitter passage of the mask without penetration or structural modification of the mask. The voice transmission system is designed to receive a person's voice from a voice diaphragm located in the voice emitter passage of the mask, amplify the voice, and externally transmit the voice through the speaker.

Abstract: A multi-test, hand-held instrument and method for testing engine sensors and ignition modules includes a housing enclosing a battery and an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit includes a first test circuit electrically interconnected with said battery for testing potentiometer-type, temperature-type and Hall effect type sensors and ignition modules, a second test circuit electrically interconnected with the battery for testing oxygen, reluctance and knock sensors, and a third test circuit for testing the battery in the instrument. A first switch selects between the first or second test circuits, while a second switch selects between a component testing mode and a battery testing mode. Electrical leads extend outwardly from the housing and are connectable to the engine component being tested.

Abstract: A timing analyzer for engine diagnostic testing includes a variable sensitivity knob for testing ignition timing for both a conventional four stroke engine and a DIS four stroke engine. The timing analyzer has a pickup which is adapted to be placed around a lead from a spark plug in the engine. During spark plug firing, a current spike appears in the spark plug lead. The timing analyzer is adapted to be triggered when a current spike above a selected threshold level is detected. When the timing analyzer is triggered, a pulse of light is produced from the nose cone of the analyzer. During engine operation, the spark plugs are continuously being fired, which creates a strobe light effect from the analyzer. The timing analyzer is aimed at timing marks on the engine block, and at a single mark on the rotating flywheel, which permit the engine to be properly timed.

Abstract: The invention provides a combined microphone and amplifier assembly that is releasably connected to the voice emitter passage of a conventional face mask without requiring any penetration or structural modification of the face mask including the voice emitter passage of the mask. The combined microphone and amplifier assembly includes a body mounting and enclosing within a main compartment an amplifier circuit board and a speaker. The body further includes one or more battery compartments having selectively removable covers which afford ready access to the batteries contained within the compartments. Connected to the body is a mounting bracket that facilitates the quick and easy releasable connection of the combined microphone and amplifier assembly to the mask without any penetration or structural modification of the mask being required.

Abstract: An ignition adapter for DIS four stroke engines provides conventional voltage waveforms for a diagnostic oscilloscope. Spark plug leads from a DIS four stroke engine are grouped together depending on their respective firing polarity. A first signal pickup is placed around the spark plug leads from the spark plugs of one signal polarity, for example a positive signal polarity, and a second signal pickup is placed around the spark plug leads from the spark plugs of opposite polarity, for example a negative signal polarity. A trigger pickup is placed around the #1 cylinder spark plug lead. The voltage waveforms received in the signal pickups are applied to the ignition adapter, summed and displayed on the oscilloscope as a conventional voltage waveform. The polarity of the waveform can be reversed using a polarity switch. The waveform received in the trigger pickup is applied to the ignition adapter and compared to a reference voltage.

Abstract: A voice transmission system for a face mask includes a microphone assembly partially received in and threadedly connected to an emitter passage through the mask to position a microphone on the inside of the mask. An amplifier assembly is threaded onto the outer end of the microphone assembly until spring loaded electrical contactors on the amplifier assembly resiliently engage circumferentially continuous contacts on the microphone assembly to complete an electrical circuit between the microphone and the amplifier assembly.

Abstract: A multiple position rotary switch is disclosed for incorporation into an electrical device. The switch comprises an annular cup that serves as a housing for the switch and which receives a knob for rotation therein. The knob is retained within the cup by a circuit board that is removably secured to the cup. The circuit board includes a first major surface having a switching circuit formed thereon and a second major surface. The circuit board is removably secured to the cup by a plurality of barbed ears which extend from the sidewall of the cup such that the first surface of the board is located between the knob and the second surface of the board. The cup includes an upstanding sidewall and a race against which the knob rotates. The race includes a plurality of protrusions which facilitate the retention of the knob in preselected positions as the knob is rotated. The knob comprises a cylindrical disk having on one surface a handle.