Abstract: A customer driven process of diagnosing and repairing a vehicle. The process involves temporarily providing a customer with a diagnostic tool that can receive vehicle diagnostic signals from a vehicle on-board computer. The customer then uses the tool to upload diagnostic signals from the car, and returns the tool to the automotive parts/service facility. The vehicle diagnostic signals are communicated to a console, which then accesses a database(s). The database(s) includes information relating to the vehicle malfunction, the repairs needed, and the parts required to complete those repairs. The process also allows automatic scheduling of repairs and purchasing of parts from the automotive parts/service facility. Upon payment of any prescribed fees, the process outputs report information to the customer.

Abstract: There is provided an air/fuel ratio gauge for monitoring an engine exhaust mixture of an engine having a plurality of oxygen sensors. The gauge of the present invention comprises a gauge housing. A gauge controller is disposed within the gauge housing and is electrically communicated with the engine. The gauge controller is operative to receive a sensor voltage output signal from each of the plurality of oxygen sensors. Furthermore, at least two gauge displays are each electrically communicated with the gauge controller and an associated oxygen sensor. Each gauge display is operative to independently display sensor information representative of the associated oxygen sensor operation.

Abstract: A portable, handheld power supply system is disclosed for electrically powering a variety of interconnectable power consumption/distribution devices. The system comprises a power supply unit having a battery disposed therein, a power supply unit having first and second side portions and brackets disposed thereon. The brackets are provided with electrical contacts for communicating power between the battery and the interconnected power distribution/consumption devices, the battery being directly connected to the electrical contacts. The brackets are formed to include longitudinal channels extending along side portions of the power supply unit to provide secure mechanical engagement to the power distribution/consumption devices and electrical communication therebetween.