Abstract: A method performed by a first computing system includes receiving, from a second computing system, a message identifying a symptom of a first vehicle; and sending a repair tip to the second computing system. The repair tip includes a first phrase describing a first procedure performed on a second vehicle that exhibited the symptom, wherein the first procedure performed on the second vehicle yielded a result insufficient to determine that a component of the second vehicle associated with the symptom is defective. The repair tip also includes a second phrase describing a second procedure performed on a given vehicle, wherein the given vehicle is either (i) the second vehicle or (ii) a third vehicle that also exhibited the symptom, wherein the second procedure performed on the given vehicle yielded a result sufficient to determine that a component of the given vehicle associated with the symptom is defective.

Abstract: An example method includes determining identifying information for a vehicle to be serviced. The method further includes receiving at least one symptom identifier for the vehicle. The method further includes sending a request over a communication network to a remote server for a PID filter list for the vehicle, the request comprising the identifying information for the vehicle and the at least one symptom identifier for the vehicle. The method additionally includes receiving a response to the request over the communication network from the remote server, the response comprising the PID filter list for the vehicle. The method further includes determining, based on the PID filter list for the vehicle, a symptom-based subset of PIDs for the vehicle from a set of available PIDs. The method additionally includes displaying, on a display interface, the symptom-based subset of PIDs for the vehicle.

Abstract: A target stand having a base, a vertical beam extending upwardly from the base, a crossbeam, a locking and rotation assembly having a first portion engaged for vertical movement with respect to the vertical beam and a second portion attached to the crossbeam, the first portion attached to a first upwardly extending flange on the second portion with a pivot bolt, wherein the crossbeam is configured to be disposed in a first locked horizontal position using the locking and rotation assembly, wherein the crossbeam is rotatable about the pivot bolt to move into a first non-horizontal position, wherein a second upwardly extending flange on the second portion of the locking and rotation assembly includes a first locking pin which extends through the second upwardly extending vertical flange into a first aperture in the first portion of the locking and rotation assembly when the crossbeam is in the first locked horizontal position.

Abstract: A tool storage unit includes a housing configured to store a tool. The tool storage unit additionally includes an adjustable wheel assembly coupled to the housing. The adjustable wheel assembly includes a bolt movable between a first position and a second position, a support arm extending outwardly from the housing, a swing arm, and a caster wheel. The swing arm defining a first end and a second end, where the first end receives the bolt and is pivotally coupled to the support arm and the second end is rotatably coupled to the caster wheel. The swing arm is vertically movable between a raised position and a lowered position, where the caster wheel and swing arm are in the raised position when the bolt is in the first position and the caster wheel and swing arm are in the lowered position when the bolt is in the second position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a housing clamp for a power tool housing, such as a drill, router, grinder, impact wrench, ratchet wrench, screwdriver, or other powered tool. The housing clamp includes a circumferential flange and recess that extends at an angle. When the housing clamp is installed, the housing clamp couples two portions of a power tool housing together. As the housing clamp is tightened onto the housing portions, the flange loads the housing with even pressure around its circumference providing a clamping load. The housing clamp provides even pressure around a large area at a working end of the tool, allowing the tool to be thinner in a dimensionally critical area.

Abstract: Tools, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, splined sockets, wrenches, etc., that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.

Abstract: Sockets, for example, hexagon sockets, dodecagonal sockets, and splined sockets, that have inner surface geometries adapted to engage a flank of a fastener at a point away from a corner of the fastener. In general, the sockets engage the flank of the fastener at a distance of about 30 to 60 percent of half a length of the flank away from the corner of the fastener. This increases the strength and life of the socket, reduces a risk of the fastener becoming locked or stuck in the socket, and reduces the risk of the fastener being stripped or the socket slipping on the fastener.

Abstract: A client computing system (CCS) receives a download including (i) an image representative of at least one circuit in a vehicle, the at least one circuit including a first circuit configured for carrying a first signal within the vehicle, and (ii) symbol data associated with at least one symbol, the at least one symbol including a first symbol. After receiving the download, the CCS displays the image and the at least one symbol. The CCS then receives a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol. The CCS then responsively receives, from the vehicle, data representing value(s) of the first signal. The CCS then determines a first display-location at which to display the data representing the value(s) of the first signal. While the image and the at least one symbol are displayed, the CCS then displays, at the first display-location, the data representing the value(s) of the first signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates broadly to commutation control of a BLDC motor for use with, for example, a power tool. The method uses a controller to control a BLDC motor in the event of a position sensor failure. Rather than ceasing operation of the motor and indicating a fault or error message to the user, the present invention determines when the next transition should occur based on the time between past hall transitions using a timer. Thus, if one or two position sensors are no longer providing position information to the controller, the controller can determine when the transitions would be changing based on past transitions to continue controlling the motor and prevents the motor from ceasing operation.

Abstract: A system comprises a dongle and a diagnostic tool. The dongle includes a vehicle communication transceiver (VCT), a first wireless transceiver, and a vehicle connector. The diagnostic tool includes a processor, a proximity sensing component, an output device, and a second wireless transceiver. The proximity sensing component outputs an output signal. The processor receives the output signal and make a determination that indicates whether the output signal indicates an object is in spatial proximity to the proximity sensing component. The processor outputs using the output device a notification based on the determination. The VCT performs a vehicle communication directly with a vehicle while the vehicle connector is connected to an on-board diagnostic connector (OBDC) of the vehicle. The first and second wireless transceivers communicates with each other to trigger a vehicle communication from the dongle to the vehicle while the vehicle connector is connected to the OBDC.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at one or more processors, a content description and a matrix code. The content description includes data describing one or more computer-readable files. The matrix code is encoded with a link to the one or more files. The method includes the one or more processors determining a condition indicative of a first computing device being unable to display the file with at least a minimum quality level. The determination is based, at least in part, on the content description. The method includes the processor outputting the matrix code to a first display operatively coupled to the one or more processors. Outputting the matrix code occurs in response to determining the condition indicative of the first computing device being unable to display the one or more files with at least the minimum quality level. Furthermore, the method includes displaying, on the first display, the matrix code.

Abstract: The present application describes an automated inventory control system that comprises a storage device, a sensing system, a data storage, and one or more processors. The storage device includes a plurality of storage locations for storing objects. The sensing system is configured to associate the storage device with a first location and with a second location. The data storage is configured to store configurable data of the storage device. The one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the first location to the storage device in response to receiving information associating the storage device with the first location from the sensing system. In response to receiving information associating the storage device with the second location from the sensing system, the one or more processors are configured to send configurable data corresponding to the second location to the storage device.

Abstract: An indexable automotive trim fastener removal/disconnection tool is disclosed. The tool may include a handle having a gripping portion, an indexable joint mechanism, and a head. The indexable joint mechanism may include an axially movable joint-pin and a bias member, such as an elastic or compressible spring, disposed in a transverse hole, having one or more balls. The head may include or define a splined tool head bore, wherein the joint-pin is axially inserted to couple head to handle. A prying surface or fulcrum disposed on the head may be sloped, curved, beveled, or otherwise shaped to facilitate insertion between automotive trim panels.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using natural language processing and machine-learning algorithms to process vehicle-service data to generate metadata regarding the vehicle-service data are described herein. A processor can discover vehicle-service data that can be clustered together based on the vehicle-service data having common characteristics. The clustered vehicle-service data can be classified (e.g., categorized) into any one of a plurality of categories. One of the categories can be for clustered vehicle-service data that is tip-worthy (e.g., determined to include data worthy of generating vehicle-service content (e.g., a repair hint). Another category can track instances of vehicle-service data that are considered to be common to an instance of vehicle-service data classified into the tip-worthy category. The vehicle-service data can be collected from repair orders from a plurality of repair shops. The vehicle-service content generated by the systems can be provided to those or other repair shops.

Abstract: A two-stage braking method for a brushless DC (BLDC) motor. The method includes control a switching array to drive the BLDC motor according to a commutation scheme to decrease a speed of the BLDC motor, allow the BLDC motor to coast, determine the speed of the BLDC motor, and actuate high side switches and/or low side switches to substantially stop rotational movement of the BLDC motor.

Abstract: A motor controller for a motor having an end cap. The motor controller including a power board adapted to couple with a first surface of the end cap, on an internal side of the motor, and including opposing first and second sides and a control board adapted to couple to a second surface of the end cap, on an external side of the motor, and including a processor. The power board including position sensors disposed on the first side and switching elements disposed on the second side.

Abstract: A system for providing electrical power to an element coupled to a tool storage unit, the system comprising a transmitting unit coupled to the tool storage unit and a receiving unit coupled to the tool storage unit. The transmitting unit including a data processing and communication module and a transmitting antenna configured to be coupled to an electrical power supply and transmit energy. The receiving unit including a receiving antenna, and the element.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a vehicle scan tool, a request for automated vehicle scan tool initialization, the request comprising a function identifier for a vehicle scan tool function and a vehicle identifier for a vehicle, where the vehicle scan tool is configured to display at least one navigable menu. The method additionally includes determining a current operating state of the vehicle scan tool. Based on the current operating state of the vehicle scan tool, the method further includes making a determination to initialize the vehicle scan tool according to the request for automated vehicle scan tool initialization. In response to making the determination, the method also includes using the function identifier and the vehicle identifier to initialize the vehicle scan tool to perform the vehicle scan tool function on the vehicle.

Abstract: A pistol-grip type tool, such as an impact wrench, that is smaller than traditional impact wrenches, to allow for use in tight work areas. To minimize size and length, the tool includes a tool housing, a frameless motor, a rear motor bearing supported in a bearing pocket in the tool housing, and a nose housing coupled to the tool housing that supports and aligns a ring gear, bearing assembly, and impact mechanism with an axis of the motor.

Abstract: A battery pack that includes one or more vents on the battery pack housing. The vents to direct battery gasses out in the housing from the front of the battery pack housing. The battery pack housing may also be hermetically sealed to the external environment and include a pressure disc or check valve behind the vent to prevent incursion of external contaminated air or fluids while still allowing internal gasses or liquids to escape from the battery pack case.