Abstract: In combination with a vehicle wheel aligner comprising at least one sensor for generating data indicative of the relative angular orientation of one or more wheels of a vehicle, a computer for calculating alignment values for the vehicle from the data and a video display for displaying the alignment values, the invention is the improvement comprising a digital memory for storing a plurality of vehicle attributes, a computer processor for causing two or more of the attributes to be displayed on the video display, an input device for allowing the operator to select the attributes relating to a subject vehicle, and a digital memory for storing the attributes relating to the subject vehicle which are selected by the operator, whereby a computer model of the subject vehicle is created.

Abstract: An electronic Personal Information Manager (PIM) including a calendar/scheduling system with an EarthTime.TM. module is described. In operation, the system tracks different types of times: "local" time, "home" time, and "remote" time. Home time is the time zone of where the user typically spends most of his or her time; this is usually the time zone for the user's home office. Local time is the time for the locality where the user is located physically at any particular instance in time. "Remote" time represents the time zones of the other individuals (i.e., other than the user). The system may show events and appointments in the user's own "local" time (or other user-selected type of time), regardless of where the user is presently located. Using these three types of time (i.e., "local" time, "home" time, and "remote" time), the system provides improved interface and methods for scheduling and managing activities, such a phone conference, across multiple time zones.

Abstract: A computer-based visual schedule management system that provides visual representations of the amount of work scheduled in a manufacturing facility to both enable rapid identification of bottlenecks in the work flow and permit interactive manipulation of job schedules to alleviate conflicts. The user associates realistic images with the work centers of a facility, lays out the work centers on a visual floorplan of the facility to create a graphical shop overview, and instantly refreshes the utilization of each work center in the shop overview. If changes need to be made, the user selects any work center with a pointing device and drills-down to a graphical representation of a production control board to see the details of the jobs that are scheduled for that work center. The user effects changes by simply dragging the job to a new position on the time grid, or by dragging and dropping the job from the production control board of one work center to the production control board of another.

Abstract: Compensation planning tool (24) for use in connection with a computing device (12). A compensation planner (25) may receive and store compensation information for a plurality of employees. The compensation information preferably includes an identifier (100), a current salary (112), a current bonus (130), a current salary guideline (78), a current total compensation guideline (80), a planned salary action (122), a planned bonus action (132) and a ranking (108). The compensation planner (25) may sort the employees by rank and display a compensation plan. The compensation plan may include a current total compensation (103), a planned salary (108) and a planned total compensation (105) for each employee. A report (210) may be generated from the compensation plan. The report (210) may include a representation (214) of the planned total compensation for each employee arranged by rank.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for performing intrusive testing upon a microprocessor to ensure the absence of errors or defects in performance-enhancing features and related control circuitry which affect the results of software instructions being executed by the microprocessor. In the intrusive testing method, an intrusive testing unit capable of generating logic signals is coupled between a computer system motherboard and a microprocessor. The microprocessor is then caused to execute a test software program. As the microprocessor executes the test software program, the intrusive testing unit generates logic signals (alternate control signals) at regular intervals. Control signals generated by system hardware on the motherboard in response to program execution are logically combined with alternate control signals generated by the intrusive testing unit. Resulting output control signals are applied to the control signal pins of the microprocessor.

Abstract: An industrial plant controller device's control algorithm is ported from a real-time proprietary operating environment (an industrial control plant) to a non-proprietary environment such as an ethernet running TCP/IP. In combination with an application programmer's interface, the invention allows manipulation of the actual device controller's control algorithms including the capability to arbitrarily stop and start the controller algorithm's operation, exercise the controller algorithm at a rate slower and faster than real-time, restore the controller algorithm to a known state, and store the configuration of the algorithm controller state. The increased fidelity provided by the invention allows an operator to design, test, and verify control system strategies in a more comprehensive manner than possible in prior art systems. An added benefit of the invention is that it can be used in an improved operator training system.