Abstract: Methods and systems may relate to clustering of repair orders based on alternative repair indicators. Accordingly, a processor may determine that a particular computer-readable vehicle repair order (RO) corresponds to an existing cluster of ROs due to the particular RO including data that refers to a particular vehicle symptom. This existing cluster may be arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom. In response to determining that the particular RO correspond to the existing cluster, the processor may determine that the particular RO includes data indicating an alternative repair that defines a vehicle repair for resolving the particular vehicle symptom other than by replacement of a particular vehicle component. Responsively, the processor may add the particular RO to a different cluster of ROs. This different cluster may be arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the alternative repair.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for determining potential-repair information related to a vehicle based on content of a vehicle repair database. According to an example method, a computing device can receive vehicle information that includes a vehicle identifier for a vehicle type. The computing device can then determine, based on the vehicle information, at least two top repair order items in a first category of repair order items. For example, the at least two top repair order items may be related to the first vehicle type and determined from among a plurality of repair order items in the first category of repair order items that are related to the first vehicle type. The example method can further involve providing, by the computing device, a display of a graphical representation of the at least two top repair order items in the first category of repair order items.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for determining potential-repair information related to a vehicle based on content of a vehicle repair database. According to an example method, a computing device can receive vehicle information that includes a vehicle identifier for a vehicle type. The computing device can then determine, based on the vehicle information, at least two top repair order items in a first category of repair order items. For example, the at least two top repair order items may be related to the first vehicle type and determined from among a plurality of repair order items in the first category of repair order items that are related to the first vehicle type. The example method can further involve providing, by the computing device, a display of a graphical representation of the at least two top repair order items in the first category of repair order items.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and devices for determining estimate information related to at least one potential vehicle fix for a vehicle based on vehicle information and content of a vehicle repair database. According to an example method, a computing device can receive vehicle information that includes a vehicle identifier and vehicle-usage data for a vehicle. The computing device can then determine repair information that relates to the vehicle from the vehicle repair database based on the vehicle information. The repair information can include at least one potential vehicle fix to a given malfunction. The example method can further involve determining estimate information related to the at least one potential vehicle fix and providing the estimate information to a communication network.

Abstract: A method is provided for updating a fault tree used in diagnosis of a condition of a machine. The fault tree is a sequence of test modules. Each of the test modules is assigned a confidence score indicating the likelihood that the test module will lead to a diagnosis. The method comprising the steps of obtaining service data from a plurality of service occasions for like machines, revising the confidence score for at least one test module in the fault tree based on the service data; and revising the sequence of the test modules in the fault tree based on the revised confidence score(s). The sequence is revised such that the most likely modules to result in a diagnosis are listed first, and the least likely ones are listed last. The re-ordering is based on feedback from actual service instances in the field, and thus is more likely to reflect real-world conditions. The result is that service technicians using the revised fault trees work more efficiently, at least on a statistical basis.

Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a host system having a processor, storage media and a user interface including a display screen, and a plurality of support data sources, which may be resident at or remote from the host system. The storage media stores service or maintenance test designations and descriptions. System software responds to user selection of displayed vehicle systems or symptoms to be diagnosed by displaying test designations. Upon user selection of a test designation, the system displays the first page of the test description and simultaneously links to appropriate support data sources and displays pertinent support data on a portion of the display screen. A method includes selecting and displaying test descriptions and, in response to each such display, automatically retrieving and displaying related data from a support data source.

Abstract: A diagnostic system includes a host system having a processor, storage media and a user interface including a display screen, and a plurality of support data sources, which may be resident at or remote from the host system. The system stores libraries of information regarding vehicle identifications, driveability symptoms exhibited by vehicles, vehicle systems and components, service or maintenance procedures and service or fault codes which can be registered by the vehicle on-board computer. System software permits the user to input an identification of the vehicle being serviced and make selections from the displayed libraries to describe the condition to be serviced, the system responding by display a list of tests designations pertinent to the condition, which list may be hierarchically arranged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of missing pulses from a repetitive pulse train including signal detection circuits for capturing the rising and/or falling edges of an input signal, time-stamping the captured edges, calculating the maximum and minimum instantaneous frequency over a specified time period, and displaying such frequency values. Instantaneous frequency values between any two adjacent edges are calculated based upon the time-stamps of the edges. The instantaneous frequency values in a specified time period are then sorted to find the minimum and maximum frequency values for that time period. These instantaneous frequency values are displayed in the form of a histogram evidencing the occurrence or lack of occurrence of missing pulses from the input signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detection of missing pulses from a repetitive pulse train including signal detection circuits for capturing the rising and/or falling edges of an input signal, time-stamping the captured edges, calculating the maximum and minimum instantaneous frequency over a specified time period, and displaying such frequency values. Instantaneous frequency values between any two adjacent edges are calculated based upon the time-stamps of the edges. The instantaneous frequency values in a specified time period are then sorted to find the minimum and maximum frequency values for that time period. These instantaneous frequency values are displayed in the form of a histogram evidencing the occurrence or lack of occurrence of missing pulses from the input signal.