Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing instructions to operate a manual release are provided. The method includes detecting a condition for providing a notification to operate a manual release of the vehicle; and controlling to output the notification to operate the manual release based on the detected condition. The apparatus and method may be used in a vehicle or other apparatus to prevent a user from being hindered from egress in a vehicle during times at which the electronic door release is not operable.

Abstract: A method of detecting anomalies in the service repairs data of equipment. A failure mode-symptom correlation matrix correlates failure modes to symptoms. Diagnostic trouble codes are collected for an actual repair for the equipment. The diagnostic trouble codes are provided to a diagnostic reasoner for identifying failure modes. Diagnostic assessment is applied by the diagnostic reasoner for determining the recommended repairs to perform on the equipment in response to identifying the failure modes. Each of the recommended repairs is compared with the actual repair used to repair the equipment. A mismatch is identified in response to any recommended repair not matching the actual repair. Reports are generated for displaying all of the identified mismatches. The reports are analyzed for determining repair codes having an increase in a number of anomalies. Service centers are alerted of a correct repair for the identified failure mode.

Abstract: A method of detecting anomalies in the service repairs data of equipment. A failure mode-symptom correlation matrix correlates failure modes to symptoms. Diagnostic trouble codes are collected for an actual repair for the equipment. The diagnostic trouble codes are provided to a diagnostic reasoner for identifying failure modes. Diagnostic assessment is applied by the diagnostic reasoner for determining the recommended repairs to perform on the equipment in response to identifying the failure modes. Each of the recommended repairs is compared with the actual repair used to repair the equipment. A mismatch is identified in response to any recommended repair not matching the actual repair. Reports are generated for displaying all of the identified mismatches. The reports are analyzed for determining repair codes having an increase in a number of anomalies. Service centers are alerted of a correct repair for the identified failure mode.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling communication between an information handling device, such as a computer, and a vehicle. A dongle is provided for enabling the communication and includes an external coupling device, dongle transceiver circuitry, and a dongle controller. The dongle transceiver circuitry enables remote keyless entry communication between the dongle and the vehicle. The external coupling device couples the dongle to the information handling device, and the dongle controller is coupled to the external coupling device for determining when the dongle is coupled to the information handling device. The dongle controller is also coupled to the dongle transceiver circuitry for providing a remote keyless entry wakeup message to the dongle transceiver circuitry in response to receiving a communication initiation signal from the information handling device.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling movement of an automobile in a pitched position. The apparatus has an attitude sensor that is configured to determine a pitch of the automobile and a speed sensor that is configured to determine a speed of the automobile. In addition, the apparatus has a braking mechanism that is configured to inhibit movement of the automobile and a controller that is configured to control the braking mechanism. The controller is configured to receive the pitch and the speed determined by the attitude sensor and the speed sensor, respectively, and control the braking mechanism based at least in part upon an evaluation of the pitch and the speed in order to inhibit movement of the automobile in the pitched position.