Abstract: A method and system for initiating regeneration of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) within a diesel engine system comprising the DPF, a data link connector (DLC), and an electronic control unit (ECU) such as an engine control unit includes an engine communication interface (ECI) device and a communication device that request and transmit DPF inhibit parameters that indicate whether initiation of regeneration of the DPF can be performed. The ECI device can comprise two connectors that are connectable to different types of DLC. The communication device can comprise a smart-phone. The ECI device can determine which DPF inhibit parameter are to be requested from the ECU and which vehicle communication protocol is required to communicate with the ECU. The communication device can receive the DPF inhibit parameters, determine whether initiation of regeneration of the DPF can be performed, and transmit a communication to request initiation of regeneration of the DPF.

Abstract: A method and system for initiating regeneration of a diesel particulate filter (DPF) within a diesel engine system comprising the DPF, a data link connector (DLC), and an electronic control unit (ECU) such as an engine control unit includes an engine communication interface (ECI) device and a communication device that request and transmit DPF inhibit parameters that indicate whether initiation of regeneration of the DPF can be performed. The ECI device can comprise two connectors that are connectable to different types of DLC. The communication device can comprise a smart-phone. The ECI device can determine which DPF inhibit parameter are to be requested from the ECU and which vehicle communication protocol is required to communicate with the ECU. The communication device can receive the DPF inhibit parameters, determine whether initiation of regeneration of the DPF can be performed, and transmit a communication to request initiation of regeneration of the DPF.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool for a vehicle configured to automatically identify different communication protocols used by Electronic Control Units (ECUs) on-board the vehicle. The diagnostic tool includes a connector connectable to a data port of the vehicle; a data processor and a data storage device configured to store a list of different communication protocols. The data processor automatically initiates communications with the ECUs on-board the vehicle using a first communication protocol and if the data processor receives a response comporting to the first communication protocol, the data processor determines that at least one ECU on-board the vehicle is using the first communication protocol.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool for a vehicle configured to automatically identify different communication protocols used by Electronic Control Units (ECUs) on-board the vehicle. The diagnostic tool includes a connector connectable to a data port of the vehicle; a data processor and a data storage device configured to store a list of different communication protocols. The data processor automatically initiates communications with the ECUs on-board the vehicle using a first communication protocol and if the data processor receives a response comporting to the first communication protocol, the data processor determines that at least one ECU on-board the vehicle is using the first communication protocol.

Abstract: A interface device for powering a data processing system using an output of a vehicle diagnostic port, such as an OBD II connector, that outputs self-diagnostic information. The vehicle diagnostic port is disposed on, and an integral part of, a vehicle. The interface device includes a first connector, a second connector and a power converter. The first connector is configured to detachably couple to the vehicle diagnostic port to receive output signals therefrom. The output signals of the vehicle diagnostic port include a vehicle power output and a diagnostic output including self-diagnostic information. The second connector is configured to detachably couple to a docking connector of the data processing system. The power converter, coupled to the first connector and the second connector, is configured to generate a regulated voltage based on the vehicle power output of the vehicle diagnostic port. The regulated voltage is provided to power the data processing system.

Abstract: An exemplary scan tool according to this disclosure receives diagnostic information, such as DTCs, from an on-board diagnostic system. The scan tool automatically generates a search query using the received diagnostic information, and initiates data search on multiple pre-identified data sources.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring the magnetic properties of magnetic materials by generating flux lines through a balanced magnetic core and through a magnetic sample placed adjacent to the core. Increased sensitivity is accomplished through a modulation of the flux in the magnetic core which is measured and subsequently demodulated to yield an electrical signal corresponding to the magnetic properties of the material being tested.

Abstract: A magneto-optic Kerr effect hysteresis loop measuring apparatus is provided which employs a pair of pole-pieces of the same magnetic polarity providing a high and uniform magnetic field strength in the gap between the oppositely disposed faces of the pole-pieces. The spot on the product which is to be nondestructively tested is placed in the gap between the pole-pieces in a region of uniform saturating magnetic field. A laser beam having a high polarization ratio is directed along an incident path with a spot on the surface of the product to be nondestructively tested, and a reflected beam is processed in a Kerr effect detector to provide hysteresis loop data. This data is capable of providing information sufficient to determine the squareness of the hysteresis loop and the coercivity of high coercivity material being nondestructively tested.

Abstract: A degaussing head is mounted on a tape drive transport unit adjacent to a rotating reel of tape. The degaussing head is selectively energized by a signal indicating that the tape is to be erased. Preferably, the degaussing head takes the form of an E-shaped iron core driven by a coil supplied with attenuated DC current. The degaussing head is mounted on the door of the tape drive transport cabinet in such a manner that when the door is closed the legs of the degaussing head orthogonally span the tape in the reel to provide an attenuated alternating magnetic field for bulk erasing the tape as it is rotated past the head.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for bulk erasing magnetic tapes spirally wound on a carrier. A pair of magnetic structures are spaced apart by an air gap of sufficient width to receive the tape carrier. Circuitry is provided for producing a rotating magnetic field in the air gap substantially parallel with the tape. Preferably, the magnetic structures take the form of multi-legged iron cores. The cores are mounted so that corresponding legs on opposing cores have the same magnetic polarity. A phase shifter circuit is adapted to supply currents 90.degree. out of phase with one another to selected pairs of legs in the cores to create a rotating magnetic field in the air gap.