Abstract: Methods, systems and applications for updating, enhancing, organizing, and utilizing geographic maps, for locating points of interest and places of businesses, or POI's. Embodiments provide a method for collecting geo-coordinate data on POIs by eliciting participation of the business owners or designated employees to identify the specific locations of POI's on a map; a map program which synchronizes to a centralized database where POI and other more frequently changing and time-dependent map information is downloaded to individual users; a map program, where in addition to the standard contact information, “qualitative” information and website links are included in an POI information box to aid in pre-qualifying a POI before selection and in booking a reservation; a method for locating markers on an Internet-based search engine map; and an improved contact management system that allows locations of contacts to be viewed on a map while minimizing address geocoding.

Abstract: An integrated diagnostic system includes interface connectors to connect to a plurality of instruments/instrument modules, including engine analyzers, gas analyzers, oscilloscopes, scanners, network connections, and/or other desired peripheral modules. These modules advantageously interface to the system through diverse parts, connections and with various protocols. The system may connect to a network, wired or wireless, for interfacing among processors and modules, and with an internet connection for interaction with remote resources including databases and expert systems.

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: An integrated diagnostic system includes interface connectors to connect to a plurality of instruments/instrument modules, including engine analyzers, gas analyzers, oscilloscopes, scanners, network connections, and/or other desired peripheral modules. These modules advantageously interface to the system through diverse parts, connections and with various protocols. The system may connect to a network, wired or wireless, for interfacing among processors and modules, and with an internet connection for interaction with remote resources including databases and expert systems.

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: Electronic signal measurement apparatus for the acquisition and display of short-duration analog signal events, in the form of a hand-held instrument which includes maximum and minimum signal value detection circuits for capturing the extremes of a rapidly changing analog signal. The captured values are then digitized by an analog-to-digital converter to generate data which can be stored and subsequently displayed in the form of a histogram evidencing the occurrence or lack of occurrence of a particular type of signal event.

Abstract: A programmable cable adaptor in accordance with the present invention includes a housing containing an internal circuit board having a plurality of conductive traces, an input connector with multiple pins or pin-receiving sockets, and an output connector with multiple pins or pin-receiving sockets. On the circuit board, there is a card edge receptacle with key-contacting pins electrically connected to the conductive traces which in turn electrically couple the receptacle pins to the input connector and/or the output connector. The key-contacting pins of the card edge receptacle are arrayed along at least one side of an elongated aperture adapted to receive an adaptor programming key generally referred to as a card edge key The "key" is typically a small printed circuit board with conductive tabs on at least one side thereof with each tab being electrically connected to at least one other tab on the key with conductive traces.

Abstract: A wheel balancer comprises apparatus for determining the radius of a rim of a hub of a wheel and for determining the distance of the inner and outer side walls of the hub from a reference plane. A framework which is pivotal downwardly over the wheel to be balanced carries a pair of ultrasonic transducers to determine distance of the sides of the wheel from the reference plane. A transducer monitors the position of the framework. The distances monitored by the ultrasonic transducers are stored in a microprocessor against the corresponding positions of the framework at intervals on movement of the framework. The ultrasonic transducers detect a large change in distance from the reference plane caused by the hub well periphery. The hub rim radius is computed from the well periphery radius, while the distances of the side wall from the reference plane is obtained by looking up the stored values of distances which corresponds with the appropriate position of the framework for the hub rim radius.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of developing a stabilized power firing event signal for a cylinder in a wasted spark ignition system having pairs of complementarily connected cylinders, each with a spark plug connected to an opposite end of an independent ignition coil. The first and second firing event signals are developed for each spark plug upon firing of the ignition coil. The first and second signals are combined with like polarity in a summation circuit for eliminating common mode signal portions. The combined signal, which is now stabilized and accurately indicates spark duration, is used for capturing secondary ignition data and may be visually displayed for analysis.

Abstract: A method of determining the cylinder #1 power firing event in a wasted spark ignition system comprises developing a first signal comprising the integration of all power firing event signals, a second signal comprises the integration of all wasted firing event signals and comparing the amplitudes of the two signals to determine which represents the power firing events. The firing event signals are sorted for integration based upon knowledge of the polarity of spark plug firings, the cylinder firing order and the occurrence of a #1 cylinder firing event signal.

Abstract: A processing unit for normalizing the output data of a gas analyzer in view of zero adjustment data and gain adjustment data formulated by the processing unit controlling air input and span reference simulation of a reference gas. A voltage reference generator is manually variable for calibrating the system while passing a known reference gas through the analyzer, in order to provide a scaling factor for use during output data adjustment. A hold switch is manually actuable by the operator for storing in memory the value of a gas analyzation voltage for permitting adjustment to the output data after the gas is removed from the cell of the analyzer.

Abstract: A voltage divider network comprising three series connected resistors serve to reference a test signal lead connectable to an internal combustion engine, with respect to ground for providing a voltage test signal on an output conductor representative of test data to be retrieved from the engine. Whenever the test signal lead is disconnected from the engine, the voltage divider network provides a non-zero voltage level on the output conductor, having a magnitude lying without a predetermined voltage range of possible test signals. A signal processing circuitry analyzes the test signals for providing a visual analysis display for the operator of the analyzer, and further is responsive to the aforesaid non-zero voltage level for blanking the portion of the visual display which is reserved for displaying analysis data.

Abstract: An improved automated engine diagnosing device employing a digital data processor and a cathode ray tube monitor for displaying individual engine cylinder numbers in separate association with correlated values of exhaust gas emissions pollutants. Engine timing data associated with the time of firing of individual cylinders of the engine being tested synchronizes select cylinder firing inhibition for orderly accumulating gas emissions data generated from an exhaust probe placed in the tail pipe of the automobile under test. An automatic sequential firing inhibition and a manually selectable firing inhibition permits dual modes of data acquisition for developing pollutant data to be utilized by the processor for generating the analysis display on the cathode ray tube monitor.

Abstract: An engine tester for determining relative compression by cylinder is disclosed. The tester includes a processor which samples starter current in response to input signals based upon engine cylinder firings. The processor correlates the starter current data and the input signals to identify the current by cylinder.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an improved automated engine diagnosing device employing a digital data processor computer and a cathode ray tube display monitor which displays engine parameter (i.e., condition) values in alphabetic, numeric, and graphical form. Some data is accumulated from the engine by means of direct digital measurements, whereas other data is obtained from the engine by an analog-to-digital converter. The data is then processed by the computer and displayed on the cathode ray tube display monitor.