Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool includes a wireless communication circuit to retrieve diagnostic software from a remote computing device. When operated, the scan tool can determine if the loaded diagnostic software is appropriate for the vehicle under test. If not, the diagnostic tool can retrieve the appropriate diagnostic software from the remote computing device. The retrieved or second diagnostic software is then operated to reprogram the diagnostic tool to remove the previously loaded software and allow a user to service a vehicle.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input device for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information from the input device and communication with the vehicle from the signal translator, the processor controlling a reception of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, the processor receiving a selected information of a user and configuration of the diagnostic tool through the input device and correlating the configuration information with the user information, the processor processing the received diagnostic data according to the selected configuration information corresponding to the selected user by the input unit, a memory storing a software controlled by the processor, the memory storing the configuration information according to the corresponding user information, and a display unit receiving and displaying diagnostic information according to the selected

Abstract: A diagnostic tool for a vehicle, includes a signal translator communicating with the vehicle in at least one protocol, an input unit for inputting information, a processor controlling a software according to the input information and communication with the vehicle, the processor controlling a recording of diagnostic data of the vehicle through the signal translator, a memory storing a software including a database controlled by the processor, the memory storing baseline data of the vehicle and recorded diagnostic data in the database, the processor comparing the stored baseline data and recorded diagnostic data, and a display unit displaying information according to the comparison between the stored baseline data and recorded diagnostic data. The comparison can also be made on a separate computer storing the baseline data and receiving the recorded data from the diagnostic tool.

Abstract: The invention provides heat-curable thixotropic mixtures containing carbamate and/or allophanate groups, including at least one oligomer and/or polymer containing at least one of carbamate and allophanate groups, and at least one thixotropic agent that is a urea derivative preparable by reacting at least one amine and/or water with at least one isocyanate in the presence of at least one amino resin. The invention further provides processes for preparing the mixtures and coating materials, adhesives and sealing compounds prepared from the mixtures.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool includes a global positioning system. The diagnostic tool can provide diagnostic data, global position and altitude to the user. The diagnostic tool can alert the user or the owner if the tool determines that it has been removed from a predefined area. The tool retrieves data from the determined altitude so that the vehicle can be serviced for optimal operations at that altitude.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method are provided that can determine the communication protocol being used by diagnostic systems in a vehicle. The tool can automatically communicate with onboard computer of the diagnostic system in a first communication protocol and if unsuccessful, then can communicate with the diagnostic system in a second communication protocol. The tool can also determine the Baud rate of the communication protocol being used by the onboard computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided that allows a technician to retrieve diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) and remove any duplicates. The diagnostic tool can retrieve DTCs from the various diagnostic systems in the vehicle, remove any duplicates and display a unique list of DTCs. The diagnostic tool can also erase all DTCs including any duplicates from the vehicle after repairs have been completed. The tool can retrieve the DTCs without the user selecting the system to retrieve from.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool can function as an inspection tool and a scan tool. The diagnostic tool determines if it is authorized for an inspection and then functions as an inspection tool and does not allow the scan tool function until the inspection is completed or voided. A software of the diagnostic tool includes a shared code, an inspection tool mode and a scan tool mode. The scan tool code and the inspection code are not shared so that updating of one code does not affect the code of the other.

Abstract: A diagnostic tool with an adaptive method is provided that will adaptively change the time interval at which the tool interrogates the vehicle if the tool determines if a diagnostic test is not progressing. The tool can interrogate at that interval until it reaches the iteration limit. The tool can also restart at the previous time interval and iteration limit if the tool recognizes that it was previously communicated with the vehicle.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of off-board tools (OBTS) may be used in vehicle inspection maintenance programs are provided. The OBT may include a processor, vehicle communication circuitry for linking to a vehicle diagnostic system, host interface circuitry for communicating with a host computer, and voltage determination circuitry for measuring a voltage through the vehicle diagnostic system. The OBT may include logic for storing a communications protocol used to link with a vehicle diagnostic system that is preferably used for re-establishing dropped communications links. In addition, the OBT may contain logic for testing at least one component of a starting and/or charging system of a vehicle. Still other embodiments may include logic for sending unsolicited messages to a host computer. Additional embodiments may include logic for determining the minimum number of messages that must be received by an OBT.

Abstract: The invention provides heat-curable thixotropic mixtures containing carbamate and/or allophanate groups, including at least one oligomer and/or polymer containing at least one of carbamate and allophanate groups, and at least one thixotropic agent that is a urea derivative preparable by reacting at least one amine and/or water with at least one isocyanate in the presence of at least one amino resin. The invention further provides processes for preparing the mixtures and coating materials, adhesives and sealing compounds prepared from the mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention allows vehicle information tools to be used with vehicle information systems even if lacking a common protocol for communication. The present invention operates by intercepting requests from vehicle information tools, translating the communications into a protocol understood by a vehicle information system and providing the translated communications to the vehicle information system. In response to the request, the vehicle information system generates responses, which are translated into a protocol understood by the vehicle information tool, and then provided to the vehicle information tool.

Abstract: An improved scan tool, e.g., for OBD II, for use with vehicle computer networks. The improved scan tool determines the proper protocol to use to communicate with a vehicle computer network. The proper protocol is determined by requesting information from the vehicle computer network using a plurality of protocols and selecting the protocol that returns the most pieces of information. In addition, the improved scan tool determines a communications drop-out with one or more modules and automatically recovers from a the communications drop-out.

Abstract: The invention provides carbamate-functional resins and coating compositions incorporating said resins that have improved adhesion with respect to subsequently applied films or coatings. More particularly, the invention relates to carbamate-functional addition polymers having at least 250 grams of polymer per carbamate group which are made with less than 35 percent by weight of nonfunctional monomers, preferably with less than 20 percent by weight and most preferably from 0 to less than 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer. The invention further provides a method of making a carbamate-functional polymer and carbamate-functional polymers made by the claimed method. Finally, the invention provides a method for improving the adhesion of a first coating composition to a subsequently applied material as well as a method of making a composite comprising a coated substrate, an adhesive composition, and a glass having at least one surface.

Abstract: The invention provides carbamate-functional resins and coating compositions incorporating said resins that have improved adhesion with respect to subsequently applied films or coatings. More particularly, the invention relates to carbamate-functional addition polymers having at least 250 grams of polymer per carbamate group which are made with less than 35 percent by weight of nonfunctional monomers, preferably with less than 20 percent by weight and most preferably from 0 to less than 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer. The invention further provides a method of making a carbamate-functional polymer and carbamate-functional polymers made by the claimed method. Finally, the invention provides a method for improving the adhesion of a first coating composition to a subsequently applied material as well as a method of making a composite comprising a coated substrate, an adhesive composition, and a glass having at least one surface.

Abstract: Heat-curable thixotropic mixtures containing carbamate and/or allophanate groups, comprising

Abstract: The invention provides carbamate-functional resins and coating compositions incorporating said resins that have improved adhesion with respect to subsequently applied films or coatings. More particularly, the invention relates to carbamate-functional addition polymers having at least 250 grams of polymer per carbamate group which are made with less than 35 percent by weight of nonfunctional monomers, preferably with less than 20 percent by weight and most preferably from 0 to less than 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer. The invention further provides a method of making a carbamate-functional polymer and carbamate-functional polymers made by the claimed method. Finally, the invention provides a method for improving the adhesion of a first coating composition to a subsequently applied material as well as a method of making a composite comprising a coated substrate, an adhesive composition, and a glass having at least one surface.

Abstract: The invention provides carbamate-functional resins and coating compositions incorporating said resins that have improved adhesion with respect to subsequently applied films or coatings. More particularly, the invention relates to carbamate-functional addition polymers having at least 250 grams of polymer per carbamate group which are made with less than 35 percent by weight of nonfunctional monomers, preferably with less than 20 percent by weight and most preferably from 0 to less than 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer. The invention further provides a method of making a carbamate-functional polymer and carbamate-functional polymers made by the claimed method. Finally, the invention provides a method for improving the adhesion of a first coating composition to a subsequently applied material as well as a method of making a composite comprising a coated substrate, an adhesive composition, and a glass having at least one surface.

Abstract: The invention provides carbamate-functional resins and coating compositions incorporating said resins that have improved adhesion with respect to subsequently applied films or coatings. More particularly, the invention relates to carbamate-functional addition polymers having at least 250 grams of polymer per carbamate group which are made with less than 35 percent by weight of nonfunctional monomers, preferably with less than 20 percent by weight and most preferably from 0 to less than 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer. The invention further provides a method of making a carbamate-functional polymer and carbamate-functional polymers made by the claimed method. Finally, the invention provides a method for improving the adhesion of a first coating composition to a subsequently applied material as well as a method of making a composite comprising a coated substrate, an adhesive composition, and a glass having at least one surface.

Abstract: The invention provides carbamate-functional resins and coating compositions incorporating said resins that have improved adhesion with respect to subsequently applied films or coatings. More particularly, the invention relates to carbamate-functional addition polymers having at least 250 grams of polymer per carbamate group which are made with less than 35 percent by weight of nonfunctional monomers, preferably with less than 20 percent by weight and most preferably from 0 to less than 10 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer. The invention further provides a method of making a carbamate-functional polymer and carbamate-functional polymers made by the claimed method. Finally, the invention provides a method for improving the adhesion of a first coating composition to a subsequently applied material as well as a method of making a composite comprising a coated substrate, an adhesive composition, and a glass having at least one surface.