Abstract: Smart mapping is provided. A smart mapping system (SMS) and method identify an information source (IS) as an intended recipient of an information request item by matching one or more data elements in a dataset associated with an information request (IR) item with an IS candidate stored in a mapping database. An IS candidate may be an exact match, or a partial match with a highest match agreement score. The SMS provides for notifying an information requestor in real time or near real time when a match is determined or when a plurality of matching IS candidates are identified, such that a user is enabled to select an intended IS, or provide additional input. When a trend associated with matching particular data items to a particular IS candidate is identified, the SMS may add mapping property values to the mapping database for refining and improving the system.

Abstract: Smart mapping is provided. A smart mapping system (SMS) and method identify an information source (IS) as an intended recipient of an information request item by matching one or more data elements in a dataset associated with an information request (IR) item with an IS candidate stored in a mapping database. An IS candidate may be an exact match, or a partial match with a highest match agreement score. The SMS provides for notifying an information requestor in real time or near real time when a match is determined or when a plurality of matching IS candidates are identified, such that a user is enabled to select an intended IS, or provide additional input. When a trend associated with matching particular data items to a particular IS candidate is identified, the SMS may add mapping property values to the mapping database for refining and improving the system.

Abstract: A hydraulic lift is provided. The hydraulic lift may include a hydraulic cylinder defining a fluid chamber. The hydraulic cylinder may have a piston rod extending into the fluid chamber, a seal dividing the fluid chamber into a liquid chamber and a gas chamber, and a gas outlet from the gas chamber. The hydraulic lift may further include a pneumatic line in fluid communication with the gas outlet. The line may accumulate gas that is compressed in the gas chamber when the hydraulic cylinder is energized. The hydraulic lift may further include a load support for carrying a load and coupled to the hydraulic cylinder such that energizing the hydraulic cylinder raises the load support. The hydraulic lift is free of pneumatic tanks for compressed gas storage. A gas regeneration system and method of regenerating gas is also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for deriving commonalities among data entries, These mechanisms and methods for deriving commonalities among data entries can identify characteristics that are known to be common to at least some data entries in addition to unknown characteristics that are common to data entries, The ability to identify common known and unknown characteristics among data entries may allow data entries to be grouped according to the identified common known and unknown characteristics.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for deriving commonalities among data entries. These mechanisms and methods for deriving commonalities among data entries can identify characteristics that are known to be common to at least some data entries in addition to unknown characteristics that are common to data entries. The ability to identify common known and unknown characteristics among data entries may allow data entries to be grouped according to the identified common known and unknown characteristics.

Abstract: A system and method directed to generating a transfer file of categorized vehicle service data, wherein the vehicle service data was captured by a vehicle service tool, and transmitting the transfer file to a remote device. The remote device may store the categorized vehicle service data and thereafter send the categorized vehicle service data back to the vehicle service tool that captured the vehicle service data or to another vehicle service tool for use in comparing current vehicle service conditions to previous service conditions represented by the categorized vehicle service data. The transfer file may include a variety of categories such as diagnostic trouble codes, screen shots, calibration data, and parameter identifiers.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for deriving commonalities among data entries. These mechanisms and methods for deriving commonalities among data entries can identify characteristics that are known to be common to at least some data entries in addition to unknown characteristics that are common to data entries. The ability to identify common known and unknown characteristics among data entries may allow data entries to be grouped according to the identified common known and unknown characteristics.

Abstract: Shown is a pallet assembly having a lid and a pallet, either or both of which can include one or more cam lock assemblies. A sleeve can be placed between the lid and pallet with the lid and pallet cam lock assemblies engaging the sleeve to secure the pallet for shipping things. Alternatively, the sleeve can be folded and placed between the lid and pallet with the lid cam lock assemblies engaging the pallet to secure the pallet assembly for empty return and later reuse.

Abstract: A system and method directed to generating a transfer file of categorized vehicle service data, wherein the vehicle service data was captured by a vehicle service tool, and transmitting the transfer file to a remote device. The remote device may store the categorized vehicle service data and thereafter send the categorized vehicle service data back to the vehicle service tool that captured the vehicle service data or to another vehicle service tool for use in comparing current vehicle service conditions to previous service conditions represented by the categorized vehicle service data. The transfer file may include a variety of categories such as diagnostic trouble codes, screen shots, calibration data, and parameter identifiers.

Abstract: An expert diagnostic service system using a distributed architecture for generating expert diagnostic suggestions based on input received from a plurality of diagnostic systems. The expert service system collects data related to effective diagnostic results, such as effective fixes, corresponding to various symptoms/faults from a plurality of diagnostic systems via a data transmission network, and accumulates the number of each effective fix corresponding to each of the various symptoms. The expert service system then assigns at least one effective fix to one of the various symptoms based on a result of the accumulating step, such as the rank of the accumulated number of each fix. The expert service system uses the assigned fix corresponding to a symptom as expert suggestions.

Abstract: A composite handle for grooming implements provides improved control during use. Such handle has a rigid and a flexible portion that facilitates use of the implement, especially when a user has a weak or impaired grip.

Abstract: Shown is a pallet assembly having a lid and a pallet, either or both of which can include one or more cam lock assemblies. A sleeve can be placed between the lid and pallet with the lid and pallet cam lock assemblies engaging the sleeve to secure the pallet for shipping things. Alternatively, the sleeve can be folded and placed between the lid and pallet with the lid cam lock assemblies engaging the pallet to secure the pallet assembly for empty return and later reuse.

Abstract: Communication device for supporting a general-purpose computer to communicate with a vehicle having a control unit for controlling at least one particular function of the vehicle. A first request in XML format for requesting the control unit to return specified information is received from the computer. The request received is converted into a request in control unit specific format and is sent to the control unit of the vehicle. When a reply in control unit specific format including the specified information is received from the vehicle, the reply is also converted into a reply in XML format. The converted reply is sent to the computer.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for cutting expanded graphite sheet material, at least one cutting tool is urged against the sheet(s). The cutting tool has at least one ridge extending therefrom that includes a substantially tapered cross-section having sloping sides and an edge surface. At least a portion of the sheet material is displaced as the ridge is urged against the sheet. A region of the sheet material in contact with the ridge is compressed so that the density of the region reaches or exceeds the breaking density of the sheet.

Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic system comprising a rules storage system configured to store one or more rules, each of which determines whether the vehicle may have an anomaly when applied to vehicle diagnostic information. An operator interface may be configured to alert an operator of the diagnostic system to a suspected anomaly in the vehicle. A processing system may be configured to receive diagnostic information from the vehicle, apply one or more rules in the rules storage system to the diagnostic information, and cause the operator interface to alert the operator to a suspected anomaly in the vehicle if the application of the one or more rules results in a determination that the vehicle may have that anomaly. Variations and related processes are also disclosed.

Abstract: An expert diagnostic service system using a distributed architecture for generating expert diagnostic suggestions based on input received from a plurality of diagnostic systems. The expert service system collects data related to effective diagnostic results, such as effective fixes, corresponding to various symptoms/faults from a plurality of diagnostic systems via a data transmission network, and accumulates the number of each effective fix corresponding to each of the various symptoms. The expert service system then assigns at least one effective fix to one of the various symptoms based on a result of the accumulating step, such as the rank of the accumulated number of each fix. The expert service system uses the assigned fix corresponding to a symptom as expert suggestions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pallet assembly having a lid and a pallet, either or both of which can include one or more cam lock assemblies. A sleeve can be placed between the lid and pallet with the lid and pallet cam lock assemblies engaging the sleeve to secure the pallet for shipping things. Alternatively, the sleeve can be folded and placed between the lid and pallet with the lid cam lock assemblies engaging the pallet to secure the pallet assembly for empty return and later reuse.

Abstract: A composite handle for grooming implements provides improved control during use. Such handle has a rigid and a flexible portion that facilitates use of the implement, especially when a user has a weak or impaired grip.

Abstract: A process and associated apparatus can automatically read a dot matrix code marking on an article even when the marking has been partly obscured or damaged in some way. The process comprises capturing a video image of the dot matrix code and correlating points on the captured image with a mask of expected dot appearance, using a known two-dimensional correlation technique. However, the correlation is performed in accordance with certain thresholding and mask adjustment criteria to improve read reliability and map the possible dot pattern in preparation for an attempt at reading the code. After automatically reorientating the map of possible dots to a read orientation if necessary, decoding of the pattern of possible dots is then attempted by comparing it with a datum grid representing rows and columns of valid dot matrix codes. The process can output a signal affirming that a valid code has been found.