Abstract: A method and system for developing fault models from unstructured text documents, such as text verbatim descriptions from customers and service technicians. An ontology, or data model, and heuristic rules are used to identify and extract descriptive terms from the text verbatim document. The descriptive terms are then classified into types, including symptoms, failure modes, and parts. Like-meaning but differently-worded descriptive terms are then merged using text similarity scoring techniques. The resultant symptoms, failure modes, parts, and correlations are then assembled into a fault model, which can be used for real-time fault diagnosis onboard a vehicle, or off-board at service shops.

Abstract: A method and system for developing fault models from structured text documents, such as service procedures. A service procedure or other structured text document is parsed using diagnostic rules to extract symptoms, failure modes, and correlations. Testing procedures and repair instructions are also parsed to create a fault tree and identify additional symptoms and failure modes. Reachability analysis is then used to find hidden dependencies in the fault tree, thus yielding additional correlations. The resultant symptoms, failure modes, and correlations are then assembled into a fault model, which can be used for real-time fault diagnosis onboard a vehicle, or for off-board diagnosis at service shops.

Abstract: A method and system for comparing and merging fault models which are derived from different data sources. Two or more fault models are first represented as bipartite weighted graphs, which define correlations between failure modes and symptoms. The nodes of the graphs are compared to find failure modes and symptoms which are the same even though the specific terminology may be different. A graph matching method is then used to compare the graphs and determine which failure mode and symptom correlations are common between them. Finally, smoothing techniques and domain expert knowledge are used to merge and update the fault models, producing an integrated fault model which can be used by onboard vehicle systems, service facilities, and others.

Abstract: A parameter identification-based fault isolation technique is provided for improving fault code settings and isolating faults. DTCs and PIDs are retrieved from a current serviced vehicle. PID data is obtained from prior serviced vehicles having same vehicle specifications as and under substantially similar operating conditions as the current serviced vehicles. A plurality of clusters is formed using PID data of the prior serviced vehicles using mutual dependence to one another. A joint probability distribution is determined as a function of a mutual dependence of the PID data. PID data is selected of the current serviced vehicle having coherence to the PID of the prior service vehicles. A mutual dependence of the PID data of the current serviced vehicle is projected on onto the corresponding joint probability distribution.

Abstract: The device is an improved knife blade container comprising a lid portion and a container portion. The container portion comprising at least two compartments the first compartment for storing new knife blades and the second compartment for storing used discarded knife blades. The lid portion encloses the container portion such that the items stored within each of the separated compartments can remain separated.

Abstract: There is provided a hole saw system comprising a hole saw including a bottom portion and a body portion; a mandrel, including apparatus for receiving the hole saw; wherein the hole saw includes a plurality of slot pairs, the slot pairs being offset from each other on the body portion allowing a tool to be inserted into one of the slot pairs for removal of a slug.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing and analyzing significant parameter data from vehicle systems whenever a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) is triggered. A multi-dimensional matrix is constructed, with vehicles, DTCs, and parameter data comprising three dimensions of the matrix. The data matrix is populated with DTC and parameter data from many different vehicles, either when vehicles are taken to a dealer for service, or via wireless data download. Time can be added as a fourth dimension of the matrix, providing an indication of whether a particular system or component is temporally degrading. When sufficient data is accumulated, the data matrix is pre-processed, features are extracted from the data, and the features are classified, using a variety of mathematical techniques. Trained classifiers are then used to diagnose the root cause of any particular fault signal, and also to provide a prognosis of system health and remaining useful life.

Abstract: A tool has a distal operative portion and a proximal shank with a mounting portion, for mounting the tool in a holder. A substantial portion of the mounting portion has a cross-sectional shape with at least one and fewer than six 60-degree segments thereof having segment ends joined by a flat surface. The holder has a distal axial aperture or mounting hole for receiving the tool, the aperture having a cross-sectional shape which has 60-degree segments thereof having segment ends joined by a flat surface, but no more such flat surface segments than those corresponding to flat surface segments of the tool. The holder further has a ball-detent mechanism or other locking mechanism for engaging the mounting portion of the tool.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing or eliminating built-in tests and diagnostic trouble codes that are set as a result of improper parameter values. The method includes collecting field failure data that identifies diagnostic trouble codes and parameters of the system that are used to set diagnostic trouble codes. The method transforms the collected data into a format more appropriate for human analysis and pre-processes the transferred data to identify and remove information that could bias the human analysis. The method includes plotting linear and nonlinear combinations of operation parameters, performing data mining and analysis for detecting inappropriate settings of fault codes in the pre-processed data and providing the mined data to a subject matter expert for review to determine whether a diagnostic trouble code has been issued because of improper parameters.

Abstract: A method for verifying and improving a vehicle fault model is disclosed. The method includes analyzing the available field failure data that includes vehicle symptoms and failures for many vehicles. The method performs an analysis using the field failure data that includes using subject matter expert knowledge to determine the most significant failure modes and the most significant symptoms. The method also includes learning simulation parameters from the field failure data and simulating faults using the learned simulation parameters. The method further includes verifying and validating the fault model based on the most significant failure modes and the most significant symptoms from the what-if analysis and the faults identifies by the simulation, and using a diagnostic reasoner to analyze the revised fault model to generate estimated faults. The method then compares the estimated faults to the simulated faults to determine true detection and false alarm rates for a benefit analysis.

Abstract: The invention is directed at joint assembly which includes a first part and a second part to be assembled together. The first and second part are secured together via a set of fasteners and a set of attachment portions. The set of attachment portions cooperate with one of the first or second parts and receive the set of fasteners.

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 system and method for fault diagnosis includes receiving information defining a relationship between failure modes and diagnostic trouble codes and extracting diagnostic trouble code data, including set times, frequency data and diagnostic trouble code sequence information for a plurality of diagnostic trouble codes relating to a plurality of failure modes. The system and method further include constructing a Markov chain using the diagnostic trouble code data for each of the plurality of failure modes, training the Markov chain to learn a set of state parameters using the diagnostic trouble code data, and computing a likelihood of a diagnostic trouble code sequence for each of the plurality of failure modes using the trained Markov chains.

Abstract: A system and method for helping users perform and manage actions on their to-do lists tasks by making it fun, rewarding and engaging. The system and method will help users make the task of performing and managing to-do lists tasks fun by providing tools, rewards and incentives for the user, encouraging them in a socially connected way to do the tasks. The present invention further embodies a Recognition Factor for rewarding users who complete tasks in accordance with the Offer Database and Rewards Engine, and further includes a Content Database for associating media to a to-do-list task.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering advertising, solicitation for offers, or offers of assistance to a user based on a user created to-do list task items wherein the user has requested such advertising, solicitation or assistance to be telephonically, wirelessly or electronically delivered and associated with said to-do list task items thereby aiding the user in the performance of his or her to-do list task items. The user to-do list task items may consist of calendared events, appointments, tasks, solicitations for offers, or other requests for assistance or information as the user may desire from other users of the task management system or third party providers. The present invention allows third party providers to connect to user authorized portions of said user's to-do list task items for the purposes of linking advertising, solicitation or assistance through, in part, a unique identifier (a contact information depository of record “CIDOR”).

Abstract: The invention is directed at a quick connect mechanism for mounting a hole saw to a tool comprising a hole saw; a mandrel having a first end for mounting to the hole saw and a second end for mounting to the tool; and a drill bit, assembled within the mandrel such that when the mandrel is connected to the hole saw, the drill bit being concentrically centered within the hole saw; a holder, mounted to the tool, for receiving the second end of the mandrel; wherein the second end of the mandrel includes quick connect means for easily mounting the mandrel to and releasing the mandrel from the holder.

Abstract: A tool has a distal operative portion and a proximal shank with a mounting portion, for mounting the tool in a holder. A substantial portion of the mounting portion has a cross-sectional shape with at least one and fewer than six 60-degree segments thereof having segment ends joined by a flat surface. The holder has a distal axial aperture or mounting hole for receiving the tool, the aperture having a cross-sectional shape which has 60-degree segments thereof having segment ends joined by a flat surface, but no more such flat surface segments than those corresponding to flat surface segments of the tool. The holder further has a ball-detent mechanism or other locking mechanism for engaging the mounting portion of the tool.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a portable tool case and workstation comprising storage means for housing tools; and at least one workstation attachment, stored with the tool case; wherein the at least one workstation attachment cooperates with the tool case to provide a portable workstation to a user.