Abstract: A computerized automotive service equipment system is adapted to access remotely located computer systems to retrieve or exchange data and/or software applications, or to undergo live or real-time and two-way interaction. The system and its components are dynamic with respect to both function and data, and can be easily updated or otherwise altered. The system of the present invention utilizes World Wide Web technology, which enables the use of universal and widely compatible programming tools and techniques for efficient and fast system development.

Abstract: A method for conducting a vehicle diagnostic analysis comprises the machine-implemented steps of executing a software application for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis, receiving signals representative of parameters of a vehicle, accessing a software object over a data transmission network, the software object containing information necessary for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis, and determining a vehicle diagnostic state based on the signals representative of the parameters of the vehicle and the information contained in the software object. Since the information necessary for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis is distributed in different systems that are connected with a data communication network, an automotive service system can minimize the size of software stored locally and can access most of the information and/or algorithm required for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis from a remote system.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a debugging graphical program in a main graphical program. A user can associate a debugging graphical program with a wire in a data flow diagram in order to debug and/or analyze the main graphical program. This association does not change or require recompilation of the main graphical program. The debugging graphical program, or smart probe, receives the data from the main graphical program, analyzes this data, and can perform one of several actions. The debugging graphical program can display the data in the wire, generate statistics based on received data, log statistics or data to a file, or perform other analysis functions. The debugging graphical program can also cause the main graphical program into halting execution, entering single stepping mode, etc. The user may choose a debugging graphical program already present, or create one using graphical programming techniques.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed.

Abstract: A computerized automotive service equipment system is adapted to access remotely located computer systems to retrieve or exchange data and/or software applications, or to undergo live or real-time and two-way interaction. The system and its components are dynamic with respect to both function and data, and can be easily updated or otherwise altered. The system of the present invention utilizes World Wide Web technology, which enables the use of universal and widely compatible programming tools and techniques for efficient and fast system development.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a graphical program which accesses registers of a hardware device. In one embodiment, a register access node or primitive may be included in a graphical program, such that when the graphical program is executed on the computer system, the register access node is operable to access (i.e., either read or write) registers of a hardware device in the computer system. The method may comprise first displaying a register access node in the graphical program in response to user input. For example, the user may select the register access node from a palette and drag and drop the register access node onto a window of the graphical program being created. The user may then configure the register access node to access one or more registers of a selected hardware device, e.g., by using a user interface for performing this configuration.

Abstract: A system and method for propagating type information for hardware device nodes in a graphical program. A hardware device node may be any of various types of nodes relating to hardware devices and may perform any of various hardware-related functions in the graphical program, e.g., may access registers of a hardware device. After displaying a first hardware device node in the graphical program, the user may associate the first hardware device node with a hardware device. A second hardware device node may also be displayed in the graphical program, and the user may connect the first hardware device node to the second hardware device node. In response to connecting the first hardware device node to the second hardware device node, information may be propagated from the first hardware device node to the second hardware device node, wherein the information specifies the hardware device or device class with which the first hardware device node is associated.

Abstract: A computerized automotive service equipment system is adapted to access remotely located computer systems to retrieve or exchange data and/or software applications, or to undergo live or real-time and two-way interaction. The system and its components are dynamic with respect to both function and data, and can be easily updated or otherwise altered. The system of the present invention utilizes World Wide Web technology, which enables the use of universal and widely compatible programming tools and techniques for efficient and fast system development.

Abstract: A multi-point serial link protocol, such as USB, is used to transfer vehicle diagnostic information back and forth between vehicle diagnostic sensors and a host computer. Multiple distinct vehicle servicing applications may be added to or removed from the service bay without requiring substantial software changes or revisions. The amount of vehicle diagnostic hardware is also minimized. The multi-point serial link may originate in the vehicle's on-board computer, allowing the vehicle itself to function as a data hub for the diagnostic automotive service sensors.

Abstract: A voice control system for an automotive service system includes a microphone, through which a technician can communicate voice commands to an item of automotive service equipment within the automotive service system, a speech processor module for converting the voice commands into digital instructions which can be processed by a system controller and for converting data from the system controller into synthesized voice audio, and a speaker for communicating the synthesized voice audio to the technician. The system of the present invention may also include a pair of goggles incorporating a heads-up display which displays the data from the system controller by virtual image in the technician's forward field of vision without blocking his general forward field of view.

Abstract: An electronic automotive vehicle service equipment system includes a computer interface board adapted for installation into a non-dedicated, general purpose computer to serve as the central processor for the automotive service system, or as a component of multiple systems, while enabling the computer to also be available for other applications. The interface board provides microprocessors for controlling various data receiving and transmitting functions through multiple ports between the computer instruments integral to the vehicle service system.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a program for controlling an instrument independent of the interface type of the instrument, in a graphical programming environment. The system comprises a computer system including a display screen and input device, an instrument coupled to the computer system, and a graphical programming environment for creating and executing programs to control the instrument. The programming environment comprises a VISA session control, VISA function nodes and VISA attribute nodes, an object manager and block diagram and front panel editors used to create a VISA virtual instrument. The method for controlling the instrument comprises displaying on the screen VISA session icons, VISA function nodes, and VISA attributes nodes and wiring them together to create the VISA virtual instrument.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a program for controlling an instrument independent of the interface type of the instrument, in a graphical programming environment. The system comprises a computer system including a display screen and input device, an instrument coupled to the computer system, and a graphical programming environment for creating and executing programs to control the instrument. The programming environment comprises a VISA session control, VISA function nodes and VISA attribute nodes, an object manager and block diagram and front panel editors used to create a VISA virtual instrument. The method for controlling the instrument comprises displaying on the screen VISA session icons, VISA function nodes, and VISA attributes nodes and wiring them together to create the VISA virtual instrument.

Abstract: An occurrence capability which allows a first function to "go to sleep" while waiting for a second function to produce a result. In this manner, the first function does not consume any CPU time while waiting for the second function. Three icons are provided with associated control software which implement the occurrence function. A Wait on Occurrence function icon is associated with the first function that is waiting on the result from the second function. A Set Occurrence function icon is typically associated with the second function icon and triggers an occurrence when the second function produces the desired result. A Generate Occurrence function icon is used to pass identifier values linking multiple sources and destinations having Set Occurrence and Wait on Occurrence function icons, respectively.