Patents by Inventor Thomas Southward
Thomas Southward has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11972180Abstract: A method and computing system operable for displaying a first routing diagram on a display. The first routing diagram is a member of a first set of routing diagrams that includes multiple different routing diagrams. Displaying the first routing diagram includes displaying a user-selectable control and a first portion of a particular routable component within the first routing diagram. The user-selectable control corresponds to a location of the display where a first terminal connected to the particular routable component or a second terminal connected or connectable to the first terminal is displayed. An additional function include determining, by a processor, a selection of the user-selectable control occurs while the first routing diagram is displayed on the display. A further function includes displaying, on the display in response to determining the selection of the user-selectable control occurs, the second routing diagram with a second portion of the particular routable component highlighted.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Assignee: Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLCInventors: Michel B. Alberry, Lester B. Johnson, Thomas A. Southward, Thomas W. Tipps, Michael S. Knize, John P. McGraw, Robert Pilz, Bryan Keithley Romero
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Publication number: 20240119753Abstract: A method includes transmitting a request for a computer-readable routing diagram, such as a wiring diagram, a pneumatic or hydraulic line diagram, or an optical cable diagram. The method also includes receiving, in response to the request, a routing diagram including a connectable component and at least a portion of a routing set. The connectable component is associated with both a connectable component identifier and the routing set. The routing set contains one or more routable components, such as electrical circuits, pneumatic or hydraulic lines, or optical cables. Further, the method includes displaying, on a display, the routing diagram and at least the portion of the routing set highlighted. Displaying at least the portion of the routing set highlighted occurs in response to an occurrence of the connectable component being selected from the routing diagram displayed on the display or in response to the request including the connectable component identifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2023Publication date: April 11, 2024Inventors: Michel B. Alberry, Lester B. Johnson, Michael S. Knize, John P. McGraw, Robert Pilz, Thomas W. Tipps, Eric J. Wade, Patrick S. Merg, Roy Steven Brozovich, Todd Mercer, Thomas A. Southward
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Patent number: 11681989Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying information sets in determined orders are described. The information sets comprise vehicle service information. An order of information set identifiers associated with the information sets is based on vehicle identifying information of a subset of vehicles, and an additional search term comprising a symptom identifier and/or a vehicle component identifier of a component located on the vehicles. The information set identifiers of the group can be arranged according to a hierarchy of information set identifiers. The information sets are output to a vehicle service tool (VST) that displays the information sets. The VST can provide feedback data indicative of whether any aspect of an information set was selected while displayed. A server can aggregate feedback data received from multiple instances of displaying the information sets and determine a modified order for at least some of the information set identifiers of the previously determined group.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: June 20, 2023Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer, Joshua C. Covington, Kahlil H. Cacabelos, Thomas Southward, Roy S. Brozovich
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Publication number: 20220374114Abstract: A method and computing system operable for displaying a first routing diagram on a display. The first routing diagram is a member of a first set of routing diagrams that includes multiple different routing diagrams. Displaying the first routing diagram includes displaying a user-selectable control and a first portion of a particular routable component within the first routing diagram. The user-selectable control indicates that the particular routable component continues on a second routing diagram. An additional function include determining, by one or more processors, a selection of the user-selectable control occurs while the first routing diagram is displayed on the display. A further function includes displaying the second routing diagram on the display in response to determining the selection of the user-selectable control occurs while the first routing diagram is displayed on the display. Displaying the second routing diagram includes displaying a second portion of the particular routable component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2021Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Michel B. Alberry, Lester B. Johnson, Thomas A. Southward, Thomas W. Tipps, Michael S. Knize, John P. McGraw, Robert Pilz
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Publication number: 20220374564Abstract: A method and computing system operable for displaying a first routing diagram on a display. The first routing diagram is a member of a first set of routing diagrams that includes multiple different routing diagrams. Displaying the first routing diagram includes displaying a user-selectable control and a first portion of a particular routable component within the first routing diagram. The user-selectable control corresponds to a location of the display where a first terminal connected to the particular routable component or a second terminal connected or connectable to the first terminal is displayed. An additional function include determining, by a processor, a selection of the user-selectable control occurs while the first routing diagram is displayed on the display. A further function includes displaying, on the display in response to determining the selection of the user-selectable control occurs, the second routing diagram with a second portion of the particular routable component highlighted.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2021Publication date: November 24, 2022Inventors: Michel B. Alberry, Lester B. Johnson, Thomas A. Southward, Thomas W. Tipps, Michael S. Knize, John P. McGraw, Robert Pilz, Bryan Keithley Romero
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Publication number: 20220358471Abstract: A method and system for generating a displayable page with a display card is described. A computer server receives data indicating a vehicle symptom and searches a computer-readable database to determine a most-likely cause of the vehicle symptom, a most-probable component associated with the most-likely cause, a component-type identifier associated with the most-probable component, a subset of information categories from among a set of information categories associated with at least one component-type identifier, and data to populate the display card. The server generates the displayable page including the display card and the data to populate in the display card. The server transmits the displayable page to a display device for displaying the displayable page on a display screen. The server receives data indicating selection of an action trigger in the display card occurred and responsively provides the display device with data to update the display card or another displayable page.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer, Joshua C. Covington, Kahlil H. Cacabelos, Thomas Southward
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Patent number: 11429936Abstract: A method and system for generating a displayable page with a display card is described. A computer server receives data indicating a vehicle symptom and searches a computer-readable database to determine a most-likely cause of the vehicle symptom, a most-probable component associated with the most-likely cause, a component-type identifier associated with the most-probable component, a subset of information categories from among a set of information categories associated with at least one component-type identifier, and data to populate the display card. The server generates the displayable page including the display card and the data to populate in the display card. The server transmits the displayable page to a display device for displaying the displayable page on a display screen. The server receives data indicating selection of an action trigger in the display card occurred and responsively provides the display device with data to update the display card or another displayable page.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer, Joshua C. Covington, Kahlil H. Cacabelos, Thomas Southward
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Patent number: 11386401Abstract: A computing system could have access to mapping data that maps each of a plurality of procedures to respective component identifier(s) used in collision-repair estimates, each procedure including information for repair of vehicle component(s) represented by the respective component identifier(s). Given this, the computing system could instruct a display device to display a visual identifier of a particular collision-repair estimate, could receive input indicative of selection of the visual identifier, and could responsively instruct the display device to display visual indicators representative of vehicle component(s) associated with the particular collision-repair estimate. Moreover, the computing system could receive input indicative of selection of one or more of the visual indicators representative of selected vehicle component(s), and could responsively determine, according to the mapping data, particular procedure(s) based on component identifier(s) representative of the selected vehicle component(s).Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLCInventors: Lester B. Johnson, Todd Mercer, Thomas Southward
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Publication number: 20210004585Abstract: A method includes transmitting a request for a computer-readable routing diagram, such as a wiring diagram, a pneumatic or hydraulic line diagram, or an optical cable diagram. The method also includes receiving, in response to the request, a routing diagram including a connectable component and at least a portion of a routing set. The connectable component is associated with both a connectable component identifier and the routing set. The routing set contains one or more routable components, such as electrical circuits, pneumatic or hydraulic lines, or optical cables. Further, the method includes displaying, on a display, the routing diagram and at least the portion of the routing set highlighted. Displaying at least the portion of the routing set highlighted occurs in response to an occurrence of the connectable component being selected from the routing diagram displayed on the display or in response to the request including the connectable component identifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: Michel B. Alberry, Lester B. Johnson, Michael S. Knize, John P. McGraw, Robert Pilz, Thomas A. Southward, Thomas W. Tipps, Eric J. Wade, Patrick S. Merg, Roy Steven Brozovich, Todd Mercer
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Publication number: 20200279230Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying information sets in determined orders are described. The information sets comprise vehicle service information. An order of information set identifiers associated with the information sets is based on vehicle identifying information of a subset of vehicles, and an additional search term comprising a symptom identifier and/or a vehicle component identifier of a component located on the vehicles. The information set identifiers of the group can be arranged according to a hierarchy of information set identifiers. The information sets are output to a vehicle service tool (VST) that displays the information sets. The VST can provide feedback data indicative of whether any aspect of an information set was selected while displayed. A server can aggregate feedback data received from multiple instances of displaying the information sets and determine a modified order for at least some of the information set identifiers of the previously determined group.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2020Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer, Joshua C. Covington, Kahlil H. Cacabelos, Thomas Southward, Roy S. Brozovich
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Publication number: 20200234252Abstract: A computing system could have access to mapping data that maps each of a plurality of procedures to respective component identifier(s) used in collision-repair estimates, each procedure including information for repair of vehicle component(s) represented by the respective component identifier(s). Given this, the computing system could instruct a display device to display a visual identifier of a particular collision-repair estimate, could receive input indicative of selection of the visual identifier, and could responsively instruct the display device to display visual indicators representative of vehicle component(s) associated with the particular collision-repair estimate. Moreover, the computing system could receive input indicative of selection of one or more of the visual indicators representative of selected vehicle component(s), and could responsively determine, according to the mapping data, particular procedure(s) based on component identifier(s) representative of the selected vehicle component(s).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2019Publication date: July 23, 2020Inventors: Lester B. Johnson, Todd Mercer, Thomas Southward
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Patent number: 10692051Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying information sets in determined orders are described. The information sets comprise vehicle service information. An order of information set identifiers associated with the information sets is based on vehicle identifying information of a subset of vehicles, and an additional search term comprising a symptom identifier and/or a vehicle component identifier of a component located on the vehicles. The information set identifiers of the group can be arranged according to a hierarchy of information set identifiers. The information sets are output to a vehicle service tool (VST) that displays the information sets. The VST can provide feedback data indicative of whether any aspect of an information set was selected while displayed. A server can aggregate feedback data received from multiple instances of displaying the information sets and determine a modified order for at least some of the information set identifiers of the previously determined group.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2017Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: Snap-on IncorporatedInventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer, Joshua C. Covington, Kahlil H. Cacabelos, Thomas Southward, Roy S. Brozovich
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Publication number: 20180225341Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying information sets in determined orders are described. The information sets comprise vehicle service information. An order of information set identifiers associated with the information sets is based on vehicle identifying information of a subset of vehicles, and an additional search term comprising a symptom identifier and/or a vehicle component identifier of a component located on the vehicles. The information set identifiers of the group can be arranged according to a hierarchy of information set identifiers. The information sets are output to a vehicle service tool (VST) that displays the information sets. The VST can provide feedback data indicative of whether any aspect of an information set was selected while displayed. A server can aggregate feedback data received from multiple instances of displaying the information sets and determine a modified order for at least some of the information set identifiers of the previously determined group.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2017Publication date: August 9, 2018Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer, Joshua C. Covington, Kahlil H. Cacabelos, Thomas Southward, Roy S. Brozovich
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Publication number: 20170098200Abstract: A method and system for generating a displayable page with a display card is described. A computer server receives data indicating a vehicle symptom and searches a computer-readable database to determine a most-likely cause of the vehicle symptom, a most-probable component associated with the most-likely cause, a component-type identifier associated with the most-probable component, a subset of information categories from among a set of information categories associated with at least one component-type identifier, and data to populate the display card. The server generates the displayable page including the display card and the data to populate in the display card. The server transmits the displayable page to a display device for displaying the displayable page on a display screen. The server receives data indicating selection of an action trigger in the display card occurred and responsively provides the display device with data to update the display card or another displayable page.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2015Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer, Joshua C. Covington, Kahlil H. Cacabelos, Thomas Southward