Patents by Inventor Todd Mercer

Todd Mercer 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).

  • Publication number: 20250225811
    Abstract: A method, computing system and memory containing program instructions executable by a processor to cause a computing system to cause multiple routable components, such as electrical circuits, within a routing diagram to be highlighted in response to selection of a connectable component in the diagram. The diagram is received in response to a request that includes a vehicle identifier including at least model year and manufacturer identifiers, and a textual search criterion, and then displayed on a display. Displaying the diagram includes showing representations of the connectable component and the multiple routable components on the display. The representations of the connectable component and the multiple routable components are selectable via a graphical user interface. In response to receiving a selection of the representation of the connectable component shown on the display, the diagram is displayed on the display with the representations of the multiple routable components highlighted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2025
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20250147970
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving a first service procedure including a plurality of procedural steps for servicing a vehicle, identifying at least one procedural step of the plurality of procedural steps to supplement with supplemental service information, receiving information about vehicles sharing one or more attributes with the vehicle, determining at least one piece of supplemental service information to supplement the at least one identified procedural step, and providing a supplemented service procedure comprising the first service procedure with the at least one piece of supplemental service information included with the at least one identified procedural step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer
  • Patent number: 12229149
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving a first service procedure including a plurality of procedural steps for servicing a vehicle, identifying at least one procedural step of the plurality of procedural steps to supplement with supplemental service information, receiving information about vehicles sharing one or more attributes with the vehicle, determining at least one piece of supplemental service information to supplement the at least one identified procedural step, and providing a supplemented service procedure comprising the first service procedure with the at least one piece of supplemental service information included with the at least one identified procedural step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer
  • Patent number: 12159017
    Abstract: A client computing system (CCS) receives a download including (i) an image representative of at least one circuit in a vehicle, the at least one circuit including a first circuit configured for carrying a first signal within the vehicle, and (ii) symbol data associated with at least one symbol, the at least one symbol including a first symbol. After receiving the download, the CCS displays the image and the at least one symbol. The CCS then receives a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol. The CCS then responsively receives, from the vehicle, data representing value(s) of the first signal. The CCS then determines a first display-location at which to display the data representing the value(s) of the first signal. While the image and the at least one symbol are displayed, the CCS then displays, at the first display-location, the data representing the value(s) of the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Todd Mercer, Roy Steven Brozovich, David Costantino
  • Publication number: 20240311715
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving a first service procedure for servicing a vehicle, determining an expected pace of performance of the first service procedure, receiving at least one input signal during performance of the first service procedure, determining, based on the at least one input signal, a current pace of performance of the first service procedure, and providing for display of a first pace indicator on a display interface of the computing device, where the first pace indicator is representative of the current pace of performance of the first service procedure relative to the expected pace of performance of the first service procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer, Roy Steven Brozovich
  • Patent number: 12046068
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20240192833
    Abstract: A client computing system (CCS) receives a download including (i) an image representative of a vehicle component, (ii) symbol data associated with a first symbol, (iii) a set of one or more selectable identifiers, and (iv) supplemental information associated with the vehicle component. Each selectable identifier can indicate a respective portion of the supplemental information. After receiving the download, the CCS displays the image and the first symbol without displaying the set and the supplemental information. While the image and the first symbol are displayed without the set, the CCS receives a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol. The CCS then responsively displays the set. While the set is displayed, the CCS receives a second input corresponding to selection of a first selectable identifier from the set. The CCS then responsively displays the respective portion of the supplemental information indicated by the first selectable identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2024
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Todd Mercer, Roy Steven Brozovich, David Costantino
  • Patent number: 11995583
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving a first service procedure for servicing a vehicle, determining an expected pace of performance of the first service procedure, receiving at least one input signal during performance of the first service procedure, determining, based on the at least one input signal, a current pace of performance of the first service procedure, and providing for display of a first pace indicator on a display interface of the computing device, where the first pace indicator is representative of the current pace of performance of the first service procedure relative to the expected pace of performance of the first service procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer, Roy Steven Brozovich
  • Patent number: 11977716
    Abstract: A client computing system (CCS) receives a download including (i) an image representative of a vehicle component, (ii) symbol data associated with a first symbol, (iii) a set of one or more selectable identifiers, and (iv) supplemental information associated with the vehicle component. Each selectable identifier can indicate a respective portion of the supplemental information. After receiving the download, the CCS displays the image and the first symbol without displaying the set and the supplemental information. While the image and the first symbol are displayed without the set, the CCS receives a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol. The CCS then responsively displays the set. While the set is displayed, the CCS receives a second input corresponding to selection of a first selectable identifier from the set. The CCS then responsively displays the respective portion of the supplemental information indicated by the first selectable identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Todd Mercer, Roy Steven Brozovich, David Costantino
  • Publication number: 20240119753
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventors: 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
  • Patent number: 11947771
    Abstract: A client computing system (CCS) receives a download including (i) an image representative of at least one circuit in a vehicle, the at least one circuit including a first circuit configured for carrying a first signal within the vehicle, and (ii) symbol data associated with at least one symbol, the at least one symbol including a first symbol. After receiving the download, the CCS displays the image and the at least one symbol. The CCS then receives a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol. The CCS then responsively receives, from the vehicle, data representing value(s) of the first signal. The CCS then determines a first display-location at which to display the data representing the value(s) of the first signal. While the image and the at least one symbol are displayed, the CCS then displays, at the first display-location, the data representing the value(s) of the first signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Todd Mercer, Roy Steven Brozovich, David Costantino
  • Publication number: 20230385290
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving a first service procedure including a plurality of procedural steps for servicing a vehicle, identifying at least one procedural step of the plurality of procedural steps to supplement with supplemental service information, receiving information about vehicles sharing one or more attributes with the vehicle, determining at least one piece of supplemental service information to supplement the at least one identified procedural step, and providing a supplemented service procedure comprising the first service procedure with the at least one piece of supplemental service information included with the at least one identified procedural step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2023
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer
  • Patent number: 11755593
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving a first service procedure including a plurality of procedural steps for servicing a vehicle, identifying at least one procedural step of the plurality of procedural steps to supplement with supplemental service information, receiving information about vehicles sharing one or more attributes with the vehicle, determining at least one piece of supplemental service information to supplement the at least one identified procedural step, and providing a supplemented service procedure comprising the first service procedure with the at least one piece of supplemental service information included with the at least one identified procedural step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer
  • Patent number: 11681989
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer, Joshua C. Covington, Kahlil H. Cacabelos, Thomas Southward, Roy S. Brozovich
  • Publication number: 20230034993
    Abstract: A client computing system (CCS) receives a download including (i) an image representative of a vehicle component, (ii) symbol data associated with a first symbol, (iii) a set of one or more selectable identifiers, and (iv) supplemental information associated with the vehicle component. Each selectable identifier can indicate a respective portion of the supplemental information. After receiving the download, the CCS displays the image and the first symbol without displaying the set and the supplemental information. While the image and the first symbol are displayed without the set, the CCS receives a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol. The CCS then responsively displays the set. While the set is displayed, the CCS receives a second input corresponding to selection of a first selectable identifier from the set. The CCS then responsively displays the respective portion of the supplemental information indicated by the first selectable identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Todd Mercer, Roy Steven Brozovich, David Costantino
  • Patent number: 11507254
    Abstract: A client computing system (CCS) receives a download including (i) an image representative of a vehicle component, (ii) symbol data associated with a first symbol, (iii) a set of one or more selectable identifiers, and (iv) supplemental information associated with the vehicle component. Each selectable identifier can indicate a respective portion of the supplemental information. After receiving the download, the CCS displays the image and the first symbol without displaying the set and the supplemental information. While the image and the first symbol are displayed without the set, the CCS receives a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol. The CCS then responsively displays the set. While the set is displayed, the CCS receives a second input corresponding to selection of a first selectable identifier from the set. The CCS then responsively displays the respective portion of the supplemental information indicated by the first selectable identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Todd Mercer, Roy Steven Brozovich, David Costantino
  • Publication number: 20220358471
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer, Joshua C. Covington, Kahlil H. Cacabelos, Thomas Southward
  • Patent number: 11429936
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Jacob G. Foreman, Todd Mercer, Joshua C. Covington, Kahlil H. Cacabelos, Thomas Southward
  • Patent number: 11386401
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC
    Inventors: Lester B. Johnson, Todd Mercer, Thomas Southward
  • Publication number: 20220027023
    Abstract: A client computing system (CCS) receives a download including (i) an image representative of a vehicle component, (ii) symbol data associated with a first symbol, (iii) a set of one or more selectable identifiers, and (iv) supplemental information associated with the vehicle component. Each selectable identifier can indicate a respective portion of the supplemental information. After receiving the download, the CCS displays the image and the first symbol without displaying the set and the supplemental information. While the image and the first symbol are displayed without the set, the CCS receives a first input corresponding to selection of the first symbol. The CCS then responsively displays the set. While the set is displayed, the CCS receives a second input corresponding to selection of a first selectable identifier from the set. The CCS then responsively displays the respective portion of the supplemental information indicated by the first selectable identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Patrick S. Merg, Todd Mercer, Roy Steven Brozovich, David Costantino