Patents by Inventor William W. Wittliff
William W. Wittliff 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: 9091537Abstract: A wheel alignment apparatus is capable of automatically obtaining tire pressure information from a plurality of tire pressure monitor systems. The wheel alignment apparatus may include an alignment bay configured to receive a vehicle and an optical system located at an end of the alignment bay and configured to provide an image of wheels of the vehicle. The wheel alignment apparatus may also include a camera configured to receive the image of the wheels of the vehicle and a computer configured to display the image of the wheels of the vehicle and automatically display tire pressure information of the wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle is located within a predetermined proximity of the wheel alignment apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2012Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.Inventors: Scott Allen Farr, William W. Wittliff, III
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Patent number: 9081883Abstract: A dynamic diagnostic plan generator arranges diagnostic test procedures related to a vehicle/power tool/patient symptom or operational problem in a sequence based on a probabilistic Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). The diagnostic plan generator also tracks a vehicle/power tool/patient state, and provides instructions for test preparation steps and instructions for performing the diagnostic test procedures. The plan generator further generates schematic illustrations of the diagnostic test procedures, and creates a diagnostic data structure containing information related to the diagnostic test procedures. In addition, the diagnostic plan generator sends and receives information regarding actual failure mode occurrences, for example, to and from a central database. Furthermore, the diagnostic plan generator facilitates the creation of failure mode tests by an expert diagnostics author.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.Inventors: William W. Wittliff, III, Olav M. Underdal, Harry M. Gilbert, Alex Portyanko
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Patent number: 9052996Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool can be configured to communicate a message including indicators to indicate the condition of the vehicle using a database and the DTCs present in the vehicle. The message can indicate for each DTC retrieved from the vehicle, the level of repair urgency and whether the vehicle can be driven without damaging the vehicle through one or both of a display and a speaker.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: June 9, 2015Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.Inventors: William W. Wittliff, III, Shilpi Biswas, Jennifer Grabowski, Phillip Freshour, Hamid Namaky
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Publication number: 20150081163Abstract: An on board diagnostic (OBD) II cable connector for use with an automobile diagnostic tool or the like. The on board diagnostic (OBD) II cable connector has a housing having an interface that extends from the housing. The interface engages an on board (OBD) II port on a vehicle using a series of pins extending therefrom. The on board diagnostic (OBD) II cable connector also includes a light source disposed upon the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2013Publication date: March 19, 2015Applicant: Service Solutions U.S. LLCInventors: Lynn MOLENKAMP, William W. WITTLIFF, III
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Publication number: 20140359188Abstract: A modular docking station for receiving a mobile device is disclosed. The docking station includes a base component having a plurality of modular apertures configured to receive hardware to perform a specific function. The docking station also includes a receiving component having a protective enclosure configured to receive and protect the mobile device in from environmental containment. The docking station further includes a coupler for coupling the receiving component to the base component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventors: Reed Selkirk, William W. Wittliff, James Fish
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Publication number: 20140273810Abstract: A system and method for creating and distributing diagnostic tests to diagnostic devices. The system includes user devices, diagnostic devices, diagnostic development system and validation/authentication system. The system can create, validate and distribute one or more diagnostic tests to various diagnostic devices. This allows user to have the latest diagnostic tests in a timely manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Kevin Gray, Matthew Pasztor, William W. Wittliff III
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Patent number: 8811008Abstract: A modular docking station for receiving a mobile device is disclosed. The docking station includes a base component having a plurality of modular apertures configured to receive hardware to perform a specific function. The docking station also includes a receiving component having a protective enclosure configured to receive and protect the mobile device in from environmental containment. The docking station further includes a coupler for coupling the receiving component to the base component.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2012Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLCInventors: Reed Selkirk, William W. Wittliff, III, James Fish
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Publication number: 20140129077Abstract: A vehicle diagnostic tool and a process of operating a diagnostic tool include communicating with a vehicle in at least one communication protocol. The tool and process further including receiving inputs from a user, displaying information on a display, performing a script of actions associated with a shortcut, performing diagnostic procedures in response to the receiving of inputs from the input device, communicating with the vehicle and performing the script of actions, and storing the script of actions in a memory.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: SERVICE SOLUTIONS U.S. LLCInventors: Reed SELKIRK, William A. ARNHOLT, William W. WITTLIFF, III
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Publication number: 20140096608Abstract: A measuring system including a sensor positioned to a belt to measure an oscillation or vibration of the belt based at least in part on a trigger threshold. Also, the measuring system may include a diagnostic tool coupled the sensor to receive a plurality of measurements of the oscillation or vibration of the belt, wherein the diagnostic tool may determine a tension of the belt based at least in part on an average of the plurality of measurements of the oscillation or vibration of the belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: Service Solutions U.S. LLCInventors: Jeremy Themm, William W. Wittliff, III, Reed Selkirk, Kevin Gray
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Patent number: 8626375Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided that allow a diagnostic tool to communicate with a data link connector in a vehicle and place the vehicle in a desired state for diagnostic testing. A cable that can automatically multiplex its connections in order to make the appropriate connections between the diagnostic tool and the data link connector based on a communication protocol of the vehicle under test. A connector allowing for selective switching of pins of the connector to jump connect the selected pins. This allows the vehicle to be placed in the proper state for diagnostic testing and the diagnostic tool to communicate with the data link connector regardless of the pins being used by the communication protocol of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions LLCInventors: Garret Miller, Eric Vande Zande, Adam Gentner, Ray de Schepper, William W. Wittliff, III
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Publication number: 20130332641Abstract: A modular docking station for receiving a mobile device is disclosed. The docking station includes a base component having a plurality of modular apertures configured to receive hardware to perform a specific function. The docking station also includes a receiving component having a protective enclosure configured to receive and protect the mobile device in from environmental containment. The docking station further includes a coupler for coupling the receiving component to the base component.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2012Publication date: December 12, 2013Applicant: Service Solutions U.S. LLCInventors: Reed Selkirk, William W. Wittliff, III, James Fish
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Publication number: 20130282231Abstract: A wheel alignment apparatus is capable of automatically obtaining tire pressure information from a plurality of tire pressure monitor systems. The wheel alignment apparatus may include an alignment bay configured to receive a vehicle and an optical system located at an end of the alignment bay and configured to provide an image of wheels of the vehicle. The wheel alignment apparatus may also include a camera configured to receive the image of the wheels of the vehicle and a computer configured to display the image of the wheels of the vehicle and automatically display tire pressure information of the wheels of the vehicle when the vehicle is located within a predetermined proximity of the wheel alignment apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2012Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Service Solutions U.S. LLCInventors: Scott Allen Farr, William W. Wittliff, III
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Publication number: 20130282229Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool can be configured to communicate a message including indicators to indicate the condition of the vehicle using a database and the DTCs present in the vehicle. The message can indicate for each DTC retrieved from the vehicle, the level of repair urgency and whether the vehicle can be driven without damaging the vehicle through one or both of a display and a speaker.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Inventors: William W. WITTLIFF, III, Shilpi Biswas, Jennifer Grabowski, Phillip Freshour, Hamid Namaky
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Publication number: 20130270758Abstract: A wire holding device configured to hold two wires together to establishing a connection. The connection may be made through soldering the two wires together. The wire holding device is also configured to be adjustable so that the wires can be held at different angles. The wire holding device can also be used to isolate a wire from a wire loom.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: Service Solutions U.S. LLCInventors: William W. Wittliff, III, Larry Betcher, Robert Kochie
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Publication number: 20130204640Abstract: A diagnostic system for a patient includes a memory receiving and storing patient specific information, and storing diagnostic test requirements of a plurality of diagnostic sequences, and a processor identifying the test requirements for a selected diagnostic sequence according to the patient specific information in advance of executing the diagnostic sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Inventors: Olav M. Underdal, Harry M. Gilbert, Alex Portyanko, Randy L. Mayes, Gregory J. Fountain, William W. Wittliff, III
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Patent number: 8423226Abstract: A dynamic diagnostic plan generator arranges diagnostic test procedures related to a vehicle symptom or operational problem in a sequence based on a probabilistic Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). The diagnostic plan generator also tracks a vehicle state, and provides instructions for test preparation steps and instructions for performing the diagnostic test procedures. The plan generator further generates schematic illustrations of the diagnostic test procedures, and creates a diagnostic data structure containing information related to the diagnostic test procedures. In addition, the diagnostic plan generator sends and receives information regarding actual failure mode occurrences, for example, to and from a central database. Furthermore, the diagnostic plan generator facilitates the creation of failure mode tests by an expert diagnostics author.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2006Date of Patent: April 16, 2013Assignee: Service Solutions U.S. LLCInventors: Olav M. Underdal, Harry M. Gilbert, Oleksiy Portyanko, Randy L. Mayes, Gregory J. Fountain, William W. Wittliff, III
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Patent number: 8412402Abstract: A vehicle state tracker tracks the state of a vehicle during a diagnostic test sequence to eliminate redundant steps between diagnostic procedures. The vehicle state tracker maintains a list of preconditions required for each diagnostic procedure, reads a current vehicle state from a memory register and verifies the current setting of the vehicle state corresponding to a specific precondition. If the precondition is required and the current setting is not valid, the state tracker further formats a test preparation step corresponding to the precondition for display to instruct a vehicle technician to satisfy the precondition. Otherwise, if the precondition is not required and the corresponding setting is valid, the state tracker formats an instruction to reverse the corresponding vehicle condition. The state tracker additionally receives feedback indicating when a precondition has been satisfied or the corresponding vehicle condition has been reversed, and updates the vehicle state in memory.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: SPX CorporationInventors: Olav M. Underdal, Harry M. Gilbert, Oleksiy Portyanko, Randy L. Mayes, Gregory J. Fountain, William W. Wittliff, III
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Patent number: 8396622Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle, includes a computer storing software on a computer readable media, configurable for setting up recording of vehicle operations, selecting from a plurality of customizable triggering operations according to Boolean logic, and a vehicle communication interface detachably connected to the computer, being setup by the computer for recording of vehicle operation while the vehicle is operating and recorded information stored in a computer readable media of the vehicle communication interface being reviewed by the computer, and detachably connected to the vehicle for recording of the vehicle operations.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Service Solutions U.S. LLCInventors: Olav M. Underdal, Harry M. Gilbert, Oleksiy Portyanko, Randy L. Mayes, Gregory J. Fountain, William W. Wittliff, III
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Publication number: 20120313771Abstract: A diagnostic tool and method are provided wherein the diagnostic tool includes a global positioning system that alerts a user when a condition is exceeded. Examples of conditions include that the user is speeding during the test drive or has driven passed a defined area. The user can be alerted to such conditions. The owner of the shop may also locate the diagnostic tool by using a location server.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2011Publication date: December 13, 2012Applicant: SPX CorporationInventor: William W. Wittliff, III
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Patent number: 8239094Abstract: A diagnostic system for a vehicle, including a memory receiving and storing vehicle specific information, and storing diagnostic test requirements of a plurality of diagnostic sequences, and a processor identifying the test requirements for a selected diagnostic sequence according to the vehicle specific information in advance of executing the diagnostic sequence.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: SPX CorporationInventors: Olav M. Underdal, Harry M. Gilbert, Oleksiy Portyanko, Randy L. Mayes, Gregory J. Fountain, William W. Wittliff, III