Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system testing tool includes a housing, an extender that protrudes from one end of the housing, and a signal emitter that disposed in a distal end of the extender. The signal emitter is configured to emit a low frequency radio frequency signal. The testing tool also includes a manually-operated activation switch that is supported on the housing and permits activation of the signal emitter. The extender is configured to provide a relatively large spacing between the switch and the signal emitter so as to permit a standing, upright user to hold the housing in one hand and to place the signal emitter at a ground-height location without requiring the user to bend at the waist or knee. In some embodiments, the length of the extender is in a range of two to twenty times the length of the housing.

Abstract: A combination gauge tool and a method of measuring are provided. The combination gauge tool includes a processing module having a sensor. The combination gauge tool includes at least two of a brake pad thickness gauge, a tire treads depth gauge, and a rotor thickness gauge each coupled to the processing module at one or more inputs of the sensor and configured to provide measurement data to the sensor.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system and method for remote control of and notification by an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The system including a remote device, such as a smart phone, having a software configured to remotely control the EVSE and remotely retrieve and receive information from the EVSE. The smart phone may identify and connect to a communication network, automatically identify the EVSE, connect to the EVSE, and send the EVSE instructions for various functions of the EVSE, including charging, vehicle control, and reporting functions. The EVSE may execute the instructions received and return a confirmation to the remote device. The remote device may present the confirmation to a user.

Abstract: A combination gauge tool and a method of measuring are provided. The combination gauge tool includes a processing module having a sensor. The combination gauge tool includes at least two of a brake pad thickness gauge, a tire treads depth gauge, and a rotor thickness gauge each coupled to the processing module at one or more inputs of the sensor and configured to provide measurement data to the sensor.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method of optimizing a diagnostic test sequence to diagnose a medical condition of a subject. A group of diagnostic tests related to a symptom is determined from a pool of diagnostic tests. A probabilistic failure mode analysis is conducted to determine the efficacy of each of the diagnostic tests based on historical outcomes of actual diagnostic testing. The comparative utility of each diagnostic tests based on a plurality of factors that can affect problem resolution is analyzed. A weight is assigned to each factor involved in the probabilistic failure mode analysis. The diagnostic tests are ordered based upon at least one of: a probability of the diagnostic test identifying a cause of the failure mode in a minimum amount of time; a probability of the diagnostic test identifying the cause of the failure mode at a minimum cost; and a relative weighting of minimizing time versus minimizing cost.

Abstract: A system and method for remote control of and notification by an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The system including a remote device, such as a smart phone, having a software configured to remotely control the EVSE and remotely retrieve and receive information from the EVSE. The smart phone may identify and connect to a communication network, automatically identify the EVSE, connect to the EVSE, and send the EVSE instructions for various functions of the EVSE, including charging, vehicle control, and reporting functions. The EVSE may execute the instructions received and return a confirmation to the remote device. The remote device may present the confirmation to a user.

Abstract: A system and method for remote control of and notification by an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The system including a remote device, such as a smart phone, having a software configured to remotely control the EVSE and remotely retrieve and receive information from the EVSE. The smart phone may identify and connect to a communication network, automatically identify the EVSE, connect to the EVSE, and send the EVSE instructions for various functions of the EVSE, including charging, vehicle control, and reporting functions. The EVSE may execute the instructions received and return a confirmation to the remote device. The remote device may present the confirmation to a user.

Abstract: A system and method for remote control of and notification by an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). The system including a remote device, such as a smart phone, having a software configured to remotely control the EVSE and remotely retrieve and receive information from the EVSE. The smart phone may identify and connect to a communication network, automatically identify the EVSE, connect to the EVSE, and send the EVSE instructions for various functions of the EVSE, including charging, vehicle control, and reporting functions. The EVSE may execute the instructions received and return a confirmation to the remote device. The remote device may present the confirmation to a user.

Abstract: A reverse failure analyzer determines a group of diagnostic test procedures related to a particular vehicle/patient component from a pool of diagnostic procedures, and then identifies the specific failure modes of each of the diagnostic test procedures. The reverse failure analyzer further associates the specific failure modes with the respective vehicle/patient component with each of the diagnostic test procedures, and the symptoms associated with each of the diagnostic test procedures to the correlated vehicle's/patient's components and failure modes. In addition, the reverse failure analyzer can cross-reference various vehicle/patient components that can be the root cause of a particular symptom or a vehicle/patient operation problem. Furthermore, the reverse failure analyzer can receive observed symptoms regarding a particular test subject vehicle/patient and correlate the observed symptoms to the vehicle/patient components that can cause the symptoms based on the results of reverse failure analyses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing the temperature of each individual cell of a battery during the testing and charging. The method and apparatus can monitor the temperature of the cells of the battery, the charger or both. Additionally, a user can be notified when the temperature is at or exceeds a predetermined level. The temperature data is also used to aid in efficiently charging the battery and determining of the battery is defective.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method of optimizing a diagnostic test sequence to diagnose a medical condition of a subject. A group of diagnostic tests related to a symptom is determined from a pool of diagnostic tests. A probabilistic failure mode analysis is conducted to determine the efficacy of each of the diagnostic tests based on historical outcomes of actual diagnostic testing. The comparative utility of each diagnostic tests based on a plurality of factors that can affect problem resolution is analyzed. A weight is assigned to each factor involved in the probabilistic failure mode analysis. The diagnostic tests are ordered based upon at least one of: a probability of the diagnostic test identifying a cause of the failure mode in a minimum amount of time; a probability of the diagnostic test identifying the cause of the failure mode at a minimum cost; and a relative weighting of minimizing time versus minimizing cost.

Abstract: A method for optimizing a test sequence to diagnose a failure mode of a device, such as a vehicle, is provided. At least one symptom of a fault of the device is received, and a plurality of taxonomies is generated. The taxonomies include a device component taxonomy, a fault taxonomy, and a diagnostic taxonomy, and each taxonomy has a plurality of nodes. At least one diagnostic test sequence, based on the symptom and the taxonomies, is generated, costs associated with the diagnostic test sequence are determined, and a cost optimal test sequence, based on the costs and the diagnostic test sequence, is generated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calculating power of an engine by determining a Moment of Inertia for the engine, accelerating the engine from a first RPM value to a second RPM value, determining a time difference between accelerating from the first RPM value to the second RPM value, and calculating the power as a function of the Moment of Inertia, the first RPM value, the second RPM value and the time difference.

Abstract: A fill-in apparatus for an engine that injects a pseudo cylinder signal when an ignition event is missing from a cylinder. The pseudo cylinder signal is injected if no ignition event occurs at an end of a time period designated for that cylinder. An algorithm can be used to determine an engine period, determine a cylinder time, determine a predictive window, and analyze the cylinder ignition event to see if the fill-in signal is needed.

Abstract: A fill-in apparatus for an engine that injects a pseudo cylinder signal when an ignition event is missing from a cylinder. The pseudo cylinder signal is injected if no ignition event occurs at an end of a time period designated for that cylinder. An algorithm can be used to determine an engine period, determine a cylinder time, determine a predictive window, and analyze the cylinder ignition event to see if the fill-in signal is needed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for receiving and relaying signals from an ignition coil. A secondary pickup is constructed and arranged to mate with the ignition coil and to receive the secondary voltage signals. The signals can be received and relayed to an analyzer for engine evaluation through a spade that is part of the secondary pickup.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting non-contributing cylinders in a reciprocating engine is provided. An accelerometer is attached to the engine and configured to generate a signal corresponding to cylinders firing in the engine. By comparing waveforms generated by a signal processor, it can be determined if a cylinder is not firing and which cylinder is not firing.