Abstract: A tire changer machine, and method of operation, configured with a tire-engaging wheel clamp assembly to secure a wheel assembly consisting of a wheel rim and tire mounted thereon to a drive assembly, and for demounting of the tire from the wheel rim. Upon dismounting of the tire from the wheel rim, a recessed surface and annular flange of the tire-engaging wheel clamp assembly is configured to catch and retain a rim or bead of the demounted tire, restricting movement of the tire upon dismounting from the wheel rim, until retrieved by an operator.

Abstract: A machine-vision vehicle service system, and methods of operation, incorporating at least one gimbaled sensor module configured with at least one of a camera, an optical projector, or a range finder to acquire or convey data associated with surfaces in proximity to the vehicle service system for guiding placement of vehicle service components relative to a vehicle undergoing service. The gimbaled sensor module is operatively coupled to a processing system configured with software instructions to selectively control an orientation of the gimbaled guidance system about one or more axis of rotation, enabling observation, projection of visible indicia, or displacement measurement along an associated sensor axis parallel with one of the axis of rotation during vehicle service procedures.

Abstract: A method for evaluating a plurality of tread depth measurements within a shoulder surface region of a tire to detect or identify the presence of excessive or non-uniform wear on the tire shoulder.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use with a vehicle wheel balancing system (100) to obtain non-contact measurements of dimensions on a wheel assembly (200) secured on a spindle shaft (104), together with identification of, and distances to, operator-selected locations on various surfaces of a wheel assembly 200.

Abstract: An on-car brake lathe is provided with a runout compensation system configured to monitor the rotational position of a pair of slant discs within an aligning joint of the on-car brake lathe. The system monitors the amount of runout present between the rotating components of the on-car brake lathe and the wheel hub to which the on-car brake lathe is secured, and calculates a relative rotational position for each slant disc within the aligning joint required to impart a necessary adjustment in the wheel coupling rotational axis to align the on-car brake lathe with the rotational axis of the wheel hub. An adjustment mechanism within the aligning joint is configured to rotationally drive each slant disc to the calculated relative rotational positions with a minimum amount of rotational movement based on the current relative rotational position of each slant disc and the required calculated relative rotational positions.

Abstract: A vehicle service system incorporating a set of imaging sensors disposed in an inspection lane through which a vehicle is driven. A processor is configured with software instructions to capture a set of images from the set of imaging sensors and to evaluate the captured images according to a set of rules to identify images in which a license plate is visible on an observed surface of the vehicle. The processor is further configured with software instruction to extract license plate information from the identified images, assign a figure of merit to the extracted information, and generate an output in response to the assigned figures of merit.

Abstract: A procedure for calibrating a vehicle onboard sensor 202 by facilitating the placement of a calibration fixture 110 on a floor relative to a stationary vehicle 100 using a laser emitter 102 secured to a front steerable wheel 104 of the vehicle on the same lateral side as the vehicle onboard sensor. A beam projection axis X of the laser projector is aligned at a known orientation relative to a geometric characteristic of the vehicle 100, such that the beam projection axis X is directed over a placement location P of the calibration fixture on the floor, either inherently or by guided steering of the supporting steerable wheel.

Abstract: A support structure having a vertical element supporting a set of cameras associated with a vehicle measurement or inspection system together with at least one target structure required for realignment or recalibration of onboard vehicle safety system sensors. A camera crossbeam carried by the support structure locates the set of cameras as required to view a vehicle undergoing measurement or inspection. The target structure is affixed to the vertical element of the support structure, at an elevation suitable for observation by at least one vehicle onboard sensors during a realignment or recalibration procedure. A set of rollers facilitates positioning of the target structure on a supporting floor surface during a realignment or recalibration procedure.

Abstract: A tire changer machine, and method of operation, configured to enable a single operator to carry out tire change procedures for a set of wheel assemblies by interleaving wheel assembly balancing procedures on a wheel balancer machine with an automated tire demount process carried out under direction of a control system of the tire changer without continuous operator input or supervision.

Abstract: A vehicle service system for interaction with the on-board electronic systems of a vehicle utilizing a cloud-based vehicle diagnostic system which is configured on-demand for the vehicle undergoing a service procedure. The vehicle service system includes a local processing system in communication with the vehicle and with a cloud-based vehicle diagnostic application service configured to establish an on-demand virtual processing system running a vehicle-specific diagnostic software application. The vehicle-specific diagnostic software application communicates with the vehicle undergoing service to present a service technician with diagnostic results within a graphical user interface of the local processing system. Upon completion of the vehicle service, the remote cloud-based vehicle diagnostic application service terminates the virtual processing system and vehicle-specific diagnostic software application, freeing cloud-based resources for subsequent uses.

Abstract: A vehicle inspection system for acquiring measurements of at least one vehicle moving through an inspection lane is in communication with a remote data processing and storage system to aggregate data from multiple vehicles passing through the inspection lane, and optionally, from multiple inspection lanes. The remote data processing and storage system is configured with suitable software instructions to store the received vehicle inspection data, as well as vehicle service data received from vehicle service equipment, and to generate reports and/or respond to data queries using the stored vehicle inspection and vehicle service data.

Abstract: A vehicle service system and method to determine spatial parameters of a vehicle, employing a display system under processor control, to display or project visible indicia onto surfaces in proximity to a vehicle undergoing a safety system service or inspection identifying one or more locations, relative to the determined vehicle centerline or thrust line, at which a calibration fixture, optical target, or simulated test drive imagery is visible for observation by a sensor onboard the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle measurement station utilizing one or more displacement sensors disposed on each opposite side of an inspection region of a vehicle inspection lane to acquire displacement measurement data along associated measurement axes. At least a portion of the displacement measurement data is associated with the outermost wheel assemblies on an axle of a moving vehicle passing through the inspection region, and utilized to determine one or more vehicle characteristics, such as an axle total toe condition.

Abstract: A vehicle service system incorporating a set of imaging sensors disposed in an inspection lane through which a vehicle is driven. A first imaging sensor is disposed with a field of view aligned to observe leading surfaces on an approaching vehicle, while a second imaging sensor is disposed with a field of view aligned to observe trailing surfaces of a departing vehicle. A processor is configured with software instructions to capture a set of images from the first imaging sensor as the vehicle approaches, and a set of images from the second imaging sensor as the vehicle departs. The processor evaluates the acquired images from the first and second imaging sensors according to a set of rules to identify images in which a license plate is present on an observed surface of the vehicle, and to extract license plate information from at least one of the identified images.

Abstract: A vehicle service system and method to determine spatial parameters of a vehicle, employing a display system under processor control, to display or project visible indicia onto surfaces in proximity to a vehicle undergoing a safety system service or inspection identifying one or more locations, relative to the determined vehicle centerline or thrust line, at which a calibration fixture, optical target, or simulated test drive imagery is visible for observation by a sensor onboard the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle inspection system configured with a processing system and at least one displacement sensor disposed on opposite sides of a vehicle inspection lane sensor region to acquire displacement measurement data associated with a moving vehicle passing through the vehicle inspection lane. The processing system is configured to receive acquired displacement measurement data to determine characteristics of the moving vehicle, such as vehicle velocity, dynamic axle alignment, dynamic wheel alignment, or dimensions. The processing system is further configured to evaluate the determined dynamic vehicle characteristics in relation to static vehicle characteristics, such as static axle alignment or static wheel alignment, through application of one or more compensation factors based on user selected parameters, default parameters, or identified vehicle features.

Abstract: Methods for operating a vehicle inspection or measurement system to facilitate selection of specification sets associated with a vehicle undergoing inspection or measurement based on an evaluation of vehicle identifying features and acquired vehicle measurement.

Abstract: A support structure having a vertical element supporting a set of cameras associated with a vehicle measurement or inspection system together with at least one target structure required for realignment or recalibration of onboard vehicle safety system sensors. A camera crossbeam carried by the support structure locates the set of cameras as required to view a vehicle undergoing measurement or inspection. The target structure is affixed to the vertical element of the support structure, at an elevation suitable for observation by at least one vehicle onboard sensors during a realignment or recalibration procedure. A set of rollers facilitates positioning of the target structure on a supporting floor surface during a realignment or recalibration procedure.