Patents by Inventor Joel A. KUNERT

Joel A. KUNERT 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: 20200320739
    Abstract: A wheel alignment system includes a side-to-side reference including an active reference pod and a passive reference pod disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle. The active reference pod includes a reference image sensor fixedly attached to a reference target, for mounting on a first side of the vehicle such that the reference image sensor produces image data including a perspective representation of the passive reference pod disposed on a second/opposite side of the vehicle. In operation, alignment cameras on the opposite sides of the vehicle capture perspective representations of targets mounted to vehicle wheels and of targets of the active and passive reference pods. A computer processes the image data to compute an alignment measurement of the vehicle based on a spatial relationship between the active reference pod and the passive reference pod determined according to the image data produced by the reference image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Joel A. KUNERT, Darwin Y. CHEN, George M. GILL, Brian K. GRAY, Steven W. ROGERS, Ronald D. SWAYNE, David A. JACKSON, Rodney HARRELL, Robert J. D'AGOSTINO, Bryan C. MINOR, Eric R. SELLERS, Sean P. LECRONE, Larry D. KLOTZ, Jonathan A. SPERRY
  • Patent number: 10692241
    Abstract: A wheel alignment system includes a side-to-side reference including an active reference pod and a passive reference pod disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle. The active reference pod includes a reference image sensor fixedly attached to a reference target, for mounting on a first side of the vehicle such that the reference image sensor produces image data including a perspective representation of the passive reference pod disposed on a second/opposite side of the vehicle. In operation, alignment cameras on the opposite sides of the vehicle capture perspective representations of targets mounted to vehicle wheels and of targets of the active and passive reference pods. A computer processes the image data to compute an alignment measurement of the vehicle based on a spatial relationship between the active reference pod and the passive reference pod determined according to the image data produced by the reference image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joel A. Kunert, Darwin Y. Chen, George M. Gill, Brian K. Gray, Steven W. Rogers, Ronald D. Swayne, David A. Jackson, Rodney Harrell, Robert J. D'Agostino, Bryan C. Minor, Eric R. Sellers, Sean P. Lecrone, Larry D. Klotz, Jonathan A. Sperry
  • Publication number: 20190279395
    Abstract: A wheel alignment system includes a side-to-side reference including an active reference pod and a passive reference pod disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle. The active reference pod includes a reference image sensor fixedly attached to a reference target, for mounting on a first side of the vehicle such that the reference image sensor produces image data including a perspective representation of the passive reference pod disposed on a second/opposite side of the vehicle. In operation, alignment cameras on the opposite sides of the vehicle capture perspective representations of targets mounted to vehicle wheels and of targets of the active and passive reference pods. A computer processes the image data to compute an alignment measurement of the vehicle based on a spatial relationship between the active reference pod and the passive reference pod determined according to the image data produced by the reference image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Joel A. KUNERT, Darwin Y. CHEN, George M. GILL, Brian K. GRAY, Steven W. ROGERS, Ronald D. SWAYNE, David A. JACKSON, Rodney HARRELL, Robert J. D'AGOSTINO, Bryan C. MINOR, Eric R. SELLERS, Sean P. LECRONE, Larry D. KLOTZ, Jonathan A. SPERRY
  • Publication number: 20190279396
    Abstract: A wheel alignment system includes a side-to-side reference including an active reference pod and a passive reference pod disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle. The active reference pod includes a reference image sensor fixedly attached to a reference target, for mounting on a first side of the vehicle such that the reference image sensor produces image data including a perspective representation of the passive reference pod disposed on a second/opposite side of the vehicle. In operation, alignment cameras on the opposite sides of the vehicle capture perspective representations of targets mounted to vehicle wheels and of targets of the active and passive reference pods. A computer processes the image data to compute an alignment measurement of the vehicle based on a spatial relationship between the active reference pod and the passive reference pod determined according to the image data produced by the reference image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Joel A. Kunert, Darwin Y. Chen, George M. Gill, Brian K. Gray, Steven W. Rogers, Ronald D. Swayne, David A. Jackson, Rodney Harrell, Robert J. D'Agostino, Bryan C. Minor, Eric R. Sellers, Sean P. Lecrone, Larry D. Klotz, Jonathan A. Sperry
  • Patent number: 10347006
    Abstract: A wheel alignment system includes a side-to-side reference including an active reference pod and a passive reference pod disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle. The active reference pod includes a reference image sensor fixedly attached to a reference target, for mounting on a first side of the vehicle such that the reference image sensor produces image data including a perspective representation of the passive reference pod disposed on a second/opposite side of the vehicle. In operation, alignment cameras on the opposite sides of the vehicle capture perspective representations of targets mounted to vehicle wheels and of targets of the active and passive reference pods. A computer processes the image data to compute an alignment measurement of the vehicle based on a spatial relationship between the active reference pod and the passive reference pod determined according to the image data produced by the reference image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Joel A. Kunert, Darwin Y. Chen, George M. Gill, Brian K. Gray, Steven W. Rogers, Ronald D. Swayne, David A. Jackson, Rodney Harrell, Robert J. D'Agostino, Bryan C. Minor, Eric R. Sellers, Sean P. Lecrone, Larry D. Klotz, Jonathan A. Sperry
  • Publication number: 20180053320
    Abstract: A wheel alignment system includes a side-to-side reference including an active reference pod and a passive reference pod disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle. The active reference pod includes a reference image sensor fixedly attached to a reference target, for mounting on a first side of the vehicle such that the reference image sensor produces image data including a perspective representation of the passive reference pod disposed on a second/opposite side of the vehicle. In operation, alignment cameras on the opposite sides of the vehicle capture perspective representations of targets mounted to vehicle wheels and of targets of the active and passive reference pods. A computer processes the image data to compute an alignment measurement of the vehicle based on a spatial relationship between the active reference pod and the passive reference pod determined according to the image data produced by the reference image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Joel A. KUNERT, Darwin Y. CHEN, George M. GILL, Brian K. GRAY, Steven W. ROGERS, Ronald D. SWAYNE, David A. JACKSON, Rodney HARRELL, Robert J. D'AGOSTINO, Bryan C. MINOR, Eric R. SELLERS, Sean P. LECRONE, Larry D. KLOTZ, Jonathan A. SPERRY
  • Publication number: 20130191771
    Abstract: A vehicle measurement system that provides highly realistic guidance to perform a vehicle measurement procedure is described. An exemplary system includes a data storage device configured to store vehicle data for a plurality of vehicles. The vehicle data corresponding to each respective vehicle includes an image of the vehicle and information of predefined points on the vehicle to which emitters or targets should be attached for performing a vehicle measurement procedure. A user interface is provided to receive a user input identifying a vehicle under test. After the user identifies a vehicle under test, the system retrieves vehicle data corresponding to the vehicle under test from the data storage device; and displays the image of the vehicle under test on the display with the predefined points on the vehicle identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Darwin Y. CHEN, Joel A. KUNERT, Brian A. WALESA, Rajani K. PULAPA
  • Patent number: 8413341
    Abstract: A vehicle measurement system that provides highly realistic guidance to perform a vehicle measurement procedure is described. An exemplary system includes a data storage device configured to store vehicle data for a plurality of vehicles. The vehicle data corresponding to each respective vehicle includes an image of the vehicle and information of predefined points on the vehicle to which emitters or targets should be attached for performing a vehicle measurement procedure. A user interface is provided to receive a user input identifying a vehicle under test. After the user identifies a vehicle under test, the system retrieves vehicle data corresponding to the vehicle under test from the data storage device; and displays the image of the vehicle under test on the display with the predefined points on the vehicle identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
    Inventors: Darwin Y. Chen, Joel A. Kunert, Brian A. Walesa, Rajani K. Pulapa
  • Publication number: 20110209074
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and medium is provided for performing vehicle service activities. Embodiments include displaying, on a first portion of a display unit, a plurality of visual images, each visual image corresponding to a respective one of the vehicle service activities, arranged along a movement path. In response to a selection of a first visual image of the plurality of visual images, a user interface is displayed on a second portion of the display unit for performing the vehicle service activity corresponding to the first visual image, a visual indication for the first visual image that it was selected is displayed on the first portion of the display unit, and at least one of the plurality of visual images moves along the movement path in response to the selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: George M. GILL, Joel A. Kunert, Rajani K. Pulapa, Stephen K. Rigsby
  • Publication number: 20110191722
    Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium are provided in a user interface, for presenting information for a plurality of items and selecting one of the plurality of items. Embodiments include displaying a first user interface element for listing a plurality of items, and displaying the first user interface element and a listing of the plurality of items in response to a first selection. Each item is presented with a second user interface element and a third user interface element. Upon receiving a second selection for the second user interface element for one of the plurality of items, at least a portion of the listing of the plurality of items and a fourth user interface element with contents relating to the first item are displayed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: George M. GILL, Joel A. KUNERT, Rajani K. PULAPA, Stephen K. RIGSBY
  • Publication number: 20110191711
    Abstract: A system and machine-implemented method relating to displaying a first plurality of items, each item including a plurality of values including a first value corresponding to a first field and a second value corresponding to a second field, including receiving a first selection of the first field as a primary grouping field; receiving a second selection of the second field as a secondary grouping field; displaying a plurality of first values included in the first plurality of items, such that each unique value included in the first values is displayed no more than once, in response to the first selection; receiving a third selection of one of the displayed first values; displaying a plurality of second values included in a second plurality of items, wherein each of the second plurality of items is included in the first plurality of items and includes a first value equal to the first value selected in the first selection, such that each unique value included in the plurality of second values is displayed no mor
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: George M. GILL, Joel A. KUNERT, Rajani K. PULAPA, Stephen K. RIGSBY
  • Publication number: 20100328060
    Abstract: A vehicle measurement system that provides highly realistic guidance to perform a vehicle measurement procedure is described. An exemplary system includes a data storage device configured to store vehicle data for a plurality of vehicles. The vehicle data corresponding to each respective vehicle includes an image of the vehicle and information of predefined points on the vehicle to which emitters or targets should be attached for performing a vehicle measurement procedure. A user interface is provided to receive a user input identifying a vehicle under test. After the user identifies a vehicle under test, the system retrieves vehicle data corresponding to the vehicle under test from the data storage device; and displays the image of the vehicle under test on the display with the predefined points on the vehicle identified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Darwin Y. CHEN, Joel A. KUNERT, Brian A. WALESA, Rajani K. PULAPA