Abstract: A system for temporarily mounting an observable target on a vehicle service system during a vehicle service or inspection process. The system includes at least one target backing plate affixed at a known or determinable position on the vehicle service system facing a vehicle undergoing service or inspection. The target backing plate provides a forward facing planar surface receiving a removable optical target, with at least one target guide element to provide a fixed reference for indexed alignment of the removable optical target on the target backing plate.

Abstract: A vehicle service system incorporating a pair of gimbal-mounted optical projection systems enables an operator to selectively orient each optical emitter of the optical projection system to illuminate a location on a vehicle surface in proximity to the system. Signals indicative of an orientation of each optical emitter about three-axes of rotation are received at a controller programmed with software instructions to utilize the received signals, together with known locations for the systems, to calculate a three-dimensional coordinate for the illuminated location within an established frame of reference. The controller is further programmed to utilize the calculated three-dimensional coordinate of the illuminated location as an origin point for determining one or more placement locations within the established frame of reference for ADAS sensor calibration or alignment targets.

Abstract: A vehicle ADAS target or fixture is configured with an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) consisting of a combination of accelerometers and gyroscopes capable of estimating a relative position and orientation within the spatial volume of the vehicle service area by tracking changes in acceleration and rotation. A controller monitors movement of the IMU relative to an established reference location, generating output utilized by a vehicle service system to guide a technician to position and orient the vehicle ADAS target or fixture at a selected location within the vehicle service area required to conduct a vehicle ADAS service procedure.

Abstract: A machine-vision vehicle service system, and methods of operation, incorporating at least one gimbaled sensor module configured with at least an optical range finder to acquire measurements associated with physical floor surfaces in proximity to a vehicle undergoing service for guiding corrected placement of ADAS target components relative to an established vehicle floor plane.

Abstract: An adjustable hub adapter for coupling an on-car brake lathe to a wheel hub. An annular support frame coaxially carries an axially bored and threaded central mounting hub with a set of equidistantly spaced spokes. A lug bolt receiver is associated with each spoke, and consists of a receiving tube, a lever arm pivotally coupled to the spoke at a pivot bolt in proximity to the annular support frame. An engagement pin on each lever arm is captured within a synchronizing ring carried on the annular support frame. The rotational movement of any lug bolt receiver about an axis of the pivot bolt imparts rotational movement to the synchronizing ring, and in turn, causes each remaining bolt receiver to rotate about an associated pivot bolt axis, maintaining the lug bolt receivers in a synchronized and symmetric radial displacement from the central mounting hub.

Abstract: A system and method for vehicle technician communication utilizing a local vehicle service system operatively coupled to a remote vehicle service system via a network connection. The system enables bi-directional communication between the local service technician and a service specialist associated with the remote vehicle service system by configuring the local vehicle service system with software instructions and hardware to provide a communication interface, such as a software app, graphical user interface, or teleconference functionality. Using the communication interface, the service specialist can: (1) guide the local technician through the initial process of establishing a connection between the vehicle undergoing service or inspection and the remote vehicle service system; (2) direct necessary actions during a diagnostic analysis of the vehicle, such as turning on the vehicle's engine, turning a steering wheel, etc.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding placement of a vehicle service external fixture relative to a vehicle undergoing service or inspection. A vehicle service system support structure having at least one camera module is positioned at an initial location within a vehicle service area, and a location of the initial location within a vehicle reference frame is established from images of optical targets secured to the vehicle. The vehicle service system support structure is subsequently repositioned relative to the vehicle to a new position located outside of an external fixture placement region, while maintaining at least one of the observed optical targets within a field of view of the camera module. The new position of the vehicle service system support structure within said vehicle reference frame is determined from target images, and a placement location within the placement region for the external fixture is identified relative to the vehicle.

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 system and method for aligning a floor target relative to a vehicle, the floor target including a calibration pattern for observation by a vehicle safety system sensor during calibration. The system includes at least one optical projection system consisting of at least one optical projector having an orientable projection axis. The optical projection system is operatively controlled by a processor to orient said projection axis towards a selected location on the floor surface relative to the vehicle, and to activate the optical projected to illuminate a point, a line, or a boundary, against which the floor target is aligned.

Abstract: A drive-through vehicle inspection system acquiring information from engraved markings on the tire sidewalls of a moving vehicle. Optical imaging sensors disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle acquire images of the sidewall surfaces for each passing wheel assembly. The acquired images are evaluated by a processing system configured to identify, within the acquired images, visible markings engraved into the tire sidewall surfaces which include at first portion having a first optical reflectivity, and a second portion having a second optical reflectivity which is different from the first optical reflectivity. Each identified marking is decoded to retrieve data stored therein, representative of the tire, wheel assembly, and/or associated vehicle onto which the wheel assembly is installed. The retrieved data is incorporated into an inspection report and/or utilized by the vehicle inspection system to access vehicle-specific information contained within an indexed database.

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: 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 machine-vision vehicle service system, and methods of operation, incorporating at least one at least one camera and an optical projector for guiding placement of vehicle service components relative to a vehicle undergoing service. The camera and optical projector are operatively coupled to a processing system configured with software instructions to selectively control a projection axis orientation for the optical projector to enable projection of visible indicia onto various surfaces visible within the field of view of the camera.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating a projection axis orientation for an optical projector associated with a vehicle inspection or service system so as to enable projection of indicia onto selected spatial locations within a vehicle service area. Projector axis orientations required for the projection of visible indicia onto reference targets disposed at determinable locations within a common coordinate system of the vehicle service area are utilized to establish a relationship utilized to mathematically transform between selected spatial coordinate locations for projected indicia and corresponding orientations of the projection axis, facilitating projection of the visible indicia to additional spatial coordinate locations within the common coordinate system.

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 modular drive-over vehicle inspection system for measuring tire tread depth at multiple points on each individual wheel of a moving vehicle passing through an inspection lane, and which is capable of accommodating vehicles having a range of axle configurations, including three or more of any combination of single-wheel axles, super-single wheel axles, and dual-wheel axles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning, calibrating, or inspecting an onboard vehicle sensor having an external field of view by providing a calibration component on a support structure for positioning at a short calibration distance from the vehicle and which is within the field of view of said sensor. The calibration component is configured to appear to the sensor as if it was positioned at a predetermined linear calibration distance from the vehicle which is greater than the actual short calibration distance.

Abstract: Calibration targets for use during calibration and inspection of vehicle onboard radar systems. The calibration targets incorporate materials having different radar reflective and transmissive properties to provide distinct radar return signatures, facilitating identification of the calibration targets from among various radar returns associated with surfaces and objects located in proximity to the calibration targets, thereby reducing clear space requirements associated with target placement and positioning during a vehicle service or inspection procedure.

Abstract: A method for transforming track representations associated with a spatial position and movement of objects or features observed in an external environment surrounding a vehicle from a vehicle-centric spatial frame of reference, such as associated with a vehicle body or centerline, into a common vehicle movement spatial frame of reference such as may be associated with a vehicle thrust line or vehicle thrust angle.

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.