Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for calibrating and aligning automotive sensors, such as advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) sensors. Embodiments include a system having an image sensor mounted on a fixture in a known pose relative to the fixture. The image sensor is for viewing a target disposed on a vehicle and having a known pose relative to the vehicle, and for capturing image data of the target. A data processor is provided for performing the steps of calculating, using the image data, a pose of the target; calculating a pose of the image sensor relative to the vehicle using the calculated pose of the target; and generating instructions for positioning the fixture at a predetermined pose relative to the vehicle using the calculated pose of the image sensor relative to the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system includes a pair of wheel mounted targets, a pair of reference targets mounted to a stationary reference, a pair of gravity sensors, and a pair of vehicle-mounted active heads mounted on first and second sides of the vehicle. The active heads each have an image sensor for producing image data of one of the reference targets and one of the wheel mounted targets. The gravity sensors are disposed on each side of the vehicle in a known relationship to either the respective reference targets or the image sensors. A data processor calculates, using the image data, a plurality of poses of the wheel mounted targets as the vehicle wheels rotate; calculates a vehicle drive direction using the target poses and a measured orientation relative to gravity from the gravity sensors; and calculates a wheel alignment measurement using the vehicle drive direction.

Abstract: A portable vehicle alignment system has a vertical central column with a carriage movable along its length, and a pair of camera arms pivotably attached to the carriage, each with a camera pod. The camera pods each have a camera for capturing image data of a respective vehicle-mounted target. One pod also has a calibration target disposed in a known relationship to its camera, and the other pod has a calibration camera disposed in a known relationship to its camera for capturing images of the calibration target. The camera arms pivot between an extended position where the cameras are disposed to capture image data of the vehicle targets and the calibration camera is disposed to capture images of the calibration target, and a folded position where the aligner has a width smaller than the width between the camera pods.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system and method is provided for performing a rolling wheel axis of rotation and wheel spindle point calculation every time an alignment is performed. Embodiments include an aligner having a target fixedly attachable to a wheel of the vehicle; a camera for viewing the target and capturing image data of the target; and a data processor. The data processor receives the image data from the camera, and determines a vector pointing from the target origin to a wheel spindle point based on the captured target image data, when the vehicle is rolled while the wheel is on a substantially flat surface such that the wheel and target rotate a number of degrees. The data processor is further adapted to calculate an alignment parameter for the vehicle based at least in part on the wheel axis of rotation and the coordinates of the wheel spindle point.

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.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system and method is provided for performing a rolling wheel axis of rotation and wheel spindle point calculation every time an alignment is performed. Embodiments include an aligner having a target fixedly attachable to a wheel of the vehicle; a camera for viewing the target and capturing image data of the target; and a data processor. The data processor receives the image data from the camera, and determines a vector pointing from the target origin to a wheel spindle point based on the captured target image data, when the vehicle is rolled while the wheel is on a substantially flat surface such that the wheel and target rotate a number of degrees. The data processor is further adapted to calculate an alignment parameter for the vehicle based at least in part on the wheel axis of rotation and the coordinates of the wheel spindle point.

Abstract: A system includes a processor and a non-transitory computer memory storing computer-readable program instructions. The program instructions are executable by the processor to: initiate a web session of an application served by a server, and display a first web page received during the web session. The first web page includes a field for entering search criteria for locating a file associated with a blended image based on a thermal image and a visible light image. The program instructions are further executable by the processor to: display a second web page received during the web session based on search criteria entered into the field, determine, based on an input entered into the second web page, a revision to the file, display the blended image after determining the revision to the file, and transmit, to the server using a network interface, the revision to the file.

Abstract: A power door opener including an actuator having a housing with an electrically powered actuator shaft that can be extended from a closed to an extended position. In one embodiment, a movable push plate is affixed to the actuator shaft and a fixed push plate is fixed in its position with respect to the housing. In the closed position of the actuator shaft, the fixed and movable push plates are aligned to form a combined edge for insertion into the space between a door and door jamb. The actuator shaft extends to move the movable push plate apart from the fixed push plate to spread the space and release the door from the door jamb. Alternatively, a double ended power door opener is located between opposite door jambs and the extending of the actuator shaft forces the door jambs apart to release the door from the door jamb to force open the door.

Abstract: Methods and systems measure a vehicle body parameter; e.g., a wheel alignment parameter such as ride height. Embodiments include a system having a target attachable to a vehicle body, and an image sensor for viewing the target and capturing image data thereof. A processor processes the image data, determines an initial spatial position of the target based on the processed image data, compares the initial spatial position of the target with a reference position, and prompts a user to align the target to an adjusted spatial position when the initial spatial position differs from the reference position more than a threshold amount. The vehicle body parameter value is determined based on the target's adjusted spatial position. In certain embodiments, the adjusted spatial position differs from the reference position by a position error value, and the processor mathematically corrects the vehicle body parameter value based on the position error value.

Abstract: Methods and systems may relate to clustering of repair orders based on alternative repair indicators. Accordingly, a processor may determine that a particular computer-readable vehicle repair order (RO) corresponds to an existing cluster of ROs due to the particular RO including data that refers to a particular vehicle symptom. This existing cluster may be arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom. In response to determining that the particular RO correspond to the existing cluster, the processor may determine that the particular RO includes data indicating an alternative repair that defines a vehicle repair for resolving the particular vehicle symptom other than by replacement of a particular vehicle component. Responsively, the processor may add the particular RO to a different cluster of ROs. This different cluster may be arranged to contain ROs that correspond to the particular vehicle symptom and to the alternative repair.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system has a plurality of cameras, each camera for viewing a respective target disposed at a respective wheel of the vehicle and capturing image data of the target as the wheel and target are continuously rotated a number of degrees of rotation without a pause. The image data is used to calculate a minimum number of poses of the target of at least one pose for every five degrees of rotation as the wheel and target are continuously rotated the number of degrees of rotation without a pause. At least one of the cameras comprises a data processor for performing the steps of preprocessing the image data, and calculating an alignment parameter for the vehicle based on the preprocessed image data.

Abstract: A portable vehicle alignment system is provided having two base tower assemblies, each having a pedestal, a columnar tower removably attachable to the top of the pedestal, and a camera pod movable along a length of the tower; and a data processor with a wireless communication device for processing image data from the camera pods. Each camera pod includes a camera for capturing image data of a target mounted on a vehicle, and a communication device for wirelessly communicating with the data processor. One pod has a calibration target and the other pod has a calibration camera for capturing images of the calibration target. The pedestals each have a manually-operated clamp for removably fixedly attaching the tower to the pedestal in one of a plurality of positions such that the orientation of the camera pod to the pedestal is angularly adjustable, allowing horizontal rotation of the camera pod.

Abstract: A tool repair system that aids in the repair of malfunctioned inner tool components. The system includes a package having a fully assembled component disposed on top of a component locating structure and held in place by one or more retainers. After removing the malfunctioned component, the tool can be lowered onto the component locating structure, thereby pushing the retainers off the fully assembled component and coupling the fully assembled component to the tool via an opening in the tool. Repairing the tool is therefore quick, easy, and does not require extensive knowledge of the inner workings of the tool.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting individual parameters to transform from text-to-graph and graph-to-text is disclosed. The system includes a display device having a display screen for showing multiple views, including a non-graph view and a graph view. The non-graph view includes a plurality of demarcated portions, each having a graph selection element, a parameter identifier that corresponds to the graph selection element, and a current parameter value that corresponds to the graph selection element. The graph selection element may be selected to show a graph view. The graph view includes a first parameter identifier and a first current parameter value each corresponding to the selected graph selection element, a text selection element, and a graph of multiple parameter values associated with the first parameter identifier. Upon selection of the text selection element, the screen returns to the non-graph view.

Abstract: A hybrid wheel alignment system and methodology use passive targets for a first pair of wheels (e.g. front wheels) and active sensing heads for another pair of wheels (e.g. rear wheels). The active sensing heads combine image sensors for capturing images of the targets with at least one spatial relationship sensor for sensing a relationship between the active sensing heads. One or both of the active sensing heads may include inclinometers or the like, for sensing one or more tilt angles of the respective sensing head. Data from the active sensing heads may be sent to a host computer for processing to derive one or more vehicle measurements, for example, for measurement of parameters useful in wheel alignment applications.

Abstract: Systems for monitoring an inventory condition of objects based on captured images are described. An exemplary system includes at least one storage drawer, each storage drawer including a plurality of storage locations for storing objects, wherein each drawer is associated with an identifier with known color attributes; and an image sensing device configured to capture an image of one of the storage drawers along with the associated identifier. A data storage device of the system stores, for each storage drawer, information of the known color attributes of the associated identifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for aligning the wheels of a vehicle equipped with an electro-mechanical power steering system having a steering angle sensor, a torque sensor, and a torsion bar linking the steering angle sensor and the torque sensor. Embodiments include moving a steering wheel of the vehicle to a level position such that there is substantially no torque applied to the torsion bar; adjusting the toe of a first one of the front wheels of the vehicle after the steering wheel is moved to the level position; and moving the steering wheel substantially back to the level position, then re-adjusting the toe of the first one of the front wheels, when the steering wheel has moved more than a predetermined angle from the level position while adjusting the toe of the first one of the front wheels.

Abstract: A handle for controlling a power tool by configuring the handle in either a straight or T-shaped position. In the straight position, the handle design serves as a rotational safety control that allows a user to control the rotational reaction of the tool by placing the user's hand in a position that is perpendicular to the main body of the tool. In the T-shaped configuration, the user can apply rotational force and longitudinal force more easily because the hand position is tangent to the tool base. A fastener couples a base of the handle to a band that grips the power tool and facilitates the user control.

Abstract: In an exemplary vehicle service facility that provides vehicle related sales, maintenance services or the like, a diagnostic tool has wireless packet data communication capabilities. To support voice communication, the tool also has one or more audible input/output transducers and a vocoder, and is configured to use VoIP technology or the like to enable wireless packet data transport of voice calls over the same wireless data links. The packet voice capability can support voice communications with technicians using other tools at the facility or with personnel in an office at the service facility. If the facility has a data link to a wide area packet network, like the Internet, the packet voice capability may also support voice communications with other parties having packet service. Examples are technicians at other locations or various personnel of technical support services for the tools or for different types of vehicles.

Abstract: A method and system for presenting vehicle information. A functional part of a vehicle is selected to be examined and information related to the selected function part is received. A vehicle model corresponding to the vehicle is retrieved. Based on the selected functional part and the vehicle model, a mode of operation is determined and used in presenting the vehicle model and the information so that a portion of the model corresponding to the functional part is visible and the information is presented with respect to the visible functional part of the presented model.