Patents by Inventor Donald L. Walchuk
Donald L. Walchuk 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).
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Patent number: 9626559Abstract: The instant application describes a method for acquiring via a vehicle wheel alignment system an image of a target including a validation logo, the validation logo being used for recognition by the vehicle wheel alignment system and determination of authenticity of the validation logo by the vehicle wheel alignment system; identifying the validation logo within the image of the target; comparing the identified validation logo with a reference validation logo; computing a similarity metric based on a result of a comparison between the identified validation logo and the reference validation logo; and based on the computed similarity metric, enabling or disabling the vehicle wheel alignment system.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventors: Steven W. Rogers, Donald L. Walchuk, Robert J. D'Agostino
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Publication number: 20150010228Abstract: The instant application describes a method for acquiring via a vehicle wheel alignment system an image of a target including a validation logo, the validation logo being used for recognition by the vehicle wheel alignment system and determination of authenticity of the validation logo by the vehicle wheel alignment system; identifying the validation logo within the image of the target; comparing the identified validation logo with a reference validation logo; computing a similarity metric based on a result of a comparison between the identified validation logo and the reference validation logo; and based on the computed similarity metric, enabling or disabling the vehicle wheel alignment system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2014Publication date: January 8, 2015Inventors: Steven W. ROGERS, Donald L. WALCHUK, Robert J. D'AGOSTINO
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Patent number: 6968282Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to a second camera of the machine vision measuring system. Second and third calibration targets are mounted in a fixed relationship to one another and viewable by the first camera and by the third camera. A data processor is programmed to compute calibration of the first camera and the second camera, based on a position of the second calibration target relative to the third calibration target and a position of the first camera with respect to the third camera. The apparatus and method provide a way to continuously measure the positions of the cameras used in the measuring system to calibrate the system.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2000Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: David A. Jackson, Michael J. Robb, Donald L. Walchuk
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Patent number: 6959253Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to a second camera of the machine vision measuring system. Second and third calibration targets are mounted in a fixed relationship to one another and viewable by the first camera and by the third camera. A data processor is programmed to compute calibration of the first camera and the second camera, based on a position of the second calibration target relative to the third calibration target and based on a position of the first camera with respect to the third camera. The apparatus and method provide a way to continuously measure the positions of two or more cameras used in the measuring system, and to use such measurements to calibrate the system.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: David A. Jackson, Michael J. Robb, Donald L. Walchuk
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Patent number: 6931340Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to a second camera of the machine vision measuring system. Second and third calibration targets are mounted in a fixed relationship to one another and viewable by the first camera and by the third camera. A data processor is programmed to compute calibration of the first camera and the second camera, based on a position of the second calibration target relative to the third calibration target and based on a position of the first camera with respect to the third camera. The apparatus and method provide a way to continuously measure the positions of two or more cameras used in the measuring system, and to use such measurements to calibrate the system.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2002Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: David A. Jackson, Michael J. Robb, Donald L. Walchuk
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Publication number: 20030225536Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to a second camera of the machine vision measuring system. Second and third calibration targets are mounted in a fixed relationship to one another and viewable by the first camera and by the third camera. A data processor is programmed to compute calibration of the first camera and the second camera, based on a position of the second calibration target relative to the third calibration target and based on a position of the first camera with respect to the third camera. The apparatus and method provide a way to continuously measure the positions of two or more cameras used in the measuring system, and to use such measurements to calibrate the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2003Publication date: December 4, 2003Applicant: Snap-On Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David A. Jackson, Michael J. Robb, Donald L. Walchuk
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Patent number: 6556971Abstract: Computer-implemented speech recognition system training including displaying an icon representing a concept, prompting a user to generate a vocalization comprising any sound determined by the user to associate to the icon, confirming association of the vocalization with the icon, and saving the association of the vocalization with the icon to a computer readable medium. The invention has particular applicability, but is not limited, to the field of vehicle diagnostics including vehicle wheel alignment or vehicle engine diagnostics.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Snap-On Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Stephen Rigsby, Donald L. Walchuk
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Publication number: 20030065466Abstract: An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to a second camera of the machine vision measuring system. Second and third calibration targets are mounted in a fixed relationship to one another and viewable by the first camera and by the third camera. A data processor is programmed to compute calibration of the first camera and the second camera, based on a position of the second calibration target relative to the third calibration target and based on a position of the first camera with respect to the third camera. The apparatus and method provide a way to continuously measure the positions of two or more cameras used in the measuring system, and to use such measurements to calibrate the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2002Publication date: April 3, 2003Applicant: Snap-On Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David A. Jackson, Michael J. Robb, Donald L. Walchuk