Patents by Inventor George M. Gill
George M. Gill 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: 11650049Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2020Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: Bryan C. Minor, James Rodney Harrell, David A. Jackson, George M. Gill, Brian K. Gray
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Publication number: 20200320739Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: 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
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Patent number: 10692241Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 28, 2019Date of Patent: June 23, 2020Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20200158501Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2020Publication date: May 21, 2020Inventors: Bryan C. Minor, James Rodney Harrell, David A. Jackson, George M. Gill, Brian K. Gray
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Patent number: 10539413Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2015Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: SNAP-ON IncorporatedInventors: Bryan C. Minor, Rodney Harrell, David A. Jackson, George M. Gill, Brian K. Gray
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Publication number: 20190279395Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20190279396Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2019Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 10347006Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 16, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20180053320Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2017Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: 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
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Publication number: 20170140581Abstract: A method and system for conducting a vehicle service comprises the steps of receiving signals representative of vehicle parameters, accessing data and/or software necessary for performing the vehicle service from at least one remote computer over a data transmission network, and performing signal processing related to the vehicle service based on the signals representative of the vehicle parameters and the accessed data and/or software. Since the data and/or software necessary for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis is distributed in different systems that are connected via a data communication network, an automotive service system can minimize the size of software stored locally and can access most of the information and/or algorithm required for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis from a remote system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Steven W. ROGERS, George M. GILL, Jean DE BELLEFEUILLE, Mike KLING, Michael L. BAIRD
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Patent number: 9577866Abstract: A method and system for conducting a vehicle service comprises the steps of receiving signals representative of vehicle parameters, accessing data and/or software necessary for performing the vehicle service from at least one remote computer over a data transmission network, and performing signal processing related to the vehicle service based on the signals representative of the vehicle parameters and the accessed data and/or software. Since the data and/or software necessary for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis is distributed in different systems that are connected via a data communication network, an automotive service system can minimize the size of software stored locally and can access most of the information and/or algorithm required for conducting the vehicle diagnostic analysis from a remote system.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2011Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventors: Steven W. Rogers, George M. Gill, Jean De Bellefeuille, Mike Kling, Michael L. Baird
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Publication number: 20160178359Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Bryan C. Minor, Rodney Harrell, David A. Jackson, George M. Gill, Brian K. Gray
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Publication number: 20160033264Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a wireless communications network using a standard communications link between a master controller and at least one slave device. In one example, a list of available slave devices for the network is generated, valid slave devices are determined from the list of available slave devices based on an identification protocol of the standard communications link, and the at least one slave device is selected from the valid slave devices. A network identification is established between the master controller and the at least one slave device, and the network identification is used to establish a network comprising only the master controller and the at least one slave device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Steven W. ROGERS, George M. GILL, Robert O. MORAN
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Patent number: 9212907Abstract: An improved method and system are provided for performing rolling runout compensation for vehicle wheel alignment. A plurality of sets of camber and toe measurements are acquired for a pair of vehicle wheels, each at a different, relatively small rollback angle between measurements; e.g., rolling the vehicle more than 0° and less than 180° from the last wheel position. Best fit sine waves are computed for each of the camber and toe measurements using the acquired data, and the best fit parameters are applied to compute runout at the current wheel angle. The computed runouts are subtracted from the measured camber and toe values to get true camber and toe values of the pair of wheels.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert J. D'Agostino, George M. Gill
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Publication number: 20130307967Abstract: An improved method and system are provided for performing rolling runout compensation for vehicle wheel alignment. A plurality of sets of camber and toe measurements are acquired for a pair of vehicle wheels, each at a different, relatively small rollback angle between measurements; e.g., rolling the vehicle more than 0° and less than 180° from the last wheel position. Best fit sine waves are computed for each of the camber and toe measurements using the acquired data, and the best fit parameters are applied to compute runout at the current wheel angle. The computed runouts are subtracted from the measured camber and toe values to get true camber and toe values of the pair of wheels.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert J. D'AGOSTINO, George M. GILL
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Publication number: 20130258902Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a wireless communications network using a standard communications link between a master controller and at least one slave device. In one example, a list of available slave devices for the network is generated, valid slave devices are determined from the list of available slave devices based on an identification protocol of the standard communications link, and the at least one slave device is selected from the valid slave devices. A network identification is established between the master controller and the at least one slave device, and the network identification is used to establish a network comprising only the master controller and the at least one slave device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: SNAP-ON INCORPORATEDInventors: Steven W. ROGERS, George M. GILL, Robert O. MORAN
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Patent number: 8452484Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a wireless communications network using a standard communications link between a master controller and at least one slave device. In one example, a list of available slave devices for the network is generated, valid slave devices are determined from the list of available slave devices based on an identification protocol of the standard communications link, and the at least one slave device is selected from the valid slave devices. A network identification is established between the master controller and the at least one slave device, and the network identification is used to establish a network comprising only the master controller and the at least one slave device.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: Steven W. Rogers, George M. Gill, Robert O. Moran
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Publication number: 20120042031Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a wireless communications network using a standard communications link between a master controller and at least one slave device. In one example, a list of available slave devices for the network is generated, valid slave devices are determined from the list of available slave devices based on an identification protocol of the standard communications link, and the at least one slave device is selected from the valid slave devices. A network identification is established between the master controller and the at least one slave device, and the network identification is used to establish a network comprising only the master controller and the at least one slave device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: Steven W. Rogers, George M. Gill, Robert O. Moran
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Patent number: 8073586Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for forming a wireless communications network using a standard communications link between a master controller and at least one slave device. In one example, a list of available slave devices for the network is generated, valid slave devices are determined from the list of available slave devices based on an identification protocol of the standard communications link, and the at least one slave device is selected from the valid slave devices. A network identification is established between the master controller and the at least one slave device, and the network identification is used to establish a network comprising only the master controller and the at least one slave device.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: Steven W. Rogers, George M. Gill, Robert O. Moran
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Publication number: 20110209074Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Inventors: George M. GILL, Joel A. Kunert, Rajani K. Pulapa, Stephen K. Rigsby