Patents by Inventor Nicholas J. Colarelli

Nicholas J. Colarelli 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).

  • Patent number: 11872965
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy A. Strege, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III
  • Publication number: 20230280155
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Brian M. Cejka, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Michael T. Stieff
  • Patent number: 11721140
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Blackford F. Brauer, James Kaleb Silver, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Timothy A. Strege
  • Patent number: 11692818
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian M. Cejka, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Michael T. Stieff
  • Patent number: 11639849
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian M. Cejka, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Michael T. Stieff
  • Patent number: 11610184
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Timothy A. Larson, Daniel G. Eberhart
  • Publication number: 20220390226
    Abstract: A machine-vision vehicle wheel alignment measurement system configured with at least one optical sensor to acquire images of optical targets disposed within an operative field of view. The system further includes a processing system configured with software instructions to determine relative spatial positions and orientations of one or more optical targets visible within images acquired by the optical sensor. The processing system is further configured with software instructions to automatically identify an axle count and axle configuration for a vehicle undergoing an alignment inspection or service using the determined relative spatial positions and orientations of the visible optical targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2022
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: John M. Boncek, Timothy A. Strege, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III
  • Publication number: 20220244045
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Brian M. Cejka, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Michael T. Stieff
  • Patent number: 11338621
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Andrew B. Nevin, Timothy A. Strege, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III
  • Publication number: 20220155063
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Brian M. Cejka, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Michael T.. Stieff
  • Patent number: 11313946
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian M. Cejka, Daniel R. Dorrance, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III
  • Patent number: 11300668
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Timothy A. Strege
  • Patent number: 11287251
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventors: Michael T. Stieff, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Brian M. Cejka
  • Publication number: 20210347338
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy A. Strege, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III
  • Publication number: 20210318117
    Abstract: A vehicle service system including a set of cameras and a processing system configured to access a database of vehicle-specific information, which includes data identifying vehicle-specific targets and/or service fixtures. The processing system is configured with a user interface to convey instructions to an operator, including the identification of vehicle-specific targets and/or service fixtures required to carry out a selected vehicle service. The processing system subsequently evaluates images acquired from the set of cameras to identify features present within the images, including placed vehicle-specific targets, from which identification of, and verification of correctly selected, vehicle-specific targets is made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy A. Strege, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III
  • Publication number: 20210223034
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Michael T. Stieff, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Brian M. Cejka
  • Publication number: 20210155055
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew B. Nevin, Timothy A. Strege, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III
  • Publication number: 20210148702
    Abstract: A heavy-duty vehicle measurement system utilizing displacement sensor modules disposed in housings on opposite sides of a vehicle inspection lane to acquire a set of displacement measurements associated with a moving heavy-duty vehicle. Displacement data along one or more measurement axes is acquired independently by each of the displacement sensor module to measure corresponding distances between the sensor module and points on a surface of the passing heavy-duty. A processing system is configured to receive and evaluate the set of displacement measurements, together with known parameters of the measurement system, to identify heavy-duty vehicle features, such as configuration, body panels, wheel assemblies, and tire surfaces, and to calculate heavy-duty vehicle parameters such as velocity, wheel rim or tire dimensions, axle relative orientations (scrub angles) and wheel assembly spatial orientations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Timothy A. Strege, Daniel R. Dorrance, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III
  • Patent number: 10996053
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael T. Stieff, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III, Brian M. Cejka
  • Patent number: 10964134
    Abstract: A vehicle service system for interaction with the on-board electronic systems of a vehicle utilizing a cloud-based vehicle diagnostic system which is configured on-demand for the vehicle undergoing a service procedure. The vehicle service system includes a local processing system in communication with the vehicle and with a cloud-based vehicle diagnostic application service configured to establish an on-demand virtual processing system running a vehicle-specific diagnostic software application. The vehicle-specific diagnostic software application communicates with the vehicle undergoing service to present a service technician with diagnostic results within a graphical user interface of the local processing system. Upon completion of the vehicle service, the remote cloud-based vehicle diagnostic application service terminates the virtual processing system and vehicle-specific diagnostic software application, freeing cloud-based resources for subsequent uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Ryan J. Frisch, Mark E. Pinson, Nicholas J. Colarelli, III