Abstract: A method for adjusting and/or calibrating a surroundings sensor in a vehicle using a measuring unit and a calibration panel.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a vehicle surroundings sensor (15) includes the steps of attaching at least one target pair (20, 22) to the rear wheels (12, 14) of a motor vehicle (7); recording the target pair (20, 22) using at least one measuring unit (32, 46) and determining the vehicle axis (64) from the recording; placing a target (16, 18) in a known position relative to a vehicle surroundings sensor adjustment or calibration element (62); fastening at least one measuring unit (32, 46) by means of fastening adapters (34, 48) to a running rail (4, 6); recording the target (18) placed on the vehicle surroundings sensor adjustment and determining the angular position of the vehicle surroundings sensor adjustment or calibration element (62) relative to the vehicle axis (64); aligning the vehicle surroundings sensor adjustment or calibration element (62) relative to the vehicle axis (64); and adjusting the vehicle surroundings sensor (15) relative to the vehicle axis (64).

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for the optical axle alignment of wheels of a motor vehicle. At the wheels that are to be aligned, targets are mounted, having optically recordable marks, the targets being recordable by measuring units that have stereo camera devices. In a referencing process, using a referencing device that is integrated into the measuring units, a measuring position reference system is established for the measuring units. In a calibration process, in which a local 3D coordinate system is established using at least three marks of the target, the determination of a reference plane is carried out, using a significant mark of the target. Finally, using the reference plane, a vehicle longitudinal center plane is ascertained, while taking into account the measuring location reference system.

Abstract: A method for adjusting and/or calibrating a surroundings sensor in a vehicle using a measuring unit and a calibration panel.

Abstract: A method for the chassis measurement of a motor vehicle by a chassis measuring device, measuring in a contactless manner, having two measuring devices situated opposite to each other, includes the steps of positioning a first vehicle axle between the two measuring devices; the contactless measuring of the two wheel rims of the first vehicle axle by the two measuring devices; the positioning of a second vehicle axle between the two measuring devices; the contactless measuring of the two wheel rims of the second vehicle axle by the two measuring devices; and ascertaining the wheel position values of all the measured wheel rims by the chassis measuring device.

Abstract: Automatic illuminating and image recording system for an automobile service device, combined illuminating and image recording unit and method for automatic measured value-dependent setting of the image recording and exposure for an automobile service device having contactless measuring capability. Comprises at least one camera (32, 34) having an interface to a control unit, at least one illuminating unit (62, 64) having a control input, and a control unit. This control unit is equipped with an interface to the camera(s) (32, 34), with an interface to the illuminating unit(s) (62, 64), with an image processing-and, respectively, image pre-processing-unit and with an evaluating unit that generates control parameters for the illuminating unit(s) (62, 64) and/or the camera(s) (32, 34).

Abstract: A method for the relative positioning of an object to be measured with respect to a measuring device, first of all the object to be measured is detected by the measuring device and the position of the object to be measured with respect to the measuring device is ascertained. Then a return message signal is generated which indicates whether the object to be measured is located in a position that is suitable for taking the measurement or not.

Abstract: A method and a device are provided for the optical axle alignment of wheels of a motor vehicle. At the wheels that are to be aligned, targets are mounted, having optically recordable marks, the targets being recordable by measuring units that have stereo camera devices. In a referencing process, using a referencing device that is integrated into the measuring units, a measuring position reference system is established for the measuring units. In a calibration process, in which a local 3D coordinate system is established using at least three marks of the target, the determination of a reference plane is carried out, using a significant mark of the target. Finally, using the reference plane, a vehicle longitudinal center plane is ascertained, while taking into account the measuring location reference system.

Abstract: A method for locating a geometric detail of at least one wheel rim for determining its spatial position relative to a measuring instrument, includes: aiming at least one measuring camera of a measuring instrument of a chassis measuring system at a wheel rim; recording an image of a wheel rim using the at least one measuring camera; ascertaining at least one geometric detail in the image of the wheel rim; and selecting a known geometric detail for determining the spatial position of the wheel rim relative to the measuring instrument.

Abstract: A method and a unit for determining the spatial position of a wheel rim with respect to a measuring unit having at least one camera, wherein the wheel rim lies in the viewing field of the camera, including making available of a model, that describes a model body of a localizable wheel rim geometry detail as well as the spatial position of the model body with respect to the measuring unit, through model parameters, capturing of a picture of the wheel rim geometry detail of the wheel rim with the camera, fitting the image of the model body resulting from the model parameters to the picture of the wheel rim geometry detail through changing the model parameters of the model, and tracking the changes of the model parameters upon the fitting, whereby the data related to the position of the model body of the wheel rim geometry detail reflect the spatial position of the wheel rim-geometry detail and, thereby, the wheel rim itself, when the image resulting from the model parameters, of the wheel rim-geometry detail fi

Abstract: A method according to the invention for adjusting or calibrating a vehicle surroundings sensor (15) comprises the steps of: attaching at least one target pair (20, 22) to the rear wheels (12, 14) of the motor vehicle (7); recording the target pair (20, 22) using at least one measuring unit (32, 46) and determining the vehicle axle (64) from the recording; placing at least one target (16, 18) in a known position relative to a vehicle surroundings sensor adjustment or calibration element (62); recording the target (18) placed at the vehicle surroundings sensor adjustment or calibration element (62) using the at least one measuring unit (32, 46) and determining the angular position of the vehicle surroundings sensor adjustment or calibration element (62) relative to the vehicle axle (64); aligning the vehicle surroundings sensor adjustment or calibration element (62) relative to the vehicle axis (64); and adjusting or calibrating the vehicle surroundings sensor (15) relative to the vehicle axis (64).

Abstract: A method for locating a geometric detail of at least one wheel rim for determining its spatial position relative to a measuring instrument, includes: aiming at least one measuring camera of a measuring instrument of a chassis measuring system at a wheel rim; recording an image of a wheel rim using the at least one measuring camera; ascertaining at least one geometric detail in the image of the wheel rim; and selecting a known geometric detail for determining the spatial position of the wheel rim relative to the measuring instrument.

Abstract: A method for the chassis measurement of a motor vehicle by a chassis measuring device, measuring in a contactless manner, having two measuring devices situated opposite to each other, includes the steps of positioning a first vehicle axle between the two measuring devices; the contactless measuring of the two wheel rims of the first vehicle axle by the two measuring devices; the positioning of a second vehicle axle between the two measuring devices; the contactless measuring of the two wheel rims of the second vehicle axle by the two measuring devices; and ascertaining the wheel position values of all the measured wheel rims by the chassis measuring device.

Abstract: A method for the relative positioning of an object to be measured with respect to a measuring device, first of all the object to be measured is detected by the measuring device and the position of the object to be measured with respect to the measuring device is ascertained. Then a return message signal is generated which indicates whether the object to be measured is located in a position that is suitable for taking the measurement or not.

Abstract: Automatic illuminating and image recording system for an automobile service device, combined illuminating and image recording unit and method for automatic measured value-dependent setting of the image recording and exposure for an automobile service device having contactless measuring capability. Comprises at least one camera (32, 34) having an interface to a control unit, at least one illuminating unit (62, 64) having a control input, and a control unit. This control unit is equipped with an interface to the camera(s) (32, 34), with an interface to the illuminating unit(s) (62, 64), with an image processing- and, respectively, image pre-processing-unit and with an evaluating unit that generates control parameters for the illuminating unit(s) (62, 64) and/or the camera(s) (32, 34).

Abstract: A method and a unit for determining the spatial position of a wheel rim with respect to a measuring unit having at least one camera, wherein the wheel rim lies in the viewing field of the camera, including making available of a model, that describes a model body of a localizable wheel rim geometry detail as well as the spatial position of the model body with respect to the measuring unit, through model parameters, capturing of a picture of the wheel rim geometry detail of the wheel rim with the camera, fitting the image of the model body resulting from the model parameters to the picture of the wheel rim geometry detail through changing the model parameters of the model, and tracking the changes of the model parameters upon the fitting, whereby the data related to the position of the model body of the wheel rim geometry detail reflect the spatial position of the wheel rim-geometry detail and, thereby, the wheel rim itself, when the image resulting from the model parameters, of the wheel rim-geometry detail fi

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for a program controlled wheel alignment measurement of the running gears of vehicles the various steps or groups of steps of the measurement procedure are carried out under the control of a central computer of the wheel alignment system or a microprocessor in a machine-like device for turning the steering wheel of the vehicle. The wheel of the steerable axis are turned and positioned, respectively, under the control of the program to the positions required for carrying out the wheel alignment measurement of the running gears.

Abstract: A wheel alignment apparatus has measurement heads for determining wheel positions of wheels of a motor vehicle. Each measurement head comprises at least one camera which is the direct to a measurement target arranged in the field of view of the camera and positioned in a well defined relationship to the wheel of the motor vehicle. Pictures taken by the camera are evaluated by an evaluation unit in order to determined the spatial position of the measurement target and, thereby, the wheel with respect to the position of the camera and the measurement head respectively. The wheel alignment apparatus wheel alignment apparatus comprises an optical reference system integrated into the measurement heads for calibrating the measurement heads of the wheel alignment apparatus as to the position of the measurement heads with respect to each other.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for a program controlled wheel alignment measurement of the running gears of vehicles the various steps or groups of steps of the measurement procedure are carried out under the control of a central computer of the wheel alignment system or a microprocessor in a machine-like device for turning the steering wheel of the vehicle. The wheel of the steerable axis are turned and positioned, respectively, under the control of the program to the positions required for carrying out the wheel alignment measurement of the running gears.

Abstract: A wheel alignment apparatus has measurement heads for determining wheel positions of wheels of a motor vehicle. Each measurement head comprises at least one camera which is the direct to a measurement target arranged in the field of view of the camera and positioned in a well defined relationship to the wheel of the motor vehicle. Pictures taken by the camera are evaluated by an evaluation unit in order to determined the spatial position of the measurement target and, thereby, the wheel with respect to the position of the camera and the measurement head respectively. The wheel alignment apparatus wheel alignment apparatus comprises an optical reference system integrated into the measurement heads for calibrating the measurement heads of the wheel alignment apparatus as to the position of the measurement heads with respect to each other.