Abstract: A method and apparatus for comparing reference planes during a vehicle wheel alignment procedure using a machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system. The machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system is configured to acquire position and orientation data associated with at least one optical target disposed in a field of view, to establish a first reference plane associated with a surface on which a vehicle undergoing an alignment procedure is disposed. Positional information associated with each wheel of the vehicle is then acquired by the machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system, and utilized to establish a second reference plane associated with each wheel of the vehicle. Differences between an orientation of the first reference plane and an orientation of the second reference plane are determined and identified to an operator or utilized to characterize components of the vehicle or vehicle support surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system to measure an orientation of one or more vehicle supporting surfaces of a vehicle lift system, and to measure and compensate one or more vehicle measurements relative to the vehicle supporting surface of the vehicle lift system.

Abstract: A optical imaging sensor assembly for a machine-vision vehicle service system comprising a variable lens optical assembly. The variable lens optical assembly is controlled in response to direction from a vehicle service software application to alter an optical characteristic such as a field of view, a lens focal length, or an optical axis alignment to acquire images for use in a vehicle service procedure such as a vehicle wheel alignment procedure, vehicle tire balancing procedure, or tire changing procedure.

Abstract: A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system configured with at least one cameras for acquiring images of the wheels of a vehicle, and an associated light projectors configured to project a pattern image onto the surfaces of vehicle components such as vehicle wheel assemblies. Images of the projected patterns acquired by the camera, are processed by the vehicle wheel alignment system to facilitate a determination of the relative orientation and position of the surfaces such as wheel assemblies in three dimensional space, from which vehicle parameters such as wheel alignment measurements can be subsequently determined.

Abstract: A method for enabling a vehicle wheel alignment system to compensate an imaging sensor coordinate system for changes associated with adjustments to the pose of an imaging sensor, following movement of a vehicle lift mechanism supporting a vehicle undergoing a vehicle wheel alignment procedure.

Abstract: A machine vision system is configured to facilitate placement of a vehicle service apparatus relative to an associated vehicle. The machine vision system is configured to utilize images of optical targets received from one or more cameras to guide the placement of the vehicle service apparatus relative to the associated vehicle.

Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel tire changing system having a tire mount/dismount head coupled to an articulating tire mount/dismount arm assembly and a tire pressure sensor system which is configured to detect the presence of a tire pressure monitoring system sensor, mounted within a vehicle wheel assembly, prior to altering the mounting of a tire on an associated wheel rim.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining an alignment of the wheels of a vehicle are provided. The method includes determining values of wheel alignment parameters of a first wheel using images of a first optical target associated with the first wheel wherein the images are received by a first imager having a first field of view, and determining values of wheel alignment parameters of the first wheel using images of the first optical target received by a second imager having a second field of view when the first optical target is outside the first field of view.

Abstract: A computer-based vehicle service system, such as a wheel alignment system, is configured to acquire and utilize measurements of the air pressure in the tires of a vehicle undergoing a service procedure.

Abstract: A machine vision system is configured to facilitate placement of a vehicle service apparatus relative to an associated vehicle. The machine vision system is configured to utilize images of optical targets received from one or more cameras to guide the placement of the vehicle service apparatus relative to the associated vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle service system having a vehicle service computer which is configured for communication with at least one on-board vehicle computer of a vehicle undergoing a vehicle service procedure via a vehicle fault tolerant communication bus, to retrieve or access information stored in a memory associated with the vehicle computer, to modify or store information in the vehicle computer associated memory, or to enable vehicle service system control of at least one vehicle component.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system utilizing a non-contact range finding system in conjunction with one or more optical imaging sensors to acquire images of a fixed target, fixed random object, or the vehicle wheels, from which three-dimensional information related to one or more optical imaging sensor positions or vehicle wheel alignment angles can be obtained.

Abstract: An improved computer controlled optical imaging vehicle wheel alignment system configured to obtain one or more color images of optical targets associated with a vehicle, and to process the color images to obtain vehicle wheel alignment measurements.

Abstract: A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system configured with at least one cameras for acquiring images of the wheels of a vehicle, and an associated light projectors configured to project a pattern image onto the surfaces of vehicle components such as vehicle wheel assemblies. Images of the projected patterns acquired by the camera, are processed by the vehicle wheel alignment system to facilitate a determination of the relative orientation and position of the surfaces such as wheel assemblies in three dimensional space, from which vehicle parameters such as wheel alignment measurements can be subsequently determined.

Abstract: A camera configuration for a machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system which does not dispose all of the cameras on a single rigid structure, such that cameras disposed to view the left side of a vehicle are movable independently of the cameras disposed to view the right side of the vehicle, while maintaining a common reference coordinate system for determining vehicle wheel alignment angles.

Abstract: A method for enabling a vehicle wheel alignment system to compensate an imaging sensor coordinate system for changes associated with adjustments to the pose of an imaging sensor, following movement of a vehicle lift mechanism supporting a vehicle undergoing a vehicle wheel alignment procedure.

Abstract: A optical imaging sensor assembly for a machine-vision vehicle service system comprising a variable lens optical assembly. The variable lens optical assembly is controlled in response to direction from a vehicle service software application to alter an optical characteristic such as a field of view, a lens focal length, or an optical axis alignment to acquire images for use in a vehicle service procedure such as a vehicle wheel alignment procedure, vehicle tire balancing procedure, or tire changing procedure.

Abstract: Compact and robust sensors for utilization with vehicle wheel alignment angle sensor units and vehicle service devices. The sensors incorporate one or more micro-electromechanical devices configured to measure movement and/or orientation of the sensor about one or more orthogonal axes, such as when a wheel alignment angle sensor unit is coupled to a vehicle wheel during a vehicle wheel alignment angle measurement procedure, or when a vehicle lift system is articulated to raise or lower a vehicle. The sensor are further configured to provide output signals representative of the measured movement and/or orientation to a vehicle wheel alignment system processor or vehicle service device controller.

Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel tire changing system configured to detect the presence of a tire pressure monitoring system sensor, mounted within a vehicle wheel assembly, prior to altering the mounting of a tire on an associated wheel rim.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system to measure an orientation of one or more vehicle supporting surfaces of a vehicle lift system, and to measure and compensate one or more vehicle measurements relative to the vehicle supporting surface of the vehicle lift system.