Abstract:
A vehicle service or inspection system including a load roller for applying a radial load to a vehicle wheel assembly consisting of a tire mounted to a rim, with at least one sensor for acquiring measurements of acoustical energy generated by the wheel assembly during loaded rotational movement. The vehicle service or inspection system is configured with a programmed processor to evaluate the acquired measurements to provide a measure of tire road noise, identification of tire defects, and/or identification of sources of noise, vibrations, or acoustical energy on the tire surface such as tire flat spots, cupping, bubbles, embedded foreign objects, or other defects. The processor is further configured with software instructions to utilize the acquired measurements to provide a consumer with a figure of merit associated with the acoustics of the tire undergoing testing
Abstract:
An improved vehicle service system having at least one pattern-projecting, machine-vision sensor for acquiring images of objects and surface during a vehicle service or inspection procedure, and which is configured to process acquired images to identify measurements and/or relative three-dimensional locations associated with the vehicle undergoing service or inspection, vehicle components, surface, or objects in the environment surrounding the vehicle. The improved vehicle service system is further configured to utilized the identified measurements and/or relative three-dimensional locations during a vehicle service or inspection procedure.
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.
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.; and (3) convey results of the vehicle diagnostic analysis in verbal, written, or visual form.
Abstract:
A machine-vision vehicle service system, and methods of operation, incorporating at least one at least one camera and an optical projector for guiding placement of vehicle service components relative to a vehicle undergoing service. The camera and optical projector are operatively coupled to a processing system configured with software instructions to selectively control a projection axis orientation for the optical projector to enable projection of visible indicia onto various surfaces visible within the field of view of the camera.
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.
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.
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.
Abstract:
A vehicle inspection system for acquiring measurements of at least one vehicle moving through an inspection lane is in communication with a remote data processing and storage system to aggregate data from multiple vehicles passing through the inspection lane, and optionally, from multiple inspection lanes. The remote data processing and storage system is configured with suitable software instructions to store the received vehicle inspection data, as well as vehicle service data received from vehicle service equipment, and to generate reports and/or respond to data queries using the stored vehicle inspection and vehicle service data.
Abstract:
A vehicle service system and method to determine spatial parameters of a vehicle, employing a display system under processor control, to display or project visible indicia onto surfaces in proximity to a vehicle undergoing a safety system service or inspection identifying one or more locations, relative to the determined vehicle centerline or thrust line, at which a calibration fixture, optical target, or simulated test drive imagery is visible for observation by a sensor onboard the vehicle.