Method and apparatus for networked wheel alignment communications and services

    公开(公告)号:US06442460B1

    公开(公告)日:2002-08-27

    申请号:US09838763

    申请日:2001-04-19

    IPC分类号: G06F700

    CPC分类号: G07C5/008 G07C5/0841

    摘要: A wheel alignment system including at least one sensing device for acquiring automotive data, interface circuitry in communication with the sensing device for transferring data representative of automotive data acquired by the sensing device, and a host computer in communication with the interface circuitry for performing a sequence of operations on the data transferred by the interface circuitry. The host computer provides integrated Internet access to allow for transmission to the vehicle wheel alignment system, from a remote server, via the Internet, updated information and software applications and components necessary to accurately diagnose a vehicle, and the return of diagnostic, statistical, and log information associated with the vehicle wheel alignment system. The host computer provides integrated Internet access to allow for transmission of electronic commerce and statistical information, alignment logs, error messages, status messages, or diagnostic information to a remote system, and for the receipt of information including updated software applications, diagnostic commands, and remote information queries therefrom.

    METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING VEHICLE REFERENCE PLANES
    22.
    发明申请
    METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATING VEHICLE REFERENCE PLANES 有权
    评估车辆参考平面的方法和装置

    公开(公告)号:US20100166255A1

    公开(公告)日:2010-07-01

    申请号:US12716459

    申请日:2010-03-03

    IPC分类号: G06K9/36 G06K9/00

    CPC分类号: B66F7/28

    摘要: 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.

    摘要翻译: 一种用于使用机器视觉车轮对准系统在车辆车轮定位过程期间比较参考平面的方法和装置。 机器视觉车轮对准系统被配置为获取与设置在视野中的至少一个光学目标相关联的位置和方向数据,以建立与其上布置有对准过程的车辆的表面相关联的第一参考平面。 然后由机器视觉车轮对准系统获取与车辆的每个车轮相关联的位置信息,并且用于建立与车辆的每个车轮相关联的第二参考平面。 第一参考平面的取向与第二参考平面的取向之间的差异被确定并识别给操作者或用于表征车辆或车辆支撑表面的部件。

    Method and apparatus for networked wheel alignment communications and service
    23.
    发明授权
    Method and apparatus for networked wheel alignment communications and service 失效
    网络轮对准通信和服务的方法和装置

    公开(公告)号:US06370455B1

    公开(公告)日:2002-04-09

    申请号:US09655777

    申请日:2000-09-05

    IPC分类号: G01M1700

    CPC分类号: G07C5/008 G07C5/0841

    摘要: A wheel alignment system including at least one sensing device for acquiring automotive data, interface circuitry in communication with the sensing device for generating data representative of automotive data acquired by the sensing device, and a host computer in communication with the interface circuitry for performing a sequence of operations on the data generated by the interface circuitry. The host computer provides integrated Internet access to allow for transmission to the vehicle wheel alignment system, from a remote server, via the Internet, updated information and software applications and components necessary to accurately diagnose a vehicle, and the return of diagnostic, statistical, and log information associated with the vehicle wheel alignment system. The host computer provides integrated Internet access to allow for transmission of electronic commerce and statistical information, alignment logs, error messages, status messages, or diagnostic information to a remote system, and for the receipt of information including updated software applications, diagnostic commands, and remote information queries therefrom.

    摘要翻译: 一种车轮对准系统,包括至少一个用于获取汽车数据的感测装置,与感测装置通信的接口电路,用于产生表示由感测装置获取的汽车数据的数据;以及与接口电路通信的主计算机,用于执行序列 对接口电路产生的数据进行操作。 主计算机提供集成的因特网访问,允许从远程服务器,经由互联网,更新的信息和软件应用程序以及准确诊断车辆所需的组件传输到车辆车轮定位系统,以及诊断,统计和 与车轮对准系统相关的日志信息。 主计算机提供集成的因特网访问以允许将电子商务和统计信息,对齐日志,错误消息,状态消息或诊断信息传输到远程系统,并且用于接收包括更新的软件应用程序,诊断命令和 远程信息查询。

    Vehicle wheel turning angle gauge
    24.
    发明授权
    Vehicle wheel turning angle gauge 失效
    车轮转角仪

    公开(公告)号:US4897926A

    公开(公告)日:1990-02-06

    申请号:US244040

    申请日:1988-09-14

    IPC分类号: G01B5/255

    CPC分类号: G01B5/255

    摘要: A vehicle wheel turning angle gauge having a base to support a wheel engaging turnable plate which supports an optical encoder device mounted in non-rotary position so an operating shaft can engage and turn with the turnable plate to generate signals of the degree of turn and the direction of that turn. The base provides a structure for limiting the maximum displacement of the turnable plate without restricting its direction of motion so it will accommodate the range of vehicle wheel movement as required for alignment purposes.

    摘要翻译: 一种车辆转向角度计,其具有支撑车轮接合可转动板的基座,该基座支撑安装在非旋转位置的光学编码器装置,使得操作轴可与可转动板接合并转动以产生转动和 这个方向。 基座提供了一种用于限制可转动板的最大位移而不限制其运动方向的结构,因此它将适应对准目的所需的车轮运动范围。

    Method and apparatus for information transfer in vehicle service systems
    26.
    发明授权
    Method and apparatus for information transfer in vehicle service systems 有权
    车辆服务系统中信息传递的方法和装置

    公开(公告)号:US06917417B2

    公开(公告)日:2005-07-12

    申请号:US10871241

    申请日:2004-06-18

    IPC分类号: G05B23/02 G01B22/275

    CPC分类号: G05B23/0221

    摘要: A vehicle service system having a vehicle service computer which is configured for communication with one or more on-board vehicle computers of a vehicle undergoing a vehicle service procedure, to retrieve or access information stored in a memory associated with the vehicle computer and/or to modify or store information in the vehicle computer associated memory.

    摘要翻译: 一种具有车辆服务计算机的车辆服务系统,其被配置为与经历车辆服务程序的车辆的一个或多个车载车辆计算机进行通信,以检索或访问与车辆计算机相关联的存储器中存储的信息和/或 修改或存储车辆计算机相关存储器中的信息。

    Integrated automotive service system and method
    27.
    发明授权
    Integrated automotive service system and method 失效
    综合汽车服务体系与方法

    公开(公告)号:US06263322B1

    公开(公告)日:2001-07-17

    申请号:US09111024

    申请日:1998-07-07

    IPC分类号: G06F1760

    摘要: An integrated automotive repair shop network is designed to greatly enhance the efficiency and quality of diagnostic and repair work performed in an automotive repair shop. The network employs a data entry terminal for the entry of routine customer information into a shop management system, including the identification of the vehicle to undergo diagnosis or repair. The shop management system is configured to generate an appropriate repair order. Computerized diagnostic and repair devices linked through the network to the shop management system are configured to access the customer information contained in the repair orders, as well as to extract relevant technical specifications, service bulletins, parts listings, and prior services records from interconnected information databases. Each computerized diagnostic and repair device provides updated information to the repair shop management system upon the completion of a diagnostic routine, enabling other computerized diagnostic and repair devices to access the most current vehicle parameters. Completed repair orders are stored in a customer information database for rapid retrieval and display of the prior work history for each vehicle serviced.

    摘要翻译: 综合汽车维修店网络旨在大大提高汽车维修店进行的诊断和维修工作的效率和质量。 网络采用数据输入终端,将日常客户信息输入到商店管理系统中,包括识别要进行诊断或修理的车辆。 店铺管理系统被配置为生成适当的维修订单。 将通过网络连接到商店管理系统的计算机诊断和修复设备配置为访问维修订单中包含的客户信息,以及从互连的信息数据库中提取相关技术规范,服务公告,部件列表和先前的服务记录 。 每个计算机诊断和修复设备在诊断程序完成时向修理车间管理系统提供更新的信息,使其他计算机诊断和修理设备能够访问最新的车辆参数。 完成的修理订单存储在客户信息数据库中,以便快速检索和显示所有维修服务的每个车辆的工作历史记录。

    Vehicle alignment system and method incorporating digital photograph
database of vehicles
    28.
    发明授权
    Vehicle alignment system and method incorporating digital photograph database of vehicles 失效
    车辆对准系统和方法结合车辆数字照片数据库

    公开(公告)号:US5528496A

    公开(公告)日:1996-06-18

    申请号:US55638

    申请日:1993-04-29

    IPC分类号: G01B11/275 G06F17/30

    CPC分类号: G01B11/275 G01B2210/26

    摘要: A vehicle alignment system for inspecting and adjusting alignment of the suspension of numerous different vehicle models includes manually operable switches for selecting a particular vehicle model, a CD-ROM for storing a number of digital photographs depicting actual wear and adjustment points of different actual vehicle models, a display for displaying digital photographs, and a controller which responds to the selection of a particular vehicle model for providing, if available, at least one of the stored digital photographs for that particular vehicle model to the display for display. A method of operating alignment apparatus for inspecting the suspensions of numerous different vehicle models includes selecting a particular vehicle model to be inspected, displaying as a digital image a digital photograph of at least one actual wear or adjustment point of the actual vehicle model selected, and displaying on the digital image visual indicia of a plurality of predetermined inspection points for that portion of the suspension of the selected vehicle model. A method of operating alignment apparatus for adjusting the suspensions of numerous different vehicle models includes selecting a particular vehicle model having a suspension to be adjusted, displaying a digital photograph of the portion of the suspension of the vehicle model under test which may require adjustment, displaying adjustment instructions on the digital photograph, and following the displayed adjustment instructions to adjust the suspension if necessary.

    摘要翻译: 用于检查和调整许多不同车辆型号的悬架的对准的车辆对准系统包括用于选择特定车辆模型的手动操作开关,用于存储描绘不同实际车辆模型的实际磨损和调整点的多个数字照片的CD-ROM ,用于显示数字照片的显示器,以及响应于特定车辆模型的选择的控制器,用于将用于该特定车辆模型的所存储的数字照片中的至少一个提供给显示器以供显示。 一种操作对准装置的方法,用于检查许多不同车辆型号的悬架,包括选择要检查的特定车辆模型,将数字图像显示为所选择的实际车辆模型的至少一个实际磨损或调整点的数字照片;以及 在所选择的车辆模型的暂停部分的多个预定检查点的数字图像视觉标记上显示。 一种用于调整许多不同车辆型号的悬架的对准装置的方法包括选择具有要调整的悬架的特定车辆模型,显示可能需要调整的待测车辆模型的暂停部分的数字照片,显示 数码照片上的调整说明,并按照显示的调整说明进行调整,必要时进行调整。

    Electronic measuring gauge and apparatus for accurate vehicle stance
diagnosis and guidance in effecting wheel alignment
    29.
    发明授权
    Electronic measuring gauge and apparatus for accurate vehicle stance diagnosis and guidance in effecting wheel alignment 失效
    电子测量计和设备,用于准确的车辆姿态诊断和指导

    公开(公告)号:US4977524A

    公开(公告)日:1990-12-11

    申请号:US293014

    申请日:1989-01-03

    IPC分类号: G01B5/00

    CPC分类号: G01B5/0025

    摘要: Electronic measuring gauge and apparatus therefor comprising in combination apparatus and method for use in inspecting and determining vehicle body elevational position relative to the suspension which supports the vehicle body from the wheels or the floor on which the wheels rest. Components are provided to store and present alignment and body elevation measurement points for subsequent call up to suit a specific vehicle presented for inspection and a measuring device for finding the measurements at the measurement points. The apparatus and the method of its use increases the accuracy of inspection and reduces the time required to perform the linear measurements to assist in vehicle wheel alignment operations.

    摘要翻译: 电子测量计及其装置包括组合装置和方法,用于检查和确定相对于从轮子或车轮搁置的地板上支撑车体的悬架的车身正面位置。 提供组件以存储和呈现对准和身体高度测量点,用于随后的呼叫以适应呈现的检查的特定车辆和用于在测量点处找到测量的测量装置。 该装置及其使用方法提高了检查精度,并缩短了执行线性测量以协助车轮定位操作所需的时间。

    Method and apparatus for evaluating vehicle reference planes
    30.
    发明授权
    Method and apparatus for evaluating vehicle reference planes 有权
    用于评估车辆参考平面的方法和装置

    公开(公告)号:US07869018B2

    公开(公告)日:2011-01-11

    申请号:US12716459

    申请日:2010-03-03

    IPC分类号: G01B11/275

    CPC分类号: B66F7/28

    摘要: 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.

    摘要翻译: 一种用于使用机器视觉车轮对准系统在车辆车轮定位过程期间比较参考平面的方法和装置。 机器视觉车轮对准系统被配置为获取与设置在视野中的至少一个光学目标相关联的位置和方向数据,以建立与其上布置有对准过程的车辆的表面相关联的第一参考平面。 然后由机器视觉车轮对准系统获取与车辆的每个车轮相关联的位置信息,并且用于建立与车辆的每个车轮相关联的第二参考平面。 第一参考平面的取向与第二参考平面的取向之间的差异被确定并识别给操作者或用于表征车辆或车辆支撑表面的部件。