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...Daniel Webster invented a "bull plow" to pull out tree stumps. It didn't catch on because it was huge and required four oxen to pull it!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8169604 | Parameter detection system The present invention refers to a parameter detection system for detecting in a non-mechanical manner at least one parameter of an object (1) to be examined. The parameter detection system includes a mounting device (2) for holding the object, and a mo... | 05/01/2012 |
| 8125630 | Automatic tracking camera A tracking system includes an emitter array configured to emit radiation around a subject to be tracked in at least one dimension wherein each emitter or group of emitters is modulated to permit identification of a source of the radiation. A receiver is configured t... | 02/28/2012 |
| 8111387 | Methods and systems for wheel profile measurement Methods and systems for determining a parameter of a vehicle wheel are provided. The vehicle wheel is mounted on a shaft having an axis of rotation. The method includes projecting a pattern onto the wheel wherein the pattern includes a plurality of discrete opticall... | 02/07/2012 |
| 8107062 | Non contact wheel alignment sensor and method A sensor and method of determining the orientation of an object, such as the alignment characteristics of a tire and wheel assembly mounted on a vehicle, includes projecting a plurality of light planes from a first light projector onto a tire and wheel assembly to f... | 01/31/2012 |
| 7907265 | Method for the determination of the axle geometry of a vehicle A method is for determining the axle geometry of a vehicle, wherein light of a given structure is projected onto a vehicle wheel, and the diffusely reflected light can be analyzed in order to determine the orientation of the plane of the vehicle wheel. Several lines... | 03/15/2011 |
| 7869018 | Method and apparatus for evaluating vehicle reference planes 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 associate... | 01/11/2011 |
| 7864309 | Non contact wheel alignment sensor and method A sensor and method of determining the orientation of an object, such as the alignment characteristics of a tire and wheel assembly mounted on a vehicle, includes projecting a plurality of light planes from a first light projector onto a tire and wheel assembly to f... | 01/04/2011 |
| 7855783 | Integrated circuit image sensor for wheel alignment systems An integrated circuit (IC), for use in an imaging module of a wheel alignment system, incorporates an image sensor as well as a number of other features. Some of the added features are implemented within the integrated circuit. The IC also incorporates interfacing f... | 12/21/2010 |
| 7808627 | Method for directing a controlled movement of a vehicle component Methods for facilitating controlled movement of at least one vehicle wheel. The methods include the step of presenting a display of information, such as by visual display or audible signals, to an operator to direct a manual controlled-speed movement of the vehicle ... | 10/05/2010 |
| 7768632 | Method of and apparatus for determining geometrical dimensions of a vehicle wheel A method and an apparatus of determining geometrical dimensions of a motor vehicle wheel (rim/tire assembly) 1 by contact-less sensing, wherein the wheel is fixed on wheel receiving means 2 of a tire changer, that at least one light beam 21 is e... | 08/03/2010 |
| 7684026 | Fault tolerant wheel alignment head and system A sensing head and system utilizes fault tolerant design and self-diagnosis. Alternative operation modes are provided when one or more functional modules or components fail. Unique designs provide redundant system resources. Self-diagnoses and tests are provided to ... | 03/23/2010 |
| 7583372 | Machine vision vehicle wheel alignment image processing methods A method of the present invention provides methods for processing images of vehicle wheel assemblies acquired during vehicle service procedures to determine vehicle wheel assembly pose components, from which vehicle wheel alignment angles may be calculated. ... | 09/01/2009 |
| 7548307 | Apparatus and method for wheel alignment A mounting fixture assembly allows the attachment of a laser light emitting device—in this case a laser level—used along with a light reception board to determine thrust, toe, and camber measurements of motor vehicles. The mounting fixture provides a means of su... | 06/16/2009 |
| 7538864 | Vehicle wheel alignment system scanned beam imaging sensor A vehicle wheel alignment sensor for a machine-vision vehicle wheel alignment system comprising a scanned beam camera incorporating an illumination source, a means for deflecting light emitted by the illumination source along a path within a field of view, and a det... | 05/26/2009 |
| 7495755 | Vehicle tire changing system with imaging components An improved vehicle tire changing system for servicing a vehicle wheel assembly consisting of a tire and rim, configured with one or more imaging sensors to accurately measure distances, dimensions, and characteristics of features associated with a vehicle wheel ass... | 02/24/2009 |
| 7453559 | Vehicle lift reference system for movable machine-vision alignment system sensors 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 vehicl... | 11/18/2008 |
| 7369222 | Wheel aligner measurement module attachment system In a vehicle alignment system an optical sensing mechanism is structurally coupled to a vehicle supporting lift for movement in unison with the lift so that the field of view of the sensing mechanism encompasses a wheel of a vehicle positioned on the lift during lif... | 05/06/2008 |
| 7355687 | Method and apparatus for vehicle service system with imaging components An improved vehicle wheel service system for servicing a vehicle wheel assembly, configured with one or more imaging sensors to accurately measure distances, dimensions, and characteristics of features associated with a vehicle wheel assembly undergoing a service. | 04/08/2008 |
| 7346994 | Adaptive cruise control sensor alignment tool and method An alignment tool for vehicular adaptive cruise control detection devices attaches with precision and repeatability to an adaptive cruise control sensor subassembly. Integral to this alignment tool is a low energy visible light laser that can be adjusted to point al... | 03/25/2008 |
| 7336350 | Wheel alignment apparatus and method utilizing three-dimensional imaging 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... | 02/26/2008 |
| 7328124 | Apparatus and method for measuring and compensating steering-angle sensitive alignment measurements A method for measuring and compensating steered-angle sensitive wheel alignment angle and distance measurements for the effects of steering a wheel from a straight ahead position, thereby enabling an operator to carry out a vehicle wheel alignment angle adjustment w... | 02/05/2008 |
| 7320246 | Vehicle tire diagnosis method and apparatus An on-board vehicle diagnostic system includes sensors for detecting vehicle operating parameters, such as speed, wheel speed, yaw rate, transverse acceleration, and/or tire operating parameters, such as the tire inflation pressure and the temperature at the belt ed... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7295297 | Image sensing wheel alignment system An improved image sensing wheel alignment system for calculating vehicle wheel alignments having a detector array for receiving an input image containing vehicle wheel alignment information. An image sensor controller controls the detector array to receive the input... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7295948 | Laser system for marking tires System for identifying and marking individual automotive tires including use of a light sheet sensor enabled image processing for the identification of the tire type and the marking spot. The height profile of the raised symbols on the tire sidewall can be measured ... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7278215 | Method and device for measuring wheel alignment of automobile There is provided a method and a device for measuring wheel alignment of an automobile that can quickly and precisely measure wheel alignment of the automobile without applying the same load to a wheel installation portion as that applied thereto in a finished vehic... | 10/09/2007 |
| 7265821 | Caster angle measurement system for vehicle wheels An apparatus and method is provided for measuring the caster angle of a steerable wheel assembly without contact with the vehicle. An image capture device, preferably a CCD type video camera or sensor, views a vehicle wheel mounting and steering assembly that is ill... | 09/04/2007 |
| 7260983 | Method and an apparatus for the inspection of the surface of a tire An apparatus for the inspection of the surface (1) of a tire (2) or the like comprises a projector (3) for the projection of a pattern onto the tire (2) and a camera (4) for the taking of an image of the pattern projected onto the ... | 08/28/2007 |
| 7259842 | Optical inclinometer The invention relates to an optical inclinometer, in which radiation is emitted form a radiation source. After passing through a receptacle containing at least one first medium, said radiation is reproduced in a camera. Information concerning the inclination of the ... | 08/21/2007 |
| 7252301 | Snowmobile ski with alignment points A snowmobile ski includes front and rear alignment points, which are preferably notches in the outer ribs of each of the skis. The notches facilitate alignment of the skis by receiving the end of a tape measure that is used to measure front and rear distances betwee... | 08/07/2007 |
| 7236240 | Time-resolved photogrammetric measurement of wheel position values The invention concerns a device for three-dimensional photogrammetric capture of an object with time resolution, comprising a first auxiliary assembly set on the object to be captured, a second auxiliary assembly and a single camera. The first auxiliary assembly is ... | 06/26/2007 |
| 7230694 | Method for determining an axle geometry and sensor for its execution Method for determining an axle geometry by recording and evaluating a topographical image of a face (6) of a wheel (1) fitted to an axle (2), and a sensor (10) for execution of the method. The method includes projecting light with a codin... | 06/12/2007 |
| 7221441 | Method for measuring optically reflective vehicle wheel surfaces A method for the operation of a vehicle wheel service system configured to illuminate a surface of a vehicle wheel rim and tire assembly. The method includes the steps of mounting a vehicle wheel rim and tire assembly onto the vehicle wheel service system, coating a... | 05/22/2007 |
| 7199873 | Method and apparatus for balancing a motor vehicle wheel A method and apparatus for balancing a motor vehicle wheel, in which after an unbalance measuring operation, at least one balancing weight is attached to at least one balancing plane in a given angular position of the rim of the motor vehicle wheel. The rim surface ... | 04/03/2007 |
| 7188656 | Automatic detector device for a tire assembling-disassembling machine An automatic detector device for a tire assembling-disassembling machine having at least one support group (G) mounted for rotation about an axis of rotation of a tired wheel (9) whose bead is to be released, and at least one bead-releasing roll-carrying exte... | 03/13/2007 |
| 7177740 | Method and apparatus for dynamic measuring three-dimensional parameters of tire with laser vision Three-dimensional parameters of a tire are measured dynamically in a non-contact way using laser vision technology. Two laser vision sensors are used, which are calibrated and then used for practical measurement. The system offers a wide measuring range, high accura... | 02/13/2007 |
| 7164472 | Common reference target machine vision wheel alignment system 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 ... | 01/16/2007 |
| 7121011 | Camera technique for adaptive cruise control (ACC) sensor adjustment An image processing type aligner enables proper set-up of one of two adjustment elements used to align an adaptive cruise control sensor or the like mounted on a vehicle. One element, such as a laser beam source, is mounted with the sensor on the vehicle; and the ot... | 10/17/2006 |
| 7120524 | System for measuring points on a vehicle during damage repair A carriage moves back and forth under a vehicle and three cameras or laser fixed along one axis pivot in a common plane, utilizing two cameras at time to locate a target fixed to a reference point on the undercarriage of the vehicle. Triangulation calculations, comb... | 10/10/2006 |
| 7104438 | Method of integrating tire identification into a vehicle information system A method for integrating tire identification data into a vehicle information system comprises the steps: mounting a tire to a production line vehicle chassis, the tire having tire data storage for storing tire identification data; connecting the tire stored data to ... | 09/12/2006 |
| 7069660 | Gradient calculating camera board In a machine vision system utilizing computer processing of image data, an imaging module incorporates the image sensor as well as pre-processing circuitry, for example, for performing a background subtraction and/or a gradient calculation. The pre-processing circui... | 07/04/2006 |
