Optics: measuring and testing – Angle measuring or angular axial alignment – Wheel alignment with photodetection
Patent
1995-05-24
1997-02-04
Buczinski, Stephen C.
Optics: measuring and testing
Angle measuring or angular axial alignment
Wheel alignment with photodetection
3320316, 33288, H04N 718, G01B 524, G01B 1126
Patent
active
056004354
ABSTRACT:
A sensor method and apparatus for an optical wheel alignment machine utilizes one or more light sources, such as lasers, to project a laser line or other shaped light onto various locations about the sidewall of a tire undergoing measurement. The sensor includes a video camera or other light responsive receiver and a optical system that combines the reflected laser lines into a single image that is received by the camera. The optical system also rotates one or more of the reflected laser lines so that all of the reflected portions have the same general orientation upon entering the camera. The camera outputs a video data stream that is indicative of the image. The sensor has an electronic circuit that analyzes this video data stream in real time to determine the location in the image of a preselected feature of each of the laser lines. The circuit then outputs coordinate data indicative of the location of this feature.
The circuit is microprocessor-based and uses a comparator that compares the incoming video data stream with a threshold to determine, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, whether any particular pixel lies on or outside one of the laser lines received by the camera. For a pixel lying on a laser line, the comparator interrupts operation of the microprocessor which then determines the position within the image of that pixel. Once the pixel representing the preselected feature is found, the microprocessor uses that information to generate the coordinate output data.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3187185 (1965-06-01), Milnes
patent: 3590258 (1971-06-01), Shibata et al.
patent: 3625618 (1971-12-01), Bickel
patent: 3685161 (1972-08-01), MacPherson
patent: 3709609 (1973-01-01), Spengler et al.
patent: 3773422 (1973-11-01), Stavis et al.
patent: 3895870 (1975-07-01), Cullen et al.
patent: 3918816 (1975-11-01), Foster et al.
patent: 4105925 (1978-08-01), Rossol et al.
patent: 4111557 (1978-09-01), Rottenkolber et al.
patent: 4188544 (1980-02-01), Chasson
patent: 4225238 (1980-09-01), Rottenkolber
patent: 4249824 (1981-02-01), Wiederrich et al.
patent: 4302104 (1981-11-01), Hunter
patent: 4335962 (1982-06-01), De Matteo et al.
patent: 4373804 (1983-02-01), Pryor et al.
patent: 4498778 (1985-02-01), White
patent: 4523844 (1985-06-01), Titsworth et al.
patent: 4541721 (1985-09-01), Dewar
patent: 4598481 (1986-07-01), Donahue
patent: 4645348 (1987-02-01), Dewar et al.
patent: 4666303 (1987-05-01), Prior
patent: 4690557 (1987-09-01), Wiklund
patent: 4724480 (1988-02-01), Hecker et al.
patent: 4745469 (1988-05-01), Waldecker et al.
patent: 4761749 (1988-08-01), Titsworth et al.
patent: 4863266 (1989-09-01), Masuko et al.
patent: 4889425 (1989-12-01), Edwards et al.
patent: 4898464 (1990-02-01), Thorne et al.
patent: 5054918 (1991-10-01), Downing et al.
patent: 5085510 (1992-02-01), Mitchell
patent: 5148209 (1992-09-01), Subbarao
patent: 5163002 (1992-11-01), Kurami
patent: 5164823 (1992-11-01), Keeler
patent: 5172005 (1992-12-01), Cochran et al.
patent: 5177558 (1993-01-01), Hill
patent: 5208646 (1993-05-01), Rogers et al.
patent: 5220399 (1993-06-01), Christian et al.
patent: 5231443 (1993-07-01), Subbarao
patent: 5243766 (1993-09-01), Marley et al.
patent: 5268731 (1993-12-01), Fuchiwaki et al.
patent: 5274433 (1993-12-01), Madey et al.
patent: 5280542 (1994-01-01), Ozeki et al.
patent: 5291660 (1994-03-01), Koerner
patent: 5463463 (1995-10-01), Harvey et al.
patent: 5532816 (1996-07-01), Spann et al.
Bartko Robert J.
Rosen Jack H.
Buczinski Stephen C.
Fori Automation, Inc.
LandOfFree
Intelligent sensor method and apparatus for an optical wheel ali does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Intelligent sensor method and apparatus for an optical wheel ali, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Intelligent sensor method and apparatus for an optical wheel ali will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-684310