A vehicle wheel alignment system and method is provided for performing a rolling wheel axis of rotation and wheel spindle point calculation every time an alignment is performed. Embodiments include an aligner having a target fixedly attachable to a wheel of the vehicle; a camera for viewing the target and capturing image data of the target; and a data processor. The data processor receives the image data from the camera, and determines a vector pointing from the target origin to a wheel spindle point based on the captured target image data, when the vehicle is rolled while the wheel is on a substantially flat surface such that the wheel and target rotate a number of degrees. The data processor is further adapted to calculate an alignment parameter for the vehicle based at least in part on the wheel axis of rotation and the coordinates of the wheel spindle point.

A vehicle wheel alignment system has a frame member and an optical device mounted to the frame member. At least one shaft connected to the frame member, wherein the at least one shaft is positionable against a rim of the vehicle wheel, wherein the at least one shaft is constructed from a non-metal material. The system may allow for vehicle wheel alignments without scratching the face of the rim. Related methods, apparatuses, and systems are provided.

A system and process for aligning wheels of a three-wheel cycle include mounting targets to two wheels on an axle of the three-wheel cycle and positioning an alignment device relative to a single wheel of the three-wheel cycle to create a virtual axle and assess thrust angle. Once targets are in place, thrust angle is reduced to zero, and camber, caster, and toe measurements are taken and adjusted as needed to achieve three-wheel alignment.

A device for checking the wheel suspension of a vehicle, in particular, of a motor vehicle, includes: a device for determining the wheel normals and/or the center of rotation of a wheel of the vehicle; a device for determining the movement trajectory of the wheel normals and/or of the center of rotation of the wheel during a movement of the vehicle; and a comparison and evaluation device, which is configured to compare the determined movement trajectory of the wheel normals and/or of the center of rotation of the wheel to a predefined movement trajectory, and to output a defect message when the deviation of the determined movement trajectory from the predefined movement trajectory exceeds a predefined limiting value.

A vehicle wheel alignment system and method is provided for performing a rolling wheel axis of rotation and wheel spindle point calculation every time an alignment is performed. Embodiments include an aligner having a target fixedly attachable to a wheel of the vehicle; a camera for viewing the target and capturing image data of the target; and a data processor. The data processor receives the image data from the camera, and determines a vector pointing from the target origin to a wheel spindle point based on the captured target image data, when the vehicle is rolled while the wheel is on a substantially flat surface such that the wheel and target rotate a number of degrees. The data processor is further adapted to calculate an alignment parameter for the vehicle based at least in part on the wheel axis of rotation and the coordinates of the wheel spindle point.

A vehicle position detection and guidance system for use with an automotive service lift having a pair of runways onto which a vehicle is driven in order to be elevated. The system consists of a LiDAR sensor disposed to provide a field of view encompassing a volume of space extending upward from the upper surface of each lift runway, as well as the intervening region between the runways. The LiDAR sensor to observes at least the leading tread surfaces of two or more wheels on a vehicle approaching the service lift, and a volume of space below the vehicle. Output from the LiDAR sensor is conveyed to a processing system, which monitors the wheel positions relative to the runway surfaces, and provides output indicating steering corrections, obstructions, and a vehicle stopping point as the vehicle is driven onto the runways and/or the lift elevation changes.

Proposed are a wafer inspection apparatus and a method of inspecting a wafer using the wafer inspection apparatus. The proposed wafer inspection apparatus includes a horizontal magnetic field generation unit arranged proximate to a lateral surface of a wafer and forming a magnetic field in such a manner that lines of magnetic force propagate in a horizontal direction, a vertical magnetic field generation unit arranged under the wafer and generating a magnetic field in such a manner that lines of magnetic force propagate in a direction vertical to the wafer, an image measurement unit arranged over the wafer and measuring an image of the wafer, and a wafer movement stage moving the wafer in a first direction and a second direction.

A method of instance segmentation in an image and a system for instance segmentation of images. The method includes identifying, with a processor, a starting pixel associated with an object in an image, the image having a plurality of rows of pixels, the starting pixel located in a row of the plurality of rows; identifying, with the processor, at least one pixel located in an adjacent row to the row in which the starting pixel is located, the at least one pixel being part of the same object as the starting pixel; iterating the previous two identification steps using the at least one identified adjacent row pixel as a start pixel for the next iteration; and connecting, with the processor, the at least one identified adjacent row pixels to form polylines representing the object.

A system for measuring wheel alignment includes at least one camera and at least one processor in communication with the camera. The camera captures an image of a test wheel. The processor processes the captured image to measure the wheel alignment.

A hybrid wheel alignment system and methodology use passive targets for a first pair of wheels (e.g. front wheels) and active sensing heads for another pair of wheels (e.g. rear wheels). The active sensing heads combine image sensors for capturing images of the targets with at least one spatial relationship sensor for sensing a relationship between the active sensing heads. One or both of the active sensing heads may include inclinometers or the like, for sensing one or more tilt angles of the respective sensing head. Data from the active sensing heads may be sent to a host computer for processing to derive one or more vehicle measurements, for example, for measurement of parameters useful in wheel alignment applications.