The present invention belongs to the field of machine vision system technologies, and discloses a target unit of a machine vision system, a target assembly and a machine vision system, the target unit including a protective plate, a light absorbing layer and a light reflecting layer. The protective plate includes a connection surface. The light reflecting layer is connected to the light absorbing layer, one of the light absorbing layer and the light reflecting layer includes a preset pattern and is connected to the protective plate through the connection surface, and a surface that is of the other of the light absorbing layer and the light reflecting layer and that faces away from the protective plate is an outer surface of the target unit. In the target unit in the embodiments of the present invention, the protective plate can provide functions such as mechanical support, flatness and water resistance and scratch resistance, and a substrate in the prior art can be omitted, so that the weight of the target unit in this embodiment is reduced, and the thickness of a product is reduced, enabling that it is possible to make a thinner product. In addition, a product assembly process is simplified, and product costs are reduced.

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.

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 support structure having a vertical element supporting a set of cameras associated with a vehicle measurement or inspection system together with at least one target structure required for realignment or recalibration of onboard vehicle safety system sensors. A camera crossbeam carried by the support structure locates the set of cameras as required to view a vehicle undergoing measurement or inspection. The target structure is affixed to the vertical element of the support structure, at an elevation suitable for observation by at least one vehicle onboard sensors during a realignment or recalibration procedure. A set of rollers facilitates positioning of the target structure on a supporting floor surface during a realignment or recalibration procedure.

A vehicle service system incorporating a set of imaging sensors disposed in an inspection lane through which a vehicle is driven. A processor is configured with software instructions to capture a set of images from the set of imaging sensors and to evaluate the captured images according to a set of rules to identify images in which a license plate is visible on an observed surface of the vehicle. The processor is further configured with software instruction to extract license plate information from the identified images, assign a figure of merit to the extracted information, and generate an output in response to the assigned figures of merit.

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.

A laser scanner determines the direction and distance of one or more targets by emitting two substantially parallel beams and receiving respective return beams. Components for handling the received beams are affixed to a monolithic block to ensure fixed relative placement. The direction of the target is determined using an optical encoder to reduce the timing window for interpolation to a fraction of the time it takes for the scanner to make a full revolution. A PLL trained by recent segment timing further improves accuracy and precision. A detection algorithm adapts detection thresholds for the different signatures of return signals depending on the distance to the target. Distance calculations are also adjusted for thermal expansion of the scanner components by including a temperature-variant thermometer output signal in the distance calculation algorithm.

The present invention relates to a method for determining spindle angles of a steerable wheel axle arrangement. In particular, by means of the method, an image of at least one wheel axle optical marker arranged in connection with a wheel axle and an image of a spindle optical marker arranged in connection with the spindle is acquired, where after rotation of the spindle, center of rotation and an axis of rotation of the spindle can be determined.

System for diagnosing the wheel alignment of a vehicle includes a measuring device configured to measure a characteristic parameter of the wheel alignment, wherein the measuring device comprises a wireless communication device to remotely transmit a signal related to the characteristic parameter. The system further comprises a portable remote device, distinct and separate from the measuring device, having a wireless communication device to remotely receive the signal related to the measured characteristic parameter, and a control unit adapted to receive the related signal from the wireless communication device and to carry out a step of processing the signal to derive a value of the characteristic parameter. The portable remote device further has a screen to display a characteristic information representative of the value of the characteristic parameter, and a battery connected to the wireless communication device, to the control unit and to the screen to allow their respective operation.

A drive-through vehicle inspection system acquiring information from engraved markings on the tire sidewalls of a moving vehicle. Optical imaging sensors disposed on opposite sides of the vehicle acquire images of the sidewall surfaces for each passing wheel assembly. The acquired images are evaluated by a processing system configured to identify, within the acquired images, visible markings engraved into the tire sidewall surfaces which include at first portion having a first optical reflectivity, and a second portion having a second optical reflectivity which is different from the first optical reflectivity. Each identified marking is decoded to retrieve data stored therein, representative of the tire, wheel assembly, and/or associated vehicle onto which the wheel assembly is installed. The retrieved data is incorporated into an inspection report and/or utilized by the vehicle inspection system to access vehicle-specific information contained within an indexed database.