| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| D361897 |
Picture display apparatus |
September 5, 1995 |
|
| 7424387 |
Method for use with an optical aligner system for positioning a fixture relative to a vehicle |
September 9, 2008 |
| A method is provided for positioning a free-standing fixture relative to a vehicle, using a visual aligner system for imaging vehicle-mounted targets with reference image sensors and processing the resultant images. Embodiments include calculating locations of the vehicle-mounted targets |
| 7373726 |
Retro-reflective target wafer for a position determination system |
May 20, 2008 |
| A target that is usable in a position determination system such as, for example, a wheel alignment system, is structurally stable over wide temperature ranges, protected from humidity and chemical contamination, and not subject to breakage. A layered target structure includes a subst |
| 7369222 |
Wheel aligner measurement module attachment system |
May 6, 2008 |
| 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 lift movement. Sensing mo |
| 7143519 |
Alignment system with locking turntables and skid plates |
December 5, 2006 |
| An alignment measurement system for a vehicle includes an alignment sensing system and a suspension relaxing system. The suspension relaxing system is configured to receive at least one wheel of the vehicle and is operable between a plurality of states. The alignment sensing system is |
| 7139077 |
Optical mapping apparatus with optimized OCT configuration |
November 21, 2006 |
| OCT apparatus includes an interferometer, having an input beam splitter and a 50/50 output splitter. The splitting ratio of the input splitter may be optimized depending on the source power of light source and on the mismatch of the balanced receiver. The input splitter is a plate be |
| 7069660 |
Gradient calculating camera board |
July 4, 2006 |
| 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 circuitry may also compress |
| 6968282 |
Self-calibrating, multi-camera machine vision measuring system |
November 22, 2005 |
| An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to |
| 6959253 |
Self-calibrating, multi-camera machine vision measuring system |
October 25, 2005 |
| An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to |
| 6931340 |
Self-calibrating, multi-camera machine vision measuring system |
August 16, 2005 |
| An apparatus and method for calibrating machine vision measuring systems that have more than one camera are disclosed. A first calibration target is mounted in a fixed relationship to a first camera of the machine vision measuring system. A third camera mounted in a fixed relationship to |
| 6927860 |
Optical mapping apparatus with optimized OCT configuration |
August 9, 2005 |
| OCT apparatus includes an interferometer, having an input beam splitter and a 50/50 output splitter. The splitting ratio of the input splitter may be optimized depending on the source power of light source and on the mismatch of the balanced receiver. The input splitter is a plate be |
| 6871409 |
Gradient calculating camera board |
March 29, 2005 |
| 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 circuitry may also compress |
| 6839972 |
Self-calibrating position determination system |
January 11, 2005 |
| A position determination system comprises a first measuring apparatus and a second measuring apparatus. The first measuring apparatus includes a first sensing device having a sensing field for obtaining positional data of a first testing target, a calibration target rigidly linked to the |
| 6823246 |
Measuring wheel base parallelism with a position determination system |
November 23, 2004 |
| Alignment between the wheels of a vehicle is determined using a position determination system and includes indicating wheel positions on the vehicle with targets; imaging the targets to obtain locations of the wheel positions; and calculating a relationship between the front and rear |
| 6796043 |
Target system for use with position determination system |
September 28, 2004 |
| A target system for determining the location of a position on a vehicle comprises a target body, one or more target elements, a trigger, and a point definer. The target elements are disposed on the target body and are detectable by a position determination system. The trigger is position |
| 6769769 |
Optical mapping apparatus with adjustable depth resolution and multiple functionality |
August 3, 2004 |
| The present invention relates to a multiple channel optical mapping apparatus which can deliver one or simultaneously at least two images of different depth resolutions or sequentially, images with different depth resolutions, or a combination of these images, or a single image with |
| 6731382 |
Self-calibrating 3D machine measuring system useful in motor vehicle wheel alignment |
May 4, 2004 |
| Techniques are disclosed for providing a system that has a plurality of devices in which the position of a device of the plurality of devices relative to another device of the plurality of devices is self-calibrated. In one embodiment, the system is a five-camera aligner for use in align |
| 6728609 |
Diagnostic method and system for a multiple-link steering system |
April 27, 2004 |
| A diagnostic method and system for determining an operational status of a multiple-link steering system for steering an object attached thereto. The system includes a position determination system for obtaining positional signals related to a steering system, and a data processing system |
| 6661505 |
Method and system for measuring caster trail |
December 9, 2003 |
| A system for measuring caster trail of a wheel. The system comprises position sensing devices for sensing positional signals of the wheel and a data processing system configured to couple to the position sensing devices. The data processing system receives signals from the position s |
| 6658751 |
Target system for use with position determination system |
December 9, 2003 |
| A target system for determining the location of a position on a vehicle comprises a target body, one or more target elements, a trigger, and a point definer. The target elements are disposed on the target body and are detectable by a position determination system. The trigger is position |
| 6658749 |
3D machine vision measuring system with vehicle position adjustment mechanism for positioning ve |
December 9, 2003 |
| A system for obtaining positional information about a vehicle includes a vision imaging system and a vehicle position adjustment mechanism for moving the vehicle between at least two positions for detection by the vision imaging system. The vehicle position adjustment mechanism includes |
| 6634109 |
Method and system for determining symmetry and Ackermann geometry status of the steering system |
October 21, 2003 |
| The present disclosure provides a method and system for determining symmetry and Ackermann geometry status of the steering system of a vehicle. A system according to the disclosure determines symmetry of the steering system based on toe angle differences of the steerable wheels. Thus |
| 6560883 |
Method and system for conducting wheel alignment |
May 13, 2003 |
| A method and system for providing an improved camber adjustment technique. The method comprises the steps of: turning the steerable wheel to a first position in which the steerable wheel is either toe-in or toe-out, then turning the steerable wheel to a second position in which the steer |
| 6534429 |
Multi-component material for uncooled thermal imaging and graphical method for the determination |
March 18, 2003 |
| A multi-component material is represented by the general formula (I):in which: M is Sr or Cd; x is the decimal fraction molar concentration of MTiO.sub.3, where x has a value equal to or greater than about 0.20 and less than or equal to about 0.75; and y is the decimal fraction mola |
| 6532062 |
Method and apparatus for measuring vehicle wheel scrub radius |
March 11, 2003 |
| An apparatus and method for measuring a scrub radius of a wheel including determining at least one of a steering axis, a centerline and a ground plane of the wheel using computer-aided alignment, and determining the other of the steering axis, the centerline and the ground plane of the |
| 6526665 |
Glint-resistant position determination system |
March 4, 2003 |
| An improved position determination system that is resistant to interference caused by glint, such as from the Sun. The position determination system for determining positional parameters of an object has a target device comprising a base configured for attaching to the object, first and |
| 6323776 |
Method and apparatus of automatically identifying faults in a machine vision measuring system |
November 27, 2001 |
| An apparatus and method for automatically identifying faults in the operation of a machine vision measuring systems provides an improved self-diagnostic capability for machine vision based metrology and tracking systems. The method and apparatus validate performance of tracking opera |
| 6237234 |
Method and apparatus for measuring vehicle wheel roll radius |
May 29, 2001 |
| A method and apparatus are provided for determining a roll radius of a vehicle wheel for use in alignment and other diagnostic or maintenance operations. An optically scannable target is attached to a wheel of the vehicle. A first position measurement is made using a machine vision s |
| 5975697 |
Optical mapping apparatus with adjustable depth resolution |
November 2, 1999 |
| Optical mapping apparatus with adjustable depth resolution is provided. The optical mapping apparatus can display transversal images in an object, particularly the eye. The apparatus can deliver two or more images with different depth resolutions, or a combination of these images, or onl |
| 5969246 |
Apparatus and method for determining axial stability |
October 19, 1999 |
| An apparatus and method for determining axial stability compares measured wheel runout and axial instability parameters with prescribed tolerances to determine if the wheel suffers from excessive wheel play. Axial stability and runout is determined and displayed on a monitor screen such |
| 5809658 |
Method and apparatus for calibrating cameras used in the alignment of motor vehicle wheels |
September 22, 1998 |
| An apparatus for determining the position and/or alignment of objects such as motor vehicle wheels, and including targets for attachment to the objects, a pair of optical sensing means such as television cameras for viewing the targets, an electronic processing means connected to the |
| 5553643 |
Apparatus and method for rapidly rotating containers to produce multi-aspect designs |
September 10, 1996 |
| Apparatus and method for rapidly rotating a small enclosed transparent container and introducing a plurality of visually different materials into the rotating container to produce distinctive multi-aspect designs. The illustrated apparatus includes a support for releasibly holding one of |
| 5456918 |
Ranitidine pharmaceutical compositions |
October 10, 1995 |
| The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition for use in human or veterinary medicine which comprises ranitidine or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, alginic acid or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, and a carbonate or bicarbonate. The composition preferably c |
| 5383207 |
Optical carrier generation using stimulated brillouin scattering |
January 17, 1995 |
| Apparatus for producing signal frequency shifts by stimulated Brillouin scattering comprises a pair of optical fibres (112,113) or a single high birefringence fibre which are illuminated by a laser beam to generate two back-scattered signals by stimulated Brillouin scattering and a mixer |
| 5340541 |
Automated Karl Fischer titration apparatus and method |
August 23, 1994 |
| Automation of the coulometric Karl Fischer titration has allowed for the accurate, precise determination of moisture content of lyophilized hGH formulations. The system of the present invention utilizes a vented, two-hole sampling/dispensing probe that dispenses titrant and withdraws |
| 5106129 |
Flexible coupling for transferring a fluid between two fluid conduits |
April 21, 1992 |
| A flexible coupling for transferring a fluid between two fluid conduits and for providing an effective fluid seal is disclosed. The device includes a body portion containing a hollow interior open on opposite ends thereof and having a raised cylindrically shaped end collar formed around |
| 5082675 |
Ensiling composition |
January 21, 1992 |
| This invention relates to aqueous compositions suitable for ensiling substrates said composition comprising formic acid and octanoic acid. The composition may contain in addition other components such as propionic acid and ammonia to improve ease of handling.The feature of the invention |
| 5079200 |
Detector material for uncooled thermal imaging devices |
January 7, 1992 |
| A solid solution, ferroelectric material with a selectable Curie point cosed of lead titanate and a larger amount of strontium titanate is provided for use as a thermal detector material in ferroelectric uncooled infrared imaging systems. |
| 4974961 |
Optical fibre measuring system |
December 4, 1990 |
| Optical fiber measuring systems using an interferometer are disclosed. The measuring range of the system are extended by the use two wavelengths of radiation during the measurement. The phases of the light at each wavelength may be compared, or the radiation of one wavelength may be used |
| 4906402 |
Liquid crystal material |
March 6, 1990 |
| A compound having ferroelectric liquid crystal properties of the formula: ##STR1## wherein A is the residue of a liquid crystal material or a liquid crystal compatible material;X is O or S;n is 0 or 1;Y is any inert group which does not cause the melting point of the compound of Form |
| 4725143 |
Interferometric sensor |
February 16, 1988 |
| An interferometric sensor includes an optical fiber polarimetric sensing element (5) for detecting a required measurand and is configured so as to derive interference output signals, which are simultaneously monitored by photodetectors (9, 11), from both conventional, for example, Michel |
| 4714342 |
Fiber optical interferometric temperature sensor with ramp modulation |
December 22, 1987 |
| A temperature sensor comprises a single-mode all-fiber Michelson interferometer. The interferometer includes a bi-directional coupler and signal and reference fibers having mirrored ends. These two fibers are of unequal lengths to provide an optical path length in-balance and the sig |
| 4706502 |
Vortex shedding flowmeter |
November 17, 1987 |
| A flowmeter for measuring the velocity of fluid flow by monitoring the vortex shedding frequency of the fluid flow comprises a single mode optical fibre sensing element (1) for detecting vortex shedding and utilizes interferometric techniques for producing an electrical output signal |
| 4678909 |
Optical pressure sensing apparatus |
July 7, 1987 |
| Optical pressure sensing apparatus comprises an optical fibre interferometer arranged to sense the movement of a pressure responsive element and produce an interference signal at its output which can be monitored and processed to measure changes in the pressure applied to the pressur |
| 4642458 |
Polarimetric fibre sensor |
February 10, 1987 |
| A polarmetric fiber sensor comprises a lead fiber (1) and a shorter length of sensing fiber (2). Both fibers comprise higly birefringent optical fiber having orthogonal eigen modes and are spliced together with their eigen modes mutually rotated by 45.degree.. The sensing fiber (2) has a |
| 3937658 |
Electrolytic zinc refining process including production of by-products from jarosite residues |
February 10, 1976 |
| The jarosite process of electrolytic refining of zinc is extended and improved by treating the jarosite residues to recover valuable by-products. The wet jarosite residue is acidified with sulphuric acid from the refining process acid plant to redissolve the iron sulphate, producing |
