# US 12,111,229 B2 · System for evaluating the state of the surface of a tire > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,111,229 B2 - Document ID: US12111229B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/780,140 - Filed: 2020-11-23 - Published: 2022-12-29 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-11-27 - Assignees: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin - Applicants: Compagnie Generale Des Etablissements Michelin - Inventors: Francois Mourougaya; Nicolas Roudel; Florian Heck - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12111229B2 ## CPC - G01M 17/027: {using light, e.g. infrared, ultraviolet or holographic techniques} - G01B 11/245: using a plurality of fixed, simultaneously operating transducers ({G01B11/2408 - G01B11/2425, } G01B11/255 take precedence) - G01M 17/021: {Tyre supporting devices, e.g. chucks (for balancing G01M1/04)} - G01M 17/022: {the tyre co-operating with rotatable rolls} - G01N 21/8806: {Specially adapted optical and illumination features} - G01N 21/9515: {Objects of complex shape, e.g. examined with use of a surface follower device (measuring contours and curvatures G01B11/24)} - H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means - H04N 23/90: Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums - G01M: TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A system for evaluating the surface of a tire (10) comprises: a region (21) for entry of the tire into the system, a capture region, and an exit region (22), distinct from the entry region, means for moving (23) and for holding a tire in position, means for illuminating the tire allowing the illumination of a sidewall of the tire and of the crown of a tire in the capture region, means for acquiring a visual image of the tire in the capture region, and means for processing the acquired image, at least one acquisition means being installed on a shaft that is movable with respect to the tire installed in the capture region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for evaluating the surface of a tire, the system comprising: a region for entry of the tire into the system, a capture region, and an exit region, distinct from the entry region; means for moving and for holding a tire in position comprising one or more means selected from the group consisting of means for centering the tire comprising a centering roller, means for rotating the tire comprising a vertical roller, means for locking the tire comprising the vertical roller or a vertical shaft, and means for linear movement of the tire between the entry and exit regions, via the capture region, comprising a discharge belt; means for illuminating the tire comprising one or more light sources, the means for illuminating the tire allowing the illumination of a sidewall of the tire and of a crown of the tire in the capture region; means for acquiring a visual image of the tire in the capture region comprising one or more cameras; means for automatically positioning the one or more cameras, as a tire enters into the capture region, comprising a rangefinder; and means for processing the acquired image comprising a deep learning system or a conventional image processing system, wherein at least one acquisition means is installed on a shaft that is movable with respect to the tire installed in the capture region. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 further comprising means for spreading beads of the tire comprising the vertical shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one acquisition means comprise one or more linear cameras, and wherein the illuminating means are arranged outside of a field of acquisition of the one or more linear cameras. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the illuminating means comprise individual light sources covered with a diffusing material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the means for illuminating the sidewall of the tire comprise several lines of individual light sources. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the means for processing the acquired image comprise artificial intelligence means. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1 further comprising a half-mirror, installed so as to reflect an image of part of the tire. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method for evaluating the surface of a tire using the system according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: entering the tire into the evaluation system using a discharge belt; acquiring a visual image of the tire using one or more cameras; and exiting the tire from the evaluation system using the discharge belt, wherein the step of acquiring a visual image of the tire is performed while the tire is rotated by one revolution, and wherein the step of exiting the tire is concomitant with a step of entering another tire into the system.