System and Method For Identification of Spatial Locations For Vehicle ADAS Calibration

A method for operating a vehicle measurement system consisting of a base unit, a support structure affixed to said base unit, and a pair of optical projection systems carried in a spaced arrangement in a common frame of reference by said support structure, each optical projection system including an optical projector carried by a multi-axis gimbal mounting structure located at a known location within a common reference frame, comprising:

• selecting an origin point on a vehicle undergoing a service or inspection in operative proximity to said vehicle measurement system;
• projecting a first illuminating beam of light from a first optical projector in said pair along a first projection axis;
• orienting said first optical projection system by driving a first associated multi-axis gimbal mounting structure to align said first projection axis with said selected origin point such that said first illuminating beam of light illuminates said selected origin point;
• projecting a second illuminating beam of light from a second optical projector in said pair along a second projection axis;
• orienting said second optical projection system by driving a second associated multi-axis gimbal mounting structure to align said second projection axis with said selected origin point, such that said second illuminating beam of light illuminates said selected origin point;
• identifying vectors defined by each of said multi-axis gimbal mounting structures and orientations of said first and second projection axes within said common frame of reference;
• and
• calculating a position of said selected origin point within said common frame of reference as an intersection of said identified vectors.

A method for guiding placement of a vehicle service fixture during a service or inspection of a vehicle positioned within a vehicle service area, comprising:

• identifying a spatial location within a frame of reference encompassing said vehicle service area for placement of said vehicle service fixture or target;
• establishing a target zone associated with said identified spatial location;
• operating a first gimbal-mounted optical projection system disposed at a known location within said frame of reference to align a first projection axis with said target zone;
• operating a second gimbal-mounted optical projection system disposed at a second known location within said frame of reference to align a second projection axis with said target zone, whereby said first and second projection axes each pass through, or intersect within, said target zone;
• activating each gimbal-mounted optical projection system to project a beam of light along each of said first and second projection axes;
• and
• positioning and/or adjusting said vehicle service fixture or target within said frame of reference such that a selected surface associated with said fixture intersects said target zone, and is illuminated by said beams of light projected along each of the first and second projection axes.