US 7,062,861 B2Granted

Self-calibrating position determination system and user interface

AssigneeSnap-on Incorporated

InventorsPatrick O'Mahony, Manjula Gururaj

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Abstract

A position determination system comprises a data processing system, a first measuring module, and a second measuring module. Both of the measuring modules are coupled to the data processing system. The first measuring module includes a first sensing device for obtaining positional data of a first testing target. A calibration sensing device is rigidly linked to the first sensing device. The positional relationship between the first sensing device and the calibration target is known. The system has a rotation mechanism for rotating the sensing device of the first sensing device. The second measuring module includes a second sensing device for obtaining positional data of a second testing target. A calibration target is rigidly linked to the second sensing device, and is used with the calibration sensing device to obtain a positional relationship between the calibration target and the calibration sensing device. The positional relationship between the second sensing device and the calibration target is known. A rotation mechanism is provided for rotating the second sensing device. The data processing system provides a user interface for indicating the positions of the first and second sensing devices.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A position determination system, comprising:

a first measuring module, including
a first sensing device for obtaining positional data of a first testing target relative to the first sensing device;
a calibration sensing device rigidly linked to the first sensing device, wherein the positional relationship between the first sensing device and the calibration sensing device is known;
and
a first rotation mechanism for rotating the first sensing device without altering the positional relationship between the first sensing device and the calibration sensing device;
a second measuring module, including
a second sensing device for obtaining positional data of a second testing target relative to the second sensing device;
a calibration target for use with the calibration sensing device to obtain positional data of the calibration target relative to the calibration sensing device, wherein the calibration target is rigidly linked to the second sensing device, and the positional relationship between the second sensing device and the calibration target is known;
and
a second rotation mechanism for rotating the second sensing device without altering the positional relationship between the second sensing device and the calibration target;
and
a data processing system coupled to the first and second measuring modules and configured to provide a user interface indicating positions of the first sensing device and the second sensing device.

9 more elements

A position determination system, comprising:

a first measuring module, including
a first sensing means for obtaining positional data of a first testing target relative to the first sensing device;
a calibration sensing means rigidly linked to the first sensing device, wherein the positional relationship between the first sensing device and the calibration sensing device is known;
and
a first rotation means for rotating the first sensing device without altering the positional relationship between the first sensing device and the calibration sensing device;
a second measuring module, including
a second sensing means for obtaining positional data of a second testing target relative to the second sensing device;
a calibration target for use with the calibration sensing means for obtaining positional data of the calibration target relative to the calibration sensing means, wherein the calibration target is rigidly linked to the second sensing device, and the positional relationship between the second sensing means and the calibration target is known;
and
a second rotation means for rotating the second sensing device without altering the positional relationship between the second sensing device and the calibration target;
and
a data processing system coupled to the first and second measuring modules and configured to provide a user interface indicating positions of the first sensing device and the second sensing device.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/813,430Filed 31 Mar 2004 · continuation
Priority: 28 Jun 2001
Published: US 2005/0005463 A113 Jan 2005
Granted: 20 Jun 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

G01B 11/2755
For testing wheel alignment: using photoelectric detection means
G01B 11/002
Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques: for measuring two or more coordinates
G01C 11/06
Interpretation of pictures: by comparison of two or more pictures of the same area
G01S 5/16
Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance…:…

Family

Application60/301,954Us provisional application · filed 28 Jun 2001
Application10/170,401Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 14 Jun 2002
Application10/183,460Parent of this continuation · filed 28 Jun 2002
US 2005/0005463 A1Pre-grant publication · published 13 Jan 2005
US 6,839,972 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
Application10/183,460Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2002/0189115 A1Published application
US 2003/0023395 A1Published application
US 7,062,861 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.