Wheel alignment head and system with advanced power management

• US 8,032,279 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Inventors: Bryan, Eric, Brown, Adam C., Kling, Michael J., Swayne, Ronald C., Rogers, Steven W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu; Yonel
• Application Number:
  US11/829,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20090030558A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,530 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/36, 700/279, 324/76.11, 332/86, 332/03, 356/139.09, 356/155
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/2755 using photoelectric detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/14 One or more cameras or other optical devices capable of acquiring a two-dimensional image
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/16 Active or passive device attached to the chassis of a vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/30 Reference markings, reflector, scale or other passive device
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 2210/58 Wireless transmission of information between a sensor or probe and a control or evaluation unit
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 25/00 Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass testing, calibrating or compensating compasses G01C17/38

Abstract

A wheel alignment head and system use advanced power management to reduce non-essential power consumption, to extend operation time between charges. The wheel alignment head is operable in a first operation state and a second operation state that consumes less power than the first operation state. In response to an occurrence of at least one of preset events, the wheel alignment head switches its operation from the first operation mode to the second operation mode.

Claims

1. A wheel alignment head configured to obtain measurements usable in calculating wheel alignment parameters of a vehicle, wherein the alignment head is operable in a first operation mode and in a second operation mode consuming less power than the first operation mode, and responsive to an occurrence of at least one preset event, the wheel alignment head switches from the first operation mode to the second operation mode, comprising

one or more functional modules, each of which is configured to perform a designated function;

and

a data processor, coupled to the functional modules, for processing data,

wherein when entering the second operation mode, the data processor issues a command to selectively adjust an operation of the alignment head in response to the occurrence of the at least one preset event, and

wherein the data processor, upon execution of pre-stored machine-readable instructions, controls the alignment head to enter the second operation mode by selectively performing one or more prescribed steps corresponding to a respective occurred preset event.

2. The alignment head of claim 1, wherein the functional modules includes at least one of:

a wireless communication interface configured to communicate with a computer or a companion alignment head;

at least one tilt sensor for sensing a tilt angle of the alignment head;

a rotary sensor;

an image sensor for producing data representing an image taken of a target associated with a vehicle wheel;

a spatial relationship sensor for measuring a spatial relationship between the alignment head and a companion alignment head;

an illumination device configured to illuminate the target;

a battery configured to power the alignment head;

a gas gauge configured to generate information related to the battery; and

a user interface configured to output information and input command.

3. The alignment head of claim 1, wherein during the second operation mode, the data processor enters into an operation mode consuming less power by at least one of:

reducing a frequency of one or more clock signals used by the data processor; and

turning off power to one or more peripheral devices internal to the data processor.

4. The alignment head of claim 1, wherein:

the data processor selectively switches between a first processor operation mode and a second processor operation mode that consumes less power than the first processor operation mode, and

a period of time that the data processor remains in the first processor operation mode is determined based on a period of time needed for processing data sent from the functional modules.

5. The alignment head of claim 1, wherein:

the data processor selectively switches between a first processor operation mode and a second processor operation mode that consumes less power than the first processor operation mode, and

the data processor switches from the second processor operation mode to the first processor operation mode according to a reading of a real time clock signal.

6. The alignment head of claim 1, wherein the at least one preset event includes at least one of a low battery charge level, lack of change in data obtained by at least one of the functional modules, a low rate of change of the measurements, an input signaling entry to the second operation mode, an increase in inactivity time of one of the functional modules, completion of an assigned task, a reading of a clock signal, and receipt of a command from the computer to enter into the second operation mode.

7. The alignment head of claim 1, wherein the one or more prescribed steps include at least one of:

turning off part or all of the power supplied to at least one of the functional modules or the data processor;

reducing a frequency in fetching data from at least one of the functional modules;

reducing a sampling rate of at least one of the functional modules in obtaining sensed data;

reducing a frequency in performing calculations of data received from at least one of the functional modules;

skipping service at least one of the functional modules;

altering an operation of at least one of the functional modules;

selectively purging data received from at least one of the functional modules;

reducing a frequency of one or more clock signals used by the data processors;

turning off power to one or more peripheral devices internal to the data processor;

reducing a frequency of one or more clock signals used by a controller on at least one of the functional modules;

turning off power to one or more peripheral devices internal to a controller on at least one of the function modules; and

activating a notification signal.

8. The alignment head of claim 7, wherein the altering an operation of at least one of the functional modules includes at least one of:

reducing a frequency of the at least one of the functional modules in capturing target images;

switching to a lower image resolution for the at least one of the functional modules in capturing target images;

reducing an intensity of illumination produced by the at least one of the functional modules;

altering an illumination operation of the at least one of the functional modules;

reducing a frequency of the at least one of the functional modules in sensing signals from a companion alignment head; and

reducing a frequency of the at least one of the functional modules in communicating with a companion alignment head or a computer system.

9. The alignment head of claim 6, wherein:

if the occurred preset event is an increase in inactivity time of one of the functional modules, the prescribed steps include;

measuring the inactivity time of the one of the functional modules; and

gradually reduces a frequency in reading data from the one of the functional modules, based on the measured inactivity time;

if the occurred preset event is lack of change in data obtained by at least one of the functional modules, the prescribed steps include;

gradually reduces a frequency in reading data from the at least one of the functional modules;

and

if the occurred preset event is a low rate of change of the measurements, the prescribed steps include;

gradually reduces a frequency in reading data from at least one of the functional modules.

10. A wheel alignment system comprising:

a pair of passive alignment heads, each head of the pair of passive alignment heads comprising a target, for mounting in association with a first pair of wheels of a vehicle;

a pair of active alignment heads for mounting in association with a second pair of wheels of the vehicle and for producing image data including a representation of an image of one of the targets;

a spatial relationship sensor associated with at least one of the active alignment heads, for measuring a relationship between the active alignment heads, and

a computer for processing image data relating to observation of the targets and relationship data from the spatial relationship sensor, to compute at least one alignment measurement of the vehicle;

wherein each head of the pair of active alignment heads is configured to obtain measurements usable in calculating wheel alignment parameters of a vehicle, and is operable in a first operation mode and in a second operation mode consuming less power than the first operation mode, and responsive to an occurrence of at least one preset event, switches from the first operation mode to the second operation mode.

11. The wheel alignment system of claim 10, wherein the spatial relationship sensor comprises two relative angle sensing modules, one module being associated with each of the active alignment heads.

12. The wheel alignment system of claim 10, wherein each of the sensing modules comprises:

an emitter for emitting a beam of light;

an aperture; and

an image sensor for sensing an angle of an incoming beam of light through the aperture.

13. The wheel alignment system of claim 10, wherein the spatial relationship sensor associated with at least one of the alignment heads comprises an illuminator and a camera mounted on a first one of the active alignment heads.

14. The wheel alignment system of claim 10, wherein:

at least one of the active alignment heads further comprises at least one tilt sensor for sensing a tilt angle of the one active alignment head when the one active alignment head is mounted on a wheel of the vehicle; and

the computer is programmed to compute at least one measurement of the vehicle, in response to the sensed tilt angle.

15. The wheel alignment system of claim 10, wherein the at least one tilt sensor comprises a pitch tilt sensor and a camber tilt sensor.