Snap-on Inc.

Timothy G Ruther

Robert J Hoevenaar

Gary F Stefanik

Oswaldo Neri

Joshua C Covington

Robert E Davis

Michel B Alberry

Anthony J Cichy

Roy Steven Brozovich

Steven E Miskovic

Carl J Krzystofczyk

Michael D LaFerle

Yosuf M Taraki

James A Panko

Thomas Loewe

Ronald A Lattanzi

A method includes capturing and scaling VLC and an IAS outputs to generate a scaled VLC output and a scaled thermal output (STO), aligning the scaled VLC output to the STO to generate an aligned image based on the scaled VLC output and the STO, determining alignment value(s) based on the aligned image, a laser pointer outputting a light beam to produce a laser dot on a target, and capturing a further output of the VLC. The method includes displaying the further output of the VLC (including a representation of the laser dot (RLD)), and an alignment marker, shifting the alignment marker and/or the RLD to a common position; determining coordinate(s) of the output of the IAS based on coordinate(s) of the further output of the VLC where the alignment marker and the RLD are shown at the common position; and storing the coordinate(s) of the output of the IAS.

Method and system for calibrating imaging system

A method comprises capturing outputs of a VLC and an infrared array sensor (IAS). A memory includes a calibration based on a position of a laser pointer relative to the IAS. The method includes the laser pointer outputting a light beam to produce a laser dot on a target. The output of the VLC includes a representation of the laser dot. The output of the IAS includes values indicative of infrared radiation from the target. The method includes determining a temperature based on a portion of the values indicative of infrared radiation from the target. The portion of the values includes values associated with a portion of the target at which the laser dot is produced. The method includes displaying, on the display, the output of the VLC and the temperature. Displaying the output of the VLC includes displaying a visible light image showing the laser dot and at least a portion of the target.

An example method is performed by a thermal imaging device. The method includes capturing a thermal image of a vehicle and displaying the thermal image within a first region of a display of the thermal imaging device. The method further includes displaying information related to servicing the vehicle within a second region of the display that is distinct from the first region. Other example methods performed by a thermal imaging device are also disclosed herein.

Methods and systems for thermal image display

A system includes a processor and a memory storing program instructions. The instructions are executable by the processor to generate a first image file representing a thermal image and a second image file representing a visible light image. The instructions are executable to generate a first blended image based on the thermal image, the visible light image, and a display setting. Furthermore, the instructions are executable to display the first blended image on a display and to transmit, via a network interface to a server having an application for serving an image file generated by the processor, an image file upload. The image file upload includes: the first and second image files and a third image file representing the first blended image or the display setting for generating a second blended image based on the thermal and visible light images and the display setting.

Method and system for displaying images captured by a computing device including a visible light camera and a thermal camera

An apparatus comprises a component aligner having a base, a top opposite the base, and a body. The body includes one or more exterior wall surfaces extending from the base to the top. The body includes a first bore configured for fixed placement of a first component. The first bore extends between and through both the top and the base, and is defined at least in part by a first interior wall surface of the body. The body includes a second bore configured for fixed placement of a second component. The second bore extends between and through both the top and the base, and is defined at least in part by a second interior wall surface of the body. The component aligner also includes a first slot within the body. The first slot is open at the first interior wall surface and at the top.

Apparatus with component aligner

An embodiment includes capturing, via a first camera, a first image having a first pixel density, a pixel of the first image corresponding to the first optical axis is substantially centered within the first image; capturing, via the second camera, a second image having a second pixel density that is greater than the first pixel density, where a pixel of the second image that corresponds to the first optical axis is off-center within the second image; processing the second image to generate a fourth image such that a pixel of the fourth image that corresponds to the first optical axis is substantially centered within the fourth image, where a pixel density of the first image is substantially equal to a pixel density of the fourth image, and where the fourth image represents a field of view that is substantially equal to field of view represented by the first image.

An apparatus comprising a component aligner including a base having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, and a first wall with first and second ends. The first wall extends from the second side of the base. The first end of the first wall is adjacent the second side of the base and opposite the second end of the first wall. The first wall includes a first interior wall surface defining a first bore configured for fixed placement of a first component. The apparatus includes a second wall including first and second ends, extending from the second side of the base. The first end of the second wall is adjacent the second side of the base and opposite the second end of the second wall. The second wall includes a second interior wall surface defining a second bore configured for fixed placement of a second component.

Described herein are systems and computer-implemented methods for controlling a gain state of a thermal camera. According to an example method, a processor can obtain, from a thermal camera, temperature readings for respective pixels of a plurality of pixels of an image captured by the thermal camera, and the processor can determine respective weights for the temperature readings using a weight function. The method can also involve the processor determining a weighted average of the temperature readings using the temperature readings and the respective weights for the temperature readings. Further, the method can involve the processor determining based at least on the weighted average, a gain state for the thermal camera, and the processor causing the thermal camera to operate in the gain state.

Gain switching techniques for thermal cameras

A system includes a processor and a non-transitory computer memory storing computer-readable program instructions. The program instructions are executable by the processor to: initiate a web session of an application served by a server, and display a first web page received during the web session. The first web page includes a field for entering search criteria for locating a file associated with a blended image based on a thermal image and a visible light image. The program instructions are further executable by the processor to: display a second web page received during the web session based on search criteria entered into the field, determine, based on an input entered into the second web page, a revision to the file, display the blended image after determining the revision to the file, and transmit, to the server using a network interface, the revision to the file.

An example method is performed by a thermal imaging device. The method includes capturing a thermal image of a vehicle and displaying the thermal image within a first region of a display of the thermal imaging device. The method further includes displaying information related to servicing the vehicle within a second region of the display that is distinct from the first region.

Methods and systems for displaying a thermal image and information related to servicing a vehicle

Disclosed are systems and methods for transmitting obtained vehicle diagnostic data to a separate display device. The method includes a first vehicle diagnostic device obtaining vehicle diagnostic data via a vehicle interface to a diagnostic port of a vehicle, determining whether a direct wireless connection with one or more display devices is available, and determining whether an indirect wireless connection with the one or more display devices is available via a second separate vehicle diagnostic device. Responsive to a further determination, the vehicle diagnostic device may transmit the obtained diagnostic data to the one or more display devices via the second separate vehicle diagnostic device. The further determination may be based on one or more of wireless connectivity status, power level status, transmission power requirements, or other facts or determinations.

System and method for extending communication range and reducing power consumption of vehicle diagnostic equipment

A system comprising multiple devices that are operable when servicing a device-under service is described. A data acquisition (DAQ) device and a vehicle scanner device of the system are operable to acquire data from the device-under-service and to transmit the acquired data to a display device of the system. The DAQ device can operate in a local-control mode in which selection of DAQ mode for the DAQ device is carried out at the DAQ device. The DAQ device can operate in a remote-control mode in which selection of a DAQ mode for the DAQ device is carried out at the display device. The multiple devices may communicate with each other via one or more wireless network via one or more air interface protocols. Each device of the system may operate as a stand-alone device or in combination with multiple devices of the system.

Method and apparatus to use remote and local control modes to acquire and visually present data

A system comprising multiple devices that are operable when servicing a device-under service is described. A data acquisition (DAQ) device and a scanner device of the system are operable to acquire data from the device-under-service and to transmit the acquired data to a display device of the system. The DAQ device can operate in a local-control mode in which selection of DAQ mode for the DAQ device is carried out at the DAQ device. The DAQ device can operate in a remote-control mode in which selection of a DAQ mode for the DAQ device is carried out at the display device. The multiple devices may communicate with each other via one or more wireless network via one or more air interface protocols. Each device of the system may operate as a stand-alone device or in combination with multiple devices of the system.

System and method for integrating devices for servicing a device-under-service

A system comprising multiple devices that are operable when servicing a device-under service is described. A DAQ device is operable to generate input data from input signals received from the device-under-service and to transmit the input data to a display device via a wireless network. The DAQ device comprises multiple buffers to store the input data. One of the buffers stores two frames of the input data, which can be live input data or historical input data. At any one time, a display at the display device visually presents one frame of input data for each respective input channel of the DAQ device. At any one time, a display at the DAQ device visually presents a half-frame of input data for each respective input channel of the DAQ device. Another buffer at the DAQ device can store more than two frames of input data including historical input data.

Growing community of inventors

Carpentersville, IL, United States of America

Timothy G Ruther