Timothy Dennis Larson

US Patent:

6370455, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Sep 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/655777

Inventors:

Timothy A. Larson - Ferguson MO
Nicholas J. Colarelli - Creve Coeur MO
Timothy A. Strege - Ballwin MO
Richard L. Brandt - Florissant MO

Assignee:

Hunter Engineering Company - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

G01M 1700

US Classification:

701 33, 701 29

Abstract:

A wheel alignment system including at least one sensing device for acquiring automotive data, interface circuitry in communication with the sensing device for generating data representative of automotive data acquired by the sensing device, and a host computer in communication with the interface circuitry for performing a sequence of operations on the data generated by the interface circuitry. The host computer provides integrated Internet access to allow for transmission to the vehicle wheel alignment system, from a remote server, via the Internet, updated information and software applications and components necessary to accurately diagnose a vehicle, and the return of diagnostic, statistical, and log information associated with the vehicle wheel alignment system. The host computer provides integrated Internet access to allow for transmission of electronic commerce and statistical information, alignment logs, error messages, status messages, or diagnostic information to a remote system, and for the receipt of information including updated software applications, diagnostic commands, and remote information queries therefrom.

US Patent:

6442460, Aug 27, 2002

Filed:

Apr 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/838763

Inventors:

Timothy A. Larson - Ferguson MO
Timothy A. Strege - Ballwin MO
James M. Smith - Creve Coeur MO
David Voeller - St. Louis MO

Assignee:

Hunter Engineering Company - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

701 33, 701 29, 701 36, 280 8675

Abstract:

A wheel alignment system including at least one sensing device for acquiring automotive data, interface circuitry in communication with the sensing device for transferring data representative of automotive data acquired by the sensing device, and a host computer in communication with the interface circuitry for performing a sequence of operations on the data transferred by the interface circuitry. The host computer provides integrated Internet access to allow for transmission to the vehicle wheel alignment system, from a remote server, via the Internet, updated information and software applications and components necessary to accurately diagnose a vehicle, and the return of diagnostic, statistical, and log information associated with the vehicle wheel alignment system. The host computer provides integrated Internet access to allow for transmission of electronic commerce and statistical information, alignment logs, error messages, status messages, or diagnostic information to a remote system, and for the receipt of information including updated software applications, diagnostic commands, and remote information queries therefrom.

US Patent:

6556904, Apr 29, 2003

Filed:

Jun 5, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/587637

Inventors:

Timothy A. Larson - Ferguson MO
James M. Smith - Creve Coeur MO

Assignee:

Hunter Engineering Company - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

G06G 700

US Classification:

701 33, 701 29, 702113

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for providing automotive vehicle information from a remote system to an automotive service device through a communications link wherein a first processor associated with the automotive service device is configured to obtain automotive vehicle information from a remote system over said communications link, the remote system configured to provide to the first processor an index identifying at least one set of automotive vehicle data available from said remote system such that the first processor can select and access at least one set of automotive vehicle data from the index for display at said automotive service device and for use in the service of an automotive vehicle.

US Patent:

7043396, May 9, 2006

Filed:

Dec 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/741501

Inventors:

Timothy A. Larson - Ferguson MO, US
Dennis D. Bowen - St. Peters MO, US
Michael T. Stieff - Wentzville MO, US

Assignee:

Hunter Engineering Company - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

G01C 9/00
G01B 11/275
G01B 5/24

US Classification:

702151, 3320314, 3320318, 73122, 73146, 340 28, 340442, 340933, 701 36, 703 8, 702 94, 702 95, 702150

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for guiding an operator in the alignment of the wheels of an automotive vehicle which has been either modified from a original manufacturer configuration, or for which no previously established alignment settings are known. Initially, the operator identifies known information about the vehicle and selects a desired characteristic of the vehicle for which the vehicle alignment is to be optimized. A set of initial alignment settings are presented to the operator, based upon the selected characteristic for the vehicle, and the vehicle alignment is adjusted thereto. One or more subsequent measurements of the vehicle are acquired. Alignment adjustments to further improve the selected characteristic, identified in response to the vehicle measurements are presented to the operator. The process of alignment adjustment, measurement, and presented adjustments is repeated until an optimal alignment setting for the selected characteristic is reached.

US Patent:

7136728, Nov 14, 2006

Filed:

Apr 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/827773

Inventors:

Timothy A. Larson - Ferguson MO, US
John K. Korte - St. Louis MO, US

Assignee:

Hunter Engineering Company - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

G06F 7/00
G01B 11/26

US Classification:

701 29, 701 36, 280 8675, 356153

Abstract:

An improved vehicle wheel alignment system includes at least one sensing device for acquiring automotive data, interface circuitry in communication with the sensing device for generating data representative of automotive data acquired by the sensing device, and a computer in communication with the interface circuitry. The computer is configured with an operating system adapted to provides one or more vehicle service or vehicle wheel alignment software applications with a protected operating environment, and which facilitates remote updating and servicing of the vehicle wheel alignment system.

US Patent:

7289020, Oct 30, 2007

Filed:

Jun 7, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/862597

Inventors:

Timothy A. Larson - Ferguson MO, US
Daniel R. Dorrance - Ballwin MO, US
William D. Heine - Florissant MO, US

Assignee:

Hunter Engineering Company - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

B60Q 1/00

US Classification:

340438, 340439, 340441, 340442, 340445, 455566, 4555692, 701 22, 701 23, 701 29, 701 33, 701 35

Abstract:

An intuitive and context sensitive system facilitating the proper identification and service of a vehicle undergoing a vehicle service procedure. The system is configured with a mapping of relevant vehicle identification assistance data or vehicle specific information to one or more selection locations in the user interface of a vehicle service software application. The mapping identifies the availability of additional vehicle identification assistance information, vehicle specific functional applets, and the context within the vehicle service software application at which the additional vehicle identification assistance information or vehicle specific functional applets are relevant. The additional vehicle identification assistance information or applets are maintained external to the vehicle service software application, permitting the additional vehicle identification assistance information and applets to be updated, changed, or replaced without altering the vehicle service software application.

US Patent:

20130158777, Jun 20, 2013

Filed:

Dec 17, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/716894

Inventors:

Hunter Engineering Company - Bridgeton MO, US
Timothy A. Larson - Ferguson MO, US
Jason Smith - Collinsville IL, US

Assignee:

HUNTER ENGINEERING COMPANY - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

G06Q 10/00

US Classification:

701 314

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for carrying out a set of vehicle inspections including, but not limited to, wheel alignment measurement, brake testing, tire tread depth measurement, tire pressure monitoring, vehicle battery testing, and a review of vehicle diagnostic trouble codes in an efficient manner using a multi-function vehicle service system and a single vehicle service bay or inspection lane. Results of the vehicle inspections are incorporated into customized reports generated for a customer or for a technician, and which may be utilized to obtain approval from the customer to conduct necessary repairs and/or provide beneficial vehicle services.

US Patent:

61783587, Jan 23, 2001

Filed:

Oct 27, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/182100

Inventors:

Nicholas J. Colarelli - Creve Coeur MO
Timothy A. Larson - Ferguson MO

Assignee:

Hunter Engineering Company - Bridgeton MO

International Classification:

G05B 1972

US Classification:

700 16

Abstract:

A three-dimensional wheel alignment display system (10) and method includes a processor (12) and display unit (14) interconnected with a motor vehicle wheel alignment system (18) adapted to determine vehicle wheel angular relationships such as camber, caster, and toe. The processor of the display system is configured to manipulate portions of a digital three-dimensional model (100) of at least one motor vehicle wheel and associated suspension components to correspond to the angular relationships determined by the wheel alignment system. The processor is further configured to interactively display a perspective image (102) of the digital three-dimensional model on a display screen (16), to continually update the perspective image as signals are received from the associated wheel alignment system representative of alterations to the angular relationships made by a technician, and to smoothly alter the interactive display of the perspective image to focus on a particular angular relationship of interest, or to view the overall wheel and suspension layout of the motor vehicle, response to user input commands.