System and method for facilitating manual placement of ADAS target fixtures

Abstract

A vehicle wheel alignment system or vehicle inspection system including an optical projection system configured to assist an operator during manual positioning of ADAS calibration targets and / or fixtures in proximity to the vehicle undergoing service by providing visual identification of reference points and / or axes utilized by the operator to manually locate a final placement position for the ADAS calibration targets and / or fixtures.

Description

System and Method For Facilitating Manual Placement of ADAS Target FixturesCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is related to, and claims priority from, co-pending U.S. provisional patent application serial number 63 / 656,982 filed on June 6, 2024 which is herein incorporated by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

[0002] Not Applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present application is related generally to the alignment and calibration of Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) sensors onboard a vehicle, and in particular, to systems and methods for assisting an operator during manual positioning of ADAS calibration targets and / or fixtures in proximity to the vehicle undergoing service by providing visual identification of reference points and / or axes utilized by the operator to establish a final placement location for the ADAS calibration targets and / or fixtures.

[0004] A wide range of vehicles are equipped with onboard sensors for observing and monitoring external surroundings to assist the vehicle’s driver. These ADAS systems include, but are not limited to, Lane Departure Warning systems (LDW), Lane Keep Assist systems (LKA), Blind Spot Detection systems (BSD), collision mitigation braking systems (CMBS), Adaptive Cruise Control systems (ACC), peripheral vision camera systems, reverse camera systems (backup alarms), and night vision camera systems. Vehicle onboard systems rely on input received from various onboard ADAS sensors to provide driver warnings, automate vehicle functions (such as parallel parking), and implement safety features (such as automatic collision avoidance braking and automatically maintaining vehicle spacing).

[0005] With increased reliance on the data obtained from onboard ADAS sensors, it is critical that the data provide an accurate representation of the environmentwithin which the vehicle is operating, such as the location of surrounding objects, speed differentials between the vehicle and the surrounding objects, and the movement of the vehicle itself relative to the surrounding objects. Procedures for alignment, calibration, and / or inspection of the onboard ADAS sensors vary from vehicle to vehicle and from manufacturer to manufacturer. Vehicle onboard ADAS sensors may require mechanical alignment relative to a feature or component of the vehicle body or to a measured alignment angle of the vehicle, such as the thrust line. Some onboard ADAS sensors require calibration using observable, reflective, or retro-reflective targets and / or fixtures disposed in operative proximity to the vehicle and at predetermined relative positions within the onboard ADAS sensor’s field of view.

[0006] Vehicle service systems, such as multi-function vehicle wheel alignment measurement systems or dedicated ADAS inspection and calibration systems may be utilized to facilitate positioning targets and / or fixtures relative to a vehicle parked in a service area. For example, as shown in US Patent No. 1 1 ,971 ,250 to Hunter Engineering Company, (incorporated herein by reference) a vehicle service system may be equipped various features to aid an operator during placement of targets and / or fixtures in proximity to a vehicle undergoing service. These features include multiple laser projectors mounted to gimbal actuators, under control of the vehicle service system control unit. During operation, the control unit utilizes cameras to observe the positions and orientations of the vehicle’s wheels, identifying various wheel alignment angles and vehicle reference lines, such as the vehicle thrust line and the vehicle centerline. Once the vehicle's position and orientation relative to a reference frame of the vehicle service system is established, and suitable reference points on the vehicle identified, either automatically, or under operator guidance, the gimbal actuators are operated by the control unit to orient the laser projectors to illuminate target and / or fixture placement locations on the floor or other surfaces in proximity to the vehicle as specified by the vehicle manufacturer’s guidelines.

[0007] Some vehicle manufacturers specify target and / or fixture placement locations relative to vehicle which cannot be directly indicated by the gimbalmounted laser projectors due to either range or line-of-sight obstructions. Forexample, targets placed rearward of the vehicle at locations where a line-of-sight from the gimbal-mounted laser projectors positioned forward of the vehicle is blocked by the vehicle body. To place targets and / or fixtures at these locations, an operator must manually measure one or more distances and / or angles relative to a determinable vehicle reference point, such as a vehicle centerline on the bumper, or from the vehicle-mounted sensor itself. Without a direct line-of-sight to the target placement location, the vehicle service system utilizing gimbal-mounted lasers projectors is unable to directly indicate a target placement location for the operator.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need to provide methods and systems for aiding an operator during the manual placement of ADAS calibration targets and / or fixtures by identifying the location of one or more intermediate measurement points or reference axes within a spatial coordinate system of a vehicle service system, thereby reducing the number of manual measurements required for the operator to locate a required placement position for the target and / or fixture.

[0009] In addition, there is a need to improve systems and methods for directly identifying a location of a reference point within a spatial coordinate system of a vehicle service system to enable the relative placement locations for targets and / or fixtures to be automatically calculated and indicated in accordance with vehicle manufacturer placement guidelines.BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Briefly stated, the present invention is directed towards improvements to a vehicle service system such as a wheel alignment system or inspection system by including an optical projection system configured to assist an operator during manual positioning of ADAS calibration targets and / or fixtures in proximity to the vehicle undergoing service. The optical projection system provides visual identification of reference points and / or axes utilized by the operator to manually locate a placement positions for the ADAS calibration targets and / or fixtures.

[0011] In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle service system incorporates a gimbal-mounted range-finding optical projector to facilitate spatial identification of a point on a surface within a vehicle service area, such as anidentified feature of a vehicle, from which one or more relative locations for placement of ADAS sensor calibration or alignment targets are subsequently identified.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle service system having a structure carrying at least one gimbal-mounted range-finding optical projector is configured with input elements for operator-directed steering of the optical projector and / or movement of the structure. A controller operatively coupled to the optical projector and the input elements receives operator commands at the interface and selectively orients the optical projector and / or moves the structure to orient a projected light beam to illuminate a location on a surface in proximity to the vehicle wheel alignment or inspection system. Signals indicative of an orientation of the optical projector about three-axes of rotation (pitch, yaw, roll) are received at the controller, together with a range signal representing a distance from the optical projector to the illuminated location along the projection axis. The controller is programmed with software instructions to utilize the received signals, together with known locations for the optical projection systems, to calculate a relative three-dimensional coordinate for the illuminated location within an established frame of reference. The controller is further programmed with software instructions to utilize the calculated three-dimensional coordinate of the illuminated location as an origin point for use in identifying one or more placement locations within the established frame of reference for ADAS sensor calibration or alignment targets.

[0013] A method of the present disclosure identifies one or more placement locations within an established frame of reference for ADAS sensor calibration or alignment targets utilizing an operator-identified reference point. The reference point may be on a surface of a vehicle undergoing inspection or service, or in proximity thereto. To identify the reference point, an operator directs an orientation of a measurement axis of a range-finding optical projector to illuminate the desired reference point. The pitch, yaw, and roll of the measurement axis for the optical projector, together with a determined distance along the measurement axis to the illuminated point, are utilized to establish a three-dimensional coordinate of the illuminated point within a spatial frame of reference. Vehicle manufacturerguidelines for the placement of ADAS sensor calibration or alignment targets relative to the determined reference point are subsequently utilized to identify placement locations for one or more calibration targets or fixtures within the spatial frame of reference.

[0014] The foregoing features, and advantages set forth in the present disclosure as well as presently preferred embodiments will become more apparent from the reading of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

[0016] Figure 1 illustrates the basic components of a vehicle service system;

[0017] Figure 2 is a close-up perspective view of a camera module and optical projection system from the vehicle inspection system of Fig. 1 ;

[0018] Figure 3 is a top plan view showing an example of relative positioning between a vehicle undergoing inspection within a service area and a vehicle inspection system; and

[0019] Figure 4 is similar to Fig. 3, illustrating a placement of optical targets on the vehicle and projection of visible indicia to facilitate an operator’s placement of a fixture at a set distance behind the vehicle.

[0020] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. It is to be understood that the drawings are for illustrating the concepts set forth in the present disclosure and are not to scale.

[0021] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description enables one skilled in the art to make and use the present disclosure, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the present disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the present disclosure.

[0023] Turning to Figure 1 , a vehicle service system 100, such as a vehicle wheel alignment measurement and / or ADAS calibration system is shown generally. The vehicle service system 100 includes a base 101 supporting a fixture or support structure 102, such as a vertical column carrying at least one crossmember 106. The crossmember 106 in turn supports a pair of laterally spaced camera modules 104a, 104b, together with at least one optical projector 108. The camera modules 104a, 104b are positioned adjacent opposite lateral ends of the crossmember 106, such that each camera module has a field of view oriented in a generally forward direction to view each lateral side of a vehicle 10 undergoing service, positioned generally in front of the fixture or support structure. The crossmember 106 may optionally be configured to support one or more vehicle calibration elements, such as an ADAS sensor target mounted to a transverse rail or adjustable support secured to the crossmember 106 or to the vertical column 102.

[0024] To accommodate vehicles 10 of different sizes and positioned at different vertical elevations, the crossmember 106 is optionally vertically (and / or rotationally) adjustable relative to the vertical column 102. Adjustments to the vertical position of the crossmember 106 may be by any conventional means, such as sliding rails, rod and screw mechanisms, pulley mechanism, etc., and can be manually actuated, or may be motorized under either operator manual control or automatic software control without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Similarly, rotational adjustments to the orientation of the crossmember 106 about a longitudinal axis, if provided for, may be by any conventional means such as by a hinged, pivoting, and / or rotating connection, and may be manually actuated or motorized, under manual control of an operator or under automatic software control without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As an alternative torotationally adjusting the crossmember 106, individual camera modules 104a, 104b may be configured with suitable coupling mechanisms to permit multi-axis independent movement as required to achieve desired fields of view encompassing the vehicle undergoing service and / or portions of the vehicle service area.

[0025] It will be recognized that while the embodiment of the vehicle measurement system instrumentation structure described above utilizes a single vertical column 102 and a crossmember 106, other configurations of a support structure 100 may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, multiple vertical columns as shown in US patent 12,092,757 B2 to Linson et al. may be used, or the combination of the vertical column 102 and crossmember 106 may be replaced by articulated support arms adapted to position individual camera modules in laterally spaced arrangements as required to achieve the fields of view necessary to observe features or targets associated with a vehicle undergoing a wheel alignment service, measurement, or inspection.

[0026] The camera modules 104a, 104b are operatively coupled to a processing system 300, which is disposed within the fixture or support structure of the vehicle service system 100, or in a separate associated console 302 in proximity to the fixture or support structure 100. The processing system 300 is configured with suitable logic circuit components and software instructions for receiving image data from the camera modules 104a, 104b, evaluating the image data to identify relative spatial positions and / or orientations associated with optical targets T selectively coupled to vehicle wheels, vehicle surfaces, fixed surfaces, or to movable fixtures, and for computing associated characteristics, such as wheel alignment angles, vehicle thrust line TL, or vehicle body position (center line CL) as shown in Figure 3. It will be understood that the configuration of the processing system 300, camera modules 104a, 104b, and associated console are generally known in the art of vehicle wheel alignment and ADAS calibration systems, and may vary from the specific configuration described herein without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0027] To facilitate alignment and calibration of ADAS sensors onboard a vehicle, such as radar, LIDAR or optical sensors, one embodiment of the vehicle servicesystem 100 carries one or more mounting brackets 200 configured to support at least one forward-facing ADAS calibration target panel (not shown). Exemplary mounting brackets 200 for calibration target panels may be secured to tracks or rails 110 on a target support crossmember 112 oriented to provide adjustable lateral spacing for two or more calibration target panels received on mounting brackets or hangers. Adjustment mechanisms for fine adjustment of a lateral position, a vertical position, pitch, yaw, or roll of each supported calibration target panels may be included in the mounting brackets 200 or the target support crossmember 1 12 itself. The specific configuration of each calibration target panel will vary with the specific type of ADAS sensor for which it will be used. For example, an optical target having retro-reflective or contrasting target face surface features may be provided for use with optical sensors such as cameras or LIDAR, whereas a metallic or radar-reflective target may be provided for use with radarbased sensors. Optionally, a laser emitter (not shown) may be associated with the calibration target to aiding in visualizing an orthogonal axis to the target face, i.e. , the target’s facing direction. Exemplary vehicle inspection structures with cameras and target structures are shown in US Patent Nos. 10,634,488 to Stieff et al., 11 ,145,084 to Cejka et al. and 1 1 ,971 ,250 to Cejka et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0028] As seen in Figure 2, the vehicle service system 100 further includes at least one optical projector 108 operatively coupled to, and under control of, the processing system 300. The optical projector 108 is utilized to project visible indicia along a projection axis R onto surfaces in proximity to the vehicle service system 100. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical projector 108 is a time-of-flight laser distance sensor mounted on a motorized gimbal structure 500 secured to the crossmember 106. The time-of-flight laser distance sensor is configured to obtain a measure of distance along the projection axis between the sensor and an illuminated point on an intersected surface. The obtained distance measurement, together with information identifying a spatial position of the time-of-flight laser distance sensor and an associated axial orientation (pitch axis (X), yaw axis (Y), roll axis (Z)) of the projection axis, is utilized by the processing system 300 to identify spatial locations of illuminated points relative to the vehicle service system 100, and / or to verify proper placementor positioning of targets or fixtures by comparing observed distances with expected distances.

[0029] It will be recognized that additional optical projectors 108 may by provided on the fixture or support structure under control of the processing system 300, and may incorporate sources of visible light other than a time-of-flight laser sensor. For example, a second optical projector may provide a laser emitter and associated optical focusing elements for projecting a visible pattern of light, such as a line or target pattern, along the projection axis onto a surface or vehicle 10 in proximity to the fixture or support structure.

[0030] Those of ordinary skill will further recognize that each motorized gimbal structure 500 supporting an optical projector 108 may be replaced by any of a variety of conventional means, such as steerable optical components under control of the processing system 300, in order to orient an associated projection axis. Alternatively, the optical projector 108 may have a fixed projection axis calibrated at a known orientation relative to the fixture or support structure, requiring movement of the fixture or support structure itself to alter the orientation of the projection axis and to direct the emitted laser or projected pattern towards an intended spatial position.

[0031] During an ADAS inspection or calibration procedure, a selected location for placement (and the orientation of) a movable calibration target or fixture is determined by the processing system 300 in response to spatial measurements associated with the vehicle 10 or vehicle service area, such as may be acquired from target images captured by the camera modules 104. For example, some OEM procedures require the placement of the calibration targets or fixtures at select locations relative to a center line CL or thrust line TL of the vehicle 10. The processing system 300 is configured to locate the vehicle center line or thrust line in a spatial coordinate system in a conventional manner by utilizing the observed locations and orientations of optical targets T coupled to the wheels of the vehicle 10. Specific vehicle-relative placement locations for movable targets or calibration fixtures associated with ADAS inspection or calibration procedures for a variety of vehicle makes and models may be stored in a database accessible to the processing system 300. After determining the spatial position of the vehicle 10relative to the vehicle service system 100 within a common reference frame, such as by conventional machine vision vehicle alignment measurement procedures, the processing system 300 accesses the database to recall the vehicle-relative placement locations for the movable targets or calibrations fixtures and to determine their locations within the common frame of reference. An optical projector 108 under control of the processing system 300 is operated to project a visible indicia V at each placement location within the common frame of reference encompassing the vehicle service area, enabling an operator to place the movable calibration targets or fixtures at the required locations relative to the vehicle 10. Alternatively, for fixed optical projectors, an operator may be guided by the processing system 300 to adjust the position and / or orientation of the support structure 100 to manually align a projection axis R with the placement locations.

[0032] Not all OEM placement locations for movable calibration targets or fixtures associated with ADAS inspection or calibration procedures are referenced to easily determinable properties of a vehicle 10 such as a thrust line TL or a centerline CL. For some vehicles, the procedures direct an operator to place a movable calibration target or fixture at a location referenced to a specific feature or location on the vehicle 10. For example, a placement location may be identified at a selected distance forward of an emblem located on the vehicle hood, or at a position which is both forward of, and laterally offset from, an identified fastener or adjustment bolt securing a component to the vehicle. In order to complete procedures requiring placement of movable calibration targets or fixtures at such locations, an operator is often required to utilize a measuring tape, string, rightangle ruler, and / or a plumb bob. Starting from the instructed origin point on the vehicle 10, the operator is instructed to manually measure out required distances, angles, and elevations until the non-standard placement location is identified.

[0033] An embodiment of the present disclosure utilizes an optical projector 108 on the support structure 100, together with the processing system 300, to aid an operator during a manually measure procedure intended to identify a nonstandard placement location for a movable calibration target or fixture referenced to specific feature or location on the vehicle 10. During the manual measurement procedure, the operator is directed to identify the fixture placement location byfollowing a sequence of measurement steps, starting from a designated point typically on, or associated with, the vehicle 10. Each step in the procedure directs the operator to locate an intermediate point or reference line, which in turn is used to locate the next intermediate point or reference line, until the intended target or fixture placement location is reached. For example, an operator may be directed to locate the vehicle front bumper center, mark a point on the floor surface directly below, and measure forward a specific distance along a first line to a first intermediate point. From the first intermediate point, the operator may be instructed to measure a additional distances along additional lines at differing angles to additional intermediate points, or until the fixture placement location is reached.

[0034] By using the optical projector 108 and processing system 300 of the present disclosure, the manual procedure for placement of a movable calibration target or fixture at a location outside of the field of view for the optical projector 108 is simplified for the operator. As described above, the relative spatial position and / or orientation of the vehicle 10 is initially determined in a conventional manner by the processing system 300 utilizing the camera modules 104 to observe vehicle- associated targets T. With the relative position of the vehicle 10 known, the processing system 300 selectively controls the optical projector 108 to illuminate one or more lines along which the operator measures distances to intermediate points during the manual procedure, or directly illuminates one or more intermediate points from which the operator is required to obtain measurements, provided such lines and / or points are within an operative field of view for the optical projector 108. Preferably, the processing system 300 is configured to illuminate an intermediate point or measurement line for utilization by the operator which is as close to the end of the manual procedure as possible, thereby minimizing the number of additional manual measurements or actions required by the operator.

[0035] Operator manual measurement for placement of a movable calibration target or fixture may be required when the OEM placement location for the movable calibration target or fixture is located outside a field of view for the optical projection system 108. For example, placement locations which are rearward of the vehicle may be occluded from line of sight to the optical projector 108 by thevehicle 10, thereby necessitating an operator manually identify the movable calibration target or fixture placement location. In a further embodiment, the present disclosure can facilitate the manual placement of the movable calibration target or fixture at an obscured location rearward of the vehicle 10. To aid an operator in placement of a movable calibration target or fixture in an obscured rearward location, the processing system 300 is configured to control a pair of optical projectors 108 to illuminate a pair of laterally spaced points V rearward and outward from the vehicle 10 as seen in Figure 4, which are within projectors’ field of view, and which define a line at a distance from the vehicle 10 corresponding to the movable calibration target or fixture placement distance. To identify the movable calibration target or fixture placement location along the defined line, the operator locates a midpoint M between the two projected points V. For example, to identify a placement position on a centerline CL of the vehicle 10, the projected points V are each illuminated at locations equidistant from vehicle’s centerline CL along an axis perpendicular to centerline CL, such that the midpoint falls on the vehicle centerline.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical projection system 108 is configured with a optical time-of-flight distance sensor 109 operatively controlled by the processing system 300. To assist an operator, the processing system 300 and optical projection system 108 are utilized to obtain direct measurements of distances to operator-selected points on a vehicle 10 or within the field of view of the time-of-flight distance sensor 109. The measurements are obtained when the operator orients a projection axis R of time- of-flight distance sensor 109 to intersect with the selected point, either by directing movement of motorized gimbals 500 via an input interface, or by repositioning of the support structure 102 on which the optical projection systems are mounted with the projection axis R in a fixed orientation. The support structure 102 may be repositioned by altering a vertical elevation of a component supporting the optical projection systems and / or altering a position or facing orientation of the support structure 102 within the vehicle service area. Alterations to the elevation, position and / or orientation of the support structure 102 or supporting component such as the crossbeam 106, may be carried out by any combination of manual movements and powered movements. When the projection axis R is aligned with the selectedpoint, the operator signals the processing system 300 to acquire a distance measurement using the time-of-flight distance sensor 109. Using the distance measurement together with the known spatial position of the time-of-flight distance sensor 109, the processing system 300 is configured to calculate a relative spatial position of the selected point within a coordinate system. The resulting data is presented to the operator via a display or graphical user interface under control of the processing system 300. In a further embodiment, the resulting distance data is utilized by the processing system 300 to compare against a reference position or expected distance, to confirm positioning of a movable calibration target or fixture at a specific location within the observable field of view.

[0037] In yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical projection system 108 is configured with a time-of-flight distance sensor 109 operatively controlled by the processing system 300 to establish a best fit plane representative of the floor surface within the vehicle service area. To assist an operator, the processing system 300 and optical projection system 108 are utilized to obtain direct measurements of distances to at least three separate locations on the floor surface within a vehicle service area. Utilizing the obtained distance measurements, together with identified spatial position and orientation information for the time-of-flight distance sensor 109 at the time each measurement is acquired, the processing system 300 calculates a spatial coordinate for each measured location on the floor surface. The processing system 300 utilizes the resulting set of spatial coordinates to calculate a best-fit floor plane encompassing each measured location, representative of the vehicle service area floor surface. During a subsequent vehicle service procedure conducted in the same vehicle service area, acquired or calculated spatial coordinates can be referenced or made relative to the calculated best fit floor plane as needed, such as to verify proper placement of floor-mat style ADAS sensor calibration targets in proximity to a vehicle 10.

[0038] The present disclosure can be embodied in-part in the form of computer- implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing those processes. The present disclosure can also be embodied in-part in the form of computer program code containing instructions embodied in tangible media, or another computerreadable non-transitory storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into, and executed by, an electronic device such as a computer, micro-processor or logic circuit, the device becomes an apparatus for practicing the present disclosure.

[0039] The present disclosure can also be embodied in-part in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a non-transitory storage medium, loaded into and / or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes an apparatus for practicing the present disclosure. When implemented in a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer program code segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logic circuits.

[0040] As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A vehicle measurement system (100), comprising: a base (101 ) for positioning on a floor surface within a vehicle service area; a support structure (102) affixed to said base; at least one optical projection system (108) secured to said support structure, said optical projection system including at least one time-of-flight distance sensor (109) located at a known location within a spatial reference frame and a support (500) for orienting a projection axis (R) of said at least one time-of- flight distance sensor about at least one axis; a processing system (300) operatively coupled to said optical projection system, said processing system having a processor configured with a set of instructions to evaluate data received from said optical projection system to determine an orientation of said projection axis and a distance to a point illuminated by said time-of-flight distance sensor, and; wherein said processing system is further configured with a set of instructions to identify, from said known location of said optical projector and said distance to said illuminated point, a set of spatial coordinates for said illuminated point within said spatial reference frame.

2. The vehicle measurement system of claim 1 wherein said support structure includes: a vertical support column affixed to said base unit; a crossbeam (106) carried by said vertical support column; and wherein said at least one optical projection system is disposed adjacent a longitudinal end of said crossbeam.

3. The vehicle measurement system of either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said processing system is operatively coupled to said optical projection system to activate said associated at least one time-of-flight distance sensor toproject a visible indicia along said projection axis, onto a surface in proximity to said vehicle measurement system; and wherein said processing system is operatively coupled to said optical projection system to control an orientation of said projection axis.

4. The vehicle measurement system of claim 3 further including an optical imaging system (104a, 104b) configured to acquire one or more images associated with a vehicle (10); wherein said processing system is configured to evaluate said one or more acquired images associated with said vehicle to determine a position and orientation of said vehicle within said spatial reference frame; and wherein said processing system is further configured to control said orientation of said projection axis to direct projection of said visible indicia to a selected location relative to said vehicle based on said determined position and orientation of said vehicle.

5. A method for operating a vehicle measurement system consisting of a base (101 ), a support structure (102) affixed to the base, and at least one time- of-flight distance sensor (109) carried on the support structure at a known location within a reference frame, comprising: orienting a projection axis (R) of said time-of-flight distance sensor to align with a selected point on, or in proximity to, a vehicle (10) undergoing a service or inspection within an operative field of view of said vehicle measurement system; identifying an orientation of said projection axis within said frame of reference; determining a distance between said time-of-flight distance sensor and said selected point using a time-of-flight optical measurement; and calculating a position of said selected point within said frame of reference using said known location, said identified orientation, and said determined distance.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said time-of-flight distance sensor is carried by a multi-axis gimbal (500); and receiving, from an operator input, commands selectively directing said multi-axis gimbal to alter an orientation of said time-of-flight distance sensor to align said projection axis with said selected point.

7. The method of either claim 5 or claim 6 wherein orienting said projection axis includes altering at least one of an elevation, position, or orientation of said support structure.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein altering at least one of an elevation, position, or orientation of said support structure is performed manually by an operator.

9. The method of any of claims 5-8 wherein said selected point is located on a target or fixture positioned relative to said vehicle; and utilizing either said determined distance or said calculated position to verify said target or fixture is located at, or within an acceptable deviation from, a designated position.

10. The method of any of claims 5-9 including activating said time-of- flight distance sensor to project a visible indica at said selected point.

11. The method of claim 10 further including placing an ADAS calibration target or fixture at said illuminated placement location; and conducting a vehicle ADAS calibration or inspection utilizing said placed calibration target or fixture.

12. The method of any of claims 5-1 1 further including identifying said vehicle; recalling, from an accessible database, instructions associated with said identified vehicle for placement of an ADAS calibration target or fixture, said instructions identifying at least a placement location for said ADAS calibration target or fixture relative to said vehicle; andcomparing said calculated position of said selected point with said identified placement location to verify a placement of said ADAS calibration target or fixture by an operator.

13. A method for guiding placement of a vehicle service fixture (100), comprising: identifying a placement location within a frame of reference for positioning said vehicle service fixture; operating a time-of-flight distance sensor (109) disposed at a known location within said frame of reference to align a measurement axis (R) with said placement location, said known location and said placement location separated by a known distance along said measurement axis; positioning and / or adjusting said vehicle service fixture within said frame of reference such that a surface associated with said vehicle service fixture is located at said placement location and is intersected by said measurement axis; obtaining a measurement of a distance to said surface along said measurement axis with said time-of-flight distance sensor; and verifying positioning and / or adjustment of said vehicle service fixture by comparing said measurement of distance with said known distance.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said position and / or adjustment of said vehicle service fixture is altered to reduce a displacement deviation in response to said measurement of distance varying from said known distance.

15. A vehicle measurement system (100), comprising: a base (101 ); a support structure (102) affixed to said base unit; at least one optical projection system (108) coupled to said support structure by a mounting (500), said optical projection system including at least one optical projector located at a known location within a spatial reference frame andwherein said mounting is configured for rotational movement of said at least one optical projector about at least one axis relative to said support structure; a processing system (300) operatively coupled to said optical projection system, said processing system having a processor configured with a set of instructions to drive said mounting to alter an orientation of a projection axis (R) for said optical projector; said processing system configured to receive input representative of a relative position and orientation of a vehicle (10) disposed within an operative service area; and wherein said processing system is further configured with a set of instructions to control said optical projector and said mounting to project an a visible indicia onto a selected position on a surface located within said operative service area.

16. The vehicle measurement system instrumentation structure of claim 15 wherein said support structure includes: a vertical support column affixed to said base unit; a crossbeam (106) carried by said vertical support column; and wherein said optical projection system is disposed adjacent a longitudinal end of said crossbeam.

17. The vehicle measurement system instrumentation structure of either claim 15 or claim 16 wherein said processing system is operatively coupled to said optical projection system to activate said at least one optical projector to project said visible indicia along said projection axis; and wherein said processing system is further configured to control said orientation of said projection axis to direct projection of said visible indicia to a selected location within said operative service area based on said relative position and orientation of a vehicle.

18. The vehicle measurement system of claim 17 wherein said selected location is representative of a reference point from which a manual measurement is taken by an operator.

19. The vehicle measurement system of claim 17 wherein said selected location is representative of an axis along which a manual measurement is taken by an operator.

20. The vehicle measurement system of claim 17 further including a second optical projection system coupled to said support structure by a second mounting, said second optical projection system including a second optical projector located at a second known location within said spatial reference frame and wherein said second mounting is configured for rotational movement of said second optical projector about at least one axis relative to said support structure; a processing system operatively coupled to said second optical projection system, said processor configured with a set of instructions to drive said second mounting to alter an orientation of an associated projection axis for said second optical projector and to activate said second optical projector to project a second visible indicia along said associated projection axis; and wherein said processing system is further configured to control said orientation of each of said projection axes to separately direct projection of visible indicia from each of said optical projection systems to selected locations within said operative service area based on said relative position and orientation of a vehicle, said selected locations defining a reference line segment along which an operator is required to manually locate a measurement point (M).

21. A vehicle measurement system (100), comprising: a base (101 ) for positioning on a floor surface within a vehicle service area; a support structure (102) affixed to said base; a pair of optical projection systems (108) secured said support structure, each optical projection system in said pair including at least one optical time-of- flight distance sensor (109) located at a known location within a spatial referenceframe and a mounting structure for orienting an associated projection axis (R) of said at least one optical time-of-flight distance sensor about at least one axis; a processing system (300) operatively coupled to said pair of optical projection systems, said processing system having a processor configured with a set of instructions to evaluate data received from said optical projection systems to determine an orientation of each of said projection axes and an associated distance to a point illuminated by said associated optical time-of-flight distance sensor; wherein said processing system is further configured with a set of instructions to operate said pair of optical projection systems to acquire a set of distance measurements to at least three separate locations on said floor surface, said set of distance measurements utilized to calculate a corresponding set of spatial coordinates in a common reference frame for each of said at least three separate locations; and wherein said processing system is further configured with a set of instructions to establish a best fit floor plane representation from said set of spatial coordinates within said spatial reference frame.

22. The vehicle measurement system of claim 20 wherein said processing system is configured with a set of instructions to utilize said established best fit floor plane as a reference surface from which vertical elevations are calculated for selected spatial locations during a vehicle service or inspection procedure.

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