Vehicle Service Optical Layout for Distortion-Free Target Reading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle service systems face issues with large target support dimensions occupying space, ambient light reflections affecting readability, and optical distortions due to wide-angle lenses, leading to reduced accuracy and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

The system employs optical reader apparatuses with dual fields of view, positioning targets adjacent to the apparatuses to reduce target size and eliminate distortions, using infrared lighting to enhance readability and eliminate the need for wide-angle lenses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the target is placed at a significant distance from the vertical casing to be included in the field of view, then the target can be detected by the binocular stereoscopic vision system, but the lateral band occupation increases and calibration accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoidlateral band occupation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a single wide-angle camera viewing both vehicle and target to a dual-camera system where one camera views the vehicle and another views the target. This dimensional separation in the imaging system allows the target to be positioned closer to the casing while maintaining detection capability, thereby reducing lateral space occupation while preserving calibration accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a wide-angle lens is used to detect both the wheel and the target at the same time, then the field of view is sufficient, but optical distortions increase and measurement precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefield of view coverageVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the imaging function into two separate cameras: one dedicated to capturing the vehicle/wheel and another dedicated to capturing the target. This segmentation eliminates the need for a wide-angle lens, thereby avoiding optical distortions while maintaining sufficient field of view coverage for each specific imaging task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Illumination intensity

If ambient light sources are present, then the service area is properly illuminated, but reflections occur and target readability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice area illuminationVSAvoidtarget readability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses infrared illumination that is imperceptible to the human eye, converting the potential harm of ambient light reflections into a beneficial controlled lighting environment. The infrared source illuminates the target without creating visible reflections, thereby maintaining both service area illumination and target readability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration minimizes target size, improves accuracy by reducing distortions, and reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating the need for expensive optical components and software corrections.

Implementation Method 1

optical reader apparatuses (4), which are arranged in a vehicle service area (5) on opposite sides with respect to an axis (A) of the vehicle (2)... optical image acquisition device (10) arranged above the target (8) so as to face the target (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

using infrared lighting to enhance readability and eliminate the need for wide-angle lenses

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP4707724A1Vehicle service system
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 TEXA SPA
  • EP4707724A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4707724A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4707724A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Vehicle service system (1) comprising optical reader apparatuses (4), which are arranged in the vehicle service area (5), on opposite sides with respect to the longitudinal axis (A) of a vehicle (2). The vehicle service system (5) comprises at least two targets (8), which are arranged in the vehicle service area (5) in positions immediately adjacent to the respective optical reader apparatuses (4) so as to be positioned on the sides of the vehicle (2). The optical image reader apparatus (4) comprises a first optical image acquisition device (9) having a first field of view (V1), which frames the vehicle (2), and a second optical image acquisition device (10), which has a second field of view (V2) different from the first field of view (V1) and is structured so as to frame the target (8).