Abstract:
A vehicle headlight aiming apparatus and method is provided which includes a housing that is vertically and horizontally adjustable along vertical and horizontal tracks. The housing includes a lens for receiving and focusing a headlight beam of a vehicle and forming an image on an internal screen, and a control unit mounted on the housing that is vertically and horizontally pivotable relative to the housing. The housing and the control unit each emit laser beams to configure and measure an alignment of the apparatus to the vehicle. The control unit compensates for an unlevel supporting surface of the apparatus and/or the vehicle and indicates whether the headlight is properly aimed according to a selected aiming standard based on the image, the configuration of the vehicle and the apparatus, and any compensation of any unlevel supporting surface(s) of the apparatus and/or the vehicle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present general inventive concept relates generally to equipment to aim radiant energy projected from a source to render objects visible, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for aiming headlights of a vehicle. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Properly aimed vehicle headlights provide visibility for a driver of a vehicle during times of limited visibility (e.g., at nighttime or in fog), and alert oncoming drivers to the presence of the vehicle. Improperly aimed headlights could unsatisfactorily render objects visible for the driver and blind or otherwise impair the sight of the oncoming drivers. 
         [0005]    Headlights are adjustable in both vertical and horizontal directions by, for example, manipulating headlight aiming screws or other vehicle-mounted adjustable members. Adjustment of the headlight causes light projected from the headlights to be aimed according to aiming standards that may vary from country to country. For instance, in the United States, headlights of vehicles are aligned in compliance with aiming standards set forth by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). The SAE standards differ from the aiming standards set forth in Japan and Europe, which also differ from each other. 
         [0006]    A vehicle&#39;s headlights are required to be aimed in a number of instances. Upon manufacture of the vehicle, it is necessary to aim the headlights. Often, the headlights are aimed according to the standards of the country in which the vehicle is manufactured. Thus, if the vehicle is manufactured in one country and then exported to another country with different aiming standards than the country of manufacture, it may be necessary to reconfigure the aim of the headlights so that they comply with the aiming standards of the import country. Additionally, during the life of the vehicle, one or both headlights may require replacement or become misaligned (e.g., as a result of a collision or wear and tear of the headlight aiming screws). In these situations, it is necessary to reconfigure the aim of the headlights to comply with the applicable aiming standards. 
         [0007]    Conventional headlight aimers are subject to a number of limitations. Generally, conventional aimers do not offer a variety of aiming standards and are instead set to a single standard based on the country of expected distribution and use of the device. Further, conventional aimers are typically unable to adapt to use with different types of headlights that may have different shapes and/or sizes (e.g., standard, auxiliary, fog, rectangular, round, and aerodynamic VOL and VOR headlamps). Instead, conventional aimers are commonly set to a single, common headlight type or normalized. Because various headlight types project light differently because replacement headlights may project their beams differently than original equipment supplied with the vehicle or for other reasons, normalization of headlight types may result in an undesired discrepancy from the applicable aiming standard with some headlight types and cause these headlights to perform poorly. 
         [0008]    To aim a headlight, it is generally desirable to identify a reference point on the vehicle to ensure the aiming device is aligned with the vehicle. Conventional devices are commonly aligned visually with the vehicle using an operator&#39;s best guess with any small variance dismissed by the operator. Such manual alignment typically results in at least a minor undesired discrepancy from the applicable aiming standard, which causes headlights to perform poorly. Additionally, it is difficult to reproduce aiming tests using conventional aiming devices. In testing aim of the vehicle&#39;s headlights, if the conventional device is not properly aligned with the vehicle, the test may indicate that the vehicle&#39;s headlights are improperly aimed when in fact they are properly aimed in view of the relevant aiming standard. Furthermore, conventional headlight aiming devices may be heavy or difficult to maneuver in a service bay, or may inadequately compensate for inclinations, decries, or defects in the supporting surface. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A principal object of the present general inventive concept is to provide a headlight aimer apparatus and method that remedies the aforementioned deficiencies of conventional headlight aimers. 
         [0010]    Another object of the general inventive concept is to provide a headlight aimer apparatus and method that is adaptable to various headlight standards, adaptable to various headlight types, and produces test results that are easily reproduced. 
         [0011]    Another object of the general inventive concept is to provide a headlight aimer apparatus and method that is easy to use, comparatively simple to manufacture, and especially well adapted for the intended usage thereof. 
         [0012]    The aforementioned objects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may be achieved by providing a headlight aiming assembly including a stand which may be mounted on a horizontal track that may be operable to permit travel of the stand therealong or alternatively along a supporting surface such a horizontal track, and a guide bracket mounted on a vertical track of the stand that may be operable to permit travel of the guide bracket therealong. A housing secured to the guide bracket and a control unit secured to the housing having an orientation that is adjustable relative to the housing may also be provided. 
         [0013]    The assembly may also include a plurality of grooved rollers connecting the guide bracket to the vertical track, and a brake on the guide bracket to selectively permit and prevent movement of the guide bracket relative to the vertical track. The brake may be operable to increase friction between at least one of the plurality of grooved rollers on the guide bracket and the vertical track. 
         [0014]    The assembly may also include a counterweight in the stand that is operable to counter a weight of the housing and a level on the housing that may be operable to measure and display a horizontal level status of the housing. A first laser housed in the housing that may be operable to emit a first laser beam therefrom to enable alignment of the housing with a headlight, and a second laser on the control unit that may be operable to emit a second laser beam therefrom to enable alignment of the control unit with a vehicle may also be provided. The control unit may be operable to measure the orientation of the control unit relative to the housing and yield orientation data. 
         [0015]    The assembly may also include an external apparatus that may be operable to measure vehicle level data relative to a horizontal level of the vehicle and an input on the control unit that may be operable to receive the vehicle level data. A lens on the housing that may be operable to convert a beam incident on the lens and transmit the beam to an interior surface of the housing to form an image thereon, and a camera in the housing that may be operable to capture image data based on the image and transmit the image data may also be provided. The lens may be a Fresnel lens operable to convert the beam so that the image appears on the interior surface with simulated characteristics indicating that the beam originated from a distance greater than an actual distance. A processor operable to receive the orientation data, the vehicle level data, and the image data, and to determine a status of a headlight based on the orientation data, the vehicle level data, and the image data may also be provided. 
         [0016]    The aforementioned objects and advantages of the present general inventive concept may further be achieved by providing method of aiming a headlight including the steps of identifying a centerline of a vehicle having a headlight, aligning a laser beam with the centerline of the vehicle, the laser beam projected from a controller mounted on a housing, the controller having an orientation that is adjustable relative to the housing, yielding orientation data based on the orientation of the controller relative to the housing via a processor in the controller, receiving a headlight beam from the headlight through a lens on the housing, projecting the headlight beam on an interior surface of the housing via the lens to form an image thereon, capturing and storing digital image data based on the image via a camera in the housing, computing the digital image data and the orientation data to yield a status of the headlight via the processor, and displaying the status of the headlight on the controller. 
         [0017]    The step of focusing the headlight beam received through the aperture via the lens to produce the image on the interior surface may also be provided. The image may have characteristics of a simulated distance between the headlight and the housing that is greater than an actual distance between the headlight and the housing. The centerline of the vehicle may be based on one of (i) a center crease in a hood of the vehicle, (ii) a side edge of the hood of the vehicle, and (iii) a first reference point on the vehicle aligned with a second reference point on the vehicle. The first reference point may be a hood ornament on the vehicle and the second reference point may be a rearview mirror in the vehicle. The steps of measuring a slope of a floor supporting the vehicle, inputting the slope into the controller, and computing the status of the headlight based on the slope may also be provided. The vehicle may have no passengers and a full tank of gasoline. 
         [0018]    The foregoing and other objects are intended to be illustrative of the present general inventive concept and are not meant in a limiting sense. Many possible embodiments of the present general inventive concept may be made and will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof. Various features and subcombinations of present general inventive concept may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Other objects and advantages of this present general inventive concept will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this present general inventive concept and various features thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principles, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the headlight aimer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the headlight aimer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1  with a portion cut away to partially illustrate an interior of the headlight aimer assembly; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the headlight aimer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1  with a portion cut away to partially illustrate an interior of the headlight aimer assembly; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3   a  is a magnified fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion of the headlight aimer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3   b  is a diagram of a process of the headlight aimer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a rear left side perspective view of the headlight aimer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the headlight aimer assembly in use with a vehicle in a first configuration; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the headlight aimer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 4 , illustrating the headlight aimer assembly in use with the vehicle in the first configuration; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is an elevated left side view of the headlight aimer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 4 , illustrating the headlight aimer assembly in use with the vehicle in the first configuration; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a front left side perspective view of the headlight aimer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 1 , illustrating the headlight aimer assembly in use with a vehicle in a second configuration; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the headlight aimer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 7 , illustrating the headlight aimer assembly in use with the vehicle in the second configuration; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is an elevated left side view of the headlight aimer assembly illustrated in  FIG. 7 , illustrating the headlight aimer assembly in use with the vehicle in the second configuration. 
       
    
    
       [0031]    The drawing figures do not limit the present inventive concept to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the illustrated embodiment. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    The present inventive concept is susceptible of embodiment in many forms. While the drawings illustrate, and the specification describes, certain embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that such disclosure is by way of example only. The principles of the present inventive concept are not limited to the particular disclosed embodiments. 
         [0033]    With initial reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , a headlight aimer assembly  10  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept is illustrated. The headlight aimer assembly  10  includes a stand  12  with an upright portion  14  that is supported by a base  16  on a ground surface  18  (e.g., a cement garage floor in a bay of an auto mechanic shop). The upright portion  14  is an elongated generally rectangular post with planar track  20  on one side of the upright portion  14 . The track  20  extends beyond sides  22  of the upright portion  14  to form ridges  24 ,  26  that extend vertically on one side of the upright portion  14 . Near a top end of the upright portion  14  is an aperture  28  formed in the track  20 . 
         [0034]    The base  16  includes a parallel foot  30  and a non parallel foot  32  that are secured together in a non-perpendicular configuration so as to provide a higher degree of stability to the headlight aimer assembly  10 . In the exemplary embodiment, a bracket  34  on an end of the non parallel foot  32  is fastened to a side surface  36  of the parallel foot  26  at an approximate center thereof and at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees via a bolt  38 . It is foreseen, however, that the parallel foot  26  and a non parallel foot  28  may be secured together at different angles and by other attachment means without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0035]    A plurality of wheels  40  are secured to the parallel foot  30  and the non parallel foot  32  to permit movement of the stand  12  and the base  16  preferably along a track  42  or alternatively along the supporting ground surface  18 . In the exemplary embodiment, three wheels  30  are fastened to the base  16  via bolts  44  with two of the wheels  30  bolted to opposite ends of the parallel foot  26  and one of the wheels  30  bolted to one end of the non parallel foot  26 . It is foreseen, however, that any number of wheels  30  may be fastened to the base  16  in various configurations and using various attachment means without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0036]    The track  42  extends horizontally across the ground surface  18  and may include two rails  46  that may be, for example, approximately five feet long. Each of the rails  46  are supported by a plurality of lateral support slats  48  that are attached perpendicularly thereto and space the two rails  46  from the ground surface  18 . Each of the two rails  36  is partially received into a groove  50  in each wheel  40 . The groove  50  is defined by inner and outer circumferential discs  52 ,  54  on each wheel  40 . A brake  56  is provided on one of the wheels  40  to selectively lock and unlock the stand  12  and the base  16  in a fixed configuration relative to and anywhere along the track  42 . In the exemplary embodiment, the brake  56  is located at a front of the headlight aimer assembly  10  between the wheel  40  of the non parallel foot  32  and the non parallel foot  32  to enable easy access to the user. It is foreseen, however, that the brake  56  may be located on any one or more of the wheels  40  without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0037]    Secured to the vertical track  20  of the upright portion  14  is an elevated housing assembly  58 . The housing assembly  58  is connected to and operable to travel along the vertical track  20  of the upright portion  14  via a plurality of wheels  60  that are fastened to a mount  62  on the housing assembly  58 , which enables a height of the housing assembly  58  to be selectively adjusted from between approximately fourteen and sixty inches from the ground surface  18 . Each of the wheels  60  are secured to one of the ridges  24 ,  26  on either side of the vertical track  20  of the upright portion  14  so that that the vertical track  20  is pinned therebetween. The ridges  24 ,  26  are partially received into a groove  64  in each wheel  60 . The groove  64  is defined by inner and outer discs  66 ,  68  on each wheel  60 . In the exemplary embodiment, one wheel  60  is located on a front side of the headlight aimer assembly  10 , and two wheels  60  are located on a rear side of the headlight aimer assembly  10 . It is foreseen, however, that any number of wheels  60  in any configuration may be used without deviating from the scope of the present invention. It is foreseen, however, that any number of wheels  60  in any configuration may be used to fasten the housing assembly  58  to the upright portion  14  without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0038]    The wheel  60  on the front side of the primary housing  58  is equipped with a brake  70  that is operable to selectively permit or prevent movement of the housing assembly  58  relative to the upright portion  14  so that the primary housing  58  may be selectively maintained in a fixed configuration relative to and anywhere along the upright portion  14 . In the exemplary embodiment, the brake  70  is located on the wheel  60  at the front of the headlight aimer assembly  10  to enable easy access to the user. It is foreseen, however, that the brake  70  may be located on any one or more of the wheels  30  without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0039]    A counter-balance  72  is housed on an interior  74  of the upright portion  14  and is connected to the mount  62  via a cable  76 . The cable  76  is secured at one end to the counter-balance via a hook  76  on the counter-balance  72 , extends through the aperture  24  in the upright portion, and is secured at another end to the mount  62  via a hook  78  on the mount  62 . The cable  76  is wrapped around a pulley  80  that is mounted near the top of the upright portion  14  via a bolt  82 . The pulley  80  is substantially housed within the upright portion  14  and extends partially through the aperture  24  in the upright portion  14 . The counter-balance  72  is operable to displace weight of the housing assembly  58  as the housing assembly  58  travels along the vertical track  20  so that the headlight aimer assembly  10  is maintained in a desired upright configuration. 
         [0040]    The housing assembly  58  includes upper, lower, and rear panels  84 ,  86 ,  88 , and a front panel assembly  90 . The upper and lower panels  84 ,  86  each have a horizontal surface  92  and vertical side surfaces  94 , and each of the vertical side surfaces  94  have outwardly-extending lips  96  at ends thereof that project substantially parallel to the horizontal surface  92 . In the exemplary embodiment, the upper and lower panels  84 ,  86  are made of a single piece of sheet metal. It is foreseen, however, that the upper and lower panels  84 ,  86  could be made of any like material (e.g., plastic) without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0041]    The lips  96  are sized and shaped to be independently received by an elongated engagement strip  98  situated on either side of the housing assembly  58 . Each of the elongated engagement strips  98  has a horizontal abutment surface  100  that spaces a backstop  102  and a frontstop  104 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3   a . The frontstop  104  has upper and lower walls  106 ,  108  that project from either end of the frontstop  104  in a direction parallel to the horizontal abutment surface  100 . The upper and lower walls  106 ,  108  define upper and lower voids  110 ,  112  between the horizontal abutment surface  100  and the upper and lower walls  106 ,  108 , respectively. The upper and lower voids  110 ,  112  are sized and shaped to respectively receive the lips  96  of the upper and lower panels  84 ,  86  therein. Each of the lips  96  abut and extend along the horizontal abutment surface  100 . Ends of each of the lips  96  abut the frontstop  104  and each of the vertical side surfaces  94  abuts the backstop  102 . In this manner, the upper and lower panels  84 ,  86  are secured together via the engagement strips  98 . 
         [0042]    The rear panel  88  includes a vertical surface  114  with groove  116  about a perimeter thereof that is sized and shaped to partially receive the upper and lower panels  84 ,  86  and the engagement strip  98  therein. The rear panel  88  also includes apertures on either side of the vertical surface  114  that are each sized and shaped to receive a screw  120  therein that is then anchored to the engagement strip  98  via a receiver  122  at each end of each of the engagement strips  98  on the rear panel  88  end. In this manner, the rear panel  88  is secured to the engagement strip  98  and ultimately to the upper and lower panels  84 ,  86 . In the exemplary embodiment, the receiver  122  is a partial ring formed between two ribs  124 ,  126  that extend down an entire length of each of the engagement strips  98 . It is foreseen, however, that the rear panel  88  may be secured to the upper and lower panels  84 ,  86  via any like attachment means. 
         [0043]    An exhaust vent  128  is included in the vertical surface  114  and is operable to permit circulation of air from and/or to an interior  130  of the housing assembly  58 . In the exemplary embodiment, the rear panel  88  is a single piece of synthetic resin. It is foreseen, however, that any like material may be used without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0044]    The front panel assembly  90  includes a frame  132  that extends about a perimeter of a lens  134  that is secured therein. Similar to the rear panel  88 , the frame portion  132  includes a groove (not illustrated) about a perimeter thereof that is sized and shaped to partially receive the upper and lower panels  84 ,  86  and the engagement strip  98  therein. Additionally, the frame  132  has apertures (not illustrated) on either side thereof that are each sized and shaped to receive a screw  138  therein. Similar to the rear panel  88 , each screw  138  of the frame  132  is anchored to the engagement strip  98  via a receiver  140  at each end of each of the engagement strips  98  on the front panel assembly  90  end. In this manner, the front panel assembly  90  is secured to the engagement strip  98  and ultimately to the upper and lower panels  84 ,  86 . 
         [0045]    The lens  134  is a Fresnel lens that is operable to focus light incident thereon and transmit such to a screen  142  located on the interior  130  of the housing assembly  58 . The screen  142  is secured to upper and lower supports  144 ,  146  that extend from the rear panel  88  via screws (not illustrated) or the like. In the exemplary embodiment, the screen  142  is of a planar white vinyl material having a degree of reflectivity. It is foreseen, however, that any like material may be used without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0046]    On a rear side  148  of the screen  142  and between the screen  142  and the rear panel  88  is a headlight alignment laser  150  that is operable to project a laser beam  152  to an outside of the primary box by projecting the laser through an aperture  154  in the screen  142  and through an aperture  156  in the lens  134 . A camera  158  (e.g., a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera with a pin-hole lens or the like) is secured to and powered by a circuit board  160  that depends from the upper panel  84  on the interior of the housing assembly  58 . The camera  158  is oriented to face the screen  142  and is operable to convert light patterns displayed on the screen  142  to a digital image thereof. 
         [0047]    The circuit board  160  electrically connects the camera  158  to a processor  161  housed in a control unit  162  that is mounted on top of the upper panel  84  on an exterior side thereof via a base  164 . The processor  161  processes image data received from the camera  158  via the circuit board  160  and stores the image data via a memory  165  in the control unit  162 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3   b.    
         [0048]    The control unit  162  includes a display screen  166  that is operable to display processed data from the processor  161 . Also included on the control unit  162  are a plurality of control buttons  168  that are operable to control the headlight aimer assembly  10 . The control unit  162  is operable to pivot horizontally with respect to the base  164  and the housing assembly  58  and obtain orientation data of the control unit  162  relative to the housing assembly  58  via a potentiometer  169  and transmit the orientation data to the processor  161 . 
         [0049]    A reference point alignment laser  170  is housed on a side of the control unit  162  and is operable to project a laser beam  172  therefrom. The laser beam  172  may be aimed by pivoting the reference point alignment laser  170  vertically and/or pivoting the control unit  162  horizontally. 
         [0050]    In use, the headlight aimer assembly  10  is assembled by a user on the ground surface  18 , and preferably on a surface that is free from obstacles (e.g., debris on and cracks in the ground surface  18 ). Additionally, the ground surface  18  should be reasonably horizontally level with any slopes avoided, (e.g., a slope caused by a drain in the ground surface  18 ). To ensure the headlight aimer assembly  10  is level, a level  174  may be affixed to the headlight aimer assembly  10  so that the user may manually adjust a position of the headlight aimer assembly  10  until it is reasonably level. In the exemplary embodiment, the level  174  is affixed to the upper panel  84  of the housing assembly  58 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . It is foreseen, however, that one or more levels  174  may affixed to the headlight aimer assembly  10  without deviating from the scope of the present invention. Alternatively or in addition to the level  174 , an inclinometer and/or an accelerometer  175  may be mounted to the headlight aimer assembly  10  (e.g., on a forty-five degree slope to perfect level) to calculate the slope of the ground surface  18  under the headlight aimer assembly  10  and transmit such to the processor  161 . The processor  161  factors in the calculated slope of the ground surface  18  under the headlight aimer assembly  10 , and provides a result with increased accuracy as further discussed hereafter. In this manner, the stand  12  of the headlight aimer assembly  10  is operable to traverse back and forth along the horizontal track  42  in a defined straight path with accuracy and repeatability. 
         [0051]    Turning to  FIGS. 4-9 , a vehicle  176  is positioned in front of and facing the headlight aimer assembly  10  on the ground surface  18  at approximately three feet from the horizontal track  42  with headlights  178  to be aimed activated. If the slope of the ground surface  18  under the vehicle  176  is unknown (e.g., during initial setup of the headlight aimer assembly  10 ), the user may measure the slope of the ground surface  18  under the vehicle  176 . In the exemplary embodiment, the user may measure the slope of the ground surface  18  between tires  180  using a level  182  with a target  184 , such as the level measuring system sold under the trademark Hoppy (e.g., the Model G2 spit image transit system). The level  182  and target  184  may be respectively positioned at the front and rear tires  180  to determine the slope of the ground surface  18  under the vehicle  176 . 
         [0052]    The control unit  162  of the headlight aimer assembly  10  is activated by pressing one of the control buttons  168 . Upon activation, the display screen  166  provides a number of options to permit calibration of the headlight aimer assembly  10  via the control buttons  168  based on its intended use. For example, a unit of measurement may be selected from inches or centimeters, the desired aiming standard may be selected based on country of use, the type of headlight  178  to be aimed may be entered (e.g., low, high, vol, vor, fog), and the slope of the ground surface  18  under the vehicle  176  may be entered. Additionally, the headlight aimer assembly  10  may self-calibrate via the inclinometer and/or accelerometer  175  as previously discussed. 
         [0053]    If the headlight aimer assembly  10  is to be used in different bays of an auto mechanic shop, the slope of the ground surface  18  for each of the different bays may be determined upon initial setup, entered into the control unit  162 , and assigned bay numbers for future selection. Thereafter, the user may select the appropriate bay as displayed on the display screen  166  without re-measuring the slope of the plurality of different bays. In this manner, the headlight aimer assembly  10  may be used in a plurality of different locations more efficiently. 
         [0054]    To determine a degree of alignment between the headlight aimer assembly  10  and the vehicle  176 , the user presses one of the control buttons  168  to activate the reference point alignment laser  170  so that the laser beam  172  is projected therefrom. While the reference point alignment laser  170  is activated, the control unit  162  emits an audible beeping noise from a speaker (not illustrated) on the control unit  162  and displays the message “CAUTION LASER ACTIVE” at the bottom of the display screen  166 . The housing assembly  58  of the headlight aimer assembly  10  is then moved to an approximate horizontal centerline of the vehicle  176  by pushing the stand  12  along the horizontal track  42 . To permit movement of the housing assembly  58  relative to the horizontal track  42 , the brake  56  is unlocked. When the housing assembly  58  is aligned with the approximate horizontal centerline of the vehicle  176 , the brake  56  is locked. 
         [0055]    The user ensures horizontal alignment of the headlight aimer assembly  10  and the vehicle  176  by selecting one or more reference points on the vehicle  176  that are commonly known to be representative of the vertical centerline of the vehicle  176 , such as a hood ornament  186  and a mirror  188  of the vehicle  176 . With the reference points in view, the user rotates the reference point alignment laser  170  up and/or down until the laser beam  172  is able to strike both of the reference points. To facilitate such, the user may affix a laser-dot target (not illustrated) (e.g., an adhesive and/or mirror hanging target) to the one or both of the reference points to provide a more precise target and increase accuracy. 
         [0056]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the laser beam  152  simultaneously strikes both the hood ornament  186  and the mirror  188  of the vehicle  176 . In use with other vehicles, however, the laser beam  152  may not simultaneously strike both the hood ornament  186  and the mirror  188  of the vehicle  176 . To ensure proper alignment of the headlight aimer assembly  10  and the vehicle  176  in such instances, the user vertically rotates the reference point alignment laser  170  back and forth along a reference point and/or between two reference points (e.g., the hood ornament  186  and the mirror  188 ) to form an imaginary vertical plane therebetween. It is foreseen that the user may select other reference points such as, but not limited to a bumper, center of grill or like point on facial without deviating from the scope of the present invention. If the plane defined by the laser beam  172  is not parallel to the centerline of the vehicle  176 , the user may horizontally rotate the control unit  162  with respect to the housing assembly  58  until the plane defined by the laser beam  172  is parallel to the centerline of the vehicle  176 . 
         [0057]    Once the reference point alignment laser  170  is horizontally aligned with the centerline of the vehicle  176 , one of the control buttons  168  is pressed to simultaneously record orientation data (e.g., the rotational position) of the control unit  162  relative to the housing assembly  58  and deactivate the reference point alignment laser  170 . The orientation data, which includes any offset therebetween, is measured by the control unit  162  (e.g., via the potentiometer  169 ) and communicated to the processor  161 , which calculates and stores a difference in degrees of rotation to linear inches at twenty-five feet. 
         [0058]    To align the housing assembly  58  of the headlight aimer assembly  10  with one of the headlights  178  to be aimed of the vehicle  176 , the headlight alignment laser  150  is activated so that the laser beam  152  is projected therefrom by pressing one of the control buttons  168 . Similar to the reference point alignment laser  170 , while the headlight alignment laser  150  is activated, the control unit  162  emits an audible beeping noise from the speaker and displays the message “CAUTION LASER ACTIVE” at the bottom of the display screen  166 . 
         [0059]    The stand  12  is pushed along the horizontal track  42 , after unlocking the brake  56 , until the laser beam  152  strikes the center of the headlight  178  to be aimed, at which point the brake  56  is locked. If the housing assembly  58  is not vertically aligned with the center of the headlight  178  to be aimed, the housing assembly  58  may be raised or lowered with respect to the vertical track  20  of the upright portion  14  until the laser beam  152  strikes the center of the headlight  178  to be aimed. To facilitate such, the user may affix a laser-dot target (not illustrated) (e.g., an adhesive and/or mirror hanging target) to the center of the headlight  178  to be aimed to provide a more precise target and increase accuracy. To permit movement of the housing assembly  58  relative to the vertical track  20 , the brake  70  is unlocked. When the housing assembly  58  is aligned with the headlight  178  to be aimed, the brake  70  is locked. 
         [0060]    Once the headlight alignment laser  150  is aligned with the center of the headlight  178  to be aimed, one of the control buttons  168  is pressed to simultaneously activate the camera  158  and deactivate the headlight alignment laser  150 . With the headlight  178  to be aimed activated, light emitted therefrom passes through the Fresnel lens  134 , which focuses and transmits the light to form an image on the screen  142 . The Fresnel lens  134  converts the light so that the image on the screen  142  has characteristics that are simulated and equivalent to characteristics of light projected from a distance that is greater than the actual distance between the housing assembly  58  and the headlight  178  to be aimed. In the present embodiment, the Fresnel lens  134  forms an image on the screen  142  with simulated characteristics that are equivalent to characteristics of light transmitted from twenty-five feet. It is foreseen, however, that the Fresnel lens  134  may be designed to simulate characteristics that are equivalent to characteristics of light projected from any distance without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0061]    The camera  158  records a digital image based on the image on the screen  142  and transmits image data to the processor  161  in the control unit  162  via the circuit board  160 . The processor  161  identifies a hot spot or focal point of the image and then displays a processed image on the display screen  166  based on the image data from the camera  158 , the orientation data of the control unit  162  relative to the housing assembly  58  from the potentiometer  169 , the headlight type data selected by the user, the aiming standard data selected by the user, and any additional data (e.g., slope data of the vehicle  176  from the level and target  182 ,  184  and slope data of the headlight aimer assembly  10  from the inclinometer and/or accelerometer  175 ). The processed image is displayed on the display screen  166  with respect to a grid having an X axis and a Y axis. Also displayed on the display screen  166  is a degree of offset, if any, of the focal point of the processed image from a center of the X axis and Y axis on the grid. For instance, if the focal point is determined by the processor  161  to be in a lower right quadrant of the grid, the display screen will indicate the offset (e.g., LOW 7.3, RIGHT 2.7). 
         [0062]    If there is an offset, the user aims the headlight  178  by adjusting headlight aiming screws (not illustrated) via tools (e.g., a screwdriver, wrench, or special tool) as needed until there is no offset of the processed image from the center of the X and Y axes, as indicated by the display screen  166 . When the headlight  178  is properly aimed according to the selected aiming standard (e.g., within a predefined tolerance from a perfect aim), the control unit  162  will display the message “AIM OK” at the bottom of the display screen  166  and emit one or more audible beep (e.g., three audible beeps) via the speaker. The aim results may be stored in the memory  165 . 
         [0063]    The processor  161  may be programmed to process the aforementioned data using a variety of formulas to yield the processed image via any formula. In the exemplary embodiment, the processor  161  calculates an offset between actual or present aim of the headlight  178  and perfect aim, which is then displayed on the display screen  134  with respect to X and Y axes. As previously discussed, the digital image from the camera  158  is displayed on the screen  142  with characteristics simulated by the lens  143  indicating that the displayed image originated from a distance of twenty-five feet, which is factored to find X and Y values. 
         [0064]    To determine Y value, the processor  161  obtains the slope data of the vehicle  176  from the level and target  182 ,  184  and the slope data of the headlight aimer assembly  10  from the inclinometer and/or accelerometer  175 , and uses an angle of compensation formula that is expressed as Y=sin(a)*d, where “d” is 300 in. or 25 ft., “a” is relative floor slope angle, and “Y” is equal to amount of offset the processor  161  applies to vertical aim. For example, if the headlight  178  has a slope of zero degrees and the headlight aimer assembly  10  has a slope of one degree, then the relative angle or “d” is one degree. As applied to the formula Y=sin(1)*300, Y=5.24, or 5.24=0.01745*300. In this manner, the processor  161  processes the digital image from the camera  158 , calculates vertical aim position, and adds the floor slope offset to yield a corrected aim position on the Y axis (i.e., the Y value). 
         [0065]    To determine X value, the processor  161  calculates misalignment of the headlight aimer assembly  10  and the centerline of the vehicle  176  via a misalignment compensation formula that is expressed as X=sin(a)*d, where “d” is 300 in. or 25 ft., “a” is horizontal misalignment angle, and “X” is equal to the amount of offset the processor  161  applies to vertical aim. For example, if the vehicle  176  is horizontally misaligned with the headlight aimer assembly  10  at 1.5 degrees, (i.e. a=1.5 degrees), then the formula solves for X as follows: X=sin(1.5)*300, X=7.85 or 7.85=0.02616*300. In this manner, the processor  161  processes the digital image from the camera  158  and adds the horizontal misalignment offset to yield a corrected aim position on the X axis (i.e., the X value). 
         [0066]    When the user is satisfied with the aim of the headlight  178  of the vehicle  176 , the process is complete and the control unit  162  of the headlight aimer assembly  10  may be deactivated by pressing one of the control buttons  168 . Alternatively, another headlight  178  may be aimed by pressing one of the control buttons  168  to activate the headlight alignment laser  150 , as disclosed above, and then repeating the steps disclosed thereafter. 
         [0067]    Accordingly, the headlight aimer assembly  10  is adaptable to various headlight standards, adaptable to various headlight types, and produces test results with increased accuracy and ease of reproduction relative to conventional aiming devices. 
         [0068]    Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the general inventive concept, the manner in which the general inventive concept is constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims. 
         [0069]    It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the general inventive concept herein described, and all statements of the scope of the general inventive concept which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.