A motor vehicle inspection device supporting VIN code information collection

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of motor vehicle inspection devices supporting VIN code information collection, including shell, core control module and battery are equipped in shell, the front of shell is equipped with screen, the back of shell is equipped with camera and laser emitter, the core control module is connected with screen, camera and laser emitter;It further includes a support and a limiting structure, the support is connected on the back of shell by hinge, the limiting structure is connected on the shell or hinge, when the support is folded, the support is attached to the back of shell, when the support is opened, the limiting structure keeps the support and shell with fixed included angle. The device of the utility model can conveniently collect motor vehicle marking coding (VIN code) information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of motor vehicle information collection technology, specifically relating to a motor vehicle inspection device for collecting VIN code information of motor vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] In my country, when conducting annual vehicle inspections and ownership transfer checks, inspectors typically need a dedicated PDA to photograph the vehicle and collect and input data. They also need to use other methods to separately collect the vehicle's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number, a unique 17-digit number) information on a 1:1 basis. The entire inspection process requires different data collection devices or tools, making the data collection process quite cumbersome.

[0003] The collection and entry of VIN codes during vehicle inspections has always been a pain point in the industry, currently mainly achieved through rubbing. Rubbing, however, uses traditional manual rubbing paper, which is inefficient; it can only capture the outline of the VIN characters, failing to capture other information such as color and surrounding details; the rubbing method results in a paper-based VIN, making subsequent electronic and information processing difficult and hindering effective information management; furthermore, rubbing paper is a consumable, leading to high long-term storage costs and is environmentally unfriendly.

[0004] Later, with the development of machine vision technology, solutions for collecting and inputting VIN code information using machine vision equipment and algorithms emerged. Existing vision equipment generally uses 3D structured light technology to collect VIN code data. Due to limitations of current technology, the entire process requires inspectors to use multiple sets of equipment, including a front-end 3D structured light acquisition device, a PDA, and a support frame. This equipment combination is quite bulky, and the acquisition space for the VIN code stamping location on many vehicles is limited, making acquisition difficult. In such cases, it is necessary to first use traditional rubbing paper to rub the VIN code, and then scan and collect the data from the rubbing paper. Therefore, the direct acquisition rate is low, and the process is cumbersome. During the acquisition process, this solution requires the front-end 3D structured light equipment to acquire the VIN image information and then transmit the VIN data to the back-end server for data processing. After the back-end server completes the data processing, it transmits the restored VIN code image to the front-end PDA for display, allowing inspectors to view and confirm. The entire acquisition, processing, and input process is time-consuming and inefficient. Furthermore, this solution is limited by factors such as technological maturity and requires server deployment, resulting in high deployment costs. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In response to the problems existing in the vehicle inspection process, especially in the collection of VIN code information, this patent provides a motor vehicle inspection device that supports the collection of VIN code information, which is used to facilitate the collection of stamped code (VIN code) information during the motor vehicle inspection process.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is:

[0007] A vehicle inspection device supporting VIN code information collection includes a housing, a core control module and a battery inside the housing, a screen on the front of the housing, and a camera and a laser emitter on the back of the housing. The core control module is connected to the screen, camera and laser emitter. It also includes a bracket and a limiting structure. The bracket is hinged to the back of the housing, and the limiting structure is connected to the housing or the hinge. When the bracket is folded, it fits against the back of the housing; when the bracket is opened, the limiting structure maintains the bracket at a fixed angle to the housing.

[0008] Optionally, the back of the housing is provided with a groove, and the bracket is located in the groove after being folded.

[0009] Optionally, the end of the bracket is provided with at least two bracket blades.

[0010] Optionally, the housing may also include one or more of the following components: flash, fill light, photo button, power button, front camera, and rear camera.

[0011] Optionally, the laser emitter is located in the middle of the housing, and the camera includes a left camera and a right camera, which are located on both sides of the laser emitter. When the laser emitter is working, it emits a laser cursor, and the central axis of the shooting area of ​​the left camera and the right camera is on the same straight line as the laser cursor.

[0012] Optionally, the back of the housing is also provided with a supplementary light, which is a supplementary light strip. The supplementary light strip includes a first parallel light strip, which is connected to an inclined light strip. The inclined light strip is connected to a second parallel light strip. The second parallel light strip and the first parallel light strip are parallel to each other but not on the same straight line.

[0013] Optionally, the screen is a touchscreen.

[0014] Optionally, the housing is equipped with a USB interface, a microphone, and a speaker.

[0015] Optionally, the housing may have a wristband hole.

[0016] Optionally, the housing may have a home button, a function button, and a back button on one side of the screen.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0018] This invention organically integrates PDA inspection and visual inspection technology. While possessing the general functions of a PDA inspection device, it utilizes a foldable bracket to maintain relative stability during VIN code acquisition. VIN code acquisition is achieved through a laser emitter and camera, resulting in a high direct acquisition rate. This fulfills the invention's objective of conveniently collecting VIN code information from motor vehicles. Throughout the vehicle inspection process, inspectors no longer need to frequently switch inspection equipment or tools, significantly improving inspection efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of a motor vehicle inspection terminal that supports high-precision VIN code information collection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a rear-view schematic diagram of a motor vehicle inspection terminal that supports high-precision VIN code information collection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a front view of the internal control board of a motor vehicle inspection terminal that supports high-precision VIN code information collection, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a block diagram of the internal control board circuit of a motor vehicle inspection terminal that supports high-precision VIN code information collection, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the user interface of a motor vehicle inspection terminal that supports high-precision VIN code information collection according to an embodiment of the present invention when collecting VIN codes.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of a motor vehicle inspection terminal that supports high-precision VIN code information collection according to an embodiment of the present invention when collecting VIN codes.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0027] Housing 100; Antenna 108; Hinge 110; Bracket 120; Bracket blade 121; Wristband hole 130;

[0028] Motherboard 200; Power button 201; Camera button 202; Flash 203; Battery 204; Microphone 205; USB port 206; Speaker 207; Core control module 210; Screen 220; Fill light adjustment button 221; APP camera button 222; Voice recognition button 223; Front camera 230; Rear camera 240; Left camera 250; Left camera field of view 251; Left camera shooting area 252; Center axis of left camera shooting area 253; Right camera 260; Right camera field of view 261; Right camera shooting area 262; Center axis of right camera shooting area 263; Laser emitter 270; Laser cursor 271; Fill light strip 280;

[0029] Overlapping area for shooting 300; camera tilt angle 301; bracket height 302; vertical distance from camera to shooting area 303; VIN code character line 304. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar components or components having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0031] like Figure 1-6 As shown, this embodiment provides a motor vehicle inspection device that not only has the general inspection PDA functions of taking pictures and entering information, but also can collect the complete 1:1 VIN code information of motor vehicles.

[0032] The device includes a housing 100, which is made of aluminum alloy with an oxidized surface, providing good strength and heat dissipation. Inside the housing 100 are a motherboard 200 and a battery 204. The motherboard 200 houses a core control module 210, which contains built-in software and algorithms.

[0033] The front of the housing 100 is equipped with a screen 220, which is a touchscreen. A front-facing camera 230 is located at the top of the screen 220 for facial recognition and verification when inspectors log into the inspection system. The bottom of the screen 220 has a home button, a function button, and a back button.

[0034] The back of the housing 100 is equipped with a rear camera 240 and a flash 203. The rear camera 240 is used to take pictures and collect vehicle information (non-VIN code) when inspectors inspect motor vehicles, and the flash 203 is used to provide supplementary light when the rear camera 240 takes pictures.

[0035] The left camera 250 and the right camera 260 are respectively located on the left and right sides of the back of the housing 100, and have the same focal length. The built-in algorithm can correct the image to ensure that there is no fisheye distortion. The left camera shooting area 252 and the right camera shooting area 262 have a common shooting overlap area 300, so that the built-in algorithm can perform subsequent image stitching based on the characteristics of the shooting overlap area 300.

[0036] A laser emitter 270 is located between the left camera 250 and the right camera 260 in the middle of the back of the housing 100. The laser emitter 270 is located at the midpoint of the line connecting the centers of the left camera 250 and the right camera 260. When the laser emitter 270 is working, it emits a cross-shaped laser cursor 271. The laser cursor 271 is located on the overlapping area 300 of the left camera's shooting area 252 and the right camera's shooting area 262. The cross-shaped laser cursor 271 is on the same straight line as the central axis 253 of the left camera's shooting area and the central axis 263 of the right camera's shooting area.

[0037] A groove is formed in the middle of the back of the housing 100, below the laser emitter 270. A hinge 110 with a limiting structure is provided on one side of the laser emitter 270 within the groove. A foldable bracket 120 is mounted on the hinge 110. When the bracket 120 is folded, it fits snugly within the groove and against the back of the housing 100, facilitating storage and carrying. When the bracket 120 is opened, the limiting structure of the hinge 110 maintains a fixed angle (90 degrees) between the bracket 120 and the back of the housing 100, and the bracket 120 remains parallel to the center line connecting the left and right cameras 250 and 260.

[0038] The end of the bracket 120 is also provided with two bracket blades 121 (i.e., support points). The two bracket blades 121 are on a straight line. When the bracket 120 is opened, the straight line where the two blades are located is parallel to the line connecting the centers of the left and right cameras 250 and 260. The straight line where the two blades are located is a certain distance away from the line connecting the centers of the left camera shooting area 252 and the right camera shooting area 262. When the bracket blades 121 are placed under the VIN code character line 304 to be collected, the inspection terminal can rotate appropriately around the straight line where the two blades are located to ensure that the VIN code character line 304 to be collected falls exactly in the center area of ​​the images captured by the left and right cameras 250 and 260.

[0039] The bracket 120 is made of stainless steel and has a hollow design, which ensures the strength of the bracket 120, reduces the weight of the whole machine, and increases the natural supplementary lighting of the surrounding light when collecting VIN codes.

[0040] The back of the housing 100 is also equipped with VIN code acquisition supplementary lighting, consisting of two supplementary lighting strips 280, which provide supplementary lighting for the left and right camera shooting areas 252 and 262, respectively. Each supplementary lighting strip 280 consists of three segments: one segment is located between the laser emitter 270 and the acquisition camera, parallel to the line connecting the centers of the left and right cameras 250 and 260 (first parallel light strip); another segment is located below the acquisition camera, outside the bracket 120, and extends to the edge of the housing 100, also parallel to the line connecting the centers of the left and right cameras 250 and 260 (second parallel light strip); the third segment, an inclined portion (inclined light strip), connects the first and second parallel segments. All three segments of the supplementary lighting strip 280 are uniformly illuminated. When the bracket blade 121 is placed below the VIN code character line 304, the supplementary lighting strip 280 is positioned directly above the VIN code character line 304, with a consistent overall orientation. This effectively avoids shadows and enhances the supplementary lighting effect when acquiring the VIN code.

[0041] The housing 100 is equipped with a USB interface 206, a microphone 205, a speaker 207, a camera button 202, an antenna 108, and a power button 201.

[0042] The housing 100 has a wrist strap hole 130 for easy carrying.

[0043] The core control module 210 is connected to the battery 204, screen 220, left camera 250, right camera 260, laser emitter 270, fill light strip 280, rear camera 240, flash 203, front camera 230, power button 201, shutter button 202, antenna 108, speaker 207, USB interface 206, and microphone 205 via the motherboard 200.

[0044] like Figure 5 As shown, when this device collects VIN codes, the user interface on screen 220 includes an upper adjustment area, a middle display area, and a lower operation area. The adjustment area has a fill light adjustment button 221, which can also display the camera tilt angle 301 (α) in real time. The fill light adjustment button 221 can adjust the fill light on both sides and the center fill light separately. The display area can simultaneously display the left camera shooting area 252, the right camera shooting area 262, and the laser cursor 271 located in the center. The operation area includes an APP camera button 222 and a voice recognition button 223.

[0045] like Figure 6As shown, when VIN code needs to be collected, the bracket 120 is first opened, which is perpendicular to the bottom surface of the housing 100, and will be reliably maintained in this state under the limiting structure of the hinge 110; click the collection APP on the screen 220, and the APP sends instructions to the left and right cameras 250 and 260, the fill light strip 280 and the laser emitter 270 through the core control module 210. At this time, the left and right cameras 250 and 260 are started to collect images; the fill light strip 280 is started to provide collection fill light to the VIN code character line 304; the laser emitter 270 is started to emit a cross laser cursor 271, and the built-in algorithm starts to calculate the camera tilt angle 301 (α) based on the characteristics of the cross laser cursor 271. Place the two bracket blades 121 at the bottom of the bracket 120 under the VIN code character line 304 to be collected, with the bracket 120 and the VIN code character line 304 nearly parallel. The bracket blades 121 facilitate good contact between the bracket 120 and the surface being photographed. Adjust the position of the two bracket blades 121 appropriately to ensure that the "+" laser cursor 271 emitted by the laser emitter 270 falls exactly on the VIN code character line 304 to be collected. At this time, the VIN code character line 304 will be in the center area of ​​the images captured by the left and right camera perspectives 251 and 261, respectively. The upper right corner of the APP will display the camera tilt angle 301 (α) of the inspection terminal at this time. When the inspection terminal rotates appropriately around the straight line where the two blades are located, the camera tilt angle 301 (α) displayed in the upper right corner of the APP will change accordingly, so that the inspector can take pictures and collect data at the most comfortable angle according to the specific spatial conditions of the vehicle, and remind the inspector to prevent the camera tilt angle 301 (α) from exceeding the normal collection angle range.At this point, press the APP camera button 222 on the APP interface (or the camera button 202 on the terminal; or press the voice recognition button 223 on the APP interface and say "take a picture" to the verification terminal). The left and right cameras 250 and 260 will respectively take pictures of the areas on both sides of the VIN code character line 304 with and without laser cursors, and transmit them to the core control module 210. The built-in algorithm in the core control module 210 will calculate the distance h from the camera to the center position of the cursor on the shooting surface (vertical distance 303 from the camera to the shooting area) based on the characteristics of the laser cursor 271. The straight line where the bracket height 302 (H) and the two blades of the bracket 120 are located is parallel to the left and right cameras 250 and 260. The distance 304(d) between the center of the shooting area 0 is a constant. Based on the image with laser cursor 271, the camera tilt angle 301(α) between the high-definition acquisition camera and the shooting plane where the VIN code character line 304 is located can be calculated. The built-in algorithm in the core control module 210 performs distortion correction, restoration, splicing, and cropping on the image without cursor based on the camera tilt angle 301(α) and the character characteristics of the overlapping part of the left and right photos without cursor (shooting overlap area 300). Finally, a 1:1 restored VIN code character line image that conforms to the national standard is cropped out and transmitted to the APP for display on the screen 220 for the inspector to perform further processing.

[0046] This embodiment has all or part of the following beneficial effects (some of which are implemented by software and do not affect the scope of protection of this utility model):

[0047] 1. This multi-functional inspection terminal organically integrates inspection PDA and visual inspection technology. While possessing the general functions of an inspection PDA, it maintains relative stability when collecting VIN codes via a foldable stand. Through a laser emitter, left and right acquisition cameras, and built-in algorithms, it achieves 1:1 VIN code acquisition for motor vehicles. This eliminates the need for frequent switching of inspection equipment or tools during the entire vehicle inspection process, greatly simplifying the process for inspectors and improving inspection efficiency.

[0048] 2. This multi-functional inspection terminal is small in size and can collect VIN codes in various complex scenarios of motor vehicles, with a high direct collection rate.

[0049] 3. This multi-functional inspection terminal can realize real-time data collection and real-time local data processing, no longer relying on uploading servers for data processing, greatly shortening the time for collecting and entering VIN codes.

[0050] 4. This multi-functional inspection terminal collects comprehensive and accurate information, enabling real-time information entry and facilitating subsequent information management.

[0051] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vehicle inspection device supporting VIN code information collection, comprising a housing, a core control module and a battery inside the housing, a screen on the front of the housing, a camera and a laser emitter for VIN code information collection on the back of the housing, the core control module being connected to the screen, the camera and the laser emitter, characterized in that; It also includes a bracket and a limiting structure. The bracket is connected to the back of the housing via a hinge, and the limiting structure is connected to the housing or the hinge. When the bracket is folded, it fits against the back of the housing. When the bracket is opened, the limiting structure keeps the bracket and the housing at a fixed angle.

2. The vehicle inspection device supporting VIN code information collection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The back of the housing has a groove, and the bracket is located in the groove when folded.

3. A vehicle inspection device supporting VIN code information collection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the bracket is provided with at least two bracket blades.

4. A vehicle inspection device supporting VIN code information collection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing is also provided with one or more of the following components: flash, fill light, photo button, power button, front camera and rear camera.

5. A vehicle inspection device supporting VIN code information collection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The laser emitter is located in the middle of the housing. The camera includes a left camera and a right camera, which are located on both sides of the laser emitter. When the laser emitter is working, it emits a laser cursor. The central axis of the shooting area of ​​the left camera and the right camera is on the same straight line as the laser cursor.

6. A vehicle inspection device supporting VIN code information collection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The back of the housing is also provided with a supplementary light, which is a supplementary light strip. The supplementary light strip includes a first parallel light strip, which is connected to an inclined light strip. The inclined light strip is connected to a second parallel light strip. The second parallel light strip and the first parallel light strip are parallel to each other but not on the same straight line.

7. A vehicle inspection device supporting VIN code information collection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screen is a touchscreen.

8. A vehicle inspection device supporting VIN code information collection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing is equipped with a USB interface, a microphone, and a speaker.

9. A vehicle inspection device supporting VIN code information collection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing has a wristband hole.

10. A vehicle inspection device supporting VIN code information collection according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screen has a home button, a function button, and a back button on one side.

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