Damage Scene VR Visualization With Annotations for Accurate Loss Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for describing damage events, such as automobile accidents or household fires, rely on inconsistent witness statements and 2D pictures, making it difficult for insurance companies and repair services to accurately determine the cause of damage or recreate the scene.

Innovation Solution

The use of virtual reality (VR) visualizations augmented with annotations, including graphics, text, and video, to accurately portray the damage scene and circumstances, allowing individuals to visualize the event from multiple perspectives and determine damage amounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional 2D pictures and witness statements are used to describe damage events, then the documentation process is simple and quick, but the accuracy and completeness of the damage scene representation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of damage scene representationVSAvoidcomplexity of visualization system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from 2D pictures to 360-degree immersive multimedia images, adding a dimensional aspect that captures the complete spatial environment. This allows viewers to experience the damage scene from multiple angles and perspectives, significantly improving accuracy while the automated processing keeps system complexity manageable

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual reality copies of the actual damage scene by capturing immersive multimedia images and annotating them with contextual information. These digital replicas preserve the original scene's characteristics while allowing for enhanced visualization and analysis without requiring physical reconstruction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If multiple witness statements and pictures taken at different times are collected, then more information is gathered, but the consistency and reliability of the damage scene reconstruction deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsistency of damage scene reconstructionVSAvoidinformation inconsistency across sources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs annotation and contextualization of immersive multimedia images while the damage scene is still fresh and accessible. By capturing 360-degree images at the actual scene location and immediately annotating them with relevant information, the system preserves accurate temporal and spatial data before conditions change, ensuring consistency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary annotation layer that connects the raw immersive multimedia images with contextual information about the damage event. This annotation structure serves as a mediator that organizes and reconciles information from multiple sources, maintaining consistency through standardized data representation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If detailed annotations and multiple perspectives are added to VR visualizations, then the understanding of damage circumstances is enhanced, but the time and resources required for visualization creation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of damage event informationVSAvoidtime for visualization creation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a selective annotation approach where only the most relevant portions of the immersive multimedia images are annotated with detailed information. By focusing annotation efforts on key damage areas and critical contextual elements rather than comprehensively annotating every detail, the system achieves sufficient information completeness while reducing processing time and resource requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS12555335B2Systems and methods for enhancing and developing accident scene visualizations
Publication Date: 2026.02.17 STATE FARM MUTAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
  • US12555335B2 patent drawing
  • US12555335B2 patent drawing
  • US12555335B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for enhancing and developing a damage scene virtual reality (VR) visualization. Annotated immersive multimedia image(s) may be received from a first user, where the annotated immersive multimedia image(s) can be associated with a damage scene. A VR visualization of the annotated immersive multimedia image(s) may be rendered using a VR device associated with a second user. The VR visualization may be used to determine a damage amount, where the damage amount is determined from one or more damaged items identifiable in the annotated immersive multimedia image(s).