Multi-view Vehicle Damage Detection via Neural Network Analysis

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle inspection methods are manual, time-intensive, and prone to variability due to human expertise, leading to inconsistent damage detection and potential financial losses in insurance claims and vehicle transactions.

Innovation Solution

A system that captures multi-view image data of a vehicle using calibrated cameras or user-operated cameras, analyzing the data with neural networks to detect damage automatically, independent of the operator's expertise, and presents damage estimates in a standardized format.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual inspection methods are used, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but inspection time increases and consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection speedVSAvoidinspection consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical inspection with an automated optical system using calibrated cameras and neural network-based image analysis. The system captures multi-view images of vehicle undercarriages and uses machine learning algorithms to automatically detect damage, eliminating human variability while maintaining high inspection speed and consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection system performs self-assessment through automated damage detection algorithms that independently analyze captured images without requiring human intervention. The neural network model automatically identifies and classifies damage types, allowing the system to serve itself in making inspection decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If automated damage detection is implemented, then inspection consistency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage detection consistencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the inspection system into modular components: calibrated camera systems for image capture, preprocessing modules for image enhancement, neural network models for damage detection, and output generation systems. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and maintained, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high detection consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces calibrated cameras as intermediary devices that bridge the physical vehicle undercarriage and the digital analysis system. The calibration process creates a standardized intermediate representation that simplifies subsequent image analysis and reduces complexity in the detection algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If multi-view image capture is used, then damage detection accuracy improves, but data processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage detection accuracyVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-calibrating camera systems and pre-training neural network models before actual inspection. The calibration data and trained models are stored and reused, eliminating the need to perform these time-consuming operations during each inspection, thus reducing processing time while maintaining high accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic calibration and model updating routines that occur at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. This approach maintains detection accuracy through regular system validation while minimizing the time impact on routine inspections by performing intensive processing only periodically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20220254008A1Multi-view interactive digital media representation capture
Publication Date: 2022.08.11 FUSION INC
  • US20220254008A1 patent drawing
  • US20220254008A1 patent drawing
  • US20220254008A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Images of an object may be captured by cameras located at fixed locations in space as the object travels through the cameras' fields of view. A three-dimensional model of the object may be determined using the images. A portion of the object that has been damaged may be identified based on the three-dimensional model and the images. A damage map of the object illustrating the portion of the object that has been damaged may be generated.