Vehicle Exterior Scanning System with Multi-Angle Camera Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current car rental and car sharing services rely on manual or photographic methods to detect exterior vehicle damage, leading to inaccuracies and potential disputes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for automatically scanning the exterior of a vehicle using a support structure with positioned cameras and sensors, which acquire and analyze multiple vehicle exterior images to determine if the vehicle is damaged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual or direct photographic methods are used to detect exterior vehicle damage, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and reliability of damage detection are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning system is divided into multiple independent photographing devices positioned at different locations (front, rear, left, right sides), each capturing specific portions of the vehicle exterior. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage while maintaining modular device architecture, resolving the contradiction between detection precision and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from two-dimensional photographic capture to three-dimensional spatial mapping by positioning photographing devices at multiple elevated and lateral positions around the vehicle. This multi-dimensional approach enables accurate detection of exterior damage while distributing system complexity across multiple simplified sensor units.
2Productivity
If automated scanning systems with multiple photographing devices are deployed, then the measurement precision and productivity of damage detection improve, but the device complexity and loss of time for vehicle processing increase
Solution Approach 1:
Photographing devices are pre-positioned at optimal locations around the vehicle exterior before scanning begins. The system captures all necessary images during the vehicle's entry or exit movement, eliminating the need for sequential manual inspection and maximizing productivity without extending processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning system operates continuously during the vehicle's passage through the scanning area, capturing images at multiple positions simultaneously as the vehicle moves. This continuous capture process ensures complete exterior documentation in a single pass, improving productivity while minimizing time loss compared to stop-and-inspect methods.
3Reliability
If multiple photographing devices are positioned around the vehicle, then the measurement precision and completeness of exterior imaging improve, but the device complexity and cost of the scanning system increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each photographing device is designed as a universal unit capable of capturing images from its specific position angle. Multiple identical or standardized devices are deployed around the vehicle, reducing system complexity through component standardization while maintaining high detection reliability through comprehensive coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple photographing devices into a coordinated scanning network controlled by a single control unit. This integration allows centralized management of multiple sensors, processing their outputs collectively to achieve high detection reliability while presenting a unified, manageable system interface that reduces operational complexity.
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
The system provides accurate and efficient detection of exterior vehicle damage, reducing the likelihood of disputes and improving the efficiency of service operations.
Implementation Method 1
a vehicle position detection device including one or more sensors for detecting a position of the vehicle entering the front of the support structure or exiting the rear of the support structure
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for scanning the exterior of a vehicle, and a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for performing the method are disclosed. The system for scanning the exterior of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a support structure that is disposed so that the vehicle enters a front thereof and exits a rear thereof and includes a left support portion, a right support portion, and an upper support portion, a vehicle position detection device including one or more sensors for detecting a position of the vehicle entering the front of the support structure or exiting the rear of the support structure, a left photographing device disposed on the left support portion to photograph the vehicle, a right photographing device disposed on the right support portion to photograph the vehicle, an upper photographing device disposed on the upper support portion to photograph the vehicle, and a controller configured to control the left photographing device, the right photographing device, and the upper photographing device based on detection information from the vehicle position detection device to acquire plurality of vehicle exterior images.