Vehicle Photographic Booth Lighting and Camera Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle photographic systems are not well-suited for high-volume vehicle sales, as they are labor-intensive and costly, and fail to effectively control reflections, making it difficult to discern surface imperfections and defects like scratches and dents in vehicle surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle photographic booth with cameras mounted in planar walls and a ceiling, featuring a semicircular pattern of lighting elements that sweep across the vehicle surface, allowing for automated image capture and blending to reveal surface defects and imperfections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a studio configuration with additive or subtractive lighting is used, then high quality reflection-free images are produced, but the process is time-consuming and not amenable to high throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent lighting elements arranged in a semicircular pattern, allowing selective illumination of different vehicle surfaces. The camera system is similarly segmented with multiple cameras positioned at different angles, enabling parallel capture of multiple vehicle aspects simultaneously, thus increasing throughput while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting elements are made dynamic by allowing selective activation of different lighting elements based on the vehicle position and desired surface illumination. The system dynamically adjusts which lighting elements are active to create optimal reflection-free conditions for different vehicle surfaces, maintaining high image quality while reducing overall processing time.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual photographing is performed to capture vehicle images from multiple perspectives, then high quality images are obtained, but labor intensity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically capturing images of multiple vehicle aspects simultaneously through the array of cameras positioned at different angles. The automated system eliminates the need for manual repositioning and recollation of images, reducing labor intensity while maintaining comprehensive vehicle documentation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple camera viewpoints and lighting configurations are merged into a single coordinated system that captures comprehensive vehicle images simultaneously. The system combines multiple perspectives and lighting conditions in one automated operation, eliminating the need for separate manual photographing sessions from different angles.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional lighting arrangements are used, then standard illumination is provided, but surface imperfections and defects are difficult to discern
Solution Approach 1:
Different lighting elements in the semicircular arrangement provide localized illumination optimized for specific vehicle surfaces. Each lighting element can be independently controlled to create optimal lighting conditions for detecting surface defects on particular vehicle aspects, enhancing the ability to discern imperfections while maintaining overall illumination coverage.
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
Enables rapid, high-quality image capture from multiple angles, reducing physical fatigue and increasing throughput, allowing for remote inspection and improved detection of surface defects, enabling efficient online vehicle sales and auctions.
Implementation Method 1
reflection free images are critical to be able to discern surface imperfections, scratches, and dents on a vehicle surface
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for photographing a vehicle are disclosed. A photographic tool is employed to produce real-time blending of a series of images of a static object where each of the individual images are illuminated under a different lighting condition with respect to the vehicle. The achieved effect is similar to what is experienced when looking at a painted surface from different perspectives. For example, paint problems, sheen differences, scratches, dents, and small dings may be visible when the vehicle is lit from a specific or correct angle.