Mobile Vehicle View Capture with Machine Learning Damage Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of obtaining target views of a vehicle for sale, such as front, side, and interior views, is time-intensive and requires precise movement around the vehicle, and existing methods lack efficiency in identifying and assessing damage using conventional image capture and analysis.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device-based system that generates a video stream while moving around the vehicle, using machine learning models to identify and label target views and detect damage, allowing for automated and efficient capture of vehicle images and damage assessment through user input and augmented reality integration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional image capture methods are used to obtain target views of a vehicle, then the views can be captured for sale descriptions, but the process is time-intensive and requires precise movement around the vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of obtaining vehicle viewsVSAvoidtime required to capture target views

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of manually positioning a camera around a vehicle with an automated video stream analysis system. Machine learning models automatically process video frames to identify and extract target views, eliminating the need for precise manual movement and significantly reducing the time required to capture all necessary vehicle angles and perspectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If conventional image capture methods are used, then vehicle views can be obtained, but the process lacks efficiency in identifying and assessing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of damage detectionVSAvoidefficiency of damage assessment

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual damage inspection with automated machine learning-based image analysis. The system processes video frames to automatically detect and assess damage, providing both high precision in identification and improved productivity through automated processing of multiple vehicle views simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a mobile device moves around the vehicle to capture views, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage of vehicle viewsVSAvoidcomplexity of capture process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the mobile device perform multiple functions: capturing video streams, processing frames through machine learning models, identifying target views, and assessing damage. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate processes and devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive view coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11393191B2Method and system for obtaining vehicle target views from a video stream

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 NTH GEN SOFTWARE INC

AI summary

A system and method for obtaining target views of a vehicle is disclosed. A seller of a vehicle may seek to obtain one or more target views of the vehicle. To obtain the target views, the user may use a smartphone with an app that accesses the video stream while the user walks around or inside the vehicle. When the app identifies a frame in the video stream as one of the target views sought, the app tags the frame as an image of one of the target views. Further, the user may provide additional input, such as voice input (as part of the video stream) or manual taps on the touchscreen of the smartphone. The additional input may be used for damage assessment or sentiment analysis of the vehicle.