VR Visualization of Damage Scenes Using Immersive Multimedia

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for describing damage events, such as witness statements and 2D pictures, often lack consistency and fail to provide a holistic understanding of the damage scene, making it difficult for insurance companies and repair services to determine the cause and extent of damage.

Innovation Solution

The use of virtual reality (VR) visualizations with annotations, including graphics, text, video, and other information, to recreate the damage scene from multiple perspectives, allowing for accurate portrayal of the timing and circumstances of the damage event.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional witness statements and 2D pictures are used to describe damage events, then the description method is simple and easy to implement, but the consistency and holistic understanding of the damage scene deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsistency of damage scene descriptionVSAvoidcomplexity of visualization system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from traditional 2D pictures to 360-degree immersive multimedia images, adding a spatial dimension to the damage scene documentation. This allows witnesses and adjusters to view the scene from multiple angles and perspectives, significantly improving consistency and holistic understanding while managing complexity through standardized capture procedures

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a virtual copy of the damage scene by capturing immersive multimedia images and annotating them with relevant information. This virtual replica can be viewed and analyzed by multiple parties without requiring them to physically visit the scene, maintaining consistency across all assessments while reducing the complexity of coordination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If 2D pictures taken at different times are used, then the imaging process is quick and simple, but the ability to provide holistic understanding of the damage scene deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholistic understanding of damage sceneVSAvoidcomplexity of image capture system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs 360-degree cameras to capture immersive multimedia images that encompass the entire damage scene in a single capture, eliminating the need for multiple 2D pictures taken at different times. This comprehensive approach preserves all spatial information while the automated processing keeps the system manageable

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple data elements including immersive multimedia images, annotations, metadata, and witness statements into a single integrated virtual reality visualization. This merging of information sources provides complete holistic understanding while the integration is achieved through standardized protocols that control system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If inconsistent witness statements or pictures are used, then the data collection process remains simple, but the ability to understand timing, scenery, and circumstances deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of damage scene reconstructionVSAvoidcomplexity of data integration system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates an accurate virtual copy of the damage scene with embedded temporal and spatial metadata, allowing precise reconstruction of timing and circumstances. This virtual model serves as a single source of truth that eliminates inconsistencies while the automated metadata extraction keeps complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates multiple witness statements and annotations as feedback layers that can be compared and reconciled within the virtual reality visualization. This allows for iterative refinement of the damage scene understanding while the structured feedback mechanism controls the complexity of integrating multiple data sources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10956981B1Systems and methods for visualizing an accident scene
Publication Date: 2021.03.23 STATE FARM MUTAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
  • US10956981B1 patent drawing
  • US10956981B1 patent drawing
  • US10956981B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for annotating and visualizing a damage scene. In various aspects, one or more immersive multimedia images are generated and associated with a damage scene. The immersive multimedia image(s) may be augmented with annotation(s) to create annotated immersive multimedia image(s). The annotated immersive multimedia image(s) may be visualized using a using a virtual reality (VR) device, where the damage scene and the annotation(s) of the annotated immersive multimedia image(s) can be viewed via the VR device.