SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATIC VEHICLE IMAGING

• US 20160173740A1
• Filed: 12/10/2015
• Published: 06/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cox Automotive, Inc. (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cox Automotive, Inc. (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Inventors: Corby, J.R., Warpool, Julie, Hensman, John, Agee, Josh
• Granted Patent: US 10,963,749 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/301 combining image information with other obstacle sensor information, e.g. using RADAR/LIDAR/SONAR sensors for estimating risk of collision
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 39/024 of the remote controlled vehicle type, i.e. RPV
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/30 for imaging, photography or videography
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/08 around a vertical axis , e.g. panoramic heads F16M11/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2014 around a vertical axis F16M11/2035 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/2085 comprising means allowing sideward adjustment, i.e. left-right translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/26 by telescoping, with or without folding details concerning the constructional features of telescoping parts only F16B7/10
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 13/027 Ceiling supports
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/867 Combination of radar systems with cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/06 Systems determining position data of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/689 Pointing payloads towards fixed or moving targets positioning towed, pushed or suspended implements G05D1/672
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2105/80 for information gathering, e.g. for academic research
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2107/95 Interior or surroundings of another vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2109/10 Land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 2109/254 Flying platforms, e.g. multicopters
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/24 Classification techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/60 Control of cameras or camera modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/64 Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/222 Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors, or control thereof H04N23/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for automatic vehicle imaging. Example embodiments may include cameras configured to capture images and/or video. Cameras may be coupled to booms and/or unmanned vehicles, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles. Example methods may include determining a camera path for a vehicle, wherein the camera path is a path to be followed by a camera while the camera captures images or video of the vehicle, positioning the camera at the starting position, and capturing a first image or video segment of the vehicle using the camera. The example method may include associating the first image or video segment with a first description, moving the camera to a second position along the camera path, capturing a second image or video segment of the vehicle, and associating the second image or video segment with a second description.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a camera;

at least one memory that stores computer-executable instructions;

at least one processor configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to;

identify a vehicle;

determine a camera path for the vehicle based at least in part on the identified vehicle, wherein the camera path is a path to be followed by a camera while the camera captures images or video of the vehicle, the camera path comprising a starting position with a vehicle separation distance indicative of a first distance the camera is to be separated from the vehicle at the starting position;

position the camera at the starting position;

orient the camera at a first orientation relative to the vehicle;

capture a first image or video segment of the vehicle using the camera;

move the camera to a second position along the camera path;

orient the camera to a second orientation at the second position relative to the vehicle;

capture a second image or video segment of the vehicle; and

send the first image or video segment and the second image or video segment to a server.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a telescoping boom coupled to the camera, the telescoping boom comprising a first telescoping member and a second telescoping member;

wherein the first telescoping member is rotatably coupled to the second telescoping member, and wherein the camera is mounted on the second telescoping member.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

a lighting assembly mounted on the telescoping boom;

a ceiling mount coupled to the telescoping boom, the ceiling mount comprising a ceiling mount joint configured to rotate with respect to the ceiling mount, wherein the telescoping boom is rotatably coupled to the ceiling mount joint, such that the boom is configured to swivel with respect to the ceiling mount; and

a drive motor coupled to the boom and configured to control movement of the first telescoping member, the second telescoping member, the camera, and swiveling of the boom;

wherein the camera is moved along the camera path via the boom.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising:

an unmanned ground vehicle comprising a drive motor, the unmanned ground vehicle configured to drive on a ground surface and to guide the camera along the camera path;

wherein the boom is coupled to the unmanned ground vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second video segments comprise a continuous video.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the camera is configured to rotate with respect to the second telescoping member.

7. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an unmanned aerial vehicle coupled to the camera, the unmanned aerial vehicle configured to guide the camera along the camera path.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

determine a location of the vehicle; and

determine vehicle dimensions of the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to position the camera at the starting position by:

determining a distance between the camera and the vehicle using a sensor; and

moving the camera until the distance is equal to the vehicle separation distance.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the camera path further comprises a first elevation at the starting point and a second elevation at the second position, and wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

cause the camera to move from the first elevation at the starting point to the second elevation at the second position.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause the camera to move from the first elevation at the starting point to the second elevation at the second position by:

moving the camera from the first elevation to the second elevation using propellers of an unmanned aerial aircraft; and

adjusting an angle of the camera with respect to the vehicle based at least in part on a change in elevation from the first elevation to the second elevation.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera is in constant motion about the camera path from the starting point until the camera has completed the camera path.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive position data from a sensor;

receive orientation data from the sensor;

determine that the camera is positioned at an incorrect position relative to the vehicle based at least in part on the position data and the orientation data; and

cause the camera to adjust a position of the camera and an orientation of the camera to correspond to a correct position relative to the vehicle.

14. A method comprising:

identifying, by one or more computer processors coupled to at least one memory, a vehicle;

determining a camera path for the vehicle based at least in part on the identified vehicle, wherein the camera path is a path to be followed by a camera while the camera captures images or video of the vehicle, the camera path comprising a starting position with a vehicle separation distance indicative of a first distance the camera is to be separated from the vehicle at the starting position;

positioning the camera at the starting position;

capturing a first image or video segment of the vehicle using the camera;

associating the first image or video segment with a first description;

moving the camera to a second position along the camera path;

capturing a second image or video segment of the vehicle;

associating the second image or video segment with a second description; and

sending the first image or video segment and the second image or video segment to a server.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein positioning the camera at the starting position comprises:

determining a distance between the camera and the vehicle using a sensor; and

moving the camera until the distance is equal to the vehicle separation distance.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein moving the camera to the second position along the camera path comprises operating a boom attached to the camera.

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining a location of the vehicle; and

determining vehicle dimensions of the vehicle.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the camera path further comprises a first elevation at the starting point and a second elevation at the second position, the method further comprising:

moving the camera from the first elevation at the starting point to the second elevation at the second position.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein moving the camera from the first elevation at the starting point to the second elevation at the second position comprises:

moving the camera from the first elevation to the second elevation using propellers of an unmanned aerial aircraft; and

adjusting an angle of the camera with respect to the vehicle based at least in part on a change in elevation from the first elevation to the second elevation.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the camera is in constant motion about the camera path from the starting point until the camera has completed the camera path.