EXAMINING DEFECTS

• US 20170084015A1
• Filed: 05/18/2015
• Published: 03/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pre-Chasm Research Limited
• Original Assignee: Pre-Chasm Research Limited
• Inventors: Rhoades, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 10,402,957 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10004 Still image; Photographic image
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0002 Inspection of images, e.g. flaw detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/06 Recognition of objects for industrial automation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00307 with a mobile telephone apparatus constructional features of portable telephone sets H04M1/0202; mobile radio systems H04W84/00

Abstract

A method of analysing a defect comprising analysing a digital image of the defect on a portable device using software contained in the device or an associated processor by virtue of a downloaded app. The method can be used for glass, for example, windscreen defects, in automobiles, for bodywork defects and for alloy wheel scuffs. The app can send details to a repair facility to get a quote for repair.

Claims

1. A method of analysing a defect comprising analysing a digital image of the defect on a portable device using software contained in the device or in an associated processor by virtue of a downloaded app.

2. A method according to claim 1, in which the device comprises a smartphone.

3. A method according to claim 2, in which the smartphone is used to form the image using a built-in camera.

4. A method according to claim 2, in which the smartphone is used in conjunction with a near field communication equipped digital camera, which can form the image and transfer it to the smartphone.

5. A method according to claim 2, in which the smartphone comprise a data processing facility, by virtue of the app, that carries out the analysis.

6. A method according to claim 2, in which the smartphone transfers the image to an external processor for analysis and recording, and such external processor copies the result of such analysis to the smartphone.

7. A method according to claim 1, in which image analysis involves determination of features of the defect, such as its size, shape and depth.

8. A method according to claim 7, adapted for a glass defect, in which image analysis involves assessment of the defect'"'"'s proximity to the edge of the glass, and, particularly in the case of a windscreen, its location in relation to the driver'"'"'s line of vision.

9. A method according to claim 8, in which analysis of images taken at different times can indicate whether a defect is changing, a crack, for example, growing.

10. A method according to claim 8, in which the analysis assesses a windscreen defect against one or more of the following criteria:

will the defect not fit entirely within a circle of diameter 28 mm?

is the edge of the circle less than 30 mm from the edge of the screen?

does the defect fit entirely within a circle of diameter 10 mm and in the driver'"'"'s line of vision?

11. A method according to claim 10, in which the app includes such functionality as will carry out the necessary image processing and assessment against the criteria and, on a determination that the defect is repairable, or that the glass should be replaced, communicate the same, with details of the vehicle, its location (which may be GPS-based), its insurer an any other relevant information, to a repair/replace service to initiate a call-out.

12. A method according to claim 1, in which the size of a defect is assessed from a smartphone touch screen image by tracing the defect image with a finger or a tracer stylus.