Vehicle identification based on an image

• US 8,798,324 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2012
• Issued: 08/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Original Assignee: eBay Inc.
• Inventors: Conradt, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): AZARIAN, SEYED H
• Application Number:
  US13/677,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20140133706A1
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• Field of Search: 382/100, 382/103, 382106-107, 382/156, 382/162, 382/168, 382/173, 382/181, 382/206, 382/209, 382/219, 382/224, 382/232, 382/254, 382/274, 382/276, 382/286, 382/291, 382/305, 382/312, 382/104, 382/105, 701/1, 701/29.6, 705/26.4, 705/26, 455/418
• US Class Current: 382/104
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/24 Classification techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30268 Vehicle interior
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/73 using feature-based methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/59 inside of a vehicle, e.g. relating to seat occupancy, driver state or inner lighting conditions
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/02 Recognising information on displays, dials, clocks
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/08 Detecting or categorising vehicles

Abstract

A machine may be configured as a vehicle identification machine to identify a model of a vehicle based on an image that depicts a dashboard of the vehicle. As configured, the machine may receive an image of the dashboard, where the image depicts a layout of instrumentation within the dashboard. The machine may identify the layout of instrumentation by processing the image. For example, the machine may process the image by determining a position of an instrument within the layout of instrumentation, determining an outline of instrument, or both. The machine may access a data record that correlates a model of the vehicle with the identified layout of instrumentation and, based on the data record, identify the model of the vehicle. The machine may then provide a notification that references the vehicle, references the identified model of the vehicle, or references both.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a reception module configured to receive a first image of a dashboard of a vehicle and receive a second image that depicts a license number of the vehicle, the first image depicting a layout of instrumentation within the dashboard of the vehicle;

a dashboard module configured to identify the layout of instrumentation depicted in the first image by processing the image of the dashboard of the vehicle, the processing of the first image including determining an outline of an instrument within the layout of instrumentation, the identifying of the layout being based on the outline of the instrument;

a correlation module configured to;

access a first data record that correlates a model of the vehicle with the layout of instrumentation within the dashboard of the vehicle; and

access a second data record that correlates the license number of the vehicle with a vehicle identification number of the vehicle;

a processor configured by an identification module to identify the model of the vehicle based on the first data record that correlates the model of the vehicle with the layout of instrumentation depicted in the first image; and

a notification module configured to provide a notification that references the vehicle, the vehicle identification number of the vehicle, and the identified model of the vehicle.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the dashboard module is configured to process the first image by determining a position of the instrument within the layout of instrumentation; and

the identification module configures the processor to identify the layout of instrumentation based on the position of the instrument within the layout of instrumentation.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein:

the first image depicts the instrument in a position within the layout of instrumentation;

the first data record correlates the model of the vehicle with the position of the instrument within the layout of instrumentation; and

the identification module configures the processor to identify the model of the vehicle based on the instrument being in the position within the layout of instrumentation.

4. A method comprising:

receiving a first image of a dashboard of a vehicle,

the first image depicting a layout of instrumentation within the dashboard of the vehicle;

identifying the layout of instrumentation depicted in the first image by processing the first image of the dashboard of the vehicle, the processing of the first image including determining an outline of an instrument within the layout of instrumentation, the identifying of the layout being based on the outline of the instrument;

accessing a first data record that correlates a model of the vehicle with the layout of instrumentation within the dashboard of the vehicle;

identifying the model of the vehicle based on the first data record that correlates the model of the vehicle with the layout of instrumentation depicted in the first image,

the identifying of the model being performed by a processor of a machine;

receiving a second image that depicts a license number of the vehicle;

accessing a second data record that correlates the license number of the vehicle with a vehicle identification number of the vehicle; and

providing a notification that references the vehicle, the vehicle identification number of the vehicle, and the identified model of the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the processing of the first image includes determining a position of the instrument within the layout of instrumentation; and

the identifying of the layout of instrumentation is based on the position of the instrument within the layout of instrumentation.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the first image depicts the instrument in a position within the layout of instrumentation;

the first data record correlates the model of the vehicle with the position of the instrument within the layout of instrumentation; and

the identifying of the model of the vehicle is based on the instrument being in the position within the layout of instrumentation.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein:

the instrument is selected from a group consisting of a speedometer, an odometer, a tachometer, a fuel gauge, a coolant temperature gauge, an oil pressure gauge, a headlight indicator, a turn signal indicator, a transmission indicator, and an open door indicator.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the first image depicts an odometer within the dashboard of the vehicle;

the method further comprises determining a mileage of the vehicle based on the first image that depicts the odometer within the dashboard of the vehicle; and

the providing of the notification provides the notification with a reference to the mileage determined based on the image that depicts the odometer.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the providing of the notification provides the notification with a reference to a maintenance procedure that corresponds to the mileage and the model of the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the providing of the notification provides the notification with a reference to a replaceable part that corresponds to the mileage and the model of the vehicle.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the first data record correlates a year of the vehicle with the layout of instrumentation; and

the providing of the notification provides the notification with a reference to the year of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the providing of the notification provides the notification with a reference to a maintenance procedure that corresponds to the year and the model of the vehicle.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the providing of the notification provides the notification with a reference to a replaceable part that corresponds to the year and the model of the vehicle.

14. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

receiving a further image that depicts the vehicle identification number of the vehicle.

15. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the first image is received as part of a request that the vehicle be listed for sale; and

the providing of the notification provides a recommendation that a maintenance procedure be performed prior to a sale of the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the first image received as part of a request for information on the vehicle being listed for sale; and

the providing of the notification provides a recommendation that a maintenance procedure be performed prior to a purchase of the vehicle.

17. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

receiving a first image of a dashboard of a vehicle,

the first image depicting a layout of instrumentation within the dashboard of the vehicle;

identifying the layout of instrumentation depicted in the first image by processing the first image of the dashboard of the vehicle, the processing of the first image including determining an outline of an instrument within the layout of instrumentation, the identifying of the layout being based on the outline of the instrument;

accessing a first data record that correlates a model of the vehicle with the layout of instrumentation within the dashboard of the vehicle;

identifying the model of the vehicle based on the first data record that correlates the model of the vehicle with the layout of instrumentation depicted in the first image,

the identifying of the model being performed by the one or more processors of the machine; and

providing a notification that references the vehicle, the vehicle identification number of the vehicle, and the identified model of the vehicle.