System and method of automated 3D scanning for vehicle maintenance
First Claim
1. A method of determining a mechanical status of a vehicle, said vehicle comprising an automobile with a plurality of mechanical components at different positions on said vehicle, at least some of said mechanical components having visible component surfaces, method comprising:
- using at least one mobile 3D scanner to scan these visible component surfaces and positions, thereby producing 3D scanner output data of at least some of these visible component surfaces and positions;
said at least one mobile 3D scanner configured to be automatically positioned on a robotic arm under processor control, near a plurality of said mechanical components during said scan so that the positions and orientations of said at least one mobile 3D scanner can be automatically determined during said scan;
using at least one computer processor to analyze said 3D scanner output data versus a computer database of comparative 3D scan data, said comparative 3D scan data comprising at least one of 3D scans of similar or identical vehicles in both ideal and previously identified aberrant states, or 3D models of the similar or identical vehicles in both ideal and previously identified aberrant states;
further inputting the identity of said vehicle into said computer database, and linking said identity with said 3D scanner output data;
using said at least one computer processor and image recognition software to determine differences between said 3D scanner output data, and said comparative 3D scan data, thereby determining and flagging those said plurality mechanical components that match one or more previously identified aberrant states;
and storing or outputting vehicle identified data pertaining to at least those flagged mechanical components.
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Abstract
System and method for using automated 3D scans to diagnose the mechanical status of substantially intact vehicles. One or more processor controlled 3D scanners utilize optical and other methods to assess the exposed surfaces of various vehicle components. Computer vision and other computerized pattern recognition techniques then compare the 3D scanner output versus a reference computer database of these various vehicle components in various normal and malfunctioning states. Those components judged to be aberrant are flagged. These flagged components can be reported to the vehicle users, as well as various insurance or repair entities. In some embodiments, the 3D scans can be performed using time-of-flight cameras, and optionally infrared, stereoscopic, and even audio sensors attached to the processor controlled arm of a mobile robot. Much of the subsequent data analysis and management can be done using remote Internet servers.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of determining a mechanical status of a vehicle, said vehicle comprising an automobile with a plurality of mechanical components at different positions on said vehicle, at least some of said mechanical components having visible component surfaces, method comprising:
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using at least one mobile 3D scanner to scan these visible component surfaces and positions, thereby producing 3D scanner output data of at least some of these visible component surfaces and positions; said at least one mobile 3D scanner configured to be automatically positioned on a robotic arm under processor control, near a plurality of said mechanical components during said scan so that the positions and orientations of said at least one mobile 3D scanner can be automatically determined during said scan; using at least one computer processor to analyze said 3D scanner output data versus a computer database of comparative 3D scan data, said comparative 3D scan data comprising at least one of 3D scans of similar or identical vehicles in both ideal and previously identified aberrant states, or 3D models of the similar or identical vehicles in both ideal and previously identified aberrant states; further inputting the identity of said vehicle into said computer database, and linking said identity with said 3D scanner output data; using said at least one computer processor and image recognition software to determine differences between said 3D scanner output data, and said comparative 3D scan data, thereby determining and flagging those said plurality mechanical components that match one or more previously identified aberrant states; and storing or outputting vehicle identified data pertaining to at least those flagged mechanical components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of determining a mechanical status of a vehicle, said vehicle comprising an automobile with a plurality of mechanical components at different positions on said vehicle, at least some of said mechanical components having visible component surfaces, method comprising:
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using at least one mobile 3D scanner to scan these visible component surfaces and positions, thereby producing 3D scanner output data of at least some of these visible component surfaces and positions; said at least one mobile 3D scanner configured to be automatically positioned on a robotic arm under processor control, near a plurality of said mechanical components during said scan so that the positions and orientations of said at least one mobile 3D scanner can be automatically determined during said scan; using at least one computer processor to analyze said 3D scanner output data versus a computer database of comparative 3D scan data, said comparative 3D scan data comprising at least one of 3D scans of similar or identical vehicles in both ideal and previously identified aberrant states, or 3D models of the similar or identical vehicles in both ideal and previously identified aberrant states; further inputting the identity of said vehicle into said computer database, and linking said identity with said 3D scanner output data; using said at least one computer processor and image recognition software to determine differences between said 3D scanner output data, and said comparative 3D scan data, thereby determining and flagging those said plurality mechanical components that match one or more previously identified aberrant states; and storing vehicle identified data pertaining to at least those flagged mechanical components on at least one Internet server; further using said at least one Internet server to automatically transmit information pertaining to said vehicle identity and at least some of said flagged mechanical components to at least one computerized device associated with a vehicle repair or insurance facility; wherein said vehicle has an engine, and wherein said flagged mechanical components comprise vehicle engine components; using said at least one repair or insurance facility computerized device to transmit estimated repair costs or insurance authorization for at least some of said flagged mechanical components associated with said vehicle identity to said at least one Internet server and storing said estimated repair costs or insurance authorization in said at least one Internet server database; further using at least one computerized device to transmit a vehicle identity and status inquiry to said Internet server; wherein in response to said vehicle identity and status inquiry, further using said Internet server to associate said vehicle identity with said flagged mechanical components, and transmitting vehicle identity specific information pertaining to those flagged mechanical components and estimated repair costs or insurance authorization to said computerized device. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of using at least one Internet connected server comprising a computer database, at least one computer processor, and an Internet network connection to determine a mechanical status of a vehicle, said vehicle comprising an automobile with a plurality of mechanical components at different positions on said vehicle, at least some of said mechanical components having visible component surfaces, said method comprising:
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receiving, on said at least one Internet connected server, 3D scanner output data produced by at least one mobile 3D scanner that resulted from scanning at least some of said visible component surfaces and positions; further receiving, on said at least one Internet connected server, information pertaining to a vehicle identity of said vehicle; said vehicle identity comprising an automobile model year and type of automobile; using said at least one computer processor to analyze said 3D scanner output data versus a computer database of comparative 3D scan data, said comparative 3D scan data comprising at least one of 3D scans of similar or identical vehicles with an engine operating in both ideal and previously identified aberrant states, or 3D models of the of similar or identical vehicles with an engine operating in both ideal and previously identified aberrant states; using said at least one computer processor and image recognition software to determine differences between said 3D scanner output data, and said comparative 3D scan data, thereby determining and flagging those said mechanical components that match one or more previously identified aberrant states; and using said at least one Internet connected server to store or transmit vehicle identified data pertaining to at least those mechanical components that match said one or more previously identified aberrant states. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification