It is often desirable to acquire video images of objects, such as vehicles, for display on a website or similar. The video image is preferably captured via an automated video capturing arrangement in which a vehicle is suitably located in a studio having the required camera supports and tracks for automated movement of a camera around the vehicle. The automation provides for a reproducible viewing profile of vehicles, such as a profile in which specific features of the vehicle will be viewed at pre-defined times from preferred viewpoints. The reproducible nature of the video profile facilitates a subsequent automated processing of the video data whereby related commentary and/or annotations may be added to the video image, for example.

However, ii is net often practical or even possible to suitably remove a vehicle to such a studio to acquire the video image having the desired video profi!e. In these circumstances, it is necessary to acquire a video image manuaiiy using a hand-held video camera. However, the manual acquisition of the video image results in slight variations between video profiles of different videos with the result that it is often difficult to subsequently uniformly process the video images.

We have now devised a video image capture apparatus and method, In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided video

Image capture apparatus comprising a video camera for obtaining a video image of an object and a display for displaying the video Image, the apparatus further comprising a processor which is arranged to generate a sequence of representations of preferred views of at least a poriion of the object on the display concurrenlly with the video image, as the video image Is acquired, each representation comprising a fixed orientation and size relative to the display. In an embodiment, the representation of at least a portion of the object comprises an outline of the portion of the object and/or a set of markers aiignable with features of the object. The representations are preferably separately presented on the display as an overlay on the video image and the fixed size and orientation of the representations relative to the display provides the operator with an indication of the required zoom/camera-Gbjeet separation, when obtaining the video image, The representations further indicate to an operator of the camera the sequence of views of the object or portion thereof, which is required when capturing the video image.

Each representation of the sequence preferably comprises a preferred view of different, portions of the object and/or preferred views of the object from different viewpoints. The apparatus further comprises a repository of different representatioris of the object or portions thereof, and the sequence may comprise an operator specific sequence created by selecting the representations forming the sequence from the repository and suitably ordering the representations, In an embodiment, the processor is arranged to generate each representation of the sequence on the display at a pre-defined time, according to a timing arrangement. The timed display of the representatioris provide for a repeatable video image capture of the object. For example, in situations where the apparatus is used to capture a video image of a vehicle, then the representations may comprise a sequential presentation of an outline of the front right wheel, right side profile of the vehicle, rear profile of the vehicle, boot space and the like, such that the operator is restricted lo follow a predefined viewing path around the vehicle at a predefined rate, in order to generate a desired video image,.

The apparatus further comprises a timer and the processor is arranged to present the timer on the display to provide the operator with an indication of the time, during the acquisition of the video image, between display of consecutive representations of the sequence. For example, the timer may comprise a repeatable countdown to inciicate to the operator when the next representation mil be displayed, to give the operator sufficient time to reposition the video camera, in this respect, the timed sequence of representations provide an indication to the operator of the desired change in viewpoint of the object and thus the video profile. in an embodiment, the apparatus is further arranged to acquire static images of at least a portion of the object. The static images preferably correspond with the video image corresponding to the representations presented to the user a d the timer may he used to provide an indication to the operator of the time at which the static image Is to be acquired.

Alternatively, instead of presenting the representations on the display according to a particular timing arrangement, the representations may be displayed in accordance with an operator command. For example, it is envisaged that the display of the next representation in the sequence may be triggered by the operator via a peripheral input device, such as a mouse or via a touch sensitive area on the display. The next representation in the sequence may alternatively be displayed once the operator has acquired the static image corresponding to the currently displayed representation and in an embodiment, the acquisition of the static images may be obtained manually by the operator using the input device or pressing a touch sensitive area on the screen.

The apparatus further comprises an indicator for generating an Indication of the relative orientation of the video camera relative to the object in accordance with a signal from a gyroscope disposed within the camera, The indicator may comprise a visual indication of a pitch (forward-back tilt) or roll (side-to -side tilt) of the video camera relative to the object, in an embodiment, the indicator comprises a portion on the display which is arranged to generate a colour of a colour spectrum, the colours of the spectrum being representative of the degree of pitch and/or roll and thus the signal from the gyroscope. The portion of the display may comprise a peripheral border, whereby the colou of upper and/or lower sections of the border may be used to provide an indication of roil, whereas the colour of left and/or right side sections of the border may be used to provide an indication of pitch,

The apparatus further comprises a geographical positioning device disposed within the camera for determining the geographical locatiori of the camera. Preferably, the device is communicatively coupled with the processor.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of capturing a video image of an object, the method comprising:

- acquiring a video image of an object using a video camera;

■ ^■ displaying the video image of the object on a display;

- displaying a sequence of representations of preferred views of at least a portion of the object on the display concurrently with the video image, each representation comprising a fixed orientation relative to the display; and, moving the video camera relative to the object to align the representation with at least ihe portion of the object.

The method further comprises displaying the representations of ihe sequence in accordance with a pre-defined timing arrangement and moving the video camera relative to the object io align ihe representation with at least ihe portion of the object ai the corresponding time. Preferably, the method further comprises acquiring a static image of the at least a portion of the object corresponding to the representation at the respective time. in an alternative embodiment, the method comprises displaying the representations of the sequence in accordance with an operator command, such as a command via an input device.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises creating the sequence of representations by selecting the desired representations from a repository of representations arid suitabiy ordering the representations as required. This enables an operator of the camera to generate a bespoke sequence of representations for facilitating the capture of the video image of the object.

In a further embodiment, the method comprises selecting a pre-defined sequence of representations from an array of sequences, and this may be performed in dependence upon at least one of a geographical location of the video camera, an operator log-on procedure or manually by the operator.

The method may further comprise uploading the video image and the static images to a server for subsequent viewing across a network.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is schematic illustration of a video capture apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of the display of the apparatus illustrated In figure 1 , showing the indicator representing the till of the camera relative io the desired viewing orientation of the object; and,

Figure 3 is a flowchart sequencing the steps associated with a method according to an embodiment of the present Invention.

Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated video image capture apparatus 10 for acquiring a video image of an object. Iri order to clarify the operation of the apparatus, the foliowing description will make reference to the object being a vehicle 20, however the skilled reader will recognise that the apparatus Is not limited to use with vehicles and can be used to acquire a video image of any object.

The apparatus 10 comprises a video camera 1 1 , which may comprise a mobile telephone or tablet, and a display 12 communicatively coupled to the video camera via a wireless 13 or wired connection {not shown), for displaying the image being viewed by the camera 11 , The apparatus 10 further comprises a repository 14 of different representations of the vehicle 20 or portions thereof, each corresponding with a particular preferred view of the vehicle or portion thereof. The representations 3G (as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings) may comprise an outline of the vehicle 20 or the portion thereof, as viewed from the preferred view point, or an arrangement of markers which are aiignable with a corresponding set of features on the vehicle 20. In this respect, the representations 30 provide a set of reference points for suitably orientating arid positioning the camera 11 relative to the vehicle 20, when capturing the video image, The apparatus 10 further comprises a processor 15 communicatively coupled with the camera 1 , display 12 and repository 14, again via a wireless 13 or wired connection (not shown), which is arranged to generate a pre-defined sequence of the representations 30 on the display 12. The representations 30 are presented to the operator (not shown) of the camera 11 as an overlay on the video image and the orientation and size of the representations 30 are fixed relative to the display 12 so that the operator is required to suitably reposition the camera 1 1 in order to align the video image of the vehicle 20 or portion thereof, with the overlaid representation 30.

In an embodiment, the representations are presented on the display 2 according to a pre-defined timing arrangement and the timing of the display of the representations 30 is indicated to the operator using a timer 16, which may be generated on the display 12 by the processor 15, as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings. The timer 16 comprises a countdown to the display of the next representation of the sequence and enables the operator to suitable control the speed of movement of ihe camera 11 around the vehicle 20 when capturing the video image. At the start of the countdown, the representation 30 corresponding to the preferred view of the vehicle is presented to the operator on the dispiay 12 and the operator Is required to suitably position and orientate the camera 11 before the end of the countdown. Once the countdown reaches 0, a further representation 30 corresponding to a further preferred view of the vehicle 20 is presented on the display 12, to indicate the next orientation/position of the camera 11. The representations 30 thus provide reference points for the operator when capturing the video image, and by restricting the video image capture to the defined sequence, a reproducible video image profiie can be obtained. in a further embodiment, the apparatus 10 is further arranged to acquire static images of the vehicle 20 in addition to the video image. The static images comprise those video images displayed when the countdown reaches 0 seconds. For example, in situations where the timer 16 is arranged to countdown from 6 seconds, a static image ii! be acquired every 6 seconds. Si is envisaged that the acquisition of the static image may be automated or manually initiated by the operator via an input device 17, at the appropriate time in the countdown. The input device may comprise any conventional operator input device for enabling an operator to input suitable commands and data, and may comprise a mouse or a touch sensitive area (not shown) on the display 12 for example. in yet a further embodiment, instead of advancing the presentation of the representations 30 on the display 12 according to a timing arrangement, the display of the representations 30 may be triggered according to an operator command or signal via the input device 1 , Alternatively, the display of the representations 30 may be triggered by the operator acquiring a static image of the vehicle or portion thereof, corresponding to the displayed representation, it is also envisaged however, that the static images may be acquired using the input device 17and that the manual acquisition of each static Image causes the next representation of the sequence to be generated, in either situation, this manual advance of the representations 30 of the sequence provides the operator with more flexibility when obtaining the video image. In order to further facilitate the orientation of the camera 11 , the display 12 further comprises an indicator 18 which is arranged to indicate to an operator of the camera 1 1 the pitch (forward-back tilt) and roll (side-to-side tilt) of the camera 11 relative to the vehicle 20. The indication is provided in accordance with a signal from a gyroscope (not shown) disposed within the camera 1 1 and this signal is communicated to the processor 15 which processes the signal and generates the corresponding indicator on the display 12. Referring to figure 2 of the drawings, the indicator 18 may comprise a portion on the display 12 which is arranged to display a colour of a colour spectrum, the colours of the spectrum being representative of the degree of pitch and/or roll, namely the signal from the gyroscope (not shown). For example, the spectrum may comprise a grayscale, whereby the greyer the indicator portion, the more severe the pitch or roll from the desired orientation, In the illustrated embodiment, the portion of the display comprises peripheral border sections 18a- 18d, wherein the colour of upper and/or lower sections 18a, 18b of the border are used to provide an indication of roll, whereas the colour of the left and/or right side sections 18c, 18d of the border are used to provide an indication of pitch.

Referring to figure 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated a method 100 of capturing a video image of an object, such as a vehicle 20, according to an embodiment of ihe present invention. The method 100 comprises acquiring a video image of the vehicle or portion thereof, using a video camera 1 1 and displaying the video image of the vehicle on a display 12. The method 100 further comprises displaying a sequence of representations 30 of preferred views of the vehicle 20 on the display 12 concurrently with the video image. The sequence of representations 30 may be tailored to suit the desired vehicle 20 or viewing preference, by first creating the sequence from the repository 14 of representations at step 110 using the input device 17, prior to capturing the video image. A timing arrangement for the presentation of the representations 30 on the display 12 may also be chosen at step 1 15 to suit ihe viewing speed or to introduce one or more dwell times within ihe sequence, where It may be necessary to provide for an increased viewing time of a particular aspect of the vehicle 20. Alternatively, instead of selecting a timing arrangement for the display of the representations, the representations of the sequence may be advanced manually by the operator (not shown) using the input device 17, for example.

In an embodiment, the repository 14 may further comprise a stored array of selectable sequences of representations, it is envisaged that different vehicle manufacturers for example, may have different preferences for the type of video profile for their vehicles. Accordingly, the preferred sequence corresponding to a particular vehicle manufacturer may alternatively he selected at step 115. However, it is also envisaged that the particular sequence used may be selected automatically in accordance with an operator log-on procedure for use of the apparatus 10. in a further embodiment, a particular sequence of representations may be selected automatically from the array in dependence upon a signal from a geographic positioning device 18 disposed within the camera 11. The geographic positioning device 18 is communicatively coupled with the processor 15 and the processor is arranged to process the signal to determine the geographic location of the camera and cross-reference the location with the pre-stored locations of vehicle manufactures within the repository 14. In the event that the geographic location corresponds with a pre-stored location, then the processor may acquire the preferred sequence from the array for that vehicle manufacturer, for subsequent use in capturing the video image, ii is also envisaged that in situations where the location is determined to be an unauthorised location for the camera 11 , then the processor may lock or otherwise prevent any further use of the apparatus 10.

Once the desired sequence and optional timing has been set/selected, the initiation of the sequence is arranged to coincide with the start of the video image capturing process at step 120. in this respect, It is envisaged that the processor 15 may generate a default- representation on the display at step 121 to indicate to the operator the desired starting position and orientation of the camera 11 , Once the operator has suitably positioned the camera 11 such that the video image matches the displayed default representation, the operator may commence the sequence at step 122, via the input device 17, for example, which will result in the display of the first representation 30 and in situations where a timing arrangement is applied _: the start of the first countdown. The operator is required to subsequently move the video camera 1 relative io the vehicle 20 to align the video image σί 5 the vehicle 20 with the first representation at step 123, and in the situation where a timing arrangement has been applied to the sequence, this must he performed before the first countdown reaches 0 seconds. Upon referring to figure 2 for example, it is evident that the camera 11 Is loo close or otherwise exhibiting an excessive zoom of the front right wheel 21 of the vehicle. Accordingly, the operator is required to move the camera 1 1 away from the 10 wheel 21 so that the outer perimeter of the video image of the wheel 21 becomes aligned with the outline representation 30 of the wheel arid surrounding panels 22.

Once the representation has been suitably aligned with the video image of the vehicle 20 or portion thereof, the operator may acquire the corresponding static image at step 124, using the input device 1 7, for example. In situations where a timing arrangement I S has been applied to the sequence however, the static image may be acquired automatically once the timer readies 0 seconds. Once the static image as been acquired or the timer reaches 0 seconds, steps 122 to 124 of the method are then repeated for each subsequent representation in the sequence. The static images may be further labelled during acquisition to facilitate post processing of the images.

20 in situations where a timing arrangement is applied fo the display of the representations, the countdown associated with each representation may commence from the same time, such as 6 seconds, such that the video image is acquired by following a uniform progression around the vehicle 20. in an alternative embodiment however, it is also envisaged that if may take more time to acquire the next preferred view of the vehicle 20, or 5 it may be preferable to provide a prolonged view of the vehicle 20 or portion thereof. In this case, the countdown to each representation may be chosen to suit the desired viewing profile and/or vehicle 20. Once all the representations have been presented to the operator and the video image and static images have been acquired, the processor 15 is arranged to present the captured static images to the operator on the displa 12 at step 125, so that the operator can review the quality of the static images and where necessary tag one or more of the images for replacement at step 128. In the event that the operator tags one or more of the static images, the processor 15 subsequently separately presents the representations 30 corresponding to the tagged images on the display 12 at step 127, to facilitate the acquisition of replacement static Images at step 128, The processor 15 Is further arranged to play-back the captured video image at step 129 so that the operator can further assess the quality of the video image and if necessary replace the video image with a further video Image.

Once the video image and static images have been approved, the processor 15 Is arranged to subsequently upload the video and static images to a server (not shown) at step 130 for subsequent processing and/or viewing over a network, such as the Internet.