FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the imaging of vehicles, particularly cars.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Over time vehicles may suffer external damage, such as scratches and dents, or structural damage. Current methods of assessment of this damage involve manual inspection and recording of the location and nature of visible surface damage. Manual damage inspection is a time consuming process which is susceptible to human error.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle imaging station for imaging a vehicle as it passes through a vehicle imaging volume, the vehicle imaging station comprising : a first support structure situated on a first side of the vehicle imaging volume; a second support structure situated on a second side of the vehicle imaging volume, opposite to the first side, first and second cameras mounted on the first support structure, wherein the first camera is located at a first height and is angled to capture one or more images of a front of a vehicle as it enters the vehicle imaging volume, and wherein the second camera is located at a second height and is angled to capture one or more images of a rear of a vehicle as it exits the vehicle imaging volume; third and fourth cameras mounted on the second support structure, wherein the third camera is located at a third height and is angled to capture one or more images of the front of a vehicle as it enters the vehicle imaging volume and the fourth camera is located at a fourth height and is angled to capture one or more images of a rear of a vehicle as it exits the vehicle imaging volume; a first light source situated on the first side of the vehicle imaging volume , the first light source being arranged to project a first light pattern into the vehicle imaging volume; a second light source situated on the second side of the vehicle imaging volume, the second light source being arranged to project a second light pattern into the vehicle imaging volume, wherein the first and second light sources face one another such that the first and second light patterns define a patterned portion of the vehicle imaging volume; a fifth camera mounted on the first support structure and angled to capture one or more images of a first side of the vehicle while the vehicle is within the patterned portion of the vehicle imaging volume; and a sixth camera mounted on the second support structure and angled to capture one or more images of a second side of the vehicle while the vehicle is within the patterned portion of the vehicle imaging volume. The fields of view of the first and third cameras together define a first non-patterned portion of the vehicle imaging volume and the fields of view of the second and fourth cameras together define a second non-patterned portion of the vehicle imaging volume. The non-patterned portions substantially do not intersect the patterned portion.

Thus, a vehicle imaging station according to the first aspect of the invention integrates a set of light projecting modules and 'dent detecting' cameras in a vision black spot such as being situated between front facing and rear facing 'scratch detecting' cameras. Thus, the dent detecting cameras and associated light sources can work at the same time as the scratch detecting cameras without adversely affecting the images recorded by the scratch detecting cameras, while overall providing a vehicle imaging station that can acquire images of a substantial part of the bodywork of a vehicle passing through the vehicle imaging volume whilst minimising the number of cameras required. The arrangement also enables the images to be acquired in a single, fast operation, with the vehicle driving through the imaging volume without having to stop. Moreover, the arrangement can result in a vehicle imaging station with a relatively small mechanical footprint in comparison to known vehicle imaging stations.

The cameras can be located and angled such that the patterned portion is located between the first and second non-patterned portions. This can provide a vehicle imaging station which can acquire images of a substantial part of the bodywork of a vehicle passing through the vehicle imaging volume whilst minimising the number of cameras required, with a small mechanical footprint.

The vehicle imaging station can comprise a unique identifier capture system for capturing and processing one or more images of unique identifiers associated with vehicle being imaged by the apparatus.

The vehicle imaging station can comprise a seventh camera mounted on the first support structure and angled to capture one or more images of a first side of the vehicle while the vehicle is within the patterned portion of the vehicle imaging volume; and an eighth camera mounted on the second support structure and angled to capture one or more images of a second side of the vehicle while the vehicle is within the patterned portion of the vehicle imaging volume, wherein the fifth camera is mounted at a fifth height and the seventh camera is mounted at a seventh height greater than the fifth height, the fifth camera being orientated upwardly to capture a lower first side of the vehicle and the seventh camera being orientated downwardly to capture an upper first side of the vehicle and wherein the sixth camera is mounted at a sixth height and the eighth camera is mounted at a eighth height greater than the sixth height, the sixth camera being orientated upwardly to capture a lower second side of the vehicle and the eighth camera being orientated downwardly to capture an upper second side of the vehicle.

The vehicle imaging station can comprise a third light source extending above and between the first and second light sources, the third light source being arranged to project a third light pattern into the patterned portion of the vehicle imaging volume.

The vehicle imaging station can comprise a ninth camera mounted above the vehicle imaging volume, the ninth camera being orientated downwardly to capture images of upper portions of the vehicle.

The vehicle imaging station can comprise a tenth camera mounted above the vehicle imaging volume, the tenth camera being orientated downwardly to capture images of upper portions of the vehicle, wherein the focal length of the tenth camera is greater than the ninth camera such that the tenth camera is arranged to capture images of the bonnet and the ninth camera is arranged to capture images of the roof.

Each light source can comprises an array of strip lights or a laser projector.

The second height can be greater than the first height.

The fourth height can be greater than the third height.

The first height can be equal to the third height.

The second height can be equal to the fourth height.

The first height can be between 0 m and lm, such as between 0.6m and lm.

The second height is between lm and 2m, such as between lm and 1.5m.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of imaging a vehicle using a vehicle imaging station according to any preceding claim, the method comprising : detecting a signal representing a vehicle approaching the vehicle imaging volume; and capturing a plurality from images of the vehicle from each camera as the vehicle moves continuously through the imaging volume. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :

Figures 1 to 5 are schematic diagrams of a vehicle imaging station according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a vehicle imaging station according to an embodiment of the invention is shown generally at 10. The vehicle imaging station 10 is arranged to take images of a vehicle 12 that can be used to identify damage in the form of scratches and dents.

The vehicle imaging station 10 is arranged around a roadway 14, which is a path suitable for the vehicle 12 to travel along in a direction D.

Cameras are arranged at different points along the roadway 14, such that the fields of view of these cameras combine to cover or define a vehicle imaging volume IV on the roadway 14. The vehicle imaging volume IV is illustrated schematically in Figure 2.

The vehicle imaging station 10 comprises a first support structure 16 located on one side of the vehicle imaging volume IV and a second support structure 18 located on an opposite side of the vehicle imaging volume IV. As described in more detail below, the support structures 16, 18 can be joined at the top to form a single structure.

A first camera Cl is located towards a lower end of the first support structure 16, and is angled towards the entrance of the vehicle imaging station 10 such that the first camera Cl can capture images of the front 12c of the vehicle 12 and a lower part of the first side 12a of the vehicle 12 as the vehicle 12 moves through the vehicle imaging volume IV.

A second camera C2 is located towards an upper end of the first support structure 16 and is angled towards the exit of the vehicle imaging station 10 such that the second camera C2 can capture images of an upper part of the first side 12a of the vehicle 12 and the 12e back of the vehicle 12 as the vehicle 12 moves through the vehicle imaging volume IV. A third camera C3 is located towards a lower end of the second support structure 18 and is angled towards the entrance of the vehicle imaging station 10 such that the third camera C3 can capture images of a lower part of a second side 12b of the vehicle 12 and the front 12c of the vehicle 12 as the vehicle 12 moves through the vehicle imaging volume IV.

A fourth camera C4 is located towards an upper end of the second support structure 18 and is angled towards the exit of the vehicle imaging station 10 such that the fourth camera C4 can capture images of the back 12e of the vehicle 12 and an upper part of the second side 12b of the vehicle 12 as the vehicle 12 moves through the vehicle imaging volume IV.

The first to fourth cameras C1-C4 together define an array of cameras arranged to image scratches on the vehicle. The respective heights and angles of the cameras C1-C4 enable a substantial part of the bodywork of the vehicle 12 passing through the vehicle imaging volume IV to be captured whilst minimising the number of cameras required.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the first, second, third and fourth cameras Cl to C4 have a horizontal orientation (i.e. parallel to the roadway 14). However, the skilled person will appreciate that the cameras can alternatively be angled with respect to the roadway 14 in some embodiments.

In addition to cameras arranged to capture images of scratches, the vehicle imaging station 10 includes a plurality of cameras arranged to capture images of dents on the vehicle bodywork. The inventor has recognised that it can be difficult to perceive vehicle bodywork dents in images captured by the cameras C1-C4. The inventor has devised an arrangement that enables both scratches and dents to be imaged in a single stage process, while also providing an imaging station occupying a relatively small mechanical footprint.

By way of an overview, structured lighting is created by illuminating lighting strips for example to produce a striped pattern in the reflection of the vehicle 12. The striped patterns are then captured by high speed 'dent detecting' cameras, which are distinct from the 'scratch detecting' cameras C1-C4, in order to create a stop motion-like set of images as the vehicle is moving through. Should the vehicle have a dent in the bodywork, the striped reflections will distort around the dent, for example creating a circle like shape in the reflection. The images captured by the dent detection cameras can then be used retrospectively to analyse whether a vehicle has dents at a certain point in time. The lighting and dent detection cameras are integrated into the vehicle imaging station to sit between the forward and backward facing scratch detecting cameras in a manner which enables the scratch detecting cameras to function without being adversely affected by the projected light patterns, which can otherwise affect an ability to see scratched in an image.

The first support structure 16 includes a first light array 16a, the first light array 16a being arranged to project a first light pattern into the vehicle imaging volume IV.

Likewise, the second support structure 18 includes a second light array 18a, the second light array 18a being arranged to project a second light pattern into the vehicle imaging volume IV.

The first and second light arrays 16a, 18a face one another such that the first and second light patterns are projected towards one another to define a patterned portion DV of the vehicle imaging volume IV, as shown in Figure 2. In the illustrated embodiment the first and second light arrays 16a, 18a are generally rectangular in shape and elongate so as to be taller than wide. The major faces of the rectangles from which light is projected face one another with edges in registration with one another. In another embodiment the first and second light sources can comprise a laser projector configured to project for example, an orthogonal grid towards the patterned portion DV of the vehicle imaging volume IV.

A firth camera C5 is mounted on the first support structure 16 and orientated with a field of view FV arranged to view the patterned portion DV of the vehicle imaging volume IV.

Likewise, a sixth camera C6 is mounted on the second support structure 18 and orientated with a field of view FV6 arranged to view the patterned portion DV of the vehicle imaging volume IV.

Thus, the fifth and six cameras C5, C6 are arranged to capture images of the known light patterns as reflected by the bodywork of the vehicle 12. If only two camera are provided then substantially of the sides of the vehicle 12 can be images by the cameras C5, C6 firing a plurality of times as the vehicle 12 passes through the patterned portion DV of the imaging volume IV. However, as described in more detail below, additional dent detection cameras can be provided to enable a more complete coverage of the vehicle to be obtained and/or with a greater degree of accuracy.

In contrast to the dent detecting cameras C5, C6, the first to fourth cameras C1-C4 are orientated such that their fields of view FV substantially do not intersect or overlap the patterned portion DV of the vehicle imaging volume IV. In practice some overlap can occur, but it is desirable that substantial portions of the fields of view FV of cameras Cl- C4 cannot see the patterned portion DV.

Referring additionally to Figure 5, the imaging station can include a seventh camera C7 mounted on the first support structure 16 and angled to capture one or more images of the first side of the vehicle 12 while the vehicle is within the patterned portion DV of the vehicle imaging volume IV.

Likewise, the imaging station can include an eighth camera C8 mounted on the second support structure 18 and angled to capture one or more images of the second side of the vehicle 12 while the vehicle 12 is within the patterned portion DV of the vehicle imaging volume IV.

In such embodiments, the fifth camera C5 can be mounted at a fifth height and the seventh camera C7 mounted at a seventh height greater than the fifth height, the fifth camera C5 being orientated upwardly to capture the lower first side of the vehicle 12 and the seventh camera C7 being orientated downwardly to capture the upper first side of the vehicle 12.

Likewise, the sixth camera C6 can be mounted at a sixth height and the eighth camera C8 can be mounted at an eighth height greater than the sixth height, the sixth camera C6 being orientated upwardly to capture the lower second side of the vehicle and the eighth camera C8 being orientated downwardly to capture the upper second side of the vehicle.

The vehicle imaging station can also include a third light array 20a extending above and between the first and second light arrays 16a, 18a. The third light array 20a is arranged to project a third light pattern into the patterned portion DV of the vehicle imaging volume IV. The third light array 20a can form part of or define a third support structure 20.

A ninth camera C9 can be mounted above the vehicle imaging volume, such as on the third support structure 20, the ninth camera C9 being orientated downwardly to capture images of upper portions of the vehicle 120.

Likewise, a tenth camera CIO can be mounted above the vehicle imaging volume, the tenth camera CIO being orientated downwardly to capture images of upper portions of the vehicle. The focal length of the tenth camera CIO can be greater than that of the ninth camera C9 such that the tenth camera CIO s arranged to capture images of the bonnet of the vehicle 12 and the ninth camera C9 is arranged to capture images of the roof of the vehicle 12. Thus, the support structures 16, 18, 20 can define a floor mounted arch having two vertical uprights at, for example, 2100mm, a horizontal beam of, for example, 2700mm with chamfered corners connecting these sections at an angle of 45 degrees and a length of 565mm. The base of the arch can define two 'tail' light arrays running in towards the centre at a length of 500mm for example. In other embodiments, distinct support structures can be provided on either side of the vehicle imagining volume. Each support structure can comprise distinct supporting elements for each camera, light source etc. i.e. there is no requirement for a support structure to be a single assembly or unitary in nature, although such arrangement can result in a more compact imaging station.

The fifth to tenth cameras C5-C10 can be mounted to view the patterned portion DV through holes in the support structure 16, 18, 20 and/or light arrays 16a, 18a, 20a for example. The cameras C5-C10 can comprise scan cameras such as one or more Hikvisiion MV-CA050-10GC area scan cameras.

A further embodiment of the invention comprises a sensor (not pictured) arranged to activate the vehicle imaging station 10 when the vehicle 12 is approaching the field of view of cameras Cl or C2. The sensor can comprise a laser emitter, a light sensor and a mirror, configured such that when the vehicle is about to enter the field of view of cameras Cl or C2, the laser beam is interrupted and thus the light sensor activates the imaging station. A similar arrangement can be provided at the exit to cease imaging.

Each light source can comprise a light array comprising a set of LED strips arranged in parallel. The LED strips can extend along each light array, from the bottom to the top (or across where lights are provided above the imaging volume). LEDs can for example comprise ultrabright cool white LED tape, with a luminosity of 2880 lumens per meter. In one example a set of twenty LED strips can be arranged into 14.2mm wide grooves spaced 16mm apart and set 9mm deep with a 10mm backing behind them. Semi opaque frosted diffusers (not pictured) can be provided over each strip of LEDs to create a flat light from each strip of tape. In other embodiments each light source can comprise a laser projector configured to project one or more light patterns.

The vehicle imaging station can comprise a unique identifier capture system (not shown) for capturing and processing one or more images of unique identifiers associated with vehicle being imaged by the apparatus. Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Embodiments of the invention extend to an arrangement having fewer than four scratch detecting cameras, for example a single forward and rear facing camera, and the patterned portion does not need to be between the non-patterned portions. The word "comprising" can mean "including" or "consisting of" and therefore does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.