Abstract:
Disclosed is an apparatus and a process for producing and viewing through the internet high-resolution images of the commonly viewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining the same background view for multiple images of the vehicle. The background and the imaging device are revolved around a vehicle which is maintained in fixed position between the background and the imaging device. The vehicle does not need to be rotated or moved during the imaging.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/311875, filed Mar 9, 2010. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to production and viewing, through the Internet and without image downloading or high band-width requirements, of high-resolution images of the commonly viewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining the same background view for multiple images of the vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In the used car market, views of the exterior of the car (but not usually the underside) are typically required by and provided to the buyer before consummating a transaction. High resolution images showing small flaws and damage to the vehicle are preferred. One method of making these images is to rotate the vehicle on a turntable and create a series of images against a consistent background. The images can be displayed and viewed in a manner to generate a virtual 360 degree tour of the vehicle. 
         [0004]    The two problems with this approach are that a turntable for a vehicle is a heavy, expensive and complex piece of equipment, and that high resolution images require long delays to download—or cannot be downloaded and viewed by a potential vehicle purchaser without considerable bandwidth. An additional problem is that the uppermost side of a vehicle is often not shown unless a robot for moving the imaging device is used. See FSI Viewer (Neptunelabs Gmbh). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In a first aspect, the invention is a process of producing and viewing through the internet high-resolution images of the commonly viewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining the same background view for multiple images of the vehicle. The images are stored on a server accessible through the internet, and can be selectively zoomed and viewed, so that less bandwidth is required than if the entirety of all the high-resolution images was accessible for each isolated view through the internet. 
         [0006]    This process involves producing multiple images of a vehicle (still frame or video) by revolution of both an imaging device and a display around a vehicle which is in a fixed position between them, such that as the imaging device captures multiple images of the vehicle, the display is also captured in each of said images. The images are sufficiently pixilated such that damage to the vehicle exterior surface can be viewed when the images are displayed—or different views of the images may not show all details, so as to avoid requirements for large data streams. The images are uploaded to a server and can be viewed remotely through the internet, without downloading of the images. 
         [0007]    Another aspect of the invention is an apparatus for producing images of the commonly viewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining the same background view for multiple images of the vehicle. The apparatus includes an imaging device (producing still frame or video) and a display wherein the imaging device can be revolved around a vehicle which is in a fixed position between them. The imaging device and the display revolve around the vehicle in the same direction and at the same rate such that as the imaging device captures multiple images of the vehicle, the display is captured in each of said multiple images. The imaging device and the display are preferably wheeled and can be linked to ensure coordinated revolution, or otherwise timed to coordinate their movement and maintain their relative positions. 
         [0008]    The degree of arc followed by the display and the imaging device can be adjustable—for example, by using wheels which rotate on a vertical axis to control direction—or by using fixed wheels set to generate a particular arc for the display and the dolly or carrier rack which transport the imaging device. The display and the dolly or carrier rack themselves can also be arced, and can be composed of multiple sections, for easy transport. The dolly or carrier rack for the imaging device can also carry other components including lighting (projecting towards the vehicle), a computer (to upload images), a seat for an operator, a drive motor to power the revolution, a power source, an adjustable holder for the imaging device (which may extend upwardly to allow capturing images of the uppermost side of the vehicle), and other components, e.g., a timer, digital compass or a travel sensor to control when images are captured. 
         [0009]    Other aspects of the invention are shown in the drawings and described in the Detailed Description below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram showing the capture and viewing of vehicle images as described herein over the internet from a server, without downloading required for viewing. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of a vehicle with an arced display carrier and an arced carrier for the imaging device and the lighting. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of a vehicle with the display behind it. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is an elevational view depicting a transparent display with the truck behind it, and a screen on the upper portion of the display. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of a vehicle with the arced carrier of  FIG. 2  behind it. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view of a display carrier with wheel direction adjustable to direct the display carrier through different arcs. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  is a side view of the display carrier of  FIG. 5 , showing the support for the display and the direction adjustment for the wheels. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of the view of the wheels and axle of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of a motorized wheeled dolly (where the wheels control direction) for carrying an operator, an imaging device (on a tripod), a computer, lighting and other components. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an elevational view of the chassis and wheels of the dolly of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an elevational view of an arm with an imaging device attached 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram depicting the capture and display of high-resolution images of a vehicle through the internet, where the images have the same background. The image files can be automatically uploaded to a server, after capture, and are retained on the server. Select images and select portions of the high-resolution images can be viewed on the internet, so as not to require excessive bandwidth for viewing, or image downloading from the server to the viewer&#39;s computer. FSI Viewer (Neptunelabs Gmbh) provides this type of capture and image display over the internet. Portions of particular images can be selectively zoomed to display them, so that the entirety of all portions of all images is not streamed at the same instant. Other programs to accomplish these ends may also be used. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , an arm  100  is shown arcing above a vehicle  10 , where arm  100  has an imaging device  102  positioned to capture images of the uppermost surface of the vehicle. Device  102  can slide along arm  100  to also capture images of the sides of vehicle  10 , or device  102  can be fixed to only capture the uppermost vehicle surface, and a separate imaging device (device  33  in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) can capture the sides of vehicle  10 . Device  102  can also be fixed elsewhere (such as to a beam joining carriers  20  and  30 ) to allow viewing the uppermost part of vehicle  10 . The use of device  102  in this manner allows one to generate a simulated three-dimensional view of the vehicle  10 , which can be rotated through at least one axis during viewing to show different portions of the exterior surface of the vehicle. 
         [0023]    It is possible to view the images directly from the imaging device or from the server, or by downloading the images to a viewer&#39;s computer. For wide access for many viewers to the images, the arrangement in  FIG. 1  is preferred. 
         [0024]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , a vehicle  10  is centered between a background display carrier  20  and a carrier  30 . Carrier  30  includes an imaging device  33  and lighting  34 . Lighting  34  can be strobe lighting coordinated to be on when each image is captured by device  33 , or other lighting. The capture of images can be timed or otherwise controlled to create a series of images showing the entire surface. Another method of controlling image capture is using a digital compass  23   a  or a travel sensor ( FIG. 9 ) associated with the carrier  20  or  30 , and thereby controlling image capture as the carriers  20  and  30  move a predetermined amount. 
         [0025]    Both carriers  20  and  30  consist of five separate sections ( 21   a - 21   e  and  31   a - 31   e,  respectively). Having multiple sections makes carriers  20  and  30  more convenient to transport or store, following breaking them down into the sections. More or fewer sections for carriers  20  and  30 , or no sections, are also feasible. Each of the sections  21   a - 21   e  are equipped with two pairs of wheels  22 , on an axle  24 , and each of the sections  31   a - 31   e  are equipped with two pairs of wheels  32 , on an axle  34 . 
         [0026]    The carriers  20  and  30  are arced as shown, and the wheels  22  and  32  would normally be in fixed position with respect to the vertical axis, so that carriers  20  and  30  follow the path their arc&#39;s define as they revolve around vehicle  10  on wheels  22  and  32 . However, it is possible for the aspect of wheels  22  and  32  to be adjustable so that carriers  20  and  30  can follow different arced paths. 
         [0027]    Arms  36  and  38  link the ends of carriers  20  and  30 , so that they revolve together. Arms  36  and  38  should provide enough clearance to permit vehicle  10  to move in and out from its position between carriers  20  and  30 . Carriers  20  and  30  could also be linked with other arrangements, including one beam which is affixed to the ceiling, or carriers  20  and  30  could be separately powered, provided their movement is coordinated. 
         [0028]    In  FIGS. 3 and 3A  a screen  37  is shown partially in place over the vehicle  10  side of carrier  20 . When screen  37  is fully lowered, it displays a desirable background for the vehicle  10  when its images are captured by imaging device  33 . The background on the screen  37  can be any type, including a green screen. 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of a carrier  50  having a first set of wheels  52  and a second set of wheels  54 . At least one of the sets of wheels  52  or  54  can be rotated with respect to the vertical axis (as shown for wheels  52  in  FIG. 6 ) to allow the carrier  50  to move on a variety of arced paths. Carrier  50  optionally has the same features as carrier  20 , such as multiple sections and a screen over one side displaying a background. Carrier  50  can be used with a dolly  70  shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 7 , dolly  70  has three wheels,  72 ,  74  and  76 , a tripod docking station  78  (where an adjustable imaging device docking station can be attached to the tripod). Wheels  74  and  76  can be rotated to the other side of support  75  by rotating plates  74   a  and  76   a  through ½ turn, so that dolly  70  can follow an arc in either direction.  FIG. 7  shows a computer docking station  81  for a computer, and a motor  85  or other drive unit. Batteries  87  are shown as well. Computer  81   a  can upload images from device  33  or  102 , automatically or under operator control, from where the images can be viewed or transferred to a server. It also shows a seat  89  for an operator, and foot pegs  91 .  FIG. 9  shows a telescoping tripod  93 , to which an imaging device can be affixed. The imaging device can be attached with a movable mount, so it can shoot at a variety of angles. 
         [0031]    Motor  87  can drive the wheel  72  in either direction to cause revolution of the dolly  70  about the vehicle (vehicle  10  in  FIGS. 2 to 4 ) in either direction. Dolly  70  can be linked to carrier  50 , or carrier  50  can be independent and have its own motor and movement control. In the case where dolly  70  and carrier  50  have their own motors, their relative positions to each other and to the vehicle being imaged could be maintained using electronic beams and receptors on dolly  70  and carrier  50 , which control the motors to maintain the beams and receptors in alignment. One could also use other methods of movement control i.e., a digital compass  23   a  or a travel sensor. 
         [0032]    Motor  87  or other motors on carrier  50  or dolly  70  can be electric, gas or diesel, and the dolly  70  can include a position to carry the energy source for motor  87 , including a photovoltaic cell or a battery. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  shows an arm  100  for carrying an imaging device which can capture the upper surfaces of vehicle  10 . The imaging device  102  can slide up and down along arm  100  and also be locked into position along the sliding arc. Arm  100  would be attached to dolly  70  or the carriers  20  or  30 . 
         [0034]    It should be understood that the terms and expressions used herein are exemplary only and not limiting, and that the scope of the invention is defined only in the claims which follow, and includes all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.