Method and apparatus for vehicle damage mapping

Abstract

A method and apparatus for mapping damage on a vehicle, the method comprising: displaying a graphical user interface on a display device of a computing device which shows a first image representing a first view of a vehicle; defining a first coordinate system relative to the first image; detecting a first user input command provided via a user input device associated with the computing device, the first user input command being representative of an instance of damage observed on the vehicle; storing one or more sets of image coordinates representing the first user input command to map damage to the vehicle.

1 . A method for mapping damage on a vehicle, the method comprising:
 displaying a graphical user interface on a display device of a computing device which shows a first image representing a first view of a vehicle;   defining a first coordinate system relative to the first image;   detecting a first user input command provided via a user input device associated with the computing device, the first user input command being representative of an instance of damage observed on the vehicle;   storing damage information, whereby the step of storing damage information comprises storing one or more sets of image coordinates representing the first user input command to map damage to the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , whereby the first image is a three dimensional model of the vehicle, the Y axis origin for the first coordinate system is aligned with the vehicle longitudinal centre within the image, the X axis intersects or is adjacent to a furthermost forward portion of the front of the bumper of the vehicle within the image when viewed from a side and the Z axis origin intersects or is adjacent to the bottom of the tyres within the image when viewed from the front or side. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , whereby the first image is a side view image of the vehicle, the Y axis origin for the first coordinates system intersects or is adjacent to the bottom of the tyres within the image and the X axis origin intersects or is adjacent to a furthermost forward portion of the front of the bumper of the vehicle within the image. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising:
 displaying on the display device a second image representing a second view of the vehicle;   defining a second coordinate system relative to the second image;   detecting a first user input command provided via the user input command device, the first user input command being representative of an instance of damage on the vehicle;   whereby the step of storing damage information comprises storing one or more sets of image coordinates representing the first user input command to map damage to the vehicle.   
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , whereby the second image is a front or back view image of the vehicle, the Y axis origin for the second coordinates system intersects or is adjacent to the bottom of the tyres and the X axis origin is aligned with the vehicle centre within the image. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising:
 detecting a stroke length and/or direction of the first user input command;   determining a damage magnitude and/or direction; and   whereby the step of storing damage information comprises storing the damage magnitude and/or direction associated with the first user input command.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising:
 prior to the step of detecting the first user input command, detecting a second user input command, the second user input command causing the GUI to display a magnified representation of part of the vehicle.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising one or more further steps of detecting the second user input command, each second user input command causing the GUI to display a further magnified representation of the part of the vehicle. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising:
 detecting the first or a third user input command provided via the user input device;   displaying a damage description menu such that a user can select a damage type corresponding to the observed instance of damage; and   whereby the step of storing damage information comprises storing the user selected damage type associated with the first user input command.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising:
 detecting the first or a fourth user input command provided via the user input device;   displaying a damage severity menu such that a user can select a damage severity level corresponding to the observed instance of damage; and   whereby the step of storing damage information comprises storing the user selected damage severity level associated with the first user input command.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising:
 partitioning the image into a plurality of regions, each region representing one or more discrete components of the vehicle;   determining the region(s) to which the first or second user input command(s) relate;   accessing a database containing vehicle information relating to the plurality of regions; and   using the vehicle information to modify information displayed on the GUI.   
     
     
         12 . A method according  claim 11 , whereby the step of modifying information displayed on the GUI comprises displaying only damage types applicable to the region(s). 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 11  or  claim 12 , whereby the step of modifying information displayed on the GUI comprises displaying only damage severity levels applicable to the region(s). 
     
     
         14 . A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising determining the time and date of detection of the first and/or second user input commands and/or daylight status and/or the location of the computing device during detection of the first and/or second user input commands and whereby the step of storing damage information comprises storing the time and date and/or daylight status and/or location information associated with the first and/or second user input commands. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to any preceding claim, further comprising determining a weather condition at the time and date of detection of the first and/or second user input commands and location of the computing device during detection of the first and/or second user input commands and whereby the step of storing damage information comprises storing the weather information associated with the first and/or second user input commands. 
     
     
         16 . A method according to any preceding claim, whereby the step of storing damage information comprises storing the damage information as a fixed length multi digit code representative of the damage information. 
     
     
         17 . A computing device including a processor and memory, the memory storing computer program code which when executed by the processor is configured to execute the steps of the method according to any preceding claim.