# US 9,438,864 B2 · Indoor producing of high-resolution images of the commonly viewed exterior surfaces of vehicles, each with the same background view > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,438,864 B2 - Document ID: US9438864B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/478,681 - Filed: 2014-09-05 - Published: 2015-03-19 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2010-03-09 - Applicants: Stephen Michael Swinford - Inventors: Stephen Michael Swinford - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9438864B2 ## CPC - H04N 7/18: Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast - G03B 15/07: Arrangements of lamps in studios - G03B 17/561: {Support related camera accessories} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) ## 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. There can be two or more opposed imaging devices and two or more opposed displays. The vehicle does not need to be rotated or moved during the imaging. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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, comprising: an imaging device mounted on a first support having wheels, and a display on one surface of a second support having wheels, where the first and second supports are opposed and physically linked by arms which run between and join the first and second supports together such that the first support and the second support can revolve around the vehicle which is positioned between them, while maintaining their positions relative to each other and to the vehicle; the wheels of the first and second supports and the wheels of the vehicle all reside in a supporting plane; the arms are either positioned high enough relative to the supporting plane such that the vehicle can pass freely underneath the arms or, the arms can be moved out of the way of removed to allow the vehicle to be positioned; and the imaging device captures multiple images of the vehicle during each revolution, and the display is also captured in each of said images, and wherein the images are sufficiently pixilated such that damage to the vehicle exterior surface can be viewed when the images are displayed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the wheels on the first and/or the second support rotate on an axis such that the arc the display and the imaging device follow during revolution can be altered. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the arms includes an extension projecting downwardly, and the extension is designed to have the imaging device mounted thereon. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a digital compass or a travel sensor control when images are captured. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a support structure carrying lights is mounted on the first support. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the lights face and illuminate the vehicle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the lights are strobe lights which are on when the imaging device captures images. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a support structure mounted on the first support includes an adjustable mount for the imaging device permitting the portions of the vehicle imaged to be altered. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a support structure mounted on the first support includes an attachment for at least one additional imaging device designed to capture images of the uppermost surface of the vehicle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the display includes the background view on the side thereof facing the imaging device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the background view is a green screen. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the display is curved such that the imaging device captures a concave portion of the display. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first support and/or the second support are curved. ### Claim 14 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, comprising: an imaging device mounted on a first support having wheels, and a display on one surface of a second support having wheels, where the first and second supports are opposed and physically linked by arms which run between and join the first and second supports together such that the first support and the second support can revolve around the vehicle which is positioned between them, while maintaining their positions relative to each other and to the vehicle; the wheels of the first and second supports roll on a track resting on a supporting plane and the wheels of the vehicle also rest on the supporting plane; the arms are either positioned high enough relative to the supporting plane such that the vehicle can pass freely underneath the arms or, the arms can be moved out of the way of removed to allow the vehicle to be positioned; and the imaging device captures multiple images of the vehicle during each revolution, and the display is also captured in each of said images, and wherein the images are sufficiently pixilated such that damage to the vehicle exterior surface can be viewed when the images are displayed. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first and second supports have sets of wheels with each set mounted on opposing ends of an axle, or have a row of wheels which are aligned with the direction of travel of the respective first and second supports. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the row of wheels reside on a single track, which is arced. ### Claim 17 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, comprising: at least two imaging devices, one of which is mounted on a first support having wheels, and the other mounted on a second support having wheels; at least two displays, one of which is on one surface of the first support and the other is on an opposing surface of the second support, where the first and second supports are opposed and physically linked by arms which run between and join the first and second supports together such that the first support and the second support can revolve around the vehicle which is positioned between them, while maintaining their positions relative to each other and to the vehicle; the wheels of the first and second supports and the wheels of the vehicle all reside in a supporting plane; the arms are either positioned high enough relative to the supporting plane such that the vehicle can pass freely underneath the arms or, the arms can be moved out of the way of removed to allow the vehicle to be positioned; and the imaging devices capture multiple images of the vehicle during each revolution, and the opposing displays are also captured in each of said images, and wherein the images are sufficiently pixilated such that damage to the vehicle exterior surface can be viewed when the images are displayed. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the first and second supports have sets of wheels with each set mounted on opposing ends of an axle, or have a row of wheels which are aligned with the direction of travel of the respective first and second supports. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the row of wheels reside on a single track, which is arced. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The apparatus of claim 17 wherein at least one light for illuminating the vehicle is mounted on each of the first and second supports. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the lights are strobe lights.