Patents Assigned to CCC INFORMATION SERVICES
  • Patent number: 11727551
    Abstract: A method and system is described which attempts to address the technical problems involved in analyzing images using advanced computer systems and making decisions about the future of a damaged automobile based on the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: CCC Information Services Inc.
    Inventor: Neda Hantehzadeh
  • Patent number: 11587180
    Abstract: A method and system is described which attempts to address the technical problems involved in analyzing images using advanced computer systems and making decisions about the future of a damaged automobile based on the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: CCC Information Services Inc.
    Inventor: Neda Hantehzadeh
  • Patent number: 11514530
    Abstract: A method and system is described which attempts to address the technical problems involved in analyzing images using advanced computer systems and making decisions about the future of a damaged automobile based on the images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: CCC Information Services Inc.
    Inventor: Neda Hantehzadeh
  • Patent number: 10963719
    Abstract: Techniques for optimizing vehicle license plate recognition in images and their decoding include training a set of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) by using images in which license plates are identified or labeled as a whole, rather than by license plate parts or key points, and rather than by the individual, segmented characters represented thereon. The trained CNNs may operate on target images of environments to localize images of license plates included therein and determine the issuing jurisdiction and/or ordered set of characters represented on detected license plates without utilizing character segmentation and/or per-character recognition techniques. As such, license plates depicted within target images are able to be detected and decoded with greater tolerances for lighting conditions, deformations or damages, occlusions, differing image resolutions, differing angles of capture, variations of other objects depicted within the images (such as dense or changing signage), etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Neda Hantehzadeh, Christoph Plenio, Nazanin Makkinejad, Ruxiao Bao
  • Patent number: 10949814
    Abstract: Intelligent vehicle repair estimating techniques include an image processing component that extracts image attributes from one or more images of a damaged vehicle, and utilizes the attributes to predict an initial set of parts that are globally-identified. Based on a jurisdiction associated with the damaged vehicle, the initial set of parts is transformed into a set of jurisdictionally-based repairs (e.g., parts, labor operations, time intervals, costs, etc.), which may be included in a draft vehicle repair estimate. An estimate refinement component iteratively modifies/refines the draft estimate using a machine-only loop nested within a larger human-machine loop, where system-generated modifications are incrementally incorporated into the draft within the smaller loop, and user-generated modifications are incrementally incorporated into the draft within the larger loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Nelson, John L. Haller, Christoph Plenio, Ehsan Mohammady Ardehaly, Ranjini Vaidyanathan
  • Patent number: 10922726
    Abstract: Intelligent vehicle repair estimating techniques include an image processing component that extracts image attributes from one or more images of a damaged vehicle, and utilizes the attributes to predict an initial set of parts that are globally-identified. Based on a jurisdiction associated with the damaged vehicle, the initial set of parts is transformed into a set of jurisdictionally-based repairs (e.g., parts, labor operations, time intervals, costs, etc.), which may be included in a draft vehicle repair estimate. An estimate refinement component iteratively modifies/refines the draft estimate using a machine-only loop nested within a larger human-machine loop, where system-generated modifications are incrementally incorporated into the draft within the smaller loop, and user-generated modifications are incrementally incorporated into the draft within the larger loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Nelson, Sean Fitzgerald, Jesse Horski
  • Patent number: 10740891
    Abstract: A method and system for analyzing images of a target vehicle according to a base image model corresponding to the target vehicle. According to certain aspects, the method and system receive a set of images from an electronic device and analyze the set of images to identify the target vehicle and a set of information associated with the target vehicle. The method and system may determine that the set of images does not meet a threshold criteria for further image analysis using a base image model corresponding to the target vehicle. In response, the method and system may generate and transmit a notification to the electronic device indicating that the set of images does not meet the threshold criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Ke Chen, John L. Haller, Athinodoros S. Georghiades, Takeo Kanade
  • Patent number: 10730526
    Abstract: A driver assist design analysis system includes a processing system and a database that stores vehicle data, vehicle operational data, vehicle accident data, and environmental data related to the configuration and operation of a plurality of vehicles with driver assist systems or features. The driver assist design analysis system also includes one or more analysis engines that execute on the processing system to determine one or more driving anomalies (e.g., accidents or poor driving operation) based on the vehicle operational data, and that correlate or determine a statistical relationship between the driving anomalies and the operation of the driver assist systems or features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventor: Marc Fredman
  • Patent number: 10706321
    Abstract: An image processing system that may be used to detect changes in objects, such as damage to automobiles, compares a base object model, which depicts the object in an expected condition, to one or more target object images of the object in the changed condition. To do so, the image processing system first processes a target object image to detect one or more predefined landmarks in the target object image using one or more correlation filters. The image processing system then uses the detected landmarks to determine a camera model for the target object image and uses the camera model to correct for camera distortions and to align the target object depicted in a target object image with the object in the base object model to put these objects in a common frame of reference for use in subsequent image processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Ke Chen, Takeo Kanade, Athinodoros S. Georghiades
  • Patent number: 10657647
    Abstract: An image processing system detects changes in objects, such as damage to automobiles, by comparing a base object model, which depicts the object in an expected condition, to one or more target images of the object in the changed condition. The image processing system first processes a target object image to detect one or more predefined landmarks in the target object image and corrects for camera and positional distortions by determining a camera model for the target object image based on the detected landmarks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES
    Inventors: Ke Chen, John L. Haller, Takeo Kanade, Athinodoros S. Georghiades
  • Patent number: 10636148
    Abstract: An image processing system detects changes in an object, such as damage to an automobile, by comparing a base object model, which depicts the object in an expected condition, to one or more target object images depicting the object in the changed condition. The image processing system aligns the object, as depicted in the base object model, with the object as depicted in a target object image. The image processing system then determines contours of the target object within the target object image by overlaying the aligned base object model with the target object image, and removes background pixels or other extraneous information based on this comparison. The image processing system may also determine various different components, such as body panels of an automobile, based on this overlay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Ke Chen, John L. Haller, Takeo Kanade, Athinodoros S. Georghiades
  • Patent number: 10380696
    Abstract: An image processing system automatically processes a plurality of images of a damaged vehicle and determines replacements parts that are needed to repair the vehicle therefrom. The system includes a network interface via which the images are received, an image extraction component that generates a set of image attributes from the received images, a parts identifier component that generates indications of the needed replacement parts based on the image attributes and an information identification model, and an output interface via which the generated indications are provided. Additionally, the system includes a data storage entity storing data from multiple historical vehicle insurance claims, and a model generation component that generates the information identification model based on the historical claim data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: John Laurence Haller, Jr., Darrin A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10373262
    Abstract: An image processing system automatically processes a plurality of images of a damaged vehicle and determines replacements parts that are needed to repair the vehicle therefrom. The system includes a network interface via which the images are received, an image extraction component that generates a set of image attributes from the received images, a parts identifier component that generates indications of the needed replacement parts based on the image attributes and an information identification model, and an output interface via which the generated indications are provided. Additionally, the system includes a data storage entity storing data from multiple historical vehicle insurance claims, and a model generation component that generates the information identification model based on the historical claim data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: John Laurence Haller, Jr., Darrin A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10373260
    Abstract: An image processing system includes a first image processor that creates a composite 3-D image or model of a damaged vehicle from a plurality of 2-D images of the damaged vehicle. The first image processor or another image processor of the system generates deformation data that is indicative or descriptive of points/areas of damage on the vehicle based on a comparison of the composite 3-D image/model with a 3-D image/model of a pristine vehicle. Based on the deformation data, a deformation model component generates indications of replacement parts and/or other items corresponding to repairing the vehicle by utilizing a model generated from historical claim data. Aside from receiving the initial set of images of the damaged vehicle, the system does not require any user input, and may generate the indications of replacement parts and/or other items corresponding to repairing the vehicle in real-time, such as at FNOL.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: John Laurence Haller, Jr., Darrin A. Smith
  • Patent number: 10319094
    Abstract: A system for analyzing images of objects such as vehicles. According to certain aspects, the system includes a user interface device configured to capture a set of images depicting a target vehicle, and transfer the set of images to a server that stores a set of base image models. The server analyzes the set of images using a base image model corresponding to the target vehicle, a set of correlational filters, and a set of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to determine a set of changes to the target vehicle as depicted in the set of images. The server further transmits, to the user interface device, information indicative of the set of changes for a user to view or otherwise access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Ke Chen, John L. Haller, Athinodoros S. Georghiades, Takeo Kanade
  • Patent number: 10319035
    Abstract: A vehicle image capture and labeling system operates to enable a user to capture vehicle photos, pictures, and/or images that are automatically labeled, i.e., annotated. In particular, the captured vehicle photos, pictures, or images are automatically labeled with certain vehicle identifier information, like a vehicle identification number (VIN), and pose information, that identifies a portion or view of the vehicle depicted within the image of the vehicle. The vehicle images may also be automatically labeled with one or more other image attributes or indicia, such as geospatial information corresponding to a location at which the photo or image was captured (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) data), time and date of image capture data, etc. The captured vehicle image and its label(s) may then be stored and used by other applications such as vehicle insurance claim applications, automobile repair estimate applications, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES
    Inventors: Ronald Nelson, Sean Fitzgerald
  • Patent number: 9886771
    Abstract: An image processing system and/or method obtains source images in which a damaged vehicle is represented, and performs image processing techniques to determine, predict, estimate, and/or detect damage that has occurred at various locations on the vehicle. The image processing techniques may include generating a composite image of the damaged vehicle, aligning and/or isolating the image, applying convolutional neural network techniques to the image to generate damage parameter values, where each value corresponds to damage in a particular location of vehicle, and/or other techniques. Based on the damage values, the image processing system/method generates and displays a heat map for the vehicle, where each color and/or color gradation corresponds to respective damage at a respective location on the vehicle. The heat map may be manipulatable by the user, and may include user controls for displaying additional information corresponding to the damage at a particular location on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: CCC INFORMATION SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: Ke Chen, John L. Haller, Takeo Kanade, Athinodoros S. Georghiades
  • Patent number: 9846093
    Abstract: In an example, a system includes a Monte Carlo simulation module to calculate a collision force on a first vehicle based at least in part on first information, calculate a crush depth for a second vehicle (having unknown damage) based at least in part on the calculated collision force on the first vehicle and second information, calculate first total energy absorbed by the first vehicle based on the first information, calculate second total energy absorbed by the second vehicle based on the calculated crush depth and the second information; and calculate a first estimated impact severity for the first vehicle using the first total energy and a second estimated impact severity for the second vehicle using the second total energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: CCC Information Services Inc.
    Inventors: Darrin A. Smith, Kenna Henn
  • Patent number: 9500545
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for using black box data to analyze vehicular accidents. The methods include obtaining information from an event data recorder associated with a vehicle and using the data obtained therefrom in determining and analyzing the vehicular accident. Attributes to be analyzed include impact severity, change in velocity, and other desired parameters. Further disclosed are methods to securely communicate the downloaded black box information to a secure location for later analysis and processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: CCC Information Services Inc.
    Inventors: Darrin A. Smith, Scott Palmer
  • Patent number: 9228834
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a computer-implemented method to collect information to determine damage to a vehicle involved in a collision using photogrammetric techniques. When determined, this vehicle damage information, which may be in the form of crush measurement information such as a crush damage profile, can be displayed in a computer-generated view of the subject vehicle with a crush damage profile and used to estimate the impact severity. In some embodiments, based on the photogrammetric information derived, a direction of any shifting of the vehicle's components may be obtained and used along with other information to estimate a principal direction of force (PDOF) for one or more vehicles involved in the collision. Still further embodiments may be used to generate and/or audit repair estimates based at least in part on the photogrammetric information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: CCC Information Services Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Kidd, Darrin A. Smith