GB2539030A

GB2539030A - Method and system for fitting items into a space

Info

Publication number: GB2539030A
Application number: GB1509717.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Uppal Vaibhav; Bolldorf Svenja; Viersbach Ulrich; Goergens Markus; Heitkamp Beate; Sert Oezcan
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2015-06-04
Filing date: 2015-06-04
Publication date: 2016-12-07
Also published as: GB201509717D0

Abstract

The method and system determines whether a plurality of items will fit into a space without the need to manually take measurements for each item or the space, or otherwise attempt prior loading. The method comprising: capturing an image of each item 103 which is to be moved into the space 105; simulating a three-dimensional representation of each item from the image; determining the dimensions of each item using the three-dimensional representation; comparing the dimensions of each item to the dimensions of each of the other items and to the dimensions of the space; and indicating to a user if the plurality of items will fit into the space. The method may further indicate how to arrange the plurality of items so that they occupy the smallest amount of space and the space may particularly relate to a load space of a vehicle. The system includes an imaging device and a computing device, where the imaging device may be a stereo camera and the computing device may be a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

Description

Method and System for Fitting Items into a Space This disclosure relates to a method for determining if a plurality of items will fit into a space.

Introduction

A driver of a vehicle is often faced with the task of loading items, such as bicycles, luggage, boxes, furniture and push chairs into the vehicle. Often, a driver of the vehicle will load the items into the vehicle only to find that the items do not entirely fit in the loadspace, or that a door of the vehicle will not fully close once the items have been loaded into the vehicle.

One way of assessing whether the items will fit into the loadspace is to take measurements of each item and of the loadspace. The driver may then assess if the items are likely to fit into the loadspace of the vehicle. However, in many situations it may not be practical to take such measurements, for example if the driver does not have access to the items and/or the vehicle.

In certain circumstances, the driver is presented with a choice of vehicles in which goods may be transported, for example when hiring a vehicle to transport goods. It is desirable, therefore, to determine if the goods will fit in the chosen vehicle, and to pick the most appropriate vehicle for the task.

Statements of Invention

According to an aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a method for determining if a plurality of items, for example goods, cargo, and/or loads, will fit into a space, for example a loadspace of a vehicle, a cargo area or cargo carrier. The method comprises capturing an image of each item which is to be moved into the space. The image may be captured using one or more imaging devices, for example a camera. The method comprises simulating a three-dimensional representation of each item from the image. The three-dimensional representation of the space may be simulated from the image using a computing device operatively connected to the imaging device, for example a portable computing device or a computing device of the vehicle. The three three-dimensional representation of the space may be simulated using an augmented reality system. The three-dimensional representation of the space may be simulated using any appropriate image processing technique.

The method comprises determining the dimensions of each item using the three-dimensional representation, for example determining the maximum and/or minimum width, length and/or height of each item. The method comprises comparing one or more dimensions of each item to one or more dimensions of each of the other items. The method comprises comparing one or more dimensions of each item to one or more dimensions of the space. The method may comprise analysing the dimensions of one or more arrangements and/or orientations of the plurality of loads. The method may comprise comparing one or more dimensions of one or more arrangements and/or orientations of the plurality of items to one or more dimensions of the space.

At least one dimension of one or more of the items may be stored on the computing device. At least one dimension of the space may be stored on the computing device. The method comprises indicating to a user if the plurality of items will fit into the space. In this manner, the user, for example a driver of a vehicle, may assess whether or not the space is suitable for a particular scenario, for example transporting the plurality of items in the loadspace of the vehicle.

The method may comprise indicating, for example to the user and/or the driver of a vehicle, how to configure (for example arrange, orientate and/or organise) the plurality of items in the space, such that the plurality of items occupies the smallest possible amount of the space, or such that it will fit in a specific space.

The method may comprise indicating to the user that the plurality of items occupies an overall volume that is larger than the volume of the space. The method may comprise indicating which items of the plurality of items will fit into the space, if the plurality of items will not fit into the space. For example, if the plurality of items comprises four individual items, the method may indicate that only three of the four items will fit in the space. The method may comprise selecting a combination of items of the plurality of items. The method may comprise checking if the combination of items will fit in the loadspace.

The method may comprise selecting a type of space. For example, if at least one dimension of the plurality of items is greater than a dimension of space, a user may select one or more other spaces. The method may comprise comparing the dimensions of a first space to the dimensions of a second space. In this manner, the user may select one or more spaces that are suitably sized to fit the plurality of items.

The method may comprise indicating the amount by which a dimension of at least one of the plurality of items is larger or smaller than a dimension of the space. The space may be a space of a vehicle, for example the boot/trunk of a car, the cargo area of a van or truck and/or the space inside a cargo carrier of a vehicle. The space may comprise a plurality of portions that are separate from one another, for example the space may comprise a plurality of loadspaces of a vehicle that are located in various portions of the vehicle. The method may comprise selecting the space of the vehicle, for example selecting one or more loadspaces of the vehicle. The method may comprise selecting a type of vehicle.

The indication may be provided to the user by virtue of one or more graphical user interfaces (GUI). The indication may be provided to the user by overlaying a scaled image of the plurality of items onto an image of the space, for example using an augmented reality system. The scaled image may be scaled to the size of the image of the space.

The method may comprise comparing a dimension of at least one of the plurality of items to an opening into the space. The method may comprise indicating to the user if a cover of the opening will fully close when the plurality of items is in the space.

The method may comprise transmitting the image of each item which is to be moved into the space and/or the three-dimensional representation of each item to a remote computing device.

The imaging device may be a stereo camera, for example a camera having two lenses with a separate image sensor for each lens, thereby allowing the camera to capture three-dimensional images. The stereo camera may be fitted to the vehicle. The imaging device and the computing device may be housed in a common housing.

The computing device may be operatively connected to the imaging device, for example by virtue of one or more electrical connections and/or wireless connections. The computing device may be the processor of a smartphone, tablet computer or laptop. The computing device may be installed on the vehicle, for example the computing device may be an electronic control unit of the vehicle. The imaging device and/or the computing device may be operatively connected to another computing device that is located remotely, for example the other computing device may be a remote server of the manufacturer of the vehicle. The method may further comprise transmitting the image of items and/or the three-dimensional representation of the items to the remote computing device. The computing device and/or the remote computing device may be configured to store and/or analyse data regarding he types of items, which the driver of the vehicle may wish to load into the vehicle.

The computing device may be operatively connected to a display system of the vehicle. The display system may comprise one or more screens, for example one or more screens in a dashboard of the vehicle.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure there is provided a system for determining if a plurality of items will fit into a space. The system comprises an imaging device configured to capture an image of each item which is to be moved into the space. The system comprises a computing device operatively connected to the imaging device. The computing device is configured to simulate a three-dimensional representation of each item from the image. The computing device is configured to determine the dimensions of each item using the three-dimensional representation. The computing device is configured to compare the dimensions of each item to the dimensions of each of the other items. The computing device is configured to compare the dimensions of each item to the dimensions of the space. The computing device is configured to provide an indication to a user if the plurality of items will fit into the space.

A vehicle may be provided that comprises one or more of the above-mentioned systems.

The invention also provides software, such as a computer program or a computer program product for carrying out any of the methods described herein, and a computer readable medium having stored thereon a program for carrying out any of the methods described herein. A computer program embodying the disclosure may be stored on a computer-readable medium, or it could, for example, be in the form of a signal such as a downloadable data signal provided from an Internet website, or it could be in any other form.

To avoid unnecessary duplication of effort and repetition of text in the specification, certain features are described in relation to only one or several aspects or arrangements of the disclosure. However, it is to be understood that, where it is technically possible, features described in relation to any aspect or arrangement of the disclosure may also be used with any other aspect or arrangement of the disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the present disclosure, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a vehicle and a plurality of loads; Figure 2 shows a method for determining if the plurality of loads will fit into the loadspace; 10 and Figure 3 shows smartphone displaying an image of the loadspace overlaid with an image of the plurality of loads.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows a vehicle 101 and a plurality of items 103. In the arrangement shown in figure 1, the vehicle 101 is a car. However, in another arrangement, the vehicle 101 may be any other type of vehicle, for example a van, a truck, an articulated lorry, a caravan, a trailer, a marine vessel or an aircraft. The vehicle 101 comprises a loadspace 105, which may be accessed by one or more access openings in the body of the vehicle 101. The openings may be closed by any type of hatch or door fitted to the vehicle 101. In the arrangement shown in figure 1, the loadspace 105 is located in the rear portion of the vehicle 101, and it may be accessed by a rear door 107 of the vehicle 101 and/or by a tailgate 109 of the vehicle 101.

In the arrangement shown in figure 1, the items 103 are boxes of differing sizes. The items 103 may, however, be any appropriate type of items 103. For example, each item 103 may be an item of luggage, a bicycle, a pushchair, a wheelchair, an item of furniture, or a pallet or skid loaded with goods and/or equipment.

The loadspace 105 may be any appropriate type of space in which goods may be stored and/or transported. For example, the loadspace 105 may be the cargo region of a van, or the bed of a pickup truck. As such, the loadspace 105 may be defined by a three-dimensional (3D) region, in the case of the van, and by a two-dimensional (2D) area, in the case of the bed of the pickup truck. The loadspace 105 may be a cargo hold of an aircraft or a marine vessel, or the volume inside a box, an item of luggage or a cargo carrier or a shipping container. in this manner, the loadspace 105, for example the boundary of the loadspace 105, may be defined by any appropriate 2D shape or 3D space.

In the arrangement shown in figure 1, the loadspace 105 has a volume that is defined by the internal dimensions of the vehicle 101 when the rear doors 107 and the tailgate 109 of the vehicle 101 are closed, Whilst it may be easy to assess whether each of the items 103 individually will fit into the loadspace 105, it is more difficult to make an assessment of whether a number of items 103, which may be different shapes and sizes, will fit into the loadspace 105, especially if the driver does not have direct access to the vehicle 101. It is desirable, therefore, for a driver of the vehicle 101, or any other user, to be able to assess whether the plurality of items 103 may be stowed in the loadspace 105 without having to move the items 103 into the vehicle 101 to check whether or not the item 103 fit.

The present disclosure provides a method 100 and a system 111 for determining if the plurality of items 103, for example loads, will fit into the loadspace 105, for example the loadspace 105 of a vehicle 101. Figure 2 shows the method 100 and figure 3 illustrates a system 111 for determining if the plurality of items 103 will fit into the loadspace 105 of the vehicle 101.

As shown in figure 2, the method 100 comprises the step 110 of capturing an image of each item 103 which is to be moved into the loadspace 105. For example, the plurality of items 103 may comprise four individual items 103, e.g. boxes, as shown in Figure 1. The step 110 may comprise taking separate images of each of the items 103 and/or taking a single image of the plurality of items 103. The image may be taken using an imaging device 115, for example a smartphone 117 that has a camera. However, the image 121 of each item 103 may be captured using any type of imaging device 115 configured to capture one or more images of the plurality of items 103.

The smartphone 117 shown in figure 3 may be configured to capture the images of the plurality of items 103 and perform analyses of the images. For example, the smartphone 117 may comprise one or more computing devices that are operatively connected to the camera of the smartphone 117. The smartphone 117 may be configured to run one or more applications that provide a graphical user interface (GUI) by virtue of a screen, which enables a user, for example the driver of the vehicle 101, to operate the camera and/or make appropriate selections regarding the type of items 103. For example, the application may be configured to allow the user to select whether any of the items 103 are fragile and/or are required to be stowed in a particular orientation.

The imaging device 115 may be a separate device, for example a standalone digital camera that is operatively connected to a separate computing device configured to carry out one or more appropriate processing techniques. For example, the imaging device may be a camera of the vehicle 101, which is operatively connected to one or more computing devices of the vehicle 101. The vehicle 101 may comprise one or more screens that are able to display the GUI in a similar manner to the smartphone 117.

In one arrangement, the imaging device 115 may be operatively connected to a remote computing device, for example a remote server of the manufacturer of the vehicle 101. The remote computing device may be configured to receive the images captured by the imaging device 115, process the images, and transmit data to the operator of the imaging device 115. In such an arrangement, the vehicle manufacturer is able to obtain data about the types of items which their customers may wish to load into a particular vehicle. Such data may be used to influence design decisions, for example decisions about the size and shape of a vehicle, such that a wider range of items 103 may be loaded into the loadspaces 105 of future vehicles.

The method 100 comprises the step 120 of simulating a 3D representation of each item 103 from one or more appropriate images. The 3D representation of each item 103 may be simulated using one or more image processing techniques performed by the computing device. For example, an augmented reality (AR) process may be used to create the 3D representation of the item 103. In such an example, an AR marker may be placed in the field of vision of the imaging device 115 so that the AR system can create an accurate representation of the item 103 when the computing device processes the images of the items. The AR marker may, for example, be a predefined AR marker, and/or a reference object of known dimensions, such as a car key, placed on or near to the item 103, or anywhere in the field of vision of the imaging device 115.

Additionally or alternatively, the 3D representation may be simulated using stereo photography. In such an example, the imaging device 115 may be a stereo camera. The computing device may then process the captured images to simulate the 3D representation of each of the items 103.

The method 100 comprises the step 130 of determining at least one dimension of each item 103 using the 3D representation. The step 130 may comprise determining at least one of the width W of the item 103, the height H of the item 103, and the length L of the item 103. In this manner, the computing device may use the 3D representation cf the item 103 to accurately determine the geometry of the item 103, for example as a function of the width W, height H and/or length L of the item 103. in the context of determining if a plurality of items 103 will fit into a loadspace of a car or van, the method 100 may comprise the step of computing the volume of at least one of the items 101 The method 100 may comprise a step of performing one or more minimum bounding algorithms based upon the determined geometry of the item 103. For example, the method 100 may comprise a step of computing the minimum bounding box, sphere and/or convex hull geometry, of at least one of the items 103, for example if the item 103 is shaped irregularly.

The method 100 comprises the step 140 of comparing the dimensions of each item 103 to the dimensions of each of the other items 103 and to the dimensions of the loadspace 105. For example, the method 100 may comprise a step of comparing the volume occupied by each item 103 to the volume occupied by each of the other items 103. The method 100 may comprise a step of determining the total volume occupied by the plurality of items 103. The total volume occupied by the plurality of items 103, and/or the volume occupied by each item 103, may be compared to the usable volume of the loadspace 105. In this manner, it may be determined if the plurality of items 103 will fit into the loadspace 105 of the vehicle. The method 100 comprises the step 150 of indicating to the driver if the plurality of loads 103 will or will not fit into the loadspace 105.

In the arrangement shown in figure 1, the driver wishes to check if the items 103 will fit into the rear loadspace 105 of the vehicle 101. In the arrangement shown, there are four individual items 103 that make up the plurality of items 103. However, the plurality of items 103 may comprise any appropriate number of items 103. In the first instance, the method may comprise a step of determining if any one of the of the items 103 is too large to fit into the loadspace 105, and subsequently indicating to the driver if any one of the of the items 103 is too large to fit into the loadspace 105. The method 100 may comprise a step of indicating the amount by which a dimension of at least one of the plurality of items 103 is larger or smaller than a dimension of the loadspace 105. If it is determined that all of the items 103 will fit individually into the loadspace 105, the method 100 may comprise a step of determining if the plurality of items 103 may be arranged in the loadspace 105 such that all of the items 103 may be loaded into the loadspace 105.

Figure 3 shows the smartphone 117 displaying a GUI 113 according to the present disclosure. The GUI 113 is used to provide an indication to the user of whether or not the plurality of items 103 will fit into the loadspace 105. One indication may be a simple positive/negative indication, for example an icon 119 on the GUI 113 may indicate if the plurality of items 103 will fit into the loadspace 105.

The method 100 may comprise overlaying a scaled image 121 of the plurality of items 103 onto an image of the loadspace 105, for example using an augmented reality system. The arrangement shown in figure 3 illustrates the plurality of items 103 overlaid onto an image of the vehicle 101. The image 121 may be overlaid onto a still image, or may be overlaid onto a real-time video image of the vehicle 101. The vehicle 101 may comprise a display system, for example a screen in the dashboard of the vehicle 101, that is operatively connected to the computing device. The display system of the vehicle 101 may be configured to display the GUI 113, for example in addition to or instead of the smartphone 117 shown in figure 3.

In one arrangement, the plurality of items 103 may fit inside the loadspace 105 and be arranged in various configurations depending on the relative shapes and sizes of the items 103 and the loadspace 105. The method 100 may comprise a step of indicating to the user a particular order in which to load the items 103 into the vehicle 101, such that the plurality of items 103 fit into the loadspace 105. The method 100 may comprise a step of indicating to the user a particular orientation in which an individual item 103 is to be loaded into the loadspace 105, such that the plurality of items 103 fit into the loadspace 105. In some situations, there may be only one particular order and/or orientation in which the items 103 may be loaded into the vehicle 101 such that the plurality of items 103 fit into the loadspace 105. Alternatively, if the loadspace 105 is sufficiently large, there may be a number of ways in which the plurality of items 103 will fit into the loadspace 105. The method 100 may comprise a step of selecting one or more preferred configurations of the items 103 in the loadspace 105, for example if any item 103 in particular needs to be loaded in a certain position in the loadspace 105. For example, if the driver of the vehicle 101 is delivering the items 103 to a number of different locations, the driver may wish to unload the items 103 in a particular order to save against unloading and reloading the items 103 at each stage of the delivery.

The method 100 may comprise a step of indicating to the user how to secure the plurality of items 103 in the loadspace 105 such that the items 103 do not move during transit. For example, the method 100 may indicate to the user the position of one or more securing points of the vehicle to which the items 103 may be secured, for example using one or more straps or bungee cords.

It may be desirable, in some situations, to minimise the overall volume occupied in the loadspace 105 by the plurality of items 103, tor example to maximise the number of items 103 that may be fitted into the loadspace 105. This may be of particular use to haulage companies, and where it is desirable to transport a large number of items 103 between locations in the most efficient manner. The method 100 may comprise indicating to the user how to configure the plurality of loads 103 in the loadspace 105 such that the plurality of loads 103 occupies the smallest possible amount of the loadspace 105.

In some circumstances, whilst each of the items 103 will fit into the loadspace 105, the access opening into the loadspace 105 may be too small to pass the item 103 through. For example with reference to figure 1, if the item 103 is particularly bulky, it may not be possible to load the bulky item 103 through the door opening, but it may be possible to load the item through the tailgate opening. The method 100 may comprise a step of indicating to the user which access opening to use for a particular item 103. The method 100 may comprise indicating to the user if a cover of the opening, for example the door 107 or the tailgate 109, will fully close when the plurality of loads 103 is in the loadspace 105.

The method 100 may comprise comparing the dimensions of the plurality of loads 103 with one or more different loadspaces 105. For example, a vehicle may have a plurality of loadspaces 105, or compartments, positioned at various locations of the vehicle. The loadspaces 105 may be the loadspaces 105 of a number of respective vehicles, for example the cargo areas of differently sized vans. The computing device may be configured to store data regarding the configuration of different loadspaces 105 into which a user may wish to load the items 103, for example user-preferred loadspaces 105 in a number of different locations and/or vehicles. The method 100 may comprise selecting one or more loadspaces 105, for example from a database of loadspaces 105, and/or vehicles, that is stored on the computing device.

The method 100 may comprise a step of instructing the user to reconfigure the loadspace 105 of the vehicle 101. For example, the loadspace 105 of a car may be reconfigured by folding/collapsing/removing one or more seats of the vehicle 101. However, the loadspace 105 may be reconfigured in any appropriate manner depending on the configuration of the vehicle 101. The method 100 may comprise a step of instructing the user fold down one or more seats in order to increase the capacity of the loadspace 105, such that all the items 103 will fit into the loadspace 105.

The method 100 may comprise a step of determining the allowable vehicle occupancy when the items 103 are loaded into the loadspace 105, For example, if one or more seats of the vehicle 101 are to be folded down to increase the capacity of the loadspace 105, then the number of people that may be seated in the vehicle 101 will be reduced. The method 100 may comprise a step of indicating to the user, for example the driver, how many passengers will fit into the vehicle 101 depending on the configuration of the seats of the vehicle 101, when the items 103 are loaded in the loadspace 105. Such an indication may be advantageous as one or more of the items 103 may individually be too heavy and/or too large to be carried by one person. In this manner, the driver may assess if the vehicle 101 is suitable to carry the items 103 and a desired number of passengers.

The method 100 may comprise scanning the vehicle identification number (VIN) of the vehicle 101 in order to identify the configuration of the loadspace 105 of the vehicle 101. For example, the computing device, or a remote server of the manufacturer of the vehicle 101, may store information regarding the size and shape of the loadspace 105 of the vehicle 101.

In this manner, the computing device may be configured to recall specific information relating to the loadspace 105 of one or more vehicles, to which the dimensions of the plurality of items 103 may be compared. The step of scanning the VIN of the vehicle 101 to identify the configuration of the loadspace 105 may be performed at any appropriate stage of the method 100. For example, the VIN may be scanned prior to capturing the image of each item 103 which is to be moved into the loadspace 105, or the VIN may be scanned after the image of each item 103 has been captured. The step may comprise scanning a plurality of VINs of respective vehicles in order to identify the most appropriate loadspace 105 for loading the items 103 into.

The method 100 may comprise a step of determining, or estimating, the weight of one or more of the items 103. For example, the user may select a particular type or category of item which is to be loaded into the loadspace 105. The computing device may be configured to estimate the weight of the item 103 based on the determined volume of the item 103 and a value for the average density of the selected item type, which may be stored in a database on the computing device. In this manner, the method may comprise determining the overall weight of the plurality of loads 103 and indicating if the overall weight is more than or less than a predetermined weight limit of the vehicle.

In one arrangement, a prospective customer who wishes to purchase and/or own a number of particular products, for example a number of items of furniture, may wish to check if the products will fit inside the loadspace 105, for example the cargo area of a van. The method may comprise determining the dimensions of one or more of the products from a database of product dimensions, which may be supplied by the manufacturer of the product and stored on the computing device. in this manner, the customer may select a number of products from the database and determine if the selected products will fit into the intended loadspace 105. If it is indicated that the selected products do not fit in the customer's preferred vehicle loadspace 105, the method 100 may comprise a step of suggesting one or more alternative vehicles which have larger loadspaces 105, for example an alternative vehicle supplied by a hire company.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that although the invention has been described by way of example with reference to one or more arrangements, it is not limited to the disclosed arrangements and alternative arrangements could be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A method for determining if a plurality of items will fit into a space, the method comprising: capturing an image of each item which is to be moved into the space; simulating a three-dimensional representation of each item from the image; determining the dimensions of each item using the three-dimensional representation; comparing the dimensions of each item to the dimensions of each of the other items and to the dimensions of the space; and indicating to a user if the plurality of items will fit into the space.
2. A method according to claim 1, the method further comprising indicating to the user how to arrange the plurality of items in the space such that the plurality of items occupies the smallest possible amount of the space.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, the method further comprising indicating which items of the plurality of items will fit into the space if all of the items of the plurality of items will not fit into the space.
4. A method according to any of the preceding claims, the method further comprising indicating the amount by which a dimension of at least one item of the plurality of items is larger or smaller than a dimension of the space.
5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the space is a loadspace of a vehicle.
6. A method according to claim 5, the method further comprising selecting the loadspace of the vehicle.
7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, the method further comprising selecting a type of vehicle.
8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the indication is provided to the user by overlaying a scaled image of the plurality of items onto an image of the space.
9. A method according to any of the preceding claims, the method further comprising comparing a dimension of at least one of the plurality of items to an opening into the space.
10. A method according to any of the preceding claims, the method further comprising indicating to the user if a cover of the opening will fully close when the plurality of items is in the space.
11. A method according to any of the preceding claims, the method further comprising transmitting the image of each item which is to be moved into the space and/or the three-dimensional representation of each item to a remote computing device.
12. A system for determining if a plurality of items will fit into a space, the system comprising: an imaging device configured to capture an image of each item which is to be moved into the space; and a computing device operatively connected to the imaging device, the computing device being configured to: simulate a three-dimensional representation of each item from the image; determine the dimensions of each item using the three-dimensional representation; compare the dimensions of each item to the dimensions of each of the other items and to the dimensions of the space; and provide an indication to a user if the plurality of items will fit into the space.
13. A system according to claim 12, wherein the computing device is operatively connected to a display system of a vehicle and/or a smartphone.
14. A system according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the computing device is operatively connected to another computing device that is located remotely.
15. A system according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the imaging device is a stereo camera.
16. A system according to any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the imaging device is fitted to a vehicle.
17. A vehicle comprising one or more systems of any of claims 12 to 16.
18. Software which when executed by a computing apparatus causes the computing apparatus to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 11.
19. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, and substantially as described herein.
20. A system as claimed in any of claims 12 to 17, and substantially as described herein.