Aerial Imaging Flight Control for Structure Inspection Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for inspecting hard-to-reach structures like bridges and industrial facilities are costly and disruptive, requiring scaffolding or lane closures to ensure safety, which can impact traffic and increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A control device and method that utilizes a flying camera system to autonomously capture images of structures by generating flight information based on an overview of the structure, allowing for efficient inspection without the need for scaffolding or lane closures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional inspection methods using scaffolding or lane closures are used, then inspection safety is improved, but traffic disruption and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scaffolding system with an aerial imaging system using drones or aircraft. Instead of physically setting up scaffolding structures to access hard-to-reach areas, the system uses aerial vehicles equipped with cameras and sensors to capture images and data from above, eliminating the need for ground-based mechanical support structures and lane closures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional ground-based inspection (requiring scaffolding to reach elevated areas) to three-dimensional aerial inspection. By moving the imaging platform to the air, the system can access hard-to-reach structures from a different spatial dimension, avoiding the need for ground disruption while maintaining inspection effectiveness.
2Measurement precision
If conventional inspection methods using scaffolding are used, then inspection thoroughness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical scaffolding systems with simpler aerial platforms equipped with modern imaging technology. The complexity of assembling and securing scaffolding structures is replaced by the relatively simple deployment of drones or aircraft, which can be remotely operated and equipped with advanced cameras, sensors, and processing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerial imaging system serves multiple inspection functions simultaneously - it can capture images from various angles, access multiple hard-to-reach areas, and collect data from different structures in a single deployment. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple specialized scaffolding setups for different inspection scenarios.
3Productivity
If aerial imaging is used to avoid scaffolding, then traffic flow is improved, but image quality and coverage may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs advanced imaging parameters and settings including high-resolution sensors, adjustable aperture and shutter speeds, and optimized focal lengths to maintain image quality from aerial distances. The system can adjust imaging parameters based on altitude and lighting conditions to ensure sufficient image quality for inspection purposes without requiring ground-level proximity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image processing algorithms and computer vision techniques as intermediaries to enhance and analyze captured images. These processing systems can improve image quality, detect defects, and extract meaningful information even from images captured at a distance, compensating for the reduced proximity to the inspection target.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device including an acquisition unit configured to acquire information related to an overview of a structure, and a flight information generating unit configured to generate flight information of a flying body being caused to fly over a periphery of the structure to image the structure on the basis of the information acquired by the acquisition unit. The control device generates information used to cause the flying body to image the structure, and thereby makes it possible to make more efficient the inspection performed by the flying body capable of performing imaging.