Axle Measurement Using Depth and Captured Image Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing axle number measurement devices struggle to accurately count the number of axles in contact with the ground, especially in noisy environments like at night due to increased noise in images, leading to blurred and unclear tire detection.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a combination of a first imaging device for capturing images and a second imaging device for generating depth images, using the depth image to determine axle contact and switching to the captured image when noise is high, allowing accurate axle counting regardless of environmental brightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If image capturing is performed in low-light environments (such as at night), then the measurement can be performed continuously, but the image noise increases and detection precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically switches between two measurement modes (depth image mode and captured image mode) based on environmental lighting conditions. The control unit determines whether to use the depth imaging device or the imaging device by evaluating image quality metrics, thereby adapting the measurement system to varying ambient light conditions to maintain precision while enabling continuous operation.
2Measurement precision
If depth imaging device is used for low-light environments, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the imaging system multi-functional by equipping it with two types of imaging devices: a depth imaging device for low-light conditions and a captured image device for normal conditions. The control unit selectively activates the appropriate device based on environmental assessment, allowing a single system to handle multiple lighting scenarios without requiring separate dedicated systems for each condition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables precise measurement of axles in contact with the ground even in noisy conditions, such as at night, by utilizing depth images for low-light environments and captured images in bright conditions, reducing errors and ensuring accurate counting.
Implementation Method 1
a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a depth image including a distance to the tire and a distance to the road by the second imaging device performing image capturing
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An axle number measurement device (30) measures the number of axles of a vehicle (40) that travels on a road (50), and includes: a first communication unit (31) that obtains a captured image (P1) that includes a tire of the vehicle (40); a detector (33) that detects the tire from the captured image (P1); a second communication unit (32) that obtains a depth image (P2) that includes first distances from a predetermined position to the tire and second distances from the predetermined position to a position outside the tire in the captured image (P1), the position outside the tire being the road (50) below the tire; and a measurement unit (34) that measures the number of axles supporting tires in contact with the road (50), based on a continuity between the first distances and the second distances arranged from a position of the tire to the position outside the tire.