Buried Object Detection Using Stereo Vision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for constructing objects underground risk damaging buried objects due to the lack of accurate pre-existing information about their position, leading to increased workload and potential damage.

Innovation Solution

A management system that includes position detection, posture detection, object detection, and information acquisition units to gather and store buried object information, utilizing stereo cameras and sensors to determine the three-dimensional shape and position of buried objects, thereby reducing the risk of damage and workload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If operator measurement is used to obtain buried object information, then the position data can be acquired, but the burden of work increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveburied object position accuracyVSAvoidtime for obtaining buried object information

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual operator measurement with an automated imaging system using stereo cameras and image processing algorithms. The system automatically detects buried objects, calculates their positions, and generates information without requiring physical measurement by operators, thereby eliminating the trade-off between measurement accuracy and time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the imaging device to autonomously acquire buried object information. The stereo cameras capture images, the processing unit automatically analyzes the images to detect objects and calculate positions, and the system generates buried object information without human intervention, making the system serve itself rather than requiring operator measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual measurement methods are used to obtain buried object information, then position data can be collected, but the workload and potential for error increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveburied object position accuracyVSAvoidcomplexity of information acquisition system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual measurement processes with an automated optical system. Stereo cameras capture images from multiple angles, and image processing algorithms automatically detect buried objects and calculate their positions, providing reliable data without the complexity and potential errors associated with manual measurement methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a visual copy of the buried object through imaging and processes this copy to extract position information. By working with image data rather than physical measurement, the system achieves high reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through software-based analysis rather than complex physical measurement equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If buried object information is not obtained in advance, then the workflow remains simple, but the risk of damaging buried objects increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of construction processVSAvoidrisk of damage to buried objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by acquiring buried object information before construction begins. The imaging system detects and records the positions of buried objects in advance, allowing construction planners to review the data and adjust construction plans to avoid damaging buried objects, thus eliminating the contradiction between operational simplicity and damage risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

The system effectively reduces the burden of obtaining buried object information and minimizes the risk of damaging buried objects during construction by providing accurate positional data, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

an object detection unit configured to obtain a three-dimensional shape of a buried object

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStereo vision: Parallax

Implementation Method 2

a position detection unit configured to obtain a position of a work machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosition detection:

Implementation Method 3

a posture detection unit configured to obtain a posture of the work machine

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPosture detection:

Data Source

PatentUS11585490B2Management system

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 KOMATSU LTD

AI summary

A management system includes a position detection unit which obtains a position of a work machine, a posture detection unit which obtains a posture of the work machine, an object detection unit which obtains a three-dimensional shape of a buried object, a position calculation unit which obtains a position of the buried object by using the position of the work machine obtained by the position detection unit, the posture of the work machine obtained by the posture detection unit, and the three-dimensional shape of the buried object obtained by the object detection unit, and an information acquisition unit which acquires buried object information including at least the position of the buried object obtained by the position calculation unit.