Camera Rotation via Defocus Feedback for Inspection Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

In image capturing for social infrastructure inspection, existing techniques fail to ensure uniform image resolution and accurate defect detection, especially when the image capturing apparatus is not directly facing the inspection target surface, leading to incomplete or inaccurate inspection of wide-range surfaces.

Innovation Solution

An image capturing system that includes a camera apparatus and a panhead, which obtains defocus amounts at multiple positions within the image capturing range and uses this information to instruct the rotation of the camera apparatus to ensure direct-facing, thereby maintaining uniform conditions for defect inspection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the image capturing apparatus is caused to move to capture a wide range inspection target surface, then the inspection coverage is improved, but the distance to the inspection target surface gradually changes and uniform image resolution cannot be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection coverageVSAvoidimage resolution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses defocus amount detection at multiple positions to obtain feedback information about the camera's angular deviation from the inspection target surface. Based on this feedback, the system automatically calculates and executes rotation correction, enabling real-time adjustment to maintain uniform image resolution across the wide inspection area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual alignment operations with an automated optical-mechanical system that uses defocus amount measurement and automatic rotation control. This substitution eliminates the need for manual intervention while maintaining precise alignment during wide-area inspection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If swing and tilt photography is performed to achieve straightening for direct-facing, then the ease of operation is improved, but the inspection accuracy of defects remains insufficient when the angle with the inspection target surface is large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment operationVSAvoiddefect inspection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual swing and tilt photography operations with an automated system that uses defocus amount detection and programmatic rotation control. This substitution maintains ease of operation while significantly improving defect inspection accuracy through precise angular correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-alignment by automatically detecting its own angular deviation through defocus amount measurement and correcting its orientation without external intervention. This self-service capability ensures both ease of operation and high inspection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the image capturing apparatus is not straightened to directly face the inspection target surface, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image capturing quality and inspection accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment mechanismVSAvoidimage capturing quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses defocus amount detection to provide feedback on alignment quality, enabling automatic correction without complex manual alignment mechanisms. This feedback loop maintains high image capturing quality while keeping the device structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with a simpler system that uses optical defocus detection and software-based rotation control, reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining or improving image quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables accurate and uniform image capturing of social infrastructure constructions by ensuring the camera apparatus is directly facing the inspection target, allowing for precise defect inspection and capturing of wide-range surfaces without the need for manual alignment.

Implementation Method 1

obtainment unit configured to obtain defocus amounts at a plurality of positions within an image capturing range of the image capturing apparatus

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDefocus amount detection: Depth of Field

Data Source

PatentUS11489998B2Image capturing apparatus and method of controlling image capturing apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.11.01 CANON KK

AI summary

An image capturing apparatus comprises an obtainment unit configured to obtain defocus amounts at a plurality of positions within an image capturing range of the image capturing apparatus, and an output unit configured to obtain information instructing a rotation of the image capturing apparatus based on a difference between defocus amounts that the obtainment unit obtained, and output the obtained information.