Camera Alignment With Reference Overlay for Consistent Asset Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional asset inspection methods in industrial environments are costly and prone to human error, and existing systems struggle to efficiently monitor temperature-sensitive assets without requiring significant infrastructure investments.
Innovation Solution
A camera-based system that captures live images of assets and aligns them with semi-transparent reference images, allowing for efficient comparison and alignment, thereby facilitating accurate and efficient inspection by inheriting properties between the images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large numbers of sensors or fixed camera systems are installed throughout a facility, then asset monitoring capability is improved, but infrastructure cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a portable camera to capture images of assets, creating visual copies that can be analyzed without installing permanent sensor systems. The camera captures multiple images from different positions, and software processes these copies to monitor asset conditions, eliminating the need for expensive fixed infrastructure while maintaining monitoring capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to perform self-inspection of assets using the portable camera and accompanying software. The automated image processing and analysis features enable users to independently monitor asset conditions without requiring complex installed systems or specialized personnel, making the monitoring service self-sufficient
2Ease of operation
If manual inspection by users is required, then flexibility is improved, but human error and inspection consistency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The software provides automated feedback by comparing captured images against reference images, highlighting differences and potential issues. This feedback mechanism guides users through the inspection process, ensuring consistent evaluation criteria are applied while maintaining the flexibility of manual operation, thereby reducing human error and improving inspection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically processing and analyzing images before final interpretation. The software pre-processes captured images, identifies potential anomalies, and prepares comparison results, which then guide the user's final assessment. This preliminary automated analysis ensures consistency while preserving user flexibility in making final decisions
3Area of stationary object
If fixed camera systems are used, then monitoring coverage is improved, but adaptability to monitor different assets worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed camera systems to a dynamic portable camera that can be moved to different locations and positions. The camera captures images from various angles and positions, and the software dynamically processes these images to monitor different assets as needed, providing both broad coverage through mobility and adaptability to specific inspection requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods directed to asset inspection are provided. In one example, a method includes capturing, by a camera, a live image of an asset under inspection. The method further includes preparing a blended image using the live image and a semi-transparent reference image of the asset, wherein the blended image comprises a first representation of the asset from the live image and a second representation of the asset from the semi-transparent reference image. The method further includes receiving, at the camera, a manipulation to align the camera relative to the asset in response to a review of an alignment of the first and second representations of the asset relative to each other in the blended image. Additional methods and systems are also provided.