Cloud IR Inspection Routing System for Automated Defect Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current infrared camera inspection methods in industrial plants are inefficient and costly due to the need for on-site analysts to guide inspectors, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based, networked infrared inspection routing system that allows remote definition of inspection workflows, providing context-aware instructions to inspectors and analyzing captured images to detect abnormal conditions, enabling automated actions and reducing the need for real-time analyst guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If on-site analysts guide inspectors during inspections, then inspection accuracy is improved, but cost and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system performs self-service through automated image analysis and AI-powered defect detection. The camera device automatically captures images, analyzes them using onboard processing, and generates inspection reports without requiring continuous analyst guidance, thereby maintaining accuracy while improving efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of human analyst guidance with an automated digital system. AI algorithms and image processing techniques substitute for human analysts, enabling automatic detection of defects and generation of inspection results, thus eliminating the need for on-site analyst presence while maintaining or improving inspection quality
2Reliability
If on-site analysts guide inspectors during inspections, then inspection quality is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service through automated image capture, analysis, and report generation. The camera device independently executes inspection tasks using embedded AI algorithms, eliminating the need for paid analyst time while maintaining high inspection quality through sophisticated automated defect detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of inspection data and analysis results that can be stored, reviewed, and analyzed without requiring physical analyst presence. This allows multiple stakeholders to access inspection quality data remotely, maintaining quality assurance while reducing the cost of on-site expert deployment
3Ease of operation
If remote workflow management is implemented, then inspector independence is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud-based server as an intermediary between the camera device and the user interface. This intermediary handles complex workflow management, image analysis coordination, and data storage, allowing the inspector to operate the device independently while the backend system manages the complexity of remote workflow coordination and automated analysis
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 system reduces costs and inefficiencies by allowing remote workflow management, enabling inspectors to perform inspections independently and improving the detection of abnormal conditions through automated image analysis and actions, enhancing inspection efficiency and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
Infrared (IR) cameras are often used for monitoring and/or inspection of various types of installations
Data Source
AI summary
Various techniques are disclosed to provide a cloud-based, networked infrared (IR) inspection routing system that provides a user interface for remotely defining an inspection routing workflow for an inspection of a site, and provides an IR camera that presents customized and context-aware instructions to an on-site inspector to perform the inspection. The IR camera may be further configured to analyze IR images that are captured during the inspection and provides additional guidance in response to the analysis of the captured IR images according to the defined inspection routing workflow.