Columnar Object State Detection via Central Axis Curve Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile mapping systems (MMS) for detecting the state of outdoor columnar objects, such as utility poles, face accuracy issues due to vehicle posture changes, road conditions, and satellite visibility, leading to errors in point cloud data and stereoscopic representations, which cannot be accurately determined and require additional surveying operations for correction.

Innovation Solution

A columnar object state detection device that acquires central axis data through curve fitting and correction approximation equations, allowing for the correction and complementation of coordinate values without new point cloud or image data, enabling high-accuracy state detection of columnar objects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If mobile mapping system is used to acquire point cloud data, then scanning time is shortened, but measurement precision deteriorates due to vehicle posture changes and road conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning timeVSAvoidaccuracy of three-dimensional coordinates information

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by using the detected central axis information as correction data to improve the accuracy of point cloud data. The system detects the central axis of columnar objects from the point cloud data, then uses this detected information to correct errors in the point cloud data, creating a feedback loop that continuously improves measurement precision while maintaining the efficiency of mobile mapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary element - the central axis detection information - that mediates between the low-precision point cloud data acquired by mobile mapping and the high-precision measurement requirements. This central axis information serves as a reference to correct the point cloud data, enabling accurate measurements without requiring the inspection vehicle to stop or use traditional surveying instruments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If traditional surveying instruments are used to correct point cloud data, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to additional surveying operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of coordinate valuesVSAvoidscanning efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the mobile mapping system to automatically detect and correct its own measurement errors. The system uses its acquired point cloud data to detect central axis information, which then serves as correction data to improve the accuracy of the same data set, eliminating the need for external surveying instruments and additional correction operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the mobile mapping system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both data acquisition and self-correction functions. The same system that collects point cloud data also detects central axis information and uses this information to correct errors, allowing a single device to fulfill multiple roles that traditionally required separate instruments and operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Speed

If point cloud data is acquired using MMS, then scanning speed is improved, but reliability of data accuracy cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescanning speedVSAvoidaccuracy determination capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reversing the traditional approach: instead of trying to ensure accurate data acquisition from the start, the system first acquires data at high speed with acceptable errors, then inverts the process by using the detected central axis information to correct the errors. This allows the system to prioritize speed initially and then improve accuracy through correction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11255661B2Columnar-object-state detection device, columnar-object-state detection method, and columnar-object-state detection processing program

Publication Date: 2022.02.22 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A columnar object state detection device according to an embodiment is a device for detecting a state of a columnar object including: an acquisition unit configured to acquire central axis data that is an array of coordinate values of center points of the columnar object in a horizontal direction at a plurality of predetermined heights of the columnar object; an approximation equation calculating unit configured to calculate a correction approximation equation for correcting the coordinate values of the central axis data acquired by the acquisition unit through curve fitting for the array of coordinate values of the central axis data acquired by the acquisition unit; and correction unit configured to correct the coordinate values of the acquired central axis data using the correction approximation equation calculated by the approximation equation calculating unit.