Composite Image Vehicle Control for Hovering Camera Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for inspecting structures like bridges require costly and risky manual inspections that disrupt traffic, as they often necessitate scaffolding or lane closures, posing safety and logistical challenges.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a hovering camera equipped with an imaging device that performs automatic flights based on pre-set flight paths, allowing for non-intrusive inspection by capturing images of hard-to-reach areas, such as bridge girders, without the need for scaffolding or lane closures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual scaffolding and traditional inspection methods are used, then inspection can be performed, but operational costs increase and safety risks arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical scaffolding system with an aerial robot equipped with imaging devices. Instead of physically setting up scaffolding structures to access inspection areas, the system uses autonomous flying robots that can hover and capture images of structures from the air, eliminating the need for complex mechanical support systems and improving safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates visual copies (images) of the inspection targets using imaging devices mounted on aerial robots. By capturing photographs and generating composite images of structures like bridges, the system obtains accurate visual representations without physical contact or scaffolding, enabling safe remote inspection.
2Productivity
If traditional inspection methods with scaffolding are used, then structure inspection is possible, but traffic management becomes difficult due to lane closures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the inspection process from the ground level to the aerial dimension. By deploying robots that fly and hover above structures, the system captures images from three-dimensional spatial positions, allowing inspection without occupying ground space or closing traffic lanes, thus maintaining normal traffic flow while improving inspection efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If a dedicated controller is used to operate the mobile object, then precise control is achieved, but user operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the aerial robot autonomously navigates to designated positions and captures images based on geographic information and user-specified inspection areas. The system automatically processes images and generates composite views, reducing the need for complex manual control operations while maintaining precise positioning and imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control device that acts as an intermediary between the user and the aerial robot. This device receives simple user inputs (inspection area specifications), processes them using geographic information, and translates them into precise control commands for the robot, simplifying user operation while maintaining control precision.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple images are captured for composite image generation, then inspection coverage is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and storing individual images captured during the inspection flight. The system organizes these images with metadata including position information, enabling rapid retrieval and composite image generation later without requiring time-consuming real-time processing during the actual inspection operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle control system includes at least one imaging device attached to a vehicle and that captures multiple images, and a control circuit that generates a composite image from the multiple images and displays the composite image on a display unit. The vehicle is operated according to a user operation on a portion of the display unit on which the composite image is being displayed.