Index Generation for Crack Width Measurement Using Density Profiles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring the width of subjects, such as cracks in structures, using image processing are limited by the accuracy of light and shade distribution indexing, which is influenced by measurement environment factors, leading to unreliable results.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate an index for measuring width by integrating density profiles, correcting for environmental factors like brightness and distance, and aligning density profiles to calculate a probability distribution function, reducing noise and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If light and shade data are directly connected by a straight line to generate an index, then the indexing process is simple, but the measurement accuracy is limited due to triangle approximation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the straight line connection (linear approximation) with a curved line connection that follows the actual light and shade distribution profile. This curvature-based approach accurately captures the nonlinear relationship between light intensity and crack width, eliminating the triangle approximation error while maintaining computational feasibility.
2Ease of operation
If a single cutting line is used for one scale, then the measurement process is simple, but the index is greatly influenced by measurement environment factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the crack scale into multiple cutting lines positioned at different locations rather than using a single cutting line. Each cutting line generates separate light and shade data that are subsequently synthesized. This segmentation allows the system to capture environmental variations across different positions and compensate for them through synthesis, thereby reducing the impact of local environmental factors on the final index.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light and shade data from multiple cutting lines through synthesis to generate a comprehensive index. By merging multiple measurements taken at different positions, the system creates a more robust index that averages out environmental influences and provides a more reliable representation of the actual crack width.
3Measurement precision
If multiple density profiles are acquired and integrated with environmental corrections, then the measurement accuracy is improved, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the raw light and shade data into density profiles and then integrates these profiles after applying environmental correction parameters. By changing the parameter representation from direct pixel values to corrected density distributions, the system systematically accounts for environmental factors like brightness and distance, improving accuracy while organizing the complexity into a structured processing framework.
Data Source
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AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide an index generating method and index generating apparatus capable of accurately and stably generating an index for measuring a width of a subject, and a measuring method capable of accurately and stably measuring a width of a subject. An index generating method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: an image input step of inputting an image obtained by imaging a linear subject; a density distribution acquiring step of acquiring, from the input image, a plurality of density distributions along a direction orthogonal to a width direction of the linear subject, which are density distributions in the width direction of the linear subject; a function calculating step of calculating a probability distribution function corresponding to the acquired plurality of density distributions; and an index generating step of generating an index indicating a width of the subject based on the calculated probability distribution function.