Drone Imaging Illumination Control for Crack Inspection Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flight vehicles equipped with cameras face challenges in obtaining highly precise images due to difficulties in stabilizing and vibrations, which affect the accuracy of detecting structural defects such as cracks in infrastructure.

Innovation Solution

A control device and method that adjusts the light amount of an illuminating device based on the inclination of the fuselage of the flight vehicle to ensure uniform illuminance and improve image precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a flight vehicle with a camera is used to photograph structures, then accessibility to difficult-to-reach places is improved, but image precision is deteriorated due to vibrations and inability to stand still

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility to photographing locationVSAvoidimage precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the light amount parameter of the illuminating device based on the fuselage inclination angle to compensate for vibration-induced illumination variations, thereby maintaining image precision while preserving the mobility advantage of flight vehicles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a camera is fixed to a tripod with high-magnification zoom lens, then image precision is improved, but photographable range is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage precisionVSAvoidphotographable range
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The flight vehicle system integrates both illuminating and imaging functions in a mobile platform, enabling it to simultaneously achieve wide photographable range through mobility and adequate image precision through controlled illumination compensation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If flight vehicle approaches target for close photographing, then photographable range is improved, but image precision is deteriorated due to vibrations from propeller rotation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotographable rangeVSAvoidimage precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the illuminating device's light amount based on real-time fuselage inclination measurements, compensating for vibration effects and maintaining image precision while enabling close proximity photographing with extended photographable range

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260042549A1Control device, control method, and flight vehicle device
Publication Date: 2026.02.12 SONY GROUP CORP
  • US20260042549A1 patent drawing
  • US20260042549A1 patent drawing
  • US20260042549A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method and control device are provided for capturing high-resolution images using a flight vehicle. The method involves first determining, in advance, a set of photographing parameters required to obtain a predetermined image resolution of a target. These parameters include a specific exposure time, sensitivity (ISO), and illuminance level. The flight vehicle, which is equipped with an imaging device, is controlled to navigate to a designated imaging position based on pre-set flight information. When the vehicle is within a predetermined range of this position, a signal is transmitted to turn on an illuminating device to provide the predetermined illuminance on the target. The imaging device is then controlled to capture a still image using the predetermined exposure time and sensitivity.