Endoscope Image Display for Accurate Abnormality Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial endoscope inspections, it is challenging for workers to accurately determine the position of abnormalities due to complex structures, the cumbersome process of taking notes, limited mental or physical capacity in severe environments, and the risk of forgetting to record position information.
Innovation Solution
An image display method that involves storing three-dimensional data generated from two or more two-dimensional images, selecting a reference image, estimating the camera coordinates and posture information, and displaying an image that visualizes the position of the reference image and associated points on a three-dimensional model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a worker manually records position information during inspection, then position data can be obtained, but the process becomes troublesome and increases mental/physical burden
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection device automatically performs position measurement and recording functions without requiring worker intervention. The device captures images, automatically determines position information from the images, and records this data, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual worker operation for each measurement task.
Solution Approach 2:
The device pre-stores reference image data and position information correspondence before the inspection process. During inspection, the system automatically matches captured images with pre-stored reference data to determine position information, eliminating the need for workers to manually record positions during the inspection process.
2Reliability
If position information is obtained through manual note-taking, then position data is recorded, but the worker may forget or fail to record in severe environments
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously captures images during inspection and provides real-time feedback by automatically determining and displaying position information based on the captured images. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that position information is continuously updated and recorded without relying on worker memory or manual note-taking, preventing information loss even in severe inspection environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically performs the complete position recording process without worker intervention. The system captures images, determines position information, and stores the data automatically, eliminating human factors such as forgetting or failing to record that plague manual methods.
3Device complexity
If only insertion length is used to indicate position, then the system remains simple, but it becomes difficult to understand position in complex structures
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from one-dimensional position indication (insertion length only) to two-dimensional or three-dimensional position representation by utilizing image data. The position is indicated not just by depth (insertion length) but also by spatial coordinates within the inspection target, providing comprehensive positional information that accurately represents locations in complex three-dimensional structures.
Solution Approach 2:
Image data serves as an intermediary between the inspection target and position information. Instead of directly interpreting complex spatial relationships from insertion length alone, the system uses captured images as a mediator to visually represent and accurately determine position, making it easier to understand locations within complex structures while maintaining system functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
A processor causes a storage medium to store three-dimensional data of a subject in a storage step. The processor selects a reference image in a first selection step. The processor selects a selected image that is a two-dimensional image used for generating the three-dimensional data on the basis of the reference image in a second selection step. The processor estimates a second camera coordinate regarding the reference image on the basis of a first camera coordinate regarding the selected image in an estimation step. The processor displays an image of the subject on a display in a display step. The image of the subject visualizes at least one of the second camera coordinate and a set of three-dimensional coordinates of one or more points of the subject calculated on the basis of the second camera coordinate.