Vehicle Glazing Break Analysis via Image Processing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing breaks in vehicle glazing panels are inefficient, requiring physical attendance by a technician and lacking accuracy, especially in determining whether a crack requires repair or replacement, particularly in assessing the size and propagation of cracks caused by debris impact.
Innovation Solution
A mobile computing device with a camera and software component is used to capture and process images of the break, employing geometric and lens parameters to estimate the size of the crack, determining if it exceeds a threshold for repair or replacement, without the need for calibration objects or physical attendance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a technician performs physical inspection of the break, then the assessment accuracy is improved, but the time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical inspection system with an automated image processing system. A camera captures images of the break, and software algorithms automatically analyze the break characteristics, eliminating the need for manual technician inspection while maintaining assessment accuracy and significantly reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the physical break and processes this copy through automated algorithms. The image captures the break characteristics, and the software analyzes this digital representation to determine repairability, replacing the need for direct physical measurement and inspection.
2Reliability
If traditional inspection methods are used, then comprehensive break analysis is achieved, but the device complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal image processing system that can handle various types of breaks (cracks, chips, fractures) in different glazing panels using the same camera and software platform. The system is designed to be multi-functional, accommodating different break patterns and scenarios without requiring specialized equipment for each case.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-assessment through automated image analysis algorithms that independently evaluate break characteristics, calculate repairability scores, and generate recommendations without requiring external expert intervention. The software automatically processes the captured images and provides reliable assessment results.
3Measurement precision
If detailed break measurement is performed, then the determination accuracy for repair vs replacement is improved, but the measurement complexity and calibration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces image processing software as an intermediary between the physical break and the measurement process. The camera captures the break, and the software automatically performs measurements, calculations, and analysis, eliminating the need for complex manual measurement tools and calibration procedures while maintaining high measurement precision.
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
A method and apparatus are disclosed which enable the analysis of a break in a vehicle glazing panel without the attendance of a technician, the method and apparatus utilize capturing an image of the break and processing the image of the break to enable the suitability for repair or replacement of the glazing panel to be determined.