Hopper Fill Detection Using Difference Images for Crane Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garbage disposal facilities lack an efficient and accurate method to determine the filling amount of garbage within a hopper, leading to potential overflow and inefficient loading operations.
Innovation Solution
A hopper filling amount management system that utilizes an imaging apparatus to capture images of the hopper and calculates the filling amount through difference image processing, including setting a reference image and creating a difference image to determine the volume of garbage based on pixel analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If sensors or cameras are used to measure garbage volume or height, then automatic control of cranes is achieved, but the filling amount determination becomes complex and less accurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a difference image that copies only the garbage portions by subtracting the reference image (empty hopper) from the current image. This copying approach isolates the garbage from the hopper structure, providing accurate filling amount measurement without complex sensor systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the garbage information from the complete hopper image by performing difference image processing. This extraction method separates the garbage volume measurement from the hopper structure, enabling precise filling amount determination while maintaining system simplicity.
2Measurement precision
If complex sensor systems are used to measure garbage volume, then measurement capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The difference image creates a simplified copy containing only garbage pixels, eliminating the need for complex sensors. This approach achieves accurate volume measurement using simple imaging apparatus and image processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensor systems with an optical imaging system and computational image processing. The difference image processing substitutes physical measurement complexity with computational simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If image processing is used to calculate filling amount, then measurement capability is improved, but computing resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The difference image processing extracts only the necessary garbage information by subtracting the reference image from the current image. This extraction reduces the data volume requiring computation, lowering processing power requirements while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs partial image processing by focusing only on the difference regions (garbage areas) rather than processing the entire hopper image. This partial processing approach reduces computational load while achieving accurate filling amount calculation.
Data Source
AI summary
[PROBLEM] To provide a hopper filling amount management system capable of easily and accurately determining a filling amount within a hopper.[SOLVING MEANS]A hopper filling amount management system according to an embodiment manages a filling amount of garbage within a hopper (H) configured to receive the garbage loaded by a crane (C). The hopper filling amount management system includes an imaging apparatus (P) configured to capture images of the hopper (H), and a management apparatus (100) configured to calculate the filling amount based on the captured images output from the imaging apparatus (P). The management system (100) includes a hopper filling amount detection section (112) configured to set, as a reference image, a first captured image showing the hopper with no garbage loaded therein before operation, to create a difference image showing a difference between the reference image and a second captured image showing the hopper after start of the operation, and to calculate the filling amount based on the difference image.