Image-Based Deterioration Diagnosis With Reliability Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for diagnosing deterioration using images face challenges in providing reliable results due to varying illumination conditions and shadows, which affect the accuracy of deterioration diagnosis.

Innovation Solution

A deterioration diagnosis device that acquires images of structures, calculates the deterioration degree, and assesses the reliability of the diagnosis based on imaging information such as lighting conditions and image capture time, then outputs the deterioration degree and reliability in association with each other.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If image capture is performed under varying illumination conditions (such as midnight or sunny day), then the diagnosis can be conducted in different environments, but the accuracy of deterioration diagnosis deteriorates due to poor lighting or shadows

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different imaging environmentsVSAvoidaccuracy of deterioration diagnosis

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates reliability values based on imaging information (illumination conditions, shadows, capture time) and provides feedback to indicate the quality of the deterioration diagnosis. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand when diagnosis results may be affected by environmental conditions and when they are reliable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of reliability calculation based on imaging conditions. By evaluating factors such as illumination intensity, shadow presence, and capture time, the system dynamically adjusts the reliability metric to reflect the quality of the diagnosis under varying environmental parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If deterioration diagnosis is performed using individual images with varying conditions, then the diagnosis can be conducted efficiently, but the reliability of the diagnosis cannot be provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of deterioration diagnosisVSAvoidreliability of deterioration diagnosis

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides reliability information as feedback alongside the deterioration diagnosis results. This allows efficient individual image processing while simultaneously providing users with confidence levels about the diagnosis accuracy, enabling informed decision-making about which results to trust.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The reliability calculation acts as an intermediary between the image processing system and the user. It translates complex imaging conditions into a simple reliability metric that mediates the relationship between efficient automated diagnosis and trustworthy results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12292388B2Deterioration diagnosis device, deterioration diagnosis method, and recording medium

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 NEC CORP

AI summary

A deterioration diagnosis device according to an example aspect of the present invention includes: a memory; and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor performs operations. The operations include: acquiring an image including a portion to be diagnosed in a structure; calculating, by using the image, deterioration degree that is a degree of deterioration of the portion; calculating reliability for the deterioration degree based on imaging information that is information related to capturing of the image; and outputting the deterioration degree and the reliability in association with each other.