Inspection Image Matching for Repeat Structure Photography
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inspection robot described in document JP 2015 - 111 111 A has limited accuracy in repetitively photographing structures at the same angle, leading to degraded inspection efficiency and potential mistakes.
Innovation Solution
An inspection support system that compares preliminary and later captured images to correlate identification information, allowing for accurate matching of photographing targets even if shot at different angles, thereby improving work efficiency and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an inspection robot autonomously travels to acquire inspection data, then inspection efficiency is improved and accessibility to hard-to-reach places is enhanced, but the accuracy of repetitively photographing structures at the same angle is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device mounted on the inspection robot to capture images of the structure. By using the camera to record visual data and comparing it with reference images, the system can identify whether the robot has returned to the same photographing position, thereby compensating for the robot's limited positioning accuracy and achieving consistent angle reproduction.
2Productivity
If the inspection robot autonomously navigates to inspect structures, then work efficiency is improved, but manual determination of target similarity becomes necessary, reducing work accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual process of determining target similarity with an automated image processing system. The system automatically compares captured images with reference images using computer vision algorithms to determine whether the same photographing target has been captured, eliminating the need for manual determination and thereby improving both work efficiency and inspection accuracy simultaneously.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is an inspection support system capable of improving work efficiency or work accuracy in inspection of structures. A self-traveling apparatus 100 autonomously travels in response to a first travel command based on a first inspection image to a target position, and shoots photographing targets captured in the first inspection image to acquire a second inspection image; and an information processing apparatus 200 extracts, from among the photographing targets captured in the second inspection image, a matched target that matches the photographing target captured in the first inspection image, and correlates the identification information that identifies, in an identifiable manner, the photographing targets that are captured in the first inspection image and are matched to the matched target, with the matched target.