Inspection Path Planning for Surface Photography Coverage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inspection methods for defects on the surface of an object require significant time due to movement and attitude adjustments of photography devices between multiple photography points, necessitating a more efficient inspection process.

Innovation Solution

An inspection system utilizing a photography unit and a movable body, controlled by a processing device, calculates optimal photography points and paths to minimize movement and attitude adjustments, enabling rapid inspection of the object's surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the photography device moves between multiple photography points with attitude adjustments at each point, then comprehensive surface inspection is achieved, but inspection time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection comprehensivenessVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates optimal photography points and paths before inspection begins. The processing device computes the entire inspection trajectory in advance, determining all photography positions and movement routes beforehand, eliminating real-time decision delays and enabling continuous efficient inspection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically optimizes the inspection path by calculating trajectories that minimize movement distance and attitude adjustment frequency. The processing device continuously processes inspection data along the path, adapting photography timing and positions to maintain optimal inspection coverage while reducing unnecessary movements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the photography device stops at each photography point to adjust attitude, then accurate surface photography is achieved, but movement time between points increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephotography accuracyVSAvoidmovement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates optimal photography points that account for attitude requirements. By determining all necessary photography positions and their optimal orientations beforehand, the system minimizes the number of stops needed while ensuring accurate surface coverage, reducing total movement time without sacrificing photography quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous inspection action by minimizing stops and attitude adjustments. The processing device processes images in real-time along the movement path, enabling the photography device to maintain motion wherever possible and perform only essential attitude adjustments, thereby reducing idle time while preserving inspection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP4145115B1Processing device relating to inspection of inspection object, inspection system of inspection object, processing method relating to inspection of inspection object, and processing program relating to inspection of inspection object
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP4145115B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4145115B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4145115B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

According to an approach, a processing device (5) relating to an inspection of an inspection object (D) by a photography unit (2) is provided. A processor of the processing device (5) calculates a plurality of photography points (F) as positions photographing the inspection object (D) based on shape data in which a shape of a surface of the inspection object (D) is indicated by a point group, and information relating to a position and a normal vector (N) on the surface of the inspection object (D) is defined by the point group. The processor executes analysis regarding a path that passes through all of the calculated photography points (F) and minimizes a sum of a movement cost (c) from each of the photography points (F) to a photography point of a next movement destination, and calculates a path corresponding to an analysis result as a path (γ) for moving the photography unit (2).