Installation Environment Estimation Using Sensor and Camera Classification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for monitoring equipment in facilities, such as buildings, rely on subjective manual recordings of the installation environment, which are prone to individual differences and lack objectivity, making it difficult to accurately assess the condition of equipment based on environmental factors like dust and sunlight exposure.
Innovation Solution
An installing environment estimation device that utilizes data collected by sensors and cameras, employing a classification model to objectively estimate the environment by analyzing features such as dirty area and equipment density, allowing for more precise assessment of equipment conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual recording of installation environment is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to subjective individual differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical recording process with an automated image processing system. Cameras capture images of the installation environment, and image processing algorithms automatically analyze these images to extract environmental features such as dust accumulation, sunlight exposure, and surrounding objects. This substitution eliminates subjective human judgment while maintaining operational efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If automated image processing is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a classification model that serves multiple functions: it identifies various installation environment types (dusty, sunny, shaded, indoor, outdoor), extracts multiple environmental features simultaneously, and provides standardized assessment results. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image copying technology where cameras capture visual representations of the physical installation environment. These image copies are then processed digitally to extract environmental information, allowing the system to analyze the environment without physically interacting with or disturbing the actual installation site.
3Reliability
If comprehensive environmental data collection is implemented, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to extensive data gathering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-establishes a classification model with defined environmental categories and assessment criteria before actual installation environment evaluation. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly match captured images against predefined categories, eliminating the need for time-consuming custom analysis during actual assessments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous automatic assessment of installation environments by integrating image capture and processing capabilities that can operate continuously or at regular intervals. This eliminates gaps in monitoring and provides ongoing reliable data without requiring repeated manual assessments, thereby reducing total time investment while maintaining continuous reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An installing environment estimation device (10) includes: a data acquisition unit (11) to acquire data collected by an apparatus such as a sensor and camera of a mobile terminal carried by a maintenance personnel member to a building site, the data concerning an installation place of equipment which is installed at the building site; a feature quantity extraction unit (12) to extract a feature quantity of the acquired data; and an installing environment estimation unit (13) to estimate an installing environment of the equipment based on a classification model, by collating the feature quantity of the data with the classification model. The classification model is set for an item of the feature quantity of an individual apparatus. A range that the feature quantity which expresses an installing environment of equipment can have is set in the classification model.