Mobile Vehicle Inspection Head Using Inside-Out Position Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining the position and orientation of inspection devices in vehicle inspection are costly, require complex setups, and suffer from measurement errors due to reflective surfaces and obscured areas, lacking a mobile and autonomous solution.
Innovation Solution
A mobile inspection device equipped with a movable positioning arm, multiple sensors, and a computing unit that navigates autonomously, using calibrated markers and cameras to create an absolute coordinate system for precise measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If outside-in motion tracking is used with multiple cameras to capture the object from every direction, then measurement completeness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional outside-in motion tracking approach by implementing inside-out motion tracking, where the camera moves with the inspection device and uses statically attached markers in the environment for positioning. This reversal reduces the number of cameras needed while maintaining measurement completeness through the mobile platform's movement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static multi-camera setup to a dynamic single-camera setup mounted on a mobile platform. The camera's position changes over time as the platform moves, allowing comprehensive measurement coverage without requiring multiple simultaneous cameras.
2Measurement precision
If a large number of cameras are used for outside-in motion tracking, then measurement accuracy is improved, but processing power requirements and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces processing requirements by inverting the tracking approach: instead of processing images from multiple cameras simultaneously, a single camera captures images over time while the mobile platform moves, significantly reducing the computational load for real-time evaluation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses temporal dynamics to replace spatial redundancy. Rather than using multiple cameras at one position, a single camera is used at multiple positions over time, reducing processing power requirements while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Device complexity
If inside-out motion tracking is used with a single camera, then cost is reduced, but measurement accuracy decreases due to obscured areas and reflective surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces calibration targets and markers as intermediaries to bridge the measurement gap. These known reference objects with precise dimensions allow the system to calculate accurate measurements even when direct observation of the inspection target is obstructed or distorted by reflections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameters by using calibration targets with known geometric properties as reference. By measuring the apparent size and position of these known objects from different angles and distances, the system can derive accurate spatial information and compensate for single-camera limitations.
4Area of stationary object
If fisheye lens is used to capture wide field of view, then coverage is improved, but measurement accuracy decreases at image edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the mobile platform's movement to dynamically change the camera's viewing angle and position. Instead of relying on a static wide-angle fisheye lens, the system captures multiple images from different positions and angles, combining them to achieve comprehensive coverage with high accuracy throughout the entire field of view.
Data Source
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AI summary
An inspection device is described which includes at least one measuring head that can be freely positioned in the measuring space.