Movable Imaging Device with Pan-Tilt and Moving Body for Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inspecting large building structures like bridges using cameras are time-consuming due to the need for extensive movement of imaging devices, and require large equipment setups, limiting their applicability.
Innovation Solution
A movable imaging device with a pan/tilt mechanism and a moving body that adjusts its position based on image quality calculations to efficiently cover wide areas without needing large devices, by determining the required image definition and adjusting the camera's position and movement accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the camera is sequentially moved to image different areas of the building structure, then the imaging area can be covered, but the inspection time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the camera position adjustable through the moving body and pan/tilt mechanism. Instead of fixed sequential movement, the camera can dynamically reposition itself to image multiple areas, reducing the need for extensive moving body movement and thereby shortening inspection time while maintaining comprehensive area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces another dimension by adding the pan/tilt mechanism that allows the camera to rotate in pan and tilt directions. This enables the camera to cover a wider imaging area from a single position by changing its orientation, reducing the need for the moving body to travel to multiple locations and thus decreasing inspection time.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple cameras are used to image a wide range, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single camera mounted on a moving body with pan/tilt capabilities. The camera can dynamically adjust its position and orientation to image different areas sequentially or simultaneously, achieving wide coverage without requiring multiple cameras. This reduces device complexity and size while maintaining comprehensive imaging coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The single camera system is designed to perform multiple functions by combining the moving body for position adjustment and the pan/tilt mechanism for orientation control. This multi-functional design allows one camera to replace what would traditionally require multiple fixed cameras, simplifying the overall device structure while achieving the same imaging coverage.
3Area of stationary object
If the camera is moved frequently to capture images of different areas, then the imaging coverage is improved, but the inspection efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic system where the camera can adjust its position via the moving body and its orientation via the pan/tilt mechanism. This allows the camera to efficiently cover different areas by minimizing unnecessary movements, improving inspection efficiency while maintaining comprehensive area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the pan/tilt dimension, the camera can expand its imaging coverage through rotation rather than requiring constant physical relocation. This dimensional addition allows the camera to image different areas from the same position, improving inspection efficiency while maintaining wide area coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A movable imaging device includes a camera, a moving body, a definition calculation unit that calculates definition of an image for inspection, a determination unit that determines whether the definition is equal to or higher than required definition required for inspection accuracy of an object to be inspected, a pan/tilt control unit that operates a pan/tilt mechanism in a case in which the determination unit determines that the calculated definition is equal to or higher than the required definition, a moving body control unit that moves a moving body in a case in which the pan/tilt mechanism is operated and it is determined that the definition is lower than the required definition, and an imaging control unit that images the object to be inspected by the camera in a case in which it is determined that the definition is equal to or higher than the required definition.