NDE Data Conversion Tracking System for Radiograph Digitization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for converting physical data formats to electronic formats lack efficient tracking and quality monitoring, making it difficult to ensure reliable digitization and storage.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for tracking data conversion that includes a file system for electronic data, a database for metadata and status, a user interface, a consistency check module, and a metadata module to capture, alter, and verify metadata, ensuring quality checks at each step of the conversion process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If data is stored in physical format for extended period, then data accessibility and storage efficiency are improved, but data security and tracking reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates electronic copies of physical data through structured digitization processes. Metadata modules capture essential information from physical documents and store it in electronic databases, while file systems maintain organized digital replicas. This copying approach enables easy electronic access while the physical originals remain secure, resolving the contradiction between accessibility and security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If data conversion process is simplified, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision and quality control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion speedVSAvoidquality control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data conversion process into distinct modular stages: metadata capture, file system organization, database storage, and quality verification. Each stage is handled by dedicated modules that can operate independently and in parallel, maintaining high productivity while ensuring quality control at each step through consistent metadata validation and verification procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If comprehensive tracking and quality monitoring are implemented, then data integrity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal metadata modules that serve multiple functions simultaneously: capturing data attributes, tracking conversion status, verifying quality metrics, and maintaining audit trails. This multi-functionality approach consolidates what could be separate complex systems into integrated modules, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive tracking and quality monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9740728B2System and method for tracking the conversion of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) data to electronic format
Publication Date: 2017.08.22 NANOARK CORP
  • US9740728B2 patent drawing
  • US9740728B2 patent drawing
  • US9740728B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for tracking the conversion of data from a hardcopy or physical format such as radiograph film to electronic format such as DICONDE format. The method provides the capability of automatic consistency checks of image quality generated by the digitizer as well as allows for process quality checks by users. Authentication and authorization is built into the digitization process to allow access to authorized users for a particular task. The system provides the capability to generate statistical process control (SPC) curves and reports of the consistency checks. Disaster recovery capability is built into the system.