Pavement Condition Mapping System Using GPS Audio Video

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pavement condition monitoring systems are limited in their ability to efficiently and accurately capture and present condition data for large areas, requiring manual review and lacking a visual representation of conditions for effective management and prioritization of repairs.

Innovation Solution

An asset management mapping system that integrates a microphone, condition signal generator, and GPS video/audio recorder to associate audio and video inputs with GPS locations, generating a database that can be converted into visual maps with unique indicators for condition representation, such as colors or patterns, facilitating quick inspection and prioritization of maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual review of pavement conditions is used, then detailed inspection can be performed, but time consumption and labor requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepavement condition assessment accuracyVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated system that uses video recording devices, GPS receivers, and audio recording to capture pavement conditions. The system automatically associates video footage with geographic locations and allows remote review, eliminating the need for inspectors to manually examine each section of pavement while maintaining assessment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates visual copies of pavement conditions through video recording. The video recording device captures images of pavement conditions, which can then be reviewed multiple times without requiring the inspector to physically revisit the site. This copying mechanism preserves detailed inspection capability while saving time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If comprehensive condition data is collected for large areas, then complete inventory knowledge is achieved, but data complexity and difficulty of presentation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepavement inventory information completenessVSAvoiddata presentation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms pavement condition data from a complex multi-dimensional dataset into a two-dimensional map display. The GPS receiver provides geographic coordinates, and the system displays video footage and condition indicators at their corresponding locations on a map, allowing comprehensive data to be presented in an intuitive spatial format that is easy to interpret.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the large-area pavement inventory into discrete segments or sections, each with its own video recording and GPS coordinates. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage of extensive areas while organizing data into manageable units that can be individually reviewed and prioritized for maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If detailed condition indicators are used to represent different pavement states, then condition differentiation is improved, but map complexity and interpretation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecondition differentiation accuracyVSAvoidmap interpretation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color coding to represent different pavement conditions on the map. Video footage and condition indicators are displayed with color variations that correspond to different levels of pavement distress, allowing quick visual differentiation of conditions without requiring complex symbols or detailed annotations that would clutter the map.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS11335381B1Surface asset management mapping system
Publication Date: 2022.05.17 MORGAN MIKE
  • US11335381B1 patent drawing
  • US11335381B1 patent drawing
  • US11335381B1 patent drawing

AI summary

An asset management mapping system including a microphone recording the audio of the asset inspector and a condition signal generator generating an audio condition signal based on asset inspector input from a keypad including condition selectors recorded into a global positioning system audio and video recorder that associates the audio and video with a gps location to create a pavement condition database. The database is interpreted to generate a condition output map of the areas inspected.