Pipe Inspection Camera Head With Variable Resolution and HDR Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe inspection systems lack the capability to generate and transmit variable resolution images, tiled images, zoomed images, HDR images, or adjust orientation based on conditions or user inputs, limiting their effectiveness in diagnosing defects within pipes and other cavities.
Innovation Solution
A pipe inspection system with a camera head that includes multiple imaging elements with non-parallel optical axes, capable of capturing and generating variable-resolution images, tiled images, and high dynamic range (HDR) images, and adjusting orientation using sensors and light markers, which are transmitted to a camera control unit for display and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed resolution camera system is used for pipe inspection, then the system structure is simple and easy to operate, but the diagnostic capability for defects is limited and cannot adapt to different inspection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The camera head incorporates variable resolution capability that allows dynamic adjustment between full-resolution mode and reduced-resolution mode. The system can switch between capturing detailed images for defect diagnosis and lower-resolution images for general inspection, enabling adaptability without requiring multiple fixed-resolution cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera head divides the imaging function into multiple operational modes (full resolution, reduced resolution, tiled images). This segmentation allows the system to select appropriate resolution levels for different inspection scenarios, improving versatility while managing complexity through modular operational modes.
2Measurement precision
If multiple imaging elements with non-parallel optical axes are used to capture tiled images and HDR images, then the imaging quality and diagnostic capability are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera head merges multiple imaging elements with non-parallel optical axes into a single integrated unit. This combination enables the capture of tiled images and HDR images simultaneously, improving defect detection precision while managing complexity through integrated design rather than separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-element camera head achieves universal functionality by capturing multiple types of images (tiled images, HDR images, full-resolution images) from a single device. This multi-functionality improves diagnostic capability without requiring multiple specialized camera systems.
3Reliability
If variable resolution imaging and image processing capabilities are added to the camera head, then the diagnostic effectiveness for pipe defects is enhanced, but the loss of time for image processing and transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera head performs preliminary image processing by generating tiled images and HDR images at the source before transmission. This preliminary action reduces the need for complex post-processing and enables faster defect identification, improving diagnosis reliability while managing processing time through distributed computation.
Data Source
AI summary
Camera heads configured to provide digitally articulated images or video, at adjustable resolutions and/or offsets and orientations, to a camera control unit (CCU) or other electronic computing system for display, storage, and/or transmission to other systems are disclosed.