Projection Module Overlaying Structural Data on Technical Objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current devices for displaying structural information about technical objects, such as rescue cards, are limited in reproducing complex structural data and cannot display dynamic variables like sensor values, making it difficult for emergency services to perform rapid and safe rescues or maintenance tasks.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a mobile device with an identification module, modeling module, image generation module, and projection module that projects a structural image onto the object, including internal structural information and sensor data, allowing for a clearer and more flexible display by distinguishing between external and internal structures and aligning the projection accurately.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a rescue card is used to display structural information, then the device is simple and portable, but the structural data can only be reproduced to a limited extent and dynamic variables cannot be displayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural data completenessVSAvoiddisplay system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the technical object's internal structure and projects it onto the object's external surface. This allows complete structural information to be displayed without physically reproducing the complex internal components, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and display simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a projection device as an intermediary between the structural data and the user. Instead of displaying information on a traditional card or screen, the system uses projected light to overlay structural information onto the actual object, enabling both complete information display and ease of use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If internal structural information is projected onto the technical object, then the visualization is intuitive and accurate, but the alignment between projection and object must be precisely correct

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojection alignment accuracyVSAvoidprojection alignment difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs recognition patterns with known geometric properties that provide feedback during the alignment process. The system detects these patterns, calculates the transformation parameters, and adjusts the projection accordingly, enabling automatic precise alignment without manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-defines recognition patterns with specific geometric properties before the projection process. These patterns serve as predetermined reference points that simplify the alignment calculation and enable automatic positioning without requiring manual measurement or adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables intuitive and accurate visualization of internal and external structures, allowing users to identify hidden components or starting points for interventions, and displays dynamic variables like temperature, improving rescue, maintenance, and repair operations by providing a true-to-scale representation.

Implementation Method 1

a projection module (PM), in particular a LED projector, for projecting the structural image (SIMG) onto the technical object (TO)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3183717B1Apparatus and method for presenting structure information about a technical object
Publication Date: 2019.11.27 SIEMENS MOBILITY GMBH
  • EP3183717B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3183717B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3183717B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

According to the invention, for the purpose of presenting structure information (SI) about a technical object (TO), an apparatus (SP) having an identification module (IDM), a modelling module (MM), an image generation module (IGEN) and having a projection module (PM) is provided. The identification module (IDM) is used for identifying the technical object. The modelling module (MM) is set up to provide a structure model (SM) of the identified technical object and also to specifically ascertain, in each case, an outwardly recognisable object structure (OS) for the technical object and a piece of inner structure information (SI), which is physically associated with the object structure, about the technical object on the basis of the structure model (SM). The image generation module (IGEN) is used to produce a structure image (SIMG) of the technical object, to insert the object structure (OS) into the structure image (SIMG) in a manner true to projection and to insert the structure information (SI) into the structure image (SIMG) in a graphical association with the object structure (OS) in a manner of presentation that differs from the manner of presentation of the object structure (OS). Finally, the projection module (PM) is used to project the structure image (SIMG) onto the technical object (TO).