Photovoltaic Array Layout Extraction From Module Image Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing process for obtaining an electronic layout for a photovoltaic array is inefficient due to the need for manual scanning and binding of product serial numbers, resulting in a high labor time consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method using an electronic device to obtain an electronic layout by detecting position information and module identifiers from a target picture, which includes virtual modules and product identifiers, thereby automating the process of creating the electronic layout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual scanning and binding of product serial numbers is used to obtain electronic layout, then the electronic layout can be obtained, but labor time consumption is high and efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of obtaining electronic layoutVSAvoidlabor time consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of scanning two-dimensional codes and binding serial numbers with an automated image recognition system. The electronic device captures an image of the photovoltaic array, automatically identifies module positions and converter serial numbers through image processing, and generates the electronic layout without manual intervention, thus substituting mechanical manual operations with automated computational processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy of the photovoltaic array layout through image capture. Instead of manually recording information, the system takes a picture of the entire array with modules and converters, processes this visual copy to extract position and identification information, and uses this processed image data to generate the electronic layout, replacing manual data entry with automated image-based information extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If manual scanning of two-dimensional codes is performed for each converter, then product serial numbers can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct serial number acquisitionVSAvoidtime for scanning two-dimensional codes

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information extraction process by independently identifying module positions and converter serial numbers from the image. The system divides the photovoltaic array into individual module regions, then within each module region identifies the converter and its serial number separately, allowing parallel processing of multiple modules simultaneously rather than sequential manual scanning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by capturing the entire layout information in a single image before any processing occurs. The image contains all position and identification information pre-captured, eliminating the need for sequential scanning. The system then processes this pre-captured information in bulk through automated recognition algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If paper layout with manual recording is used to track converter positions, then the layout information can be recorded, but the process requires manual data entry and binding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of layout recordingVSAvoidcomplexity of manual data binding process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual paper-based recording system with an automated digital image processing system. Instead of physically writing down positions and serial numbers on paper and then manually entering them into a computer system, the entire process is automated through image capture, optical character recognition, and automatic data binding, eliminating manual mechanical operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the physical layout directly from an image of the actual array. The system captures the visual arrangement of modules and converters, processes this visual copy to extract structural information, and generates the electronic layout as a digital representation, replacing the intermediate paper recording step with direct digital image-to-data conversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12328097B2Method, apparatus, and system for obtaining electronic layout applied to photovoltaic array

Publication Date: 2025.06.10 HUAWEI DIGITAL POWER TECH CO LTD

AI summary

This application discloses a method, an apparatus, and a system for obtaining electronic layout applied to photovoltaic array in the field of equipment installation management. According to the method, the electronic device identifies each first area in a target picture to obtain position information and a module identifier of at least one photovoltaic module in each first area, and may directly obtain an electronic layout based on the position information and the module identifier of each photovoltaic module. In this way, a product identifier of each converter does not need to be manually obtained, and a photovoltaic module does not need to be manually added to the electronic layout. This reduces labor time consumption and improves efficiency of obtaining the electronic layout.