Road Inspection Apparatus Using Stereo Image Stitching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional road inspection systems require multiple specialized tools and apparatuses for measuring road properties like flatness, rutting depth, and crack ratio, resulting in a complex and expensive setup.
Innovation Solution
An information processing apparatus that uses stereo image capture devices to acquire images with depth information, stitching them together to measure road properties such as flatness, rutting depth, and crack ratio using a simpler configuration, allowing for the measurement of any one or combination of these properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple specialized tools (profile meter, laser irradiation apparatus, measurement apparatus) are used to measure road properties, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple specialized measurement tools (profile meter, laser irradiation apparatus, measurement apparatus) into a single integrated inspection system. The housing unit accommodates all these components, allowing them to work together as one unified device rather than separate tools, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The inspection system is designed to perform multiple measurement functions using a single integrated apparatus. The system can measure various road properties including flatness, rutting depth, and crack characteristics all through one multi-functional device, eliminating the need for multiple specialized tools and reducing overall system complexity
2Measurement precision
If multiple specialized tools are used to measure road properties, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple specialized measurement tools into one integrated inspection system, the patent simplifies the inspection process. The operator only needs to deploy and operate a single unit rather than coordinating multiple separate tools, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining the precision capabilities of all individual measurement functions
3Measurement precision
If multiple specialized tools and apparatuses are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates multiple expensive specialized tools into a single integrated inspection system. By combining the profile meter, laser irradiation apparatus, and measurement apparatus into one unit, the system reduces the total cost of equipment acquisition and deployment while maintaining the measurement precision that would otherwise require all separate tools
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated inspection system provides multi-functionality, allowing a single apparatus to perform measurements that previously required multiple specialized tools. This universality reduces the total number of components needed, thereby reducing material costs, deployment costs, and overall system expenditure while maintaining comprehensive measurement capabilities
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 efficient and cost-effective measurement of road properties by reducing the need for multiple specialized tools, simplifying the inspection process while maintaining accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of stereo image capture devices to capture a plurality of images of a traveling surface on which a movable apparatus travels, each of the images including distance information in a depth direction of the traveling surface
Implementation Method 2
each of the captured images including distance information in a depth direction of the traveling surface
Data Source
AI summary
An information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of captured images of a traveling surface where a movable apparatus travels, each of the captured images including distance information in a depth direction transverse to the traveling surface, the plurality of captured images having been captured using a plurality of stereo image capture devices, and an image processing unit configured to stitch together the plurality of images of the traveling surface captured by the plurality of stereo image capture devices by identifying partially overlapping portions of one or more pairs of the images captured by respective stereo image capture devices which are adjacent in a width direction of the traveling surface.