Subsea ROV Vision Control Using Fiducial Marker Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Precise control of submersible remote operated vehicles (ROVs) in subsea environments is challenging, leading to operational delays and potential safety risks due to improper control, especially in tasks requiring accurate manipulation of subsea equipment.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a submersible ROV system that utilizes imaging devices to capture data from fiducial markers on subsea targets, processing this data to provide real-time operational information and facilitate automated or semi-automated control, including historical data logging and interface identification, to enhance precision and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual control methods are used for ROV operations, then human operators can make real-time decisions, but control precision and operational efficiency deteriorate due to human error and reaction time limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The ROV system performs self-identification of fiducial markers and self-determination of interface locations and operating parameters through onboard imaging devices and processing systems, eliminating reliance on human operators for these specific tasks and improving both precision and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual visual identification and control decisions are replaced by automated image processing systems that capture images, identify fiducial markers, and determine operational parameters through computational algorithms, substituting human mechanical control with automated optical-mechanical systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated control systems are implemented, then operational precision and efficiency improve, but system complexity increases due to additional imaging devices and processing requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The imaging devices serve multiple functions: capturing images for fiducial marker identification, determining interface locations, extracting operating parameters, and providing visual records, thereby justifying the added complexity through multi-functional utility that improves operational efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Fiducial markers serve as intermediaries between the ROV and subsea equipment, providing machine-readable information that simplifies automated identification and control, while the processing system acts as an intermediary that translates image data into actionable operational parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If fiducial markers are used for automated identification, then interface location accuracy and operating parameter extraction improve, but the complexity of target preparation increases due to marker placement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface location accuracyVSAvoidtarget preparation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Fiducial markers are placed on subsea equipment during manufacturing or installation before ROV operations, preparing the targets in advance to enable rapid and precise automated identification during actual operations, thereby improving interface location accuracy while the preparation complexity is handled beforehand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If historical operational data is logged and utilized, then future operation reliability and efficiency improve, but data storage and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational reliabilityVSAvoiddata storage requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Historical operational data including interface locations and operating parameters are logged and fed back into the system to improve future operations, creating a learning loop that enhances reliability by allowing the ROV system to optimize based on accumulated experience while managing data storage through selective logging of critical parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250269946A1Submersible remote operated vehicle vision assistance and control

Publication Date: 2025.08.28 FMC TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

This disclosure describes monitoring and operating subsea well systems, such as to perform operations in the construction and control of targets in a subsea environment. A submerisble ROV that performs operations in the construction and control of targets (e.g., well completion components) in a subsea environment, the ROV has one or more imaging devices that capture data that is processed to provide information that assists in the control and operations of the ROV and/or well completion system while the ROV is subsea.