Terrain Displacement Monitoring via Dynamic Image Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing monitoring systems for terrain displacement, such as landslides, face challenges in detecting changes in hard-to-reach areas and require manual intervention, which can be unsafe and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A monitoring system utilizing a survey instrument and observation controller that photographs terrain variations, detects displacement using characteristic regions, and adjusts observation intervals based on detected changes, with the ability to remotely operate and communicate data for real-time monitoring and alerting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual monitoring methods are used for terrain displacement, then human operators can directly observe and assess the terrain, but it becomes unsafe and inefficient for hard-to-reach areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoidoperational safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system performs self-observation by automatically capturing images of the terrain and processing them through image recognition algorithms to detect displacement, eliminating the need for human operators to physically access hazardous areas while maintaining continuous monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical observation with an automated optical-electronic system that uses cameras to capture images and computer algorithms to analyze terrain changes, substituting human physical presence with remote digital monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If fixed observation intervals are used for terrain monitoring, then the monitoring system operates simply and consistently, but it cannot efficiently respond to accelerating terrain changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the observation interval based on the detected terrain displacement rate, shortening the interval when displacement accelerates and lengthening it when displacement is stable, allowing the monitoring system to adapt its behavior to changing conditions rather than operating on a fixed schedule

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from image recognition results to control the timing of subsequent observations, where the detected terrain change rate directly influences the next observation interval, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to actual terrain conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive terrain monitoring is implemented, then all terrain changes are detected, but the data processing burden and false alarm rate increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplacement detection accuracyVSAvoidinformation processing load
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the essential feature of terrain displacement from comprehensive image data by using image recognition algorithms to identify and measure specific terrain characteristics, separating the critical displacement information from the vast amount of raw visual data to reduce processing requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3492864B1Monitoring method, monitoring system, and program
Publication Date: 2023.05.31 NIKON TRIMBLE
  • EP3492864B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3492864B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3492864B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a monitoring method wherein: a target is prepared using terrain model data including terrain location information; at a first time, an image of the target is picked up by means of an image pickup unit of a surveying device, and first image data is generated; at a second time after the first time, an image of the target is picked by means of the image pickup unit of the surveying device, and second image data is generated; and displacement of the target is detected using a first image based on the first image data, and a second image based on the second image data.