Tire Tread Depth Measurement Using Digital Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining tire tread depth are either inaccurate, costly, or impractical for home mechanics, lacking a user-friendly and affordable solution for assessing tire safety and compliance with legal standards.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing an image-recording device to capture tire tread images, analyze them to determine depth, and transmit the results to a mobile device, allowing for easy and inexpensive assessment of tire tread condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high end laser or optical sensor system is used to determine tread depth, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems (laser sensors, optical sensors) with a digital imaging system using a standard camera. The camera captures images of the tire tread, and image processing algorithms analyze these images to determine tread depth, eliminating the need for expensive specialized sensing hardware while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the tire tread using a standard camera, then analyzes this copy through image processing to extract tread depth information. This approach allows measurement without direct physical contact or specialized sensors, using instead a visual representation that can be processed computationally.
2Measurement precision
If a high end laser or optical sensor system is used to determine tread depth, then measurement precision is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, readily available components (standard camera, mobile device) instead of expensive specialized equipment. The system uses off-the-shelf technology that can be manufactured and deployed at low cost, making tread depth measurement accessible for consumer use rather than requiring expensive dealership equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes expensive optical/laser measurement systems with a digital imaging approach using standard cameras. This replacement dramatically reduces hardware costs while enabling the same measurement function through software-based image analysis rather than specialized sensing hardware.
3Measurement precision
If a tread depth gauge is used to determine tread depth, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic image capture and analysis without requiring manual measurement operations. The camera automatically captures the tread image, and the processing system automatically analyzes it to determine tread depth, eliminating the need for the user to manually position and read a physical gauge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical gauge operation with an automated digital imaging and processing system. Instead of requiring the user to physically engage with a gauge and interpret readings, the system uses software to automatically analyze the captured image and provide results, significantly improving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a system and a method for measuring tire tread depth. The method includes receiving an image of a tire tread recorded using an image-recording device; analyzing the image of the tire tread captured to determine a tire tread depth; determining a status of the tire tread based on the tire tread depth; altering the image of the tire tread captured based on the determined status; and transmitting the altered image to a mobile device.