Tire Tread Wear Detection Using Image Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for determining tire quality, such as evaluating tread wear using a penny, are prone to errors due to not accounting for different tread sufficiency standards for various tire types, leading to inaccurate assessments.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that captures image data of a tire using an image sensor, processes it to determine tread wear, and analyzes the data based on specific tread wear standards for the tire type, using a reference object to assess sufficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional penny evaluation method is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical penny evaluation method with an automated image processing system using image sensors and computer vision algorithms to capture and analyze tire tread images, eliminating manual intervention while improving measurement accuracy through digital image analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the tire tread through image capture, allowing the tread depth and wear patterns to be measured and analyzed from the image data rather than direct physical contact with a penny, enabling more precise and repeatable measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Device complexity

If conventional penny evaluation method is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the simple mechanical penny method with an automated image processing system that uses image sensors, processors, and algorithms to objectively measure tread depth, eliminating human error and subjective judgment while improving reliability through consistent automated evaluation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the image processing system compares measured tread depth against established thresholds and provides automated assessments, allowing for consistent and reliable determination of tire wear status based on objective data rather than subjective interpretation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10773557B1System and method for using image data to determine tire quality

Publication Date: 2020.09.15 STATE FARM MUTAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for identifying whether tread of a tire of a vehicle is insufficient is presented. Image data corresponding to at least one image of the tire of the vehicle may be captured using an image sensor. The image data may be processed to determine at least one indication of a tread wear of the tire. At least one of the at least one indication of the tread wear may be analyzed based on tread wear data corresponding to the tire, with the tire being of a particular type. The tread wear data corresponding to the tire may be available to one or more processors that perform the analyzing from a provider of tires of the particular type. Based on the analyzing of the at least one of the at least one indication of the tread wear, it may be identified whether the tread of the tire is insufficient.