Touchscreen Geometric Property Determination for Inaccessible Surfaces

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional video inspection devices lack convenient methods for specifying measurement features and types, making it difficult to determine geometric properties of objects, especially when surfaces are inaccessible.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize a touchscreen to receive touch data, automatically identify cursor points, and determine measurement types using a processor, allowing for the calculation of geometric properties based on the touch data and identified points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If conventional video inspection devices are used to inspect inaccessible surfaces, then the ability to view and analyze anomalies is improved, but the convenience of specifying measurement features and types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to view and analyze anomalies on inaccessible surfacesVSAvoidconvenience of specifying measurement features and types

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines measurement types based on the geometric relationship between cursor points without requiring manual selection. The processor analyzes the spatial arrangement of points (e.g., two points for length, three points for area, four points for volume) and autonomously identifies the appropriate measurement category, eliminating the need for users to manually configure measurement parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the interaction parameter from manual menu selection to automatic detection based on point geometry. By analyzing the number and arrangement of cursor points, the system dynamically determines measurement types (length, area, volume, angles) without requiring users to navigate through measurement selection interfaces, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining inspection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If separate type-selecting and point-selecting operations are required, then measurement precision can be maintained, but the time and complexity of operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of geometric property measurementVSAvoidtime required for measurement specification

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the measurement type selection and point selection operations into a single action. When the user touches the screen to place cursor points, the system simultaneously determines both the measurement type and the points themselves. This consolidation eliminates the sequential steps of first selecting measurement type from menus and then selecting points, significantly reducing operation time while preserving measurement accuracy through automated geometric analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of the geometric relationship between points as they are being selected, rather than requiring complete point selection before determining measurement type. The processor continuously monitors the arrangement of cursor points and pre-determines the measurement category based on the emerging geometric pattern, allowing for faster operation while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple separate operations are required for measurement, then measurement precision is maintained, but device complexity and operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of geometric property measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of measurement specification interface

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the measurement type determination function from the complex user interface and integrates it directly into the point selection process. By analyzing the geometric relationships between cursor points automatically, the system removes the need for separate measurement type selection interfaces, menus, and controls, thereby simplifying the overall device operation while maintaining measurement precision through automated geometric analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9329763B2Method and device for determining geometric property

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A method for determining a type of a measurement includes receiving touch data via a touchscreen; automatically identifying a plurality of cursor points in the touch data using a processor; and automatically determining a measurement type based on the touch data using the processor. A method for determining a geometric property of an object further includes displaying an image of the object on the touchscreen and automatically determining the geometric property corresponding to the plurality of cursor points and the determined measurement type using the processor. A device for determining the geometric property includes an imager for obtaining the image; the touchscreen; and the processor for identifying a plurality of cursor points in the touch data, determining a measurement type of the geometric property using the touch data, and automatically determining the geometric property corresponding to the plurality of cursor points and the determined measurement type.