Touchscreen Gesture Control for Precise NDT Sensor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current non-destructive testing (NDT) devices have limited control actions and customization options, restricting the precision and efficiency of equipment inspection, particularly in complex environments like power generation and aircraft facilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing relative control gestures on touchscreen devices to control NDT systems, allowing operators to assign specific gestures for various actions, such as movement and mode switching, enhancing the customization and sensitivity of control inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional control methods are used for NDT devices, then the device structure remains simple, but the control precision and inspection efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical control interfaces (buttons, switches, physical controls) with a touchscreen display interface. The touchscreen receives user inputs through touch gestures and translates them into control signals for the NDT device, eliminating the need for complex mechanical control components while achieving precise control through software-based gesture recognition and processing
Solution Approach 2:
The touchscreen display serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays inspection data and images, provides control interfaces through various touch gestures, offers navigation capabilities, and presents operational parameters. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate control devices into a single universal interface, improving control precision without proportionally increasing system complexity
2Productivity
If more control actions are added to NDT devices, then the inspection efficiency improves, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control modes that adapt to the inspection context. The system provides different levels of control responsiveness based on the situation: rapid-response gestures for time-critical adjustments and deliberate gestures for precise positioning. This dynamic adaptation allows multiple control actions to be available without requiring the operator to learn complex static control schemes, maintaining ease of operation while improving inspection efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments control functions into distinct gesture categories (navigation gestures, control gestures, selection gestures) that are intuitively differentiated by their motion patterns. Each gesture type maps to specific functional groups, allowing operators to efficiently perform multiple inspection tasks using familiar gesture paradigms rather than memorizing numerous individual controls, thus improving productivity without sacrificing operational simplicity
Data Source
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AI summary
A non-transitory, computer-readable medium includes computer-executable code having instructions. The instructions are configured to receive data relating to an environment, construct an image of the environment based on the received data, and display the image on a touch-screen device. The instructions are also configured to receive a control gesture via the touch-screen device and interpret the control gesture. Further, the instructions are configured to control an articulating system coupled to the device to control an orientation of a sensor configured to collect the data, control a mode of operation of the sensor, or any combination thereof based on the interpretation of the control gesture.