Tunnel Inspection Image Superimposition for Defect Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inspection contractors face inefficiencies in creating inspection reports for tunnels, as they must manually draw and document cracks and other defects over time, which is time-consuming and prone to errors, especially when comparing previous and current conditions.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a drawing apparatus and a diagnosis management server that allows for the display and superimposition of development-view images from different times, enabling users to draw and store diagnosis target element images with associated position information, facilitating the creation of submission documents with reduced manual effort and error.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual drawing and documentation of cracks and defects is performed for each inspection, then inspection reports can be created, but the process becomes time-consuming and prone to errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of inspection documentationVSAvoidtime required for creating inspection reports

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates digital copies of inspection findings by capturing images with a camera and automatically generating drawing data. Instead of manual drawing, the system copies the visual information from captured images and converts it into structured drawing data that can be stored and compared across inspections, eliminating time-consuming manual documentation while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images and generating drawing data during the inspection process itself, rather than requiring separate post-inspection documentation. The drawing data is created and stored in advance, ready for immediate comparison and report generation, eliminating the need for time-consuming retrospective manual drawing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If manual drawing of defects is performed repeatedly across multiple inspections, then defect tracking over time is possible, but the workload increases and errors accumulate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of defect historyVSAvoidefficiency of inspection reporting

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses digital copying to preserve exact representations of defects across inspections. Drawing data captured in one inspection is stored and automatically retrieved for comparison in subsequent inspections, ensuring complete defect history without requiring repeated manual drawing and eliminating errors that accumulate through manual reproduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system merges the image capture function with the drawing data generation function. By integrating these processes, the system simultaneously creates both visual records and structured drawing data in one operation, improving productivity while maintaining complete and accurate defect history for longitudinal tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Loss of information

If detailed manual documentation is performed for each inspection, then comprehensive inspection records are created, but the process becomes complex and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetail level of inspection recordsVSAvoidcomplexity of documentation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical process of manual drawing and documentation with automated image capture and digital data processing. The camera captures detailed visual information, and the system automatically converts this into structured drawing data, maintaining comprehensive detail while eliminating the complexity and error-proneness of manual documentation processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates accurate digital copies of defect characteristics through image capture and automated drawing data generation. These digital copies preserve all relevant details of inspection findings without requiring complex manual documentation, reducing process complexity while maintaining information completeness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS10964080B2Apparatus for diagnosing and recording defects in structural objects

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

An apparatus for drawing an image on a development-view image of a structural object includes circuitry configured to display a first development-view image of the structural object captured at a first time, a first diagnosis target element image drawn for at least a part of a diagnosis target in the first development-view image, and a second development-view image of the structural object captured at a second time later than the first time superimposed one to another; receive a drawing of a second diagnosis target element image for at least a part of the diagnosis target in the second development-view image captured at the second time; and store first position information indicating a position of the first diagnosis target element image in the first development-view image and second position information indicating a position of the second diagnosis target element image in the second development-view image in association with each other.