Underwater Imaging System Using Sequential Light Classes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater imaging systems face challenges in achieving high-quality images due to environmental factors like color absorption in water, motion blur, and high data volume requirements, which increase costs and complexity in surveying and inspection tasks, particularly for deep-sea oil drilling platforms and subsea structures.
Innovation Solution
An underwater imaging system comprising a light module with multiple light classes and an image processing module that captures images using different light sources, such as white light, UV light, and structured light, and combines these images to generate an augmented output image, enhancing image quality and reducing data volume through machine vision techniques and data management strategies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional underwater imaging systems use white light and colour sensitive cameras, then colour images can be captured, but image resolution is reduced due to Bayer filters and data volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into multiple sequential monochromatic captures under different light classes (blue, green, red, UV) rather than attempting to capture all colour information simultaneously. Each light class illuminates specific features while the monochromatic sensor records them separately, avoiding the resolution loss from Bayer filters while preserving colour and material information through spectral differentiation
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of illumination by using multiple light classes with different spectral characteristics. By illuminating the scene with blue, green, red, and UV light sequentially and capturing with a monochromatic sensor, the system extracts different material properties and colour information without the resolution penalty of colour filters
2Manufacturing precision
If high resolution cameras are used to capture detailed survey data, then image quality improves, but data storage and transmission costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using different light classes for different imaging purposes: UV light for fluorescence detection, blue light for general illumination, green light for specific material characterization, and red light for other features. This targeted approach captures only the necessary information at high resolution rather than capturing all possible data, reducing overall data volume while maintaining quality where needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by selectively illuminating and capturing specific spectral bands rather than attempting to capture the entire spectrum simultaneously. Each light class provides partial information that, when combined, creates a comprehensive survey dataset with less total volume than full-spectrum high-resolution imaging
3Reliability
If multiple light sources are used to improve image quality under different conditions, then survey accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by using a single monochromatic sensor that serves multiple purposes: capturing images under blue, green, and red illumination to determine colour, detecting UV-induced fluorescence, and recording structural details. This universal sensor approach achieves high survey accuracy across different conditions without the complexity of multiple specialized sensors or cameras
Solution Approach 2:
The control system acts as an intermediary that coordinates the sequential operation of multiple light classes and the monochromatic sensor. It manages the timing and switching between different light sources, processes the sequential monochromatic images, and synthesizes the final multi-information dataset, thereby reducing the mechanical complexity of the hardware while maintaining system reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly reduces the time required for reviewing surveys by producing high-quality, augmented images that provide accurate scale information and dimensioning, while minimizing data storage and transmission costs, and improving the efficiency of underwater inspections.
Implementation Method 1
a light module, wherein the light module comprises a plurality of light classes, each light class having one or more light sources
Implementation Method 2
capturing images using different light sources, such as white light, UV light, and structured light
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to methods and systems for performing underwater surveys, in particular on sub-sea installations such as oil and gas pipelines, risers, well-heads and so on. Further the invention relates to providing an augmented underwater image of a scene for use in an underwater survey, using an underwater imaging system comprising a light module, image processing module and a camera module, the light module comprising a plurality of light classes each light class having one or more light sources. The invention uses sequential imaging to provide the augmented output image.