Underwater Imaging Control Architecture for Parallel Seabed Data Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing underwater devices face challenges in efficiently processing large amounts of data from sensors and cameras, requiring significant computing power and time, especially when additional sensors or data processing methods are integrated, limiting their ability to quickly examine marine and freshwater ecosystems.

Innovation Solution

The underwater device is designed to allow control programs to be selectively executable on one or multiple control devices, utilizing a message-based communication protocol and a data bus for flexible data processing, enabling modular installation and removal of electrical function units, and incorporating a energy distribution unit to manage electrical consumers based on hazardous conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single control device is used to process data from sensors and cameras, then the device structure is simple, but the data processing time becomes too long when large amounts of data are collected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol device structureVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control function into multiple control devices (first control device and second control device). The first control device processes data from first sensors while the second control device processes data from second sensors and cameras. This segmentation allows parallel processing of different data types, significantly reducing overall data processing time while maintaining manageable complexity for each individual control device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional sensors and data processing methods are integrated, then the monitoring capability is improved, but the computing power requirement and data processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monitoring system into multiple specialized control devices, each handling specific sensor types and processing methods. This allows the system to integrate additional sensors and advanced processing methods without overwhelming a single control device, as the workload is distributed across multiple devices that can process data in parallel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each control device is designed to handle multiple types of data processing tasks (sensor data acquisition, image processing, data transmission), making them multi-functional. This universality allows the system to expand monitoring capabilities by adding sensors while maintaining efficient processing through the existing multi-device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If multiple control devices are used to process data in parallel, then the data processing speed is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing speedVSAvoidcontrol device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments control functions across multiple devices to achieve parallel processing and improved productivity. Each control device handles specific sensor types independently, enabling simultaneous data processing without requiring complex inter-device coordination, thus balancing productivity gains with acceptable complexity levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Use of energy by moving object

If a single control device is used, then the energy consumption is lower, but the operating time is limited when large amounts of data need to be processed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidoperating time

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the control workload across multiple control devices, allowing each device to process data more efficiently and with lower individual energy consumption. The parallel processing capability enables the system to complete large amounts of data processing faster, effectively extending the operational duration before energy depletion, while maintaining relatively low energy consumption per device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12597247B2Underwater device for acquiring images of a water bottom

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 PLANBLUE GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to an underwater device for capturing images of a seabed with multiple electrical function units, a control program for controlling one electrical function unit, another control program for controlling another electrical function unit, and at least one control device. The underwater device is characterised in that the underwater device is designed such that the control program and the other control program are selectively executable on the same control device or the control program is executable on one control device and the other control program is executable on another control device.