Variable Resolution Camera Head for Pipe Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pipe inspection systems lack the capability to generate and transmit variable resolution images, tiled images, zoomed images, HDR images, or images with adjustable orientations based on conditions associated with the camera head or user inputs, limiting their diagnostic accuracy and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A pipe inspection system with a camera head equipped with multiple electronic imaging elements and associated optics, capable of capturing and processing images at adjustable resolutions, orientations, and zoom levels, and transmitting these signals to a camera control unit for display, storage, and re-transmission, using techniques such as tiling, HDR processing, and orientation adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed resolution camera system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and diagnostic accuracy are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The camera head incorporates variable resolution capability that allows dynamic adjustment between different resolution modes (e.g., high resolution for detailed defect inspection, low resolution for overview). This enables the system to adapt to different inspection requirements without requiring multiple fixed-resolution cameras, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera head can divide the image field into multiple tiles or segments, allowing selective high-resolution capture of specific regions of interest while maintaining lower resolution for other areas. This segmentation approach enables adaptive resolution control, improving diagnostic accuracy for defects while reducing overall data transmission requirements.
2Measurement precision
If variable resolution image processing is implemented, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the loss of time for image processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera head performs preliminary image processing and resolution adjustment at the source, generating appropriately resolved images before transmission. This preliminary action ensures that only necessary high-resolution data is processed and transmitted, reducing overall processing time while maintaining diagnostic accuracy for detected defects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies high resolution processing only to specific regions or tiles containing potential defects, rather than processing entire images at maximum resolution. This local quality approach maintains measurement precision for critical areas while significantly reducing total image processing time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple imaging elements are used for variable resolution and tiling, then the adaptability and image quality are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera head is designed as a multi-functional unit that integrates multiple imaging elements with different resolutions and orientations into a single device. This universal design allows the camera head to perform various imaging modes (full-resolution, tiled, zoomed, different orientations) without requiring separate camera systems, improving adaptability while streamlining manufacturing compared to multiple separate devices.
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
Enables the generation and transmission of high-quality, variable-resolution images that can be adjusted based on conditions or user inputs, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and flexibility in inspecting pipes and other cavities.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic imaging element, including an image sensor and associated optics, of a camera head
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
Camera heads configured to provide digitally articulated images or video, at adjustable resolutions and/or offsets and orientations, to a camera control unit (CCU) or other electronic computing system for display, storage, and/or transmission to other systems are disclosed.