Automated Visual Inspection Matching Historic Images and Engineering Models
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visual inspection methods of complex physical assets are time-consuming and inefficient, requiring human technicians to manually match visual data with three-dimensional models, often leading to misidentification and increased costs due to the need for disassembly and lengthy servicing processes.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system that includes a visual inspection device and a computing device capable of receiving present images, identifying matching historic images, and corresponding engineering models, using key point feature detection and image retrieval methods to automate the inspection process, thereby reducing the need for manual intervention and facilitating rapid analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If human technicians manually match visual data with three-dimensional models, then identification accuracy can be maintained through expert judgment, but the inspection process becomes extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of technicians physically matching visual data with 3D models using an automated computer-implemented system. The system uses image processing algorithms, feature detection, and automated matching techniques to identify components, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining or improving identification accuracy through consistent algorithmic application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and uses digital copies of visual data from multiple inspection angles and historical inspection records. These digital copies are processed and matched against engineering models to enable rapid automated identification without requiring physical disassembly or manual measurement collection during inspection.
2Measurement precision
If disassembly or servicing is performed to access internal components for inspection, then direct physical measurements can be obtained, but the asset must be rendered inoperable for hours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical disassembly and direct measurement with optical imaging and automated image analysis. Visual inspection devices capture images through existing access points without requiring disassembly, and computer processing automatically extracts measurement data from these images, eliminating asset downtime while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary image capture and processing during brief inspection windows without disassembly. Historical inspection data and engineering models are pre-loaded into the system, enabling rapid matching and measurement extraction from visual data alone, eliminating the need for time-consuming disassembly procedures.
3Reliability
If visual data is received by human technicians for analysis, then diagnostic expertise can be applied, but new physical measurements can no longer be collected and must wait until the next inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces human technician analysis with automated computer processing that can continuously analyze visual data and extract new measurements in real-time. The system uses image processing algorithms to automatically detect features, measure dimensions, and identify changes without waiting for manual review, enabling immediate measurement collection and analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous automated analysis of visual data as it is received from inspection devices. Multiple images from different angles and historical inspections are continuously processed and compared, allowing measurements to be extracted and updated in real-time without interruption or waiting periods between manual review cycles.
4Measurement precision
If numerous components and sub-components are reviewed in detail to ensure accurate identification, then misidentification risks are reduced, but the inspection process becomes logistically and financially expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex inspection task into automated computational steps: image capture, feature detection, data processing, matching against engineering models, and identification. This segmentation transforms a complex manual review process into manageable automated operations, reducing system complexity while maintaining high identification accuracy through systematic algorithmic processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented system for enhanced automated visual inspection of a physical asset includes a visual inspection device capable of generating images of the physical asset and a computing device including a processor and a memory device coupled to the processor. The computing device includes a storage device coupled to the memory device and coupled to the processor. The storage device includes at least one historic image of the physical asset and at least one engineering model substantially representing the physical asset. The computing device is configured to receive, from a present image source, at least one present image of the physical asset captured by the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to identify at least one matching historic image corresponding to the at least one present image. The computing device is configured to identify at least one matching engineering model corresponding to the at least one present image.