X-ray Inspection Interface Merging Control and Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic inspection systems face challenges due to a contextual disconnect between control devices and display interfaces, leading to a non-intuitive user experience caused by the separation of control and viewing applications, and overwhelming operators with numerous menus and buttons.
Innovation Solution
An x-ray inspection system with a unified interface that allows operators to control both the x-ray emitter and detector through a touch screen, using a controller to align the detector with a reference point and move it within a spherical dome centered on the inspection point, enabling intuitive positioning and viewing adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate control devices and viewing applications are used for x-ray inspection, then functional capabilities are provided, but contextual disconnect and non-intuitive user experience occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate control devices and viewing applications into a single integrated user interface. The touchscreen display serves both as the control interface for motion control devices and as the viewing application for displaying x-ray images, eliminating the contextual disconnect between controls and display while maintaining all functional capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If extensive menus and buttons are provided in the viewing application, then additional functionality is available, but operator overload and non-intuitive operation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential control functions from complex menus and buttons and implements them through intuitive touchscreen gestures and direct manipulation of the displayed image. Operators can directly interact with the image on the touchscreen to control emitter and detector positioning, eliminating the need for extensive menu navigation while preserving all necessary functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control devices are physically separated from the display, then independent control and viewing are enabled, but contextual disconnect occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control interface and display into a single touchscreen unit. The touchscreen receives control inputs directly at the location where the x-ray image is displayed, ensuring that control actions and visual feedback are contextually connected. This integration maintains independent control capability while eliminating the spatial separation between controls and display.
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
This solution provides a cohesive and intuitive user interface for controlling the inspection system, reducing operator complexity and improving the efficiency of x-ray inspections by allowing real-time manipulation of the inspection beam and viewing angles within a single display.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray emitter configured to generate an inspection beam
Implementation Method 2
a detector configured to detect the inspection beam
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides a system and method for inspecting a component. The device can have a detector positioning system coupled to a detector and operable to move the detector within five degrees of freedom. The device can have an emitter positioning system operably coupled to the emitter and operable to move the emitter in three dimensions. The device can move the detector to a reference point above the component, the reference point being separated by a radius (ρ) on the applicate axis from an inspection point on the component. The controller can also receive at least one input from a display, and command the detector to a detector position within a spherical dome centered on the reference point based on the at least one input.