Method and apparatus for the automated detection and classification of defects in sewer pipes

• US 20030023404A1
• Filed: 11/23/2001
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Osama Moselhi, Tariq Shehab-Eldeen
• Original Assignee: Osama Moselhi, Tariq Shehab-Eldeen
• Inventors: Moselhi, Osama, Shehab-Eldeen, Tariq
• Granted Patent: US 7,215,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/181
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/954 Inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/10016 Video; Image sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/20036 Morphological image processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30132 Masonry; Concrete
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0004 Industrial image inspection
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/62 of area, perimeter, diameter or volume

Abstract

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for detecting a defect on a portion of an element comprising the steps of: acquiring an image of said portion; analyzing said image to highlight problematic regions of said portion; calculating a probability that said problematic region is a defect; if said probability is higher than a threshold value, determining a position of said defect on said element. Another method for classifying a defect on an element is provided. The method comprises: acquiring an image of said defect; calculating a probability that said defect corresponds to one of a series of types of defects; if said probability is higher than a threshold value, determining that said defect is a defect of that particular type. Another method for recommending a most suitable rehabilitation technique for a defect is provided. The method comprises: identifying a series of parameters corresponding to said defect; calculating a relative utility for each of a series of potential rehabilitation techniques using rehabilitation profiles; determining a most suitable rehabilitation technique for said defect corresponding to a highest value of said relative utility.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a defect on a portion of an element comprising:

acquiring an image of said portion;

analyzing said image to highlight problematic regions of said portion;

calculating a probability that said problematic region is a defect;

if said probability is higher than a threshold value, determining a position of said defect on said element.

2. A method for classifying a defect on an element, comprising:

acquiring an image of said defect;

calculating a probability that said defect corresponds to one of a series of types of defects;

if said probability is higher than a threshold value, determining that said defect is a defect of that particular type.

3. A method for recommending a most suitable rehabilitation technique for a defect, comprising:

identifying a series of parameters corresponding to said defect;

calculating a relative utility for each of a series of potential rehabilitation techniques using rehabilitation profiles;

determining a most suitable rehabilitation technique for said defect corresponding to a highest value of said relative utility.