Infrastructure Structural Health Monitoring System

A system for monitoring structural health of infrastructure, leveraging multi-modal sensing technology to determine three-dimensional coordinates and detect potential defects or damages.

The original patent focused on multi-modal sensing of depth in vision systems for automated surgical robots. However, the same technology can be applied to a new field, namely infrastructure monitoring, where current methods often rely on manual inspections, which can be time-consuming, expensive, and prone to human error. This new inventive concept addresses the limitations of current infrastructure monitoring methods by providing a more efficient, accurate, and reliable solution.

The infrastructure structural health monitoring system consists of one or more imaging devices configured to obtain a plurality of images of a structure in a monitoring scene using a plurality of different imaging modalities. The system also includes a computer program product that determines a three-dimensional coordinate on the structure based on the plurality of images. Additionally, the system can incorporate a plurality of sensors to obtain a plurality of depth measurements of the structure, which are weighted based on the quality or property of the plurality of images. This allows for accurate detection of potential defects or damages in the infrastructure.

The new claims introduce a novel application of the multi-modal sensing technology to the field of infrastructure monitoring, which was not considered in the original patent. The inventive step lies in the adaptation of the technology to a new industry, where the system's ability to provide accurate three-dimensional coordinates and detect defects or damages offers a significant improvement over current methods.

Alternative embodiments of the system could include the use of different imaging modalities, such as infrared or ultraviolet imaging, or the integration of additional sensors, such as acoustic or vibration sensors. Variations of the system could be designed for specific types of infrastructure, such as bridges, buildings, or pipelines.

The infrastructure structural health monitoring system has significant commercial potential in the infrastructure inspection and maintenance industry, which is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. The system's ability to provide accurate and reliable monitoring data can help reduce maintenance costs, improve safety, and extend the lifespan of infrastructure assets.