Patent ID: 11920561
Assignee: FRAUNHOFER GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
Field: Measurement (Instruments)
Classification: CPC F  G  E | IPC F  G

Claim 0:
1. A device for monitoring mechanical connection points, the device comprising: an imaging device configured to digitally capture one or more optical images of a first connection point, wherein the captured one or more optical images are represented by one or more electrical signals; and a processing device configurable for: receiving the digitally captured one or more optical images in digital form forwarded from the imaging device; one or more reference images in digital form or comparing one or more parameters of the digitally captured one or more optical images in digital form with one or more reference parameters, wherein the one or more reference parameters are detected in a previous measurement and retrieved in digital form from a storage device coupled to at least one of the imaging device or the processing device; identifying a particular parameter in a first captured image of the first connection point; determining that the particular parameter of the first captured image of the first connection point deviates from a particular reference parameter of the one or more reference parameters by an amount that exceeds a specified threshold, wherein a deviation of the particular parameter corresponds to a discernable change as a result of a loosening or partial loosening of the connection point; and in response to the determining, generating an error signal relating to the first connection point, effectively and efficiently maximizing reliability and reducing the high cost of servicing components.