Remote video inspection system
First Claim
1. A modular remote visual inspection system used to view a portion of an interior of an object of interest, comprising:
- a base module comprising an optical source module, a computation module, and a power module;
an interconnection module having two ends, said interconnection module providing electrical and optical signal paths, a first end of said interconnection module in electrical and optical communication with said base module;
a unitary display and control module, said unitary display and control module in electrical and optical communication with a second end of said interconnection module; and
a demountable inspection module having two ends, a proximal end of said inspection module in at least optical communication with said unitary display and control module, and a distal end of said inspection module configured to make observations of an object of interest;
whereby said base module, said interconnection module, said unitary display and control module, and said demountable inspection module cooperate to permit a view of the portion of the interior of the object of interest.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular remote video inspection system for inspecting the interior of a living thing or of an inanimate object, such as a machine. The system comprises a base module connected by way of an interconnection module to a handset comprising a unitary display module and control module. The system makes observations by generating light that is caused to impinge on a surface of the interior of the object of interest. An inspection module attached to the handset comprises both a light guide for providing the light to the area of interest, and a selected one of a sensor and a light receiver. The inspection module comprises a steerable tip configured to be located adjacent the area of interest. The handset includes both controls for operating the system, and a display for providing a view of the region being inspected, as well as status information for the user of an operator.
215 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A modular remote visual inspection system used to view a portion of an interior of an object of interest, comprising:
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a base module comprising an optical source module, a computation module, and a power module;
an interconnection module having two ends, said interconnection module providing electrical and optical signal paths, a first end of said interconnection module in electrical and optical communication with said base module;
a unitary display and control module, said unitary display and control module in electrical and optical communication with a second end of said interconnection module; and
a demountable inspection module having two ends, a proximal end of said inspection module in at least optical communication with said unitary display and control module, and a distal end of said inspection module configured to make observations of an object of interest;
whereby said base module, said interconnection module, said unitary display and control module, and said demountable inspection module cooperate to permit a view of the portion of the interior of the object of interest. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A modular visual inspection system for viewing the interior of a structure, comprising:
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a base unit element comprising a memory element, a processor element, and a light source;
a control and display element comprising a screen element for viewing the interior of the structure and an articulation control element;
a plurality of insertion elements for imaging the interior of the structure, each of said plurality of said insertion elements comprising an imaging sensor and an elongated braided portion, wherein the base unit element is in electro-optical communication with the control and display element, and wherein each one of said plurality of insertion elements can be used without modification with said control and display element. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A modular visual inspection device for viewing a target area comprising:
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a base unit;
a handset in electrical and optical communication with said base unit;
a plurality of interchangeable insertion tubes each having a differing cross-sectional dimension and comprising an imager for collecting data regarding the target area and at least one illumination bundle, wherein the handset and base unit are adapted to be in electrical and optical communication with each of said plurality of interchangeable insertion tubes. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification