Remote video inspection system integrating audio communication functionality

• US 20070070340A1
• Filed: 06/22/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Waygate Technologies USA LP (Baker Hughes Company)
• Original Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies LP (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Karpen, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,956,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/241.100
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0004 for electronic operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00042 for mechanical operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00055 for alerting the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/053 being detachable
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/954 Inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2484 Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70

Abstract

Remote viewing devices and methods are provided to communicate audio information to and/or from a user of the remote viewing device. The audio information can serve an entertainment purpose, and/or can be instructional in order to provide training, guidance and/or feedback to the user prior to or during the inspection process. The audio information can be stored onto physical media such as a CD/DVD disk or a tape, or can be stored as data, such as MP3 data stored within memory accessible to the device. Outputted audio information can be generated by one or more speakers located within the body of the device or located within a headset having a wire line or wireless connection with the remote viewing device.

Claims

1. A method of providing audio communication to a user of a remote viewing device, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a remote viewing device comprising;

an insertion tube having a proximal and a distal end;

a control module disposed at said proximal end of said insertion tube, said control module providing at least a first portion of a user interface to a user of the remote viewing device;

a viewing head disposed at said distal end of said insertion tube, said viewing head inputs and communicates image information to said control module; and

at least one audio output device configured to communicate audio information to a user of said remote viewing device;

providing audio information for said at least one audio output device to process; and

controlling said at least one audio output device to initiate processing and communication of said audio information with said user, wherein said audio information is communicated with said user in the form of at least one of audio entertainment information, audio guidance information, audio training information, and audio feedback information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said remote viewing device further comprises:

a base module configured to relay power to at least one other portion of said remote viewing device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said audio information is processed from portable media.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein each of said at least one audio output device is selected from the group consisting:

of a disk player device and a tape player device

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said disk player device is selected from the group consisting of:

a compact disk (CD) player device, a digital video disk (DVD) player device and a mini disk player device.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said tape player device is selected from the group consisting of:

a cassette tape player device and a videotape player device.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein said remote viewing device includes digital memory and wherein said at least one audio device output processes audio information stored within said digital memory.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said remote viewing device includes a data communications port, and wherein said method further comprises the step of:

receiving, via said data communications port, said audio information stored within said digital memory.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said data communications port provides a wireless connection with another computing device.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein said audio information is communicated to said user via at least one speaker in communication with said at least one audio output device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one speaker is in communication with said at least one audio output device via a connection selected from the group consisting of:

a wire line connection and wireless connection.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one speaker is a plurality of speakers, and wherein the plurality of speakers are selected from the group consisting of:

stereo speakers and surround sound speakers.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one speaker is disposed within a body portion of said remote viewing device.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said at least one speaker is disposed outside of said remote viewing device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least one speaker is disposed within a headset in communication with said at least one audio output device.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein said at least one audio output device includes at least one radio receiver.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said at least one radio receiver is selected from the group consisting of:

a broadcast radio receiver, a satellite radio receiver, and a high definition radio receiver.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein the remote viewing device includes a user interface and wherein said method further comprises the step of:

controlling said at least one audio output device via said user interface.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said user interface employs a wireless or wire line connection with said audio output device (1600)

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the user interface is within a body portion of said remote viewing device.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said user interface resides within said control module.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said user interface resides within a remote control device.

23. A method of communicating audio information to a user of an inspection device, comprising the steps of:

providing an inspection device, comprising;

an insertion tube;

a control module disposed at a proximal end of said insertion tube;

a viewing head in electrical and optical communication with said control module through said insertion tube; and

an audio information manipulation system; and

using said inspection device to communicate audio information between the inspection device and said user, wherein said communicated audio information is selected from the group consisting of;

menu-driven inspection information;

error notification information, feedback information and audio entertainment information.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said menu-driven inspection is communicated to said user upon said user taking at least one action selected from the group consisting of:

highlighting a menu option, browsing within menu options, and selecting a menu option.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said audio information is communicated to said user via at least one speaker in communication with said audio information manipulation system.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said at least one speaker is in communication with said audio information manipulation system via a connection selected from the group consisting of:

a wire line connection and a wireless connection.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein said at least one speaker is a plurality of speakers, and wherein the plurality of speakers are selected from the group consisting of stereo speakers and surround sound speakers.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein said at least one speaker is disposed outside of said inspection device.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said at least one speaker is disposed within a headset in communication with said audio information manipulation system.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein said headset is in communication with said audio information manipulation system via a connection selected from the group consisting of a wire line or wireless connection.

31. An inspection device, comprising:

an insertion tube;

a control module disposed at a proximal end of said insertion tube;

a viewing head in electrical and optical communication with said control module through said insertion tube; and

an audio information manipulation system adapted to communicate audio information to a user of the inspection device, wherein said audio information is selected from the group consisting of;

menu-driven inspection information;

error notification information, feedback information and audio entertainment information.