BATTERY AND POWER MANAGEMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL INSPECTION HANDSET

• US 20090109045A1
• Filed: 10/26/2007
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies LP (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies LP (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Scott, Joshua Lynn, Lopez, Joseph V., Monroe, Richard A., Delmonico, James J., Karpen, Thomas W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,902,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/636.100
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/2476 Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/555 for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/56 provided with illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/651 for reducing power consumption by affecting camera operations, e.g. sleep mode, hibernation mode or power off of selective parts of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/74 by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means

Abstract

An industrial inspection handset is disclosed, comprising a battery assembly for providing power to the handset, wherein the battery assembly comprises a connector for connecting a battery charger, a battery circuit for communicating with a processor in the handset, and a battery charge indicator on the surface of the battery assembly connected to the battery circuit for providing a visual indication of the charge remaining in the battery assembly. A method of power management for an industrial inspection handset is also disclosed comprising the steps of setting a first maximum power output value for the camera illumination for the insertion, monitoring an imager signal processor, to determine that the gain value of the image signal processor is less than a predetermined gain value, and setting a lower second maximum power output value for the camera illumination in order to increase the gain value. Additional methods of power management for an industrial inspection handset are disclosed, comprising the steps of setting a first maximum power output value for the articulation of the insertion tube attached to the handset, monitoring the operator controls to determine that there has been no articulation for a first predetermined amount of time, monitoring the position of the insertion tube to determine whether the insertion tube position is inside or outside of a predetermined zone of coordinates, and reducing or turning off the articulation power to hold the position of the insertion tube.

Claims

1. An industrial inspection handset comprising:

a display for providing visual information to a user;

a control module for operating said handset;

a battery assembly for providing power to said handset; and

a handle for receiving said battery assembly;

wherein said battery assembly comprises

at least one battery cell;

a connector for connecting a battery charger to charge said at least one battery cell;

a battery circuit for communicating with a processor in said handset, wherein said processor monitors information about said battery assembly; and

a battery charge indicator on the surface of said battery assembly connected to said battery circuit for providing a visual indication of the charge remaining in said battery assembly.

2. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said at least one battery cell is a lithium ion battery.

3. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said connector is a DC connector.

4. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said battery charge indicator comprises a membrane switch.

5. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said battery charge indicator comprises a plurality of LEDs for providing said visual indication of the charge remaining in said battery assembly.

6. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said battery assembly further comprises a spring-based latching member operated by a turn connector for interfacing with a spring-based receiving member of said handset handle for receiving and holding said battery assembly.

7. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said battery assembly further comprises a sealing member for providing a seal with said handset handle when said battery assembly is fully inserted in said handle.

8. The industrial inspection handset of claim 1, wherein said handset is not connected to a base unit.

9. A method of power management for an industrial inspection handset comprising the steps of:

setting a first maximum power output value for the camera illumination for the insertion tube attached to said handset;

monitoring an imager signal processor, which receives the images from said insertion tube attached to said handset, to determine that the gain value of said image signal processor is less than a predetermined gain value; and

setting a second maximum power output value, which is less than said first maximum power output value, for said camera illumination in order to increase said gain value of said image signal processor to said predetermined gain value.

10. The method of power management for an industrial inspection handset of claim 9, wherein said handset is not connected to a base unit and comprises a battery assembly for providing power to said handset.

11. A method of power management for an industrial inspection handset comprising the steps of:

setting a first maximum power output value for the articulation of the insertion tube attached to said handset, and wherein the movement of said insertion tube is operated by a plurality of actuators;

monitoring the operator controls to determine that there has been no articulation for a first predetermined amount of time;

monitoring the position of said insertion tube to determine that said insertion tube position is outside of a predetermined zone of coordinates; and

setting a second maximum power output value, which is less than said first maximum power output value, for said articulation sufficient to hold said insertion tube in place.

12. The method of power management for an industrial inspection handset of claim 11, wherein said handset is not connected to a base unit and comprises a battery assembly for providing power to said handset.

13. A method of power management for an industrial inspection handset comprising the steps of:

setting a first maximum power output value for the articulation of the insertion tube attached to said handset, and wherein the movement of said insertion tube is operated by a plurality of actuators;

monitoring the operator controls to determine that there has been no articulation for a first predetermined amount of time;

monitoring the position of said insertion tube to determine that said insertion tube position is inside of a predetermined zone of coordinates; and

turning off power for said articulation.

14. The method of power management for an industrial inspection handset of claim 13, further comprising the step of creating a short circuit across each of said actuators.

15. The method of power management for an industrial inspection handset of claim 13, wherein said handset is not connected to a base unit and comprises a battery assembly for providing power to said handset.

16. A method of power management for an industrial inspection handset comprising the steps of:

setting a first maximum power output value for at least one component of said handset;

monitoring operator controls of said handset to determine that there has been no user input for a first predetermined amount of time;

setting a second maximum power output value, which is less than said first maximum power output value, for said at least one component of said handset;

monitoring operator controls of said handset to determine that there has been no user input for a second predetermined amount of time; and

turning off at least one component of said handset.

17. The method of power management for an industrial inspection handset of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

monitoring operator controls of said handset to determine that there has been no user input for a third predetermined amount of time;

closing and saving open data files; and

turning said handset off.

18. The method of power management for an industrial inspection handset of claim 16, wherein said handset is not connected to a base unit and comprises a battery assembly for providing power to said handset.