REMOTE INSPECTION DEVICE
First Claim
1. A remote inspection device, comprising:
- a flexible cable having a proximate end and a distal end;
a substantially cylindrical imager housing concentrically aligned with and attached to a distal end of the flexible cable;
an imaging device embedded in an outwardly facing end of the cylindrical imager housing, the imaging device operable to capture an image of a viewing area proximate to the distal end of the flexible cable and convert the image into a video signal;
at least one light source protruding from the outwardly facing end of the cylindrical imager housing adjacent to the imaging device;
a display housing attached to the proximate end of the flexible cable and configured to be grasped by a user of the device;
an accelerometer disposed in the imager housing and operable to report orientation of the imager housing in relation of a gravity vector; and
a processor disposed in the display housing and adapted to receive the video signal from the imaging device and the orientation data from the accelerometer, the processor converts the video signal to a video image, orients the video image in relation to the gravity vector and displays the video image on a display device associated with the display housing.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A remote inspection device is provided for inspecting visually obscured locations. The device is generally comprised of a imager housing and a display housing disposed on opposite ends of a modular, flexible cable. An imaging device is embedded in the end of the cylindrical imager housing, such that the imaging device is able to capture an image of a viewing area proximate to the distal end of the flexible cable. One or more light sources also protrude from the outwardly facing end of the cylindrical imager housing along a perimeter of the imaging device such that the imaging device is recessed between the light sources. A display housing is coupled to the other end of the flexible cable and configured to be grasped by a user of the device. A display device supported by the display housing receives a video signal from the imaging device and converts the video signal to a video image.
99 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A remote inspection device, comprising:
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a flexible cable having a proximate end and a distal end; a substantially cylindrical imager housing concentrically aligned with and attached to a distal end of the flexible cable; an imaging device embedded in an outwardly facing end of the cylindrical imager housing, the imaging device operable to capture an image of a viewing area proximate to the distal end of the flexible cable and convert the image into a video signal; at least one light source protruding from the outwardly facing end of the cylindrical imager housing adjacent to the imaging device; a display housing attached to the proximate end of the flexible cable and configured to be grasped by a user of the device; an accelerometer disposed in the imager housing and operable to report orientation of the imager housing in relation of a gravity vector; and a processor disposed in the display housing and adapted to receive the video signal from the imaging device and the orientation data from the accelerometer, the processor converts the video signal to a video image, orients the video image in relation to the gravity vector and displays the video image on a display device associated with the display housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A remote inspection device, comprising:
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a flexible cable having a proximal end and a distal end; a substantially cylindrical imager housing concentrically aligned with and attached to a distal end of the flexible cable; an imaging device embedded in the imager housing and operable to capture an image of a viewing area proximate to the distal end of the flexible cable and convert the image into a video signal; a light source disposed proximate to the imaging device and operable to illuminate the viewing area; an accelerometer disposed in the imager housing and operable to report orientation of the imager housing in relation of a gravity vector; a display housing detachably coupled via a coupling to the proximate end of the flexible cable and configured to be grasped by a user of the device; a portable power source located in the display housing for providing electrical power to the device; a plurality of wires located in the flexible cable to provide electrical power from the portable power source to the imaging device and the light source, and transmit the video signal from the imaging device to the display device; and a processor disposed in the display housing and adapted to receive the video signal from the imaging device and the orientation data from the accelerometer, the processor converts the video signal to a video image, orients the video image in relation to the gravity vector and displays the video image on a display device associated with the display housing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification