ACCELEROMETER REMOTE FOR ARTICULATION OF A VIDEO PROBE

• US 20130002895A1
• Filed: 06/30/2011
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: McClung, Daniel Haddon John
• Application Number:
  US13/173,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20130002895A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/211.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/00042 for mechanical operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/0052 Constructional details of control elements, e.g. handles

Abstract

An articulated video probe system and associated method. The system includes an articulated video probe for in-taking and transmitting an image of an area. The articulated video probe is moveable for changing the in-taken image. The system includes a unit for causing the video probe to move. The unit utilizing a received movement command signal to move the articulated video probe. The system includes an accelerometer configured to sense motion and transmit the movement command signal to the unit for causing the video probe to move.

Claims

1. An articulated video probe system including:

an articulated video probe for in-taking and transmitting an image of an area, the articulated video probe being moveable for changing the in-taken image;

a unit for causing the video probe to move, the unit utilizing a received movement command signal to move the articulated video probe; and

an accelerometer configured to sense motion and transmit the movement command signal to the unit for causing the video probe to move.

2. The articulated video probe system of claim 1, wherein the video probe includes a camera configured to intake and transmit images of the area.

3. The articulated video probe system of claim 1, including a display apparatus for displaying images of the area transmitted by the video probe.

4. The articulated video probe system of claim 1, wherein the accelerometer is located within a unit that is manipulated by a user.

5. The articulated video probe system of claim 4, wherein the accelerometer is configured to sense an initial orientation of the unit that is manipulated by a user.

6. The articulated video probe system of claim 5, wherein the accelerometer is configured to sense a change in motion of the unit that is manipulated by a user with respect to the initial orientation of the operator control input unit.

7. A method of operating a video probe system which has an articulated video probe for in-taking and transmitting an image of an area, the method including:

sensing motion via an accelerometer and transmitting a movement command signal indicative of the sensed motion;

utilizing the movement command signal at a unit to cause the video probe to move; and

moving the articulated video probe for changing the in-taken image.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the video probe includes a camera and the method includes in-taking and transmitting images of the area.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the video probe include a display apparatus and the method includes displaying images of the area transmitted by the video probe upon the display apparatus.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the accelerometer is located within a unit that is manipulatable by a user, and the method includes the user manipulating the unit.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the accelerometer senses an initial orientation of the unit that is manipulated by a user.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the accelerometer senses a change in motion of the unit that is manipulated by a user with respect to the initial orientation of the operator control input unit.