Infrared thermography system including mobile unit
First Claim
1. A mobile infrared thermography unit comprising:
- an infrared camera;
a visible image camera;
a storage device for recording at least images;
a switch for selectively connecting either said infrared camera or said visible image camera to said storage device for thermographic or visible image recording; and
a data processing device interfaced to at least one of said infrared camera, said visible image camera and said storage device for at least maintaining a record of identifying information related to recorded images;
said data processing device being interfaced to said switch for monitoring whether an infrared or a visible image is being recorded.
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Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
A system including a mobile infrared thermography unit and a base station for automating the collection of thermographic data and for facilitating the efficient generation of reports. The mobile infrared thermography unit includes an infrared camera, a storage device such as a videotape recorder for at least recording thermographic images captured by the infrared camera, and a mobile unit computer. The mobile unit computer includes a touch screen display for presenting information to a thermographer and for receiving data and command inputs from the thermographer. The mobile unit computer is interfaced to the infrared camera or the videotape recorder for maintaining a record, either by tape position or date/time stamp, where thermographic images of particular equipment are recorded. The mobile unit computer includes a display operable to prompt the thermographer with route information regarding particular equipment to be thermographically inspected, as well as to suggest to the thermographer particular problems possibly indicated by a particular thermographically-observed condition. The base station includes a base station computer which transfers information to the mobile unit computer prior to undertaking an inspection route, and receives information from the mobile unit computer when the route is completed. The base station computer is capable of directly accessing and downloading particular infrared images recorded by the videotape recorder, employing the tape position or date/time stamp information.
123 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A mobile infrared thermography unit comprising:
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an infrared camera; a visible image camera; a storage device for recording at least images; a switch for selectively connecting either said infrared camera or said visible image camera to said storage device for thermographic or visible image recording; and a data processing device interfaced to at least one of said infrared camera, said visible image camera and said storage device for at least maintaining a record of identifying information related to recorded images; said data processing device being interfaced to said switch for monitoring whether an infrared or a visible image is being recorded. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A mobile infrared thermography unit comprising:
- an infrared camera;
a storage device for at least recording thermographic images captured by said infrared camera; and a data processing device including a display and operable to prompt a user of said unit through indications on said display regarding particular equipment to be thermographically inspected. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
- an infrared camera;
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20. A mobile infrared thermography unit comprising:
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an infrared camera; a storage device for recording thermographic images captured by said infrared camera; and a data processing device including a display and operable through indications on said display to suggest to a user at least one candidate problem indicated by a particular thermographically-observed condition.
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21. An infrared thermography system comprising:
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a base station; a mobile thermographic unit at least selectably connectable to said base station; said mobile thermographic unit including an infrared camera, a mobile unit storage device for at least recording thermographic images captured by said infrared camera and a mobile unit data processing device including a display and operable to prompt a user of said unit through indications on said display regarding particular equipment to be thermographically inspected; and said base station including a base station data processing device operable, when said mobile thermographic unit is connected to said base station, to upload user prompting information to said mobile unit data processing device. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification