Processor module for video inspection probe

• US 5,701,155 A
• Filed: 12/28/1995
• Issued: 12/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies LP (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Welch Allyn Incorporated
• Inventors: Piloski, Michael J., Wood, Robert J., Pasik, Gregory E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Tommy P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LIN, BRYAN T
• Application Number:
  US08/581,304
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 358/98, 128/6, 348/65, 348/72, 348/75, 348/82, 348/84, 348/85
• US Class Current: 348/72
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/04 combined with photographic or television appliances
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/05 characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion

Abstract

A plug-in module for a video probe has a housing which contains video processing circuitry to receive a video output from a miniature video imager and produces a video signal suitable to apply, without further processing, to a video monitor. The module plugs into a mating socket of a power and illumination unit. A fiber optic bundle extends into a sleeve protruding from a proximal face of the module, and is positioned at the focus of a small, high efficacy lamp assembly. The housing of the plug-in module environmentally seals the electronic circuitry.

Claims

1. A video inspection probe by which a visual image of a remote target is reproduced on a video monitor of the type requiring a standard format video signal, and in which lens means focusses the image of the target onto a solid state imager which provides a video output for applying to said video monitor, comprising

probe tube means carrying said lens means and said imager, and

a processor module attached to a proximal end of said probe tube means including:

a module housing;

video processing circuit means contained within said housing and electrically coupled to said imager for processing said video output furnished by said imager and providing a standard format processed video output signal suitable to supply, without further processing, to said video monitor to reproduce said visual image thereon; and

coupler means carried on said housing and having electrical power contacts to which power is delivered and applied to said video processing circuit means and output contacts for providing said standard format processed video output signal from said video processing circuit means to said monitor,

wherein said module housing has a profile in cross section which is oblong with one or more protruding ribs for fitting into a mating recess of a power and illumination source, said mating recess having an oblong profile with one or more cutouts to receive said ribs.

2. A video inspection probe comprising:

a body;

a solid-state imager positioned within said body for viewing a target;

focussing means including at least one optical component for focussing an optical image of said target onto said imager; and

an umbilical cable non-detachably connected at one end to said body, said cable having a processing module non-detachably connected at an opposite end, said module including a compact housing having video processing circuitry means retained therein for processing a signal of said target from said imager into a video monitor-ready video signal, said compact housing being detachably engageable with a combined light and power supply unit, said unit having receiving means including a cavity for accommodating said compact housing therein.

3. A video inspection probe as recited in claim 2, wherein said module housing includes coupler means for electrically interconnecting said light and power supply unit with said probe when said housing is attached thereto through said cavity and means for transmitting a processed video signal to a monitor attached to said light and power supply unit.

4. A video inspection probe as recited in claim 3, further including an illumination conduit extending from said combined light and power supply unit to said probe through said umbilical cable.

5. A video inspection probe as recited in claim 3, wherein said module housing is environmentally sealed.

6. A video inspection probe as recited in claim 2, wherein said probe is an endoscope.

7. A video inspection probe as recited in claim 2, wherein said probe is a borescope.

8. A video inspection probe as recited in claim 2, wherein said housing has a profile in cross section which is oblong with at least one protruding rib member for fitting into said cavity, said cavity having at least corresponding cutout for receiving said at least one rib member.

9. A video inspection system comprising

video inspection probe including

body;

solid-state imager positioned within said body for viewing a target;

focussing means including at least one optical component for focussing an optical image of said target onto said imager;

an umbilical cable non-detachably connected at one end to said body, said cable having a processing module non-detachably connected at an opposite end, said module including a compact housing having video processing circuitry means retained therein for processing a signal of said target from said imager into a video monitor-ready video signal;

a combined light and power supply unit having receiving means including a socket sized for accommodating said compact housing therein; and

a video monitor for displaying a video signal processed by said processing circuitry means.

10. A video inspection system as recited in claim 9, wherein said housing has a profile in cross section which is oblong with at least one protruding rib member for fitting into said cavity, said cavity having at least corresponding cutout for receiving said at least one rib member.

11. A video inspection system as recited in claim 9 wherein said module housing includes coupler means for electrically interconnecting said light and power supply unit with said probe when said housing is attached thereto through said cavity and means for transmitting a processed video signal to said monitor attached to said light and power supply unit.

12. A video inspection system as recited in claim 9 further including an illumination conduit extending from said combined light and power supply unit to said probe through said umbilical cable.

13. A video inspection system as recited in claim 9 wherein said probe is an endoscope.

14. A video inspection system as recited in claim 9 wherein said probe is a borescope.

15. A video inspection system as recited in claim 9 wherein said module housing is environmentally sealed.

16. A video inspection system as recited in claim 9, including at least two video inspection probes, each said inspection probe having different video processing circuitry means retained in a processing module housing, each said housing being sized to interchangeably fit within said cavity of said combined light and power supply unit.