Methods and related apparatus for generating thermographic survey images
First Claim
1. A method for generating an output thermographic survey image using a processor and a display screen operatively connected thereto, the method comprising the steps of:
- obtaining an aerial thermographic survey image of a survey area;
obtaining an aerial visual image of the survey area;
loading the aerial thermographic survey image and the aerial visual image into the processor;
displaying on the display screen the aerial thermographic survey image superimposed on the aerial visual image;
selectively reducing an opacity of the displayed thermographic survey image to reveal visible features of the underlying displayed visual image; and
observing and selectively removing false anomaly thermographic image portions from the displayed thermographic survey image based upon features of the underlying displayed visual image to thereby generate an output thermographic survey image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for generating a thermographic output survey image, such as for a building roof moisture survey or concrete delamination survey, using a processor and a display screen operatively connected thereto includes the steps of: obtaining an aerial thermographic survey image and an aerial visual image of a survey area; loading the thermographic and visual images into the processor; displaying on the display screen the thermographic image superimposed on the visual image; selectively reducing an opacity of the displayed thermographic survey image to reveal visible features of the underlying displayed visual image; and observing and selectively removing false anomaly thermographic image portions from the displayed thermographic survey image based upon features of the underlying visual image to thereby generate an accurate and high quality output thermographic survey image. If a hard copy of the output survey image is desired, the method may also include the step of printing the output thermographic survey image. Apparatus aspects of the invention are also disclosed.
68 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for generating an output thermographic survey image using a processor and a display screen operatively connected thereto, the method comprising the steps of:
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obtaining an aerial thermographic survey image of a survey area; obtaining an aerial visual image of the survey area; loading the aerial thermographic survey image and the aerial visual image into the processor; displaying on the display screen the aerial thermographic survey image superimposed on the aerial visual image; selectively reducing an opacity of the displayed thermographic survey image to reveal visible features of the underlying displayed visual image; and observing and selectively removing false anomaly thermographic image portions from the displayed thermographic survey image based upon features of the underlying displayed visual image to thereby generate an output thermographic survey image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for generating an output building roof moisture survey image using a processor and a display screen operatively connected thereto, the method comprising the steps of:
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obtaining an aerial thermographic survey image of a building roof defining a survey area; obtaining an aerial visual image of the survey area; loading the aerial thermographic survey image and the aerial visual image into the processor; displaying on the display screen the aerial thermographic survey image superimposed on the aerial visual image; processing the displayed thermographic survey image to generate an output building roof moisture survey image; selectively reducing an opacity of the displayed thermographic survey image to reveal visible features of the underlying displayed visual image; and observing and selectively removing false anomaly thermographic image portions from the displayed thermographic survey image based upon features of the underlying displayed visual image to thereby generate the output building roof moisture survey image. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A method for generating an output concrete structure delamination survey image using a processor and a display screen operatively connected thereto, the method comprising the steps of:
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obtaining an aerial thermographic survey image of a concrete structure defining a survey area; obtaining an aerial visual image of the survey area; loading the aerial thermographic survey image and the aerial visual image into the processor; displaying on the display screen the aerial thermographic survey image superimposed on the aerial visual image; processing the displayed thermographic survey image to generate an output concrete structure delamination survey image; selectively reducing an opacity of the displayed thermographic survey image to reveal visible features of the underlying displayed visual image; and observing and selectively removing false anomaly thermographic image portions from the displayed thermographic survey image based upon features of the underlying displayed visual image to thereby generate the output concrete structure delamination survey image. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. An apparatus for generating an output thermographic survey image comprising:
a processor and a display screen operatively connected thereto, said processor comprising loading means for loading the aerial thermographic survey image and the aerial visual image; displaying means for displaying on the display screen the aerial thermographic survey image superimposed on the aerial visual image; opacity control means for permitting selectively reducing an opacity of the displayed thermographic survey image to reveal visible features of the underlying displayed visual image; and edit means for permitting selectively removing false anomaly thermographic image portions from the displayed thermographic survey image based upon features of the underlying displayed visual image to thereby generate an output thermographic survey image. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39)
Specification