Examination system for architectural structure exteriors
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for identifying and recording detailed images of each of a plurality of areas on a surface of an above-ground structure by an inspector, comprising the steps of:
- supporting a local image capture device by the structure to be proximate to a first area of said plurality of areas of a surface of the structure;
positioning a remote image capture device at a remote position farther away from the first area than the local image capture device, the remote image capture device being located such that the remote image capture device has a reference field of view including the first area and a number of other areas of the surface sufficient to provide a reference to locate the first area on the surface of the structure;
at a first time and using the local image capture device, capturing a detailed image of the first area;
at the first time and using the remote image capture device capturing a reference image of the reference field of view for the first area;
while still being supported by the structure, repositioning the local image capture device to be proximate to a second area of the surface of the structure;
at a second time and using the local image capture device, capturing a detailed image of the second area;
at the second time and using the remote image capture device, capturing a reference image of a reference field of view for the second area which includes the second area and a number of other areas of the surface sufficient to provide a reference to locate the second area on the surface of the structure;
for each of a plurality of subsequent times, performing said steps of repositioning and capturing in order to capture, for each of a remainder of said areas of the surface, a detailed image and a reference image of a reference field of view; and
assembling a plurality of composite images, one for each of said times, from respective ones of the captured detailed images and the captured reference images.
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Abstract
Detailed images of problem areas occurring in the surface of a structure, such as a multiple story building, are obtained by infrared and visual spectrum cameras positioned proximate to the problem area. A remote camera records a reference field of view that includes the local cameras and their operator, such that the area of interest may be positioned on the surface of the building. A helmet camera worn by the operator records the detailed images and transmits them to a base location.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for identifying and recording detailed images of each of a plurality of areas on a surface of an above-ground structure by an inspector, comprising the steps of:
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supporting a local image capture device by the structure to be proximate to a first area of said plurality of areas of a surface of the structure; positioning a remote image capture device at a remote position farther away from the first area than the local image capture device, the remote image capture device being located such that the remote image capture device has a reference field of view including the first area and a number of other areas of the surface sufficient to provide a reference to locate the first area on the surface of the structure; at a first time and using the local image capture device, capturing a detailed image of the first area; at the first time and using the remote image capture device capturing a reference image of the reference field of view for the first area; while still being supported by the structure, repositioning the local image capture device to be proximate to a second area of the surface of the structure; at a second time and using the local image capture device, capturing a detailed image of the second area; at the second time and using the remote image capture device, capturing a reference image of a reference field of view for the second area which includes the second area and a number of other areas of the surface sufficient to provide a reference to locate the second area on the surface of the structure; for each of a plurality of subsequent times, performing said steps of repositioning and capturing in order to capture, for each of a remainder of said areas of the surface, a detailed image and a reference image of a reference field of view; and assembling a plurality of composite images, one for each of said times, from respective ones of the captured detailed images and the captured reference images. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for identifying and recording detailed infrared and visual-spectrum images of each of a plurality of areas on a surface of a multiple-story building or structure of similar size by an inspector, comprising the steps of:
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supporting by the structure a local infrared camera, a local visual spectrum camera, and an inspector for directing the local infrared camera and the local visual spectrum camera, all to be proximate to a first area of the plurality of areas of the surface of the structure; positioning a remote camera so as not to be supported by the structure at a position farther away from the first area than the local infrared and visual spectrum cameras, the remote camera being located such that the remote camera has a reference field of view including the first area, the inspector, the local cameras and a number of other areas of the surface sufficient to provide a reference to locate the first area on the surface of the structure; at a first time and using the local infrared camera, capturing a detailed infrared image of the first area; at the first time and using the local visual-spectrum camera, capturing a detailed visual-spectrum image of the first area; at the first time and using the remote camera, capturing a reference image of the reference field of view for the first area; supporting, by the structure, the inspector, the local infrared camera and the local visual-spectrum camera so as to be repositioned proximate to a second area of the surface of the structure; at a second time and using the local infrared camera, capturing a detailed infrared image of the second area; at the second time and using the local visual-spectrum camera, capturing a detailed visual-spectrum image of the second area; at the second time and using the remote camera, capturing a reference image of a reference field of view for the second area which includes the second area, the inspector, the local cameras and a number of other areas of the surface sufficient to provide a reference to locate the second area on the surface of the structure; for each of a plurality of subsequent times, performing said steps of supporting and capturing to capture, for each of a remainder of said areas of the surface, a detailed infrared image, a detailed visual spectrum image and a reference image of a reference field of view; and assembling a plurality of composite images, one for each of said times, from respective ones of the captured detailed infrared images, the captured visual spectrum images and the captured reference images. - View Dependent Claims (7)
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8. Apparatus for detecting, locating and recording defects in a plurality of areas of a surface of an above-ground structure, comprising:
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a local image capture device for capturing a detailed image of a selected one of said plurality of areas, a transmitter coupled to said local image capture device for transmitting a detailed image signal; a movable support for supporting said local image capture device by the structure so as to be proximate to said selected one of the plurality of areas and for supporting, by the structure, said local image capture device so as to be repositioned proximate to other ones of the plurality of areas; a remote image capture device for capturing a reference image of a reference field of view including said selected one of said plurality of areas and sufficient other ones of said areas of said surface that a reference is provided for the spatial location of said selected one of said areas on said surface of said structure, a transmitter coupled to said remote image capture device for transmitting a reference image signal, said remote image capture device positioned farther away from said selected one of said areas than said local image capture device; a receiver for receiving said detailed image signal and said reference image signal; circuitry coupled to the receiver for attributing a time when said detailed image signal was captured and when said reference image was captured; and a composite image generator coupled to said receiver and said circuitry for generating a composite image including, for a particular time, a respective detailed image and a reference image. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for identifying and recording detailed images of each of a plurality of areas on a surface of a structure by an inspector, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a local image capture device to be proximate to a first area of said plurality of areas of a surface of the structure, the local image capture device being carried by the inspector; positioning a remote image capture device at a remote position farther away from the first area than the local image capture device, the remote image capture device being located remote from the inspector such that the remote image capture device has a reference field of view including the first area and a number of other areas of the surface sufficient to provide a reference to locate the first area on the surface of the structure; at a first time and using the local image capture device, capturing a detailed image of the first area; at the first time and using the remote image capture device, capturing a reference image of the reference field of view for the first area; repositioning the local image capture device to be proximate to a second area of the surface of the structure; at a second time and using the local image capture device, capturing a detailed image of the second area; at the second time and using the remote image capture device, capturing a reference image of a reference field of view for the second area which includes the second area and a number of other areas of the surface sufficient to provide a reference to locate the second area on the surface of the structure; for each of a plurality of subsequent times, performing said steps of repositioning and capturing in order to capture, for each of a remainder of said areas of the surface, a detailed image and a reference image of a reference field of view; and assembling a plurality of composite images, one for each of said times, from respective ones of the captured detailed images and the captured reference images.
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15. A method for identifying and recording detailed images of each of a plurality of areas on a surface of an above-ground structure, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a remote image capture device at a remote position from the surface of a structure such that the remote image capture device has a reference field of view including a plurality of areas on the surface of the structure; supporting, by the structure, a movable support; supporting a local image capture device by the movable support; moving the movable support to position the local image capture device to be proximate to a first area of said plurality of areas of a surface of the structure, the movable support capable of changing its position within the reference field of view supplied by the remote image capture device; at a first time and using the local image capture device, capturing a detailed image of the first area; at the first time and using the remote image capture device, capturing a reference image of the reference field of view for the first area; moving the movable support to reposition the local image capture device to be proximate to a second area of the surface of the structure; at a second time and using the local image capture device, capturing a detailed image of the second area; at the second time and using the remote image capture device, capturing a reference image of a reference field of view for the second area which includes the second area and a number of other areas of the surface sufficient to provide a reference to locate the second area on the surface of the structure; for each of a plurality of subsequent times, performing said steps of moving the movable support and capturing in order to capture, for each of a remainder of said areas of the surface, a detailed image and a reference image of a reference field of view; and assembling a plurality of composite images, one for each of said times, from respective ones of the captured detailed images and the captured reference images. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for identifying and recording detailed images of each of a plurality of areas on a surface of a multiple-story building or an above-ground structure having a height similar to that of a multiple-story building, comprising the steps of:
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supporting a movable support on the structure; supporting a local image capture device on the movable support; positioning the local image capture device to be proximate to a first area of a plurality of areas of the surface of the structure; at a first time and using the local image capture device, capturing a detailed image of the first area from a point of view substantially orthogonal to the first area of the surface; repositioning the local image capture device to be proximate to a second area of the surface of the structure; at a second time and using the local image capture device, capturing a detailed image of the second area from a point of view substantially orthogonal to the second area of the surface; for each of a plurality of subsequent times, performing said steps of repositioning and capturing in order to capture, for each of a remainder of said areas of the surface, a detailed image of each area from a point of view substantially orthogonal to such area; and assembling a plurality of composite images, one for each of said times, from ones of the captured detailed images. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification