Inspection system and method

• US 6,538,732 B1
• Filed: 05/04/2000
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Envirosight LLC
• Original Assignee: Everest Vit, Inc. (GE Aerospace)
• Inventors: Salvati, Jon R., Mooney, David J., Drost, Jeffrey D.
• Primary Examiner(s): STAFIRA, MICHAEL PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US09/564,953
• Time in Patent Office: 1,055 Days
• Field of Search: 356/241.1, 356/241.3, 356/241.4, 356/241.5, 358/229, 358/87, 358/335, 358/224, 358/199, 358/906, 358/288, 358/248, 352/243, 352/293, 248/168, 248/187, 248/188.6
• US Class Current: 356/241.1
• CPC Class Codes: E03F 7/12 Installations enabling inspection personnel to drive along sewer canals
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/954 Inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A system comprises: (a) an imaging system having an imaging device for transmitting an electrical signal corresponding to an area being imaged, and magnification functionality adapted to magnify the imaged area; (b) a portable support system for supporting the imaging system having a power supply for supplying power to the imaging system, at least one controller for controlling the zooming functionality of the imaging device, and an image output device; and (c) a positioning system for positioning the imaging system independently of the support system; and a method of using the same which comprising: (a) positioning the imaging system independently of the support system such that a target area is in the field of view of said imaging system while at a first magnification level; (b) imaging the area at a second magnification level greater than the first magnification level; and (c) outputting an image of the area.

Claims

1. A system of inspecting comprising:

an imaging system having an adjustable field of view and comprising at least;

an imaging device for transmitting an electrical signal corresponding to an area within said field of view;

a lens system having/magnification functionality to magnify the imaged area, said lens system/magnification functionality having a magnification ratio of no less than 50; and

a waterproof enclosure containing said imaging device and said lens system;

a portable support system operatively connected to said imaging system and adapted to provide functional support to said imaging system, said portable support system comprising at least;

a power supply for supplying power to said imaging system

at least one controller for controlling said imaging system;

an image output device for outputting an image based on said electrical signal; and

an elongated member positioning system connected to said imaging system and adapted for moving said imaging system independently of said support system.

2. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein said magnification functionality has a magnification ratio of is no less than about 70:

1.

3. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein said imaging system comprises at least one flood light and at least one spot light.

4. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein said support system is adapted to be worn by a user.

5. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein said portable power supply comprises a rechargeable battery.

6. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein said image output device comprises a digital framegrabber.

7. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein said image output device comprises a monitor for viewing video.

8. The inspection system of claim 7, wherein said monitor is contained with a bag having a strap adapted to be worn around the neck a user.

9. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein said image output device comprises a video recorder.

10. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein control for said magnification functionality is mounted to a belt adapted to be worn by a user.

11. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein said power supply comprises a battery proximate to a user.

12. The inspection system of claim 1, wherein said positioning system comprises a boom upon one end of which said imaging system is mounted.

13. The inspection system of claim 12, wherein said boom comprises telescoping members.

14. The inspection system of claim 12, wherein said position system comprises a trunnion assembly disposed between said imaging system and said boom thereby allowing for the movement of said imaging system relative to said boom.

15. The inspection system of claim 1, further comprising a measurement system adapted for calculating the size of an object in the field of view of said imaging system.

16. A system of inspecting comprising:

an imaging system having an adjustable field of view and comprising at least;

an imaging device for transmitting an electrical signal corresponding to an area within said field of view;

a lens system/magnification functionality to magnify the imaged area;

a portable support system operatively connected to said imaging system and adapted to provide functional support to said imaging system, said portable support system comprising at least;

a power supply for supplying power to said imaging system

at least one controller for controlling said imaging system;

an image output device for outputting an image based on said electrical signal; and

a positioning system connected to said imaging system and adapted for moving said imaging system independently of said support system;

wherein said lens system/magnification functionality has optical characteristics and comprises at least one focus motor having feedback which provides focus data, and at least one zoom motor having feedback which provides magnification data;

wherein said image output device comprises a monitor for displaying the field of view; and

wherein said measurement system comprises;

an image overlay means for selecting a target object in the field of view displayed on said monitor, said image overlay means providing pixel data; and

calculating means for calculating the size of the target object, wherein the size of the target object is calculated by mathematically manipulating said optical characteristics, said focus data, said magnification data, and said pixel data.

17. The inspection system of claim 16, wherein said image overlay means includes cursor means to mark the target object in said video display means.

18. The inspection system of claim 16, wherein said calculating means includes an algorithm to calculate the size of the target object, said algorithm including the steps of multiplying said pixel data by said magnification data by a constant (K).

19. The inspection system of claim 18, wherein said constant is dependent upon said optical characteristics, said optical characteristics including a first value (V) equal to the percent distortion across an axis of said lens, a second value (FOV) equal to field of view of said lens, and a third value (OD) equal to a distance from said lens to the object.

20. A method of inspecting an area comprising:

providing an inspection device comprising at least;

an imaging system having an adjustable field of view and comprising at least an imaging device for transmitting an electrical signal corresponding to an area within said field of view, and a lens system having/magnification functionality to magnify the imaged area said lens system/magnification functionality having a magnification ratio of no less than 50, and a waterproof enclosure containing said imaging device and said lens system;

a portable support system operatively connected to said imaging system and adapted to provide functional support to said imaging system, said portable support system comprising at least;

a power supply for supplying power to said imaging system

a controller for controlling said imaging system;

an image output device for outputting an image based on said electrical signal; and

an elongated member connected to said imaging system and adapted for moving said imaging system independently of said portable support system;

positioning said imaging system independently of said support system such that a target area is in said field of view while at a first magnification level;

imaging said target area at a second magnification level greater than the first magnification level; and

outputting an image of said target area.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of outputting said digital image comprises:

encoding a computer-readable medium with said image.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said digital image is transmitted via a world-wide network.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the magnification ratio of said first and second magnification levels is no less than about 72:

1.

24. A system of inspecting comprising:

an imaging system having an adjustable field of view and comprising at least;

an imaging device for transmitting an electrical signal corresponding to an area within said field of view;

a lens system /magnification functionality to magnify the imaged area;

a portable support system operatively connected to said imaging system and adapted to provide functional support to said imaging system, said portable support system comprising at least;

a power supply for supplying power to said imaging system

at least one controller for controlling said imaging system;

an image output device for outputting an image based on said electrical signal; and

a positioning system connected to said imaging system and adapted for moving said imaging system independently of said support system;

calculating the size of an object with said field of view by mathematically manipulating optical characteristics of a said lens system/magnification functionality, focus data from feedback of a focus motor of said imaging system, magnification data from feedback of a magnification motor of said imaging system, and pixel data of said object in the field of view displayed on a monitor.

25. A method of inspecting a pipe comprising:

extending an imaging system into a manhole;

imaging the interior of said manhole at a first magnification level;

locating a lateral pipe connected to said manhole; and

imaging the interior of said lateral pipe at a second magnification level greater than said first level.