System and method for obtaining and utilizing maintenance information
First Claim
1. A method of inspecting a structure or a facility or components thereof from a remote location, the method comprising acts of:
- loading a desired maintenance program into an inspection apparatus, the apparatus having a computer and a camera control unit coupled to the computer and adapted to receive and process images from an imager that is housed separately from the camera control unit, the apparatus being capable of capturing, together with the imager, both a streaming video digital image of the structure or facility or components thereof and a still digital image of the structure or facility or components thereof;
instructing the same apparatus to capture, together with the imager, at least one of a) the streaming video digital image of the structure or facility or components thereof at a first location and b) the still digital image of the structure or facility or components thereof at a first location;
operating the same apparatus to enter in the program remarks about the structure or facility or components thereof, the remarks including at least one of notes regarding a condition of the structure or facility or components thereof, a date the image was taken, an identification of the structure or facility or components thereof, and an identification of a person using the apparatus;
instructing the same apparatus to electronically transmit the at least one of streaming video digital image, still digital image and remarks to a second location remote from the first location;
reviewing the at least one of streaming video digital image, still digital image and the remarks at the second location;
preparing instructions based on at least one of the streaming video digital image, still digital image and remarks;
transmitting instructions back to the first location; and
performing maintenance on the structure or facility or components thereof in response to the instructions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for obtaining, recording, displaying, storing, transmitting and receiving maintenance and other information is provided. The system, which may include an electronic maintenance apparatus that may be in the form of a hand-held digital computer, allows a user to capture and store images, sound, and/or error codes and related text or voice data and other information concerning the system or object being maintained. The information can be stored locally and/or transmitted to remote locations. Retrieval of the images and other data at a later date provides an historical perspective of the object, enabling one using the maintenance apparatus to compare and contrast the condition of the object over time. Instruction on how to accomplish a job at hand, diagnostic information and/or support information may also be transmitted to and from the maintenance apparatus.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of inspecting a structure or a facility or components thereof from a remote location, the method comprising acts of:
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loading a desired maintenance program into an inspection apparatus, the apparatus having a computer and a camera control unit coupled to the computer and adapted to receive and process images from an imager that is housed separately from the camera control unit, the apparatus being capable of capturing, together with the imager, both a streaming video digital image of the structure or facility or components thereof and a still digital image of the structure or facility or components thereof; instructing the same apparatus to capture, together with the imager, at least one of a) the streaming video digital image of the structure or facility or components thereof at a first location and b) the still digital image of the structure or facility or components thereof at a first location; operating the same apparatus to enter in the program remarks about the structure or facility or components thereof, the remarks including at least one of notes regarding a condition of the structure or facility or components thereof, a date the image was taken, an identification of the structure or facility or components thereof, and an identification of a person using the apparatus; instructing the same apparatus to electronically transmit the at least one of streaming video digital image, still digital image and remarks to a second location remote from the first location; reviewing the at least one of streaming video digital image, still digital image and the remarks at the second location; preparing instructions based on at least one of the streaming video digital image, still digital image and remarks; transmitting instructions back to the first location; and performing maintenance on the structure or facility or components thereof in response to the instructions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification