Remote inspection device
First Claim
1. An optical device for observing a remote situs which comprisesa length of flexible cable having a distal end and a proximal end;
- an imager coupled to the distal end of the flexible cable for obtaining an image beyond the distal end of the flexible cable and converting the image into an electrical video signal;
a handheld image viewer coupled to the proximal end of the flexible cable for receiving the electrical video signal and converting the electrical video signal into a viewable image;
electrical leads that extend between the distal and proximal ends of the flexible cable to transfer the electrical video signal from the imager to the image viewer; and
at least one article manipulation attachment that is removably coupled to a cylindrical housing which houses the imager the distal end of the flexible cable for manipulating an object located near the distal end of the flexible cable, the attachment having a finger portion which extends in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical housing and beyond an outwardly facing end of the housing, wherein the attachment further includes a clip that attaches to the cylindrical housing and the cylindrical housing provides an annular recess, formed as an indentation in a circumference of the cylindrical housing, to receive the clip of the attachment.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated solid state device for viewing and manipulating objects located in remote sites and locations which includes a flexible cable having a camera on one end and a viewer on an opposite end. The camera captures images near the end of the flexible cable and converts the images into a video signal that is transferred through wires that extend through the length of the flexible cable. The video signals are received by the viewer and converted into a displayed image. A variety of removable article manipulators can be attached to the distal end of the flexible cable and used to manipulate, capture and retrieve articles and objects near the distal end of the flexible cable.
147 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An optical device for observing a remote situs which comprises
a length of flexible cable having a distal end and a proximal end; -
an imager coupled to the distal end of the flexible cable for obtaining an image beyond the distal end of the flexible cable and converting the image into an electrical video signal; a handheld image viewer coupled to the proximal end of the flexible cable for receiving the electrical video signal and converting the electrical video signal into a viewable image; electrical leads that extend between the distal and proximal ends of the flexible cable to transfer the electrical video signal from the imager to the image viewer; and at least one article manipulation attachment that is removably coupled to a cylindrical housing which houses the imager the distal end of the flexible cable for manipulating an object located near the distal end of the flexible cable, the attachment having a finger portion which extends in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cylindrical housing and beyond an outwardly facing end of the housing, wherein the attachment further includes a clip that attaches to the cylindrical housing and the cylindrical housing provides an annular recess, formed as an indentation in a circumference of the cylindrical housing, to receive the clip of the attachment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A remote inspection device, comprising:
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a flexible cable having a proximal end and a distal end; a substantially cylindrical camera housing concentrically aligned with and coupled to a distal end of the flexible cable; an imaging device embedded in the camera housing and operable to capture an image of a viewing area proximate to the distal end of the flexible cable and convert the image into a video signal a light source disposed proximate to the imaging device and operable to illuminate the viewing area; a display housing coupled to the proximate end of the flexible cable and configured to be grasped by a user of the device, wherein the display housing includes a display device adapted to receive the video signal from the imaging device and operable to convert the video signal into an image; a portable power source located in the display housing for providing electrical power to the device; a plurality of wires located in the flexible cable to provide electrical power from the portable power source to the imaging device and the light source, and transmit the video signal from the imaging device to the display device; and an attachment that removably couples to the cylindrical camera housing, the attachment having a finger portion which extends in parallel to the axis of the cylindrical camera housing and beyond an outwardly facing end of the housing, wherein the attachment further includes a clip that attaches to the cylindrical housing and the cylindrical imager housing provides an annular recess, formed as an indentation in a circumference of the cylindrical housing, to receive the clip of the attachment. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A remote inspection device, comprising:
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a flexible cable having a proximate end and a distal end; a substantially cylindrical imager housing concentrically aligned with and coupled to a distal end of the flexible cable; an imaging device embedded in an outwardly facing end of the cylindrical imager housing, the imaging device operable to capture an image of a viewing area proximate to the distal end of the flexible cable and convert the image into a video signal; one or more light sources protruding from the outwardly facing end of the cylindrical imager housing along a perimeter of the imaging device such that the imaging device is recessed between the light sources; a display housing coupled to the proximate end of the flexible cable and configured to be grasped by a user of the device, where the display housing includes a display device adapted to receive the video signal from the imaging device and operable to convert the video signal to a video image; and an attachment that removably couples to the cylindrical imager housing, the attachment having a finger portion which extends in parallel to the axis of the cylindrical imager housing and beyond an outwardly facing end of the housing, wherein the attachment further includes a clip that attaches to the cylindrical housing and the cylindrical imager housing provides an annular recess, formed as an indentation in a circumference of the cylindrical housing, to receive the clip of the attachment. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification