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Method and apparatus for analyzing image data generated during underground boring or inspection activities

  • US 9,219,886 B2
  • Filed: 03/13/2013
  • Issued: 12/22/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2012
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for determining whether a newly installed utility line or a tunnel for installing a utility line bores through an existing utility line, the system comprising:

  • a visual inspection system, includingan inspection camera that captures images from within an interior of at least one of the existing utility line and the tunnel for installing the utility line, anda first communication interface that communicates image data corresponding to the images; and

    an image analysis system includinga second communication interface that receives the image data from the visual inspection system,a model adaptation module that modifies a classifier model based on at least one of feedback data and training data, anda classifier module that(i) implements the classifier model to identify a plurality of features in the image data corresponding to defects, wherein the defects include at least one of a cross-bore and a lateral pipe, wherein the classifier model categorizes each of the plurality of the features, wherein each of the plurality of features is indicative of at least one of the defects, wherein at least one of the plurality of features corresponding to the cross-bore indicates, from within the tunnel for installing the utility line, that the tunnel bores through the existing utility line, and wherein at least one of the plurality of features corresponding to the lateral pipe indicates, from within the existing utility line, that the newly installed utility line passes through the existing utility line, and(ii) modifies the image data according to the identified plurality of features.

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