Examination system for architectural structure exteriors

• US 5,742,335 A
• Filed: 07/19/1995
• Issued: 04/21/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael W. Cannon
• Original Assignee: Michael W. Cannon
• Inventors: Cannon, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Tommy P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAO, ANAND SHASHIKANT
• Application Number:
  US08/503,929
• Time in Patent Office: 1,007 Days
• Field of Search: 348/81, 348/82, 348/135, 348/139, 348/164, 348/128, 348/165, 73/762, 73/783, 73/786, 73/789, 73/790, 73/791, 73/800, 250/330, 250/342, 250/358.1
• US Class Current: 348/135
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 11/081 by using a contact-less detection method, i.e. with a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

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.

Claims

1. Apparatus for detecting, locating and recording defects in a plurality of areas of a surface of a structure comprising:

a local infrared camera for capturing a detailed image of a selected one of said plurality of areas, a transmitter coupled to said local infrared camera generating or transmitting a detailed infrared image signal;

a remote camera 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 camera for transmitting a reference image signal, said remote camera adaptable to be positioned farther away from said selected one of said areas than said local camera;

means for receiving said detailed image signal and said reference image signal;

means for attributing a time when said detailed image signal was captured and when said reference image was captured;

means coupled to said means for receiving and said means for attributing for generating a composite image including, for a particular time, a respective detailed image and a reference image;

a local visual-spectrum camera for capturing a local visual-spectrum image of said selected one of said areas of said surface of said structure, a transmitter coupled to said local visual-spectrum camera for transmitting a detailed visual-spectrum image signal, said means for receiving operable to receive said detailed visual-spectrum image signal, said means for generating a composite image incorporating a detailed visual-spectrum image derived from said detailed visual-spectrum signal; and

a helmet adaptable to be worn by a photographer, said local visual-spectrum camera and said local infrared camera mounted on said helmet to be positioned proximate to said selected one of said plurality of areas and adaptable to be repositioned to be proximate to other ones of the plurality of areas, said local visual-spectrum camera and said local infrared camera being aligned by said helmet to be adaptable to be pointed at said selected one of said plurality of areas by the photographer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said helmet further comprises a transparent visor having marked thereon a view finder, said view finder permitting the photographer to identify the area for which the detailed infrared image and the detailed visual-spectrum image are being captured, said view finder permitting the photographer to turn his or her head to redirect the local infrared camera and the local visual-spectrum camera to another of said areas of said surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said helmet further comprises a two-plane gyroscope adaptable to retard angular movement of said helmet so that the transition between one of said plurality of areas and a next one of said plurality of areas is gradual.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said helmet further comprises said transmitters coupled to said local infrared and local visual-spectrum cameras.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said helmet further comprises an audio pickup adaptable to capture audio commentary of the photographer as detailed images of areas are being captured, an audio transmitter coupled to said audio pickup generating an audio signal in response to said audio pickup;

and

said means for receiving including an audio signal receiver and recorder, said means for generating a composite image coupled to said audio signal receiver and operable to create an audiovisual work including said composite image and a phonorecord of said audio signal.