Patents Assigned to Seescan, Inc.
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Patent number: 12287297Abstract: Video inspection systems are disclosed. In one embodiment a video camera for use in a pipe inspection system includes a camera head including an outer housing, a camera module assembly including video and non-video sensors, a processing circuit, and a data link receiver.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2023Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Martin, Mark S. Olsson, Alexander L. Warren
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Patent number: 12283755Abstract: Front end circuits and associated apparatus, systems, and methods for use in electronic devices such as buried utility locators are disclosed. The circuits include receivers and filters on input signals that are coupled to ground rather than differentially. A multiplexing circuit allows shared use of amplifiers, and analog-to-digital converters via a switching mechanism for selectively making or breaking electrical connection to the receiver channels for efficient sharing of electronics resources while minimizing crosstalk interference and advantageously reducing costs.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2024Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Stephanie M. Bench, Mark S. Olsson
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Patent number: 12276767Abstract: Omnidirectional electromagnetic signal inducer (omni-inducer) devices are disclosed. The omni-inducer device may include a housing, which may include a conductive base for coupling signals to ground, and an omnidirectional antenna node including a plurality of antenna coil assemblies, where the node may be disposed on or within the housing. The omni-inducer device may further include one or more transmitter modules for generating ones of a plurality of output signals, which may be generated at ones of a plurality of different frequencies, and one or more control circuits configured to control the transmitters and/or other circuits to selectively switch the ones of the plurality of output signals between ones of the plurality of antenna coil assemblies.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2023Date of Patent: April 15, 2025Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Ray Merewether, Michael J. Martin, Jan Soukup
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Patent number: 12270963Abstract: Sonde devices for providing magnetic field signals for use with utility locators or other devices are disclosed. In one embodiment a sonde device includes a housing, a core comprising a plurality of core sections, and one or more support structures, which may include windings. Circuit and/or power supply elements may be disposed fully or partially within the core to control generation of predefined magnetic field frequencies and waveforms.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2024Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Justin W. Taylor, Ray Merewether, Jan Soukup
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Patent number: 12253382Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to vehicle-based systems for locating and mapping buried utility lines using principal components. Vehicle-based utility locating devices receive magnetic field signals emitted by utility lines and, with determined position data, implement principal component analysis to locate and map the utility lines.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2021Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Paul Wisecaver, Samantha Crane-Solis
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Patent number: 12250497Abstract: Camera head apparatus, systems, and methods for providing wide angle/panoramic images and/or video of the interior of pipes or other cavities using multiple imaging and illumination modules are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2024Date of Patent: March 11, 2025Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Alexander L. Warren, Nicholas A. Smith, Michael J. Martin, Scott A. Powell
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Patent number: 12235221Abstract: Self-leveling inspection system methods and devices for use in inspecting buried pipes or other cavities are disclosed. The system includes a camera head with an image sensor, an orientation sensor, and a signal processing module including a processing programmed to receive an image from the image sensor, and an orientation signal from the orientation sensor, generate a second image based at least in part on information provided from the orientation sensor, and store the second image in a non-transitory memory.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2023Date of Patent: February 25, 2025Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Roger B. Shaffer, Stephanie M Bench, Ray Merewether, Michael J. Martin, David A. Cox
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Patent number: 12219248Abstract: Portable pipe inspection video systems are disclosed. The system may include a camera head, a push-cable, a cable reel, and a camera controller having a built-in transmitter for energizing a pipe-inspection cable for magnetic field tracing applications.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2022Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Dawn E. Shaffer
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Patent number: 12210130Abstract: The present disclosure relates to electromagnetic marker devices for locating hidden or buried objects. One embodiment includes an antenna having a plurality of conductive windings enclosed in a housing made of a low dielectric constant material and an electronic circuit including a circuit board having circuit elements disposed thereon and electrically coupled to the conductive windings through a connector. The circuit elements receive an input signal having a first frequency from an above-ground transmitter, convert the input signal to a power supply to power up the electronic circuit, generate, in response to the input signal, an output signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency, and provide the output signal, via the antenna element, to an above-ground receiver.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2023Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Stephanie M. Bench, Mark S. Olsson, Matthew D. Bockman
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Patent number: 12158232Abstract: Camera heads and associated systems, methods, and devices for inspecting and/or mapping pipes or cavities are disclosed. A camera head may be coupled to a push-cable and may include one or more image sensors to capture images and/or videos from interior of the pipe or cavity. One or more multi-axis sensors may be disposed in the camera head to sense data corresponding to movement of the camera head within the pipe or cavity. The images and/or videos captured by the image sensors may be used in conjunction with the data sensed by the multi-axis sensors to generate information pertaining to the pipe or cavity may be generated.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Michael J. Martin, Adam Mullett, Alexander L. Warren
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Patent number: 12157995Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for drain cleaning using high voltage, high frequency AC electrical power supplied through a video push-cable are disclosed. In one embodiment, a drain cleaning system may include a cable for carrying electrical control and/or data signals as well as alternating current (AC) power at a high voltage and high frequency relative to AC mains frequencies.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2023Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Stephanie M. Bench, Jan Soukup, Inho Shin, David A. Cox, Alexander L Warren
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Patent number: 12152717Abstract: Cable handling devices, methods and systems are provided for securing and deploying, or retracting, one or more cables or hoses into or out of a pipe or cavity allowing inspection of the pipe or cavity. The cables and/or hoses may be coupled and moved together, or decoupled enabling them to be moved independently. A hand-held device with a housing for at least partially enclosing one or more cables or hoses, at least one coupling mechanism integrally attached to the housing, and a coupling control for coupling and decoupling the one or more cables or hoses may be provided. One or more of the cables may be connected to a camera disposed at the distal end of a cable thereby facilitating inspection of the pipe or cavity. Tools such as cutting devices or a jetter may be provided at the end of the one or more cables and/or hoses.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2023Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.Inventors: Alexander L. Warren, Michael J. Martin, Mark S. Olsson, Steven C. Tietsworth
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Patent number: 12153205Abstract: Embodiments of video inspection systems with moveably dockable camera control units (CCUs) which may include a display are disclosed. In one embodiment, a video inspection system includes two frame elements which each have a handle. The frame elements may be moved into multiple positions and orientations relative to each other and provide a secure stand for a CCU. The CCU may be attached and detached from the frame elements. The handles may be used to carry the frame elements with or without the CCU attached. The handles may be slip resistant to provide a stable support for a CCU when the frame elements are positioned on a surface. Docking apparatus are provided to allow a CCU, tablet, pad, laptop, or smartphone to be attached to the frame elements and put in a variety of positions or orientations to make viewing convenient for a user.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2023Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Michael J. Martin, Alexander L. Warren, Garrett A. Newby, Gina M. Hartman
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Patent number: 12130404Abstract: Buried utility locators including a locator body and twelve antenna coils are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Ray Merewether, Sequoyah Aldridge, Ryan B. Levin
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Patent number: 12123999Abstract: Mobile base stations for use with one or more portable utility locators to aid in determining the location of a particular locator during operation and to receive information associated with the utility for storage and/or retransmission to other devices or systems are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Paul Wisecaver, Austin Rutledge
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Patent number: 12105244Abstract: Buried object locator systems including transmitters and associated buried object locators using phase-synchronized signals are disclosed. A transmitter may generate output current signals that are phase-synchronized with a timing reference for detection by a corresponding buried utility locator that is phase-synchronized with a second timing reference.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Ray Merewether, Inho Shin, Jan Soukup, Stephanie M. Bench, David A. Cox
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Patent number: 12107353Abstract: Electrical contact clips for use in utility locating operations to couple signals from a transmitter to a hidden or buried utility via direct electrical contact are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2023Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Allen P. Hoover, James F. Kleyn, Jan Soukup
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Patent number: 12105167Abstract: Signal generation devices including an auto-tuning electronic circuit module for generating tuned output signals are disclosed. The auto-tuning electronic circuit module may include a tunable resonant electronic circuit element for providing a tuned output signal, including a voltage divider element and a tuning array element and control element.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2023Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Stephanie M. Bench, Mark S. Olsson, Jan Soukup
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Patent number: 12099162Abstract: Sonde devices for providing magnetic field signals for use with utility locators or other devices are disclosed. In one embodiment a Sonde device includes a housing, a core comprising a plurality of core sections, and one or more support structures, which may include windings. Circuit and/or power supply elements may be disposed fully or partially within the core to control generation of predefined magnetic field frequencies and waveforms.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2023Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Jan Soukup, Ray Merewether, Justin W. Taylor
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Patent number: 12101540Abstract: Enclosures for deep ocean or other high exterior pressure environment including a dome window with an angular measurement of between 164 and 178 degrees, a structure housing, a dome support ring, and a compliance material positioned between the dome support ring and housing are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2022Date of Patent: September 24, 2024Assignee: SeeScan, Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Chapman, Mark S. Olsson, Jon E. Simmons