Abstract: An inspection apparatus can be operated to collect files during performance of an inspection. An inspection apparatus can associate metadata to a collected file. In one embodiment metadata associated with a collected file can include an article identifier. In one embodiment metadata that is associated with a collected file can include data input into an inspection apparatus by an inspector. In one embodiment metadata that is associated with a collected media file can include sensor output data. An inspection apparatus in one embodiment can include an application guiding an inspector in the performance of an inspection.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus can include an application guiding an inspector in the performance of an inspection. The application can be provided in such form as to be modified. In one embodiment, an application for guiding an inspector can be modified responsively to data collected by an inspection apparatus of an inspection system. In one embodiment an application for guiding an inspector can be modified responsively to data output by a data output device.

Abstract: A system and method for storing, within an image transfer medium, an image and image-specific data associated with the image includes obtaining the image-specific data from a probe such as a borescope or endoscope, obtaining the corresponding image, choosing a specific image transfer medium, writing the image to the medium, and writing the image-specific data to a marker in the medium. In this manner, storing a combination of image data and one or more of system calibration data, overlay replacement data, and audio comment data in a single file of either a non-standard file format or a standard file format that does not explicitly support the inclusion of these data types is possible.

Abstract: Two stereo images are created by splitting a single image into two images using a field of view dividing splitter. The two images can be displayed side by side so that they can be viewed directly using stereopticon technology, heads-up display, or other 3-D display technology, or they can be separated for individual eye viewing. The two images focus on one imager such that the right image appears on the right side of the monitor and the left image appears on the left side of the monitor. The view of the images is aimed to converge at a given object distance such that the views overlap 100% at the object distance. Measurement is done with at least one onscreen cursor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for adapting the operation of a remote viewing device to compensate for at least one potentially misaligned optical lens by identifying, within a pixel matrix, one or more optical defects that are suggestive of one or more misaligned optical lenses and, in response, adjusting the position of an active display area in order to seek to correct the optical misalignment.

Abstract: Two stereo images are created by splitting a single image into two images using a field of view dividing splitter. The two images can be displayed side by side so that they can be viewed directly using stereopticon technology, heads-up display, or other 3-D display technology, or they can be separated for individual eye viewing. The two images focus on one imager such that the right image appears on the right side of the monitor and the left image appears on the left side of the monitor. The view of the images is aimed to converge at a given object distance such that the views overlap 100% at the object distance. Measurement is done with at least one onscreen cursor.

Abstract: A system and method for storing, within an image transfer medium, an image and image-specific data associated with the image includes obtaining the image-specific data from a probe such as a borescope or endoscope, obtaining the corresponding image, choosing a specific image transfer medium, writing the image to the medium, and writing the image-specific data to a marker in the medium. In this manner, storing a combination of image data and one or more of system calibration data, overlay replacement data, and audio comment data in a single file of either a non-standard file format or a standard file format that does not explicitly support the inclusion of these data types is possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the contrast and visual clarity of an image captured by a remote viewing device. A luminance component of a captured image is isolated and represented within a first distribution of luminance values. One or more transformation functions are performed upon the first distribution of luminance values to generate a second distribution of luminance values. The second distribution of luminance values are used to construct and display a second image having enhanced visual clarity relative to the captured image. A portion of the captured image, such as a portion functioning as a magnified zoom window, can be enhanced for visual clarity independently from the remaining portion of the captured image.

Abstract: A modular remote video inspection system for inspecting the interior of a living thing or of an inanimate object, such as a machine. The system comprises a base module connected by way of an interconnection module to a handset comprising a unitary display module and control module. The system makes observations by generating light that is caused to impinge on a surface of the interior of the object of interest. An inspection module attached to the handset comprises both a light guide for providing the light to the area of interest, and a selected one of a sensor and a light receiver. The inspection module comprises a steerable tip configured to be located adjacent the area of interest. The handset includes both controls for operating the system, and a display for providing a view of the region being inspected, as well as status information for the user of an operator.

Abstract: A probe controller is integral with a gripper for the probe's insertion tube. The gripper is easily operated with one hand, permitting a user to hold, release, and insert the insertion tube with the same hand that operates the controls on the controller, thus freeing the user's other hand to feed the insertion tube into the opening, perform other operations, or optionally to operate the controls.

Abstract: A system and method for storing, within an image transfer medium, an image and image-specific data associated with the image includes obtaining the image-specific data from a probe such as a borescope or endoscope, obtaining the corresponding image, choosing a specific image transfer medium, writing the image to the medium, and writing the image-specific data to a marker in the medium. In this manner, storing a combination of image data and one or more of system calibration data, overlay replacement data, and audio comment data in a single file of either a non-standard file format or a standard file format that does not explicitly support the inclusion of these data types is possible.

Abstract: The system automatically performs analysis on images from a remote video inspection apparatus to provide an operator with an indication of areas that are potentially out of specification, or which require more detailed analysis by the operator. Pattern recognition algorithms are applied to sequential images to search for anomalies or defects in the images. The search area is initially limited to edges of the item being inspected where the probability of defects is much higher. To reduce the processing requirements and probability of false detection, the search area is narrowed to a limited field of view and depth. Defects such as dents and small cracks are detected using stereo measurement techniques or by projecting a known supplementary image into the defect. These techniques are used to provide an image disparity map. Using known triangulation algorithms, this map provides depth and distance information to the processing system.

Abstract: A probe controller is integral with a gripper for the probe's insertion tube. The gripper is easily operated with one hand, permitting a user to hold, release, and insert the insertion tube with the same hand that operates the controls on the controller, thus freeing the user's other hand to feed the insertion tube into the opening, perform other operations, or optionally to operate the controls.

Abstract: A direct current or direct voltage power supply operating from a mains AC line is corrected for power factor so that the maximum power can be extracted from the source. The AC line is full-wave rectified, filtered and the resulting pulsating direct voltage is applied to a buck/boost switched inductor switched at a frequency higher than the line frequency. The buck/boost switching action is controlled so that the switchover between buck and boost modes occurs when the instantaneous value of the pulsating direct voltage equals the supply output voltage. The inductor current in the buck mode of operation is controlled to have an input voltage-squared characteristic; the inductor current in the boost mode is controlled to have an input voltage-proportional characteristic. The resulting average current makes the AC line current substantially proportional to the AC line voltage, to achieve substantially unity power factor.