Abstract: A method includes transmitting an instruction to a motive power supply of an elastically deformable device to drive the elastically deformable device in accordance with a drive setting; measuring a force exerted on the elastically deformable device with a sensor; outputting an observed value representative of the force; comparing the observed value with a reference value corresponding with a predetermined force to be exerted on the elastically deformable device; and adjusting the drive setting based on a determination that the observed value is outside of a predetermined range of the reference value. The method prevents slack in the elastically deformable device over time. Related apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting an instruction to a motive power supply of an elastically deformable device to drive the elastically deformable device in accordance with a drive setting; measuring a force exerted on the elastically deformable device with a sensor; outputting an observed value representative of the force; comparing the observed value with a reference value corresponding with a predetermined force to be exerted on the elastically deformable device; and adjusting the drive setting based on a determination that the observed value is outside of a predetermined range of the reference value. The method prevents slack in the elastically deformable device over time. Related apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting an instruction to a motive power supply of an elastically deformable device to drive the elastically deformable device in accordance with a drive setting; measuring a force exerted on the elastically deformable device with a sensor; outputting an observed value representative of the force; comparing the observed value with a reference value corresponding with a predetermined force to be exerted on the elastically deformable device; and adjusting the drive setting based on a determination that the observed value is outside of a predetermined range of the reference value. The method prevents slack in the elastically deformable device over time. Related apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for articulating visual inspection devices are provided. For example, a method can include receiving an inspection template by a control system associated with the visual inspection device. The inspection template can include data associated with at least one point of interest in a scene viewable to the visual inspection device. The method can further include generating, by the control system, an articulation path based on the data. The method can also include actuating an electro-mechanical system of the visual inspection device according to the articulation path.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting an instruction to a motive power supply of an elastically deformable device to drive the elastically deformable device in accordance with a drive setting; measuring a force exerted on the elastically deformable device with a sensor; outputting an observed value representative of the force; comparing the observed value with a reference value corresponding with a predetermined force to be exerted on the elastically deformable device; and adjusting the drive setting based on a determination that the observed value is outside of a predetermined range of the reference value. The method prevents slack in the elastically deformable device over time. Related apparatuses, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for articulating visual inspection devices are provided. For example, a method can include receiving an inspection template by a control system associated with the visual inspection device. The inspection template can include data associated with at least one point of interest in a scene viewable to the visual inspection device. The method can further include generating, by the control system, an articulation path based on the data. The method can also include actuating an electro-mechanical system of the visual inspection device according to the articulation path.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for articulating visual inspection devices are provided. For example, a method can include receiving an inspection template by a control system associated with the visual inspection device. The inspection template can include data associated with at least one point of interest in a scene viewable to the visual inspection device. The method can further include generating, by the control system, an articulation path based on the data. The method can also include actuating an electro-mechanical system of the visual inspection device according to the articulation path.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for articulating visual inspection devices are provided. For example, a method can include receiving an inspection template by a control system associated with the visual inspection device. The inspection template can include data associated with at least one point of interest in a scene viewable to the visual inspection device. The method can further include generating, by the control system, an articulation path based on the data. The method can also include actuating an electro-mechanical system of the visual inspection device according to the articulation path.

Abstract: Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for adjusting brightness of a light source. In general, the devices and methods can allow brightness of a light source to be adjusted by varying a power supply of the light source. The power supply can be varied in response to a user input. In one exemplary embodiment, the light source can be included as part of a scope, e.g., a borescope, an endoscope, etc., configured to be advanced into a target and to gather one or more video images and/or one or more still images within the target using a camera. The light source can be configured to illuminate the target at a selected one of the variable amounts of brightness. A white balance of the light source can be configured to automatically adjust in response to the selected amount of brightness.

Abstract: Various exemplary devices and methods are provided for adjusting brightness of a light source. In general, the devices and methods can allow brightness of a light source to be adjusted by varying a power supply of the light source. The power supply can be varied in response to a user input. In one exemplary embodiment, the light source can be included as part of a scope, e.g., a borescope, an endoscope, etc., configured to be advanced into a target and to gather one or more video images and/or one or more still images within the target using a camera. The light source can be configured to illuminate the target at a selected one of the variable amounts of brightness. A white balance of the light source can be configured to automatically adjust in response to the selected amount of brightness.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus can include a handset and an elongated inspection tube extending from the handset. For reduction of heat energy radiating from one or more components of the apparatus, the apparatus can include a particularly designed heat sink assembly.

Abstract: A visual inspection apparatus can include a handset, elongated inspection tube extending from the handset and a light source bank disposed within a hand held housing of the handset. For reduction of heat energy radiating from the light source bank, the apparatus can include one or more of a thermal control system and a particularly designed heat sink assembly.

Abstract: An industrial inspection handset is disclosed, comprising a connector for connecting a peripheral device to the handset, wherein the connector is oriented such that the peripheral device can extend substantially parallel to the housing surface of the handset, and a cover tethered to the handset by a first tab, wherein the cover when mounted on the housing of the handset encloses the connector and the peripheral device. In an alternative embodiment, the handset comprises a connector oriented such that the peripheral device can extend substantially perpendicular to the housing surface of the handset, and a cover tethered to the handset by a first tab and a second tab, wherein the cover when mounted on the mounting member encloses the connector.

Abstract: An industrial inspection handset is disclosed, comprising a battery assembly for providing power to the handset, wherein the battery assembly comprises a connector for connecting a battery charger, a battery circuit for communicating with a processor in the handset, and a battery charge indicator on the surface of the battery assembly connected to the battery circuit for providing a visual indication of the charge remaining in the battery assembly. A method of power management for an industrial inspection handset is also disclosed comprising the steps of setting a first maximum power output value for the camera illumination for the insertion, monitoring an imager signal processor, to determine that the gain value of the image signal processor is less than a predetermined gain value, and setting a lower second maximum power output value for the camera illumination in order to increase the gain value.

Abstract: An industrial inspection handset is disclosed, comprising a battery assembly for providing power to the handset, wherein the battery assembly comprises a connector for connecting a battery charger, a battery circuit for communicating with a processor in the handset, and a battery charge indicator on the surface of the battery assembly connected to the battery circuit for providing a visual indication of the charge remaining in the battery assembly. A method of power management for an industrial inspection handset is also disclosed comprising the steps of setting a first maximum power output value for the camera illumination for the insertion, monitoring an imager signal processor, to determine that the gain value of the image signal processor is less than a predetermined gain value, and setting a lower second maximum power output value for the camera illumination in order to increase the gain value.

Abstract: A visual inspection apparatus can include a handset, elongated inspection tube extending from the handset and a light source bank disposed within a hand held housing of the handset. For reduction of heat energy radiating from the light source bank, the apparatus can include one or more of a thermal control system and a particularly designed heat sink assembly.

Abstract: An industrial inspection handset is disclosed, comprising a connector for connecting a peripheral device to the handset, wherein the connector is oriented such that the peripheral device can extend substantially parallel to the housing surface of the handset, and a cover tethered to the handset by a first tab, wherein the cover when mounted on the housing of the handset encloses the connector and the peripheral device. In an alternative embodiment, the handset comprises a connector oriented such that the peripheral device can extend substantially perpendicular to the housing surface of the handset, and a cover tethered to the handset by a first tab and a second tab, wherein the cover when mounted on the mounting member encloses the connector.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus can include a handset and an elongated inspection tube extending from the handset. For reduction of heat energy radiating from one or more components of the apparatus, the apparatus can include a particularly designed heat sink assembly.

Abstract: The present invention is an I2C (inter-IC control) bridge device which implements a communication protocol layered on top of a standard I2C protocol. The layered protocol used by the bridge device is termed the “Layered I2C Protocol”—abbreviated “LIP”. Thus the bridge device is called a “LIP bridge device”. The LIP bridge device provides I2C address extension, data integrity checking, and fault detection and isolation when inserted between an I2C bus master and it's intended target I2C device. Each LIP bridge device has at least two attached I2C busses—a parent bus and a child bus. The LIP bridge operates as a slave on its parent bus, and a master of its child bus. The Layered I2C protocol is specified to operate on a bus between one or more bus masters and the parent bus of one or more LIP bridge devices. The child bus is used for attaching multiple I2C devices and/or one or more LIP bridge devices.