Abstract: A pipe inspection system including a camera head, a push-cable, and a controller platform for use in inspecting pipes or other cavities is disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Sensor modules for measuring parameters such as magnetic fields, tilts, orientation, or other parameters in high resolution in three orthogonal axes using single-axis sensor arrays are disclosed.

Abstract: Inductive clamps for use in utility locate operations for inductively coupling current signals from a transmitter to a hidden or buried conductor are disclosed.

Abstract: Camera heads for use in pipe inspection systems are disclosed. In one embodiment a camera head includes a body, an image sensor disposed in the body for generating images of an interior of a pipe or cavity in which the camera head is inserted, and processing circuitry operatively coupled to the image sensor to automatically capture images or video frames by the camera head within the object.

Abstract: An antenna apparatus includes a magnetic field sonde and a satellite location system antenna node.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for locating buried conductors using ambient electromagnetic signals, such as AM or other broadcast signals, are described. A buried utility locator may include a plurality of spatially separated antenna arrays, a receiver circuit coupled thereto, and a processing element programmed to process measurements of ambient electromagnetic signals and associated electromagnetic signals radiated from current induced in the buried conductor from the ambient signals to determine information about the buried conductor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for wired communications are disclosed. A method for transmitting a data stream through a wired communications channel includes encoding the data stream to produce a first baseband modulating signal I(t) and a second baseband modulating signal Q(t) whose amplitudes together represent a time series of complex symbols (I, Q) each selected from a two-dimensional (2-D) constellation of symbols distributed on the phase plane about the origin such that at least one of the baseband modulating signals has a substantially non-zero mean amplitude, modulating the baseband signals I(t) and Q(t) to produce a modulated signal, wherein the I(t) and Q(t) components of the modulated signals are generally fixed in quadrature, and providing the modulated signal to a wired communications channel.

Abstract: A marker device embodiment may include separate concentrically-oriented receive and transmit antenna elements coupled to an ASIC which includes electronics to receive an input signal at a first frequency from a transmitter, convert the input signal to a power supply to power the electronic circuit, generate, in response to the input signal, an output signal at a second frequency different from the first frequency, and provide the output signal, via the transmit antenna element, to an above-ground receiver for assistance in determining the location of a buried utility.

Abstract: A buried utility locator includes an antenna array for receiving magnetic field signals from a buried utility, a receiver operatively coupled to the antenna array for generating a receiver output signal including amplitude and/or phase information of two or more signal components in two or more simultaneously received signals of the frequency suite, a processing element operatively coupled to the receiver for receiving the receiver output signal and generating a first set of data associated with the two or more signal components of the frequency suite, and a non-transitory memory for storing the first set of data.

Abstract: Multi-frequency buried object location system transmitters and locators are disclosed. A transmitter may generate and provide output signals to a buried object at a plurality of frequencies, which may be selected based on a connection type. Corresponding locators may simultaneously receive a plurality of magnetic field signals emitted from the buried object and generate visual and/or audible output information based at least in part on the plurality of received magnetic field signals. The visual and/or audible output may be further based on signals received from a quad-gradient antenna array.

Abstract: A buried utility locating system includes a transmitter circuit including electronic circuits to generate keyed current signals for coupling to the buried utility including a signal generation module and an output current signal generation module, a direct or inductive coupling apparatus, and an associated utility locator for sensing magnetic field signals radiated from a buried utility and decode keying therein.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Buried utility locator systems, including a locator including an integrated marker device excitation transmitter for generating and sending a marker device excitation signal to one or more marker devices, are disclosed. In operation, the marker device excitation signal is sent from the locator at least partially simultaneously to receiving and processing a buried utility signal.

Abstract: 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 corresponding locator for improved utility locating.

Abstract: Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) apparatus and systems for use in providing images or video via a wired connection in a video inspection system are disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Visual pipe and cavity inspection systems including camera heads for video and/or image capture and associated coaxial video push-cables having increased durability and strength, for high frequency alternating current electrical power transmission as well as data and/or video signal communication between the camera heads and a display or control device, are disclosed.

Abstract: Buried utility transmitters and associated locator devices, systems, and methods used for locating utility lines, pipes, and/or other conductors that are obscured from view are disclosed. In one embodiment a buried utility transmitter includes a module generating an output current for provision to the utility so as to generate a magnetic field for detection by a utility locator, with the output current signal having modulated signaling. The transmitter system may include a tray apparatus configured to be removably dockable to the transmitter module or element or a body or frame of the transmitter system.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to utility locating systems, devices, and methods using frequency suites of simultaneously processed signals emitted from buried utilities to locate the buried utilities or other hidden or buried conductors.