US 12,489,871 B2
Video inspection and camera head tracking systems and methods
Mark S. Olsson, La Jolla, CA (US); Michael J. Martin, San Diego, CA (US); and Alexander L. Warren, Escondido, CA (US)
Assigned to SeeScan, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed by SeeScan, Inc., San Diego, CA (US)
Filed on Mar. 20, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/611,449.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/599,890, filed on Nov. 16, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/492,473, filed on Mar. 27, 2023.
Prior Publication US 2024/0333883 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
Int. Cl. H04N 7/18 (2006.01); F16L 55/48 (2006.01); G06T 7/20 (2017.01); H04N 23/50 (2023.01); H04N 23/66 (2023.01); F16L 101/30 (2006.01)
CPC H04N 7/183 (2013.01) [F16L 55/48 (2013.01); G06T 7/20 (2013.01); H04N 23/555 (2023.01); H04N 23/66 (2023.01); F16L 2101/30 (2013.01); G06T 2207/10016 (2013.01); G06T 2207/30244 (2013.01)] 23 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A video inspection and camera head tracking system for use in a pipe or other cavity, comprising:
a push-cable;
a cable storage drum at a known geolocation/position outside an entry point to a pipe, wherein the cable storage drum stores and dispenses the push-cable;
a camera head having one or more image sensors for generating image data, wherein the camera head is coupled at a distal end of the push-cable;
one or more camera head position elements to determine the position of the camera head relative to the cable storage drum position;
a radio communication module coupled with the cable storage drum, wherein the radio communication module wirelessly communicates the camera head position data from the camera head position element(s) to one or more camera head position tracking devices;
a camera head position tracking device for determining a position of the camera head, wherein the camera head position tracking device communicates the camera head position to a user; and
a display device to receive the image data and display the video and still images from the interior of the pipe or cavity.