GB2358753A - Video camera on elongate support for viewing inaccessible locations. - Google Patents

Video camera on elongate support for viewing inaccessible locations. Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2358753A
GB2358753A GB0024471A GB0024471A GB2358753A GB 2358753 A GB2358753 A GB 2358753A GB 0024471 A GB0024471 A GB 0024471A GB 0024471 A GB0024471 A GB 0024471A GB 2358753 A GB2358753 A GB 2358753A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
camera
transmitter
monitor
monochrome
elongate
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB0024471A
Other versions
GB0024471D0 (en
Inventor
Raymond Ross Lann
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TAYLOR LANN TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Original Assignee
TAYLOR LANN TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TAYLOR LANN TECHNOLOGY Ltd filed Critical TAYLOR LANN TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Publication of GB0024471D0 publication Critical patent/GB0024471D0/en
Publication of GB2358753A publication Critical patent/GB2358753A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04NPICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00Television systems
    • H04N7/18Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast
    • H04N7/183Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast for receiving images from a single remote source
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B23/00Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
    • G02B23/24Instruments or systems for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes
    • GPHYSICS
    • G02OPTICS
    • G02BOPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B23/00Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
    • G02B23/24Instruments or systems for viewing the inside of hollow bodies, e.g. fibrescopes
    • G02B23/2476Non-optical details, e.g. housings, mountings, supports
    • G02B23/2484Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device

Abstract

A camera arrangement for viewing inaccessible locations, such as loft spaces or the underside of cars, comprises a camera assembly 1 fixed to a tubular handle 20 via a flexible neck part 7. Flexible neck 7 comprises nesting, interlocking components as shown in Figure 2 and the handle 20 may be extensible as shown in Figure 5. A range of monochrome or colour CCD and CMOS imaging devices are specified for use in camera 1. The device comprises a further handle assembly (25, Figures 7 and 8) housing power and video transmission wiring, and including a battery box (30). Images from the camera 1 are relayed to video monitors via a microwave transmitter (40, Figure 9).

Description

1 2358753 1 Camera 2 3 This invention relates to a camera, particularly
one 4 allowing the user to view subjects that would 5 normally be inaccessible or would otherwise present 6 difficulties in viewing directly. 7 8 Existing apparatus for viewing inaccessible subjects 9 such as loft spaces and the undersides of cars 10 typically rely on mirrors on the ends of poles etc which can be manoeuvred into position to allow the 12 user to see the reflection of the subject in the 13 mirror. 14 15 According to the present invention there is provided 16 an imaging system comprising an imaging device-and 17 having an elongate support member, a monitor, and a 18 wireless transmitter to transmit signals from the 19 imaging device to the monitor. 20 2 1 The elongate support member can be telescopic, or can 2 be provided in discreet lengths which have been 3 connected together to extend the elongate member or 4 reduce its length. The imaging device is typically a camera, although any number of imaging devices can be 6 used. Different types of camera are suitable, 7 including monochrome, low-light monochrome, extended 8 infrared monochrome, CMOS colour, CCD colour, high 9 resolution CCD colour, CCIR (European standard monochrome), EIA (American standard monochrome), PAL 11 (European standard colour) and NTSC (American 12 standard colour) or any other types of camera.
13 14 The camera is preferably attached to the elongate member by means of a flexible joint allowing the 16 camera to be manually adjusted to different viewing 17 angles relative to the elongate member. This can be 18 done before deploying the device by adjusting the 19 camera to the desired orientation, or can usefully be done while the device is in use, for example by 21 resting the imaging device against an object and 22 pushing or pulling against the elongate member so as 23 to move the flexible joint and change the orientation 24 of the camera relative to the elongate member.
Typically when adjusted in this way the joint remains 26 in the chosen position until re-adjusted, and the 27 camera adjustment is thereby maintained.
28 29 The elongate member is preferably made up of a number of tubular members, which are connectable together.
31 The tubular members can carry wiring to power the 3 1 camera and to relay signals from the camera or other 2 imaging device back to the transmitter which can 3 usefully be at the other end of the elongate member.
4 The monitor may be hand held by the user, or may in G preferred embodiments be at a remote location away 7 from the user.
8 9 The device can typically be sealed against ingress of water so as to be useful underwater, and the 11 connections between the tubular members can typically 12 be watertight. We have used electrical conduit 13 lengths and garden lighting connectors very 14 successfully for certain embodiments of the is invention, along with a flexible sleeve over the 1G camera and flexible joint.
17 18 It should be noted that the flexible joint could be 19 provided at or near the camera end of the device, and/or between connectable sections of the elongate 21 member, as required. Indeed, the entire elongate 22 member can comprise a flexible joint so as to allow 23 insertion of the camera along serpentine paths such 24 as pipework, which would otherwise be inaccessible.
Typical designs of flexible joints include locline 2G flexible hose and the like.
27 28 The elongate member or a handle thereon can also be 29 provided with a power source such a battery or can have connections or junction boxes etc for connection 31 of power cables from extrinsic power supplies.
4 1 Preferably, the power supply can be a rechargeable 2 battery pack and usefully this can be provided in a 3 handle on the elongate member. 4 5 A typical video transmitter may comprise a miniature 6 microwave video transmitter, which can be provided in 7 a tubular unit in the handle, or may be inserted 8 between the extension tubes with an adapter. Like 9 the camera, the video transmitter can be selected in 10 accordance with microwave video transmission mediums 11 as appropriate in the area of use. We find that 12 embodiments of the invention work well with MPT1349 13 specifications for low power licence exempt 14 transmission in the 1.4GIIz and 2.4GHz bands, or Home is office specification MG-46 for Terrestrial Microwave 16 Transmission Systems for use by Home Office sponsored 17 services in the 2, 8 and 10GHz microwave emergency 18 service bands. However, any other design of video 19 transmitter can be used instead. 20 21 optionally, a connector and cable can be used to plug 22 directly into the device to provide video signals to 23 a local transmitter (e.g. hand held or worn by the 24 user) which transmits signals to a remote monitor.
26 A video receiver and display for use as a monitor can 27 typically comprise a stand-alone and self -powered TFT 28 colour display optionally integrated with a video 29 receiver module to allow cableless operation at a 30 remote site. 31 1 A video modulator to mix the video signal up to a URF 2 television channel and permit the use of a low cost 3 hand-held or portable television set for viewing the 4 pictures from the camera can also be very useful, and 5 this can be provided in certain embodiments. G 7 A microphone can be incorporated e.g. adjacent to the 8 camera. The audio signals from the microphone can be 9 amplified and matched to the transmitter for 10 transmission with the video signals to the monitor, 11 which may have a loudspeaker or other device for 12 reproducing or recording the audio signals. The 13 audio signals can be received by a headset worn by a 14 user or remotely positioned. This embodiment can be 15 useful when searching for survivors in e.g. collapsed 16 buildings, earthquake debris or similar. 17 18 The camera and microphone can optionally be 19 detachable from the elongate member to be placed as a 20 unit with the transmitter in an inaccessible or other 21 location and left to operate autonomously or to 22 remain inactive until required. The elongate member 23 can be withdrawn and used elsewhere. 24 25 In order to conserve battery life the device may 26 incorporate a radio receiver similar to that used in 27 vehicle remote central locking systems to allow the 28 camera and/or microphone to operate in a quiescent 29 state until activated remotely. 30 6 1 Multiple cameras/microphones can be used at an 2 incident being selectively switched on and off as 3 required and optimising the utilisation of any 4 microwave transmitters available to the user.
6 The audio and video signals can be relayed to 7 anywhere in the world via satellite video/audio link; 8 PMR link; cellular telephone link; land line; 9 internet or similar video/audio transmission system.
This permits experts or other observers at remote 11 locations (i.e. doctors) to view an incident without 12 being physically present and to give advice to the 13 personnel on site. In certain cases, the signals 14 from the transmitter can be relayed by fixed receivers and transmitters incorporated into a 16 building or other structure as described in our co 17 pending application No 9921290.4, which is 18 incorporated herein by reference.
19 Referring now to the drawings, an embodiment of the 21 invention will now be described by way of an example 22 and with reference to the accompanying drawings in 23 which:
24 Fig. 1 is camera head of a device of the present 26 invention shown in exploded (a) and assembled 27 (b) forms; 28 Fig. 2 is a side view of a camera head unit with 29 a flexible joint attached; Fig. 3 is a side view of a flexible intermediate 31 joint; 7 1 Fig. 4 is a side view of a f irst embodiment of 2 the device according to the invention; 3 Fig. 5 is a side view of an elongate member used 4 in the Fig. 4 embodiment; Fig. 6 is a side view of a typical elongate 6 member portion used in a second embodiment of 7 the invention; 8 Fig. 7 is a side view of a handle for use with 9 the Fig. 6 elongate portion; Fig. 8 is a series of views with a power supply 11 for use with the Fig. 7 handle; 12 Fig. 9 is a series of views of a transmitter f or 13 use with the Fig. 7 embodiment; 14 Fig. 10 is a side view of a hard wired video display for use with the Fig. 7 embodiment; and 16 Fig. 11 is a side view of an assembled system 17 based on the Fig. 7 embodiment.
18 19 Referring now to the drawings, a camera head as shown in Fig. 1 comprises a typical camera selected from 21 any of those mentioned previously, and contained in a 22 tubular UPVC member having an end cap with a viewer 23 and a seal to enclose the camera inside the UPVC tube 24 5. The tube 5 is faced at the opposite end from the viewer with a cap 6 for connection to a flexible hose 26 typically comprising respectively nesting locline 27 components which are commercially available under the 28 trade mark locline for use as flexible hosing. The 29 flexible hose 7 connects the end cap 6 to an adapter 8 (we have successfully used garden lighting adapters 31 and electrical conduits typically used for protecting 8 1 buried electrical cables from moisture) for onwards 2 connection to elongate members such as are shown in 3 Figs. 3, 4 & 5. Adapter 8 has a plug 8p which can be 4 connected to a socket 10s on a telescopic adapter 5 shaft (Fig. 5) or a further intermediate flexible 6 joint 15 (Fig. 3) as desired. 7 8 The camera head I and flexible neck 7 can be 9 connected to the Fig. S telescopic shaft 12 as 10 described and via plug 12p can be connected to a 11 tubular UPVC handle 20 (Fig. 4) housing a power 12 source and transmitter. Alternatively, if a 13 waterproof system is desired, the camera head 1 and 14 flexible neck 7 can be connected to the Fig. 6 15 extension tube comprising 2Smm UPVC pipe which is 16 hermetically sealed to socket 10s at one end and to 17 plug lop at the other. Numerous sections of 18 extension tube 13 can be connected together and can 19 incorporate wiring and power transmission means to 20 transmit power and camera signals up and down the 21 lengths of tubing 13 as desired. The connectors 10s 22 and lop are sealed to the tubing 13 and are 23 respectively watertight so as to allow the use of the 24 system thus constructed in water up to 2 bar pressure 2S quite safely. The system so constructed can be used 26 with a handle assembly 25 as is shown in Fig. 7 27 having connector socket 10s to accommodate plug lop 28 on the terminal end of the last extension tube 13 in 29 the device. The handle assembly 25 comprises a 111 30 diameter pipe housing the electrical and video wiring 31 and having a suitable handgrip on a T piece and 9 1 connections for a battery box 30 on the base of the 2 handgrip and a further 4-way connector 35 for 3 connection of the video cabling to a transmitter module for transmission to a monitor to be described below.
7 The battery box 30 can house a typical camcorder 8 battery as can be conventionally obtained, or 9 alternatively the handle or main tube of the handle assembly 25 can house rechargeable batteries which 11 can be recharged in situ or removed as desired.
12 13 The connector 35 does not mate with the connector 14 plugs 10p in order to prevent accidental connection of the handle in the middle of the elongate member, 1G but instead connects to a clipper industrial 17 connector on the end of a transmitter module 40 as 18 shown in Fig. 9 for relay of the video signal to any 19 number of remote or hand held receivers via any one of the transmitters previously described.
21 Alternatively, the connector 35 can connect to a 22 clipper industrial cable mount connector attached to 23 a video cable passing to a hand held video 24 transmitter if desired.
2G Fig. 11 shows a further embodiment of the invention 27 which also utilises a low cost portable TV or 28 domestic TV tuned to a signal from a video modulator 29 connected to the receiver. By incorporating a video modulator such as the Modulator VAM 24 available from 31 VTQ Videotronik GmbH the use of dedicated monitor 1 equipment specific to the function of the receiver 2 can be avoided and the cost of the system can be 3 reduced. 4 5 Modifications and improvements can be incorporated 6 without departing from the scope of the invention. 7 For example, the apparatus can be adapted to be 8 intrinsically safe for use in hazardous or explosive 9 environments such as refineries, petroleum storage 10 depots, factories and commercial premises, mines and 11 the scenes of traffic and rail accidents, as well as 12 oil or gas production platforms. Such embodiments 13 are suitable for use in fire fighting and search and 14 rescue, and generally for use in any areas where 15 there exists a risk of ignition of flammable 16 material. Typically such embodiments can have low 17 voltage and current electronics and low microwave 18 power so that components do not overheat in use, or 19 can be hermetically sealed to resist the ingress into 20 the device of inflammable gasses. Other embodiments 21 can be purged with inert gas such as Nitrogen before 22 being sealed in order to combat ignition of gas in 23 the device. Various other methods of making articles 24 intrinsically safe are well known in the art.

Claims (15)

  1. I Claims
    2 3 1 An imaging system comprising an imaging device 4 having elongate support member, a monitor and a transmitter to transmit the signals from the 6 imaging device to the monitor.
    7 8
  2. 2. A system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the 9 monitor is remote from the imaging device and the support member.
    11 12
  3. 3. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, 13 wherein the transmitter is provided on the 14 elongate support member.
    16
  4. 4. A system as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, 17 wherein the transmitter is separate from the 18 elongate support member.
    19
  5. 5. A system as claimed in any preceding claim 21 wherein the transmitter is a microwave 22 transmitter.
    23 24
  6. 6. A system as claimed in any preceding claim having more than one monitor.
    26 27
  7. 7. A system as claimed in any preceding claim 28 having an image-recording device adapted to 29 record images displayed on the monitor.
    12 1
  8. 8. A system as claimed in any preceding claim 2 wherein the camera comprises a monochrome, low 3 light monochrome, extended infrared monochrome, 4 CMOS colour, CCD colour, high-resolution CCD colour, CCIR (European standard monochrome), EIA 6 (American standard monochrome), PAL (European 7 standard colour) or an NTSC camera.
    8 9
  9. 9. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the camera is attached to the elongate 11 member by means of a flexible joint allowing the 12 camera to be manually adjusted to different 13 viewing angles relative to the elongate member.
    14 is
  10. 10. A system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the 16 device is hermetically sealed.
    17 18
  11. 11. A system as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, 19 having the flexible joint at or near the imaging device.
    21 22
  12. 12. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, 23 wherein the elongate support member is made up 24 of a number of tubular members, which are connectable together.
    26 27
  13. 13. A system as claimed in any preceding claim 28 having an on-board power supply.
    29 13 1
  14. 14. A system as claimed in any preceding claim, 2 having a video modulator to mix the video signal 3 to the monitor to a UHF TV channel.
    4
  15. 15. An imaging system as hereinbefore described.
GB0024471A 1999-10-09 2000-10-06 Video camera on elongate support for viewing inaccessible locations. Withdrawn GB2358753A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9923829.7A GB9923829D0 (en) 1999-10-09 1999-10-09 Camera

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0024471D0 GB0024471D0 (en) 2000-11-22
GB2358753A true GB2358753A (en) 2001-08-01

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GBGB9923829.7A Ceased GB9923829D0 (en) 1999-10-09 1999-10-09 Camera
GB0024471A Withdrawn GB2358753A (en) 1999-10-09 2000-10-06 Video camera on elongate support for viewing inaccessible locations.

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB9923829.7A Ceased GB9923829D0 (en) 1999-10-09 1999-10-09 Camera

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006002674A1 (en) * 2004-07-02 2006-01-12 Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH Device and use thereof for capturing and processing an image
WO2007015101A2 (en) * 2005-08-03 2007-02-08 Super Rod Limited Inspection tool
WO2015035528A1 (en) * 2013-09-13 2015-03-19 New Tech Copper Spa. Portable and submersible viewing device for viewing the interior of electrolytic cells
WO2015092221A1 (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-06-25 Turbomeca Endoscope and method for using same
EP2856121A4 (en) * 2012-05-25 2016-04-13 Tanknology Inc Vessel inspection system

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4633304A (en) * 1983-08-27 1986-12-30 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Endoscope assembly
US5558619A (en) * 1991-04-23 1996-09-24 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Endoscope system with automatic control according to movement of an operator
WO1998011816A1 (en) * 1996-09-18 1998-03-26 University College London Imaging apparatus
JPH1130799A (en) * 1997-07-09 1999-02-02 Techno Pooto:Kk Noctovision video camera device
GB2345606A (en) * 1998-10-27 2000-07-12 Tokendo Video endoscope

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4633304A (en) * 1983-08-27 1986-12-30 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Endoscope assembly
US5558619A (en) * 1991-04-23 1996-09-24 Olympus Optical Co., Ltd. Endoscope system with automatic control according to movement of an operator
WO1998011816A1 (en) * 1996-09-18 1998-03-26 University College London Imaging apparatus
JPH1130799A (en) * 1997-07-09 1999-02-02 Techno Pooto:Kk Noctovision video camera device
GB2345606A (en) * 1998-10-27 2000-07-12 Tokendo Video endoscope

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
Internet web page: http://www.acal-auriema.co.uk/hire/ visuspec/visumain.html; 06.04.2000. *

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2006002674A1 (en) * 2004-07-02 2006-01-12 Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH Device and use thereof for capturing and processing an image
WO2007015101A2 (en) * 2005-08-03 2007-02-08 Super Rod Limited Inspection tool
WO2007015101A3 (en) * 2005-08-03 2007-06-07 Super Rod Ltd Inspection tool
EP2856121A4 (en) * 2012-05-25 2016-04-13 Tanknology Inc Vessel inspection system
WO2015035528A1 (en) * 2013-09-13 2015-03-19 New Tech Copper Spa. Portable and submersible viewing device for viewing the interior of electrolytic cells
WO2015092221A1 (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-06-25 Turbomeca Endoscope and method for using same
FR3015698A1 (en) * 2013-12-20 2015-06-26 Turbomeca ENDOSCOPE AND METHOD FOR USE THEREOF
CN105980906A (en) * 2013-12-20 2016-09-28 涡轮梅坎公司 Endoscope and method for using same

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9923829D0 (en) 1999-12-08
GB0024471D0 (en) 2000-11-22

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