The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 16, 2007
Filed:
May. 30, 2001
Hiromasa Shima, Cupertino, CA (US);
Kenzi Karasaki, El Cerrito, CA (US);
David Thomas Iseley, Greer, SC (US);
Toru Goebuchi, Saitama, JP;
Ko Sano, Saitama, JP;
Hiroyuki Iinuma, Saitama, JP;
Hiromasa Shima, Cupertino, CA (US);
Kenzi Karasaki, El Cerrito, CA (US);
David Thomas Iseley, Greer, SC (US);
Toru Goebuchi, Saitama, JP;
Ko Sano, Saitama, JP;
Hiroyuki Iinuma, Saitama, JP;
OYO Corporation U.S.A., Pasadena, CA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for scanning and detecting defects in sewer and similar pipelines that eliminate the need to stop and pan-and-tilt areas of concern. In the method of the invention, a pipeline () inspection probe () of the apparatus of the invention comprising a CCD camera () with fish-eye lens () travels through the pipeline () on a self-propelled tractor automatically collecting data and transmitting it to a computer to provide a real-time display of the pipeline () interior with quasi three-dimensional information for effective and quick data analysis and management. The data includes digitized forward views and unfolded 360 degree laid-flat side-san () views of the pipeline () interior. Additionally, the digitized data may be stored for further analysis, tabulation, and for use with pipeline infrastructure maintenance software.