# US 10,371,305 B1 · Dockable tripodal camera control unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,305 B1 - Document ID: US10371305B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 13/774,351 - Filed: 2013-02-22 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-02-22 - Assignees: Seescan, Inc. - Applicants: Mark S. Olsson; Dawn E Shaffer; Eric M. Chapman; Jesse O. Casares - Inventors: Mark S. Olsson; Dawn E Shaffer; Eric M. Chapman; Jesse O. Casares - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371305B1 ## CPC - F16L 55/26: Pigs or moles, i.e. devices movable in a pipe or conduit with or without self-contained propulsion means - F16L 55/28: Constructional aspects - H04N 7/18: Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast - F16L 2101/30: Inspecting, measuring or testing - F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Pipe inspection systems including cameras and camera control units (CCU) are disclosed. A CCU may include a switching circuit for automatically controlling power to elements of the CCU in response to movement of a display cover. A display of the CCU may display captured images and/or video, which may be integrated with data provided by a buried object locator or other device. The CCU may include a retractable kickstand assembly and a stowable handle, which may be removably attached to a cable storage reel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pipe inspection system, comprising: a digitally self-leveling video inspection camera including electronics for rotating a camera image or video digitally to a reference orientation; a push-cable including a plurality of conductors electrically coupled to the camera at a distal end; a cable reel for storing the push-cable; and a camera control unit (CCU) electrically coupled to the plurality of conductors at a proximal end, the camera control unit including: a body having a handle and a tripodal support structure; a docking mechanism for removably coupling the body to the cable reel; one or more electronic circuits for controlling operation of components of the CCU; a display; a display cover; and a switching circuit configured to provide selective power control of the one or more electronic circuits responsive to an opening or closing of the display cover. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein the switching circuit includes a magnet disposed on or within the display cover and a magnetic switch disposed on or within the CCU body and wherein the self-leveling digital camera is powered on and off in response to actuation of the switch. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein the switching circuit includes a magnet disposed on or within the CCU body and a magnet disposed on or within the CCU body and wherein the self-leveling digital camera is powered on and off in response to actuation of a magnetic switch element of the switching circuit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein the switching circuit includes an electromechanical switch and wherein the digitally self-leveling video inspection camera is an electronically self-leveling camera. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein the selective power control consists of power control of only a portion of elements of the CCU so that a video display of the CCU is powered off and a camera power supply and signal processing electronics of the CCU are simultaneously powered on. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein the portion of elements of the CCU include power control of an output display element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein a portion of elements of the CCU include power control of video or image signal processing elements of the CCU. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein a portion of elements of the CCU include power control of a sonde coupled to the CCU. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein a portion of elements of the CCU include power control of a wireless communications module of the CCU. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein the CCU further includes dual-stepped USB ports disposed on or within the CCU body. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, further comprising a folding kickstand assembly coupled to the CCU body, the folding kickstand assembly including a kickstand and a moveable handle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The pipe inspection system of claim 11, wherein the body includes a snap-in coupling mechanism to receive the moveable handle for storage in a retracted position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein the cable reel includes a cradle for receiving the CCU handle in a stowed configuration. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The pipe inspection system of claim 13, wherein the cradle include a self-attaching strap element for securing the handle to the cradle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The pipe inspection system of claim 14, wherein the self-attaching strap element comprises a Velcro band. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein the camera includes a sonde. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The pipe inspection system of claim 16, where the CCU is configured to receive an image from the camera and depth information from a buried object locator based on signals emitted from the sonde and associate the depth information with the received image. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The pipe inspection system of claim 17, wherein the depth information is provided with the image on the CCU display. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein one of the one or more electronic circuits is turned off by the switching circuit in response to the display cover being closed. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The pipe inspection system of claim 1, wherein one of the one or more electronic circuits is turned on by the switching circuit in response to the display cover being opened.