Remote visual inspection method and system

Abstract

A method for remote visual inspection of a target surface of a structure, comprising positioning an inspection unit at a fixed location, the inspection unit comprising a combination of dynamic digital video cameras and an optic supported by a pitch axis of a multi-axis assembly comprising three moveable axis, including a vertical axis, a roll axis connected to the vertical axis, and the pitch axis, the pitch axis being connected to the roll axis; and a controller connected to the combination and the multi-axis assembly; adjusting the positioned inspection relative to the target surface; calibrating a target surface of the structure; taking images of the calibrated surface of the structure, each image including at least position data of the target surface and angular data of the inspection unit; and detecting, in the images, defects on the target surface, and, from the position data and angular data, positioning the defects on the target surface and determining the dimensions of the defects.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.