# US 2014/0152802 A1 · Multi-camera pipe inspection apparatus, systems and methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0152802 A1 - Document ID: US20140152802A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/913,485 - Filed: 2013-06-09 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-08 - Assignees: Seescan, Inc. - Inventors: Mark S. Olsson; Eric M. Chapman; Nicholas A. Smith - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152802A1 ## CPC - G01N 21/8803: {Visual inspection (measuring projectors G01B9/08)} - A61B 1/00193: {adapted for stereoscopic vision} - A61B 1/05: characterised by the image sensor, e.g. camera, being in the distal end portion - G02B 13/06: Panoramic objectives; So-called "sky lenses" {including panoramic objectives having reflecting surfaces} - G02B 23/243: {Objectives for endoscopes} - G02B 23/2484: {Arrangements in relation to a camera or imaging device (processing or control of video signals generated by an endoscope H04N23/60, H04N23/70)} - H04N 23/45: for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images - H04N 23/51: Housings - H04N 23/555: {for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract A camera head for inspecting pipes or cavities including an array of two or more imaging elements with overlapping Fields of View (FOV) is disclosed. The camera head may include one or more light source elements, such as LEDs, for providing illumination in dimly lit inspection sites, such as the interior of underground pipes. The imaging elements and LEDs may be used in conjunction with a remote display device, such as an LCD panel of a camera control unit (CCU) or monitor in proximity to an operator, to display the interior of a pipe or other cavity. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A camera apparatus for inspecting piping, comprising: a camera head assembly including: a housing; a plurality of imaging sensors disposed in the housing; an electronic circuit for receiving image or video signals from one or more of the imaging sensors and generating an output signal; and a communications circuit for sending the output signal to a display device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the imaging sensors are disposed in the housing so as to provide overlapping fields of view (FOV). ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The camera apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electronic circuit includes a processing element for generating the output signal as a composite of two or more images provided by two or more of the imaging sensors. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The camera apparatus of claim 3, wherein the output signal includes a plurality of image frames corresponding to a digitally simulated articulation of the camera head across a field of view seen by two or more of the imaging sensors. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The camera apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more lighting elements disposed on or within the housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The camera apparatus of claim 5, wherein the lighting elements are LEDs. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The camera apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more orientation sensors disposed on or within the housing, wherein the one or more orientation sensors are coupled to the electronic circuit to provide information regarding an orientation of the camera apparatus. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The camera apparatus of claim 7, wherein the orientation sensors comprise of one or more of a compass sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and an accelerometer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The camera apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more acoustic sensors disposed in the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The camera apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more temperature sensors disposed in the housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The camera apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output image is based at least in part on a first image provided from a first image sensor of the plurality of image sensors and a second image provided by a second image sensor of the plurality of image sensors. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The camera apparatus of claim 11, wherein one or both of the first image and the second image are adjusted to correct for optical distortion. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The camera apparatus of claim 11, wherein the output image includes a portion of the first image and a portion of the second image stitched with the portion of the first image. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The camera apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first image sensor and the second image sensor cover overlapping fields of view (FOVs). ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The camera apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output signal is generated based in part on a digital articulation control signal received at the camera head. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The camera apparatus of claim 15, wherein the digital articulation control signal is provided from a camera control unit (CCU) or other communicatively coupled device such as a notebook computer, cellular phone, tablet, or other electronic computing device. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The camera apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output signal comprises a plurality of images or a video stream corresponding to a digital articulation of the camera head. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The camera apparatus of claim 17, wherein the digital articulation is implemented in response to a digital articulation control signal received from a a camera control unit (CCU) or other communicatively coupled device such as a notebook computer, cellular phone, tablet, or other electronic computing device. ### Claim 19 A method for inspecting a pipe with a camera head, comprising: capturing, in a first image sensor disposed in a camera head, a first image; capturing, in a second image sensor disposed in the camera head, a second image, wherein the field of view of the first image sensor overlaps the field of view of the second image sensor; and generating, in a processing element based on the first image and the second image, an output image corresponding to a digital articulation of the camera head. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the output image is based at least in part on the first image and the second image. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein one or both of the first image and the second image are adjusted to correct for optical distortion. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein the output image includes a portion of the first image and a portion of the second image stitched with the portion of the first image. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, wherein the first image sensor and the second image sensor cover overlapping fields of view (FOVs). ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further including generating a plurality of output image frames corresponding to a digitally simulated articulation of the camera head across a field of view seen by two or more of the image sensors. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising providing orientation signals from one or more orientation sensors regarding an orientation of the camera apparatus and generating the output image based at least in part on the orientation signals. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, wherein the orientation sensors comprise of one or more of a compass sensor, a gyroscopic sensor, and an accelerometer. ### Claim 27 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising providing an acoustic signal from one or more acoustic sensors. ### Claim 28 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising providing temperate, pressure, and/or humidity signals from one or sensors.