Methods and Systems for Enhanced Tip-Tracking and Navigation of Visual Inspection Devices

A computer-based method for enhanced tip-tracking and navigation of visual inspection devices, wherein said method is performed by a computing device, the computing device including a processor, a memory device coupled to the processor, and a storage device coupled to the memory device and to the processor, wherein the storage device includes an engineering model substantially representing the physical asset, said method comprising:

• receiving an insertion location at the computing device from the visual inspection device, wherein an insertion location substantially represents a point where the visual inspection device is inserted into the physical asset;
• receiving fiber information at the computing device from a plurality of spatially sensitive fibers at least partly encased in an enclosure at least partially containing the visual inspection device;
• determining the real-time location of the visual inspection device using the fiber information;
• identifying the real-time location of the visual inspection device with respect to the engineering model;
• and
• navigating the visual inspection device from a first location to a second location within the physical asset.

A computer for enhanced tip-tracking and navigation of visual inspection devices, said computer comprises:

• a storage device including an engineering model substantially representing a physical asset;
• a processor coupled to said storage device;
• and
• a memory device coupled to said processor and to said storage device, said memory device includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed by said processor, cause said computer to:
• receive an insertion location from the visual inspection device, wherein an insertion location substantially represents a point where the visual inspection device is inserted into the physical asset;
• receive fiber information associated with the visual inspection device from a plurality of spatially sensitive fibers;
• determine the real-time location of the visual inspection device using the fiber information;
• identify the real-time location of the visual inspection device with respect to the engineering model;
• and
• navigate the visual inspection device from a first location to a second location within the physical asset.