# US 2020/0401019 A1 · Multi-aperture camera system for inspections > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0401019 A1 - Document ID: US20200401019A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/946,486 - Filed: 2020-06-24 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-24 - Assignees: Deep Analytics, LLC - Applicants: Deep Analytics, LLC - Inventors: Gregory Hewitt; Daniel Cote; Thomas Hryckiewicz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200401019A1 ## CPC - G03B 17/561: {Support related camera accessories} - F16M 11/10: around a horizontal axis {(F16M11/12 takes precedence)} - F16M 11/18: with mechanism for moving the apparatus relatively to the stand - F16M 11/2071: {for panning and rolling (F16M11/2078 takes precedence)} - F16M 11/28: Undercarriages for supports with one single telescoping pillar - F16M 13/04: for supporting on, or holding steady relative to, a person, e.g. by chains {, e.g. rifle butt or pistol grip supports, supports attached to the chest or head (apparatus or arrangements for taking photographs or for projecting or viewing them G03B)} - G03B 17/55: with provision for heating or cooling, e.g. in aircraft - G03B 17/563: {Camera grips, handles (means in general for steadying hand-held apparatus F16M13/00)} - G03B 37/005: {Photographing internal surfaces, e.g. of pipe, (G03B37/02 - G03B37/06 take precedence; instruments for performing medical examinations of cavities or tubes of the body by photographic inspection A61B1/00)} - F16M 11/041: {Allowing quick release of the apparatus} - F16M 2200/02: Locking means - F16M 2200/041: for balancing rotational movement of the head - F16M 2200/044: for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage - G03B 2206/00: Systems for exchange of information between different pieces of apparatus, e.g. for exchanging trimming information, for photo finishing - H04M 1/04: Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers - H04M 2250/52: including functional features of a camera - G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D) - F16M: FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract A multi-aperture camera system is provided that facilitates the visual inspection of areas or surfaces via a handheld pole camera operated by a user. The system includes a camera head connected to a pole, which has a handle with controls for the camera, a grip, and a screen support. The pole is extendable and the camera head is rotatable about the pole. The camera head includes one or more camera modules, an interface board, a computer module, illumination lights, which may be white light and IR, indication LEDs, and a high-speed data interface. The system may also include a remote-control interface, a power interface, heat sinks, compression stacks, and an enclosure for the camera head. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for facilitating a visual inspection, the system comprising: a pole, the pole being extendable and having a distal end and a proximal end; a gimbal attached to the distal end of the pole; a handle on the proximal end of the pole, the handle including: an arm support; and a grip extending at an angle out from the pole, the grip including a plurality of controls and a screen support; and a camera head attached to the gimbal, the camera head including: a plurality of camera modules; and an interface board, wherein at least some functions of the camera head are controlled by the plurality of controls, and wherein images captured by the plurality of camera modules are sent through the pole to a data port near the handle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the camera head further includes a compression stack. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, further including an enclosure around the camera head, and wherein the camera head further includes a first heat sink, the first heat sink extending through the enclosure and between at least some of the plurality of camera modules. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, further including a gimbal mount connecting the camera head to the gimbal and a second heat sink, the second heat sink being thermally connected to the gimbal mount. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein the camera head further includes an interface board, a plurality of illumination LEDs, and a high-speed data interface. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of camera modules, the interface board, the plurality of illumination LEDs, the first heat sink, and the second heat sink are mechanically interfaced only with compression. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of camera modules includes four camera modules, and the interface board includes a computer module that includes instructions for: initializing electrical components; streaming 4 k video; and creating super resolution images by combining images from the four camera modules. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the handle and the camera head are connected via internal cabling. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the functions include capturing images, changing an orientation of the camera head, and activating the plurality of illumination LEDs. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of camera modules includes a transparent lens protector. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further including a screen attached to the screen support, wherein images from the plurality of camera modules are displayed on the screen. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein images from the plurality of camera modules are displayed on a heads up display worn by a user of the system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of camera modules includes three color cameras and one IR camera. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the camera head includes a gimbal attachment portion configured to fit in a slot in the gimbal, and wherein the gimbal attachment portion is secured in the slot with a pin. ### Claim 15 A camera head for facilitating a visual inspection, the camera head comprising: an enclosure containing: a camera module; a plurality of lights for illuminating an area for the camera module; a high-speed data interface; a heatsink component; an interface board including a computer module, wherein the interface board is in communication with the camera module, the plurality of lights, and the high-speed data interface; and a compression stack, wherein the camera module, the interface board, the heatsink component, and the plurality of lights are mechanically interfaced only with compression; and a gimbal connector, wherein the gimbal connecter passes through the enclosure and is in thermal contact with the heatsink component. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The camera head of claim 15, further including a second heatsink, wherein the second heatsink extends through the enclosure near the camera module. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The camera head of claim 15, wherein a USB connector protrudes from the enclosure. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The camera head of claim 17, wherein the enclosure further contains an indication board for the plurality of lights, a remote-control interface, a USB connector, a single board computing device, a USB C board, and a USB A board. ### Claim 19 A system for facilitating a visual inspection, the system comprising: a pole, the pole being extendable and having a distal end and a proximal end; a handle on the proximal end of the pole, the handle including a grip and an arm support, wherein the grip extends at an angle outwardly from the pole; and a camera head in an enclosure and pivotably attached to the distal end of the pole, the camera head including: a camera module; a heat sink extending through the enclosure; a compression stack; a light positioned to illuminate areas in view of the camera module; and an interface board, wherein the camera module, the interface board, the light, and the heat sink are mechanically interfaced only by compression within the enclosure. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The system of claim 19, further including a screen support attached to the grip, the screen support configured to secure a screen on which images from the camera module are displayed, and wherein the light is an IR light.