# US 9,521,303 B2 · Cable storage drum with moveable CCU docking apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,521,303 B2 - Document ID: US9521303B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/469,536 - Filed: 2014-08-26 - Published: 2015-02-26 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2013-08-26 - Assignees: Seescan, Inc. - Applicants: Mark S. Olsson; James F. Kleyn; Michael E. Turgeon; Ryan B. Levin - Inventors: Mark S. Olsson; James F. Kleyn; Michael E. Turgeon; Ryan B. Levin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9521303B2 ## CPC - H04N 23/54: Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils - B65H 75/364: {the stored material being coiled} - E03F 7/12: Installations enabling inspection personnel to drive along sewer canals - G01N 21/954: Inspecting the inner surface of hollow bodies, e.g. bores - 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)} - H04N 23/50: Constructional details - G01N 2021/9542: {using a probe} - G01N 2201/0221: Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held - H04N 23/555: {for picking-up images in sites, inaccessible due to their dimensions or hazardous conditions, e.g. endoscopes or borescopes} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - B65H: HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES - E03F: SEWERS; CESSPOOLS - 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) - 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) ## Abstract Embodiments of video inspection systems with moveably dockable CCUs are disclosed. In one embodiment a video inspection system includes a frame element, a camera control unit (CCU), and a docking apparatus mechanically coupled to the frame element and/or the CCU so as to allow the CCU to rotate relative to the frame, about a rotational axis, responsive to a user action. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A video inspection system, comprising: a tubular flame element; a camera control unit (CCU) including a housing, electronics disposed in the housing for controlling operation of a camera head operatively coupled to the electronics, a display disposed in the housing for rendering images or video provided from the camera head, and a non-transitory memory for storing images or video provided from the camera head; a cable storage drum coupled to the tubular flame element, the cable storage drum including a slip-ring for operatively coupling the CCU to the camera head; and a docking apparatus mechanically coupled between the tubular flame element and the CCU to allow the CCU to rotate relative to the flame and cable storage drum, about a rotational axis, responsive to a user action, and allow the CCU to be removably attached or detached, via a latching mechanism, the docking apparatus further including a latch indicator to provide a visual indication of a latch released or a latch closed state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the docking apparatus includes a frictional element for restraining rotation of the CCU. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the frictional element retains the CCU in angled or upright self-supporting position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a push-cable disposed at least partially in an internal volume of the cable storage drum and operatively coupled to the CCU via the slip-ring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, further including the camera head, wherein the camera head is mechanically coupled to a distal end of the push-cable and electronically coupled to the CCU. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein the camera head is a self-leveling camera head. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further including a camera guide and securing mechanism. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the docking apparatus includes a knob rotatable on a release axis to release the CCU from attachment to the frame element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the rotational axis and the release axis are common axes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The system of claim 8, wherein the knob is further movable outward relative to the frame upon release actuation. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the latch indicator indicates a release state responsive to a release action of the knob. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the state is indicated by a colored band. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the docking apparatus is placed in a docking ready state upon removal of the CCU. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the center of mass of the frame and drum are below the rotational axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further including a wireless communications module disposed in the CCU housing to send image or video data from the CCU to a separate communicatively coupled electronic device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the camera head is an electronically self-leveling camera head. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an intelligent battery electrically coupled to the CCU to provide operational power for the electronics and the camera head.