Hand-held inspection tool and method
Inventors
Kim, Moon S. • Lefcourt, Alan M. • Chao, Kuanglin • Chen, Yud-Ren • Senecal, Andre G. • Marek, Patrick
Assignees
US Department of Agriculture USDA • United States Department of the Army
Publication Number
US-8310544-B2
Publication Date
2012-11-13
Expiration Date
2028-06-13
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Abstract
The hand-held inspection tool enhances the ability of an on-site inspector to detect and communicate the presence of contamination on an object or in an area. An on-site inspector directs an excitation light in the sensing head of the tool into an area of interest. If the targeted contamination is present, the excitation light causes the contamination to emit fluorescence. The emitted fluorescent light passes through a narrow spectral band-pass video camera filter and is detected by a video camera mounted in the tool sensing head. The video camera transmits the image to a display visible to the on-site inspector. The invention also includes a means of recording, documenting, and wirelessly communicating the inspection process so that remotely located personnel can view the inspection, and respond to the inspection findings in real time.
Core Innovation
The invention disclosed is a hand-held inspection tool comprised of a sensing head connected to a generally rectangular body, supported by an operator hand grip. The sensing head includes a video camera with its lens exposed on the sensing head face, covered by at least one narrow spectral band-pass video camera filter which allows only a selected wave band of light to pass through to the camera lens. The sensing head also contains at least one excitation light that induces target contamination to emit fluorescence corresponding to the selected wave band. A visual display system shows the fluorescent light detected by the camera, and the tool is capable of recording, documenting, and wirelessly communicating the inspection process so remotely located personnel can view and respond in real time.
The problem being solved addresses the limitations in current food contamination inspection methods, which rely heavily on human inspectors' visual identification of contamination that may not be easily visible under normal lighting conditions. Issues such as inspector fatigue, suboptimal conditions, and production pressures affect inspection quality. Existing automated inspection processes are generally large, fixed-base, expensive, and lack mobility, limiting their utility. The invention provides a mobile, relatively inexpensive inspection tool that enhances detection through fluorescent imaging, permits documentation, allows remote multiple inspector participation, and enables real-time communication and image analysis feedback.
The invention also incorporates selectable and rotatable light filters and camera filters, including electronically tunable filters in alternative embodiments, that allow the inspector to control the excitation light wavelength and the detection wavelength to more specifically identify contaminations by their fluorescent response. The tool incorporates audio transmission and reception capabilities enabling two-way communication between on-site and remote inspectors. The tool supports recording of visual data and related inspection data with optional time/date stamps and GPS coordinates, further enabling documentation and flexible inspection methods.
Claims Coverage
The claims include two independent claims: an apparatus claim directed to the hand-held inspection tool with various features, and a method claim describing the process of conducting an inspection using the tool. These claims collectively cover the key inventive features of the tool's design, functionality, and inspection methodology.
Hand-held inspection tool with selectable spectral filters
A hand-held inspection tool comprising a tool body and sensing head with a video camera and a spectral band pass video camera filter matrix having at least two filters selectively positioned over the camera lens; at least one excitation light disposed on the sensing head face; a video processor for receiving and transmitting images; a visual display; and a hand grip for manipulation. The tool enables detection of fluorescence emitted by target contamination, shown on the display.
Audio recording and wireless communication capabilities
The video processor includes means for recording and transmitting audio signals corresponding to detected video. Wireless transmitting means allow the recorded audio and video to be sent to a computer processing station with uploading functionality to an internet-accessible portal. Distribution means enable delivery of audio/video to remote inspectors along with receiving means for sending audio/video back to the tool for two-way real-time communication.
Filter ring mechanisms and electronically tunable filters
The sensing head includes rotatable camera filter rings with multiple filters to selectively cover the video camera lens and rotatable light filter rings or matrices over the LEDs to selectively control excitation light wavelengths. Electronically tunable video camera filters and light filters offer enhanced flexibility in wavelength selection.
Low-light sensitive digital video camera implementation
The video camera is a low-light sensitive camera, preferably a digital charged coupled device (CCD) camera to enhance detection of low-level fluorescent light emitted by contamination.
Hand grip integrated control switches
The hand grip includes trigger switches for activating the excitation lights and data transmission switches, with locking features to maintain 'on' positions, facilitating control during inspections.
Method of conducting an inspection using the inspection tool
Steps include providing a hand-held tool body, attaching a sensing head with a video camera covered by spectral band-pass filters, positioning excitation lights to induce fluorescence from contamination, processing and transmitting video images to a display for the on-site inspector, and supporting real-time wireless transmission and reception of video and audio information to enable remote inspection collaboration.
The independent claims establish a comprehensive hand-held inspection tool with selective spectral filtering for excitation and detection, enhanced communication and recording capabilities, and a detailed inspection method. These features together allow for improved detection, documentation, and remote real-time collaboration in contamination inspections.
Stated Advantages
Enhances the ability of on-site inspectors to detect contamination not visible under normal lighting conditions by inducing fluorescence and filtering detected light.
Provides mobility and flexibility allowing inspection of hard-to-reach areas compared to large fixed-base automated inspection systems.
Enables the documentation and wireless real-time transmission of inspection images and audio, facilitating remote inspector participation and analysis.
Allows interaction between on-site and remotely located inspectors, improving inspection quality and decision making during inspection processes.
Supports multiple selectable or electronically tunable filters to characterize specific contaminants based on their fluorescence characteristics.
Documented Applications
Inspection of food processing surfaces and equipment for contamination such as biofilms, dirt, fecal matter, chemical residues, and organic matter supporting bacterial growth.
Use in clean facility environments including surgical and medical treatment clean rooms, pharmaceutical manufacture, and equipment manufacture related to information technologies like computer chips and photography.
Applications in investigations including crime scene investigations, accident investigations, tampering detection, and any process where discovery of contamination provides significant information.
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