U.S. patent application number 13/826112 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-31 for systems and methods involving a smart cable storage drum and network node for transmission of data.
The applicant listed for this patent is Phillip Castaneda, Michael Martin, Tran Nguyen, Fred Ollinger, Mark S. Olsson, Paul Stuart. Invention is credited to Phillip Castaneda, Michael Martin, Tran Nguyen, Fred Ollinger, Mark S. Olsson, Paul Stuart.
Application Number | 20140210989 13/826112 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51222502 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140210989 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Olsson; Mark S. ; et
al. |
July 31, 2014 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS INVOLVING A SMART CABLE STORAGE DRUM AND
NETWORK NODE FOR TRANSMISSION OF DATA
Abstract
Among other things, techniques, systems, methods and computer
readable storage medium with executable instructions relating to
the viewing of data from and the controlling of the operation of an
inspection camera at a remote computing device that is connected to
the inspection camera via a network are described. Various features
may be realized by using an installable software application or a
web browser at the remote computing device. Features of the
invention also pertain to a smart cable storage drum comprising a
push cable, an inspection camera, and a network transceiver
configured to communicate with a remote computer.
Inventors: |
Olsson; Mark S.; (La Jolla,
CA) ; Martin; Michael; (San Diego, CA) ;
Stuart; Paul; (Lemon Grove, CA) ; Castaneda;
Phillip; (El Cajon, CA) ; Nguyen; Tran; (San
Diego, CA) ; Ollinger; Fred; (San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Olsson; Mark S.
Martin; Michael
Stuart; Paul
Castaneda; Phillip
Nguyen; Tran
Ollinger; Fred |
La Jolla
San Diego
Lemon Grove
El Cajon
San Diego
San Diego |
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA
CA |
US
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51222502 |
Appl. No.: |
13/826112 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61654713 |
Jun 1, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 21/954 20130101;
H04N 2005/2255 20130101; H04N 5/232 20130101; H04N 7/183
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/84 |
International
Class: |
G01N 21/954 20060101
G01N021/954 |
Claims
1. A system for viewing of data from and the controlling of the
operation of an inspection camera, the system comprising: a smart
cable storage drum comprising: a push cable; an inspection camera
configured to capture data relating to one or more images; and one
or more wireless transceivers coupled to the smart cable storage
drum, and configured to send and receive information to and from
one or more remote computing devices and the smart cable storage
drum.
2. The system of claim 1, the system further comprising: a
slip-ring coupled to the smart cable storage drum.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the slip ring includes the one or
more wireless transceivers.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the slip ring includes a key
pad.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the slip ring includes
electronics configured to compress the data.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein the slip ring includes a USB port
configured to connect to an external memory and transfer data to
the external memory.
7. The system of claim 2, wherein the slip ring includes a battery
configured to power the one or more wireless transceivers.
8. The system of claim 2, wherein the slip-ring slip ring is
detachably coupled to the smart cable storage drum along a central
axis of the smart cable storage drum.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system causes a web browser
or an installable software application to display a user interface
(UI) on a computing device operated by a user, wherein the UI
provides controls that are selectable by the user to control one or
more resources networked to the system.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more controls include
an image control configured to cause the inspection camera to
capture the data.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more controls
further include a tag control configured to cause the computing
device to display an editing interface that enables the user to
annotate the data with one or more text, audio or highlighting
annotations.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the one or more controls
further include a light brightness control configured to cause one
or more lights of the inspection camera to adjust a level of
illumination.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more controls include
a compression control configured to cause the data to be
compressed.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the compression control is
displayed on the UI as an asterisk or star icon.
15. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more controls include
a count reset control configured to reset a distance counter.
16. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more controls include
an image flip control configured to cause the computing device to
display a flipped version of an image captured by the inspection
camera by mirroring the image about a horizontal axis when an
orientation of the inspection camera has changed.
17. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more controls include
a state control configured to cause the inspection camera to change
its operation state.
18. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more controls include
a sonde control configured to cause a sonde transmitter to activate
or deactivate.
19. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more controls include
a job manager control configured to cause the computing device to
display a menu that permits the user to generate a report.
20. The system of claim 1, wherein the system causes a web browser
or an installable software application to display a user interface
(UI) on a computing device operated by a user, wherein the UI
provides one or more status indications.
21. The system of claim 20, wherein the one or more status
indications include a sonde transmitter status indication
configured to notify the user about whether the sonde transmitter
is transmitting or not transmitting.
22. The system of claim 20, wherein the one or more status
indications include an image status indication configured to notify
the user about whether the inspection camera is capturing the data
or whether the data is undergoing processing.
23. The system of claim 20, wherein the one or more status
indications include a count status indication configured to display
a current count number.
24. The system of claim 1, the system further comprising: a
rotating hub around which the push cable may be wound and
unwound.
25. The system of claim 24, wherein the rotating hub includes the
one or more wireless transceivers.
26. The system of claim 24, wherein the rotating hub includes
electronics configured to compress the data.
27. The system of claim 24, wherein the rotating hub includes a USB
port configured to connect to an external memory and transfer data
to the external memory.
28. The system of claim 24, wherein the rotating hub includes a
battery configured to power the one or more wireless
transceivers.
29. The system of claim 24, further comprising: a slip-ring that is
detachably inserted into to a cavity formed by at least part of the
rotating hub.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 61/654,713, Filed Jun. 1, 2012, entitled SYSTEMS AND METHODS
INVOLVING A SMART CABLE STORAGE DRUM AND NETWORK NODE FOR
TRANSMISSION OF DATA, the content of which is hereby incorporated
by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to cable storage drums
configured to store push-cables attached to inspection devices
(e.g., cameras and other devices configured to collect information
relating to particular environments). This disclosure further
relates generally to control of inspection devices by one or more
control devices using at least one software application and at
least one wired or wireless communication pathway. Communication
between inspection devices and control devices may be carried out
using any suitable protocol, including Internet Protocol. In this
manner, the software application may be web-enabled. More
specifically, but not exclusively, this disclosure relates to
devices and methods used in communicating video and/or other data
between at least one inspection device and at least one remote
computing device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Cable storage drums used to contain push-cables with
inspection cameras are known in the art. Such cable storage drums
may connect directly to a camera control unit that is configured to
store and display video and other data captured by an inspection
camera, and to control the inspection camera (e.g., configure data
and video feed from the inspection camera, etc.). Such a camera
control unit tends to be an expensive, complicated and bulky piece
of equipment that requires specialized skill to operate. Moreover,
use of such a camera control unit prevents collaborative control of
inspection equipment and viewing of captured video/data at various
locations of multiple users. Indeed, a user of a cable storage drum
with an attached inspection camera must carry a bulky,
unnecessarily complicated, and expensive camera control unit in
order to perform an inspection of a pipe or other otherwise
inaccessible conduit. The use of camera control units further
limits participation by remote users during the inspection.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need in the art to address the
above-described as well as other problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present disclosure relates generally to cable storage
drums used to contain push-cables with inspection cameras for use
in inspecting pipes or otherwise inaccessible conduits. A cable
storage drum may include a drum casing, an attached push-cable, an
inspection camera or other inspection device, and a network (e.g.,
local area network (LAN)) transceiver to communicate with a
suitable computing device such as a smart phone, laptop, tablet
computer or other mobile computing device. Such a computing device
may allow a user to view inspection data captured by the inspection
device and may permit the user to control the inspection device.
Transmission of data and control commands may occur over a wireless
or wired network connection (e.g., a wireless LAN).
[0006] The present invention may also or alternatively relate to a
cable drum configured with means to record and store video and/or
other data from an inspection camera, other inspection device,
and/or computing device. The cable drum may include an embedded
hard drive or other recording technology or may connect to an
external hard drive, USB thumb drive, or other recording
device/technology (e.g., cloud storage, storage at an external
computing device and a fixed or removable battery.
[0007] The present invention may also or alternatively relate to a
cable drum having an embedded network transceiver that enables
exchange of information among various devices connected to the
network (e.g., between an inspection device of the cable drum and a
remote computing device using a wireless local area network
hotspot). Hereafter the abbreviation WLAN may be used for the term
"wireless local area network". Upon connecting to a WLAN hotspot, a
web browser or other software application used by the computing
device may present a webpage or other user interface that presents
data from inspection device). By way of example, the webpage may
display streaming video from an inspection camera, and may further
provide a control interface configured to receive instructions from
a user that are used to control the inspection camera. Similarly, a
software application may be installed onto the computing device,
and may be launched to connect the computing device to the cable
storage drum's network.
[0008] In accordance with some aspects of the invention, the
network may use any of various wireless communication technologies,
including Bluetooth and/or the WLAN hotspot. The network
transceiver may use a wired local area network connection such as,
for instance, through an Ethernet or USB cable and connectors.
[0009] In accordance with yet other aspects of the invention, the
computing device may be enabled to modify or otherwise use data
captured by an inspection device. For instance, a user may edit a
pipe inspection report by adding text, audio narration, drawings,
highlights/circles or other markups to images and text in the
report. The user may make such edits by way of menu selections on a
user interface and/or manipulating objects on the computing devices
screen (e.g., manipulating a cursor or other selection tool). One
of skill in the art will appreciate that a user may edit data using
features available only in conjunction with touchscreens. When
coupled with a web service or internet connection, the computing
device may transfer inspection data to remote locations (e.g.,
another computing device operated by a fellow inspector or a
beneficiary of the inspection, cloud storage, or various other
destinations).
[0010] Various additional aspects, features, and functionality are
further described below in conjunction with the appended
Drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present application may be more fully appreciated in
connection with the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 depicts an illustration of user performing a pipe
inspection using a smart cable storage drum and enabled computing
device.
[0013] FIG. 2A provides an illustration of a smart cable storage
drum depicting various aspects.
[0014] FIG. 2B provides an illustration of a smart cable storage
drum depicting various aspects.
[0015] FIG. 2C provides an illustration of a smart cable storage
drum depicting various aspects.
[0016] FIG. 2D provides an illustration of a smart cable storage
drum depicting various aspects.
[0017] FIG. 2E depicts a key pad associated with a smart cable
storage drum.
[0018] FIG. 2F provides an illustration of a smart cable storage
drum depicting various aspects.
[0019] FIG. 2G provides an illustration of a smart cable storage
drum depicting various aspects.
[0020] FIG. 3 depicts an illustration of a possible user interface
for a computing device.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a flow chart describing a method for carrying out
communication of data and instructions between a computing device
and a smart cable storage drum.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a flow chart describing yet another method for
carrying out communication of data and instructions between a
computing device and a smart cable storage drum.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Overview
[0023] The present disclosure relates generally to cable storage
drums used to contain push-cables with inspection cameras for use
in inspecting pipes or otherwise hard-to-access conduits and
areas.
[0024] The following disclosure of various embodiments of the
invention is provided to illustrate different aspects, details, and
functions of the present invention. It is to be understood that
embodiments described herein are not intended to be in any way
limiting. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art
that various aspects may be implemented in other embodiments within
the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
[0025] For example, in accordance with one aspect of the invention,
a cable storage drum may include any number of means, including
hardware and/or software components, for recording and storing
video and/or other information from an inspection device (e.g.,
camera) and/or one or more computing device(s). Such hardware
and/or software may include a hard drive or other recording
technology embedded in the cable storage drum, and/or an output
(e.g., a USB port, wireless transceiving component, etc.), for
connecting to external memory (e.g., a USB memory stick, external
hard drive, cloud storage, or other external recording device).
[0026] Such hardware or software components may reside entirely
within a rotating structure of a cable drum (e.g., a
centrally-located rotary hub around which a push cable may be wound
and unwound during storage or use). Alternatively, the hardware and
software components may reside within non-rotating supporting
structure. By way of another example, some of the hardware and
software components may reside within the rotating structure while
others may reside in the non-rotating fixed structure, where an
electrical and data link may be formed using rotating contacts
(e.g., via a slip ring). A power source (e.g., a battery) may
reside within or attach to the rotating component. Where electronic
components rotate with the rotating structure, no slip ring may be
needed.
[0027] In accordance with another aspect, a local area network
transceiver within the cable storage drum may provide a wireless
local area network ("WLAN") hotspot to which external computing
devices may connect. Upon connecting to the WLAN hotspot (or other
suitable network node), one or more computing devices may open a
web browser or other installable software application for
displaying a webpage or other user interface that provides
streaming video from the inspection camera, and/or provides a
control interface that receives instructions from a user that
control the inspection camera.
[0028] In accordance with yet another aspect, Bluetooth, Ethernet,
USB cable or other wireless and wired communication technologies
may be used in lieu of or in addition to the WLAN hotspot.
Similarly, a wide area network (WAN) or other network may also or
alternatively be used.
[0029] Still, in accordance with yet another aspect, the computing
device may be enabled to modify or otherwise use data captured by
an inspection device. For instance, a user may edit a pipe
inspection report by adding text, audio narration, drawings,
highlights/circles or other markups to images and text in the
report. The user may make such edits by way of menu selections on a
user interface and/or manipulating objects on the computing devices
screen (e.g., manipulating a cursor or other selection tool). One
of skill in the art will appreciate that a user may edit data using
features available only in conjunction with touchscreens. When
coupled with a web service or internet connection, the computing
device may transfer inspection data to remote locations (e.g.,
another computing device operated by a fellow inspector or a
beneficiary of the inspection, cloud storage, or various other
destinations).
[0030] Various additional aspects, features, and functions are
described below in conjunction with FIGS. 1 through 5 of the
appended Drawings.
[0031] It is noted that as used herein, the term, "exemplary" means
"serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect,
detail, function, implementation, and/or embodiment described
herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as
preferred or advantageous over other aspects and/or
embodiments.
Terminology
[0032] As used herein the term "hotspot" refers to any local area
network node. This may include any local area network node
establishing a wireless and/or wired connection utilizing a variety
of different technologies between a smart cable storage drum and an
enabled computing device. Some of these technologies may include
but are not limited to WLAN (e.g., Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, Ethernet, and
USB. One of skill in the art will appreciate that disclosure
related to local area networks, and in particular WLAN hotspots,
also applies to other networks (e.g., cloud networks, wide area
networks, cellular networks, radio and other beacon networks,
distributed networks, satellite networks, among other networks
known in the art).
[0033] Furthermore, as used herein the term "LAN" may refer to any
local area network both wired and wireless. The term "WLAN" as used
herein may refer to a wireless local area network based upon IEEE
802.11 standards.
Aspects Relating to Buried Object Locating Systems
[0034] Turning to FIG. 1, a cable storage drum 110 may include an
inspection camera 120 (or other inspection device) attached to the
end of a push cable 130. A user 140 may insert the push cable 130
and attached or integral inspection camera 120 into a pipe 150. A
wireless local area network connection may be established between
the cable storage drum 110 and a computing device 160 (e.g., a
tablet) using a variety wireless technologies such as, but not
limited to, WLAN and Bluetooth. The computing device 160 may then
be used to view data from and control aspects of the inspection
device 120. Various aspects and details regarding cable storage
drums and push cables are described in co-assigned U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/371,540, filed Feb. 13, 2009, entitled
PUSH-CABLES FOR PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM; U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 13/073,919, filed Mar. 28, 2011, entitled PIPE INSPECTION
SYSTEM WITH JETTER PUSH-CABLE; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/214,208, filed Aug. 21, 2011, entitled ASYMMETRIC DRAG FORCE
BEARINGS FOR USE WITH PUSH-CABLE STORAGE DRUMS; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/704,808, filed Feb. 12, 2010, entitled PIPE
INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH REPLACEABLE CABLE STORAGE DRUM; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/774,351, filed Feb. 22, 2013, entitled
DOCKABLE TRIPODAL CAMERA CONTROL UNIT; U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/671,644, filed Jul. 13, 2012, entitled
SELF-GROUNDING TRANSMITTING PORTABLE CAMERA CONTROLLER FOR USE WITH
PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEMS; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.
No. 61/174,429, filed Apr. 30, 2009, entitled LOG FILE FOR CAMERA
INSPECTION SYSTEMS; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/939,591,
filed Nov. 4, 2010, entitled SMART PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICES
AS USER INTERFACES; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/679,092,
filed Feb. 26, 2007, entitled LIGHT WEIGHT SEWER CABLE; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/589,948, filed Ser. No. 13/589,948,
entitled LIGHT WEIGHT SEWER CABLE; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
12/704,808, filed Feb. 12, 2010, entitled PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM
WITH REMOVABLE DRUM; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/346,668,
filed Jan. 9, 2012, entitled PORTABLE CAMERA CONTROLLER PLATFORM
FOR USE WITH PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEMS; U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/676,018, filed Nov. 13, 2012, entitled PORTABLE PIPE
INSPECTION SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/754,767, filed Jan. 30, 2013, entitled ADJUSTABLE VARIABLE
RESOLUTION INSPECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS; U.S. Pat. No. 6,545,704;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,679; U.S. Pat. No. 6,831,679; U.S. Pat. No.
6,958,767; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,862,945; U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,288;
U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,239; U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,310; U.S. Pat. No.
8,395,661; U.S. Pat. No. 8,289,385; collectively referred to herein
as the "related applications". The content of each of these
patents, publications and applications is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety for all purposes.
[0035] Turning to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E, the cable storage
drum 110 is shown in detail according to different embodiments
depicting various aspects. The cable storage drum 110 may comprise
a front shell half 210 and a back shell half 220. A handle, such as
the handle 230, may be included about the top of the cable storage
drum 110 or at any other location. A wired connector 240 may
optionally be included to connect a computing device in accordance
with various aspects and features disclosed herein. For example,
the wired connector 240 may permit a computing device to connect to
a LAN connection hosted by the cable storage drum 110, or may
alternatively permit the cable storage drum 110 to connect to a LAN
hosted by the computing device. The wired connector 240 may also
permit connection of a traditional camera control unit (not shown)
to the cable storage drum 110. Various aspects and details
regarding camera control units as used with pipe inspection systems
are described in co-assigned patent applications, including, for
example, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/607,510, entitled DUAL
SENSED LOCATING SYSTEMS & METHODS, filed Mar. 6, 2012; U.S.
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/430,932, entitled PORTABLE CAMERA
CONTROLLER PLATFORM FOR USE WITH PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM, filed on
Jan. 7, 2011; U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/602,065, entitled
DOCKABLE TRIPODAL CAMERA CONTROL UNIT, filed on Feb. 22, 2012; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/774,351, filed Feb. 22, 2013,
entitled DOCKABLE TRIPODAL CAMERA CONTROL UNIT; U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/671,644, filed Jul. 13, 2012,
entitled SELF-GROUNDING TRANSMITTING PORTABLE CAMERA CONTROLLER FOR
USE WITH PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEMS; U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/174,429, filed Apr. 30, 2009, entitled LOG
FILE FOR CAMERA INSPECTION SYSTEMS; U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 12/939,591, filed Nov. 4, 2010, entitled SMART PERSONAL
COMMUNICATION DEVICES AS USER INTERFACES; U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 11/679,092, filed Feb. 26, 2007, entitled LIGHT WEIGHT
SEWER CABLE; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/589,948, filed
Ser. No. 13/589,948, entitled LIGHT WEIGHT SEWER CABLE; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/704,808, filed Feb. 12, 2010, entitled PIPE
INSPECTION SYSTEM WITH REMOVABLE DRUM; U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/346,668, filed Jan. 9, 2012, entitled PORTABLE CAMERA
CONTROLLER PLATFORM FOR USE WITH PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEMS; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/676,018, filed Nov. 13, 2012,
entitled PORTABLE PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEMS AND APPARATUS; U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 13/754,767, filed Jan. 30, 2013,
entitled ADJUSTABLE VARIABLE RESOLUTION INSPECTION SYSTEMS AND
METHODS; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/152,662, entitled HIGH PERFORMANCE PIPE INSPECTION SYSTEM, filed
Feb. 13, 2009, also collectively referred to herein as the "related
applications". The content of each of these patents, publications
and applications is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety for all purposes.
[0036] A wheel assembly 250 may be located at the bottom of the
cable storage drum 110 to aid with ease of transport. A central hub
plate 260 may be secured to the sides of the cable storage drum 210
that largely conceal some or all of the push cable 130 and the
inspection camera 120 when in use or not in use. The push cable 130
may be wound around a rotating cable carrier or hub (not shown)
that is disposed within the cable drum 110 behind the central hub
plate 260.
[0037] One or more cable feed holes 270 may be formed through the
central hub plate 260 that, when the cable storage drum 110 is in
use, allow the push cable 130 and the inspection camera 120 to pass
through. A camera stowage clip 275 may be formed on the surface of
the central hub plate 260 such that an inspection camera may be
stored under the camera stowage clip 275 when not in use.
[0038] The cable storage drum 110 may also include a wireless
transceiver module 280 enabled to transmit and receive signal via
WLAN, Bluetooth, or other wireless technology. In at least one
embodiment, a wired transceiver module (e.g., in the alternative to
the wired connector 240) may replace or be used in conjunction with
the wireless transceiver module 280 to establish a wired local area
network connection between one or more computing devices and a
smart cable storage drum such as the cable storage drum 110. A USB
port 285 or other suitable input/output port may also be included
to permit additional data exchange.
[0039] One or more stow bins 290 may be included so that a
connector for one or more batteries such as the batteries 295 may
provide electrical power to the cable storage drum 110. A lid on
top of the stow bins 290 may provide access to storage for tools,
extra batteries, or other job-related items within the stow bins
290. The batteries 295 may be batteries such as those disclosed in
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/521,262, entitled
MODULAR BATTERY PACK APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS, filed Aug. 8,
2011, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety. In some embodiments, different types of
batteries and/or a wired connection to the electrical grid may be
used to provide power to a smart cable storage drum such as the
cable storage drum 110.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 2C, an alternative cable storage drum 211
may include a slip ring 297 that is integral with or inserted into
a cavity 296 (shown in FIG. 2G) formed by at least part of the hub
(e.g., a rotary hub 298 of FIG. 2F and FIG. 2G) around which the
push cable winds and unwinds during storage and use. The slip ring
297 may be used to house various electronics and controls. For
example, a small keypad 291 and USB or other communication port 293
may be integrated with the slip ring hub 297. The slip ring hub 297
may house a network transceiver (e.g., a WLAN transceiver), a
compressor for compressing data from an inspection device, and
other components, and may be detachable from the cable storage drum
211. As shown, the slip ring hub 297 may be coupled to the cable
storage drum 211 along a central axis through a radial center of
the cable storage drum 211 (e.g., the shell halves 210 and 210 of
the cable storage drum 211).
[0041] As shown in FIG. 2D, an alternative cable storage drum 251
may include a slip ring hub 297 or other hub that may be include or
be otherwise coupled to various features, including a small keypad
271, a USB or other communication port 293, and a battery 295,
among other electronic components like a network transceiver, and a
compressor. Although not shown, the battery 295 may be configured
so it is enclosed by the shell halves 210 and 210. As shown, the
cable 299 is optional.
[0042] Greater detail of a key pad 281 is shown in FIG. 2E. The key
pad 281 is similar to the keypad 271, and may include four buttons
configured to (from left to right): activate power of hub 297 or
the cable storage drum 251; activate an image capture feature where
single photos are taken by an inspection camera; activate an image
capture feature where video is taken by the inspection camera; and
activate an auto-logging feature.
[0043] FIG. 2F shows one embodiment of rotary hub 298 configured to
rotate when the push cable 130 is released from or received by the
cable drum 110. FIG. 2G shows another embodiment of rotary hub 298
configured to rotate when the push cable 130 is released from or
received by the cable drum 110. Various electronic components
disclosed herein may be disposed on or integrated with the rotary
hubs 298 of FIGS. 2F and 2G. Alternatively, a hub insert (e.g., a
slip ring as described elsewhere herein) may house the electronics,
and may electronically couple to an inspection device using
rotating electrical contacts that transfer, among other things,
power from a power source (e.g., battery or wired source) to/from
the electronic components and may also transfer data or commands
to/from the inspection device. Alternatively, data/command
communication may take place via wireless communication pathways
known in the art.
[0044] Attention is now drawn to FIG. 3, which depicts a control
interface 300 for a computing device (e.g., computing device 160
from FIG. 1). As shown, the control interface 300 may include a
viewing area 310 for viewing video and/or other data. The control
interface 300 may also include various on-screen controls and menu
options that are selectable by a user using a touchscreen input,
mouse, keyboard or other means for selecting a presented
control/menu option.
[0045] Examples of controls and menu options may include: a Photo
Button 320 which, when selected, causes the inspection camera 120
to capture a snapshot of the present camera view; a Video Button
322 which, when selected, may start and stop video recording at the
inspection camera 120; and an Auto-logging Button 326 which, when
selected, may start and stop the capture of a series of timed still
images from the inspection camera 120. Upon activation of the
Auto-logging Button 326, and auto-log mode may be turned on at the
drum 110, and audio inputted by the user may also be captured.
[0046] Furthermore, the control interface 300 may include: a Photo
Tag Button 328, which may trigger the inspection camera 120 to
capture a snapshot of the camera view and then open an editing
screen area for enabling annotation of the photo with text and/or
audio comments by a user; a Job Review Button 330, which may open a
review screen area for reviewing captured video, snapshots, and/or
audio elements, and/or for allowing notation to be added to video;
and a Job Manager Button 332, which may open a menu that permits
the user to generate a report, select an existing report file to
view from a listing of existing files (e.g., stored locally or at
an external database), and/or eject or otherwise disconnect a
device from the cable storage drum 110 (e.g., a USB device from the
USB port 295).
[0047] The control interface 300 may also include: a LED Brightness
Button 334, which may provide for an adjustment of the level of
illumination from LEDs on the inspection camera; and a Zero Button
336, which may allow a user to reset the zero-point of a cable
distance counter on the smart cable storage drum or to cancel the
use of a relative zero point.
[0048] A series of Arrow Buttons 338 may also be included and be
used to traverse menus and screens shown on the display of the
computing device 160. A Select Button 358 may be used to activate a
selection in such a menu. Other controls include: a Menu Button
340, which provides configuration choices to a user; a Sonde Button
342, which may start and stop operation of a Sonde transmitter; a
Microphone Button 344, which may activate audio recording for use
in recording descriptive commentary; an Image Flip Button 346,
which may be used to flip the vertical orientation of the screen
image while mirroring the screen image horizontally for use when
the camera has been rotated within a pipe; and a Power Button 348,
which may be used to activate the inspection camera 120 and/or
other inspection devices, for instance, from a sleeping state after
a period of non-use.
[0049] Along with the various controls, a series of indicators may
appear on-screen to notify a user of various parameters and
statuses associated with the inspection camera 120 and/or other
components of the cable storage drum 110. These indicators may
include: a Video Indicator 350, which may be located under the
Video Button 322, and may be used to indicate the state of video
capture in progress or captured video under processing; an Auto-log
Indicator 352, which may be located under the Auto-logging Button
326 which may be indicated by the use of an asterisk or star icon,
and may be used to indicate that auto-logging is in progress; a
Microphone Indicator 354, which may be located under the Microphone
Button 344, and may be used to indicate when audio recording is in
progress; and a Sonde Indicator 356, which may be located under the
Sonde Button 342, and may be used to indicate the state of a Sonde
when transmitting or not transmitting. Other functions and features
may be incorporated into the user interface to permit control of
other inspection devices.
[0050] In some embodiments, more than one recording modes may be
used where the different modes may be more or less compressed than
the data of the other modes. For instance, in auto-log mode, data
may be more compressed than with a video recording mode. Data
compression may be accomplished through any known or unknown
methods in the art. In some embodiments, a cable storage drum in
keeping with the present disclosure may be enabled to constantly
record. In such embodiments with a constant recording mode, this
mode may be activated by how the cable storage drum is turned on or
through user settings or configuration.
[0051] One of skill in the art will appreciate various methods for
receiving user control input, including user control inputs via
voice-activation. Similarly, other kinds of switching devices may
be used than those described herein while keeping within both the
spirit and scope of the invention.
[0052] Turning to FIG. 4, a flow chart is provided describing a
method for using a computing device (e.g., the computing device 160
of FIG. 1) to view content from a smart cable storage drum, and to
control certain aspects of the smart cable storage drum (e.g., the
cable storage drum 110 of FIG. 1). At a first step 410, the
computing device connects to a local area network associated with
the cable storage drum (e.g., via a WLAN hotspot). At a second step
420, the computing device accesses and download a webpage
configured to present information (e.g., video or other visual
representation) captured by an inspection camera (e.g., the
inspection camera 120 of FIG. 1) inside a pipe or other
hard-to-access area. At a third step 430, any recorded content may
be received from the inspection camera and made available for
viewing via a suitable web service. At a fourth step 440, the
webpage from step 420 may provide a control interface. Activation
by a user of certain controls offered by the control interface may
control certain operations of the inspection camera system or other
inspection or measurement systems. At a fifth step 450, the
computing device may interact with the inspection camera system
through the web service.
[0053] Turning now to FIG. 5, a flow chart is provided describing a
method for using a computing device (e.g., the computing device 160
of FIG. 1) to view content from a smart cable storage drum, and to
control certain aspects of the smart cable storage drum (e.g., the
cable storage drum 110 of FIG. 1). At a first step 510, the
computing device connects to a local area network associated with
the cable storage drum (e.g., via a WLAN hotspot). At a second step
520, the computing device activates an installable software
application configured to present information (e.g., video or other
visual representation) captured by an inspection camera (e.g., the
inspection camera 120 of FIG. 1) inside a pipe or other
hard-to-access area. At a third step 530, any recorded content may
be received from the inspection camera (e.g., via a suitable web
service or the network) and made available by the software
application for viewing. At a fourth step 540, the software
application from step 420 may provide a control interface.
Activation by a user of certain controls offered by the control
interface may control certain operations of the inspection camera
system. At a fifth step 550, the computing device may interact with
the inspection camera system through the web service or
network.
[0054] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate flow charts describing two methods
for enabling a computing device to view content from a smart cable
storage drum, and to control certain aspects of a smart cable
storage drum. One of skill in the art will appreciate various
alternative methods for enabling such a computing device to view
content from various resources in a system, including one or more
inspection devices, other computing devices, and remote databases.
Having access to content from various system resources enables a
user of the computing device to enrich content received from an
inspection device, correlate content from multiple resources, and
better coordinate the efforts of one or more users in the system.
Moreover, having access to content using one or more networks
permits one or more users on the network(s) to view, manipulate,
control the capture of, and manage the distribution of content from
various locations and at various times.
[0055] For example, a computing device may access inspection data
from a cable drum via a network (e.g., LAN, Internet, etc.). The
computing device may also access related data from another system
resource (e.g., another cable drum or inspection device, another
computing device, or a backend database). Similarly, the cable drum
may access the related data from the same resources. The computing
device may then display the inspection data and/or the related
data. A user at the computing device may also edit the displayed
data and/or create data, and may distribute those edits and create
data to the other resources in the system.
[0056] The user may also control, over the network, any of the
networked resources. Similarly, other users may also control any of
the networked resources.
[0057] Although at least some embodiments have been described as
providing a hotspot or other suitable network node at the cable
storage drum to which one or more external computers connect, it is
contemplated that such a network node be provided (i.e., hosted) at
one or more of the external computers, and that the cable storage
drum (or inspection device) may connect to that node to carry out
any number of the functions described herein.
[0058] Any discussion herein relating to video received from and
control of an inspection camera is also applicable to data received
from and control of other inspection devices, measurement devices,
or other devices that collection information.
Other Aspects
[0059] One or more aspects may relate to systems and computer
program products comprising a non-transitory computer usable medium
having a computer readable program code embodied therein that may
be configured to implement methods. By way of example, a system may
include a smart cable storage drum comprising a push cable and an
inspection camera configured to capture data relating to one or
more images. The systems may include one or more wireless
transceivers that may be coupled to the smart cable storage drum,
and that may be configured to send and receive information to and
from one or more remote computing devices and the smart cable
storage drum. The system may further comprise any or all of: a
slip-ring hub coupled to the smart cable storage drum that includes
the one or more wireless transceivers, a key pad, electronics
configured to compress the data, a USB port configured to connect
to an external memory and transfer data to the external memory, and
a battery configured to power the one or more wireless
transceivers. The slip-ring hub may be detachably coupled to the
smart cable storage drum along a central axis of the smart cable
storage drum.
[0060] The system may cause a web browser or an installable
software application to display a user interface (UI) on a
computing device operated by a user, where the UI provides controls
that may be selectable by the user to control one or more resources
networked to the system. The one or more controls may include any
or all of: an image control configured to cause the inspection
camera to capture the data; a tag control configured to cause the
computing device to display an editing interface that enables the
user to annotate the data with one or more text, audio or
highlighting annotations; a light brightness control configured to
cause one or more lights of the inspection camera to adjust a level
of illumination; a compression control configured to cause the data
to be compressed, where the compression control may be displayed on
the UI as an asterisk or star icon; a count reset control
configured to reset a distance counter; an image flip control
configured to cause the computing device to display a flipped
version of an image captured by the inspection camera by mirroring
the image about a horizontal axis when an orientation of the
inspection camera has changed; a state control configured to cause
the inspection camera to change its operation state; a sonde
control configured to cause a sonde transmitter to activate or
deactivate; and a job manager control configured to cause the
computing device to display a menu that permits the user to
generate a report.
[0061] The system may cause a web browser or an installable
software application to display a user interface (UI) on a
computing device operated by a user, where the UI provides one or
more status indications. The one or more status indications may
include any or all of: a sonde transmitter status indication
configured to notify the user about whether the sonde transmitter
may be transmitting or not transmitting, an image status indication
configured to notify the user about whether the inspection camera
may be capturing the data or whether the data may be undergoing
processing; and a count status indication configured to display a
current count number.
[0062] It may be contemplated that the above operations of the
system may be controlled by computer program products.
[0063] A smart cable storage drum may also comprise any or all of:
a push cable; an inspection camera configured to capture video; a
means to record data and video; and a network transceiver
configured to send and receive information to and from one or more
remote computing devices using a network. The network transceiver
may be a local area network transceiver, and the network may be a
local area network.
[0064] The local area network transceiver may be a wireless local
area network or WLAN utilizing IEEE 802.11 standards to communicate
with computing devices. The local area network transceiver may be
configured to send and receive information to and from one or more
remote computing devices using Bluetooth technology. The local area
network transceiver may be configured to send and receive
information to and from one or more remote computing devices using
wired technology.
[0065] In accordance with certain embodiments, it is understood
that some mobile devices may boast both Wi-Fi connectivity and
"network" or "data network" connectivity (e.g., such connectivity
through a cellular carrier). In some cases, only one type of
network connectivity may operate at a time. Put another way, the
mobile device may not be capable of simultaneous transmissions on
both Wi-Fi and data networks. As such, mobile devices may prefer
one network over another (e.g., a Wi-Fi network so as not to
exhaust a user's monthly data plan).
[0066] When a smart cable storage drum is enabled as a Wi-Fi access
point, a neighboring mobile device that is connected to the Wi-Fi
access point may maintain its connection without connecting to the
"data" network (i.e., cellular or other network) to transfer data
to or from a remote network (e.g., a server or data source). It is
therefore advantageous to control the mobile device's connection
from the Wi-Fi network connection to the data network connection,
and similarly from data connectivity to the Wi-Fi connectivity. It
is further advantageous to upload information to a remote location
using the mobile device and its data connection as a conduit.
[0067] In order to permit a mobile device to send and receive
information (e.g., emails, data to/from remote servers), the
Bluetooth channel between the mobile device and the cable storage
drum may be used as a wireless control channel to explicitly
control when the mobile device has a connection to the Wi-Fi
network and a connection to a data network. One approach would be
to periodically, or on an event-driven basis, disable Wi-Fi
connection offered by the cable storage drum so the mobile device
defaults to its data network connection. This control may originate
at the cable storage drum independent of the mobile device, or
alternatively may be sent via the Bluetooth channel from the mobile
device.
[0068] Alternatively, a command may be sent via the Bluetooth
channel from the cable storage drum to disable the mobile's default
connection to available Wi-Fi (i.e., disable the Wi-Fi connection
at the mobile device as compared to the cable storage drum). Or, a
status query may be sent via the Bluetooth channel from the cable
storage drum to determine whether the Wi-Fi access point should be
disabled, or whether the connection to that mobile device should be
temporarily denied.
[0069] By way of example, one process flow relating to the
Bluetooth channel control among a smart cable storage drum and a
mobile device in a system may include the following steps: power
smart cable storage drum; enable Wi-Fi hotspot/access point at the
smart cable storage drum; connect mobile device to Wi Fi hotspot;
transmit data/control between mobile device and smart cable storage
drum; determine whether to disable the Wi-Fi connection between the
mobile device and the smart cable storage drum based on user input
(e.g., opening a computer application for transmitting data or
selecting an option to transmit data between mobile device and
remote device); disable the Wi-Fi connection using the Bluetooth
channel (e.g., instruct smart cable storage drum to disable the
Wi-Fi connection with respect to the mobile device); connect mobile
device to data network to transmit data between the mobile phone
and a remote device using the data network; determine whether to
disable the connection between the mobile device and the data
network, or alternatively enable the Wi-Fi connection between the
mobile device and the smart cable storage drum based on user input
or an event (e.g., closing a computer application for transmitting
data, completing data transfer, or selecting an option to close the
data network connection); enable the Wi-Fi connection using the
Bluetooth channel (e.g., instruct smart cable storage drum to
enable the Wi-Fi connection with respect to the mobile device.
[0070] At least some of the information sent to the one or more
remote computing devices causes a web browser or an installable
software application to display the captured video on the one or
more remote computing devices. At least some of the information
sent to the one or more remote computing devices causes a web
browser or an installable software application to display a user
interface for controlling the inspection camera at the one or more
remote computing devices. At least some of the information received
from the one or more remote computing devices causes at least one
operation of the inspection camera to change.
[0071] A pipe inspection record and the captured video may be
stored on a data storage device of the smart cable storage
drum.
[0072] A computer-implemented method for controlling an inspection
device using a first remote computing device may comprise any or
all of: receiving first inspection data from a first cable drum or
a first inspection device; displaying at least some of the first
inspection data via a web browser or other software application;
receiving at least a first input from a user of the remote
computing device; creating, based on the first input, an
instruction configured to control one or more operations of the
first inspection device; and sending the instruction to the first
cable drum or the first inspection device; sending the first input
to a second remote computing device; receiving data related to a
second input from a second user of a second remote computing
device; displaying the data related to the second input; receiving
second inspection data from a second cable drum or a second
inspection device; displaying at least some of the second
inspection data via the web browser or other software application;
receiving data from a backend database; comparing the data from the
backend database with the first inspection data; and displaying,
based on the comparing, at least some of the data from the backend
database simultaneously with the first inspection data via the web
browser or other software application.
[0073] The first inspection data may be received via a wireless
local area network hosted by the first cable drum or the first
inspection device. The first input may include one or more edits to
the first inspection data. The first input may include additional
data related to the first inspection data. The first inspection
data may be received via a wireless network hosted by the first
remote computing device. The first inspection data may be received
via the Internet. The second inspection data and the first
inspection data may be simultaneously displayed.
[0074] An apparatus for viewing information from or controlling an
inspection device may comprise any or all of: a display configured
to present a user interface, wherein the user interface may be
configured to receive input from a user that causes a change in an
operation of the inspection device; and a processor in
communication with the inspection device over a network, said
processor operable to: cause the display to present inspection data
received from the inspection device in the user interface on the
display; and cause an instruction based on the input from the user
to be sent to the inspection device.
[0075] A computer program product comprising a computer usable
medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein,
said computer readable program code adapted to be executed to
implement a method for viewing information from or controlling an
inspection device, where the method may comprise any or all of:
receiving inspection data from a cable drum or an inspection
device; displaying at least some of the inspection data on a user
interface provided by a web browser or other software application;
and receiving a plurality of inputs from a user of the remote
computing device, wherein a first input modifies the inspection
data, a second input creates data associated with the inspection
data, and a third input causes a change in an operation of the
inspection device.
Variations of Aspects
[0076] It is understood that the specific order components
disclosed herein are examples of exemplary approaches. Based upon
design preferences, it is understood that the specific order
components may be rearranged, and/or components may be omitted,
while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure unless
noted otherwise. The previous description of the disclosed
embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to
make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these
embodiments may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art,
and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other
embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the
disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be
limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the
widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features
disclosed herein.
[0077] The disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects
shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with
the specification and drawings, wherein reference to an element in
the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless
specifically so stated, but rather "one or more." Unless
specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or
more. A phrase referring to "at least one of" a list of items
refers to any combination of those items, including single members.
As an example, "at least one of: a, b, or c" is intended to cover:
a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; and a, b and c.
[0078] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and
circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed
herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose
processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array
(FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or
transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination
thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A
general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the
alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor,
controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also
be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0079] In accordance with certain aspects of the present
disclosure, one or more of the process steps described herein may
be stored in memory as computer program instructions. These
instructions may be executed by a digital signal processor, an
analog signal processor, and/or another processor, to perform the
methods described herein. Further, the processor(s), the memory,
the instructions stored therein, or a combination thereof may serve
as a means for performing one or more of the method steps described
herein.
[0080] Those of skill in the art would understand that information
and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different
technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions,
commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may
be referenced throughout the above description may be represented
by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or
particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination
thereof.
[0081] Those of skill would further appreciate that the various
illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps
described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may
be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or
combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability
of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks,
modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in
terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is
implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular
application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.
Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in
varying ways for each particular application, but such
implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a
departure from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0082] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions
described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or
any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions
may be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on
a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes
computer storage media. Storage media may be any available media
that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not
limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,
EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage
or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be
used to carry or store desired program code in the form of
instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a
computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc
(CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD),
floppy disk and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data
magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.
Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope
of computer-readable media. Any processor and the storage medium
may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In
the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as
discrete components in a user terminal.
[0083] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments may
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus,
the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents
define the scope of the disclosure.
[0084] Aspects of the present disclosure are typically carried out
in or resident on a computing network. The computing network
generally includes computer hardware components such as servers,
monitors, I/O devices, network connection devices, as well as other
associated hardware. In addition, the aspects and features
described below may include one or more application programs
configured to receive, convert, process, store, retrieve, transfer
and/or export data and other content and information. As an
example, these aspects and features may include one or more
processors that may be coupled to a memory space comprising SRAM,
DRAM, Flash and/or other physical memory devices. Memory space may
be configured to store an operating system (OS), one or more
application programs, such as a UI program, data associated with
the pertinent aspect or feature, applications running on processors
in the device, user information, or other data or content. The
various aspects and features of the present disclosure may further
include one or more User I/O interfaces, such as keypads, touch
screen inputs, mice, Bluetooth devices or other I/O devices. In
addition, the certain aspects and features may include a cellular
or other over the air wireless carrier interface, as well as a
network interface that may be configured to communicate via a LAN
or wireless LAN (WiLAN), such as a Wi-Fi network. Other interfaces,
such as USB or other wired interfaces may also be included.
[0085] Data sources may be a hard disk drive for convenience, but
this is not required, and one of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that other storage media may be utilized without
departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, one of
ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the data source which
is depicted as a single storage device, may be realized by multiple
(e.g., distributed) storage devices. It is further contemplated
that the data source may include one or more types of a data
sources, including hierarchical data sources, network data sources,
relational data sources, non-relational data sources,
object-oriented data sources, or another type of data source able
to handle various data types (e.g., structured data that fits
nicely into fields, rows, and columns, or data from various media
sources such as graphics, photographs, audio, and video structured
data. For example, the data source 132 may store data in a fixed
file format, such as XML, comma separated values, tab separated
values, or fixed length fields. Alternatively, the data source may
store data in a non-fixed file format (e.g., a NoSQL data
source).
[0086] As used herein, computer program products comprising
computer-readable media including all forms of computer-readable
medium except, to the extent that such media is deemed to be
non-statutory, transitory propagating signals.
[0087] While various embodiments of the present disclosure have
been described in detail, it may be apparent to those skilled in
the art that the present disclosure can be embodied in various
other forms not specifically described herein.
* * * * *