Claims:We Claim:
1. A visual inspection enhancement system through an unclear medium, comprising of:
a box (1) present at a standoff distance (11) to an object (3) being observed, wherein the box (1) is sealed and encloses an inner medium (9); and
an observation means present at a viewing distance (12) to the box, wherein, on one side of the box (1) the object (3) being viewed is present while on another side an observing means is present.
2. The visual inspection enhancement system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the box (1) comprises six faces, a first face (21) close to the object being observed and a second face (22) opposite to the first face closer to the observation means, a third face (23), a fourth face (24), a fifth face (25) and a sixth face (26) placed with a view to direct the rays from the object to the observer.
3. The visual inspection enhancement system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and the second face are made of light transmitting materials like glass, acrylic, borosilicate glass or plexiglass.
4. The visual inspection enhancement system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the third face, fourth face, fifth face and the sixth face are made of materials to allow minimum reflection like acrylic having inner surface thereof painted black.
5. The visual inspection enhancement system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said first face is square shaped.
6. The visual inspection enhancement system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the front surface of the said first face is curved or flat.
7. The visual inspection enhancement system as claimed in claim 1, further comprises an illumination means (30) provided on the first face such that the direction of illumination points towards the object being observed.
8. The visual inspection enhancement system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said illumination means (30) is halogen incandescent lamps, LED illumination, Fluorescent light, Metal halide light sources, or Xenon strobe lamps.
9. The visual inspection enhancement system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said observation means is a video or photograph capture device such as a digital or analog camera (4), or a human observer (5), or an aerial drone or airborne robot (6), or underwater vehicle or submarine (7), or a human diver (8).
10. The visual inspection enhancement system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner medium (9) is air, distilled or clear water.
11. The visual inspection enhancement system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a cubical or a frustrum shaped box is employed for the inspection of underwater walls or structures.
12. The visual inspection enhancement system as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a mounting mechanism for mounting the box on a remotely operated vehicle.
13. The visual inspection enhancement system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 1 to 12 is employed for underwater inspection with the remotely operated vehicle.
14. A visual inspection enhancement method through an unclear medium, comprising the steps of:
positioning a box at a standoff distance (11) to an object (3) to be observed, wherein the box (1) is sealed and encloses an inner medium (9); and
obtaining clear information through an observation means present at a viewing distance (12) to the box, wherein, on one side of the box (1) the object (3) being viewed is present while on another side an observing means is present.
Dated this 02nd day of December, 2019
FOR PLANYS TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED
By their Agent

(D. MANOJ KUMAR) (IN/PA 2110)
KRISHNA & SAURASTRI ASSOCIATES LLP
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)

A SYSTEM AND A METHOD FOR VISUAL INSPECTION ENHANCEMENT THROUGH UNCLEAR MEDIUM

PLANYS TECHNOLOGIES PVT. LTD., AN INDIAN COMPANY,
HAVING ADDRESS AT 03-A2, 3RD FLOOR, IITM INCUBATION CELL, MADRAS RESEARCH PARK, KANAGAM ROAD THARAMANI, CHENNAI 600113, INDIA

THE FOLLOWING SPECIFICATION PARTICULARLY DESCRIBES THE INVENTION AND THE MANNER IN WHICH IT IS TO BE PERFORMED

TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of visual inspection enhancement and more particularly to the field of visual inspection enhancement through an unclear medium.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Visual observation forms one of the primary means for inspecting any physical object and surroundings. The perception of a tangible item or environment may depend on internal factors of the means used for observation. For example, in case of a video recorder, the lens quality and the resolution might affect the clarity of perception.
[0003] There are external factors such as the amount of light incident upon and reflected by the object, size and shape of the object and optical properties of the light transmission medium. Transmission of reflected light rays through a vacuum may be seamless. However, various phenomenon such as absorption, refraction, reflection, diffraction and scattering might occur when the light rays pass through non-vacuum mediums, thus hindering the perception of thing being viewed.
[0004] The visual perception of surroundings or objects/things are central to functioning of various systems. These systems may range from a personal scale to an industrial scale.
[0005] Devices such as digital or analog cameras are used to monitor or record various activities, systems or processes in the form of still photographs or videos. These may be further processed or used in the raw form.
[0006] Fig. 1 illustrates the scenario where an object (3) is being viewed by various means such as a video or photograph capture device such as a digital or analog camera (4), a human observer (5), aerial drone or airborne robot (6), Underwater vehicle or submarine (7), Human diver (8). In this scenario the object (3) being observed is perceived based on the light reflected therefrom. The absence of uniform lighting may hinder the observation of the object. This is further compounded in presence of murky or unclear medium. The observer or input devices will not be able to receive the information about the object clearly.
[0007] There is hence a need for a solution that helps in clearly viewing an object especially in unclear environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to an aspect of the invention, a system for visual inspection enhancement through an unclear medium comprising of a box present at a standoff distance to an object being observed. The box is sealed and encloses an inner medium. The system further comprises an observation means present at a viewing distance to the box, wherein, on one side of the box the object being viewed is present while on another side an observing means is present.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0010] FIGS. 1 illustrates few exemplary scenarios of object observation as per an embodiment herein;
[0011] FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a schematic diagram of the system for visual inspection enhancement as per an embodiment herein;
[0012] FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates the box for visual inspection enhancement as per an embodiment herein;
[0013] FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates the front view of the visual inspection enhancement apparatus without a first surface as per an embodiment herein; and
[0014] FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates the system for visual inspection enhancement along with a mounting mechanism as per an embodiment herein.
[0015] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] A system, device and method for visual inspection enhancement are described. In one embodiment, a box is provided allowing viewing therethrough. Further, an internal medium is provided that helps in clearer viewing. Furthermore, an illumination on a surface that is closer to an object being viewed is provided for better illumination.
[0017] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0018] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
[0019] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
[0020] By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic is intended to provide.
[0021] Various figures discussed, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way that would limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged communications system. The terms used to describe various embodiments are exemplary. It should be understood that these are provided to merely aid the understanding of the description, and that their use and definitions, in no way limit the scope of the invention. Terms first, second, and the like are used to differentiate between objects having the same terminology and are in no way intended to represent a chronological order, unless where explicitly stated otherwise. A set is defined as a non-empty set including at least one element.
a. Overview
[0022] FIGS. 2 exemplarily illustrates a visual inspection enhancement system as per an embodiment herein. The system comprises of a box (1) at a standoff distance (11) to an object (3) being observed. The observer (observation means) may be present at a viewing distance (12) to the box. Please note, the system may also be used to observe an environment rather than a particular object. The box (1) may be sealed and may enclose an inner medium (9). On one side of the box the object being viewed may be present while on another side an observing means may be present. Some exemplary means may be a video or photograph capture device such as a digital or analog camera (4), a human observer (5), aerial drone or airborne robot (6), Underwater vehicle or submarine (7), human diver (8), etc.
[0023] FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates the box for visual inspection enhancement as per an embodiment herein. Accordingly, the box (1) may comprise of six surfaces. A first surface (21) may be close to the object being observed. A second surface (22) opposite to the first surface may be closer to an observation means. Please note, reference to observation means also refers to an observer. Further, an illumination means (30) may be provided on the first surface or on any of the other faces – 23, 24, 25 and 26 (as shown in figure 3) such that the direction of illumination points towards the object being observed.
[0024] Further, other surfaces of the box namely: third surface (23), fourth surface (24), fifth surface (25) and the sixth surface (26) may be placed with a view to direct the rays from the object to the observer. In one embodiment, the first surface may be square shaped. Also, the front face (21) of the clearbox may be curved to ensure suitability for curved pillars, hulls or piles. Other shapes such as rectangle, circular, polygonal may be present as well. A person skilled in the art will appreciate the fact that various such shapes may be used with respective modifications to the other surfaces. The shape of the box and the surfaces may be chosen as per applicable constraints on portability, manufacturing feasibility, dynamics, ergonomics and other factors depending on the area or type of application and also whether the unit is to be used by a human or a machine. For example, in the scenario of an underwater inspection with a remotely operated vehicle, a cubical or a frustrum shaped box may be used for the inspection of underwater walls or structures. The size of the box may be made specific to the observation means. In one exemplary embodiment, having an underwater vehicle with a video camera, a box of size around 250 x 250 x 200 mm would be appropriate. If the inspection is to be carried with a compact underwater vehicle, the shape can be adapted to be frustrum shaped of size around 250 mm x 250 mm x 200 mm. On the other hand, if the object to be inspected is of a profile – say for example, inspection of a circular pile, the front surface of the clearbox may be made curved to match the surface of the target object.
[0025] Furthermore, the materials used for the first and the second surface may be such as to allow for transmission of light. In one exemplary embodiment glass, Acrylic, borosilicate glass or Plexiglass® may be used. The other surfaces namely: third surface, fourth surface, fifth surface and the sixth surface may be made of materials to allow minimum reflection. In one exemplary embodiment, acrylic may be used having inner surface thereof painted black.
[0026] In one embodiment, the inner medium (9) may be air, distilled or clear water. Other inner mediums may also be used that allow seamless transmission of light with minimum diffusion or scattering of light rays.
[0027] In various application of the use of the present system the inner medium may be different than the medium surrounding the box. Hence, the outer medium (i.e. the medium surrounding the box) needs to be sealed out to not affect the inner medium. In some exemplary implementations, the system provides for use in high external pressure environments such as for example depths of 50-70 meters. However, the design can be extrapolated for higher depths also.
[0028] FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates the front view of the visual inspection enhancement apparatus as per an embodiment herein. Here the front view is as seen from the point of view of the object being observed.
[0029] In one embodiment the third surface, fourth surface, fifth surface and the sixth surface may be joint together during construction thereof or made as a single unit forming an open and hollow enclosure. A first edge of the enclosure may be facing the first surface while the second edge of the enclosure may be facing the second surface. Further, the first surface and the second surface may be fixed to the edges thereof. Various sealing mechanism used may include sealants, O-rings, gaskets or other general sealing methods so as to restrict the leakage of the inner medium and to maintain the structural integrity of the box in various environmental conditions such as high or low atmospheric or ambient pressure, high hydrostatic pressure or under vacuum.
[0030] In one embodiment, the first edge of the enclosure may comprise of a groove. In an exemplary embodiment the groove may have gaskets/O-rings fitted therein. One such exemplary implementation may have 2 mm thick rubber sheets being used.
[0031] In another embodiment, O-rings may be used as a sealant. Further, groove dimensions with suitable tolerances depending on O-ring size and O-ring material and cross-section conforming to the application may be used.
[0032] In one embodiment, the first edge may also comprise of an illumination means (30). The illumination means may comprise of a set of uniform artificial illumination sources. This may be especially helpful in environments which are not properly illuminated or where light cannot travel through to required distance. The light source used may be electrical, chemical or biological. Illumination means (30) is halogen incandescent lamps, LED illumination, Fluorescent light, Metal halide light sources, or Xenon strobe lamps. The light rays (17) emanating from the source illuminate the object evenly and allow for much better visualization through the box. The angle at which the light rays hit the object may play a critical role in the visualization process. The illumination means is placed and configured so as to reduce dark or bright blind spots and decrease the back-scatter of light. The angle of the source, the number of sources and their intensity are variables which are chosen as per the application requirements. For example: the illumination sources may be placed facing each other on any other face except the first and the second face and typically two of them are used. Further, the illumination means may comprise of an illumination control means to alter the angle or intensity based on varying conditions. Furthermore, different colors of artificial illumination (yellow, white, cool white, warm white) can be chosen to get better results in different environments. Also, the source of illumination could be a point source or an array of point sources or a uniform source of light.
[0033] FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates the system for visual inspection enhancement along with a mounting mechanism as per an embodiment herein. In one embodiment the box for visual inspection enhancement may be mounted on a Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV). In such scenarios, a mounting mechanism may be used attached to the box.
[0034] The mounting mechanism for the clearbox on an underwater vehicle should be designed to withstand impacts in addition to being able to hold it in position. The mounting should be such that the loads are transferred to the frame of the vehicle rather than giving it to the camera enclosures. In this regard, the mounting mechanism may include a tubular member to hold the clearbox to the vehicle frame.
[0035] In one embodiment the first edge of the enclosure may have a mounting means in form of mounting member attached on one side to the first edge of the enclosure and the other end of the mounting member attached to aRemotely Operated Underwater Vehicle(ROV), diver or a drone. More than one such members may be used as required depending on the circumstances of the use.
[0036] Those skilled in this technology can make various alterations and modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention shall be defined and protected by the following claims and their equivalents.
[0037] Various figures shown are merely representational and are not drawn to scale. Certain portions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Further these figures illustrate various embodiments of the invention that can be understood and appropriately carried out by those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0038] This particular invention addresses these limitations. It proposes a system for use in such scenarios, as described above, to observe or record or capture clear and better quality visuals or visual information or visual perception otherwise impossible to do so. The device can be used by any human for simple observation or recording in various environments such as air, fog, mist, underwater etc. The device can further be used with any equipment such a lens, a digital or analog camera, or any other visual observation or capturing equipment. The device can further be used with any machine with capability for visual observation or recording purposes such as on land robots or vehicles, aerial robots or vehicles (planes), land drones, aerial drones, underwater vehicles or drones and water surface vehicles or drones. The device can further be used by specialized or trained human professionals such as technicians, operators, divers etc. for use with their bare eyes or with their visual observation or recording equipment.
[0039] In the foregoing detailed description of embodiments of the invention, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments of the invention require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description of embodiments of the invention, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.
[0040] It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein,” respectively.