Image analysis – Applications
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-18
2001-04-03
Mancuso, Joseph (Department: 2621)
Image analysis
Applications
C384S164000, C324S096000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212286
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is a method for the non-invasive and safe testing of telecommunication and broadcast towers or other airwave or cable transmitting and receiving devices and related equipment using a calibrated infrared camera, computer software and either a color monitor or color printer. This novel method of testing and determination of potential problem sites and failure prediction is conducted from ground level and at some distance from the tower or device being tested, substantially reducing the risk of falling from extreme heights or being exposed to hazardous EMF fields, microwave or RF transmission waves, all of which are fatal or hazardous to health of the person conducting the testing. Additionally, this method is conducted while the tower of device is in full and dynamic operation, and does not require the tower or device to be shut down or inoperable during the test, and also allows for the transmitting and receiving devices to be adjusted while in operation without invasion or disassembly of the tested device.
2. Description of Prior Art
Infrared technology has existed for some time and the equipment needed for the use of this method is readily available and currently on the market. However, it does not appear that utilization of the technology or equipment is being applied to the testing as described in this method invention.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,751,830, incorporated herein by reference, and apparatus and method is disclosed for ranging spectroscopy and thermal imaging using a combinate heterodyne detection and active laser or passive local oscillator radiation to produce a three-dimensional or holographic image of a target scene used for pollution study, weather detection or military weapon targeting. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,119, also incorporated herein by reference, a thermal imaging device receives thermal infrared radiation from a viewed scene and provides a visible image of the viewed scene. An infrared focal plane array detecting device which records, displays and photographs infrared images by conversion of infrared images by electronic conversion of infrared images to infrared radiation using a light-emitting apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,428, herein incorporated by reference. A process for thermal image detection of the integrity of bonds between epoxy patches and aircraft structural materials is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,469, and is incorporated herein by reference.
A fluorescent microthermal imaging apparatus and method for integrated circuit failure analysis using a laser to excite a thin fluorescent film disposed over the surface of an integrated circuit is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,821, and is incorporated herein by reference. Thermal imaging devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,682,035 and 5,663,562, incorporated herein by reference, the first device used in very bright light, such as a fire, with the capability of clear display of a much darker contrast area, such as a dark background of a night sky. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,118, incorporated herein by reference, a thermal detection system having a pyroelectric thermal detection element is disclosed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
On Oct. 15, 1997, the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Section 704 went into effect concerning exposure to radio frequency or RF radiation. The general public is not aware of the implications of the law or the health risks presented in exposure to this RF radiation or the exposure to other broadcast or telecast radiation. The FCC and OSHA are primarily responsible for the enforcement and protection of the public who may be exposed to the varied levels of exposure to telecommunication radiation, and it is anticipated that this method invention would be a valuable means of protecting not only persons responsible for the care and maintenance of telecommunication equipment, but to those person who reside or work within close proximity to telecommunication transmission and receiving devices, thus assisting greatly in compliance with the 1996 Telecommunication Act, and other safety promoting acts and legislation relative to the telecommunications industries.
This invention is a method for conducting the thermal infrared scan of communication and broadcast equipment, towers, guy wires, cables, optical fiber cable and antenna systems for energy in the long wave (8 um to 12 um) and/or short wave (3.4 um to 5 um) ranges, or other communications wavelengths. The method utilizes existing manufactured equipment, and can be analyzed by various differing means. An infrared camera gives a real time display of the equipment being scanned, and the display can be viewed onboard the camera, on an adjacent monitor, or relayed to an external local computer or to a distant computer and monitor via modem. The real time display may also be sent via modem to any remote location by telephone line or satellite transmission link anywhere around the globe.
The included methods are non-invasive and fully dynamic, thus allowing a full power system test giving an operational analysis of said systems. The methods are also useful in the EMF analysis of tower locations by locating malfunctioning equipment which effects the radiation patterns of the broadcast or telecast systems under analysis, which is especially critical with the overwhelming increase in the use of cellular and PCS technology and use expanding into local neighborhoods, increasing the human exposure to harmful EMF energy.
The methods included in the invention employ the used of an adjustably calibrated infrared camera, such as the Inframetrics ThermaCAM™ SC1000 FPA IR Radiometer, which is aimed at telecommunication and broadcast towers or other airwave transmitting and receiving devices, and calibrated to detect the requires subtle heat differential of the components. The camera should have a sensitivity and capability of calibration at least to the nearest 0.1 degree temperature differential. The scan method may be accomplished from the ground, for short towers, a helicopter for extremely tall towers, or even on board the tower on an internal elevator, although the safety benefit of distant testing is substantially negated using this on board testing option. Once the scanning is competed, it can be analyzed by software allowing the viewed image to be modified for best presentation.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4584523 (1986-04-01), Elabd
patent: 4852182 (1989-07-01), Herbin et al.
patent: 4910593 (1990-03-01), Weil
patent: 5826212 (1998-10-01), Nagai
patent: 6055478 (2000-04-01), Heron
Rott Catherine Irene
Rott John Edward
Homburg Randal D.
Mancuso Joseph
Tabatabai A
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