Inspection Scope for Mobile Devices in Confined Spaces

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones, are too bulky to capture images and video in small or confined spaces, and users are often unable to reach areas that the device cannot access.

Innovation Solution

An inspection scope with a lens component, image guide component, and mounting component that allows mobile devices to capture images and video in inaccessible areas by transmitting images through optical fibers and illuminating the target area, enabling flexible and portable use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If a mobile electronic device is used for image and video capture, then the device can capture images and video, but the device is too bulky to capture images and video in small or confined spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of deviceVSAvoidability to capture in confined spaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection scope is divided into separate functional components: a lens component for capturing images, an image guide component for transmitting images, and a mounting component for attaching to the mobile device. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and enables the scope to be detached when not needed, reducing the bulkiness issue while maintaining capture capability in confined spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection scope acts as an intermediary device between the mobile electronic device and the target area. It includes a lens component that captures images and an image guide component that transmits these images to the mobile device's camera, enabling the mobile device to function in confined spaces without requiring the device itself to be physically small or accessible in hard-to-reach locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a user tries to reach inaccessible areas with the mobile device, then the device can capture images, but the user cannot reach the area

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility to target areaVSAvoidreachability to remote locations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection scope serves as an intermediary that extends the reach of the mobile device. The mounting component attaches the scope to the mobile device, while the lens component and image guide component enable image capture and transmission to remote or inaccessible areas that the user cannot physically reach with the device itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection scope introduces a new spatial dimension by extending the effective reach of the mobile device beyond the physical limitations of the device and user's hand. This allows image capture in three-dimensional spaces that would otherwise be inaccessible, transforming the operational boundary from the device's physical size to the scope's extended reach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If an inspection scope is added to enable capture in confined spaces, then accessibility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to capture in confined spacesVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection scope is segmented into distinct functional components (lens component, image guide component, mounting component) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation simplifies the overall design by allowing each component to be optimized separately and facilitates easier assembly and disassembly, reducing the complexity burden despite adding functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection scope is designed to work with standard mobile electronic devices, making it a universal accessory rather than a specialized device. The mounting component enables attachment to various mobile devices, and the scope can be used for multiple capture scenarios (confined spaces, remote areas, dark locations), providing multi-functionality that justifies the added complexity through versatile utility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables image and video capture in tight, dark, or remote spaces by coupling the inspection scope to a mobile device, allowing users to focus and capture images or video from locations that would be otherwise inaccessible, with flexible tubing and illumination for enhanced functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a lens component configured to acquire an image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLens focusing: Lens

Implementation Method 2

an image guide component configured to transmit the image to an image capture component of a mobile device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical image transmission: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentUS9848110B2Inspection scope devices and methods for mobile electronic devices

Publication Date: 2017.12.19 GADGET SUPPORT

AI summary

Inspection scopes suitable for use in connection with mobile electronic devices are disclosed. The inspection scope may utilize an optical connection to the mobile electronic device and/or an electrical connection to the mobile electronic device. Software operative on the mobile electronic device is configured for control of inspection scope components and for acquisition of video and/or image data.