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An integrated system for diving operations for use in turbid water by a remote operator comprising a surface console station that supports the receipt of tethered command and control of system components and display for received real-time video via a communications channel; a remote wearable informa

An integrated system for diving operations for use in turbid water by a remote operator comprising a surface console station that supports the receipt of tethered command and control of system components and display for received real-time video via a communications channel; a remote wearable information processing unit tethered to the surface console station and having integrated controls; a wearable human interface system connected to the remote wearable information processing unit and including a video display and two-way audio system; a viewing enhancing device tethered to the remote wearable information processing unit and the surface console station, including an image capture device; and a fluid clarification unit coupled to the viewing enhanced apparatus. The apparatus may be worn and operated by a diver, mounted on a remotely operated vehicle or manipulated remotely while mounted on the end of a pole and may include an array of viewing enhancing devices.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A unified digital communications-based system for viewing in turbid water, comprising a) a surface console station having a first information processor and first actionable controls;b) a first video display coupled to the surface console station;c) an information processing unit remote from said

1. A unified digital communications-based system for viewing in turbid water, comprising a) a surface console station having a first information processor and first actionable controls;b) a first video display coupled to the surface console station;c) an information processing unit remote from said surface console station and having a second information processor;d) a viewing device operatively coupled to said surface console station;e) a second video display operatively coupled to said information processing unit;f) a liquid filtration and delivery system in fluid communication with said viewing device, wherein the liquid filtration and delivery system directs a first portion of water filtered by the liquid filtration and delivery system in a forward direction of said viewing device to provide an approximately clear view in front area of said viewing device and a second portion of water filtered by the liquid filtration and delivery system in a rearward direction of said viewing device to offset a thrust of the first portion of approximately transparent water; andan image capturing device coupled to said viewing device and information processing unit remote from said surface console station, wherein said image capturing device transmits video images viewable on said first video display and said second video display. 2. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1 further including a two-way digital communication link between said surface console station and said information processing unit, wherein said two-way digital communication link provides bi-directional voice and data communication between said surface console station and said information processing unit, transmission of health monitoring data, system status, and operational data from said information processing unit to said surface console station, and transmission of command/control signals to said information processing unit from said surface console station. 3. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 2, further comprising a second actionable control coupled to said information processing unit, wherein at least one of said first or second actionable controls control said two-way digital communication link. 4. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1, comprising second actionable controls coupled to said information processing unit to control said first portion of water directed in said forward direction, said second portion of water directed in said rearward direction, and a brightness level of said second video display. 5. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a software user application configured for transmission of data and text between said surface console station and said information procession unit and to provide at least one of text and graphic overlays over said video image presented on said first video display and said second video display. 6. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 5 wherein said software user application is accessible from either said surface console station or said information processing unit for system configuration function selection. 7. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a software user application configured for performing one or more of: selecting and formatting of textual and/or graphical information or data to be shown on said first video display; selecting and formatting of textual and/or graphical information or data to be displayed on said second video display; retrieving and reprogramming surface console station firmware and information processing unit firmware over said communication link; retrieving revised versions of said software user application for use on the surface console station; and enabling instant commands, communications, text messaging or chatting between a surface console station operator and at least one remote information processing unit operator. 8. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said viewing device is mounted on a remotely operated vehicle. 9. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 8 wherein said information processing unit further includes second actionable controls and said remotely operated vehicle is controlled by either of said first or second actionable controls. 10. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said liquid filtration and delivery system comprises at least one sensor and a feedback control loop to control flow of liquid to said viewing device. 11. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said liquid filtration and delivery system is integrated within a rear section of said viewing device as a single unit. 12. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1 comprising a plurality of viewing devices each producing individual video images wherein said individual video images are displayed in composite form on said first video display. 13. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 12 wherein said plurality of viewing devices is disposed in an array to inspect ship hulls. 14. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 13 further comprising at least one scrubber configured to clean said ship hulls prior to said viewing. 15. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said viewing device is mounted onto a crawler device and wherein said crawler device is configured to move along a structure in view of said viewing device. 16. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 15 wherein said crawler device is mounted with a plurality of viewing devices. 17. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 15 further comprising at least one scrubber configured to clean said structure prior to said viewing to permit single pass inspections of said structure. 18. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said viewing device is mounted on a pole. 19. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising an adjustable valve coupled to said viewing device to adjust a flow rate of the second portion of water. 20. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a device for identifying structural anomalies found in the viewed structure and wherein said surface console station further includes a software application able to identify and tag said anomalies. 21. A unified digital communications-based system in accordance with claim 1 wherein said viewing device includes a flow shaping screen wherein a distal end of said flow shaping screen is flush with a distal end of said image capturing device. 22. A unified digital communications-based system for viewing in turbid water, comprising a) a surface console station having a first information processor and first actionable controls;b) an information processing unit remote from said surface console station and having a second information processor;c) a first video display operatively coupled to said surface console station;d) a viewing device operatively coupled to said information processing unit;d) a liquid filtration and delivery system in fluid communication with said viewing device, wherein the liquid filtration and delivery system directs a first portion of water filtered by the liquid filtration and delivery system in a forward direction of the viewing device to provide an approximately clear view in front area of the viewing device and a second portion of water filtered by the liquid filtration and delivery system in a rearward direction of the viewing device to offset a thrust of the first portion of approximately transparent water, wherein said liquid filtration and delivery system is integrated within a rear section of said viewing device as a single unit;e) an image capturing device coupled to said information processing unit remote from said surface console station, wherein said image capturing device transmits video data viewable on said first video display and a second video display coupled to the viewing device; andf) a two-way digital communication link between said surface console station and said information processing unit, wherein said two-way digital communication link provides bi-directional voice & data communication between said surface console station and said information processing unit, transmission of health monitoring data from said information processing unit to said surface console station, and transmission of command/control and information data to said information processing unit from said surface console station.