Patent Abstract:
Switch boxes and other such utility boxes must some time be monitored by video. And most of the time, they are behind a door for security and safety reasons In order to image them, the imaging system must then be located very close to them, that is, inside the enclosure. Disclosed herein are systems and corresponding methods for imaging and monitoring utility panel elements arranged on a utility surface. Example embodiments include an optical focusing element to focus rays from utility panel elements and image the elements onto an imaging plane that is non-parallel with a utility surface, and an imaging surface configured to acquire a representation of the image. Example systems and corresponding methods provide for thermal imaging of utility panel elements at close proximity to the elements and within an enclosure. An advantage of these systems and methods is that utility panel elements such as fuses and switches may be imaged even when located within an enclosure and remotely monitored.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Utility panels may contain arrays of utility panel elements, such as switches or fuses. Such utility panels may be located within enclosures for safety and/or security purposes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Monitoring utility panel elements with an imaging device may be difficult when the imaging device is within close proximity of the panel. Such a close proximity situation may occur, for example, when the imaging device operates within an enclosure housing the utility panel. Embodiments of the current invention permit imaging devices to acquire images of utility panel elements at close proximity to the panels. Images may be acquired even within an enclosure, and the images may be monitored or analyzed remotely. 
         [0003]    In one embodiment, a system, or corresponding method, for imaging utility panel elements arranged on a utility surface includes an optical focusing element configured to focus rays from the utility panel elements and to form an image of the utility panel elements at an imaging plane, where the imaging plane is non-parallel with the utility surface. The system also includes an imaging surface situated at the imaging plane and configured to acquire a representation of the image. 
         [0004]    In some embodiments, the utility surface, optical focusing element, and imaging surface are enclosed within an enclosure. In some embodiments having an enclosure, the enclosure includes a door. Some embodiments include a reflector configured to redirect rays from the utility surface toward the optical focusing element. Further, in some embodiments including an enclosure with a door, a reflector may be mounted on the door. In some embodiments, the utility surface, optical focusing element, and imaging surface are oriented in accordance with a Scheimpflug condition. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of example embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a diagram that illustrates a system according to an embodiment of the invention for external monitoring of utility panel elements arranged on a utility surface within an enclosure. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a system for imaging a utility surface onto an imaging surface that is non-parallel with the utility surface. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a system for imaging a utility surface in accordance with a Scheimpflug condition. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of an imaging device including two optical focusing elements and an imaging surface according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a system for imaging a utility surface, including a reflector. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram that illustrates a procedure for imaging utility panel elements arranged on a utility surface. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a diagram that illustrates a display showing an image of utility panel elements with status indication. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    A description of example embodiments of the invention follows. 
         [0014]    As used in this application, “imaging” and “image” imply that optical conditions are met to render an image substantially in focus. Thus, for example, if an “image” of a subject surface is produced at an imaging surface, this implies that substantially all of the image of the subject surface is in focus at the imaging surface. 
         [0015]    Electrical elements, such as switches, fuses, and circuit breakers, are susceptible to failure. Electrical elements may be arranged on surfaces of utility panels, and such utility panels may be enclosed within various structures of enclosures for purposes of safety and/or security. Failure of electrical elements results in a corresponding loss of a utility, such as electrical service or air conditioning service, for an end user or for users downstream of the failure of the electrical elements. One potential early indication that electrical components may fail is elevated temperature or overheating of the components. To monitor for overheating, cameras, particularly infrared cameras, may be used to image electrical elements in an embodiment of the invention. Thus, infrared cameras may be used to provide early warning of upcoming component failures. In another scenario, the utility panel elements may have a typical thermal profile due to conduction of current caused by a standard load. In an event the load unexpectedly discontinues due to a fault or theft, for example, the thermal profile at the utility element will change due to a drop in current flow. The infrared cameras and corresponding processors(s) can identify the change. 
         [0016]    Electrical utility panels may be contained within enclosures for safety and/or security purposes, and any monitoring of enclosed panels must often be done outside of the enclosures or otherwise be done remotely. Further, the enclosures may be sufficiently small that imaging an entire panel with a single, stationary imaging device is difficult due to the close proximity of the imaging device to the utility panel surface. A typical way to produce an in-focus image of a subject surface is to place a lens between the subject surface and an imaging surface, with the subject surface, the lens, and the imaging surface all parallel to each other. However, at close proximity to a sufficiently large utility panel, this parallel configuration may be difficult or impossible to achieve. 
         [0017]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and a corresponding method for imaging utility panel elements arranged on a utility surface. The imaging may be done at close proximity to the utility surface and may be done within a structure that encloses the utility surface. Embodiments of the invention may utilize an ability of an optical focusing element, such as a lens, to focus rays from a utility surface, to form an image of the utility surface or of utility panel elements arranged on a surface of the panel. An imaging surface, where the image of the utility surface is in focus, may be oriented within an imaging plane that is non-parallel with the utility surface. Utility panel elements may include switches, fuses, circuit breakers, or electrical interconnections. The utility panel may be a junction box panel or other type of electrical panel or other surface that has attached components that can overheat. 
         [0018]    Embodiments of the invention may include a reflecting surface, such as a mirror as part of the imaging system. Further, in the case of an enclosure enclosing the utility surface and the imaging device, the imaging system may benefit from incorporating a part of the enclosure, such as a door or wall, as a mounting surface for the reflector. Images may be remotely monitored outside of a safety structure containing the utility panel. 
         [0019]    In embodiments of the invention, a utility surface, an optical focusing element, and an imaging surface may be arranged according to a Scheimpflug condition such that an image of the utility surface is formed at the imaging surface even when the imaging surface is non-parallel with the utility surface. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a system  100  for monitoring utility panel elements  110  arranged on a utility surface  105 . The utility surface  105  is part of a utility panel  104 . The system  100  includes an imaging device  115 . The imaging device  115  includes a lens  120 , imaging surface  125 , and communications interface  130 . The imaging surface  125  is oriented within an imaging plane (not shown). The imaging surface  125  is non-parallel with the utility surface  105 . The utility panel  104  and the imaging device  115  are housed within an enclosure  135 . 
         [0021]    The enclosure  135  includes an enclosure door  140 . A mirror  145  is mounted on the enclosure door  140 . The mirror  145  reflects or redirects rays from utility elements  110  toward the lens  120 . The lens  120  focuses the rays from the utility panel elements  110  to form an image of the utility panel elements  110  at the imaging surface  125 . The imaging surface  125  is configured to acquire a representation of the image of the utility panel elements  110 . The system  100  in  FIG. 1  is an overall illustration of a monitoring system and is not meant to show detailed geometry of rays or optical components. Optical geometry for embodiments is illustrated in greater detail in  FIGS. 2-5 . 
         [0022]    Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the communications interface  130  communicates information associated with the representation of the image of the utility panel elements  110  via a cable  152  to a computer  155 . In the system  100 , the communications interface  130  is an electrical communications interface, and the cable  150  is an electrical cable. However, in other embodiments, a communications interface may be optical, wireless, or use X10 communications techniques. In the case of a wireless communications interface, a cable is not necessary. In the case of an optical communications interface, a fiber optic cable or free space link may be used. 
         [0023]    In the system  100 , the computer  155  functions as a receiver to receive the electrical signals representing the image of the utility panel elements  110  via the cable  150 . The computer  155  produces an image  165  of the utility panel elements  110  on a computer monitor  170 . A person  172  may view the image  165  of the utility panel elements  110  remotely, or at any location outside of the enclosure  135 . However, in other embodiments, monitoring is done by other means, such as a direct input to a video monitor. Further, other embodiments utilize machine-based analysis of images rather than human monitoring. In some embodiments, a receiver includes a screen, recorder, additional communications interface, memory device or buffer. 
         [0024]    The mirror  145  is configured to reflect rays from the utility panel elements  110  toward the lens  120  when the door  140  is closed. In other embodiments, a mirror or reflector may not be required. However, in some embodiments, an enclosure is large enough for an imaging device to acquire an image of utility panel elements without the use of a mirror. Further, some embodiments such as those shown in  FIGS. 2-3  need not include mirrors or other types of reflectors. 
         [0025]    In the system  100 , the imaging device  115  is configured to image infrared light rays (not shown), but in other embodiments, the rays may be other types of rays, such as visible rays. In the system  100 , the utility surface  105 , focusing element  120 , imaging surface  125 , and communications interface  130  are encompassed by the enclosure  135 . In other embodiments, the utility surface, focusing element, imaging surface, and communications interface are not enclosed within an enclosure or a subset of these elements is enclosed. In some embodiments, such as those shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , there is a reflector optically disposed between the utility surface and the optical focusing element, wherein the reflector is configured to redirect rays from the utility surface toward the optical focusing element, wherein the reflector is not attached to a door of an enclosure. In other embodiments, a mirror or other reflector is mounted in conjunction with a wall or other surface in an enclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments, such as that in  FIG. 5 , may include a reflector without any enclosure of the utility panel. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, a focusing element may be situated in a focusing element plane, and the utility surface, the focusing element plane, and the imaging surface may be oriented in accordance with a Scheimpflug condition, explained below in reference to  FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, the optical focusing element is a germanium lens. In some embodiments, the utility surface is a switch panel, fuse panel, circuit breaker panel, junction box panel, electrical panel, or electrical interconnect surface. In the system  100 , the utility surface  105  is substantially planar. However, in other embodiments, the utility surface is not planar. Further, in some embodiments, the optical focusing element includes two or more elements configured to focus the rays to form the image. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a system  200  for imaging utility panel elements (not shown) arranged on a utility surface  205 . In the system  200 , the utility surface  205  is part of a utility panel  204 . The utility surface  205  is oriented in a utility surface plane  206 . A lens  220  focuses rays  275  from utility panel elements (not shown) arranged on the utility surface  205  onto an imaging surface  225  to form an image of the utility surface  205 . The lens  220  is oriented in a lens plane  221 . The imaging surface  225  is arranged in an imaging plane  226 , which is non-parallel with the utility surface  205 . 
         [0028]    The utility panel elements (not shown) are essentially in the same plane as the utility surface  205 . Thus, when the optical components are arranged to render an image (in focus) of the utility surface  205 , an image of the utility panel elements may also be rendered. Therefore, under the assumption that utility panel elements are essentially flush (or in the same plane) as the utility surface, imaging the utility surface and imaging the utility panel elements are essentially equivalent for focusing purposes. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a system  300  for imaging utility panel elements (not shown) arranged on a utility surface  305 , which is part of a utility panel  304 . The system  300  is similar to system  200  in  FIG. 2 . However, a difference is that in the system  300 , the utility surface  305 , lens  320 , and imaging surface  325  are arranged according to a Scheimpflug condition. 
         [0030]    The Scheimpflug condition is a principle of geometric optics that may apply when the plane in which a lens is oriented and the plane in which an imaging surface is oriented are not parallel to each other. Viewed in another way, the principle may apply when the surface to be imaged (subject surface) is not parallel with the imaging surface. When the subject surface, the lens, and the imaging surface are oriented according to the Scheimpflug principle, an image of the subject surface may be rendered in focus at the imaging surface, even when the imaging surface is not parallel with the subject surface. According to the Scheimpflug principle, the plane in which the imaging surface is oriented and the plane in which the lens is oriented meet at an intersection point through which the plane of focus also passes. 
         [0031]    As previously mentioned, the components in the system  300  are oriented to meet the Scheimpflug condition. Thus, the utility surface  305  is oriented in a utility surface plane  306 , the lens  320  is oriented in a lens plane  321 , and the imaging surface  325  is oriented within an imaging plane  326 . The imaging plane  326  and lens plane  321  meet at an intersection point  380  through which the utility surface plane  306  also passes. An image of the utility surface  305  is rendered in focus at the imaging surface  325 . Rays  375  from the utility panel elements (not shown) arranged on the utility surface  305  are focused by the lens  320  onto the imaging surface  325 . The lens  320  is tilted with respect to the image plane. In embodiments in which a lens is also shifted parallel with the imaging plane, the configuration may be referred to as a “tilt-shift” configuration. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a portion of a system  400  for imaging utility panel elements (not shown) arranged on a utility surface (not shown). The system  400  illustrates that more than one optical focusing element may be used. Viewed in another way, an optical focusing element may include two or more optical elements. Accordingly, the system  400  uses lens  420  and lens  422  to focus rays  475  from utility panel elements (not shown) onto an imaging surface  425 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of a system  500  for imaging utility panel elements (not shown) arranged on a utility surface  505 . The system  500  includes a mirror  540  as part of an imaging system. Utility panel elements (not shown) are arranged on a utility surface  505 , which is part of a utility panel  504 . The mirror  540  reflects rays (not shown) from utility surface  505  toward an imaging device  515 . The imaging device  515  includes a lens  520  and an imaging surface  525 . 
         [0034]    In the system  500 , the utility surface  505 , mirror  540 , lens  520 , and imaging surface  525  are arranged to meet the Scheimpflug condition. In this case, the lens  520  is arranged in a lens plane  521 , and the imaging surface  525  is arranged in an imaging plane  526 . The lens plane  521  and the imaging plane  526  meet at intersection point  580 . The utility surface  505  is arranged in a utility surface plane  506 , and the mirror  540  is arranged in a mirror plane  541 . The utility surface plane  506  and the mirror plane  541  meet at a second intersection point  581 . A virtual imaging surface  585  is arranged in a virtual imaging plane  586 , and the virtual imaging plane  586  joins intersection point  580  and second intersection point  581 . The virtual imaging surface  585  is the surface that appears to be imaged due to the inclusion of the mirror  540 . Thus, the Scheimpflug condition may also be met when a system includes a mirror or other reflector. Thus, an image of the utility panel elements (not shown) arranged on the utility surface  505  is rendered at the imaging surface  525 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram that illustrates a procedure  600  for imaging utility panel elements arranged on a utility surface. At  690 , rays from utility panel elements arranged on a utility surface are focused to form an image of the elements at an imaging plane that is non-parallel with the utility surface. At  691 , the image of the utility panel elements is captured at an imaging surface that coincides with the imaging plane. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, focusing light rays includes focusing infrared light rays. In some embodiments, the rays are focused and the image is captured within an enclosure, and the procedure also includes transmitting information from within the enclosure to outside of the enclosure, where the transmitted information is related to a status of the utilities and is based upon the image of the utility panel elements. In some embodiments, transmitting the information is done electronically or electrically. In other embodiments, transmitting the information is done optically or wirelessly. 
         [0037]    Some embodiments may further include reflecting the rays from the utility panel elements and redirecting the rays to be focused. Further, in embodiments in which the ray focusing and the image capturing are performed within an enclosure, rays from the utility panel elements may be redirected and reflected at a reflecting surface that is situated in conjunction with a door to the enclosure. In some embodiments, the ray focusing and the image capturing are performed in accordance with a Scheimpflug condition. In some embodiments, focusing rays from the utility panel elements includes focusing rays from a switch panel, fuse panel, circuit breaker panel, junction box panel, electrical panel, or electrical interconnect. 
         [0038]    Further embodiments according to the present invention include embodiments using panoramic imagers with wide field of view. Some imagers within the scope of the invention are catadioptric imagers that include a mirror and lens combination, with the mirror cross section having the shape of a conic section. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating a display  770  showing an image  765  of utility panel elements  766  with a status indicator overlay  767 . The display  770  is one example of a monitoring system that includes some machine-based analysis, as described above in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 1 , the image  765  of the utility panel elements  766  is provided by an imaging device (not shown) such as imaging device  115  in  FIG. 1 . The status indicator overlay  767  is generated by a computer (not shown) such as the computer  155  in  FIG. 1 . The computer performs analysis of image information received from the imaging device to determine a status of the utility elements. For example, the computer may determine the brightness of the images of the individual utility panel elements  766  to calculate a temperature of each element. 
         [0040]    Still referring to  FIG. 7 , the status indicator overlay  767  indicates a temperature status of the selected utility panel element. The status indicator overlay  767  may be colored green (not shown), for example, when the calculated temperature of the selected element is within an acceptable range. If the calculated temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold, the color status indicator overlay  767  may change to red, for example. It will be understood that variations of the status indicator overlay  767  may be in different positions on the display  770  and change in color, shape, design, or other characteristics to indicate status of utility elements. Further, other variations of the display  770  include a separate status indicator overlay such as the status indicator overlay  767  for each utility panel element. 
         [0041]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to example embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6