Abstract:
In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes determining a current state within an inspection process, and determining a first portion of an inspection process that corresponds to the current state within the inspection process, wherein the inspection process comprises a plurality of steps that correspond to an inspection process. The method further includes presenting a first instructional aide associated with the first portion, and automatically presenting a second instructional aide that corresponds to a second portion of the inspection process when the current state corresponds to the second portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to inspection execution. More specifically, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to providing self-directing inspection instruction based upon discerned current inspection step, thus reducing the amount of manual intervention by an inspector or other operator. 
         [0002]    Certain equipment and facilities, such as power generation equipment and facilities, oil and gas equipment and facilities, aircraft equipment and facilities, manufacturing equipment and facilities, and the like, include a plurality of interrelated systems, and processes. For example, power generation plants may include turbine systems and processes for operating and maintaining the turbine systems. Likewise, oil and gas operations may include carbonaceous fuel retrieval systems and processing equipment interconnected via pipelines. Similarly, aircraft systems may include airplanes and maintenance hangars useful in maintaining airworthiness and providing for maintenance support. During equipment operations, the equipment may degrade, encounter undesired conditions such as corrosion, wear and tear, and so on, potentially affecting overall equipment effectiveness. Certain inspection techniques, such as non-destructive inspection techniques or non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, may be used to detect undesired equipment conditions. 
         [0003]    In a conventional NDT system, data may be shared with other NDT operators or personnel using portable memory devices, paper, of through the telephone. As such, the amount of time to share data between NDT personnel may depend largely on the speed at which the physical portable memory device is physically dispatched to its target. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to improve the data sharing capabilities of the NDT system, for example, to more efficiently test and inspect a variety of systems and equipment. NDT relates to the examination of an object, material, or system without reducing future usefulness. In particular NDT inspections may be used to determine the integrity of a product using time-sensitive inspection data relating to a particular product. For example, NDT inspections may observe the “wear and tear” of a product over a particular time-period. 
         [0004]    Many forms of NDT are currently known. For example, perhaps the most common NDT method is visual examination. During a visual examination, an inspector may, for example, simply visually inspect an object for visible imperfections. Alternatively, visual inspections may be conducted using optical technologies such as a computer-guided camera, a borescope, etc. Radiography is another form of NDT. Radiography relates to using radiation (e.g., x-rays and/or gamma rays) to detect thickness and/or density changes to a product, which may denote a defect in the product. Further, ultrasonic testing relates to transmitting high-frequency sound waves into a product to detect changes and/or imperfections to the product. Using a pulse-echo technique, sound it introduced into the product and echoes from the imperfections are returned to a receiver, signaling that the imperfection exists. Many other forms of NDT exist. For example, magnetic particle testing, penetrant testing, electromagnetic testing, leak testing, and acoustic emission testing, to name a few. 
         [0005]    Oftentimes, product inspections may be quite complex due to the complex nature of the product being tested. For example, airplanes are very complex machines where safety and inspection standards are of the utmost importance. The Boeing 777 aircraft may have as many 3 million parts. Accordingly, a tremendous amount of time and effort is used to inspect these aircraft on a periodic basis. Further, historical data relating to previous inspections may be used to compare and contrast inspection results to understand trending data. Further, inspection data for an entire fleet of products (e.g., a fleet of Boeing 777&#39;s) may be useful for inspection purposes, as may reference materials provided by a manufacturer or other source. As may be appreciated, massive amounts of data may be gathered and used in the inspection process. This data may be pulled from many sources and may be crucial for accurate inspection. 
         [0006]    Unfortunately, in conventional inspection systems, stepping through an inspection process may be predominantly a manual process, respondent to manual interactions from an inspector or other operator. These manual interactions may place undue burden on the inspector, limiting the number of manual processes that the inspector may complete. Accordingly, improved systems and methods for automatically directing an inspection plan are desirable. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimed invention are summarized below. These embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but rather these embodiments are intended only to provide a brief summary of possible forms of the invention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of forms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forth below. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes determining a current state within an inspection process, and determining a first portion of an inspection process that corresponds to the current state within the inspection process, wherein the inspection process comprises a plurality of steps that correspond to an inspection process. The method further includes presenting a first instructional aide associated with the first portion, and automatically presenting a second instructional aide that corresponds to a second portion of the inspection process when the current state corresponds to the second portion. 
         [0009]    In a second embodiment, a system is provided. The system includes position detection logic, comprising machine-readable instructions, configured to identify a current location of a portion of an inspection equipment in relation to an object being inspected, and step detection logic, comprising machine-readable instructions, configured to determine a particular portion of an inspection process associated with the current location. The system further includes presentation hardware configured to present an instructional aide associated with the particular portion, and at least one processor configured to implement the position detection logic, the step detection, and control the presentation hardware, or any combination thereof. 
         [0010]    In a third embodiment, tangible, non-transitory, machine-readable medium comprising machine-readable instructions is provided. The instructions are configured to identify a current location of a portion of an inspection equipment in relation to an object being inspected, and to determine a particular portion of an inspection process associated with the current location. The instructions are further configured to capture inspection data using the inspection equipment, and to associate an identifier of the particular portion with the inspection data. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a distributed non-destructive testing (NDT) system, including a mobile device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating further details of an embodiment of the distributed NDT system of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a front view illustrating an embodiment of a borescope system  14  communicatively coupled to the mobile device of  FIG. 1  and a “cloud;” 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of an embodiment of a pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera system communicatively coupled to the mobile device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a process useful in using the distributed NDT system for planning, inspecting, analyzing, reporting, and sharing of data, such as inspection data; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an embodiment of information flow through a wireless conduit; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a process for self-directing an inspection plan using a piece of inspection equipment, in accordance with an embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a piece of inspection equipment that may be used in the self-directed inspection, in accordance with an embodiment; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is an example of an inspection system enabled to provide self-directed inspection, in accordance with an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
         [0022]    When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present invention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
         [0023]    Embodiments of the present disclosure may apply to a variety of inspection and testing techniques, including non-destructive testing (NDT) or inspection systems. In the NDT system, certain techniques such as borescopic inspection, weld inspection, remote visual inspections, x-ray inspection, ultrasonic inspection, eddy current inspection, and the like, may be used to analyze and detect a variety of conditions, including but not limited to corrosion, equipment wear and tear, cracking, leaks, and so on. The techniques described herein provide for improved NDT systems suitable for borescopic inspection, remote visual inspections, x-ray inspection, ultrasonic inspection, and/or eddy current inspection, enabling enhanced data gathering, data analysis, inspection/testing processes, and NDT collaboration techniques. 
         [0024]    The improved NDT systems described herein may include inspection equipment using wireless conduits suitable for communicatively coupling the inspection equipment to mobile devices, such as tablets, smart phones, and augmented reality eyeglasses; to computing devices, such as notebooks, laptops, workstations, personal computers; and to “cloud” computing systems, such as cloud-based NDT ecosystems, cloud analytics, cloud-based collaboration and workflow systems, distributed computing systems, expert systems and/or knowledge-based systems. Indeed, the techniques described herein may provide for enhanced NDT data gathering, analysis, and data distribution, thus improving the detection of undesired conditions, enhancing maintenance activities, and increasing returns on investment (ROI) of facilities and equipment. 
         [0025]    In one embodiment, a tablet may be communicatively coupled to the NDT inspection device (e.g., borescope, transportable pan-tilt-zoom camera, eddy current device, x-ray inspection device, ultrasonic inspection device), such as a MENTOR™ NDT inspection device, available from General Electric, Co., of Schenectady, N.Y., and used to provide, for example, enhanced wireless display capabilities, remote control, data analytics and/or data communications to the NDT inspection device. While other mobile devices may be used, the use of the tablet is apt, however, insofar as the tablet may provide for a larger, higher resolution display, more powerful processing cores, an increased memory, and improved battery life. Accordingly, the tablet may address certain issues, such as providing for improved visualization of data, improving the manipulatory control of the inspection device, and extending collaborative sharing to a plurality of external systems and entities. 
         [0026]    Keeping the foregoing in mind, the present disclosure is directed towards sharing data acquired from the NDT system and/or control of applications and/or devices in the NDT system. Generally, data generated from the NDT system may be automatically distributed to various people or groups of people using techniques disclosed herein. Moreover, content displayed by an application used to monitor and/or control devices in the NDT system may be shared between individuals to create a virtual collaborative environment for monitoring and controlling the devices in the NDT system. 
         [0027]    By way of introduction, and turning now to  FIG. 1 , the figure is a block diagram of an embodiment of distributed NDT system  10 . In the depicted embodiment, the distributed NDT system  10  may include one or more NDT inspection devices  12 . The NDT inspection devices  12  may be divided into at least two categories. In one category, depicted in  FIG. 1 , the NDT inspection devices  12  may include devices suitable for visually inspecting a variety of equipment and environments. In another category, described in more detail with respect to  FIG. 2  below, the NDT devices  12  may include devices providing for alternatives to visual inspection modalities, such as x-ray inspection modalities, eddy current inspection modalities, and/or ultrasonic inspection modalities. 
         [0028]    In the depicted first example category of  FIG. 1 , the NDT inspection devices  12  may include a borescope  14  having one or more processors  15  and a memory  17 , and a transportable pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) camera  16  having one or more processors  19  and a memory  21 . In this first category of visual inspection devices, the bore scope  14  and PTZ camera  16  may be used to inspect, for example, a turbo machinery  18 , and a facility or site  20 . As illustrated, the bore scope  14  and the PTZ camera  16  may be communicatively coupled to a mobile device  22  also having one or more processors  23  and a memory  25 . The mobile device  22  may include, for example, a tablet, a cell phone (e.g., smart phone), a notebook, a laptop, or any other mobile computing device. The use of a tablet, however, is apt insofar as the tablet provides for a good balance between screen size, weight, computing power, and battery life. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the mobile device  22  may be the MENTOR™ tablet mentioned above, available from General Electric Co., of Schenectady, N.Y., and providing for touchscreen input. The mobile device  22  may be communicatively coupled to the NDT inspection devices  12 , such as the bore scope  14  and/or the PTZ camera  16 , through a variety of wireless or wired conduits. For example, the wireless conduits may include WiFi (e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers [IEEE] 802.11X), cellular conduits (e.g., high speed packet access [HSPA], HSPA+, long term evolution [LTE], WiMax), near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth, personal area networks (PANs), and the like. The wireless conduits may use a variety of communication protocols, such as TCP/IP, UDP, SCTP, socket layers, and so on. In certain embodiments, the wireless or wired conduits may include secure layers, such as secure socket layers (SSL), virtual private network (VPN) layers, encrypted layers, challenge key authentication layers, token authentication layers, and so on. Wired conduits may include proprietary cabling, RJ45 cabling, co-axial cables, fiber optic cables, and so on. 
         [0029]    Additionally or alternatively, the mobile device  22  may be communicatively coupled to the NDT inspection devices  12 , such as the borescope  14  and/or the PTZ camera  16 , through the “cloud”  24 . Indeed, the mobile device  22  may use the cloud  24  computing and communications techniques (e.g., cloud-computing network), including but not limited to HTTP, HTTPS, TCP/IP, service oriented architecture (SOA) protocols (e.g., simple object access protocol [SOAP], web services description languages (WSDLs)) to interface with the NDT inspection devices  12  from any geographic location, including geographic locations remote from the physical location about to undergo inspection. Further, in one embodiment, the mobile device  22  may provide “hot spot” functionality in which mobile device  22  may provide wireless access point (WAP) functionality suitable for connecting the NDT inspection devices  12  to other systems in the cloud  24 , or connected to the cloud  24 , such as a computing system  29  (e.g., computer, laptop, virtual machine(s) [VM], desktop, workstation). Accordingly, collaboration may be enhanced by providing for multi-party workflows, data gathering, and data analysis. 
         [0030]    For example, a borescope operator  26  may physically manipulate the borescope  14  at one location, while a mobile device operator  28  may use the mobile device  22  to interface with and physically manipulate the bore scope  14  at a second location through remote control techniques. The second location may be proximate to the first location, or geographically distant from the first location. Likewise, a camera operator  30  may physically operate the PTZ camera  16  at a third location, and the mobile device operator  28  may remote control PTZ camera  16  at a fourth location by using the mobile device  22 . The fourth location may be proximate to the third location, or geographically distant from the third location. Any and all control actions performed by the operators  26  and  30  may be additionally performed by the operator  28  through the mobile device  22 . Additionally, the operator  28  may communicate with the operators  26  and/or  30  by using the devices  14 ,  16 , and  22  through techniques such as voice over IP (VOIP), virtual whiteboarding, text messages, and the like. By providing for remote collaboration techniques between the operator  28  operator  26 , and operator  30 , the techniques described herein may provide for enhanced workflows and increase resource efficiencies. Indeed, nondestructive testing processes may leverage the communicative coupling of the cloud  24  with the mobile device  22 , the NDT inspection devices  12 , and external systems coupled to the cloud  24 . 
         [0031]    In one mode of operation, the mobile device  22  may be operated by the bore scope operator  26  and/or the camera operator  30  to leverage, for example, a larger screen display, more powerful data processing, as well as a variety of interface techniques provided by the mobile device  22 , as described in more detail below. Indeed, the mobile device  22  may be operated alongside or in tandem with the devices  14  and  16  by the respective operators  26  and  30 . This enhanced flexibility provides for better utilization of resources, including human resources, and improved inspection results. 
         [0032]    Whether controlled by the operator  28 ,  26 , and/or  30 , the borescope  14  and/or PTZ camera  16  may be used to visually inspect a wide variety of equipment and facilities. For example, the bore scope  14  may be inserted into a plurality of borescope ports and other locations of the turbomachinery  18 , to provide for illumination and visual observations of a number of components of the turbomachinery  18 . In the depicted embodiment, the turbo machinery  18  is illustrated as a gas turbine suitable for converting carbonaceous fuel into mechanical power. However, other equipment types may be inspected, including compressors, pumps, turbo expanders, wind turbines, hydroturbines, industrial equipment, and/or residential equipment. The turbomachinery  18  (e.g., gas turbine) may include a variety of components that may be inspected by the NDT inspection devices  12  described herein. 
         [0033]    With the foregoing in mind, it may be beneficial to discuss certain turbomachinery  18  components that may be inspected by using the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, certain components of the turbomachinery  18  depicted in  FIG. 1 , may be inspected for corrosion, erosion, cracking, leaks, weld inspection, and so on. Mechanical systems, such as the turbomachinery  18 , experience mechanical and thermal stresses during operating conditions, which may require periodic inspection of certain components. During operations of the turbomachinery  18 , a fuel such as natural gas or syngas, may be routed to the turbomachinery  18  through one or more fuel nozzles  32  into a combustor  36 . Air may enter the turbomachinery  18  through an air intake section  38  and may be compressed by a compressor  34 . The compressor  34  may include a series of stages  40 ,  42 , and  44  that compress the air. Each stage may include one or more sets of stationary vanes  46  and blades  48  that rotate to progressively increase the pressure to provide compressed air. The blades  48  may be attached to rotating wheels  50  connected to a shaft  52 . The compressed discharge air from the compressor  34  may exit the compressor  34  through a diffuser section  56  and may be directed into the combustor  36  to mix with the fuel. For example, the fuel nozzles  32  may inject a fuel-air mixture into the combustor  36  in a suitable ratio for optimal combustion, emissions, fuel consumption, and power output. In certain embodiments, the turbomachinery  18  may include multiple combustors  36  disposed in an annular arrangement. Each combustor  36  may direct hot combustion gases into a turbine  54 . 
         [0034]    As depicted, the turbine  54  includes three separate stages  60 ,  62 , and  64  surrounded by a casing  76 . Each stage  60 ,  62 , and  64  includes a set of blades or buckets  66  coupled to a respective rotor wheel  68 ,  70 , and  72 , which are attached to a shaft  74 . As the hot combustion gases cause rotation of turbine blades  66 , the shaft  74  rotates to drive the compressor  34  and any other suitable load, such as an electrical generator. Eventually, the turbomachinery  18  diffuses and exhausts the combustion gases through an exhaust section  80 . Turbine components, such as the nozzles  32 , intake  38 , compressor  34 , vanes  46 , blades  48 , wheels  50 , shaft  52 , diffuser  56 , stages  60 ,  62 , and  64 , blades  66 , shaft  74 , casing  76 , and exhaust  80 , may use the disclosed embodiments, such as the NDT inspection devices  12 , to inspect and maintain said components. 
         [0035]    Additionally, or alternatively, the PTZ camera  16  may be disposed at various locations around or inside of the turbo machinery  18 , and used to procure visual observations of these locations. The PTZ camera  16  may additionally include one or more lights suitable for illuminating desired locations, and may further include zoom, pan and tilt techniques described in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 4 , useful for deriving observations around in a variety of difficult to reach areas. The borescope  14  and/or the camera  16  may be additionally used to inspect the facilities  20 , such as an oil and gas facility  20 . Various equipment such as oil and gas equipment  84 , may be inspected visually by using the borescope  14  and/or the PTZ camera  16 . Advantageously, locations such as the interior of pipes or conduits  86 , underwater (or underfluid) locations  88 , and difficult to observe locations such as locations having curves or bends  90 , may be visually inspected by using the mobile device  22  through the borescope  14  and/or PTZ camera  16 . Accordingly, the mobile device operator  28  may more safely and efficiently inspect the equipment  18 ,  84  and locations  86 ,  88 , and  90 , and share observations in real-time or near real-time with location geographically distant from the inspection areas. It is to be understood that other NDT inspection devices  12  may be use the embodiments described herein, such as fiberscopes (e.g., articulating fiberscope, non-articulating fiberscope), and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), including robotic pipe inspectors and robotic crawlers. 
         [0036]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the figure is a block diagram of an embodiment of the distributed NDT system  10  depicting the second category of NDT inspection devices  12  that may be able to provide for alternative inspection data to visual inspection data. For example, the second category of NDT inspection devices  12  may include an eddy current inspection device  92 , an ultrasonic inspection device, such as an ultrasonic flaw detector  94 , and an x-ray inspection device, such a digital radiography device  96 . The eddy current inspection device  92  may include one or more processors  93  and a memory  95 . Likewise, the ultrasonic flaw detector  94  may include one or more processors  97  and a memory  104 . Similarly, the digital radiography device  96  may include one or more processors  101  and a memory  103 . In operations, the eddy current inspection device  92  may be operated by an eddy current operator  98 , the ultrasonic flaw detector  94  may be operated by an ultrasonic device operator  100 , and the digital radiography device  96  may be operated by a radiography operator  102 . 
         [0037]    As depicted, the eddy current inspection device  92 , the ultrasonic flaw detector  94 , and the digital radiography inspection device  96 , may be communicatively coupled to the mobile device  22  by using wired or wireless conduits, including the conduits mentioned above with respect to  FIG. 1 . Additionally, or alternatively, the devices  92 ,  94 , and  96  may be coupled to the mobile device  22  by using the cloud  24 , for example the borescope  14  may be connected to a cellular “hotspot,” and use the hotspot to connect to one or more experts in borescopic inspection and analysis. Accordingly, the mobile device operator  28  may remotely control various aspects of operations of the devices  92 ,  94 , and  96  by using the mobile device  22 , and may collaborate with the operators  98 ,  100 , and  102  through voice (e.g., voice over IP [VOIP]), data sharing (e.g., whiteboarding), providing data analytics, expert support and the like, as described in more detail herein. 
         [0038]    Accordingly, it may be possible to enhance the visual observation of various equipment, such as an aircraft system  104  and facilities  106 , with x-ray observation modalities, ultrasonic observation modalities, and/or eddy current observation modalities. For example, the interior and the walls of pipes  108  may be inspected for corrosion and/or erosion. Likewise, obstructions or undesired growth inside of the pipes  108  may be detected by using the devices  92 ,  94 , and/or  96 . Similarly, fissures or cracks  110  disposed inside of certain ferrous or non-ferrous material  112  may be observed. Additionally, the disposition and viability of parts  114  inserted inside of a component  116  may be verified. Indeed, by using the techniques described herein, improved inspection of equipment and components  104 ,  108 ,  112  and  116  may be provided. For example, the mobile device  22  may be used to interface with and provide remote control of the devices  14 ,  16 ,  92 ,  94 , and  96 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the borescope  14  coupled to the mobile device  22  and the cloud  24 . Accordingly, the boresecope  14  may provide data to any number of devices connected to the cloud  24  or inside the cloud  24 . As mentioned above, the mobile device  22  may be used to receive data from the borescope  14 , to remote control the borescope  14 , or a combination thereof. Indeed, the techniques described herein enable, for example, the communication of a variety of data from the borescope  14  to the mobile device  22 , including but not limited to images, video, and sensor measurements, such as temperature, pressure, flow, clearance (e.g., measurement between a stationary component and a rotary component), and distance measurements. Likewise, the mobile device  22  may communicate control instructions, reprogramming instructions, configuration instructions, and the like, as described in more detail below. 
         [0040]    As depicted the borescope  14 , includes an insertion tube  118  suitable for insertion into a variety of location, such as inside of the turbomachinery  18 , equipment  84 , pipes or conduits  86 , underwater locations  88 , curves or bends  90 , varies locations inside or outside of the aircraft system  104 , the interior of pipe  108 , and so on. The insertion tube  118  may include a head end section  120 , an articulating section  122 , and a conduit section  124 . In the depicted embodiment, the head end section  120  may include a camera  126 , one or more lights  128  (e.g., LEDs), and sensors  130 . As mentioned above, the borescope&#39;s camera  126  may provide images and video suitable for inspection. The lights  128  may be used to provide for illumination when the head end  120  is disposed in locations having low light or no light. 
         [0041]    During use, the articulating section  122  may be controlled, for example, by the mobile device  22  and/or a physical joy stick  131  disposed on the borescope  14 . The articulating sections  122  may steer or “bend” in various dimensions. For example, the articulation section  122  may enable movement of the head end  120  in an X-Y plane X-Z plane and/or Y-Z plane of the depicted XYZ axes  133 . Indeed, the physical joystick  131  and/or the mobile device  22  may both be used alone or in combination, to provide control actions suitable for disposing the head end  120  at a variety of angles, such as the depicted angle α. In this manner, the borescope head end  120  may be positioned to visually inspect desired locations. The camera  126  may then capture, for example, a video  134 , which may be displayed in a screen  135  of the borescope  14  and a screen  137  of the mobile device  22 , and may be recorded by the borescope  14  and/or the mobile device  22 . In one embodiment, the screens  135  and  137  may be multi-touchscreens using capacitance techniques, resistive techniques, infrared grid techniques, and the like, to detect the touch of a stylus and/or one or more human fingers. Additionally or alternatively, images and the video  134  may be transmitted into the cloud  24 . 
         [0042]    Other data, including but not limited to sensor  130  data, may additionally be communicated and/or recorded by the borescope  14 . The sensor  130  data may include temperature data, distance data, clearance data (e.g., distance between a rotating and a stationary component), flow data, and so on. In certain embodiments, the borescope  14  may include a plurality of replacement tips  136 . For example, the replacement tips  136  may include retrieval tips such as snares, magnetic tips, gripper tips, and the like. The replacement tips  136  may additionally include cleaning and obstruction removal tools, such as wire brushes, wire cutters, and the like. The tips  136  may additionally include tips having differing optical characteristics, such as focal length, stereoscopic views, 3-dimensional (3D) phase views, shadow views, and so on. Additionally or alternatively, the head end  120  may include a removable and replaceable head end  120 . Accordingly, a plurality of head ends  120  may be provided at a variety of diameters, and the insertion tube  118  maybe disposed in a number of locations having openings from approximately one millimeter to ten millimeters or more. Indeed, a wide variety of equipment and facilities may be inspected, and the data may be shared through the mobile device  22  and/or the cloud  24 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the transportable PTZ camera  16  communicatively coupled to the mobile device  22  and to the cloud  24 . As mentioned above, the mobile device  22  and/or the cloud  24  may remotely manipulate the PTZ camera  16  to position the PTZ camera  16  to view desired equipment and locations. In the depicted example, the PTZ camera  16  may be tilted and rotated about the Y-axis. For example, the PTZ camera  16  may be rotated at an angle β between approximately 0° to 180°, 0° to 270°, 0° to 360°, or more about the Y-axis. Likewise, the PTZ camera  16  may be tilted, for example, about the Y-X plane at an angle γ of approximately 0° to 100°, 0° to 120°, 0° to 150°, or more with respect to the Y-Axis. Lights  138  may be similarly controlled, for example, to active or deactivate, and to increase or decrease a level of illumination (e.g., lux) to a desired value. Sensors  140 , such as a laser rangefinder, may also be mounted onto the PTZ camera  16 , suitable for measuring distance to certain objects. Other sensors  140  may be used, including long-range temperature sensors (e.g., infrared temperature sensors), pressure sensors, flow sensors, clearance sensors, and so on. 
         [0044]    The PTZ camera  16  may be transported to a desired location, for example, by using a shaft  142 . The shaft  142  enables the camera operator  30  to move the camera and to position the camera, for example, inside of locations  86 ,  108 , underwater  88 , into hazardous (e.g., hazmat) locations, and so on. Additionally, the shaft  142  may be used to more permanently secure the PTZ camera  16  by mounting the shaft  142  onto a permanent or semi-permanent mount. In this manner, the PTZ camera  16  may be transported and/or secured at a desired location. The PTZ camera  16  may then transmit, for example by using wireless techniques, image data, video data, sensor  140  data, and the like, to the mobile device  22  and/or cloud  24 . Accordingly, data received from the PTZ camera  16  may be remotely analyzed and used to determine the condition and suitability of operations for desired equipment and facilities. Indeed, the techniques described herein may provide for a comprehensive inspection and maintenance process suitable for planning, inspecting, analyzing, and/or sharing a variety of data by using the aforementioned devices  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  22 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and the cloud  24 , as described in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a process  150  suitable for planning, inspecting, analyzing, and/or sharing a variety of data by using the aforementioned devices  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  22 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 , and the cloud  24 . Indeed, the techniques described herein may use the devices  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  22 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  to enable processes, such as the depicted process  150 , to more efficiently support and maintain a variety of equipment. In certain embodiments, the process  150  or portions of the process  150  may be included in non-transitory computer-readable media stored in memory, such as the memory  15 ,  19 ,  23 ,  93 ,  97 ,  101  and executable by one or more processors, such as the processors  17 ,  21 ,  25 ,  95 ,  99 ,  103 . 
         [0046]    In one example, the process  150  may plan (block  152 ) for inspection and maintenance activities. Data acquired by using the devices  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  22 ,  42 ,  44 ,  46 , an others, such as fleet data acquired from a fleet of turbomachinery  18 , from equipment users (e.g., aircraft  54  service companies), and/or equipment manufacturers, may be used to plan (block  152 ) maintenance and inspection activities, more efficient inspection schedules for machinery, flag certain areas for a more detailed inspection, and so on. The process  150  may then enable the use of a single mode or a multi-modal inspection (block  154 ) of desired facilities and equipment (e.g., turbomachinery  18 ). As mentioned above, the inspection (block  154 ) may use any one or more of the NDT inspection devices  12  (e.g., borescope  14 , PTZ camera  16 , eddy current inspection device  92 , ultrasonic flaw detector  94 , digital radiography device  96 ), thus providing with one or more modes of inspection (e.g., visual, ultrasonic, eddy current, x-ray). In the depicted embodiment, the mobile device  22  may be used to remote control the NDT inspection devices  12 , to analyze data communicated by the NDT inspection devices  12 , to provide for additional functionality not included in the NDT inspection devices  12  as described in more detail herein, to record data from the NDT inspection devices  12 , and to guide the inspection (block  154 ), for example, by using menu-driven inspection (MDI) techniques, among others. 
         [0047]    Results of the inspection (block  154 ), may then be analyzed (block  156 ), for example, by using the NDT device  12 , by transmitting inspection data to the cloud  24 , by using the mobile device  22 , or a combination thereof. The analysis may include engineering analysis useful in determining remaining life for the facilities and/or equipment, wear and tear, corrosion, erosion, and so forth. The analysis may additionally include operations research (OR) analysis used to provide for more efficient parts replacement schedules, maintenance schedules, equipment utilization schedules, personnel usage schedules, new inspection schedules, and so on. The analysis (block  156 ) may then be reported (block  158 ), resulting in one or more reports  159  detailing the inspection and analysis performed and results obtained. The reports  159  may then be shared (block  160 ), for example, by using the cloud  24 , the mobile device  22 , and other techniques, such as workflow sharing techniques. In one embodiment, the process  150  may be iterative, thus, the process  150  may iterate back to planning (block  152 ) after the sharing (block  160 ) of the reports  159 . By providing for embodiments useful in using the devices (e.g.,  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  22 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 ) described herein to plan, inspect, analyze, report, and share data, the techniques described herein may enable a more efficient inspection and maintenance of the facilities  20 ,  106  and the equipment  18 ,  104 . Indeed, the transfer of multiple categories of data may be provided, as described in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 6 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 6  is a data flow diagram depicting an embodiment of the flow of various data categories originating from the NDT inspection devices  12  (e.g., devices  14 ,  16 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 ) and transmitted to the mobile device  22  and/or the cloud  24 . As mentioned above, the NDT inspection devices  12  may use a wireless conduit  162  to transmit the data. In one embodiment, the wireless conduit  112  may include WiFi (e.g., 802.11X), cellular conduits (e.g., HSPA, HSPA+, LTE, WiMax), NFC, Bluetooth, PANs, and the like. The wireless conduit  162  may use a variety of communication protocols, such as TCP/IP, UDP, SCTP, socket layers, and so on. In certain embodiments, the wireless conduit  162  may include secure layers, such as SSL, VPN layers, encrypted layers, challenge key authentication layers, token authentication layers, and so on. Accordingly, an authorization data  164  may be used to provide any number of authorization or login information suitable to pair or otherwise authenticate the NDT inspection device  12  to the mobile device  22  and/or the cloud  24 . Additionally, the wireless conduit  162  may dynamically compress data, depending on, for example, currently available bandwidth and latency. The mobile device  22  may then uncompress and display the data. Compression/decompression techniques may include H.261, H.263, H.264, moving picture experts group (MPEG), MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-3, MPEG-4, DivX, and so on. 
         [0049]    In certain modalities (e.g., visual modalities), images and video may be communicated by using certain of the NDT inspection devices  12 . Other modalities may also send video, sensor data, and so on, related to or included in their respective screens. The NDT inspection device  12  may, in addition to capturing images, overlay certain data onto the image, resulting in a more informative view. For example, a borescope tip map may be overlaid on the video, showing an approximation of the disposition of a borescope tip during insertion so as to guide the operator  26  to more accurately position the borescope camera  126 . The overlay tip map may include a grid having four quadrants, and the tip  136  disposition may be displayed as dot in any portion or position inside of the four quadrants. A variety of overlays may be provided, as described in more detail below, including measurement overlays, menu overlays, annotation overlays, and object identification overlays. The image and video data, such as the video  84 , may then be displayed, with the overlays generally displayed on top of the image and video data. 
         [0050]    In one embodiment, the overlays, image, and video data may be “screen scraped” from the screen  135  and communicated as screen scrapping data  166 . The screen scrapping data  166  may then be displayed on the mobile device  22  and other display devices communicatively coupled to the cloud  24 . Advantageously, the screen scrapping data  166  may be more easily displayed. Indeed, because pixels may include both the image or video and overlays in the same frame, the mobile device  22  may simply display the aforementioned pixels. However, providing the screen scraping data may merge both the images with the overlays, and it may be beneficial to separate the two (or more) data streams. For example, the separate data streams (e.g., image or video stream, overlay stream) may be transmitted approximately simultaneously, thus providing for faster data communications. Additionally, the data streams may be analyzed separately, thus improving data inspection and analysis. 
         [0051]    Accordingly, in one embodiment, the image data and overlays may be separated into two or more data streams  168  and  170 . The data stream  168  may include only overlays, while the data stream  170  may include images or video. In one embodiment, the images or video  170  may be synchronized with the overlays  168  by using a synchronization signal  172 . For example, the synchronization signal may include timing data suitable to match a frame of the data stream  170  with one or more data items included in the overlay stream  168 . In yet another embodiment, no synchronization data  172  data may be used. Instead, each frame or image  170  may include a unique ID, and this unique ID may be matched to one or more of the overlay data  168  and used to display the overlay data  168  and the image data  170  together. 
         [0052]    The overlay data  168  may include a tip map overlay. For example, a grid having four squares (e.g., quadrant grid) may be displayed, along with a dot or circle representing a tip  136  position. This tip map may thus represent how the tip  136  is being inserted inside of an object. A first quadrant (top right) may represent the tip  136  being inserted into a top right corner looking down axially into the object, a second quadrant (top left) may represent the tip  136  being inserted into a left right corner looking down axially, a third quadrant (bottom left) may represent the tip  136  being inserted into a bottom left corner, and a fourth quadrant (bottom right) may represent the tip  136  being inserted into a bottom right corner. Accordingly, the borescope operator  26  may more easily guide insertion of the tip  136 . 
         [0053]    The overlay data  168  may also include measurement overlays. For example, measurement such as length, point to line, depth, area, multi-segment line, distance, skew, and circle gauge may be provided by enabling the user to overlay one or more cursor crosses (e.g., “+”) on top of an image. In one embodiment a stereo probe measurement tip  136 , or a shadow probe measurement tip  136  may be provided, suitable for measurements inside of objects, including stereoscopic measurements and/or by projecting a shadow onto an object. By placing a plurality of cursor icons (e.g., cursor crosses) over an image, the measurements may be derived using stereoscopic techniques. For example, placing two cursors icons may provide for a linear point-to-point measurement (e.g., length). Placing three cursor icons may provide for a perpendicular distance from a point to a line (e.g., point to line). Placing four cursor icons may provide for a perpendicular distance between a surface (derived by using three cursors) and a point (the fourth cursor) above or below the surface (e.g., depth). Placing three or more cursors around a feature or defect may then give an approximate area of the surface contained inside the cursors. Placing three or more cursors may also enable a length of a multi-segment line following each cursor. 
         [0054]    Likewise, by projecting a shadow, the measurements may be derived based on illumination and resulting shadows. Accordingly, by positioning the shadow across the measurement area, then placing two cursors as close as possible to the shadow at furthermost points of a desired measurement may result in the derivation of the distance between the points. Placing the shadow across the measurement area, and then placing cursors at edges (e.g., illuminated edges) of the desired measurement area approximately to the center of a horizontal shadow may result in a skew measurement, otherwise defined as a linear (point-to-point) measurement on a surface that is not perpendicular to the probe  14  view. This may be useful when a vertical shadow is not obtainable. 
         [0055]    Similarly, positioning a shadow across the measurement area, and then placing one cursor on a raised surface and a second cursor on a recessed surface may result in the derivation of depth, or a distance between a surface and a point above or below the surface. Positioning the shadow near the measurement area, and then placing a circle (e.g., circle cursor of user selectable diameter, also referred to as circle gauge) close to the shadow and over a defect may then derive the approximate diameter, circumference, and/or area of the defect. 
         [0056]    Overlay data  168  may also include annotation data. For example, text and graphics (e.g. arrow pointers, crosses, geometric shapes) may be overlaid on top of an image to annotate certain features, such as “surface crack.” Additionally, audio may be captured by the NDT inspection device  12 , and provided as an audio overlay. For example, a voice annotation, sounds of the equipment undergoing inspection, and so on, may be overlaid on an image or video as audio. The overlay data  168  received by the mobile device  22  and/or cloud  24  may then be rendered by a variety of techniques. For example, HTML5 or other markup languages may be used to display the overlay data  168 . In one embodiment, the mobile device  22  and/or cloud  24  may provide for a first user interface different from a second user interface provided by the NDT device  12 . Accordingly, the overlay data  168  may be simplified and only send basic information. For example, in the case of the tip map, the overlay data  168  may simply include X and Y data correlative to the location of the tip, and the first user interface may then use the X and Y data to visually display the tip on a grid. 
         [0057]    Additionally sensor data  174  may be communicated. For example, data from the sensors  126 ,  140 , and x-ray sensor data, eddy current sensor data, and the like may be communicated. In certain embodiments, the sensor data  174  may be synchronized with the overlay data  168 , for example, overlay tip maps may be displayed alongside with temperature information, pressure information, flow information, clearance, and so on. Likewise, the sensor data  174  may be displayed alongside the image or video data  170 . 
         [0058]    In certain embodiments, force feedback or haptic feedback data  176  may be communicated. The force feedback data  176  may include, for example, data related to the borescope  14  tip  136  abutting or contacting against a structure, vibrations felt by the tip  136  or vibration sensors  126 , force related to flows, temperatures, clearances, pressures, and the like. The mobile device  22  may include, for example, a tactile layer having fluid-filled microchannels, which, based on the force feedback data  176 , may alter fluid pressure and/or redirect fluid in response. Indeed, the techniques describe herein, may provide for responses actuated by the mobile device  22  suitable for representing sensor data  174  and other data in the conduit  162  as tactile forces. 
         [0059]    The NDT devices  12  may additionally communicate position data  178 . For example, the position data  178  may include locations of the NDT devices  12  in relation to equipment  18 ,  104 , and/or facilities  20 ,  106 . For example, techniques such as indoor GPS, RFID, triangulation (e.g., WiFi triangulation, radio triangulation) may be used to determine the position  178  of the devices  12 . Object data  180  may include data related to the object under inspection. For example, the object data  180  may include identifying information (e.g., serial numbers), observations on equipment condition, annotations (textual annotations, voice annotations), and so on. Other types of data  182  may be used, including but not limited to menu-driven inspection data, which when used, provides a set of pre-defined “tags” that can be applied as text annotations and metadata. These tags may include location information (e.g., 1 st  stage HP compressor) or indications (e.g., foreign object damage) related to the object undergoing inspection. Other data  182  may additionally include remote file system data, in which the mobile device  22  may view and manipulate files and file constructs (e.g., folders, subfolders) of data located in the memory  25  of the NDT inspection device  12 . Accordingly, files may be transferred to the mobile device  22  and cloud  24 , edited and transferred back into the memory  25 . By communicating the data  164 - 182  to the mobile device  22  and the cloud  24 , the techniques described herein may enable a faster and more efficient process  150 . 
       Self-Directed Inspection Guidance 
       [0060]    As previously discussed, it may be beneficial to provide self-directing guidance of an inspection process to an inspector. For example, in some embodiments, inspection equipment may provide Menu Driven Inspection (MDI) or an on device application, which may guide an inspector or other operator through the inspection process by providing instructions and/or other supplemental data relating to a current step of the inspection process. By enabling this guidance to be self-directing, less manual interaction may be needed, freeing an inspector to complete alternative tasks. As will be discussed in more detail below, the self-directing inspection instructions may be enabled through determining applicable instructions based upon location awareness of at least a portion of the inspection equipment. 
         [0061]      FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating a process  300  for providing a self-directing inspection plan using a piece of inspection equipment. The inspection equipment could be a computer or other hardware that includes a processor executing machine-readable instructions. Further the inspection equipment may include an inspection tool such as a borescope, eddy current device, X-ray system, etc., as discussed above. The process  300  begins by receiving a list of inspection steps (block  302 ). The inspection steps may be a machine-readable set of steps for an inspection process. In some embodiments, this machine-readable set of steps may be sourced from a text-based inspection plan that may, for example, be provided by a manufacturer of the object to be inspected, a manufacturer of the device used to inspect the object, external reference data, or any other source. 
         [0062]    Once the inspection steps have been received, the current inspection step is presented to the inspector or other operator (block  304 ). For example, a display of the inspection equipment may provide a graphical or textual-based indication of the current inspection step. In some embodiments, when an inspection plan is first initiated, the inspection equipment may assume that information regarding the first inspection step is the currently applicable information. In some embodiments, this may be verified or determined based upon step detection logic, which will be described in more detail below. 
         [0063]    The device may then monitor for an indication of the completion of the current inspection step and/or that a next step is ready to be implemented (block  306 ). Until such an indication is present, the displayed current inspection step may remain constant. However, when such an indication is present, a determination may be made regarding whether there are additional steps (decision block  308 ). When no additional steps are available, the process  300  ends (block  310 ). However, when there are additional steps, the next inspection step is displayed (block  312 ). This inspection step remains displayed until it is determined that the step is complete (block  306 ). This process  300  continues until the process completes or an inspector or other operator cancels or concludes the process. 
         [0064]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a piece of inspection equipment  330  that may be used to implement the self-directed inspection process  300  of  FIG. 7 , in accordance with an embodiment. The inspection equipment  330  may include communication circuitry  332  that may enable the inspection equipment to communicatively couple with a data service provider, such as the cloud-based data service provider  334 . The data service provider  334  may provide an inspection process (e.g., a list of inspection steps  336 ) provided in a machine-readable format, which may be obtained from a manufacturer or the object that is inspected, a manufacturer or the inspection equipment, reference materials data sources, etc. 
         [0065]    Further, the inspection equipment  330  may include a processor  336 , which may control and/or execute processes of the inspection equipment  330 . For example, the processor may execute applications  338  on the inspection equipment  330 , may interpret user controls  340 , such as buttons and/or knobs, to effect a change in the inspection equipment, and may control the presentation of images and/or text on a display  342  (e.g., MDI instructions for one or more particular steps). 
         [0066]    The processor  336  may determine a current step of the inspection plan using step detection logic  342 . The step detection logic may be circuitry and/or machine-readable instructions implementable by the processor  336 . In some embodiments, the step detection logic may make use of position detection logic  344  which may, for example, determine a location of a portion of the inspection equipment  330 . For example, if the inspection equipment includes a probe for gathering inspection data, the position detection logic  344  may determine the probe&#39;s location, which may be used by the step detection logic  342  to determine a currently applicable step of the inspection plan. While the current embodiment shows the step detection logic  342  and the position detection logic implemented as part of the inspection equipment  300 , in alternative embodiments, the one or more of these pieces of logic  342  and  344  may be implemented separate from the inspection equipment  330 . For example, the step detection logic  342  may be provided by the service provider  334  either separate from or included in the inspection steps  336 . Further, the position detection logic  344  may be provided in a remote device, such as in a probe or other collection device, communicatively coupled with the inspection equipment  330 . 
         [0067]    Based upon determining the currently applicable step from the set of inspection steps  336 , the processor  336  may present applicable instructions. For example, the processor may present graphical and/or textual based instructions related to the currently applicable step on the display  342 . In some embodiments, audible instructions may be provided via a speaker  346 . These visual and/or audible instructions may provide guidance to the inspector or other operator reducing manual intervention of an inspector. For example, in conventional systems where an inspection might need to step through the instructions using an arrow key user control  340 , the inspector&#39;s dexterity may be reduced. By implementing the self-directed inspection process, the inspector&#39;s hands may be used for other processes, improving the inspector&#39;s dexterity. 
         [0068]      FIG. 9  is an example of an inspection system enabled to provide self-directed inspection, in accordance with an embodiment. While the current discussion uses as borescope, this is not intended as a limitation. Indeed, many NDT devices, such as an eddy current device, may be enabled to perform the functions described herein. In the current example, the inspection equipment equipped with the self-directing inspection process is a borescope  372 . The borescope  372  may include an insertion tube  374  with an inspection camera tip  378  useful for inspecting inside of an object  380 . The insertion tube  374  and inspection camera tip  378  may be inserted into an inspection port  382  of the object  380 , where images and/or video may be obtained. 
         [0069]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , an inspection plan  384  for the object  380  may be converted into an application  386  (a set of machine-readable instructions defined by the inspection plan  384 ). Further, in the current embodiment, the step detection logic  342  is incorporated with the application  386 , to describe how the borescope  372  should determine the currently applicable step. As discussed above, the application  386  and the step detection logic  342  may be provided by a data provider  334  to the borescope  372 . 
         [0070]    In the current example, the inspection plan  384  includes 5 steps: (1) calibration, (2) positioning, and (3-5) image captures. Based upon the application  386  provided to the borescope  372 , instructional aide may be presented. In the current example, the calibrate instructional aide  388  is presented on the display  342 . The instructional aide  388  may include images and/or video  390  as well as text  392 . 
         [0071]    The step detection logic may use many factors in determining the currently applicable step. For example, a position of a portion of the borescope  372 , such as the camera tip  378  may be useful in determining an applicable step. The location may be determined by position location logic, which may reference, for example, global positioning system signals, radio frequency identification (RFID) location signals, image identification signals, such as barcode location identifiers, or image recognition logic that may determine an inspection location based upon interpreting a captured image. Further, other measureable operational attributes of the borescope may be used to discern the location, and thus, the currently applicable step. For instance, an orientation of a portion of the borescope  374 , such as the insertion tube  374  or the camera tip  378  or an exposed length of the insertion tube  374  or distance of the camera tip  378  from the retractable opening  396  may be useful in discerning the location. 
         [0072]    In the current example, the calibration step (step 1) may be discerned as the currently applicable step when the insertion tube is fully retracted into the retractable opening  396 , when an operator attempts to access specific user controls  340 , when the distance between the borescope  372  and the camera tip  378  is minimal, and/or when the application  386  is initialized on the borescope  372 . As these attributes change (e.g., the distance between the tip  378  and the borescope  372  increase, the insertion tube protracts, and/or the position and/or orientation of the camera tip  378  changes), the borescope  372  may discern that the calibration step (step 1) is complete. Accordingly, the display  342  may present any transitional instructional aides until it is discerned that the currently applicable step is step 2, as illustrated by the progression icon  398 . For example, the step detection logic  342  may define that step 2 is the currently applicable step when the length “L1”  400  is reached, when the tip  378  reaches the insertion port  382 , when the distance between the tip  378  and the retractable opening  396  is length “L1”  400 , etc. Upon satisfying the definition for discerning step 2 as the currently applicable step, the step 2 aide is presented, as illustrated by the progression icon  404 . The step detection logic may discern a transition from step 2 to step 3 upon passing the satisfying definition. For example, passing the distance between “L1”  400  between the retractable opening  396  and the tip  378  and/or passing the length “l1”  400  of the protracted insertion tube  374  defining that step 2 is the currently applicable step. During this transition, transitional aides may be provided, as indicated by the progression icon  406 . 
         [0073]    Once the definitions used to discern step 3 as the currently applicable step are met, the step 3 instructional aides may be presented, as illustrated by the progression icon  408 . For example, as indicated by the orientation icon  410 , one defining characteristic may be a particular angle of the insertion tube  374  and/or the camera tip  378 . Further, a defining characteristic may include reaching length “L1”  400 +“L2”  412 , either as a length of the protracted insertion tube  374  and/or the distance between the camera tip  378  and the retraction opening  396 . 
         [0074]    As illustrated above, a number of factors may be used to discern the currently applicable step. In some embodiments, the captured data may be useful to discern when a step is completed and thus a transition to the next step is likely. For example, upon collecting the image data defined by step 3, the inspection equipment may discern a transition to step 4 until the step 4 criteria is met. Accordingly, a transitional aide may be provided, as illustrated by the progression icon  414 . 
         [0075]    In the current example, criteria to discern step 4 as the currently applicable step may include a changed orientation of the insertion tube  374  and/or tip  378 , as indicated by the orientation icon  416 . Further the criteria may include image recognition of a particular location within the object of inspection, as indicated by the image recognition icon  418 . The criteria may include a condition of the tip reaching the location  420  of step 4 and/or the length “L1”  400 +length “L2”  412 +length “L3”  422  being reached either by the protracted insertion tube  374  length and/or the distance of the tip  378  from the retraction opening  396 . When the criteria is met, the instructional aide for step 4 may be presented, as illustrated by the progression icon  424 . 
         [0076]    During transition, to the next step, transitional aides may be presented if available (as illustrated by icon  426 ). Upon reaching the criteria for step 5, which may include an orientation criteria, as illustrated by the orientation icon  428 , a location  430  criteria, and/or a length criteria that include length “L4”  432 , the step 5 instructional aide may be presented, as illustrated by progression icon  434 . Upon completion of step 5, a completed inspection notification may optionally be provided, as illustrated by progression icon  436 , indicating that the inspection is complete and presenting additional information, such as the next inspection on the inspector&#39;s agenda, etc. 
         [0077]    As may be appreciated, by utilizing a self-directed inspection plan that automatically proceeds to display instructions relating to a particular inspection step when it is determined that these instructions apply, the burden of manual interaction by an inspector or other operator may be reduced. Accordingly, the inspector or other operator may complete additional inspection related tasks based upon hands-free operation of the automatic self-directing inspection plan. Further, as data is captured, location information may be automatically “tagged” with inspection location information, which may provide further context for captured inspection data. 
         [0078]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.