BTC I-CAP Image Capture System

as shown: 1470 Briefcase with SONY VAIO laptop, camera controls built in and field power

The BTC I-CAP Image Capture System allows the underground view seen by BTC cameras to be selected, captured, and stored directly on a computer in the field. It eliminates the video recording step in the data gathering process, saving the technician hours of tedious conversion previously required in the lab.

System Components: Computer, Capture Card, Software

The I-CAP system sub-notebook computer weighs less than 2.5 pounds and fits easily into an aluminum field case. It runs in a Windows XP environment on a Pentium class platform. The screen is a bright, full color display with excellent resolution finer than the standard video monitors used in recent years.

The PCMCIA digital capture card has full streaming video capability. And the I-CAP system is fully compliant with all S-Video camera systems, so earlier BTC Minirhizotron cameras can utilize these exciting new capabilities.

The heart of the I-CAP system is our custom control software package that allows the user to view, capture, and store digital images instantly in the field. Each image is stored on the computer's hard drive, which has a capacity of 20,000 images. After a day's work, these images may be downloaded easily in the lab computer and are ready for image analysis.

The Process: Using the BTC I-CAP software, you name the images when the experiment is set up. An interview process is used to assist in the design of the experiment. This Information is used to develop an array of locations that covers all the tubes and all the view stops in each tube. The naming process also identifies each image location. No more wondering where an image came from. And no further data entry is required.

As an option, associated notes may be attached to the image at the time of capture. You may also add new locations during the image gathering routine. Additional data integrity may be maintained by the use of the switchable image titling along the bottom of the image, also very useful when printing images.

Upgrades: Most existing BTC-2 and BTC-100X systems can be upgraded with the BTC l-CAP to replace their video recording components. Please call to discuss details.