Method and apparatus for barcode selection of themographic survey images

The present invention provides a system and method for capturing video images of elements in a videographic survey, e.g. a thermograph video survey. According to the invention a barcode label having a bar pattern representing a unique identifying name of each element of the survey is associated with each survey element. A video camera system, with a barcode scanner associated therewith, is provided for scanning a barcode associated with a selected element. The selected element is thereby identified to the video camera system. The video camera system recalls data, including the element name, relating to the selected element and displays the data on a display device associated with the video camera system. An operator may review the displayed data and capture a video image of the element with the video camera system. The video image of the selected element may then be stored in a camera memory with the element name associated therewith. In another aspect of the invention, a base computer is provided, with a database program operating thereon, for organizing data fields, including an identifying name field, associated with each element of a survey. Data may be transferred between the video camera system and the base computer for organizing a videographic survey and for analyzing video images of the survey elements.