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EP0091729A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Continuous depth of focus control

Assignee: Ampex Corp
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Filing: 1983-02-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-02-28
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Abstract

Abstract In a television camera, the variable gain control (12) is adjusted to provide a corresponding change in the camera output video signal level. The iris control (24) simultaneously is changed to maintain the preset video signal level. This varies the setting of the iris (22) and provides a corresponding change in the depth of focus to allow focussing on different objects in a scene.

Inventors

  • 👤 Gerow D. Brill

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 14:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/95; H04N23/958; H04N23/959; H04N23/70; H04N23/72

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim 69 words
A method of controlling the depth of focus of a television camera (10) having an iris (22), comprising setting the iris to provide an initial depth of focus; adjusting the gain of the camera or output video signal thereof as directed by a desired second depth of focus; simultaneously adjusting the iris in response to or in compensation for the gain adjustment to provide the second depth of focus.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 69 words
A method of controlling the depth of focus of a television camera (10) having an iris (22), comprising setting the iris to provide an initial depth of focus; adjusting the gain of the camera or output video signal thereof as directed by a desired second depth of focus; simultaneously adjusting the iris in response to or in compensation for the gain adjustment to provide the second depth of focus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
A method according to claim 1 further including focussing on a first object while maintaining a second object out of focus,-the adjustment of the iris bringing the second object into focus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 45 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the television camera has an automatic iris control (24) and wherein the iris setting is varied automatically in response to a change in the level of the said video signal to provide the said second depth of focus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 47 words
A method according to claim 3, further including focussing on a first object with a particular iris setting which defines an initial depth of focus, the adjustment of the iris setting being controlled so that the second depth of focus either includes or excludes the second object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 34 words
A method according to claim 1 or claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the adjustment of the said gain increases the output video signal level,the iris being closed to increase the depth of focus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 33 words
A method according to claim 1 or claim 3 or claim 4 wherein adjustment-of the said gain decreases the output video signal level, the iris being opened to decrease the depth of focus.
Claim 8
Independent Claim 28 words
A method according to any foregoing claim-in which the adjustment of the gain is continuous while the depth of focus is changed by the adjustment of the iris.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 39 words
. 8. A method according to any foregoing claim in which the gain adjustment is effected by means of the adjustment of a potentiometer (19) which is coupled to vary the gain provided by a video processing circuit (14).

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3555181A Cited
US4174526A Cited

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