US3560647A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic focusing system
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1968-02-27
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Granted: 1971-02-02
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Expires: 1988-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A projected image may be brought into focus automatically by sensing a reflected image, e.g., with an electronic camera, and responsively adjusting the projector focus until an examination of the image denotes the greatest signal content. However, colorblind image dissectors fail to distinguish between image structures possessed of equal brightness characteristics but of different hues. By using separate spectrally sensitive channels, information about color as well as brightness transitions is made available for analysis. As a result, finer resolution sensing and optimum dissection is achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Leon D Harmon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:54
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B21/00; G03B21/14; G03B21/53; G03B19/00; G03B19/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
An automatic focus control system, which comprises: adjustable means for controlling the focus of a projected image; means viewing said image for developing a plurality of control signals, each of which is representative of a different spectrally distinct range of said projected image; means for selectively combining said plurality of control signals; and means for supplying said combined signal to said adjustable means for controlling the focus of said projected image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
An automatic focus control system, which comprises: adjustable means for controlling the focus of a projected image; means viewing said image for developing a plurality of control signals, each of which is representative of a different spectrally distinct range of said projected image; means for selectively combining said plurality of control signals; and means for supplying said combined signal to said adjustable means for controlling the focus of said projected image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
In an adjustable image focus system, the combination of: adjustable means for controlling the focus of an image; means for developing an electrical signal counterpart of said image; means responsive to said electrical signal counterpart for developing a plurality of control signals representative, respectively, of selected intensity in each of a plurality of different spectral color ranges of said image; and means for using said plurality of control signals for adjusting said focus controlling means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
In an adjustable image focus system, the combination of: adjustable means for controlling the focus of an image; means for developing an electrical signal counterpart of said image; means responsive to said electrical signal counterpart for developing a plurality of control signals representative, respectively, of selected intensity in each of a plurality of different spectral color ranges of said image; and means for using said plurality of control signals for adjusting said focus controlling means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
An automatic focus control system, which comprises: adjustable means for controlling the focus of an image; means for systematically scanning said image to produce a plurality of signals representative of spectrally separate ranges of said image; means for analyzing said signals to develop control signals representative of peak amplitude components therein; and means for utilizing said control signals to adjust such focus control means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
An automatic focus control system, which comprises: adjustable means for controlling the focus of an image; means for systematically scanning said image to produce a plurality of signals representative of spectrally separate ranges of said image; means for analyzing said signals to develop control signals representative of peak amplitude components therein; and means for utilizing said control signals to adjust such focus control means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
An automatic focus control system as defined in claim 3 wherein: said system for systematically scanning said image comprises; a plurality of color selective photosensitive elements, and means combining signals produced from image representations developed by said photosensitive elements; and Nipkow disc scanning means interposed between said image and said photosensitive elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
An automatic focus control system, which comprises: adjustable means for controlling the focus of an image; means for systematically dissecting said image to produce a plurality of spectrally separate image signals; and means responsive to said image signals for adjusting said focus control means to maximize the amplitude of said signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
An automatic focus control system, which comprises: adjustable means for controlling the focus of an image; means for systematically dissecting said image to produce a plurality of spectrally separate image signals; and means responsive to said image signals for adjusting said focus control means to maximize the amplitude of said signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
An automatic focus control system as defined in claim 5 wherein: said means for systematically dissecting said image comprises; a plurality of photosensitive elements responsive, respectively, to distinct spectral color image ranges; and means for selectively combining image values developed by said photosensitive elements to form a composite signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automatic focus control system as defined in claim 5 wherein, said photosensitive elements are responsive, respectively, to the spectral ranges of the primary colors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a system for focusing an image, the combination of: means for projecting an image on a screen; adjustable means for controlling the focus of said image; means for systematically examining the image on said screen to produce a plurality of signals representative of the intensity of spectrally distinct color ranges of said image; means for combining said plurality of signals to form a composite signal; means for analyzing said composite image signal to develop a signal representative of peak amplitude components thereof; and means responsive to said peak amplitude components for adjusting said focus to maximize said peak amplitude signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a system for focusing an image, the combination of: means for projecting an image on a screen; adjustable means for controlling the focus of said image; means for systematically examining the image on said screen to produce a plurality of signals representative of the intensity of spectrally distinct color ranges of said image; means for combining said plurality of signals to form a composite signal; means for analyzing said composite image signal to develop a signal representative of peak amplitude components thereof; and means responsive to said peak amplitude components for adjusting said focus to maximize said peak amplitude signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3450883A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-01 | 1974-08-03 | 1975-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-08-03 | 1979-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-01 | 1982-08-03 | 1983-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |