US3595995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic stereo instrument for registration of similar stereo photographs
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1968-09-11
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Granted: 1971-07-27
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Expires: 1988-09-11
Abstract
Abstract This invention pertains to the art of photogrammetry and is concerned primarily with instruments that achieve the registration of similar stereo photographic images a automatically by electronic scanning means. In particular, the invention concerns the transformation of such images as required to achieve registration and provides an improved method of establishing the complex high order transformations necessary when correlating stereo photographs of rough terrain.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilbert L Hobrough
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:20
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
247 words
In an automatic stereo instrument, the improvement comprising: a. first means for scanning an area of a first stereophotograph and for producing a first plurality of signals representative of the scanned image thereon, and including a flying spot scanner which is driven by X and Y deflection circuitry; b. second means for scanning an area of a second stereophotograph and for producing a second plurality of signals representative of the scanned image thereon, and including a flying spot scanner which is driven by X and Y deflection circuitry; c. a raster generator, coupled to said X and Y deflection circuitry associated with the first and second scanning means, for applying raster scanning signals to said X and Y circuitry; d. means for correlating said first and second plurality of signals and for producing a series of parallax error signals representing parallax differences between corresponding points on said first and second stereophotographs; e. a storage device for storing said series of parallax error signals at storage positions associated therewith substantially corresponding to the coordinate locations of said corresponding points on said first and second stereophotographs; f. means for coupling said raster generator to said storage device for causing said parallax error signals to be stored at positions associated with said storage device substantially corresponding to associated points on said stereophotographs; g. readout means for sequentially reading out said parallax error signals stored within said storage device; and h. means for coupling said readout means to said raster generator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
247 words
In an automatic stereo instrument, the improvement comprising: a. first means for scanning an area of a first stereophotograph and for producing a first plurality of signals representative of the scanned image thereon, and including a flying spot scanner which is driven by X and Y deflection circuitry; b. second means for scanning an area of a second stereophotograph and for producing a second plurality of signals representative of the scanned image thereon, and including a flying spot scanner which is driven by X and Y deflection circuitry; c. a raster generator, coupled to said X and Y deflection circuitry associated with the first and second scanning means, for applying raster scanning signals to said X and Y circuitry; d. means for correlating said first and second plurality of signals and for producing a series of parallax error signals representing parallax differences between corresponding points on said first and second stereophotographs; e. a storage device for storing said series of parallax error signals at storage positions associated therewith substantially corresponding to the coordinate locations of said corresponding points on said first and second stereophotographs; f. means for coupling said raster generator to said storage device for causing said parallax error signals to be stored at positions associated with said storage device substantially corresponding to associated points on said stereophotographs; g. readout means for sequentially reading out said parallax error signals stored within said storage device; and h. means for coupling said readout means to said raster generator.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said readout means is coupled to means for modifying the raster signal applied to at least one of said scanning means for reducing said parallax error signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2 further including servo drive means coupled to at least one of said photographs for shifting the position of at least one of said photographs relative to the other of said photographs to reduce average X parallax; and means coupled between said readout means and said servo drive means for applying a DC signal to said servo drive means proportional to average X parallax.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
233 words
In an automatic stereo instrument, the improvement comprising: a. first means for scanning an area of a first stereophotograph and for producing a first plurality of signals representative of the scanned image thereon, and including a first scanner which is driven in X and Y to scan the first stereophotograph; b. second means for scanning an area of a second stereophotograph and for producing a second plurality of signals representative of the scanned image thereon, and including a second scanner which is driven in X and Y to scan the second stereophotograph; c. raster generator means, coupled to said first scanning means and said second scanning means, for driving said first and second scanners; d. means for coRrelating said first and second plurality of signals and for producing a series of parallax error signals representing parallax differences between corresponding points on said first and second stereophotographs; e. a storage device for storing said series of parallax error signals at storage positions associated therewith substantially corresponding to the coordinate locations of said corresponding points on said first and second stereophotographs; f. means for coupling said raster generator to said storage device for causing said parallax error signals to be stored at positions associated with said storage device substantially corresponding to associated points on said stereophotographs; and, g. readout means for electrically reading out in sequence said parallax error signals stored within said storage device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
233 words
In an automatic stereo instrument, the improvement comprising: a. first means for scanning an area of a first stereophotograph and for producing a first plurality of signals representative of the scanned image thereon, and including a first scanner which is driven in X and Y to scan the first stereophotograph; b. second means for scanning an area of a second stereophotograph and for producing a second plurality of signals representative of the scanned image thereon, and including a second scanner which is driven in X and Y to scan the second stereophotograph; c. raster generator means, coupled to said first scanning means and said second scanning means, for driving said first and second scanners; d. means for coRrelating said first and second plurality of signals and for producing a series of parallax error signals representing parallax differences between corresponding points on said first and second stereophotographs; e. a storage device for storing said series of parallax error signals at storage positions associated therewith substantially corresponding to the coordinate locations of said corresponding points on said first and second stereophotographs; f. means for coupling said raster generator to said storage device for causing said parallax error signals to be stored at positions associated with said storage device substantially corresponding to associated points on said stereophotographs; and, g. readout means for electrically reading out in sequence said parallax error signals stored within said storage device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said stereo instrument further includes means for coupling said readout means to said raster generator means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said storage device includes a two-dimensional array of numerous storage elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination as set forth in claim 4 wherein said storage device comprises a storage tube having a two-dimensional target associated therewith for storing charges having strengths proportional to said parallax error signals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 further including servo drive means coupled to at least one of said photographs for shifting the position of at least one of said photographs relative to the other of said photographs to reduce average X parallax; and means coupled between said storage device and said servo drive means for applying a DC signal to said servo drive means proportional to average X parallax.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
232 words
In an automatic stereo instrument the improvement comprising: first means for scanning an area of a first stereophotograph and for producing a first video signal representative of the scanned image thereon; second means for scanning an area of a second stereophotograph and for producing a second video signal representative of the scanned image thereon; means for correlating said first and second signals and for producing a series of parallax error signals representing displacements between corresponding points on said first and second stereophotographs; a two-dimensional storage device including a two-dimensional array of numerous storage elements for storing the series of parallax signals produced by said correlating means at coordinate storage positions associated therewith substantially corresponding to the coordinate locations of corresponding points on said first and second stereophotographs; writing means associated with said storage device for sequentially writing in said parallax signals into said storage device; readout means for sequentially reading out said parallax signals stored within said storage device; a raster generator for applying X deflection and Y deflection control signals to said first and second scanning means, to said writing means and to said readout means; and modifying means coupled between at least one of said scanning means and said readout means for modifying said X deflection signal applied to at least one of said scanning means to reduce said X parallax signals associated with corresponding scanned points in said photographs.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
232 words
In an automatic stereo instrument the improvement comprising: first means for scanning an area of a first stereophotograph and for producing a first video signal representative of the scanned image thereon; second means for scanning an area of a second stereophotograph and for producing a second video signal representative of the scanned image thereon; means for correlating said first and second signals and for producing a series of parallax error signals representing displacements between corresponding points on said first and second stereophotographs; a two-dimensional storage device including a two-dimensional array of numerous storage elements for storing the series of parallax signals produced by said correlating means at coordinate storage positions associated therewith substantially corresponding to the coordinate locations of corresponding points on said first and second stereophotographs; writing means associated with said storage device for sequentially writing in said parallax signals into said storage device; readout means for sequentially reading out said parallax signals stored within said storage device; a raster generator for applying X deflection and Y deflection control signals to said first and second scanning means, to said writing means and to said readout means; and modifying means coupled between at least one of said scanning means and said readout means for modifying said X deflection signal applied to at least one of said scanning means to reduce said X parallax signals associated with corresponding scanned points in said photographs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination as set forth in claim 9 wherein said modifying means includes an adder circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination as set forth in claim 9 further including servo drive means for shifting the relative X position of said stereo photographs in a direction to reduce overall X parallax; and means coupled between said readout means and said servo drive means for applying a control signal to said servo drive means proportional to average X parallax associated with the scanned areas of said photographs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein said last-named means includes a filter for producing a DC signal proportional to average X parallax.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-26 | 1975-01-25 | 1975-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-26 | 1979-01-25 | 1979-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-26 | 1983-01-25 | 1983-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |