US3612645A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical binocular scanning apparatus
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1969-09-09
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Granted: 1971-10-12
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Expires: 1989-09-09
Abstract
Abstract An optical scanner is disclosed comprising a linear housing having an optical instrument such as a camera rotatably mounted therein. A first mirror is fixedly mounted in the housing at the optical end of the image sensor at a 45* angle to the image plane thereof. An L-shaped housing is provided having one end rotatably mounted on the linear housing with the one end being in optical communication with the optical instrument by reflection from the first mirror. A second mirror is mounted at the corner of the Lshaped housing for redirecting the optical path out through the other end thereof. During any rotation of the L-shaped housing, the optical instrument is counterrotated to compensate for the image rotation on the first mirror so that, for example on a television monitor, the picture transmitted by the optical instrument would be always upright.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary L Parker
- 👤 Frederick R Chamberlain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:57
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/64; G02B27/642; G02B23/00; G02B23/02; G02B23/08; G02B7/00; G02B7/20; G02B7/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
269 words
An optical binocular scanning apparatus comprising: an elongated linear housing; a first optical instrument located within said housing, said first optical instrument having an optical end with a portion of said housing forming an optical path leading from said optical end; first reflecting means mounted within said housing at the optical end of said first optical instrument for redirecting the optical path within said housing; a first tubular body having one end rotatably mounted on said linear housing with the one end being in optical communication with said first reflecting means, said tubular body forming an optical path leading from said first reflecting means; second reflecting means mounted within said Tubular body member for redirecting the optical path out through the other end of said tubular body; a second optical instrument located within said linear housing, said second optical instrument having an optical end facing the optical end of said first optical instrument with said first reflecting means interposed therebetween; third reflecting means on said first reflecting means for redirecting the optical path leading from the optical end of said second optical instrument; a second tubular body having one end rotatably mounted on said housing with the one end being in optical communication with said third reflecting means on said first reflecting means; fourth reflecting means mounted within said second tubular body for redirecting the optical path out through the other end of said second tubular body; and said optical instruments being simultaneously rotatably mounted within said housing to compensate for the image rotations on said first and said third reflecting means as said tubular bodies are simultaneously rotated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
269 words
An optical binocular scanning apparatus comprising: an elongated linear housing; a first optical instrument located within said housing, said first optical instrument having an optical end with a portion of said housing forming an optical path leading from said optical end; first reflecting means mounted within said housing at the optical end of said first optical instrument for redirecting the optical path within said housing; a first tubular body having one end rotatably mounted on said linear housing with the one end being in optical communication with said first reflecting means, said tubular body forming an optical path leading from said first reflecting means; second reflecting means mounted within said Tubular body member for redirecting the optical path out through the other end of said tubular body; a second optical instrument located within said linear housing, said second optical instrument having an optical end facing the optical end of said first optical instrument with said first reflecting means interposed therebetween; third reflecting means on said first reflecting means for redirecting the optical path leading from the optical end of said second optical instrument; a second tubular body having one end rotatably mounted on said housing with the one end being in optical communication with said third reflecting means on said first reflecting means; fourth reflecting means mounted within said second tubular body for redirecting the optical path out through the other end of said second tubular body; and said optical instruments being simultaneously rotatably mounted within said housing to compensate for the image rotations on said first and said third reflecting means as said tubular bodies are simultaneously rotated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said optical instruments are image sensors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said optical instruments are optical projectors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein each image sensor is a camera.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention in accordance with claim 2 wherein each image sensor is a vidicon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said first reflecting means comprises a first mirror mounted at a 45* angle to the image plane of said first optical instrument.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said second reflecting means is a mirror mounted at a 45* angle with respect to the axis of said first tubular member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 further including drive means for rotatably driving said tubular bodies in either rotational direction and for counter rotatably driving said optical instruments with respect to the rotational direction of said tubular bodies.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein the optical path extending out of said second tubular body lies in a plane parallel to the plane formed by the optical path of said first tubular body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said third reflecting means on said first reflecting means comprises a second mirror being in optical communication with said second optical instrument.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
218 words
An optical binocular scanning apparatus comprising: an elongated linear housing; a first optical instrument located within said housing, said first optical instrument having an optical end with a portion of said housing forming an optical path leading from said optical end; first reflecting means mounted within said housing at the optical end of said first optical instrument for redirecting the optical path within said housing; a first tubular body having one end rotatably mounted on said linear housing with the one end being optical communication with said first reflecting means, said tubular body forming an optical path leading from said first reflecting means; second reflecting means mounted within said tubular body member for redirecting the optical path out through the other end of said tubular body; a second optical instrument located within said linear housing, said second optical instrument having an optical end facing the optical end of said first optical instrument with said first reflecting means interposed therebetween; third reflecting means on said first reflecting means for redirecting the optical path leading from the optical end of said second optical instrument through said first tubular member; and said optical instruments being simultaneously rotatably mounted within said housing to compensate for the image rotations on said first and third reflecting means as said tubular bodies are simultaneously rotated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
218 words
An optical binocular scanning apparatus comprising: an elongated linear housing; a first optical instrument located within said housing, said first optical instrument having an optical end with a portion of said housing forming an optical path leading from said optical end; first reflecting means mounted within said housing at the optical end of said first optical instrument for redirecting the optical path within said housing; a first tubular body having one end rotatably mounted on said linear housing with the one end being optical communication with said first reflecting means, said tubular body forming an optical path leading from said first reflecting means; second reflecting means mounted within said tubular body member for redirecting the optical path out through the other end of said tubular body; a second optical instrument located within said linear housing, said second optical instrument having an optical end facing the optical end of said first optical instrument with said first reflecting means interposed therebetween; third reflecting means on said first reflecting means for redirecting the optical path leading from the optical end of said second optical instrument through said first tubular member; and said optical instruments being simultaneously rotatably mounted within said housing to compensate for the image rotations on said first and third reflecting means as said tubular bodies are simultaneously rotated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
58 words
The inventIon in accordance with claim 11 wherein said first reflecting means comprises a first mirror mounted at a 45* angle to the image plane of said first optical instrument and said third reflecting means comprises a second mirror mounted normal to said first mirror and at a 45* angle to the image plane of said optical instrument.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
The invention in accordance with claim 12 further including drive means for rotatably driving said tubular body in either rotational direction and for counter rotatably driving said optical instruments with respect to the rotation of said tubular body whereby the counter rotation of said optical instruments compensates for the image rotation on said first reflecting means as said tubular body is rotated.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2966096A
Cited
US3401233A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-11 | 1975-04-12 | 1975-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-11 | 1979-04-12 | 1979-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-11 | 1983-04-12 | 1983-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |