Patent US3621136A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3621136A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic optical-focusing system for tv cameras
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1969-09-10
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Granted: 1971-11-16
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Expires: 1989-09-10
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for automatically focusing a television camera. The video signal output of the camera is successively differentiated, integrated and differentiated to produce signals which are utilized by a logic circuit to drive a motor that controls the focus of the camera.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert K Stanwood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:19
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/67
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for automatically focusing a TV camera having an adjustable focus and producing a video output signal comprising: drive motor means connected to said TV camera adjustable focus and capable of being energized to drive said adjustable focus in either of two directions; circuit means connected to receive said TV camera video output signal and functioning to produce one or more circuit output signals which are indicative of whether the focus of said TV camera is improving or becoming worse, and logic circuit means connected to receive said one or more circuit means output signals and functioning to energize said drive motor means, wherein said circuit means includes a first differentiator, an integrator and a second differentiator connected in series between said TV camera and said logic circuit means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
130 words
A system for automatically focusing a TV camera having an adjustable focus and producing a video output signal comprising: drive motor means connected to said TV camera adjustable focus and capable of being energized to drive said adjustable focus in either of two directions; circuit means connected to receive said TV camera video output signal and functioning to produce one or more circuit output signals which are indicative of whether the focus of said TV camera is improving or becoming worse, and logic circuit means connected to receive said one or more circuit means output signals and functioning to energize said drive motor means, wherein said circuit means includes a first differentiator, an integrator and a second differentiator connected in series between said TV camera and said logic circuit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said circuit means further includes a source of variable reference potential and comparator means connected to said source of variable reference potential, said integrator, and said logic circuit; and functioning to supply a signal to said logic circuit whenever said reference potential exceeds the output of said integrator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said circuit means further includes a clamp circuit connected between the output of said first differentiator and ground reference potential.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 2 wherein said logic circuit means includes limit and reverse switching means which control said drive motor means to drive said TV camera adjustable means only within predetermined limits and to reverse the direction of drive as said predetermined limits are reached.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said logic circuit means energizes said drive motor means to operate at a higher speed if said circuit means output signal are indicative of a worsening focus of said TV camera or at a lower speed if said circuit means output signals are either indicative of an improving focus of said TV camera or are indicative that the focus of said TV camera is very bad.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
211 words
A system for automatically focusing a TV camera having an adjustable focus and producing a video output signal, comprising: Circuit means connected to receive said TV camera video output signal and functioning to produce first and second output signals which are indicative of the condition of the focus of said TV camera; A focusing motor having input leads and connected to said TV camera adjustable focus and capable of operating at higher and lower speed in two directions; A reversing switch connected in the input leads of said focusing motor; Limiting means connected to control said reversing switch and functioning to throw said reversing switch whenever said TV camera adjustable focus reaches either of two predetermined limits and LoGic circuit means connected to receive said first and second circuit means output signals and to energize said input leads of said focusing motor and functioning to energize said focusing motor input leads for higher speeds if said circuit means output signals are indicative of a worsening focus of said TV camera or to energize said focusing motor input leads for lower speeds if said circuit means output signals are either indicative of an improving focus of said TV camera or are indicative that the focus of said TV camera is very bad.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
211 words
A system for automatically focusing a TV camera having an adjustable focus and producing a video output signal, comprising: Circuit means connected to receive said TV camera video output signal and functioning to produce first and second output signals which are indicative of the condition of the focus of said TV camera; A focusing motor having input leads and connected to said TV camera adjustable focus and capable of operating at higher and lower speed in two directions; A reversing switch connected in the input leads of said focusing motor; Limiting means connected to control said reversing switch and functioning to throw said reversing switch whenever said TV camera adjustable focus reaches either of two predetermined limits and LoGic circuit means connected to receive said first and second circuit means output signals and to energize said input leads of said focusing motor and functioning to energize said focusing motor input leads for higher speeds if said circuit means output signals are indicative of a worsening focus of said TV camera or to energize said focusing motor input leads for lower speeds if said circuit means output signals are either indicative of an improving focus of said TV camera or are indicative that the focus of said TV camera is very bad.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said logic circuit means includes A high-speed energy source; A low-speed energy source and Relay means connected to be controlled by the polarity of said first circuit means output signal to connect either said high-speed energy source or said low-speed energy source to energize said focusing motor input leads if said first output signal is not zero.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
155 words
A system for automatically focusing a TV camera having an adjustable focus and producing a video output signal comprising: drive motor means connected to said TV camera adjustable focus and capable of being energized to drive said adjustable focus in either of two directions; circuit means connected to receive said TV camera video output signal and functioning to produce one or more circuit output signals which are indicative of whether the focus of said TV camera is improving or becoming worse, and logic circuit means connected to receive said one or more circuit means output signals and functioning to energize said drive motor means, said drive motor means being capable of being driven at least at two different speeds in response to said logic circuit means, said two different speeds being a first speed in response to an improving signal focus and a second speed in response to a signal focus which is becoming worse.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
155 words
A system for automatically focusing a TV camera having an adjustable focus and producing a video output signal comprising: drive motor means connected to said TV camera adjustable focus and capable of being energized to drive said adjustable focus in either of two directions; circuit means connected to receive said TV camera video output signal and functioning to produce one or more circuit output signals which are indicative of whether the focus of said TV camera is improving or becoming worse, and logic circuit means connected to receive said one or more circuit means output signals and functioning to energize said drive motor means, said drive motor means being capable of being driven at least at two different speeds in response to said logic circuit means, said two different speeds being a first speed in response to an improving signal focus and a second speed in response to a signal focus which is becoming worse.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |