US3633212A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for determining the orientation of an object by employing plane-polarized light
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-10-15
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Granted: 1972-01-04
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Expires: 1990-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A system for ascertaining the positional characteristics of a moving object from a given viewing point. In one embodiment, the invention is employed to determine the attitude of a missile subsequent to its being launched from an aircraft. A plurality of specially oriented light-polarizing reflectors are attached to the missile surface, and observed by a viewing camera on the aircraft. A source of plane-polarized light on the aircraft illuminates the reflectors on the missile. The attitude of the latter with respect to this source determines the amount of illumination picked up by the camera from each reflector. Such data is then coordinated to yield the positional information desired. In another embodiment, the invention time-correlates a plurality of viewing cameras by causing a time-coded reflection of light to be visible on the missile regardless of view angle.
Inventors
- 👤 Guy F Cooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:08
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/28; F; F41; F41G; F41G7/00; F41G7/20; F41G7/30; F41G7/301
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the positional characteristics of an object undergoing motion with respect to a given viewing location, said apparatus comprising: a source of plane-polarized light at said viewing location, the light from said source being directed toward said object to illuminate the latter; a plurality of polarized reflectors carried by said object, the polarization direction of each reflector of said plurality being rotated a given amount with respect to the remaining reflectors, and with the total polarization angle covered by all of said reflectors equaling substantially 360*; and at least one light pickup means at said viewing location, said pickup means being arranged to intercept light returned by each reflector of said plurality and to make a permanent record of changes in the respective amounts thereof as said object undergoes motion with reSpect to said viewing location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
Apparatus for ascertaining the positional characteristics of an object undergoing motion with respect to a given viewing location, said apparatus comprising: a source of plane-polarized light at said viewing location, the light from said source being directed toward said object to illuminate the latter; a plurality of polarized reflectors carried by said object, the polarization direction of each reflector of said plurality being rotated a given amount with respect to the remaining reflectors, and with the total polarization angle covered by all of said reflectors equaling substantially 360*; and at least one light pickup means at said viewing location, said pickup means being arranged to intercept light returned by each reflector of said plurality and to make a permanent record of changes in the respective amounts thereof as said object undergoes motion with reSpect to said viewing location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said light source is a laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said light pickup means is a motion-picture camera.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which each reflector of said plurality includes a polarizing filter and a planar diffusing member arranged in closely spaced parallel relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said viewing location is an aircraft and said object is a missile launched therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said light source is arranged to develop separate beams of light having different chromatic characteristics, and in which said plurality of polarized reflectors are arranged in groups with the reflectors of each group being responsive only to the impingement thereon of light having one of such chromatic characteristics.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which the chromatic characteristics of said light beams are those of the three primary colors.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 7 in which the plane of polarization of each of the separate beams of light developed by said source is caused to rotate in cyclic fashion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 8 in which the cyclic rotation of each of the said separate beams of light is at a speed different from that of the remaining beams.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3269254A
Cited
US3306159A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-03 | 1975-07-05 | 1976-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-03 | 1979-07-05 | 1980-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-03 | 1983-07-05 | 1984-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |