US3652784A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic range adjustment of objectives in television cameras
Assignee: Robert Bosch Fernsehanlagen GmbH
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Filing: 1969-12-12
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Granted: 1972-03-28
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Expires: 1989-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A modulated light source and a receiver determine range of scenes to be photographed. Preferably, ranging is accomplished during vertical flyback so that ranging light rays do not interfere with the ambient light reception and control signals do not interfere with camera electronics. Physical or electronic means are employed to ensure camera insensitivity during ranging.
Inventors
- 👤 Max E Wupper
- 👤 Richard Von Felgel-Farnhoiz
- 👤 Dietmar Gornott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/67; H04N23/671
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
Range measurement apparatus for the automatic range adjustment of an objective of a television camera comprising: television camera means having photosensitive means, adjustable objective means for focusing an image on the photosensitive means, electronic means for converting the image to signals, means for periodically rendering said camera means at least partially insensitive to an image, and further comprising range measuring means connected to the camera means including a modulated radiation source for irradiating an object to be photographed, and a receiver for receiving reflected radiation from the object, and coordinating means connected to the range measuring means and to the camera means for coordinating operation of the range measuring means during said at least partial insensitivity of the means and camera means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
Range measurement apparatus for the automatic range adjustment of an objective of a television camera comprising: television camera means having photosensitive means, adjustable objective means for focusing an image on the photosensitive means, electronic means for converting the image to signals, means for periodically rendering said camera means at least partially insensitive to an image, and further comprising range measuring means connected to the camera means including a modulated radiation source for irradiating an object to be photographed, and a receiver for receiving reflected radiation from the object, and coordinating means connected to the range measuring means and to the camera means for coordinating operation of the range measuring means during said at least partial insensitivity of the means and camera means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
Range measurement apparatus of claim 1 wherein the electronic means includes means for scanning the photosensitive means with a relatively fast picture scanning frequency in a first direction and a relatively slow picture scanning frequency in a second direction and wherein the coordinating means includes means connected to the scanning means for synchronizing modulation of the radiation source with the slow picture scanning frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The range measurement apparatus of claim 1 wherein the radiation source comprises an infrared light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The range measurement apparatus of claim 1 wherein modulation frequency of the radiation source is equal to field frequency of the television camera means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The range measurement apparatus of claim 1 wherein the radiation source is a means for producing light pulses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The range measurement apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means for producing light pulses is operative during vertical flyback in the television camera means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
Range measurement apparatus of claim 5 wherein the means renders the camera means for periodically rendering the camera means at least partically insensitive to light during promulgation of light pulses from the modulated radiation source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The range measurement apparatus of claim 7 wherein the means for periodically rendering the camera means at least partically insensitive comprises a diaphragm positioned between the object to be photographed and the photosensitive means for interrupting light flux to the camera means during promulgation of light pulses from the modulated radiation source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The range measurement apparatus of claim 8 wherein the diaphragm comprises a rotating sector diaphragm mounted between the objective means and the photosensitive means in the camera means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
Range measurement apparatus of claim 7 wherein electrode voltage in the electronic means comprises a camera tube means with electrodes, and wherein the means for periodically rendering the camera means at least partically insensitive varies electrode voltage to reduce camera sensitivity when light pulses are produced by the radiation source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
The range measurement apparatus of claim 10 wherein the camera tube means comprises picture converter means having acceleration voltagE applying means, and wherein the means for periodically rendering the camera means at least partically insensitive is connected to the acceleration voltage means for reducing acceleration voltage during promulgation of light pulses by the modulated radiation source.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
70 words
Range measurement apparatus of claim 1 wherein the camera means comprises color television camera means, wherein the electronic means comprises sequentially varied color sensitive scanning means, and wherein the coordinating means is connected to the sequentially varied color sensitive scanning means and to the radiation source for enabling operation of the radiation source when the color scanning means is insensitive to light of a color produced by the radiation source.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
73 words
The range measurement apparatus of claim 12 wherein the color scanning means comprises means for producing four time-sequential phases and means sensitive to unique colors during three sequential phases and insensitive to any color during a fourth phase, and wherein the coordinating means is connected to the said color scanning means and to the modulated radiation source for enabling operation of the source during a fourth sequential phase of the color scanning means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The range measurement apparatus of claim 12 wherein the coordinating means is connected to the color scanning means and to the radiation source for enabling operation of the radiation source when the color scanning means is insensitive to red.
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) | 1975-03-28 | 1975-09-27 | 1976-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-28 | 1979-09-27 | 1980-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-28 | 1983-09-27 | 1984-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |