US3677645A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic stereoplotting apparatus having a low inertia servo system
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1970-06-01
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-06-01
Abstract
Abstract An automatic stereoplotting system employing both a high speed primary servo-system for inducing substantially instantaneous primary relative displacements between scanning patterns to eliminate detected parallax, and a more massive and slower reacting auxiliary servo system for inducing relative displacements between photographs being scanned. The auxiliary displacements of the photographs replace the initial primary displacements of the scanning patterns and a readout mechanism records measured elevations by continuously indicating the algebraic summations of both the primary and auxiliary displacements.
Inventors
- 👤 H Ronald Johnston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:41
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
341 words
A stereo instrument for examining left and right stereo photographs of an object and for determining parallax in the left and right stereo photographs and comprising: a. means for mounting the left stereo photograph to enable scanning of it; b. means for mounting the right stereo photograph to enable scanning of it; c. a left scanning system for scanning different points in the left stereo photograph and for producing a signal indicative of the image detail in each scanned point; d. a right scanning system for scanning different points in the right stereo photograph and for producing a siGnal indicative of the image detail in each scanned point; e. means for analyzing the signals from said left and right scanning systems to detect parallax between the left and right stereo photographs and for producing a parallax signal indicative of the parallax; f. means for producing a further signal which is the integral of said parallax signal, said producing means including a relatively low inertia, fast servo system with a servo motor responsive to said parallax signal for driving said relatively low inertia, fast servo system; g. a relatively high inertia, slow servo system for producing relative movement between said left mounting means and said right mounting means and along an axis to reduce parallax between the left and right stereo photographs, said slow servo system including a servo responsive to said further signal for driving said relatively high inertia, slow servo system; h. means, responsive to said further signal, for electronically shifting the scanning by said left scanning system along said axis to reduce parallax between the left and right stereo photographs; i. means, responsive to said further signal, for electronically shifting the scanning by said right scanning system along said axis to reduce parallax between the left and right stereo photographs; and j. means for summing the outputs of said slow servo system and said fast servo system to produce a summed output which is indicative of the total parallax between corresponding points in the left and right stereo photographs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
341 words
A stereo instrument for examining left and right stereo photographs of an object and for determining parallax in the left and right stereo photographs and comprising: a. means for mounting the left stereo photograph to enable scanning of it; b. means for mounting the right stereo photograph to enable scanning of it; c. a left scanning system for scanning different points in the left stereo photograph and for producing a signal indicative of the image detail in each scanned point; d. a right scanning system for scanning different points in the right stereo photograph and for producing a siGnal indicative of the image detail in each scanned point; e. means for analyzing the signals from said left and right scanning systems to detect parallax between the left and right stereo photographs and for producing a parallax signal indicative of the parallax; f. means for producing a further signal which is the integral of said parallax signal, said producing means including a relatively low inertia, fast servo system with a servo motor responsive to said parallax signal for driving said relatively low inertia, fast servo system; g. a relatively high inertia, slow servo system for producing relative movement between said left mounting means and said right mounting means and along an axis to reduce parallax between the left and right stereo photographs, said slow servo system including a servo responsive to said further signal for driving said relatively high inertia, slow servo system; h. means, responsive to said further signal, for electronically shifting the scanning by said left scanning system along said axis to reduce parallax between the left and right stereo photographs; i. means, responsive to said further signal, for electronically shifting the scanning by said right scanning system along said axis to reduce parallax between the left and right stereo photographs; and j. means for summing the outputs of said slow servo system and said fast servo system to produce a summed output which is indicative of the total parallax between corresponding points in the left and right stereo photographs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said summing means includes a differential coupling mechanism for mechanically summing the outputs of said slow servo system and said fast servo system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for producing a further signal includes a potentiometer means driven by said fast servo system, and said further signal is a signal taken across said potentiometer means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 and further including a gear means mechanically driven by said fast servo system, said gear means having two output shafts, one output shaft being drivingly connected to said differential coupling mechanism, and the second output shaft being drivingly connected to said potentiometer means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for producing a further signal includes a potentiometer means driven by said fast servo system and said further signal is a signal taken across said potentiometer means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus as set forth in claim 5 and further including a gear means mechanically driven by said fast servo system, said gear means having two output shafts, one output shaft being drivingly connected to said summing means, and the second output shaft being drivingly connected to said potentiometer means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3554645A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-18 | 1976-01-17 | 1976-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-18 | 1980-01-17 | 1980-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-18 | 1984-01-17 | 1984-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |