US3678283A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radiation sensitive optical tracker
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1970-10-22
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Granted: 1972-07-18
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Expires: 1990-10-22
Abstract
Abstract An optical tracker system for determining the sight-line of a pilot within a cockpit. The system has at least two light sources and one photodetector mounted in the cockpit, and one light source and one photodetector mounted on the pilot''s helmet. Electrical signals from the photodetectors uniquely establish the position and orientation of the pilot''s helmet. When a helmet attached sight is included in the system the signals indicate the pilot''s line-of-sight.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth B Labaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/16; G01S5/163; F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/22; F41G3/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An optical tracker system for determining the position and orientation of an object comprising: first detection means coupled to said object for movement therewith, for providing a first output when illuminated; first illumination means system spatially fixed at a distance from said object for illuminating said first detection means; second detection means system spatially fixed at a distance from said object for providing a second output when illuminated; and second illumination means coupled to said object for movement therewith, wherein said second illumination means is coupled so as to illuminate said second detection means; such that said first and second outputs indicate the position and orientation of said object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
An optical tracker system for determining the position and orientation of an object comprising: first detection means coupled to said object for movement therewith, for providing a first output when illuminated; first illumination means system spatially fixed at a distance from said object for illuminating said first detection means; second detection means system spatially fixed at a distance from said object for providing a second output when illuminated; and second illumination means coupled to said object for movement therewith, wherein said second illumination means is coupled so as to illuminate said second detection means; such that said first and second outputs indicate the position and orientation of said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second detection means includes a lateral photodetector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 2 wherein; each of said first and second detection means further includes imaging optics, and each of said first and second illumination means includes a Gallium Arsenide light emitting diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said second detection means comprises a plurality of lateral photodetectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
110 words
The system of claim 1 wherein: said first detection means comprises a plurality of lateral photodetectors, and imaging optics for each said lateral photodetector; and said second illumination means comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes; wherein one of said lateral photodetectors is mounted adjacent each of said light emitting diodes to form a plurality of detector-diode pairs, and said light emitting diodes are mounted such that one of said plurality of lateral photodetectors will be illuminated by said first illumination means, and one of said plurality of light emitting diodes will illuminate said second detection means when the object is at any position and orientation within the system space.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
147 words
An optical tracker system for determing the sight line of the operator comprising: a sight coupled to the operator''s head such that when said operator superimposes his view of said sight on his view of an object the position and orientation of his head defines the said sight line; first detection means coupled to said operator''s head for movement therewith, for providing a first output when illuminated; first illumination means system spatially fixed at a distance from said operator''s head for illuminating said first detection means; second detection means system spatially fixed at a distance from said operator''s head for providing a second output when illuminated; and second illumination means coupled to said operator''s head for movement therewith, wherein said second illumination means is coupled so as to illuminate said second detection means; such that said first and second outputs indicate the sight line of said operator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
147 words
An optical tracker system for determing the sight line of the operator comprising: a sight coupled to the operator''s head such that when said operator superimposes his view of said sight on his view of an object the position and orientation of his head defines the said sight line; first detection means coupled to said operator''s head for movement therewith, for providing a first output when illuminated; first illumination means system spatially fixed at a distance from said operator''s head for illuminating said first detection means; second detection means system spatially fixed at a distance from said operator''s head for providing a second output when illuminated; and second illumination means coupled to said operator''s head for movement therewith, wherein said second illumination means is coupled so as to illuminate said second detection means; such that said first and second outputs indicate the sight line of said operator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 6 wherein each of said first and second detection means includes a lateral photodetector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 7 wherein; each of said first and second detection means further includes imaging optics, and each of said first and second illumination means includes a Gallium Arsenide light emitting diode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said second detection means comprises a plurality of lateral photodetectors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
113 words
The system of claim 6 wherein: said first detection means comprises a plurality of lateral photodetectors, and imaging optics for each said lateral photodetector; and said second illumination means comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes; wherein one of said lateral photodetectors is mounted adjacent each of said light emitting diodes to form a plurality of detector-diode pairs, and said light emitting diodes are mounted such that one of said plurality of lateral photodetectors will be illuminated by said first illumination means, and one of said plurality of light emitting diodes will illuminate said second detection means when the operator''s head is at any position and orientation within the field of the system.
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) | 1975-07-18 | 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 |