US3736376A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic control system for video tracker
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1967-03-30
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Granted: 1973-05-29
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Expires: 1987-03-30
Abstract
Abstract A control system for video trackers with monitor receivers on which tracking gate windows are displayed. Signals from a video tracker are shaped, gated and filtered, and then utilized to automatically maintain a substantially constant ratio between the window size and the portion of the window occupied by the image of the object being tracked. For a camera with zoom lens, the signals are used to operate a motor drive for the lens. For a camera with fixed focus lens, the signals are used for automatic gate size control in the video tracker.
Inventors
- 👤 P Kato
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786; G01S3/7864
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
In combination: means for projecting the images of a movable object and a window onto a screen, the window surrounding the object image and having a desired area relative to the area of the object image; means coupled to said projecting means for altering the ratio of the areas of said window and object image; means coupled to said projecting means and being responsive to range movement of the object to automatically detect an error in the desired ratio of the areas of said window and object image; and means coupled between said error detecting means and said altering means and being responsive to said error detecting means to automatically operate and cause said altering means to maintain the desired ratio of the areas of said window and object image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
In combination: means for projecting the images of a movable object and a window onto a screen, the window surrounding the object image and having a desired area relative to the area of the object image; means coupled to said projecting means for altering the ratio of the areas of said window and object image; means coupled to said projecting means and being responsive to range movement of the object to automatically detect an error in the desired ratio of the areas of said window and object image; and means coupled between said error detecting means and said altering means and being responsive to said error detecting means to automatically operate and cause said altering means to maintain the desired ratio of the areas of said window and object image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
107 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said projecting means includes: a television camera; a video signal processor coupled to said camera; gate tracking means for positioning the window so that it surrounds the object image, said gate tracking means coupled to said processor and having a gate generator; a monitor receiver including said screen; means for coupling said processor and gate generator to said monitor; and wherein said detecting means includes means coupled to said processor and gate generator for developing an error signal corresponding to relative range movement of the object with respect to said television camera, said error signal being applied to said altering means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said camera has a zoom lens; and wherein said altering means includes a motor drive for said lens, the error signal being applied to said motor drive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said camera has a fixed focus lens, wherein said gate generator has a movable control element, and wherein said altering means includes a motor drive for said element, the error signal being applied to said motor drive.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said camera has a fixed focus lens, wherein said gate generator has a voltage control element, and wherein said altering means includes an electronic integrator connected to said element, the error signal being applied to said integrator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said camera has a fixed focal length lens and an electronically controllable raster circuit, and wherein said altering means includes an electronic integrator connected to said raster circuit, the error signal being applied to said electronic integrator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
110 words
The combination of claim 2, wherein said detecting means includes: a clipper amplifier connected to said processor for converting an input signal therefRom to an output signal; a source of reference voltage; a summing circuit connected to said clipper amplifier and said source for summing the output signal and reference voltage; a switching circuit coupled to said summing circuit and to said gate generator, said switching circuit being gated on and off by said gate generator; and an integrating circuit coupled to said switching circuit for supplying the error signal to said altering means in order to maintain the desired ratio of the areas of said window and object image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein said camera has a zoom lens, and wherein said altering means includes a motor drive mechanically coupled to said lens; and a driver amplifier coupled to said motor drive and to said integrating circuit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 8, including an alternate voltage source; and a switch for connecting either said alternate voltage source or said integrating circuit to said driver amplifier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein said camera has a fixed focus lens and wherein said gate generator has a movable element for adjusting its operation to control the size of said window, and wherein said altering means includes a motor drive mechanically coupled to said movable element; and a driver amplifier coupled to said motor drive and to said integrating circuit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 10, including an alternate voltage source; and a switch for connecting either said alternate voltage source or said integrating circuit to said driver amplifier.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein said camera has a fixed focus lens, wherein said gate generator has a voltage controllable element, and wherein said altering means includes an electronic integrator connected between said voltage controllable element and said integrating circuit for controlling the operating voltage of said gate generator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination of claim 11, further including an alternate voltage source, and switch means for connecting either said alternate source or said integrating circuit to said electronic integrator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination of claim 7, wherein said camera has a fixed focus lens, wherein said camera has a voltage controllable raster circuit, and wherein said altering means includes an electronic integrator connected to said voltage controllable raster circuit and to said integrating circuit for electronically controlling said camera to effect zoom operation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3341653A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-05-28 | 1976-11-27 | 1977-05-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-28 | 1980-11-27 | 1981-05-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-28 | 1984-11-27 | 1985-05-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |