Patent US3738746A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3738746A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automatic stereoscopic profiling system
Assignee: United States Department of the Interior
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Filing: 1970-12-08
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Granted: 1973-06-12
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Expires: 1990-12-08
Abstract
Abstract Positive and negative transparencies of a stereo-pair of photographs of terrain are projected in a double-projection stereoplotter apparatus to produce an image containing a uniform density line having extended continuity and distinguishable from the overall showing which appears so as to provide a profile signature of a plane intersecting the terrain. Edge enhancement of the photographs aids in establishing a more definitive profile signature.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lewis
- 👤 T Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:08
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B15/00; G01; G01C; G01C11/00; G03B35/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for producing a record of the linear form of a plane through the surface of a terrain, the steps comprising, making a stereopair of photographic transparency views of said terrain, including a positive transparency and a negative transparency, adjusting a stereoscopic projection arrangement utilizing said transparencies for orientation and elevational setting so as to present upon a screen thereof a three-dimensional image view of said terrain with said linear form distinguishable therein, darkening said projection arrangement, placing a photographic film sheet on said screen so as to cover therewith an area of the screen to be coincident with an area receiving said image, illuminating said projection arrangement for a time required to suitably expose said film to a projection of said image, and deriving by developing and printing said exposed film a showing whereon a continuous uniform density line is distinguishable to provide a record of said linear form.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A method for producing a record of the linear form of a plane through the surface of a terrain, the steps comprising, making a stereopair of photographic transparency views of said terrain, including a positive transparency and a negative transparency, adjusting a stereoscopic projection arrangement utilizing said transparencies for orientation and elevational setting so as to present upon a screen thereof a three-dimensional image view of said terrain with said linear form distinguishable therein, darkening said projection arrangement, placing a photographic film sheet on said screen so as to cover therewith an area of the screen to be coincident with an area receiving said image, illuminating said projection arrangement for a time required to suitably expose said film to a projection of said image, and deriving by developing and printing said exposed film a showing whereon a continuous uniform density line is distinguishable to provide a record of said linear form.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for producing a photographic record of a linear profile of a terrain, comprising in combination with a stereoscopic projection arrangement having therein a pair of positionally adjustable projectors and a plotting table disposed to receive thereon a three-dimensional image of said terrain as produced by the operation of said arrangement, a masking device for photographic film applied to said table whereon said image is received, said device including an assembly of covering elements maintained fixed with respect to said table wheReon said elements are disposed to define an opening therebetween located over said film, means attached to said film operable to progressively displace a predetermined span of contiguous portions of said film beneath said opening in synchronism with a continuous linear readjustment of the position of said projectors with respect to said table.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
Apparatus for producing a photographic record of a linear profile of a terrain, comprising in combination with a stereoscopic projection arrangement having therein a pair of positionally adjustable projectors and a plotting table disposed to receive thereon a three-dimensional image of said terrain as produced by the operation of said arrangement, a masking device for photographic film applied to said table whereon said image is received, said device including an assembly of covering elements maintained fixed with respect to said table wheReon said elements are disposed to define an opening therebetween located over said film, means attached to said film operable to progressively displace a predetermined span of contiguous portions of said film beneath said opening in synchronism with a continuous linear readjustment of the position of said projectors with respect to said table.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising separate means respectively operable to adjust the angular and linear dispositions of said projectors with respect to said plotting table, and wherein said displacement of said film occurs in synchronism with a continuous positional readjustment of said projectors linearly after said projectors have been preset and fixed at a predetermined angular position with respect to said plotting table.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said assembly of covering elements further comprises in each said element a plurality of adjustable means for fixing the location of said element with respect to the plotting table after said elements are disposed to define said opening between said elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said film displacing means further comprises a linearly displaceable member clamped to an edge of said film, and a member drawing means including cords attached to said member and to a powered cord windup mechanism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
258 words
Apparatus for producing a photographic record of a linear profile of a terrain comprising a casing characterized by a plurality of uniformly spaced, regularly arranged, corresponding shaped slot openings within a top surface of said casing, a stereoscopic projector arrangement fixedly disposed over said slot openings operable to project a three-dimensional image of said terrain which spans across all said openings, a plurality of roller means uniformly disposed in alignment in a first level within said casing directly beneath said slot openings and in alignment therewith, a second plurality of roller means uniformly disposed in alignment in a second level within said casing at a predetermined distance from said first level beneath said spaces between said rollers of said first level and in alignment therewith, a feed reel and a take-up reel arranged in said casing separated from said rollers, and a photographic film extending between said reels by way of contact alternately around a top surface of individual rollers of said first level and around a bottom surface of individual rollers of said second level, a fixed base for said apparatus, means affixed to base and means affixed to said casing coacting to vertically displace said casing with respect to said base, and further means, operating in synchronism with said casing displacing means, for driving said reels whereby a different corresponding length of said film progressively passes beneath each said slot opening for exposure to a predetermined part of said projected image simultaneously with a vertical displacement of said casing with respect to said stereoscopic projector arrangement.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
258 words
Apparatus for producing a photographic record of a linear profile of a terrain comprising a casing characterized by a plurality of uniformly spaced, regularly arranged, corresponding shaped slot openings within a top surface of said casing, a stereoscopic projector arrangement fixedly disposed over said slot openings operable to project a three-dimensional image of said terrain which spans across all said openings, a plurality of roller means uniformly disposed in alignment in a first level within said casing directly beneath said slot openings and in alignment therewith, a second plurality of roller means uniformly disposed in alignment in a second level within said casing at a predetermined distance from said first level beneath said spaces between said rollers of said first level and in alignment therewith, a feed reel and a take-up reel arranged in said casing separated from said rollers, and a photographic film extending between said reels by way of contact alternately around a top surface of individual rollers of said first level and around a bottom surface of individual rollers of said second level, a fixed base for said apparatus, means affixed to base and means affixed to said casing coacting to vertically displace said casing with respect to said base, and further means, operating in synchronism with said casing displacing means, for driving said reels whereby a different corresponding length of said film progressively passes beneath each said slot opening for exposure to a predetermined part of said projected image simultaneously with a vertical displacement of said casing with respect to said stereoscopic projector arrangement.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
541 words
A method for producing a record of a linear profile in a plane through the surface of a terrain wherein said terrain is represented for view on a planar surface, disposed in a horizontal plane, as a three-dimensional stereoscopic model by projections of light rays on said planar surface emanating from first and second projectors predisposed in a stereoscopic projection arrangement and which produce images of said terrain surface previously recorded on separate transparencies of a stereopair in said arrangement, the steps comprising initially relatively orienting said projected images by predetermined adjustments of said first and second projectors in a first predetermined linear direction so as to form said stereoscopic model of said terrain to appear for said viewing below said horizontal plane, deriving a line through perspective centers of projection of said projectors in said profile plane which further lies in said horizontal plane, said line being formed in an intersection of corresponding lIght rays of said light rays manifesting image points at the same elevation in said stereoscopic model, by observation of at least two of said image points corresponding to preselected points on said planar surface, adapted to define said line, as further adjustments of said first and second projectors cause said two image points to alternately pass oppositely in said first predetermined linear direction through said horizontal plane until said two image points appear stationary with respect to a second predetermined linear direction coordinately disposed with respect to said first predetermined linear direction in said horizontal plane, darkening both said first and second projectors, masking a first photographic film displaceably disposed on said planar surface so as to leave unmasked under an opening in said masking a predetermined narrow portion of said first film centered along said derived line on said planar surface, illuminating said first projector, at said adjustment thereof where heretofore positioned to produce said stereoscopic model below said horizontal plane, to project a first image characteristic of one of said transparencies, synchronously moving linearly said projector and said masked first film in directions parallel to a reference plane, defined by said first and said second predetermined linear directions, and perpendicular to said derived line, to pass said first film along said planar surface and under said opening to expose a predetermined span of contiguous narrow portions of said first film to said image of said projected one of said transparencies, duplicating said synchronous movements linearly parallel to said reference plane and perpendicular to said derived line employing said second projector again illuminated, with said first projector darkened, and masking a second photographic film in place of said first film to expose a predetermined span of contiguous narrow portions of said second film to said projected other one of said transparencies, deriving by photographic processing said first and second exposed photographic films a positive transparency from one of said exposed first and second films, and a negative transparency from the other one of said exposed first and second films, and superimposing said derived positive and negative transparencies for viewing upon a lighted background so as to obtain a registration of common indicia on said transparencies whereby is secured a continuous density line distinguishable in said lighted viewing which provides a record of said linear profile.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
541 words
A method for producing a record of a linear profile in a plane through the surface of a terrain wherein said terrain is represented for view on a planar surface, disposed in a horizontal plane, as a three-dimensional stereoscopic model by projections of light rays on said planar surface emanating from first and second projectors predisposed in a stereoscopic projection arrangement and which produce images of said terrain surface previously recorded on separate transparencies of a stereopair in said arrangement, the steps comprising initially relatively orienting said projected images by predetermined adjustments of said first and second projectors in a first predetermined linear direction so as to form said stereoscopic model of said terrain to appear for said viewing below said horizontal plane, deriving a line through perspective centers of projection of said projectors in said profile plane which further lies in said horizontal plane, said line being formed in an intersection of corresponding lIght rays of said light rays manifesting image points at the same elevation in said stereoscopic model, by observation of at least two of said image points corresponding to preselected points on said planar surface, adapted to define said line, as further adjustments of said first and second projectors cause said two image points to alternately pass oppositely in said first predetermined linear direction through said horizontal plane until said two image points appear stationary with respect to a second predetermined linear direction coordinately disposed with respect to said first predetermined linear direction in said horizontal plane, darkening both said first and second projectors, masking a first photographic film displaceably disposed on said planar surface so as to leave unmasked under an opening in said masking a predetermined narrow portion of said first film centered along said derived line on said planar surface, illuminating said first projector, at said adjustment thereof where heretofore positioned to produce said stereoscopic model below said horizontal plane, to project a first image characteristic of one of said transparencies, synchronously moving linearly said projector and said masked first film in directions parallel to a reference plane, defined by said first and said second predetermined linear directions, and perpendicular to said derived line, to pass said first film along said planar surface and under said opening to expose a predetermined span of contiguous narrow portions of said first film to said image of said projected one of said transparencies, duplicating said synchronous movements linearly parallel to said reference plane and perpendicular to said derived line employing said second projector again illuminated, with said first projector darkened, and masking a second photographic film in place of said first film to expose a predetermined span of contiguous narrow portions of said second film to said projected other one of said transparencies, deriving by photographic processing said first and second exposed photographic films a positive transparency from one of said exposed first and second films, and a negative transparency from the other one of said exposed first and second films, and superimposing said derived positive and negative transparencies for viewing upon a lighted background so as to obtain a registration of common indicia on said transparencies whereby is secured a continuous density line distinguishable in said lighted viewing which provides a record of said linear profile.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
433 words
A method for producing a record of a linear profile in a plane through the surface of a terrain wherein said terrain is represented for viewing on a planar surface, disposed in a horizontal plane, as a three-dimensional stereoscopic model by projections of light rays on said planar surface emanating from first and second projectors predisposed in a stereoscopic projection arrangement and which produce images of said terrain surface previously recorded on separate positive and negative edge-enhanced photographic transparencies of a stereopair in said arrangement, the steps comprising initially relatively orienting said projected images by predetermined adjustments of said first and second projectors in a first predetermined linear direction so as to form said stereoscopic model of said terrain to appear for said viewing below said horizontal plane, deriving a line through perspective centers of projection of said projectors in said profile plane which further lies in said horizontal plane, said line being formed in an intersection of corresponding light rays of said light rays manifesting image points at the same elevation in said stereoscopic model, by observation of at least two of said image points corresponding to preselected points on said planar surface, adapted to define said line, as further adjustments of said first and second projections cause said two image points to alternately pass oppositely in said fiRst predetermined linear direction through said horizontal plane until said two image points appear stationary with respect to a second predetermined linear direction coordinately disposed with respect to said first predetermined linear direction in said horizontal plane, darkening both said first and second projectors, masking photographic film displaceably disposed on said planar surface so as to leave unmasked under an opening in said masking a predetermined narrow portion of said film centered along said derived line on said planar surface, illuminating both said first and second projectors, at said adjustment thereof where heretofore positioned to produce said stereoscopic model below said horizontal plane, to project images characteristic of said positive and negative transparencies, synchronously moving linearly said projectors and said masked film in directions parallel to a reference plane, defined by said first and said second predetermined linear directions, and perpendicular to said derived line, to pass said film along said planar surface and under said opening to expose a predetermined span of contiguous narrow portions of said film to said images of said projected transparencies rising through and above said horizontal plane, and deriving by photographic processing of said exposed film a positive transparency of said film whereon a continuous uniform density line is distinguishable to provide a record of said linear profile.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
433 words
A method for producing a record of a linear profile in a plane through the surface of a terrain wherein said terrain is represented for viewing on a planar surface, disposed in a horizontal plane, as a three-dimensional stereoscopic model by projections of light rays on said planar surface emanating from first and second projectors predisposed in a stereoscopic projection arrangement and which produce images of said terrain surface previously recorded on separate positive and negative edge-enhanced photographic transparencies of a stereopair in said arrangement, the steps comprising initially relatively orienting said projected images by predetermined adjustments of said first and second projectors in a first predetermined linear direction so as to form said stereoscopic model of said terrain to appear for said viewing below said horizontal plane, deriving a line through perspective centers of projection of said projectors in said profile plane which further lies in said horizontal plane, said line being formed in an intersection of corresponding light rays of said light rays manifesting image points at the same elevation in said stereoscopic model, by observation of at least two of said image points corresponding to preselected points on said planar surface, adapted to define said line, as further adjustments of said first and second projections cause said two image points to alternately pass oppositely in said fiRst predetermined linear direction through said horizontal plane until said two image points appear stationary with respect to a second predetermined linear direction coordinately disposed with respect to said first predetermined linear direction in said horizontal plane, darkening both said first and second projectors, masking photographic film displaceably disposed on said planar surface so as to leave unmasked under an opening in said masking a predetermined narrow portion of said film centered along said derived line on said planar surface, illuminating both said first and second projectors, at said adjustment thereof where heretofore positioned to produce said stereoscopic model below said horizontal plane, to project images characteristic of said positive and negative transparencies, synchronously moving linearly said projectors and said masked film in directions parallel to a reference plane, defined by said first and said second predetermined linear directions, and perpendicular to said derived line, to pass said film along said planar surface and under said opening to expose a predetermined span of contiguous narrow portions of said film to said images of said projected transparencies rising through and above said horizontal plane, and deriving by photographic processing of said exposed film a positive transparency of said film whereon a continuous uniform density line is distinguishable to provide a record of said linear profile.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3066572A
Cited
US3486820A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |