US3777305A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic angle measurement system
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-04-10
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-04-10
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic angle measuring system having three systemspatially fixed receivers and two transmitters mounted on a helmet wherein the time lapse information at the receivers of signals from the transmitters establishes the location and orientation of the helmet with respect to a reference position.
Inventors
- 👤 R Stoutmeyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 11:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/011; G06F3/012; G01; G01S; G01S5/00; G01S5/18; G01S5/186
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An acoustical tracker system for determining the position and orientation of an object, comprising: first and second means attached to said object for radiating ultrasonic waves; first, second, and third ultrasonic wave detecting means systemspatially fixed for detecting said radiated ultrasonic waves and providing outputs in response thereto; and means coupled to said radiating means and said detecting means for processing said detecting means outputs, electronically calculating the distances from each said radiating means to each said detecting means, and providing an output of information defining the position and orientation of said object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
An acoustical tracker system for determining the position and orientation of an object, comprising: first and second means attached to said object for radiating ultrasonic waves; first, second, and third ultrasonic wave detecting means systemspatially fixed for detecting said radiated ultrasonic waves and providing outputs in response thereto; and means coupled to said radiating means and said detecting means for processing said detecting means outputs, electronically calculating the distances from each said radiating means to each said detecting means, and providing an output of information defining the position and orientation of said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tracker of claim 1 wherein the points in space occupied by said first, second, and third detecting means define a plane, and the second and third detecting means are equally spaced from the first detecting means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The tracker of claim 1 wherein said object is an operators helmet and said tracker further comprises a helmet mounted sight which is independent of operator eye movement, such that the tracker determines the orientation of the helmet and, thereby, the operator''s line-of-sight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tracker of claim 3 wherein the points on the helmet occupied by said first and second radiating means define a line which is parallel to the operator''s line-of-sight.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tracker of claim 4 wherein the points in space occupied by said first, second, and third detecting means defines a plane, and the second and third detecting means are equally spaced from the first detecting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The tracker of claim 5 wherein said processing, calculating and providing means includes and aircraft, on-board computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tracker of claim 6 wherein said computer determines the direction-cosines of the line between said first and second radiating means from the outputs of said detecting means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of determining the orientation of an object wherein first and second wave radiating means are attached to the object at known positions and first, second, and third wave detecting means are system-spatially fixed at known positions, comprising the steps of; causing said first radiating means to radiate a wave, measuring the time it takes for the wave radiated by said first radiating means to travel to each of said detecting means, causing said second radiating means to radiate a wave, measuring the time it takes for the wave radiated by said second radiating means to travel to each of said detecting means, converting the times measured to respective distance measurements, electronically determining the direction-cosines defining the line joining the first and second radiating means from the distance measurements.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of determining the orientation of an object wherein first and second wave radiating means are attached to the object at known positions and first, second, and third wave detecting means are system-spatially fixed at known positions, comprising the steps of; causing said first radiating means to radiate a wave, measuring the time it takes for the wave radiated by said first radiating means to travel to each of said detecting means, causing said second radiating means to radiate a wave, measuring the time it takes for the wave radiated by said second radiating means to travel to each of said detecting means, converting the times measured to respective distance measurements, electronically determining the direction-cosines defining the line joining the first and second radiating means from the distance measurements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3205475A
Cited
US3569920A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |