US3908112A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Calculator for stereoscopic photography
Assignee: Nimslo International Ltd
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Filing: 1974-06-19
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Granted: 1975-09-23
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Expires: 1994-06-19
Abstract
Abstract In the illustrative embodiment of the invention disclosed, a calculator for use in stereoscopic photography embodies a suitable combination and arrangement of scales and indicators for enabling determination of the locations relative to the camera of the foreground element, the background element and the key subject matter element of a photographic scene which will be productive of certain desired parallax effects or values between the images of those elements on the final stereoscopic picture. The calculator also permits computation of the distance over which the camera should be moved in photographing the scene to afford both optimum relief effect and solid sharply focused foreground and background images.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen K W Lo
- 👤 Jerry C Nims
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:57
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B35/00; G06; G06G; G06G1/00; G06G1/0005; G06G1/0042
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
367 words
A calculator useful in determining the placements of the nearest foreground element, the key subject matter element and the farthest background element of an object field such that, upon photographing the object field along generally parallel lines of sight from a plurality N of vantage points aligned in a straight path extending generally perpendicularly to the lines of sight, the separation XKA between the image of the nearest foreground element and the image of the key subject matter element, as recorded at any one vantage point, will be substantially equal to the separation XBK between the image of the key subject matter element and the image of the farthest background element image, as recorded at the same vantage point, comprising: a base member; a first scale on the base member, the first scale being located on one side of a reference point on the base member and being calibrated to indicate distance from the lens plane of the camera used in photographing the object field to the elements of the object field, as measured in a direction generally parallel to the lines of sight; a second scale on the base member, the second scale being located on the opposite side of the reference point in generally diametrically opposed relation to the first scale; a foreground indicator, a key subject indicator and a background indicator, the indicators being supported on the base member for individual rotation about the reference point and being adapted to relate points on the first scale corresponding to distances a, k and b to the nearest foreground element, the key subject matter element and the farthest background element, respectively, to corresponding points on the second scale; and the second scale being so calibrated that equal readings along the second scale between the intercepts therewith of the foreground indicator and the key subject indicator, on the one hand, and between the intercepts therewith of the key subject indicator and the background indicator, on the other, produce corresponding readings on the first scale of the distances a, k and b to the nearest foreground element, the key subject matter element and the farthest background element, respectively, which are substantially in the relationship k/a + k/b 2.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
367 words
A calculator useful in determining the placements of the nearest foreground element, the key subject matter element and the farthest background element of an object field such that, upon photographing the object field along generally parallel lines of sight from a plurality N of vantage points aligned in a straight path extending generally perpendicularly to the lines of sight, the separation XKA between the image of the nearest foreground element and the image of the key subject matter element, as recorded at any one vantage point, will be substantially equal to the separation XBK between the image of the key subject matter element and the image of the farthest background element image, as recorded at the same vantage point, comprising: a base member; a first scale on the base member, the first scale being located on one side of a reference point on the base member and being calibrated to indicate distance from the lens plane of the camera used in photographing the object field to the elements of the object field, as measured in a direction generally parallel to the lines of sight; a second scale on the base member, the second scale being located on the opposite side of the reference point in generally diametrically opposed relation to the first scale; a foreground indicator, a key subject indicator and a background indicator, the indicators being supported on the base member for individual rotation about the reference point and being adapted to relate points on the first scale corresponding to distances a, k and b to the nearest foreground element, the key subject matter element and the farthest background element, respectively, to corresponding points on the second scale; and the second scale being so calibrated that equal readings along the second scale between the intercepts therewith of the foreground indicator and the key subject indicator, on the one hand, and between the intercepts therewith of the key subject indicator and the background indicator, on the other, produce corresponding readings on the first scale of the distances a, k and b to the nearest foreground element, the key subject matter element and the farthest background element, respectively, which are substantially in the relationship k/a + k/b 2.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The calculator of claim 1 wherein the first and second scales are in the form of arcs centered on the reference point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The calculator of claim 1 wherein: the first scale is in the form of a straight line extending perpendicularly to a first line passing through the reference point; the second scale is in the form of a straight line extending perpendicularly to a second line passing through the reference point in perpendicular relation to the first line; and the first and second scales are calibrated relative to the first and second lines, respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
The calculator of claim 1 further comprising: a focal length scale on the base member intermediate to the second scale and to the reference point; and the focal length scale being calibrated relative to the first scale such that each division along the focal length scale is representative of the change along the first scale corresponding to an incremental change in XT for predetermined values of T, f and one of a or b, where f has the same value as that of said focal length scale and XT , T, f, a and b are related in accordance with:
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
The calculator of claim 4 wherein the base member further includes a Chart relating predetermined enlargement ratios and readings along the focal length scale between the intercepts therewith of the foreground indicator and the background indicator, when said foreground indicator is aligned on the first scale with the distance to the nearest foreground element and said background indicator is aligned on the first scale with the distance to the farthest background element, to corresponding maximum separations between the endmost vantage points from which the two-dimensional views may be taken, using a camera having a focal length corresponding to that of said focal length scale, without XT exceeding a predetermined maximum value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
The calculator of claim 4 wherein: the base member includes a plurality of focal length scales, each corresponding to a different focal length f; and each focal length scale is calibrated and arranged relative to the first scale in the aforesaid manner of said first-mentioned focal length scale.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The calculator of claim 6 wherein the base member further includes a chart relating the readings afforded by the focal length scales and predetermined enlargement ratios to corresponding maximum separations between the endmost vantage points.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The calculator of claim 6 wherein the first scale, the second scale and each of the focal length scales are in the form of arcs centered on the reference point.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-22 | 1979-03-24 | 1979-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-22 | 1983-03-24 | 1983-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-22 | 1987-03-24 | 1987-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |