Patent US3917412A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3917412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Advanced helmet tracker using lateral photodetection and light-emitting diodes
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-04-11
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1992-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A means for sensing the pilot''s line-of-sight in an aircraft, including two light detectors mounted on the cockpit frame and two light emitters mounted on the pilot''s helmet. Each detector senses light from each emitter and the line-of-sight is determined from the intersection of the thus defined planes.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald G Stoutmeyer
- 👤 William O Alltop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:09
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/002; A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/113; F; F41; F41G; F41G3/00; F41G3/22; F41G3/225; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/017; G02B27/0179; G02B2027/0187
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An optical tracker system for determining the position and orientation of an operator''s headgear, comprising: a sight that is independent of said operator''s eye movement mounted on said headgear; first illuminating means coupled to said operator''s headgear for movement therewith, for providing illumination; second illuminating means coupled to said operator''s headgear for movement therewith, for providing illumination; first photodetecting means system-spatially fixed for detecting the illumination of said first and second illuminating means and providing outputs in response thereto; second photodetecting means system-spatially fixed for detecting the illumination of said first and second illuminating means and providing outputs in response thereto; such that the outputs of said first and second photodetecting means indicate the position and orientation of said headgear and, thereby, the operator''s line-of-sight.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An optical tracker system for determining the position and orientation of an operator''s headgear, comprising: a sight that is independent of said operator''s eye movement mounted on said headgear; first illuminating means coupled to said operator''s headgear for movement therewith, for providing illumination; second illuminating means coupled to said operator''s headgear for movement therewith, for providing illumination; first photodetecting means system-spatially fixed for detecting the illumination of said first and second illuminating means and providing outputs in response thereto; second photodetecting means system-spatially fixed for detecting the illumination of said first and second illuminating means and providing outputs in response thereto; such that the outputs of said first and second photodetecting means indicate the position and orientation of said headgear and, thereby, the operator''s line-of-sight.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The tracker of claim 1 wherein the points on the headgear occupied by said first and second illuminating means define a line which is parallel to the operator''s line-of-sight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
85 words
The tracker of claim 2 wherein the photodetecting means sense the direction to the illumination source of the detected illumination, and the tracker further comprises electronic processing means coupled to the outputs of said first and second photodetecting means for processing their outputs and measuring the intersection of the planes defined by the first photodetecting means and the first and second illuminating means, and the second photodetecting means and the first and second illuminating means, which intersection defines a line parallel to the operator''s line-of-sight.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The tracker of claim 3 wherein said electronic processing means is an aircraft, on-board computer and said operator is the aircraft pilot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tracker of claim 3 wherein said photodetecting means are lateral photodetectors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3664748A
Cited
US3678283A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |