US3919475A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Head attached television
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1974-10-09
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Granted: 1975-11-11
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Expires: 1994-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A self contained, remotely controlled color television system is disclosed. The system utilizes a small head-mounted television camera having an integral field-of-view illumination system which is adapted to transmit a picture of the operations carried out by the wearer of the camera to be remotely viewed and/or recorded by a third party. The focusing and aiming of the camera is remotely controlled from a console equipped with controls and a television monitor. The illumination system utilizes a dual beam such that both the transmitted picture and the work carried on by the wearer are illuminated virtually without shadows and without interference to the field of view of the wearer. A second stationary mounted camera may be added to the system to provide additional coverage. Video imagery produced by the system is of a high quality which makes it quite useful for teaching and demonstrating such things as delicate surgical procedures of the type often found in dental, abdominal, cardio-vascular and neurosurgery.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter P Dukich
- 👤 Robert L Lechevalier
- 👤 John A Volk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/18; H04N7/183; H04N7/185; G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/017; G02B27/0172; G02B27/0176; H04N23/00; H04N23/56; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/0138; G02B27/0149; G02B2027/0154; G02B2027/0159; G02B27/0179; G02B2027/0187
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A remotely controlled head-mounted visual apparatus for viewing manual operations carried on by the wearer, said apparatus comprising camera means for generating signals representative of a visual image received, aiming means for determining the field of view of said camera means, focussing means for said camera means, illumination means for illuminating the field of view of said camera means, control means for controlling said focussing and aiming means for said camera means, means for reconverting said signals to reproduce said visual image, means for transmitting said signals from said camera means to said means for reconverting, real-time viewing means for viewing said reconverted image, and means for mounting said camera means, focussing means and illuminating means on the head of the wearer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A remotely controlled head-mounted visual apparatus for viewing manual operations carried on by the wearer, said apparatus comprising camera means for generating signals representative of a visual image received, aiming means for determining the field of view of said camera means, focussing means for said camera means, illumination means for illuminating the field of view of said camera means, control means for controlling said focussing and aiming means for said camera means, means for reconverting said signals to reproduce said visual image, means for transmitting said signals from said camera means to said means for reconverting, real-time viewing means for viewing said reconverted image, and means for mounting said camera means, focussing means and illuminating means on the head of the wearer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said camera means comprises a vidicon tube and its associated electronics and said viewing means comprises a remote television monitor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for recording said reconverted image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for remotely controlling said focus comprises an electromechanical servo system mechanically linked to the lens of said camera in a manner in which said lens may be positioned in response to commands from a remote real-time observer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said aiming means comprises a first mirror disposed to receive and reflect a visual image from a field of view substantially along the line of sight of said wearer, said mirror being pivotally mounted such that said field of view of said mirror may be adjusted as required to follow the manual operations of said wearer, and means for bore-sighting said reflected visual image to the input of said camera means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for boresighting said reflected visual image comprises an enclosed optical path having second and third mirrors, said second and third mirrors disposed to sequentially receive and reflect said image from said first mirror along said enclosed optical path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said control means for remotely controlling said aiming means, comprises an electromechanical servo system mechanically linked to said first mirror, said servo system adapted to pivot said first mirror to control said field of view in response to commands from a remote real-time observer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said illumination system comprises separate illuminators disposed such that light eminating therefrom is reflected by said first mirror so as to produce a slightly diverging combined source coincident with said field of view.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3205303A
Cited
US3670097A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-10 | 1979-05-12 | 1979-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-10 | 1983-05-12 | 1983-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-10 | 1987-05-12 | 1987-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |