Patent US3548830A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4053929A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contour fitting pictorial tracking gate
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1969-04-07
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Granted: 1977-10-11
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Expires: 1989-04-07
Abstract
Abstract The tracker tracks on a center of contrast on a selected target while trang gates are adjusted automatically to fit the target contrast area's shape and size. The appropriate bright or dark contrast detector is adjusted to allow discrimination of the target contrast from its background, thus allowing a tracking window to encompass the selected contrast area. Orthogonal error signals are provided for servoing a vidicon camera to maintain the viewed field centered on the target.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H. Collins, III
- 👤 William J. Steele
- 👤 Albert L. Thomas, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786; G01S3/7864
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A system for tracking a target comprising: a directional sensing means for sensing an image of at least a portion of the target, said sensing means having outputs which are video signals in accordance to the image sensed, a video processor having inputs connected to outputs of said sensing means, said processor including means for clamping to ground the video signal at a predetermined position of a contrast area on the image, circuit means connected to outputs of said processor so as to generate at its outputs, tracking gates about said contrast area, tracking means connected to the outputs of said circuit means and said processor so as to track a center position of said contrast area and provide orthogonal error signals of the position of said contrast area, and servoing means connected to said orthogonal error signals and to said directional sensing means for positioning the sensing means so that the image sensed will include said contrast area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
159 words
A system for tracking a target comprising: a directional sensing means for sensing an image of at least a portion of the target, said sensing means having outputs which are video signals in accordance to the image sensed, a video processor having inputs connected to outputs of said sensing means, said processor including means for clamping to ground the video signal at a predetermined position of a contrast area on the image, circuit means connected to outputs of said processor so as to generate at its outputs, tracking gates about said contrast area, tracking means connected to the outputs of said circuit means and said processor so as to track a center position of said contrast area and provide orthogonal error signals of the position of said contrast area, and servoing means connected to said orthogonal error signals and to said directional sensing means for positioning the sensing means so that the image sensed will include said contrast area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said video processor further includes an adjustable contrast detector so as to allow discrimination of the contrast area from its background.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said tracking means are made up of a plurality of tracking circuits so as to provide a tracking window about said contrast area.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as set forth in claim 3, further comprising a switching means connected to said plurality of tracking circuits so as deactivate selected tracking circuits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as set forth in claim 4, wherein said video processor further includes an adjustable contrast detector so as to allow discrimination of the contrast area from its background.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a video mixer having inputs connected to said video processor, said circuit means, and said tracking means so as to have combined signal outputs which represent said image, said tracking window, and said orthogonal error signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a monitor means connected to the signal outputs of said video mixer so as to visually show said signal outputs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said directional sensing means is a vidicon camera mounted for movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a positioning means connected to said servoing means so as to position said camera to select said predetermined position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said circuit means and said tracking means are divided into two portions, one for sensing X coordinates and the other for sensing Y coordinates of the contrast area.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3257505A
Cited
US3507991A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-10 | 1981-04-11 | 1981-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-10 | 1985-04-11 | 1985-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-10 | 1989-04-11 | 1989-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |