US4084184A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tv object locator and image identifier
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-07-26
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Granted: 1978-04-11
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Expires: 1996-07-26
Abstract
Abstract A television object locator and image identifier, for use with a TV camera tube, having a lens whose axis is determined by the angles θ c and φ c . The angle θ c forms a dihedral angle between two vertical planes, one of which contains the axis of the lens. The angle φ c is formed by the vertical edge of the dihedral angle and the lens axis. The coordinates of the center of the lens are located at (x c , y c , z c ), at the intersection of the edge and the lens axis, these coordinates also being those of the origin of the locator for a fixed camera position. Means are provided for determining the aperture angle Ω c of the TV lens, as well as means for determining the angles θ c and φ c . Means are also provided for determining the coordinates (x o , y o , z o ) of the object which is to be identified with respect to the origin. First and second means for transforming coordinates, have as inputs signals representing the angle Ω c and the coordinates (x c , y c , z c ), and (x o , y o , z o ), and have as an output a signal representing the pair of coordinates (x T , y T ), which are scaled proportionally to the dimensions of the location of the image in the total field of view. Means are provided for computing the precise location on the TV raster of the object to be identified, in the horizontal and vertical directions.
Inventors
- 👤 David W. Crain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:19
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
426 words
A television object locator and image identifier, having a lens whose axis is determined by the angles θ c and φ c , the angle θ c forming a dihedral angle between two vertical planes, one of which contains the axis of the lens, the other plane being parallel to the XZ plane of an XYZ coordinate system, the angle φ c being formed by the vertical edge of the dihedral angle and the axis of the lens, the coordinates of the center of the lens being at (x c , y c , z c ), at the intersection of the edge and the lens axis, and wherein the coordinates (x o , y o , z o ) of the object which is to be identified with respect to the origin (0, 0, 0) of the XYZ system is known, comprising: a TV tube; means, connected to the TV tube, for determining the aperture angle Ω c of the TV lens; means for determining the angles θ c and φ c ; means for determining the coordinates (x c , y c , z c ), with respect to the origin, (0, 0, 0); a first means for transforming coordinates, having as inputs signals representing the coordinates (x c , y c , z c ) and (x o , y o , z o ), and having as an output a signal representing the coordinates (θ o , φ o ), whose system origin is centered on the point (x c , y c , z c ); a second means for transforming coordinates, whose inputs are signals representing the coordinates, (θ c , φ c , Ω c ) and (θ o , φ o ) and whose output is a signal representing the pair of coordinates (x T , y T ), lying in a plane whose origin is on the TV lens axis and which is normal to the TV lens axis; and means for computing the precise location on the TV raster of the object to be identified, in the horizontal and vertical directions, the input signals to the means comprising the values (x T , y T ) from the second coordinate transformer and the TV camera sweep synchronous pulses, the output signal comprising information with respect to the specific raster line r on which the object to be identified is located and Δt, the time delay with respect to the beginning of the TV horizontal deflection, so that the image is precisely located on the TV raster.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
426 words
A television object locator and image identifier, having a lens whose axis is determined by the angles θ c and φ c , the angle θ c forming a dihedral angle between two vertical planes, one of which contains the axis of the lens, the other plane being parallel to the XZ plane of an XYZ coordinate system, the angle φ c being formed by the vertical edge of the dihedral angle and the axis of the lens, the coordinates of the center of the lens being at (x c , y c , z c ), at the intersection of the edge and the lens axis, and wherein the coordinates (x o , y o , z o ) of the object which is to be identified with respect to the origin (0, 0, 0) of the XYZ system is known, comprising: a TV tube; means, connected to the TV tube, for determining the aperture angle Ω c of the TV lens; means for determining the angles θ c and φ c ; means for determining the coordinates (x c , y c , z c ), with respect to the origin, (0, 0, 0); a first means for transforming coordinates, having as inputs signals representing the coordinates (x c , y c , z c ) and (x o , y o , z o ), and having as an output a signal representing the coordinates (θ o , φ o ), whose system origin is centered on the point (x c , y c , z c ); a second means for transforming coordinates, whose inputs are signals representing the coordinates, (θ c , φ c , Ω c ) and (θ o , φ o ) and whose output is a signal representing the pair of coordinates (x T , y T ), lying in a plane whose origin is on the TV lens axis and which is normal to the TV lens axis; and means for computing the precise location on the TV raster of the object to be identified, in the horizontal and vertical directions, the input signals to the means comprising the values (x T , y T ) from the second coordinate transformer and the TV camera sweep synchronous pulses, the output signal comprising information with respect to the specific raster line r on which the object to be identified is located and Δt, the time delay with respect to the beginning of the TV horizontal deflection, so that the image is precisely located on the TV raster.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
114 words
The TV object locator according to claim 1, wherein the means for determining the aperture angle Ω c comprises: aperture gearing means, connected to the TV lens, for controlling the aperture angle Ω c of the TV lens; a potentiometer connected to the aperture gearing means, for determining the aperture angle; the means for determining the angle φ c comprises an inclinometer; the means for determining the angle θ c comprises a gyro compass; the means for determining the coordinates (x c , y c , z c ) comprises an inertial navigation system; and wherein the means for determining the coordinates (x o , y o , z o ) are surveying instruments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
The TV object locator according to claim 1, further comprising: means for generating a TV marker, which generates a visible TV pattern identifying the object; and a composite video signal mixer, whose inputs are connected to the outputs of the computing means and of the marker generating means, the output of the mixer comprising a composite video signal which includes information which identifies the object on the display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The TV object locator according to claim 3, further comprising: the TV camera tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The TV object locator according to claim 4, wherein the TV camera tube is a vidicon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The TV object locator according to claim 5, wherein: the first and second means for transforming coordinates and the means for computing comprise a special-purpose computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The TV object locator according to claim 6, further comprising: means for computing the values of (x T , y T ) for the end points of a linear cursor, and for any points in between, for situations where the object to be located is of an oblong shape.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The TV object locator according to claim 7, further comprising: means for computing the values of (x T , y T ) for the profile of a planar cursor, and any points within the profile.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
217 words
A system for use with a TV camera having a lens defining an axis and a center, for identifying and locating on the screen of the tube of the camera an object located in the field of view observed by the camera, even if the camera is panned in various directions so as to cause the identified object to appear at different parts of the raster, comprising: means for determining the precise location of the object to be identified with respect to the center and axis of the lens, the axis defining the center, in both horizontal and vertical directions, of the TV raster generated by the TV camera; means, connected to the camera, for determining the aperture angle Ω c of the lens; and means for computing the precise location on the TV raster of the object to be identified, in the horizontal and vertical directions, the input signals to the means comprising the values (x T , y T ) and the TV camera sweep synchronous pulses, the output signal comprising information with respect to the specific raster line r on which the object to be identified is located and Δt, the time delay with respect to the beginning of the TV horizontal deflection, so that the image is precisely located on the TV raster.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
217 words
A system for use with a TV camera having a lens defining an axis and a center, for identifying and locating on the screen of the tube of the camera an object located in the field of view observed by the camera, even if the camera is panned in various directions so as to cause the identified object to appear at different parts of the raster, comprising: means for determining the precise location of the object to be identified with respect to the center and axis of the lens, the axis defining the center, in both horizontal and vertical directions, of the TV raster generated by the TV camera; means, connected to the camera, for determining the aperture angle Ω c of the lens; and means for computing the precise location on the TV raster of the object to be identified, in the horizontal and vertical directions, the input signals to the means comprising the values (x T , y T ) and the TV camera sweep synchronous pulses, the output signal comprising information with respect to the specific raster line r on which the object to be identified is located and Δt, the time delay with respect to the beginning of the TV horizontal deflection, so that the image is precisely located on the TV raster.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-04-10 | 1981-10-10 | 1982-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-10 | 1985-10-10 | 1986-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-10 | 1989-10-10 | 1990-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |