US4751570A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Generation of apparently three-dimensional images
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-12-09
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Granted: 1988-06-14
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Expires: 2005-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A stereo-camera head is provided, particularly for robotic applications, in which the parameters of focus, zoom and camera convergence are adjusted by remotely controlled motor drives. Camera separation distance and iris function can be similarly controlled. Twin cameras can be mounted on a common base by means of camera cradles pivotally mounted on the base or by means of rotary carriers that are mounted to traverse along respective lead screws driven by respective stepper motors. Alternatively, there may be a single camera lens system transmitting both left and right images received from left and right movable optical elements via a beam splitter/combiner. Two CCD imaging chips can receive the left and right images from the single lens system via a second beam splitter/combiner. A controlling micro-computer can be employed to keep the stereo images within human tolerance of fusion limits.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Robinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:52
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03B; G03B35/00; G03B35/08; H; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; H04N13/20; H04N13/204; H04N13/239; H04N13/296; H04N2013/0074; H04N2013/0081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A stereo-camera head, comprising: means to adjust at least one of the parameters involved in stereo-scopic viewing from a remote location while the camera head is in use, and preprogrammable control means to preset a value of fusion tolerance for maintaining the stereo camera images within human tolerance of fusion limits during such use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
A stereo-camera head, comprising: means to adjust at least one of the parameters involved in stereo-scopic viewing from a remote location while the camera head is in use, and preprogrammable control means to preset a value of fusion tolerance for maintaining the stereo camera images within human tolerance of fusion limits during such use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 1, further comprising vision control circuitry to receive the left and right camera signal outputs and generate a left and right sequentially switching video signal and control outputs switching in synchronism with the video signal for application to a stereoscopic viewer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes a microcomputer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A stereo camera head according to claim 1 where the preprogrammable control means is programmable with the average value for the human tolerance of fusion limits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 1, comprising twin cameras mounted on a common base, at least one of said cameras being movably mounted, and motor-driven means for adjusting the mutual convergence of the cameras.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 5, comprising motor driven means for varying the mutual separation distance of the two cameras.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 6, wherein each camera is rotatably mounted on a respective carrier which is in turn mounted to traverse along a respective lead-screw driven by a respective stepper motor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 5, further comprising motor-driven means for adjusting the focus of both cameras simultaneously.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 8, further comprising motor-driven means for adjusting the zoom controls of both cameras simultaneously.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 9, further comprising motor-driven means for adjusting the iris controls of both cameras.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 9, wherein each camera is mounted on a respective support cradle and each support cradle is pivotally mounted on said common base to pivot about a substantially vertical axis located adjacent the front end of the respective camera.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 11, wherein one camera is adjustably mounted on its respective support cradle for achieving geometrical alignment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
92 words
A stereo-camera head, comprising: means to adjust at least one of the parameters involved in stereo-scopic viewing from a remote location while the camera head is in use, control means for maintaining the stereo camera images within human tolerance of fusion limits, a video display, and means for injecting left and right measuring markers into the video display that can be moved at will within the area of the screen to enable an individual to perform a test for determining personal tolerance of fusion limits for entry into the camera control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
A stereo-camera head, comprising: means to adjust at least one of the parameters involved in stereo-scopic viewing from a remote location while the camera head is in use, control means for maintaining the stereo camera images within human tolerance of fusion limits, a video display, and means for injecting left and right measuring markers into the video display that can be moved at will within the area of the screen to enable an individual to perform a test for determining personal tolerance of fusion limits for entry into the camera control means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 13, comprising twin cameras mounted on a common base, at least one of said cameras being movably mounted, and motor-driven means for adjusting the mutual convergence of the cameras.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 14, further comprising motor-driven means for adjusting the focus of both cameras simultaneously.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 15, further comprising motor-driven means for adjusting the zoom controls of both cameras simultaneously.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 14, comprising motor-driven means for varying the mutual separation distance of the two cameras.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 17, wherein each camera is rotatably mounted on a respective carrier which is in turn mounted to traverse along a respective lead-screw driven by a respective stepper motor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
A stereo-camera head, comprising: means to adjust at least one of the parameters involved in stereo-scopic viewing from a remote location while the camera head is in use, a single camera lens system, beam splitting/combining means, and separate left and right movable optical elements which transmit left and right images through the single camera lens system via the beam splitting/combining means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
A stereo-camera head, comprising: means to adjust at least one of the parameters involved in stereo-scopic viewing from a remote location while the camera head is in use, a single camera lens system, beam splitting/combining means, and separate left and right movable optical elements which transmit left and right images through the single camera lens system via the beam splitting/combining means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 19, further comprising two CCD imaging chips receiving the left and right images from said single camera lens system via a second beam splitting/combining means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
39 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 19, further comprising control circuitry for said single camera lens system and said left and right movable optical elements which control circuitry includes means for generating non-linear convergence/zoom and convergence focus control characteristics.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
A stereo-camera head according to claim 21, wherein said non-linear control characteristics generating means comprise memory means in which look-up tables are stored.
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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) | 1991-06-14 | 1991-12-14 | 1992-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-06-14 | 1995-12-14 | 1996-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-06-14 | 1999-12-14 | 2000-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |