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US4777501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Underwater optical methods and apparatus
Assignee: BRANCH OCEANOGRAPHICS INSTITUTION Inc FT PIERCE FLORIDA A CORP OF FLORIDA
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Filing: 1987-04-20
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Granted: 1988-10-11
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Expires: 2007-04-20
Abstract
Abstract An underwater visual recording system capable of making consistently in-focus visual records of submarine objects includes a camera having a lens system with a predetermined depth-of-field, a first laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a first wavelength range, e.g. green light, a second laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range, e.g. red light, and a support that holds the first laser spaced apart from the second laser with the camera therebetween so that the two laser beams project forward of the camera and cross one another within the camera's depth of field. In use of the system, it is positioned so the point of crossing of the laser beams is on the submarine object and then the camera is operated to make a visual recording.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank M. Caimi
- 👤 Robert F. Tusting
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:23
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/30; G02B7/32; G03; G03B; G03B17/00; G03B17/02; G03B17/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An underwater visual recording system capable of making consistently in-focus visual records of submarine objects which comprises: a camera including lens means having a predetermined depth of field, a first laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a first wavelength range, a second laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a second wavelength range different from said first wavelength range, and means supporting said first laser spaced apart from said second laser with said camera therebetween so that said beams project forward of said camera and cross one another within said depth of field.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An underwater visual recording system capable of making consistently in-focus visual records of submarine objects which comprises: a camera including lens means having a predetermined depth of field, a first laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a first wavelength range, a second laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a second wavelength range different from said first wavelength range, and means supporting said first laser spaced apart from said second laser with said camera therebetween so that said beams project forward of said camera and cross one another within said depth of field.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The underwater visual recording system of claim 1 where said first and second wavelength ranges are within the range visible to the human eye.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The underwater visual recording system of claim 2 wherein said first laser emits green light and said second laser emits red light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
149 words
An underwtaer visual recording system capable of making consistently in-focus visual records of submarine objects which comprises: a camera including lens means having a predetermined depth of field, a first laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a first wavelength range, a second laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a second wavelength range different from said first wavelength range, a power source connected by electrical conductor means and electrical control means to said lasers to energize them thereby to emit light, and means supporting said first laser spaced apart from said second laser with said camera therebetween so that said beams project forward of said camera and cross one another within said depth of field, said control means comprising a pressure-sensitive switch that prevents said power source from energizing said lasers until said system is immersed to a predetermined depth in water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
149 words
An underwtaer visual recording system capable of making consistently in-focus visual records of submarine objects which comprises: a camera including lens means having a predetermined depth of field, a first laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a first wavelength range, a second laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a second wavelength range different from said first wavelength range, a power source connected by electrical conductor means and electrical control means to said lasers to energize them thereby to emit light, and means supporting said first laser spaced apart from said second laser with said camera therebetween so that said beams project forward of said camera and cross one another within said depth of field, said control means comprising a pressure-sensitive switch that prevents said power source from energizing said lasers until said system is immersed to a predetermined depth in water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The underwater visual recording system of claim 4 wherein said first and second wavelength ranges are within the range visible to the human eye.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The underwater visual recording system of claim 5 wherein said first laser emits green light and said second laser emits red light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The underwater visual recording system of claim 4 wherein said control means includes a trigger switch to control energizing of said lasers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The underwater visual recording system of claim 7 wherein said control means additionally includes a power switch in series with said pressure-sensitive switch.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The underwater visual recording system of claim 8 wherein said power switch is actuated by a non-retriggerable one-shot switch connected in series with and between said trigger switch and said power source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The underwater visual recording system of claim 4 which additionally includes a strobe light to illuminate space forward of said camera which at least includes the space where said laser beams cross.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The underwater visual recording system of claim 4 wherein said camera is a photographic camera.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The underwater visual recording system of claim 4 wherein said camera is a video camera.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of underwater visual recording which makes consistently in-focus visual records of submarine objects with a camera having lens means with a predetermined depth of field which comprises: providing a first laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a first wavelength range, providing a second laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a second wavelength range different rom said first wavelength range, supporting said first laser spaced apart from said second laser with said camera therebetween so that said beams project forward of said camera and cross one another within said depth of field, moving said supported lasers and camera toward a submarine object until said laser beams at their point of intersection coincide with said submarine object, and thereafter operating said camera to make a recording of said submarine object.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
138 words
A method of underwater visual recording which makes consistently in-focus visual records of submarine objects with a camera having lens means with a predetermined depth of field which comprises: providing a first laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a first wavelength range, providing a second laser structured to emit a beam of coherent light of a second wavelength range different rom said first wavelength range, supporting said first laser spaced apart from said second laser with said camera therebetween so that said beams project forward of said camera and cross one another within said depth of field, moving said supported lasers and camera toward a submarine object until said laser beams at their point of intersection coincide with said submarine object, and thereafter operating said camera to make a recording of said submarine object.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said first laser is positioned to the right of said camera and emits green light and said second laser is positioned to the left of said camera and emits red light.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said supported lasers and camera are moved toward said object when said red light beam appears to the right of said green beam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 14 wherein said supported lasers and camera are moved back from said object when said green light beam appears to the right of said red beam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3836919A
Cited
DE2208066A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-11 | 1992-04-11 | 1992-10-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-11 | 1996-04-11 | 1996-10-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-11 | 2000-04-11 | 2000-10-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |