US4974010A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Focus control system
Assignee: L C TECHNOLOGIES Inc
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Filing: 1989-06-09
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Granted: 1990-11-27
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Expires: 2009-06-09
Abstract
Abstract A system for focussing a lens on a point light source is provided that includes an opaque member disposed near the lens. The member cast a shadow having a distinguishable orientation in the image of the light source. An image processing device determines the focus condition and range to the point light source from the orientation and size of the shadow.
Inventors
- 👤 Dixon Cleveland
- 👤 James H. Cleveland
- 👤 Peter L. Norloff
- 👤 Jeffrey A. Forsythe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/113; G; G03; G03B; G03B2213/00; G03B2213/02; G03B2213/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A focus analysis system comprising: a camera including a lens and means for sensing an image formed by the lens; a point light source, an image of the point light source being formed by the lens; an opaque member disposed near the lens, the opaque member giving the image of the point light source a distinguishable orientation; and an image processor in communication with the sensing means, the image processor analyzing the focus condition of the lens based on the distinguishable orientation of the image.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A focus analysis system comprising: a camera including a lens and means for sensing an image formed by the lens; a point light source, an image of the point light source being formed by the lens; an opaque member disposed near the lens, the opaque member giving the image of the point light source a distinguishable orientation; and an image processor in communication with the sensing means, the image processor analyzing the focus condition of the lens based on the distinguishable orientation of the image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the image processor analyzes the focus condition based on the distinguishable orientation of a shadow of the opaque member in the image.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
98 words
A range finding system comprising: a camera including a variable focus lens and means for sensing an image formed by the lens; a point light source, an image of the point light source being formed by the lens; an opaque member disposed near the lens, the opaque member giving a distinguishable orientation to the image of the point light source; and an image processor in communication with the sensing means, the image processor finding a range from the camera to the point light source based on the magnitude and orientation of the image of the point light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
A range finding system comprising: a camera including a variable focus lens and means for sensing an image formed by the lens; a point light source, an image of the point light source being formed by the lens; an opaque member disposed near the lens, the opaque member giving a distinguishable orientation to the image of the point light source; and an image processor in communication with the sensing means, the image processor finding a range from the camera to the point light source based on the magnitude and orientation of the image of the point light source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 3, wherein the image processor finds the range based on the magnitude and orientation of a shadow of the opaque member in the image of the point light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
113 words
A focus control system comprising: a camera including a variable focus lens, means for varying the lens focus, and means for sensing an image formed by the lens; a point light source, an image of the point light source being formed by the lens; an opaque member disposed near the lens, the opaque member giving a distinguishable orientation to the image of the point light source; and an image processor in communication with the sensing means and the varying means, the image processor analyzing the focus condition of the lens based on the distinguishable orientation and size of the image and causing the varying means to maintain the lens in a focussed condition.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
113 words
A focus control system comprising: a camera including a variable focus lens, means for varying the lens focus, and means for sensing an image formed by the lens; a point light source, an image of the point light source being formed by the lens; an opaque member disposed near the lens, the opaque member giving a distinguishable orientation to the image of the point light source; and an image processor in communication with the sensing means and the varying means, the image processor analyzing the focus condition of the lens based on the distinguishable orientation and size of the image and causing the varying means to maintain the lens in a focussed condition.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 5, wherein the image processor analyzes the focus condition of the lens based on the distinguishable orientation and size of a shadow of the opaque member in the image.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of focus analysis comprising the steps of: forming an image of a point light source with a lens; disposing an opaque member near the lens; and determining the focus condition of the lens from a distinguishable orientation of the image produced by the opaque member.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
47 words
A method of focus analysis comprising the steps of: forming an image of a point light source with a lens; disposing an opaque member near the lens; and determining the focus condition of the lens from a distinguishable orientation of the image produced by the opaque member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the focus condition is determined from a distinguishable orientation of a shadow of the opaque member in the image.
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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) | 1993-11-26 | 1994-05-28 | 1994-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-11-26 | 1998-05-28 | 1998-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-11-26 | 2002-05-28 | 2002-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |