US5031049A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic object image follow-up device
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-14
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Granted: 1991-07-09
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Expires: 2010-08-14
Abstract
Abstract An automatic object image follow-up device includes a setting circuit for shiftably setting a follow-up field; an extracting circuit for extracting a feature of an object in relation to the follow-up field; a store for storing the extracted feature; a detecting circuit for detecting a relative shift between the object and the device on the basis of the feature of the object extracted by the extracting circuit and the feature stored by the store; and a shifting circuit for shifting the follow-up field following up the object according to the relative shift.
Inventors
- 👤 Masamichi Toyama
- 👤 Youichi Iwasaki
- 👤 Akihiro Fujiwara
- 👤 Takashi Amikura
- 👤 Naoya Kaneda
- 👤 Masahiro Takei
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/785; G01S3/786; G01S3/7864; G01S3/7865; H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/63; H04N23/633; H04N23/635; H04N23/67; H04N23/673
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 113
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for following up an object image in a photo-taking plane, comprising: (A) setting means for setting a detecting area shiftable in pursuit of a shift of an object image, formed on the photo-taking plane, on said photo-taking plane; (B) extracting means for extracting a feature of the object image in said detecting area; (C) storing means for storing the feature of said object image extracted by said extracting means; (D) means for detecting the shift of the object image in the photo-taking plane by comparing the feature of the object image extracted by said extracting means with the feature stored in said storing means; and (E) means for shifting the detecting area at a position of said object image within said photo-taking plane according to the shift of said object image in order to follow-up said object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A device for following up an object image in a photo-taking plane, comprising: (A) setting means for setting a detecting area shiftable in pursuit of a shift of an object image, formed on the photo-taking plane, on said photo-taking plane; (B) extracting means for extracting a feature of the object image in said detecting area; (C) storing means for storing the feature of said object image extracted by said extracting means; (D) means for detecting the shift of the object image in the photo-taking plane by comparing the feature of the object image extracted by said extracting means with the feature stored in said storing means; and (E) means for shifting the detecting area at a position of said object image within said photo-taking plane according to the shift of said object image in order to follow-up said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said extracting means includes: (a) a camera element for photographing at least said object and for outputting a video information signal corresponding to said object; and (b) a separating circuit for separating an information signal representative of a feature of the object in relation to the detecting from the video information signal outputted from said camera element, and delivering said separated information signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said storing means includes a memory circuit for storing the information signal separated and delivered by said separating circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said detecting means includes: (a) a threshold value signal generating circuit for generating a preset threshold value signal; and (b) a shift detecting circuit for forming a state signal representative of a variation state of an information signal newly delivered from said separating circuit for the separated information signal stored in said memory circuit, comparing said state signal with the threshold value signal generated by said threshold value signal generating circuit and generating a shift detection signal when said state signal exceeds said threshold value signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device according to claim 4, wherein said separating circuit further includes a gate circuit for separating a part of the video information signal corresponding to said detecting area from the video information signal outputted from said camera element at every predetermined interval, while said shifting means includes a control circuit for controlling a gate timing of said gate circuit according to a generating time of the shift detection signal by said shift detecting circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said shifting means further includes a distance measuring gate circuit for separating a part of the video information signal corresponding to a distance measuring from the video information signal outputted from said camera element at certain predetermined intervals, while said distance measuring gate circuit is arranged so as to be controlled by said control circuit in gate timing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 6, wherein said locating area device further comprises an automatic focusing means, while said automatic focusing means is arranged so as to carry out the focusing by using the video information signal separated by said distance measuring gate circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said detecting area is arranged as large as said distance measuring field.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
125 words
An automatic focusing device comprising: (A) setting means for shiftably setting a distance measuring field on a photo-taking plane; (B) extracting means for extracting a feature of an object in relation to the distance measuring field; (C) storing means for storing said extracted feature; (D) detecting means for detecting a relative shift between said object and the device on the basis of a feature of said object newly extracted by said extracting means and the extracted feature stored by said storing means; (E) shifting means for shifting said distance measuring field tracing said object within said photo-taking plane according to said relative shift between said object and the device; and (F) focusing means for focusing on said object in relation to the distance measuring field.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
An automatic focusing device comprising: (A) setting means for shiftably setting a distance measuring field on a photo-taking plane; (B) extracting means for extracting a feature of an object in relation to the distance measuring field; (C) storing means for storing said extracted feature; (D) detecting means for detecting a relative shift between said object and the device on the basis of a feature of said object newly extracted by said extracting means and the extracted feature stored by said storing means; (E) shifting means for shifting said distance measuring field tracing said object within said photo-taking plane according to said relative shift between said object and the device; and (F) focusing means for focusing on said object in relation to the distance measuring field.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device according to claim 9, and further comprising image pick-up means for picking up an object image focused on said photo-taking plane and for photo-electrically converting the object image to output a video signal, said extracting means being arranged to extract the feature of the object from said video signal in relation to said distance measuring field.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said extracting means is arranged to extract the information relating to a color of the object from said video signal, as the feature of the object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 10, wherein said focusing means is arranged to detect a signal corresponding to a focus state from said video signal and to effect focus adjustment on the basis of said detected signal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
143 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) setting means for setting a detecting area shiftable in pursuit of a shift of an object image, formed on a photo-taking plane, on said photo-taking plane; (B) extracting means for extracting a feature of the object image in said detecting area; (C) storing means for storing the feature of the object image extracted by said extracting means; (D) detecting means arranged to compare a feature of said object image newly extracted by said extracting means with the extracted feature of said object image stored by said storing means and to detect whether said feature has changed to an extent exceeding a preset threshold value; and (E) shifting means for shifting said detecting area in said photo-taking plane in case of a change of said feature to an extent exceeding said threshold value.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
143 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) setting means for setting a detecting area shiftable in pursuit of a shift of an object image, formed on a photo-taking plane, on said photo-taking plane; (B) extracting means for extracting a feature of the object image in said detecting area; (C) storing means for storing the feature of the object image extracted by said extracting means; (D) detecting means arranged to compare a feature of said object image newly extracted by said extracting means with the extracted feature of said object image stored by said storing means and to detect whether said feature has changed to an extent exceeding a preset threshold value; and (E) shifting means for shifting said detecting area in said photo-taking plane in case of a change of said feature to an extent exceeding said threshold value.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device according to claim 13, wherein said extracting means includes: (a) a camera element for photographing at least said object and for outputting a video information signal corresponding to said object; and (b) a separating circuit for separating an information signal representative of the feature of the object image in relation to the detecting from the video information signal outputted from said camera element.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
101 words
A device according to claim 14, wherein said detecting means further includes: (a) a threshold value signal generating circuit for generating a threshold value signal representative of the preset threshold value; (b) a state signal forming circuit for forming a state signal representative of a variation state of the information signal stored in said storing means and of the information signal newly outputted from said separating circuit; and (c) a detecting circuit for comparing a level of the state signal outputted from said state signal forming circuit with that of the threshold value signal generated from said threshold value generating circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device according to claim 13, further comprising means for variably setting said threshold value signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 15, wherein said threshold value signal generating circuit is arranged so as to be able to variably set the threshold value of the threshold value signal generated by said threshold value signal generating circuit.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
84 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) setting means for setting a detecting area divided into a plurality of areas and shiftable in pursuit of an object image on a photo-taking plane; (B) extracting means for extracting signals representing a feature of said object image from all or some of said divided areas; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shifting of said object image relative to the device on the basis of said extracted signals by said extracting means.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
84 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) setting means for setting a detecting area divided into a plurality of areas and shiftable in pursuit of an object image on a photo-taking plane; (B) extracting means for extracting signals representing a feature of said object image from all or some of said divided areas; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shifting of said object image relative to the device on the basis of said extracted signals by said extracting means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 18, wherein said device further comprises a camera element for photographing said object and outputting a video information signal corresponding to said object.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 19, wherein said extracting means includes a gate circuit for separating at least a part of the video information signal corresponding to said tracing field from the video information signal outputted from said camera element at certain predetermined intervals.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 20, wherein said setting means includes a gate timing control circuit for controlling a gate timing of said gate circuit.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
A detecting device according to claim 20, wherein said extracting means further includes a color information signal forming circuit for forming a plurality of color information signals based upon the video information signal separated by said gate circuit.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 22, wherein said detecting means includes a detecting circuit for detecting a variation state of said plurality of color information signals formed by said color information signal forming circuit at certain predetermined intervals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 20, wherein said part of the video information signal is the video information signal corresponding to the picture element in adjacent positioned relation on an image plane.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) setting means for setting a detecting area divided into a plurality of areas and shiftable in pursuit of an object image on a photo-taking plane; (B) extracting means for extracting at least two difference signals among difference signals representing differences between signals which are obtained from adjoining areas among said divided areas and representing features of said object image; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object image relative to said device on the basis of at least two extracted difference signals.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
96 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) setting means for setting a detecting area divided into a plurality of areas and shiftable in pursuit of an object image on a photo-taking plane; (B) extracting means for extracting at least two difference signals among difference signals representing differences between signals which are obtained from adjoining areas among said divided areas and representing features of said object image; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object image relative to said device on the basis of at least two extracted difference signals.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device according to claim 25, wherein said difference signals extracted by said extracting means are signals representing differences between the signals representative of the features of the object image obtained from a predetermined area among said divided areas and signals obtained from other areas.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 25, wherein said detecting means includes a detecting circuit for detecting a variation state of each of at least said two difference signals.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 25, and further comprising shifting means for shifting the position of said follow-up area in said photo-taking means, on the basis of the output of said detecting means, to constantly cause the position of the object to coincide with that of the follow-up area.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 28, and further comprising focusing means for effecting focus adjustment on the basis of the information within said follow-up means.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
59 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) extracting means for extracting signals representing a feature of the object image formed on a photo-taking plane; (B) integrating means for integrating said extracted signals; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object image relative to said device on the basis of said integrated signals.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
59 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) extracting means for extracting signals representing a feature of the object image formed on a photo-taking plane; (B) integrating means for integrating said extracted signals; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object image relative to said device on the basis of said integrated signals.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 30, wherein said detecting means includes a detecting circuit for detecting a variation state of said integrated signals.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 30, and further comprising shifting means for shifting the position of said follow-up area in said photo-taking means, on the basis of the output of said detecting means, to constantly cause the position of the object to coincide with that of the follow-up area.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 32, and further comprising focusing means for effecting focus adjustment on the basis of the information within said follow-up means.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
75 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) detecting means for detecting a distance from said device to an object and a focal length of an optical system; (B) setting means for setting a size of a detecting area for following up the object image in accordance with an output of said detecting means; and (C) extracting means for extracting a feature of said object image in relation to said detecting area.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
75 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) detecting means for detecting a distance from said device to an object and a focal length of an optical system; (B) setting means for setting a size of a detecting area for following up the object image in accordance with an output of said detecting means; and (C) extracting means for extracting a feature of said object image in relation to said detecting area.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 34, wherein said detecting means includes: (a) a first detector for detecting the distance to said object; and (b) a second detector for detecting the focal length of said optical system.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device according to claim 35, wherein said optical system includes a zoom lens and said first detector is arranged so as to detect an absolute position of said zoom lens in order to output a first detection signal corresponding to the absolute position of said zoom lens.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device according to claim 35, wherein said optical system includes a focusing lens and said second detector is arranged so as to detect an absolute position of said focusing lens in order to output a second detection signal corresponding to the absolute position of said focusing lens.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 34, wherein said setting means includes a computer circuit for computing a size of a detecting area which is at a certain predetermined ratio of said object image by using the output of said detecting means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
72 words
A device according to claim 38, wherein said extracting means includes: (a) a camera element for photographing at least said object so as to output video information signals corresponding to said object; and (b) a gate circuit for separating a part of the video information signals from the video information signals outputted by said camera element at certain predetermined intervals by opening the gate for a period corresponding to said detecting area.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 39, wherein said gate circuit is arranged so as to control the gate opening period according to an output of said computer circuit.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 39, wherein said device further comprises shifting means for shifting said detecting area, which is arranged so as to shift a gate timing of said gate circuit.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 34, wherein said device further comprises display means for displaying a position of said detecting area.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
98 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) extracting means for extracting a feature of an object image in the form of a color difference signal from a color video signal obtained from within a detecting area for following up a shift of said object image; (B) storing means for storing said color difference signal; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object image relative to said device on the basis of a color difference signal newly extracted by said extracting means and said color difference signal stored by said storing means.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
98 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) extracting means for extracting a feature of an object image in the form of a color difference signal from a color video signal obtained from within a detecting area for following up a shift of said object image; (B) storing means for storing said color difference signal; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object image relative to said device on the basis of a color difference signal newly extracted by said extracting means and said color difference signal stored by said storing means.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 43, wherein said color difference signal includes signals of two different kinds.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 44, wherein said extracting means extracts said feature of the object image in the form of positions on a color difference signal coordinate system representing said color difference signals of two kinds.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device according to claim 45, wherein said detecting means detects said shift of the object relative to said device through a change in distance between the positions on said coordinate system of color difference signals which represent said feature of the object.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device according to claim 45, wherein said detecting means is arranged to detect said shift of the object image relative to said device through a change in angle between the positions on said coordinate system of color difference signals which represent said feature of the object image.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
84 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) extracting means for extracting, in relation to a detecting area for following up an object image, a color difference signal representing a feature of the object image and a luminance signal from a color video signal representing said object image; and (B) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object image relative to said device on the basis of a signal obtained by normalizing said color difference signal with said luminance signal.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
84 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) extracting means for extracting, in relation to a detecting area for following up an object image, a color difference signal representing a feature of the object image and a luminance signal from a color video signal representing said object image; and (B) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object image relative to said device on the basis of a signal obtained by normalizing said color difference signal with said luminance signal.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 48, wherein said detecting means includes a normalizing circuit for normalizing said color difference signal by using said luminance signal.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 49, wherein said normalizing circuit includes a divider which divides said color difference signal by said luminance signal.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device according to claim 48, wherein said detecting means includes: (a) a computer circuit for outputting the normalized color difference signal by using said color difference signal and said luminance signal; and (b) a detecting circuit for detecting a variation state of said normalized color difference signal.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) setting means for setting an object image detecting area divided into at least three areas and intended to follow up the object image, formed on a photo-taking plane, in said photo-taking plane; (B) extracting means arranged to fixedly use a signal obtained from a middle area among said divided areas as a signal representing a feature of the object image obtained at a specific point of time and to extract difference signals representing differences between signals obtained from at least two pairs of adjoining areas including said middle area among said divided areas; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shift of said detected and followed up object image relative to said device on the basis of said difference signals.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) setting means for setting an object image detecting area divided into at least three areas and intended to follow up the object image, formed on a photo-taking plane, in said photo-taking plane; (B) extracting means arranged to fixedly use a signal obtained from a middle area among said divided areas as a signal representing a feature of the object image obtained at a specific point of time and to extract difference signals representing differences between signals obtained from at least two pairs of adjoining areas including said middle area among said divided areas; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shift of said detected and followed up object image relative to said device on the basis of said difference signals.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 52, wherein said extracting means fixes said signal obtained from said middle area as a signal representing a feature of said object image obtained at the time when said object image is designated as an object image to be followed up.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device according to claim 52, wherein said detecting means includes a detecting circuit for detecting a variation state of said difference signals.
Claim 65
Independent Claim
92 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) storing means for storing a feature of said object image to be detected and followed up formed on a photo-taking plane; (B) discerning means for discerning a shift of said object image on the basis of the feature stored; and (C) renewing means for renewing the stored content of said storing means according to a result of discernment by said discerning means when said discerning means has consecutively discerned a stationary state of said object image a predetermined number of times.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
92 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) storing means for storing a feature of said object image to be detected and followed up formed on a photo-taking plane; (B) discerning means for discerning a shift of said object image on the basis of the feature stored; and (C) renewing means for renewing the stored content of said storing means according to a result of discernment by said discerning means when said discerning means has consecutively discerned a stationary state of said object image a predetermined number of times.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 54, wherein said device further comprises camera means for photographing at least said object so as to output a video information signal corresponding to said object image.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device according to claim 56, wherein said storing means includes: (a) a memory circuit capable of storing said video information signal; and (b) a supply control circuit for controlling a supply of the video information signal outputted from said camera means to said memory circuit.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
54 words
A device according to claim 57, wherein said discerning means includes detecting means for detecting a relative shift between said object image and the device using the video information signal outputted from said camera means at certain predetermined intervals so as to generate a shift detection signal in case said relative shift is detected.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
69 words
A device according to claim 58, wherein said renewing means is a count circuit for watching whether said shift detection signal is outputted or not every time the video information signal is outputted from said camera means, so as to count up in case said shift detection signal is not outputted and to output a stop state detection signal in case a count value reaches a certain predetermined value.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device according to claim 59, wherein said supply control circuit is arranged so as to supply said video information signal to said memory circuit in case said stop state detection signal is outputted from said count circuit.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 59, wherein said count circuit is arranged so as to reset the count value in case the shift detection signal is outputted from said detection circuit.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
93 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) setting means shiftable in accordance with a shift of the object image formed on a photo-taking plane and intended for variably setting a size of an object image detecting area for following up said object image; (B) registering means for registering a feature of the object image in relation to said object image detecting area; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object image relative to said device on the basis of said registered feature by said registering means.
Claim 74
Independent Claim
93 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) setting means shiftable in accordance with a shift of the object image formed on a photo-taking plane and intended for variably setting a size of an object image detecting area for following up said object image; (B) registering means for registering a feature of the object image in relation to said object image detecting area; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object image relative to said device on the basis of said registered feature by said registering means.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 62, wherein said device comprises camera means for photographing at least said object so as to output video information signals corresponding to said object image.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device according to claim 63, wherein said setting means includes: (a) a gate circuit for separating a part of the video information signals from the video information signals outputted by said camera means at certain predetermined intervals by opening the gate for a period corresponding to said detecting area; and (b) a fine adjustment circuit capable of manually adjusting the open gate time in said gate circuit.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
107 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) setting means shiftable in accordance with a shift of an object image formed on a photo-taking plane and intended for variably setting a size of an object image detecting area for following up said object image; (B) display means for displaying said object image detecting area at a display device; (C) registering means for registering a feature of the object image in relation to said object image detecting area; and (D) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object image relative to said device on the basis of said registered feature by said registering means.
Claim 78
Independent Claim
107 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) setting means shiftable in accordance with a shift of an object image formed on a photo-taking plane and intended for variably setting a size of an object image detecting area for following up said object image; (B) display means for displaying said object image detecting area at a display device; (C) registering means for registering a feature of the object image in relation to said object image detecting area; and (D) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object image relative to said device on the basis of said registered feature by said registering means.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 65, wherein said device comprises camera means for photographing said object so as to output video information signals corresponding to said object image.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device according to claim 66, wherein said setting means includes: (a) a gate circuit for separating a part of the video information signals from the video information signals outputted by said camera means at certain predetermined intervals by opening the gate for a period corresponding to said object image detecting area; and (b) a fine adjustment circuit capable of manually adjusting the open gate period in the gate circuit.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
84 words
A device according to claim 66, wherein said display means includes: (A) an object image detecting area video signal generating circuit for generating an object image detecting area video signal representing the detecting area set by said setting means; (B) a multiplying circuit for multiplying the video information signals outputted by said camera means with the detecting area video signal outputted by said detecting area video signal generating circuit; and (C) a display device for displaying video information signals outputted by said multiplying circuit.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 65, and further comprising shifting means for shifting the position of said follow-up area in said photo-taking means, on the basis of the output of said detecting means, to constantly cause the position of the object to coincide with that of the follow-up area.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 69, and further comprising focusing means for effecting focus adjustment on the basis of the information within said follow-up means.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 68, and further comprising shifting means for shifting the position of said follow-up area in said photo-taking means, on the basis of the output of said detecting means, to constantly cause the position of the object to coincide with that of the follow-up area.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 71, and further comprising focusing means for effecting focus adjustment on the basis of the information within said follow-up means.
Claim 86
Independent Claim
90 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) registering means arranged to shift a detecting area to a slight distance and to register a feature of an object image after confirmation of a condition in which the whole or a part of said detecting area has settled within said object image formed on an image sensing plane; and (B) control means for detecting a movement of said object image in said image sensing plane and following up said object image on the basis of said registered feature.
Claim 87
Independent Claim
90 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) registering means arranged to shift a detecting area to a slight distance and to register a feature of an object image after confirmation of a condition in which the whole or a part of said detecting area has settled within said object image formed on an image sensing plane; and (B) control means for detecting a movement of said object image in said image sensing plane and following up said object image on the basis of said registered feature.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 73, wherein said device comprises camera means for photographing a picture including at least an object so as to output video information signals corresponding to the picture including said object.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
102 words
A device according to claim 74, wherein said detecting means includes: (a) a gate circuit for separating a part of the video information signals from the video information signals outputted by said camera means at certain predetermined intervals by opening the gate for a period corresponding to said detecting area; (b) a shift detecting circuit for detecting a shift of said object image using the part of the video information signals separated by said gate circuit; and (c) a gate timing control circuit for controlling a gate timing of said gate circuit corresponding to the detection result of said shift detection circuit.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
190 words
A device according to claim 75, wherein said registering means includes: (a) an open gate shift circuit for setting said open gate position at an initial position by controlling said gate circuit and shifting said position in relation to said initial position at a certain predetermined shift distance; (b) a first memory circuit for storing the initial position information of the open gate by said open gate shift circuit and every shift position information; (c) a second memory circuit for storing the video information signals separated by said gate circuit at the initial position of said open gate and every shift position; and (d) an initial setting circuit for controlling said gate circuit for comparing the video information signals at every shift positions stored in said second memory circuit with the video information signals at the initial position, for controlling said gate circuit so as to shift said open gate at the shift position corresponding to the video information signals the absolute value of whose difference is smaller than the threshold value, and for supplying the video information signals then separated by said gate circuit to the shift detection circuit.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 73, and further comprising shifting means for shifting the position of said follow-up area in said photo-taking means, on the basis of the output of said detecting means, to constantly cause the position of the object to coincide with that of the follow-up area.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device according to claim 77, and further comprising effecting focus adjustment on the basis of the information within said follow-up means.
Claim 93
Independent Claim
104 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) detecting means for detecting whether a position of a detecting area detecting and following up a shift of an object image on a photo-taking plane is in agreement with that of said object image under a condition of having a preset dead band; (B) registering means for registering a feature of said object image relative to said detecting area when said detecting area coincides with said object image; and (C) control means for following up said object image in said photo-taking plane on the basis of said registered feature by said registering means.
Claim 94
Independent Claim
104 words
A device for automatically following up an object image, comprising: (A) detecting means for detecting whether a position of a detecting area detecting and following up a shift of an object image on a photo-taking plane is in agreement with that of said object image under a condition of having a preset dead band; (B) registering means for registering a feature of said object image relative to said detecting area when said detecting area coincides with said object image; and (C) control means for following up said object image in said photo-taking plane on the basis of said registered feature by said registering means.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 79, wherein said device comprises camera means for photographing a picture including at least said object so as to output video information signals corresponding to an object image including said object.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
100 words
A device according to claim 79, wherein said control means includes: (a) a gate circuit for separating a part of the video information signals from the video information signals outputted by said camera means at certain predetermined intervals by opening a gate for the period corresponding to said detecting area; (b) a shift detecting circuit for detecting a shift of said object image by using the video information signals separated by said gate circuit; and (c) a gate timing circuit for controlling a gate timing of said gate circuit in accordance with a detection result of said shift detecting circuit.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
184 words
A device according to claim 81, wherein said detecting means includes: (a) an open gate shift circuit for setting said open gate position at an initial position by controlling said gate circuit and shifting said position in relation to said initial position at certain predetermined shift distances; (b) a first memory circuit for storing the initial position information of the open gate by said open gate shift circuit and each shift position information; (c) a second memory circuit for storing the video information signals separated by said gate circuit at the initial position of said open gate and each shift position; and (d) an initial setting circuit for controlling said gate circuit for comparing the video information signals at every shift position stored in said second memory circuit with the video information signals at the initial position, for controlling said gate circuit so as to shift said open gate at the shift position corresponding to the video information signals an absolute value of whose difference is smaller than the threshold value, and for outputting the video information signals then separated from said gate circuit.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 82, wherein said registering means includes a third memory circuit for storing the video information signals outputted from said initial setting circuit and for supplying said video information signals to said shift detection circuit.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 82, further comprising means for variably setting said dead band.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
108 words
An object shift detecting device comprising: (A) a camera means for photographing an optional object for outputting video information signals having a first interval corresponding to at least said object at every second interval which is longer than the first interval; (B) a forming means for dividing at least a part of the video information signals for each of the video information signals outputted by said camera means at every second interval into a plurality of areas so as to form a signal for each area; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object relative to the device on the basis of said signals formed.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
108 words
An object shift detecting device comprising: (A) a camera means for photographing an optional object for outputting video information signals having a first interval corresponding to at least said object at every second interval which is longer than the first interval; (B) a forming means for dividing at least a part of the video information signals for each of the video information signals outputted by said camera means at every second interval into a plurality of areas so as to form a signal for each area; and (C) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object relative to the device on the basis of said signals formed.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
64 words
A device according to claim 85, wherein said forming means includes a difference signal forming circuit for forming at least two difference signals by using the video information signals divided into a plurality of areas, while said detecting means includes a detecting circuit for detecting a variation state of at least a part of the difference signals of at least said two difference signals.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 85, wherein said video information signals include color information signals.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device according to claim 85, wherein said video information signals include a luminance information signal and a color information signal, while said detecting means includes a normalizing circuit for normalizing said color information signal with said luminance information signal.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device according to claim 85, wherein said forming means includes: (a) a dividing circuit for dividing at least a part of the video information signals for each of the video information signals outputted by said camera means at every second interval into at least three areas; and (b) a forming circuit for forming difference signals obtained from adjacent areas including at least a middle area out of said areas formed by said dividing circuit.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
60 words
A device according to claim 85, wherein said device further comprises a memory circuit for storing said signals formed by said forming means and outputting said signals stored at every second interval, whereby said detecting means is arranged so as to detect a shift of said object relative to the device based upon said signals outputted by said memory circuit.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
133 words
An automatic shift detecting device comprising: (A) camera means for photographing an optional object formed on a photo-taking plane having a first interval so as to output video information signals corresponding to at least said object at every second interval which are longer than the first interval; (B) forming means for forming signals corresponding to at least each of the video information signals outputted by said camera means; (C) integrating means for integrating said signals formed by said forming means, said integrating means including a plurality of integrating circuits for integrating each of a plurality of color difference signals of said signals formed by said forming means; and (D) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object relative to said device in said photo-taking plane on the basis of said integrated signals.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
133 words
An automatic shift detecting device comprising: (A) camera means for photographing an optional object formed on a photo-taking plane having a first interval so as to output video information signals corresponding to at least said object at every second interval which are longer than the first interval; (B) forming means for forming signals corresponding to at least each of the video information signals outputted by said camera means; (C) integrating means for integrating said signals formed by said forming means, said integrating means including a plurality of integrating circuits for integrating each of a plurality of color difference signals of said signals formed by said forming means; and (D) detecting means for detecting a shift of said object relative to said device in said photo-taking plane on the basis of said integrated signals.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
30 words
An automatic shift detecting device according to claim 91, wherein said integrating means is arranged so as to integrate said formed signals for a longer interval that the second interval.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
36 words
An automatic shift detecting device according to claim 91, wherein said forming means is arranged so as to form a plurality of color difference signals corresponding to at least a part of said video information signals.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
26 words
An automatic shift detecting device according to claim 91, wherein said detecting means includes a detecting circuit for detecting a variation state of said integrated signals.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 91, and further comprising shifting means for shifting the position of said follow-up area in said photo-taking means, on the basis of the output of said detecting means, to constantly cause the position of the object to coincide with that of the follow-up area.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 95, and further comprising focusing means for effecting focus adjustment on the basis of the information within said follow-up means.
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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) | 1994-07-08 | 1995-01-07 | 1995-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-08 | 1999-01-07 | 1999-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-08 | 2003-01-07 | 2003-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |