Patent US5668629A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5668629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote tracking system particulary for moving picture cameras and method
Assignee: Thomson Licensing SAS
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Filing: 1995-09-25
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Granted: 1997-09-16
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Expires: 2015-09-25
Abstract
Abstract The system includes a base unit sensitive to infrared (IR) signals transmitted by a mobile remote unit to an IR receiver which is placed behind a rotating set of signal blocking blinders whose position at any time defines a view angle with a position known with precision resulting in the IR signal reception scanning across an area. The base unit detects when the peak strength of the signal occurs and utilizes this data to determine the exact effective angle between the axis of the IR signal and the base unit to create an error signal used by the base unit to position the camera mounted thereon. Receivers for TILT and two PAN positions, PAN 1 and PAN 2, are used to include range calculations for ZOOM functions. Command circuitry to override the automatic tracking function is provided in the base unit.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey L. Parker
- 👤 David F. Sorrells
- 👤 John D. Mix
- 👤 Richard P. Daber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:08
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/782; G01S3/783; G01C; G01C1/00; G01S3/785; G01S3/786
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of calculating the angular displacement of a moving object with respect to a reference angle and moving a movable means to automatically follow and track the moving object in response thereto comprising: A. transmitting at the location of the moving object a signal from a radiant energy source into the area; B. scanning the area for the transmitted signal by varying the view angle through which the transmitted signal can be received during a time interval; C. receiving by a receiver the transmitted signal through the view angle; D. determining the point in the time interval at which each angular position of the view angle occurs during the time interval; E. automatically computing the angular displacement of the moving object with respect to the reference angle by comparing the point in the time interval at which the receiver received the transmitted signal with the angular position of the view angle through which the signal was received with respect to the same point in the time interval; and F. automatically moving the movable means in response to the results obtained in step E to follow and track the moving object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of calculating the angular displacement of a moving object with respect to a reference angle and moving a movable means to automatically follow and track the moving object in response thereto comprising: A. transmitting at the location of the moving object a signal from a radiant energy source into the area; B. scanning the area for the transmitted signal by varying the view angle through which the transmitted signal can be received during a time interval; C. receiving by a receiver the transmitted signal through the view angle; D. determining the point in the time interval at which each angular position of the view angle occurs during the time interval; E. automatically computing the angular displacement of the moving object with respect to the reference angle by comparing the point in the time interval at which the receiver received the transmitted signal with the angular position of the view angle through which the signal was received with respect to the same point in the time interval; and F. automatically moving the movable means in response to the results obtained in step E to follow and track the moving object.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of controlling the field of view of a camera operatively connected to a tracking unit that is movable by a controller to track by automatically positioning on a movable remote control unit and following same for taking pictures by the camera comprising the steps of: A. moving a tracking unit in at least one plane by a controller; B. generating a signal of the electromagnetic spectrum by a remote unit; C. scanning an area for the transmitted signal and receiving same by the controller; D. establishing by the controller a reference position for the tracking unit; E. determining by the controller the error in alignment between the reference position and the remote unit; and F. controlling the field of view by the controller to reduce the alignment error to a predetermined amount as established by the controller to provide for the following of the movable remote control unit by the field of view of the camera.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of controlling the field of view of a camera operatively connected to a tracking unit that is movable by a controller to track by automatically positioning on a movable remote control unit and following same for taking pictures by the camera comprising the steps of: A. moving a tracking unit in at least one plane by a controller; B. generating a signal of the electromagnetic spectrum by a remote unit; C. scanning an area for the transmitted signal and receiving same by the controller; D. establishing by the controller a reference position for the tracking unit; E. determining by the controller the error in alignment between the reference position and the remote unit; and F. controlling the field of view by the controller to reduce the alignment error to a predetermined amount as established by the controller to provide for the following of the movable remote control unit by the field of view of the camera.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 wherein step A includes the step of: G. moving by the controller the tracking unit in two planes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein step B includes the step of: G. generating an infrared signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein step B includes the step of: G. generating a modulated signal.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for positioning and operating a camera that is movable to automatically follow and track a movable remote control unit for taking pictures by the camera comprising a movable tracking unit for mounting of a camera thereon, transmitter means at said remote control unit for transmitting a signal in the electromagnetic spectrum, scanning means including view angle control means for controlling the angular displacement with respect to a reference position at which said receiver means can receive said transmitted signal, and an automatic controller means for determining the displacement between the angle of reception of said transmitted signal and said reference position and for automatically controlling the movement of said tracking unit to track and follow a moving said control unit in response to the displacement so determined.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
129 words
A system for positioning and operating a camera that is movable to automatically follow and track a movable remote control unit for taking pictures by the camera comprising a movable tracking unit for mounting of a camera thereon, transmitter means at said remote control unit for transmitting a signal in the electromagnetic spectrum, scanning means including view angle control means for controlling the angular displacement with respect to a reference position at which said receiver means can receive said transmitted signal, and an automatic controller means for determining the displacement between the angle of reception of said transmitted signal and said reference position and for automatically controlling the movement of said tracking unit to track and follow a moving said control unit in response to the displacement so determined.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as defined in claim 6 wherein said transmitter means transmits an infrared signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as defined in claim 6 wherein said tracking unit is movable in two planes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system as defined in claim 6 wherein said transmitter means includes circuit means to modulate said transmitted signal.
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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) | 2000-09-15 | 2001-03-17 | 2001-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-15 | 2005-03-17 | 2005-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-15 | 2009-03-17 | 2009-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |