US6064752A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for positioning subjects before a single camera
Assignee: Sensar Inc
•
Filing: 1997-11-04
•
Granted: 2000-05-16
•
Expires: 2017-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A system and method of positioning a head of a subject to be photographed by a single camera uses a mirror and at least one collimated light beam. The single camera is positioned so that there is a selected specific location in space within a field of view of the camera at which the head or eye of the subject is desired to be positioned. A light source directs a collimated light beam or light sheet so that the light beam or light sheet intersects a line running from the mirror through the selected specific location in space and can be seen by an eye at the selected specific location in space that is looking at the mirror. The user is told to position his head across from the mirror and move his head until he sees the collimated light beam or light sheet and his eye in the mirror. When the subject is so positioned the single camera can take an image of the eye from which the subject can be identified. If desired a second mirror can be used in place of the light source.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Michael Rozmus
- 👤 Michael Negin
- 👤 Guy Dela Rosa
- 👤 Anthony O'Brien
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/117; A61B5/1171; A61B5/1176; G; G06; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G06V40/18; G06V40/19
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of positioning an eye of a subject to be photographed by a camera comprising the steps of: a. selecting a specific location in space within a field of view of the camera at which an eye of the subject is desired to be positioned; b. providing a mirror at a fixed distance from the selected specific location in space such that the subject can see a reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror only when his line of sight is a segment of a line that passes through the selected specific location in space; c. directing a collimated light beam in a manner so that the light beam passes through the selected specific location in space; and d. instructing the subject to position his head so that he sees an image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror and also sees the collimated light beam.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of positioning an eye of a subject to be photographed by a camera comprising the steps of: a. selecting a specific location in space within a field of view of the camera at which an eye of the subject is desired to be positioned; b. providing a mirror at a fixed distance from the selected specific location in space such that the subject can see a reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror only when his line of sight is a segment of a line that passes through the selected specific location in space; c. directing a collimated light beam in a manner so that the light beam passes through the selected specific location in space; and d. instructing the subject to position his head so that he sees an image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror and also sees the collimated light beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 also comprising placing a target on the mirror which defines a particular spot where at least a portion of the reflected image is desired to be positioned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 also comprising placing a luminous indicator in the mirror which defines a particular spot where at least a portion of the reflected image is desired to be positioned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mirror has a concave surface for magnification of the reflected image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the camera detects infrared light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mirror is a partially-transparent mirror and the camera is positioned to receive light reflected from the eye of the subject that passes through the mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the mirror is a cold mirror and a camera is positioned to receive infrared light reflected from the eye of the subject that passes through the mirror.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 also comprising the step of detecting a specular reflection of the light beam from at least one eye of the subject or from at least one lens of eyeglasses worn by the subject.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the specular reflection is detected by a photodetector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the specular reflection is detected by the camera.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 also comprising the step of producing an audible tone when the specular reflection is detected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 8 also comprising the step of activating a luminous indicator when the specular reflection is detected.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of positioning an eye of a subject to be photographed by a camera comprising the steps of: a. selecting a specific location in space within a field of view of the camera at which an eye of the subject is desired to be positioned; b. providing a first mirror at a fixed distance from the selected specific location in space such that the subject can see a first reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror only when his line of sight is a segment of a line that passes through the selected specific location in space; c. providing a second mirror at a fixed distance from the selected specific location in space such that the subject can see a second reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in this second mirror only when his line of sight is a segment of a line that passes through the selected specific location in space; d. instructing the subject to position his head so that he sees the first reflected image of his eye at the particular spot in the first mirror and also sees the second reflected image of his eye at the particular spot in the second mirror.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of positioning an eye of a subject to be photographed by a camera comprising the steps of: a. selecting a specific location in space within a field of view of the camera at which an eye of the subject is desired to be positioned; b. providing a first mirror at a fixed distance from the selected specific location in space such that the subject can see a first reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror only when his line of sight is a segment of a line that passes through the selected specific location in space; c. providing a second mirror at a fixed distance from the selected specific location in space such that the subject can see a second reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in this second mirror only when his line of sight is a segment of a line that passes through the selected specific location in space; d. instructing the subject to position his head so that he sees the first reflected image of his eye at the particular spot in the first mirror and also sees the second reflected image of his eye at the particular spot in the second mirror.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 13 also comprising placing a target on at least one of the mirrors which defines the particular spot on the at least one mirror where at least a portion of one of the reflected images is desired to be positioned.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 13 also comprising placing a luminous indicator in at least one of the mirrors which defines the particular spot where at least a portion of one of the reflected images is desired to be positioned.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 wherein at least one of the mirrors has a concave surface for magnification of one of the reflected images.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the camera detects infrared light.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 17 wherein at least one of the mirrors is a cold mirror and the camera is positioned to receive infrared light reflected from the eye of the subject that passes through the cold mirror.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 13 wherein at least one of the mirrors is a partially-transparent mirror and the camera is positioned to receive light reflected from the eye of the subject that passes through the at least one of the mirrors.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 13 also comprising the step of detecting a specular reflection of the light beam from at least one eye of the subject or from at least one lens of eyeglasses worn by the subject.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the specular reflection is detected by a photodetector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the specular reflection is detected by the camera.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 also comprising the step of producing an audible tone when the specular reflection is detected.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 20 also comprising the step of activating a luminous indicator when the specular reflection is detected.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of aiming at and focusing on an eye of a subject to be photographed by a camera having a manual focus mechanism comprising the steps of: a. providing a mirror such that the subject can see a reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror only when his line of sight is in the field of view of the camera; b. directing a collimated light beam in synchronization with the manual focus mechanism of the camera such that the eye of the subject can see the beam only when the eye is at a distance of clear focus on the line of sight established in step a; and d. instructing the subject to position his head so that he sees the reflected image of his eye at the particular spot in the mirror and then manually adjust the focus of the camera until he sees the collimated light beam.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of aiming at and focusing on an eye of a subject to be photographed by a camera having a manual focus mechanism comprising the steps of: a. providing a mirror such that the subject can see a reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror only when his line of sight is in the field of view of the camera; b. directing a collimated light beam in synchronization with the manual focus mechanism of the camera such that the eye of the subject can see the beam only when the eye is at a distance of clear focus on the line of sight established in step a; and d. instructing the subject to position his head so that he sees the reflected image of his eye at the particular spot in the mirror and then manually adjust the focus of the camera until he sees the collimated light beam.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 25 also comprising placing a target on the mirror which defines a particular spot where at least a portion of the reflected image is desired to be positioned.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 25 also comprising placing a luminous indicator in the mirror which defines the particular spot where at least a portion of a reflected image is desired to be positioned.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the mirror has a concave surface for magnification of the reflected image.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the camera detects infrared light.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 29 wherein the mirror is a cold mirror and the camera is positioned to receive infrared light reflected from the eye of the subject that passes through the mirror.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 25 wherein the mirror is a partially-transparent mirror and the camera is positioned to receive light reflected from the eye of the subject that passes through the mirror.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 25 also comprising the step of detecting a specular reflection of the light beam from at least one eye of the subject or from at least one lens of eyeglasses worn by the subject.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the specular reflection is detected by a photodetector.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 32 wherein the specular reflection is detected by the camera.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 32 also comprising the step of producing an audible tone when the specular reflection is detected.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 32 also comprising the step of activating a luminous indicator when the specular reflection is detected.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of positioning an eye of a subject to be photographed by a camera comprising the steps of: a. selecting a specific location in space within a field of view of the camera at which an eye of the subject is desired to be positioned; b. providing a mirror at a fixed distance from the selected specific location in space such that the subject can see a reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror only when his line of sight is a segment of a line that passes through the selected specific location in space; c. directing a light sheet in a manner so that the light sheet passes through the selected specific location in space; and d. instructing the subject to position his head so that he sees the reflected image of his eye at the particular spot in the mirror and also sees the light sheet.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of positioning an eye of a subject to be photographed by a camera comprising the steps of: a. selecting a specific location in space within a field of view of the camera at which an eye of the subject is desired to be positioned; b. providing a mirror at a fixed distance from the selected specific location in space such that the subject can see a reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror only when his line of sight is a segment of a line that passes through the selected specific location in space; c. directing a light sheet in a manner so that the light sheet passes through the selected specific location in space; and d. instructing the subject to position his head so that he sees the reflected image of his eye at the particular spot in the mirror and also sees the light sheet.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 37 also comprising placing a target on the mirror which defines the particular spot where at least a portion of a reflected image is desired to be positioned.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 37 also comprising placing a luminous indicator in the mirror which defines a particular spot where at least a portion of a reflected image is desired to be positioned.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the mirror has a concave surface for magnification of a reflected image.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the camera detects infrared light.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 41 wherein the mirror is a cold mirror and the camera is positioned to receive infrared light reflected from the eye of the subject that passes through the mirror.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the mirror is a partially-transparent mirror and the camera is positioned to receive light reflected from the eye of the subject that passes through the mirror.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 37 also comprising the step of detecting a specular reflection of the light sheet from at least one eye of the subject or from at least one lens of eyeglasses worn by the subject.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the specular reflection is detected by a photodetector.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 44 wherein the specular reflection is detected by the camera.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 44 also comprising the step of producing an audible tone when the specular reflection is detected.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 44 also comprising the step of activating a luminous indicator when the specular reflection is detected.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for taking an image of a subject comprised of: a. a mirror positioned a fixed distance from a selected specific point in space to reflect light from a subject positioned at the selected specific point in space back to that selected specific point in space; b. a collimated light source positioned to direct a light beam through the selected specific point in space in a manner so that an eye positioned at the selected specific point in space can see the light beam while the subject can see a reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror when his line of sight is a segment of a line that passes from the mirror through the specific point in space; and c. a camera positioned so that the selected specific point in space is in the field of view of the camera.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for taking an image of a subject comprised of: a. a mirror positioned a fixed distance from a selected specific point in space to reflect light from a subject positioned at the selected specific point in space back to that selected specific point in space; b. a collimated light source positioned to direct a light beam through the selected specific point in space in a manner so that an eye positioned at the selected specific point in space can see the light beam while the subject can see a reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror when his line of sight is a segment of a line that passes from the mirror through the specific point in space; and c. a camera positioned so that the selected specific point in space is in the field of view of the camera.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 49 also comprising a pedestal on which at least one of the camera, the mirror and the light source is mounted.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 49 also comprising a secondary mirror positioned between the selected point and the mirror so that light reflected from a subject at the selected point will pass through the secondary mirror.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 51 wherein the secondary mirror is a cold mirror.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 51 wherein the secondary mirror is a hot mirror.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 49 also comprising a target inscribed on the mirror which defines a particular spot where at least a portion of the reflected image is desired to be positioned.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 49 also comprising a photodetector positioned to detect a specular reflection of the light beam from at least one eye of the subject or from a lens of eyeglasses worn by the subject.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 55 also comprising a tone generator connected to the photodetector.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 49 wherein the light source produces and the camera detects infrared light.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 49 also comprising a luminous indicator attached to the mirror.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 49 wherein the camera has a focal point at the selected specific location in space.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 49 wherein the camera has a focus mechanism and the light source is connected to the focus mechanism in a manner so that movement of the focus mechanism moves the light source and the light source can only be seen by the eye when the eye is at the point at which the camera is focused.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
152 words
A system for taking an image of a subject comprised of: a. a mirror positioned a fixed distance from a selected specific point in space to reflect light from a subject positioned at the selected specific point in space back to that selected specific point in space; b. a light source which produces a sheet of light positioned to direct the sheet of light through the selected specific point in space in a manner so that an eye positioned at the selected specific point in space can see the light while the subject can see a reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror when his line of sight is a segment of a line that passes from the mirror through the specific point in space; and c. a camera positioned so that the selected specific point in space is in the field of view of the camera.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
152 words
A system for taking an image of a subject comprised of: a. a mirror positioned a fixed distance from a selected specific point in space to reflect light from a subject positioned at the selected specific point in space back to that selected specific point in space; b. a light source which produces a sheet of light positioned to direct the sheet of light through the selected specific point in space in a manner so that an eye positioned at the selected specific point in space can see the light while the subject can see a reflected image of his eye at a particular spot in the mirror when his line of sight is a segment of a line that passes from the mirror through the specific point in space; and c. a camera positioned so that the selected specific point in space is in the field of view of the camera.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 61 also comprising a pedestal on which at least one of the camera, the mirror and the light source is mounted.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 61 also comprising a secondary mirror positioned between the selected point and the mirror so that light reflected from a subject at the selected point will pass through the secondary mirror.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 63 wherein the secondary mirror is a cold mirror.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 63 wherein the secondary mirror is a hot mirror.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 61 also comprising a target inscribed on the mirror which defines a particular spot where at least a portion of a reflected image is desired to be positioned.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 61 also comprising a photodetector positioned to detect a specular reflection of light from at least one eye of the subject or from a lens of eyeglasses worn by the subject.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 67 also comprising a tone generator connected to the photodetector.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 61 wherein the light source produces and the camera detects infrared light.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 61 also comprising a luminous indicator attached to the mirror.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 61 wherein the camera has a focal point at the selected specific location in space.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 61 wherein the camera has a focus mechanism and the light source is connected to the focus mechanism in a manner so that movement of the focus mechanism moves the light source and the light source can only be seen by the eye when the eye is at a focal point of the camera.
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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) | 2003-05-16 | 2003-11-15 | 2004-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-05-16 | 2007-11-15 | 2008-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-05-16 | 2011-11-15 | 2012-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |