US6320610B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact imaging device incorporating rotatably mounted cameras
Assignee: Sensar Inc
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Filing: 1998-12-31
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Granted: 2001-11-20
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Expires: 2018-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A compact image steering and focusing device has a generally rectangular frame containing at least one illuminator and at least one and preferably two cameras and a pan/tilt mirror on a tilting frame. There is a tilt axis through the frame. A tilt motor is attached to the frame to turn the frame about the tilt axis. Another camera is positioned in optical alignment with the pan/tilt mirror. The device can fit behind the cover plate of an automated teller machine. Images from the cameras on the titling frame are used to focus the other camera on one eye of the automated teller machine user to identify the user by iris analysis and comparison to an iris image or iris code on file.
Inventors
- 👤 Glen Van Sant
- 👤 Michael Negin
- 👤 John Drozd
- 👤 Thomas A. Chmielewski, Jr.
- 👤 Kevin Carl Kaighn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:42
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10; G06; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G06V40/18; G06V40/19; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/37; G07F; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G07F19/201; G07F19/207; H; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; H04N13/20; H04N13/204; H04N13/207; H04N13/239; H04N13/254; H04N13/296; H04N23/00; H04N23/50; H04N23/55; H04N23/56; H04N13/246; H04N2013/0074; H04N2013/0081
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
A compact imaging device comprising: a. a base; b. at least one upright attached to the base; c. a frame attached to the at least one upright in a manner so that the frame can rotate about a tilt axis which intersects the upright; d. a pan/tilt mirror rotatably attached to the frame so that the mirror can be rotated around a pan axis which pan axis intersects a plane through the tilt axis; e. a pan motor connected to the mirror in a manner to be able to rotate the mirror about the pan axis; f. a first camera and first camera lens attached to the frame and in optical alignment with the pan/tilt mirror; and g. at least one second camera and second camera lens attached to the frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
A compact imaging device comprising: a. a base; b. at least one upright attached to the base; c. a frame attached to the at least one upright in a manner so that the frame can rotate about a tilt axis which intersects the upright; d. a pan/tilt mirror rotatably attached to the frame so that the mirror can be rotated around a pan axis which pan axis intersects a plane through the tilt axis; e. a pan motor connected to the mirror in a manner to be able to rotate the mirror about the pan axis; f. a first camera and first camera lens attached to the frame and in optical alignment with the pan/tilt mirror; and g. at least one second camera and second camera lens attached to the frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The compact image steering device of claim 1 also comprising a fixed mirror attached to the base and positioned in an optical path between the pan/tilt mirror and the first camera.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The compact image steering device of claim 1 wherein the at least one second camera is comprised of two cameras separated by a fixed horizontal distance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The compact image steering device of claim 3 wherein the two cameras have overlapping fields of view.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
72 words
The device of claim 4 also comprising an image processor connected to the second and third cameras which receives images of a subject in the overlapping fields of view from both the second camera and the third camera and processes those images to determine an x, y, z coordinate position relative to the second and third cameras for a point on the subject from which point the first camera can be directed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
85 words
The device of claim 5 also comprising: a. a tilt motor connected to the frame; b. a focus motor connected to the first camera lens; and c. a controller connected to the image processor, the pan motor, tilt motor and the focus motor which activates the pan motor and tilt motor to position the pan/tilt mirror and the focus motor so that light reflected from the point on the subject to the pan/tilt mirror will be reflected by the pan/tilt mirror to the first camera.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the image processor is programmed to compare images from the second camera to determine if the subject is moving, calculate a motion path of a moving subject and direct the pan, tilt and focus motors to compensate for such motion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 6 also comprising a gaze director connected to the controller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the gaze director is connected in a manner to allow the gaze director to be placed at a location remote from the base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 8 wherein the remote location is on an automated teller machine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The compact image steering device of claim 1 also comprising at least one illuminator attached to the frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The compact image steering device of claim 1 also comprising a cover attached to the base and surrounding the frame, pan/tilt mirror, pan motor and cameras.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
The compact image steering device of claim 1 wherein the device has a depth not less than 8 inches, a width not greater than 10.6 inches and a height not greater than 2 inches.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the pan motor is a linear drive motor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 14 also comprising a belt drive connected between the pan motor and the frame.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
The device of claim 1 also comprising at least one light source which can emit at least one of infrared light, visible light, a select band of frequencies, or both infrared and visible light, the at least one light source being positioned so that light emitted from the light source will be reflected from a subject to the pan/tilt mirror.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 16 wherein the light source is a strobe light.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 16 also comprising a synchronizer connected to the camera and the light source for synchronizing the operation of the camera with strobing of the light source.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 16 also comprising a strobing device connected to the light source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 16 wherein the light source is a light emitting diode or array of light emitting diodes.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 16 also comprising a motor connected to the at least one light source.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 also comprising at least one limit switch connected to the pan motor.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1 also comprising at least one position sensor mounted on one of the frame and the stand in a manner to determine positions of at least one of the pan/tilt mirror and the frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the pan motor is a one of a DC motor and a stepper motor.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 21 also comprising a controller connected to the motor and a position sensor connected to the controller wherein the position sensor provides signals to the controller and the controller supplies the motor with corresponding drive signals.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 also comprising a range finder connected to the base and positioned to determine a distance of a subject from the at least one second camera.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the first camera lens is selected from the group of lenses consisting of a fixed focus lens, telecentric lens, varifocal lens and zoom lens.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device of claim 1 also comprising a top removably connected to the base and a detector connected to at least one of the top and the base to detect movement of the top relative to the base.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device of claim 28 also comprising at least one image processor connected to the cameras and the detector, the image processor containing a program which will disable the image processor upon receipt of a signal from the detector.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 29 wherein the program will erase selected software modules or routines in the image processor upon receipt of a signal from the detector.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 1 also comprising a proximity detector positioned relative to the base to detect a person approaching the device.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
67 words
The device of claim 31 also comprising: a. at least one illuminator positioned to emit light that will be reflected from a subject to the pan/tilt mirror; and b. a controller connected to the proximity detector, the pan motor and the at least one illuminator which controller changes the at least one illuminator and the pan motor from a low power state to a higher power state.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 1 also comprising a top connected to the base wherein the top and base are sized and configured to enclose the upright, frame, pan/tilt mirror, pan motor, camera and lenses.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the first camera creates an image in response to a selected wavelength of light and the second camera creates an image in response to a different selected wavelength of light.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 also comprising at least one optical filter placed in an optical path of at least one of the first camera and the second camera.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 35 wherein the at least one optical filter has a center frequency of from 700 nm to 900 nm.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the first camera lens has zoom and focus axes that can be adjusted to compensate for a size change of an iris of a user who is wearing glasses.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
The compact imaging device of claim 11 , further comprising an illuminator assembly connecting the illuminator to the frame.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
33 words
The compact imaging device of claim 38 , wherein the illuminator assembly is rotatably connected to the frame such that the illuminator assembly may rotate in the pan direction independent of the frame.
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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) | 2004-11-19 | 2005-05-21 | 2005-11-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-19 | 2009-05-21 | 2009-11-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-19 | 2013-05-21 | 2013-11-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |