TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING AND TRACKING AN OBJECT
First Claim
1. A tracking television system for enhancing the image of an object having unique spectral reflection characteristics, comprising a. a first television camera adapted to scan a scene, b. a second television camera adapted to scan said scene and operatively connected to said first camera, c. an optical filter mounted to said second camera and having a passband characteristic corresponding to the spectral characteristics of said object, said second camera being sensitive only to said spectral characteristics, d. circuit means connecting siad first and second cameras for electronically combining the outputs of both cameras whereby the image of said object will be enhanced with respect to said scene, e. tracking means responsive to the position of said object for controlling the direction of both of said cameras, f. said tracking means including gimbal means mounting said cameras for movement about mutually perpendicular axes, a pair of servo motors drivingly connected to said gimbal means for moving said cameras about said axes in response to directional signals and optical position sensing means including a silicon Schottky barrier dual axis detector connected to said servo motors and positioned to receive an image of said object focussed thereon, said sensing means adapted to generate directional signals corresponding to the position of said image, and g. reference signal generating means connected to said detector and error signal generating means connected to said detector and to said reference signal generating means for generating directional signals for said servo motors.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An image enhancement system is provided for use with television equipment whereby a uniquely coated object within the field of view is enhanced to make it more readily observable to the viewer. A particular application involves coating a hockey puck, football or the like as used in a sporting event that is being televised with a material which reflects light of a particular frequency not normally present in ambient lighting conditions. A pair of ganged television cameras is employed, one of conventional design adapted to televise the entire scene and the other sensitive only to the particular frequency reflected by the coated object. The images from the two cameras are combined, with the coated object being enhanced with respect to the overall scene making it easily observable to the viewer. A tracking system may be employed that is responsive to the position of the enhanced image whereby the cameras will automatically follow the puck, ball or the like.
59 Citations
1 Claim
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1. A tracking television system for enhancing the image of an object having unique spectral reflection characteristics, comprising a. a first television camera adapted to scan a scene, b. a second television camera adapted to scan said scene and operatively connected to said first camera, c. an optical filter mounted to said second camera and having a passband characteristic corresponding to the spectral characteristics of said object, said second camera being sensitive only to said spectral characteristics, d. circuit means connecting siad first and second cameras for electronically combining the outputs of both cameras whereby the image of said object will be enhanced with respect to said scene, e. tracking means responsive to the position of said object for controlling the direction of both of said cameras, f. said tracking means including gimbal means mounting said cameras for movement about mutually perpendicular axes, a pair of servo motors drivingly connected to said gimbal means for moving said cameras about said axes in response to directional signals and optical position sensing means including a silicon Schottky barrier dual axis detector connected to said servo motors and positioned to receive an image of said object focussed thereon, said sensing means adapted to generate directional signals corresponding to the position of said image, and g. reference signal generating means connected to said detector and error signal generating means connected to said detector and to said reference signal generating means for generating directional signals for said servo motors.
Specification