Image stabilization system

• US 3,982,255 A
• Filed: 12/17/1974
• Issued: 09/21/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/1974
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army (Government of the United States of America)
• Original Assignee: The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Army
• Inventors: Orlando, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Greiner, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US05/533,580
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 354/70, 354/65, 354/71, 354/31, 250/203
• US Class Current: 396/13
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/00 Special procedures for taking photographs; Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 41/00 Special techniques not covered by groups G03B31/00 - G03B39/00; Apparatus therefor

Abstract

An image stabilization system for maintaining a fixed relationship between target to be photographed and an image of the target as recorded on a photographic film. The system comprises a primary lens system which focuses the image of the target onto first and second optical density wedges, each having a scale of continuous linear density gradations. The wedges are positioned with their respective scales at angles to each other. The light transmitted through the first and second optical density wedges is received by first and second photo-electric cells. The changes in potentials caused by the target movement with respect to the photographic film is received from the photo-electric cells by first and second torquer motors which move a film plate which holds the photographic film in a direction on a given plane corresponding to the target movement.

Claims

1. An image stabilization system for maintaining a fixed relationship between a target to be photographed and an image of the target to be recorded on a photographic film comprising:

p1 a. a primary lens system for receiving light rays from said target and for splitting said light rays into first and second light beams;

b. first and second optical density wedges each having a scale of continuous linear density gradations, said wedges being positioned with their respective scales at angles to each other and in position for said first wedge to transmit said first light beam and said second wedge to transmit said second light beam;

c. first and second photo-electric means responsive to said first and second transmitted light beams, respectively, for producing variable first and second output voltages; and

d. means responsive to said first and second output voltages for moving said photographic film in all directions on a given plane in consonance with the variations in said first and second output voltages.

2. The image stabilization system according to claim 1 further comprising:

means positioned between said optical density wedges and said photo-electric means for increasing the detection sensitivity of said photo-electric means.

3. The image stabilization system according to claim 2 wherein said detection sensitivity increasing means comprises:

a. a first light concentrating lens system positioned between said first optical density wedge and said first photo-electric means, and

b. a second light concentrating lens system positioned between said second optical density wedge and said second photo-electric means.

4. The image stabilization system according to claim 1 wherein said respective scales of said first and second optical density wedges are at ninety degree angles with respect to each other.

5. The image stabilization system according to claim 1 wherein said primary lens system is a beam splitter.