Method of and apparatus for producing a photograph of a mobile subject

• US 4,498,744 A
• Filed: 07/26/1982
• Issued: 02/12/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: George D. Ealovega, Peter J. Langridge
• Original Assignee: George D. Ealovega, Peter J. Langridge
• Inventors: Ealovega, George D., Langridge, Peter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hayes, Monroe H.
• Application Number:
  US06/401,973
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 352/39, 352/89, 352/132, 352/38, 352/243, 352/84, 352/85, 354/293
• US Class Current: 352/89
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/00 Special procedures for taking photographs; Apparatus therefor

Abstract

There is disclosed a method of producing a photograph of a mobile subject such as a vehicle, in which method a camera is mounted for linear translational movement along a support in a direction parallel with the path of movement of the subject. A motion transmitting operative connection is established between the subject and the camera such that for a linear translational displacement of the subject in said direction there will be a corresponding linear translational displacement of the camera in said direction along said support. The motion transmitting connection may comprise a mechanical connection e.g. via Bowden cable, or an electrical or electronic servo arrangement. To produce a photograph, the subject is displaced linearly in said one direction while making a photographic exposure in the camera, so that the period of the exposure lies within the period of corresponding movement of the camera along said support.

Claims

1. Apparatus for use in producing a photograph of a mobile subject such as a vehicle, comprising a support, a camera mount adapted to have a camera secured thereto, means mounting said camera mount for linear translational movement along said support in a predetermined direction, means for detecting linear displacement of a subject in said predetermined direction, and means for imparting linear displacement to the camera mount in said predetermined direction, along said support, in correspondence with a sensed displacement in said predetermined direction of the subject, wherein said means for detecting displacement of the subject includes a displacement transducer for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of the displacement of the subject relative to a fixed reference, means for receiving said signal and effecting a corresponding displacement of the camera mount along said support, the last-mentioned means including motor means for displacing the camera mount, and control means for receiving said signal and controlling said motor means to produce the appropriate displacement, said control means including a second displacement transducer for sensing movement of said camera mount along said support, and comparator means for comparing the displacements, sensed by said transducers, of the subject and the camera mount, and for controlling the energisation of said motor means in such a way as to tend to minimise differences in said displacements of the subject and the camera mount, each said displacement transducer comprising a first part, incorporating an optical grid, with a series of markings extending thereacross at regular intervals therealong, and a second part incorporating an electrical-optical sensor, and means mounting one of said parts for linear movement relative to the other to traverse the sensor along the grid to cross said markings in succession, to cause said sensor to produce a corresponding succession of electrical pulses, the apparatus including a respective counter, associated with each said sensor, for counting the signals produced thereby.

2. Apparatus for use with a camera to produce a photograph of a mobile subject, such as a vehicle, comprising a stationary support;

means mounting the camera upon said support for linear translational movement of the camera along said support in a predetermined direction;

means for detecting linear displacement of a subject in said predetermined direction, and means for linearly displacing the camera along said support in said predetermined direction, in correspondence with a sensed displacement in said predetermined direction of said subject, the camera being operable to make a single photographic exposure during, and extending over an appreciable part of, the linear displacement of the camera;

wherein said means mounting the camera upon said support for linear translational movement includes a camera mount and means detachably securing the camera to said camera mount;

said camera mount being itself mounted upon said support for such linear translational movement;

said means for linearly displacing the camera being arranged to impart such movement to the camera via said camera mount;

said means for detecting linear displacement of said subject including a displacement transducer for producing an output signal indicative of the amount of the displacement of said subject relative to a fixed reference, means for receiving said signal and effecting a corresponding displacement of said camera mount along said support, the last-mentioned means including motor means for displacing said camera mount, and control means for receiving said signal and controlling said motor means to produce the appropriate displacement, said control means including a second displacement transducer for sensing movement of said camera mount along said support, and comparator means for comparing the displacement sensed by said transducers of said subject and said camera mount, and for controlling the energisation of said motor means in such a way as to tend to minimize differences in the displacements of said subject and said camera mount;

wherein each displacement transducer comprises a first part, incorporating an optical grid, with a series of markings extending thereacross at regular intervals therealong, and a second part incorporating an electrical-optical sensor, and means mounting one of said parts for linear movement relative to the other to traverse said sensor along said grid to cross said markings in succession, to cause the sensor to produce a corresponding succession of electrical pulses, the apparatus including a respective counter, associated with each said sensor, for counting the signals produced thereby.