Docking alignment system
First Claim
1. Apparatus for real-time alignment of a first object with respect to a second object, the apparatus comprising:
- camera means mounted to the first object and having an optical axis fixed with respect to the first object;
a reflective surface fixedly mounted to the second object and having a visible pattern thereon; and
monitor means for displaying in real-time images from the camera means and having a point optically fixed with respect to the optical axis of the camera means, such that the monitor means displays both the reflected image of the camera means and the visible pattern on the reflective surface each in relation to the fixed point on the monitor means when the reflective surface is perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improved techniques are provided for alignment of two objects. The present invention is particularly suited for three-dimensional translation and three-dimensional rotational alignment of objects in outer space. A camera 18 is fixedly mounted to one object, such as a remote manipulator arm 10 of the spacecraft, while the planar reflective surface 30 is fixed to the other object, such as a grapple fixture 20. A monitor 50 displays in real-time images from the camera, such that the monitor displays both the reflected image of the camera and visible markings on the planar reflective surface when the objects are in proper alignment. The monitor may thus be viewed by the operator and the arm 10 manipulated so that the reflective surface is perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera, the roll of the reflective surface is at a selected angle with respect to the camera, and the camera is spaced a pre-selected distance from the reflective surface.
49 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for real-time alignment of a first object with respect to a second object, the apparatus comprising:
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camera means mounted to the first object and having an optical axis fixed with respect to the first object; a reflective surface fixedly mounted to the second object and having a visible pattern thereon; and monitor means for displaying in real-time images from the camera means and having a point optically fixed with respect to the optical axis of the camera means, such that the monitor means displays both the reflected image of the camera means and the visible pattern on the reflective surface each in relation to the fixed point on the monitor means when the reflective surface is perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Alignment apparatus for alignment and docking of a first object in outer space with respect to a second object in outer space, one of the first or second objects including power means for translational and rotational movement of the powered object with respect to the other object, the alignment apparatus comprising:
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camera means mounted to the first object and having an optical axis fixed with respect to the first object; a reflective surface fixedly mounted to the second object and having a visible pattern thereon; and monitor means for displaying images from the camera means and having a fixed point corresponding optically to the optical axis of the camera means, such that the monitor means displays both the reflected image of the camera means and the visible pattern on the reflective surface each in a pre-selected relationship to the fixed point on the monitor means when (a) the reflective surface is prependicular to the optical axis of the camera means, and (b) the first object is at a selected rotational roll with respect to the second object. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for aligning in real-time a first object with respect to a second object, the method comprising:
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mounting a camera to the first object having an optical axis fixed with respect to the first object; mounting a reflective surface to the second object having a visible pattern thereon; displaying in real-time images from the camera on a monitor having a fixed point corresponding optically to the optical axis of the camera; and maneuvering the first object with respect to the second object in response to the display on the monitor until the monitor displays both the reflected image of the camera and the visible pattern each in a preselected relationship with respect to the fixed point on the monitor indicative of the reflective surface being perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification