Remote tracking system particulary for moving picture cameras and method

• US 5,668,629 A
• Filed: 09/25/1995
• Issued: 09/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: ParkerVision, Inc.
• Inventors: Parker, Jeffrey L., Mix, John D., Daber, Richard P., Sorrells, David F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buczinski, Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US08/533,093
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 356/134.06, 356/139.05, 342/158, 342/376, 348/169, 318/640, 250/203.3
• US Class Current: 356/139.05
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 1/00 Measuring angles
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/783 using amplitude comparison of signals derived from static detectors or detector systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/786 the desired condition being maintained automatically

Abstract

The system includes a base unit sensitive to infrared (IR) signals transmitted by a mobile remote unit to an IR receiver which is placed behind a rotating set of signal blocking blinders whose position at any time defines a view angle with a position known with precision resulting in the IR signal reception scanning across an area. The base unit detects when the peak strength of the signal occurs and utilizes this data to determine the exact effective angle between the axis of the IR signal and the base unit to create an error signal used by the base unit to position the camera mounted thereon. Receivers for TILT and two PAN positions, PAN 1 and PAN 2, are used to include range calculations for ZOOM functions. Command circuitry to override the automatic tracking function is provided in the base unit.

Claims

1. A method of calculating the angular displacement of a moving object with respect to a reference angle and moving a movable means to automatically follow and track the moving object in response thereto comprising:

A. transmitting at the location of the moving object a signal from a radiant energy source into the area;

B. scanning the area for the transmitted signal by varying the view angle through which the transmitted signal can be received during a time interval;

C. receiving by a receiver the transmitted signal through the view angle;

D. determining the point in the time interval at which each angular position of the view angle occurs during the time interval;

E. automatically computing the angular displacement of the moving object with respect to the reference angle by comparing the point in the time interval at which the receiver received the transmitted signal with the angular position of the view angle through which the signal was received with respect to the same point in the time interval; and

F. automatically moving the movable means in response to the results obtained in step E to follow and track the moving object.

2. A method of controlling the field of view of a camera operatively connected to a tracking unit that is movable by a controller to track by automatically positioning on a movable remote control unit and following same for taking pictures by the camera comprising the steps of:

A. moving a tracking unit in at least one plane by a controller;

B. generating a signal of the electromagnetic spectrum by a remote unit;

C. scanning an area for the transmitted signal and receiving same by the controller;

D. establishing by the controller a reference position for the tracking unit;

E. determining by the controller the error in alignment between the reference position and the remote unit; and

F. controlling the field of view by the controller to reduce the alignment error to a predetermined amount as established by the controller to provide for the following of the movable remote control unit by the field of view of the camera.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein step A includes the step of:

G. moving by the controller the tracking unit in two planes.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein step B includes the step of:

G. generating an infrared signal.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein step B includes the step of:

G. generating a modulated signal.

6. A system for positioning and operating a camera that is movable to automatically follow and track a movable remote control unit for taking pictures by the camera comprising a movable tracking unit for mounting of a camera thereon, transmitter means at said remote control unit for transmitting a signal in the electromagnetic spectrum, scanning means including view angle control means for controlling the angular displacement with respect to a reference position at which said receiver means can receive said transmitted signal, and an automatic controller means for determining the displacement between the angle of reception of said transmitted signal and said reference position and for automatically controlling the movement of said tracking unit to track and follow a moving said control unit in response to the displacement so determined.

7. The system as defined in claim 6 wherein said transmitter means transmits an infrared signal.

8. The system as defined in claim 6 wherein said tracking unit is movable in two planes.

9. The system as defined in claim 6 wherein said transmitter means includes circuit means to modulate said transmitted signal.