Tracking system and method for controlling the field of view of a camera
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of calculating the angle of displacement of an object from a reference angle having an origin at a reference position comprising the steps of:
- A. transmitting an electromagnetic signal from the object to the reference position after receiving by the object an initial transmitted sync signal as a timing reference;
B. receiving the electromagnetic signal transmitted at the reference position at two electromagnetic receiver locations spaced a known distance apart;
C. synchronizing the initiation of the electromagnetic signal transmitted in step A with the receiving thereof in step b at each of the two electromagnetic receiver locations;
D. determining the distance between each respective spaced location and the object by determining the time of flight of the electromagnetic signal between the respective spaced location and the object; and
E. computing the angle of displacement of the object from the reference from the determinations of step D.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The system includes circuitry for measuring the distance between a transmitter and one or more receivers, and having a timing circuitry to measure the time-of-flight of an RF pulse and the transversed distance of the pulse. The use of two receivers in a single plane provides for the determination of the location of the transmitter with respect to a reference position created by the associated tracking system and the automatic tracking of the transmitter with the field of view of a camera by the tracking system.
18 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of calculating the angle of displacement of an object from a reference angle having an origin at a reference position comprising the steps of:
- A. transmitting an electromagnetic signal from the object to the reference position after receiving by the object an initial transmitted sync signal as a timing reference;
B. receiving the electromagnetic signal transmitted at the reference position at two electromagnetic receiver locations spaced a known distance apart; C. synchronizing the initiation of the electromagnetic signal transmitted in step A with the receiving thereof in step b at each of the two electromagnetic receiver locations; D. determining the distance between each respective spaced location and the object by determining the time of flight of the electromagnetic signal between the respective spaced location and the object; and E. computing the angle of displacement of the object from the reference from the determinations of step D. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
- A. transmitting an electromagnetic signal from the object to the reference position after receiving by the object an initial transmitted sync signal as a timing reference;
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5. A method of tracking a movable object with a camera field of view by determining the position of the object with respect to a reference position comprising the steps of:
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A. transmitting an electromagnetic signal from the object to the reference position; B. receiving the signal transmitted at the reference position at two electromagnetic receiver locations spaced a known distance apart; C. synchronizing the system timing reference to the initiation of the signal transmitted in step A with the receiving thereof in step B at each of the two electromagnetic receiver locations; D. determining the time of flight of the signal from the object to each spaced location; E. determining the distance between each respective spaced location and the object; F. computing the angle of displacement of the object from the reference from the determinations of step E; and G. tracking the object with the field of view of a camera in response to the computation of step F. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14)
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9. A method of calculating the angle of displacement of an object from a reference angle having an origin at a reference position comprising the steps of:
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A. transmitting a timing reference signal to a transmitter means at the object and to two receiver means for synchronizing transmission and reception of an electromagnetic signal; B. transmitting an electromagnetic signal from the transmitter means at the object to the reference position; C. receiving the signal transmitted at the reference position at the two electromagnetic receiver locations spaced a known distance apart; D. determining the time-of-flight of the electromagnetic signal transmitted in step B from the object to each spaced location; E. determining the distance between each respective spaced location and the object; and F. computing the angle of displacement of the object from the reference from the determinations of step E. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A system for calculating the angle of displacement of an object from a reference angle having an origin at a reference position including an electromagnetic signal transmission means located at the object for transmitting an electromagnetic signal to the reference position, electromagnetic signal receiving means at said reference position at two locations spaced a known distance apart for receiving said signal transmitted, synchronizing transmitting means coupled with said transmission means for synchronizing the initiation of said signal transmitted and coupled with said receiving means at each said two locations for synchronizing said signal transmitted with signals received by respective said receiving means, first circuit means for determining the distance between each respective said spaced location and the object by determining the time of flight of said signal transmitted to each said receiving means, and second circuit means for computing the angle of displacement of the object from said reference and providing an output signal indicative of said angle of displacement.
- 15. A system tracking a movable object with a camera field of view by determining the position of the object with respect to a reference position includes an electromagnetic signal transmission means at the object for transmitting an electromagnetic signal to the reference position, electromagnetic signal receiver means located at said reference position at two locations spaced a known distance apart for receiving said transmitted signal, transmitting means at the reference position for transmitting a timing signal to the object to initiate said electromagnetic signal to the reference position, first circuit means for determining the time-of-flight of the signal from the object to each said spaced location, second circuit means for determining the distance between each said respective spaced location and the object in response to the determined time-of-flight, third circuit means for computing the angle of displacement of the object from said reference from the determinations of said second circuit means and providing a control signal indicative of the computed angle of displacement, and automatic tracking means for automatically tracking an object with the field of view of a camera in response to said control signal from said third circuit means.
- 18. A system for controlling the field of view of a camera to automatically track an object including automatic tracking means for automatically tracking an object with the field of view of a camera, a first transmitter means located at the object for transmitting a signal, a pair of receiver means spaced a known distance apart for receiving said transmitted signal and providing respective receiver output signals, synchronizing means for providing a first sync signal to said transmitter means to initiate transmission of said signal and a second sync signal to each said receiver means to coordinate the transmission and receiving of said transmitted signal, each said receiver including circuit means responsive to said sync signals for determining the difference in time between the transmission of said transmitted signal and the receiving of said transmitted signal by respective said receiver means and providing a time-of-flight output signal indicative of said determined difference for tracking an object with the field of view of a camera in response to said time-of-flight output signal.
Specification