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Method and apparatus for automatically tracking a moving object

  • US 6,507,366 B1
  • Filed: 04/20/1998
  • Issued: 01/14/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for automatically tracking a moving object, the automatic tracking apparatus comprising:

  • a camera including a zoom lens and an automatic focus lens, for converting an image of the object input through the lenses into electrical signals;

    camera support means including;

    a camera driver on which the camera is mounted, said camera driver rotating the camera around a first axis between first and second rotation limits and a second axis between third and fourth rotation limits, said second axis being perpendicular to the first axis; and

    a rotation limit detector for detecting whether the camera reaches any of said first through fourth rotation limits and outputting a detection signal when one of said first through fourth rotation limits is reached by the camera;

    a first controller for comparing a current unit image output from the camera with a previous unit image, detecting a motion vector of the object, and controlling said camera driver so that the camera moves in a direction and degree corresponding to the motion vector; and

    a second controller for adjusting the zoom lens in a direction for expanding an object search region of the camera whenever the camera reaches one of said first-through fourth rotation limits, thereby allowing the camera to track the moving object, and adjusting the automatic focusing lens using a luminance component of the image received in the camera, wherein said camera support means comprises;

    a base;

    said camera driver including a first motion carrier mounted on said base and connected to a first motor via a first shaft, for rotating said camera in the horizontal direction as the first motor rotates, and a second motion carrier mounted on said first motion carrier and connected to a second motor via a second shaft distinguished from said first shaft, for rotating said camera in the vertical direction as the second motor rotates; and

    said rotation limit detector including said first and second motion carriers, each having a hole formed therein, a position sensor provided at each of the first and the second rotation limit positions of the first motion carrier and a position sensor provided at each of the third and fourth rotation limit positions of the second motion carrier for outputting a detection signal if the hole of one of the first and second motion carriers reaches the position of one of the sensors as the motion carriers rotate.

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