Remote microphone and range-finding configuration
First Claim
1. Picture and sound recording apparatus coupled to a motorized mount, comprising:
- (a) a camera, including;
a transmitter for transmitting a ranging signal, a receiver for receiving the ranging signal, a comparator for comparing the ranging signal as transmitted to the ranging signal as received to determine distance as a function of time-of-flight, auto-focussing image-gathering circuitry controllable according to the determined distance, circuitry for receiving and demodulating an audio signal, and recording circuitry for recording the gathered image and the audio signal;
(b) a remote unit, including;
a microphone for detecting the audio signal, a radio-frequency transmitter for transmitting an RF carrier modulated with the audio signal to the camera for demodulation and recording, and a transponder for receiving the ranging signal from the camera and relaying the signal back to the camera on the same RF carrier as that used to transmit the audio signal; and
wherein the camera further includes one or more antennas for receiving the RF carrier from the remote unit, and discrimination electronics operative to physically move the camera using the mount so as to track the remote unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Remotely operable electronic apparatus are applied to distance measurement and picture/sound recording wherein, for example, a remote unit may be equipped with a microphone and an active range finder coupled to an auto-focussing capability. In one embodiment a camera is adapted to transmit a signal to the remote unit which returns a signal enabling the camera to accurately calculate distance and adjust focus in accordance with time-of-flight. The transponder preferably forms part of a wireless microphone, with the signal transmitted by the camera being preferably acoustical in nature. The acoustical signal transmitted by the camera is preferably modulated onto a return RF signal, enabling at least a portion of the audio circuitry associated with voice modulation to be used for the purpose of modulating the ranging signal, thereby realizing a very efficient and economical approach to remote sound detection and active ranging finding.
58 Citations
15 Claims
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1. Picture and sound recording apparatus coupled to a motorized mount, comprising:
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(a) a camera, including;
a transmitter for transmitting a ranging signal, a receiver for receiving the ranging signal, a comparator for comparing the ranging signal as transmitted to the ranging signal as received to determine distance as a function of time-of-flight, auto-focussing image-gathering circuitry controllable according to the determined distance, circuitry for receiving and demodulating an audio signal, and recording circuitry for recording the gathered image and the audio signal;
(b) a remote unit, including;
a microphone for detecting the audio signal, a radio-frequency transmitter for transmitting an RF carrier modulated with the audio signal to the camera for demodulation and recording, and a transponder for receiving the ranging signal from the camera and relaying the signal back to the camera on the same RF carrier as that used to transmit the audio signal; and
wherein the camera further includes one or more antennas for receiving the RF carrier from the remote unit, and discrimination electronics operative to physically move the camera using the mount so as to track the remote unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15)
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13. A distance measurement instrument, comprising:
(a) a first unit, including;
an acoustic transducer transmitting a ranging signal, an RF receiver and demodulator to recover a returned version of the ranging signal, and a comparator for comparing the ranging signal as transmitted to the returned version of the ranging signal to determine distance as a function of time-of-flight; and
(b) a second unit operative to receive the ranging singal and modulate the ranging signal on an RF carrier for reception of the RF receiver of the first unit. - View Dependent Claims (14)
Specification