Abstract: A composite photography system of a registered matte type having foreground and background camera optical systems is provided. The respective images from each camera optical system are maintained in registration whereby objects in the background scene can be viewed by one camera and objects in a foreground scene can be viewed by the other camera to produce a realistic composite image. The optical systems permit the maintenance of a substantially constant magnification ratio of image to object during a variable focussing of at least one of the foreground and background optical systems. Additionally, substantially stationary entrance pupil positions are maintained during the focussing mode of operation. The background lens system is, by itself particularly adapted for incorporation into optical scanning probes such as simulators to provide a minimum altitude and constant image magnification during focussing.

Abstract: A system for creating a control reference signal for a remote electrical servo device having a movable output unit wherein the velocity and position of the output unit are controlled by the vector magnitude of the control reference signal. This system includes a digital circuit for creating a first fixed analog signal indicative of a known or desired velocity for the unit during a preselected controlled time interval and a second digital means for creating a desired time base positional profile during the preselected time interval. An encoder arrangement is employed for detecting the actual time base positional profile of the servo output unit during the given time interval so that an analog signal generally proportional to the algebraic difference between the actual and desired time base positional digital profile can be created at various times during the time interval.

Abstract: In a composite photography system of the type wherein a foreground camera photographs life-size actors and objects while a background camera photographs scenery on a life-size scale or a scale different from life-size so that when the outputs from both cameras are combined the actor or foreground objects will appear to be located in the scenery filmed by the background camera, it is crucial that the motion of the background camera be slaved to the motion of the foreground camera. The foreground camera is mounted on a yaw and pitch support mechanism which is in turn mounted on a boom that provides movement along the z axis. The boom is carried by a dolly that moves the entire assembly in the x-y plane. Sensors on the dolly detect movement along the five axes of x, y, z, yaw and pitch, and cause the background camera to move its corresponding amount.