With View Finder Patents (Class 356/8)
  • Patent number: 11953614
    Abstract: A method for measuring coordinate position include detecting the distance of a target relative to a portable electronic device to generate a measurement signal corresponding to the distance, sensing a relative position of the target to generate a azimuth angle corresponding to the relative position, detecting the movement of the portable electronic device to generate an inertial signal corresponding to the movement, obtaining positioning information of the portable electronic device, converting the measurement signal into distance data, converting the inertial signal into a tilt angle, calculating coordinate difference information with the tilt angle, the distance data and the azimuth angle, and calculating coordinate position of the target with the positioning information and the coordinate difference information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Getac Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chia-Chang Chiu, Wei-Rong Chen
  • Patent number: 11789126
    Abstract: A laser distance meter forming a handheld device comprising a housing, an electro-optical distance measurement unit arranged in the housing for ascertaining at least one measured distance between the laser distance meter and a target object in a measurement direction, and a camera having a field of view in the measurement direction. A deflection unit is disposed in the housing for the angular deflection of the measurement direction and an operating and input arrangement for operating at least the distance measurement unit and the camera. A control unit at the housing is configured to activate the distance measurement unit and the deflection unit such that a series of measured values of the measured distance are recorded in different deflections along a path of the deflection, and a subsequent selection of the measured distances from the series of measured values is carried out using the operating and input arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventor: Markus Hammerer
  • Patent number: 11543485
    Abstract: A system and method include generating environment data from skylight sensor data. The environment data includes a value of a geospatially dependent parameter associated with light received from a predetermined celestial light source. At least two of a compass direction of the predetermined celestial light source when the skylight sensor data was received, a time at which the skylight sensor data was received, or a geospatial coordinate at which the skylight sensor data was collected are received. At least one of the compass direction of the predetermined celestial light source when the skylight sensor data was received, the time at which the skylight sensor data was received, or the geospatial coordinate at which the skylight sensor data was collected is determined, at least in part, from the environment data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Suzuki, Sergio Perdices-Gonzalez, Pranav Mistry
  • Patent number: 10942331
    Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling driving of a focus lens of a lens apparatus includes a memory storing a program and a processor. The processor is configured to execute the program to determine, according to a height of the lens apparatus from a reference position, a focus position of the focus lens indicating a position of the focus lens; and control the driving of the focus lens according to the focus position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: SZ DJI TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenichi Honjo, Yoshinori Nagayama
  • Patent number: 8923359
    Abstract: The presently disclosed technique presents laser-based method and apparatus for use in remote sensing. In general, objects within a field of view are lased by a long cavity laser apparatus. Returns are detected, captured, and processed to identify actual objects of interest. These can then be communicated to a user. Over time, the actual objects of interest can be auto-tracked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Gary Paul Perryman, Mark K. Browder, James Richard Wood
  • Patent number: 8868342
    Abstract: A method and device for streamlining navigation from a point to a visual point of interest by combining the necessary items into a single device incorporating an optical finder such as binoculars which incorporates an optical display into the viewfinder, a rangefinder, GPS, compass, altimeter, inclinometer, microprocessor and memory. The device performs three functions: 1) acquires the POI's coordinates relative to the user by visual indication of the POI by the user; 2) reproduces an updated POI vector on demand; and 3) displays the POI vector information in the device viewfinder. All three functions happen seamlessly and instantaneously with the use of only one compact hand held device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Inventor: Abram L. Balloga
  • Publication number: 20120105825
    Abstract: A measuring device, having: a housing; a distance measuring unit situated in the housing uses an optical measuring beam, with the aid of which the distance between a reference point and at least one measuring point on a target object is measurable without contact; a photoelectric image acquisition unit situated in the housing having a viewfinder and camera lens situated in the housing as well as an image path connecting them for detecting target points of the target object, an image processing unit and a control and computation unit with the aid of which the image of the image processing unit is displayable. The image processing unit defines target points pixels in exactly one single photoelectric image, the control and computation unit allocating the distance of the reference point to the measuring point to at least one of the pixels, the allocation available for further processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Torsten Gogolla, Stefan Tiefenthaler, Herwig Habenbacher, Christoph Würsch, Peer Schmidt, Jean-Phillippe Doyen
  • Publication number: 20120106170
    Abstract: A sight system is provided which may be selectively used in a variety of different ways. In one example, the sight system may be positioned on a rifle to provide a rifle sight system. In this example, the sight system may be positioned on the rifle barrel a substantial distance away from a user's eye. Advantageously, such an implementation may permit a user to effectively sight the rifle without compromising situational awareness. In another example, the sight system may be used to provide a telescopic sight with a reticle (e.g., a dot, crosshair, mark, or other appropriate shape) superimposed on an image (e.g., a zoomed or non-zoomed image) displayed from a camera. In another example, the sight system may be used to provide an occluded sight in which a camera and/or display of the sight system is disabled. As a result, a reticle may be displayed over an opaque background.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: SUREFIRE, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Matthews, John McCrickerd, Mark Buczek, Mark Squire
  • Patent number: 8094309
    Abstract: A line of sight adjustment device (LSAD) employs a simple yet robust structure and method to adjust the line of sight (or boresight) of a telescope, clip-on night sight, night vision sight, day scope, or other optical sighting device. In one embodiment, the LSAD includes a single optical element adjusted to change the apparent viewing angle to a target viewed through the device without degrading the optical quality of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Omnitech Partners, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene J. Pochapsky
  • Publication number: 20110017824
    Abstract: Telescopic sight, in particular for a handgun, comprising an optical lens system which is integrated in an essentially elongated outer tube which preferably has a circular cross section and can be fitted to the handgun or the like, which optical lens system is terminated by an eyepiece at an end facing the shooter's eye when the gun is being used, and by an objective at its opposite end, and has, between the eyepiece and the objective, at least one image plane lying in the optical beam path of light beams passing through the eyepiece and the objective, wherein a graticule structure lying in the beam path is arranged in the or at least one of the image planes, characterized in that the graticule structure comprises a virtual image of a graticule smiled outside the beam path, said virtual image being projected into the (respective) image plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Gerhard Kaufmann
  • Publication number: 20100283840
    Abstract: A celestial direction finding system. The system includes an inclinometer, at least one camera for imaging both the daytime sky and the nighttime sky and a computer programmed with a sun, moon and star catalog and algorithms for automatically determining directions based on positions of celestial bodies imaged by at least one camera and incline positions measured by the inclinometer. In a preferred embodiment all of the above features are combined in a single battery operated miniature celestial direction finding module. Geographical positions of nearby objects can be determined with the addition of a rangefinder and knowledge of the geographical position of the camera. The geographical position of the system in preferred embodiments can be determined with the addition of a GPS unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Mikhail Belenkii, Donald Bruns, Timothy Brinkley
  • Publication number: 20100209090
    Abstract: A surveying apparatus and method for surveying and tracking a moving object is disclosed to improve the tracking so that a moving object may be tracked reliably and automatically. The surveying apparatus comprises an optical arrangement to sight an object, and a tracking unit to track the sighted object. The tracking unit obtains an object parameter of the object, wherein the object parameter is associated with a movement of the object. Further, the tracking unit issues an instruction to the optical arrangement to change between a close range setting and a long range setting according to the obtained object parameter, the close range setting corresponding to a wide field of view and the long range setting to a narrow field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: Trimble Jena GbmH
    Inventor: Torsten Kludas
  • Publication number: 20090307914
    Abstract: A sighting system for use on an archery bow includes a sighting pin defining a front focus point and a plurality of contact knocks coupled to the bow string. An archer adjusts the distance of a shot by positioning a reference feature relative to a contact knock while placing the sighting pin on a target. A range finder for determining a distance to the target includes a sighting pin having a focus point and first and second yardage bars on opposite sides of the sighting pin. The first and second yardage bars are configured to be located relative to known features of the target at certain distances from the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Joseph R. Behr
  • Publication number: 20090010633
    Abstract: A camera comprising a first imaging part for capturing IR image data of a first field of view, said first imaging part comprising IR optics, a second imaging part for capturing visible light data of a second field of view at least partially overlapping the first field of view, said second imaging part comprising visible light optics, a laser pointer for providing a laser dot in the second field of view, and means for adjusting the first and second field of view relative to each other in dependence of the focusing distance of the first or second imaging part. The camera is arranged to determine the distance z between the camera and an object being imaged by means of the distance d, using the stored relationship. The distance z may be used to align the IR image and the visible light image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: FLIR SYSTEMS AB
    Inventors: Katrin Strandemar, Malin Ingerhed
  • Patent number: 7092076
    Abstract: A surveying instrument, comprising a collimation optical system and a visible laser projecting device with a visible laser light source unit for emitting a point light, wherein the surveying instrument comprises a photodetector for detecting a reflection light entering from the collimation optical system, and a control means for controlling light emission of the visible laser light source unit based on a detection result of the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCON
    Inventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Jun-ichi Kodaira
  • Patent number: 6613441
    Abstract: The present invention relates to mixtures prepared from (A) at least one linear, branched, or cyclic monomeric organosilane having at least two silicon atoms with hydrolyzable and/or condensation-crosslinking groups in which the silicon atoms are bonded to one another through at least one carbon atom in a linking unit, and (B) at least one boron- and/or aluminum-containing compound having the formula (I) RxM(OR′)3-x  (I)  wherein M is Al or B, x is 0, 1, or 2, R is C1-C6-alkyl, C6-C12-aryl, or (O)1/2, with the proviso that if R is (O)1/2, then the compound of the formula (I) is a chain when x is 1 and a cyclic or cage-form compound when x is 2, and each R′ is independently H, C1-C10-alkyl, or C6-C12-aryl. The invention further relates to hybrid materials prepared from such mixtures and to coatings produced therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Mager, Steffen Hofacker
  • Patent number: 5933223
    Abstract: A device to measure the relative location in three dimensional space of anatomical structures by injecting a beam of light into an optical imaging device and projecting the beams of light onto the object being imaged. By virtue of the change in the image of the light beam, as a function of changes in the position and/or direction of the injected beam, and knowing the optical transfer function of the imaging device, the position of the anatomical structure can easily be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Stephen T. Flock, Scott Ferguson, Emmanuel B. De Haller, John L. Dornhoffer
  • Patent number: 5491546
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a laser assisted telescopic targeting system, apparatus and method of range finding and aiming a projectile firing weapon. The invention includes a laser light generating source capable of producing a spot of laser light on a target. The invention also includes a shooting scope to view the target. The shooting scope preferably has indicia or a shutter for measuring the approximate size of the laser dot projected on the target. Based upon the size of the spot and the growth rate of the laser targeting source the user can determine, with a substantial degree of accuracy, the relative distance from the target. The method includes steps associated with using the inventive apparatus and system and aiming a projectile firing weapon depending upon the information obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Inventors: Rick R. Wascher, Ray Fairbanks, Jr., Roy L. Neuhauser, III
  • Patent number: 5124844
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for locating in the sky celestial objects, using a telescope, wherein two guide stars and the celestial object are represented, according to their respective locations, on a disc which is able to rotate with respect to the telescope around an axis, orthogonal to the telescope axis, and passing through the representation of the celestial objects. The images of the two guide stars are projected in the sky and the telescope and the disc are moved until the images of the guide stars are superposed with the respective actual guide stars in the sky.The guide stars form a triangle with the celestial object. The telescope is preferably provided with a alt-azimuth type mounting. The guide stars are represented on the disc by small holes. A light source placed under the disc creates light dots which are projected in the sky using a plano convex lens optically aligned with the disc rotation axis, and a semi-transparent mirror inclined at 45 degrees on the rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Inventor: Peter D. Wraight
  • Patent number: 4804834
    Abstract: A photosensor uses as a photosensitive part thereof a purple membrane film which contains bacteriorhodopsin isolated from a highly halophilic bacterium and which generates a photoelectromotive force corresponding to the intensity of light absorbed, and uses as an amplifying part an FET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1989
    Assignees: Agency of Industrial Science & Technology, Ministry of International Trade & Industry
    Inventors: Tatsuo Katsura, Hideatsu Maeda, Tsukasa Sakai, Keishiro Tsuda
  • Patent number: 4400071
    Abstract: In a mark finder for an auto-focus camera provided with a photographic field mark indicating a picture frame within the field of view of the finder, and a distance measuring area mark indicating the light metering field of a photo-electric in-focus detecting device, the above-described phototgraphic field mark and the above-described distance measuring area mark are formed to be adjustable independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1983
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Tamura, Toyotosi Suzuki, Hideo Tamamura, Mutsuhide Matsuda
  • Patent number: 4360256
    Abstract: A photographic or electronic camera optoelectronic distance measuring system has a lens with two partial aperture diaphragms which create first and second partial bundles of rays. Two linear image sensors are provided together with optical devices for projecting segments of lines corresponding to two images obtained from the object onto the image sensors. An evaluating circuit, in dependence upon varying position displacements of sensor signals obtained from the one image sensor with respect to the sensor signals obtained from the other image sensor, determines a maximum correlation between these and an associated position displacement. A device is provided for deflecting the ray path at least partially into a view finder. Two focusing lens parts are arranged in a region of an eyepiece of the view finder which locate partial aperture diaphragms of the lens by imaging in the plane of the view finder eyepiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1982
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Grassl
  • Patent number: 4257704
    Abstract: A finder provided with a distance measuring device for measuring a distance to an object being photographed by projecting infrared light from a light emitting means through a projection optical system onto the object and by receiving the reflected light from the object through a light collecting optical system at photosensitive means. Positioned in a space between the projection optical system and the light collecting optical system is an objective lens of a mark finder. Light transmitted through said objective lens is directed through a half mirror to an eyepiece; a field framing plate and a reflection mirror are provided with respective openings at the center thereof and arranged so that either one of the light paths of the above described projection optical system and light collecting optical system passes through the openings, and light entering through the frame marks of the field framing plate is directed to the eyepiece after successive reflection from the reflection mirror and the half mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1981
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Yokota, Hideo Tamamura
  • Patent number: 4251158
    Abstract: An albada finder incorporating a range finder comprising a first negative lens component, a second thick negative lens component and a third positive lens component, said second lens component being split into two elements along a plane inclined with regard to the optical axis and a semitransparent surface being formed on said split surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1981
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadashi Kimura
  • Patent number: 4100404
    Abstract: A beam projector is provided by a plurality of coded reticles mounted on a spinning disc and illuminated by a laser source. In order to maintain a constant irradiance on a receiver variably located in space a pseudo-zoom assembly is provided including a moveable source and/or condenser optics. Also, plural focal length optics are employed to expand the range over which the constant irradiance is maintained beyond that realizable by the pseudo-zoom assembly itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Sanders Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Johnson, John D. Kuppenheimer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4100555
    Abstract: A combined view and rangefinder for use in cameras having a variable focus objective lens includes means for establishing a primary image of the scene to be photographed framed in a generally rectangular field of view together with a secondary focusing image superposed on the primary image and movable obliquely across the primary image in correspondence with camera focusing so that substantial coincidence between the primary and secondary images is indicative of the camera assuming a focused condition with respect to the scene to be photographed. In addition, the path of movement for the movable secondary image of the combined view and rangefinder is located above the geometric center of the primary image so as to facilitate the framing of a human photographic subject to locate the subject's head above the geometric center of the picture. The combined view and rangefinder may also be conveniently and easily assembled through snap-fitted components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4100556
    Abstract: A movable lens element in a combined view and rangefinder for use in cameras having a variable focus objective lens is configured in a manner facilitating its reciprocal translation about a determinate path in correspondence with camera focusing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1978
    Assignee: Polaroid Corporation
    Inventor: Igor Blinow
  • Patent number: 3945023
    Abstract: An auto-focus camera includes a range finder device having no moving parts. First and second stationary lens devices receive radiation from an object along two spatially separate paths. First and second sensing devices, each comprising a plurality of photo-responsive elements, are arranged to receive the radiation passing through the first and second lens devices, respectively. The first and second sensing devices provide electrical signals representative of the relative position of the intensity distribution of the radiation passing through the second lens device and falling on the second sensing device with respect to the position of the intensity distribution of the radiation passing through the first lens device and falling on the first sensing device. A detecting circuit connected to the first and second sensing devices provides an output signal indicative of that of a plurality of predetermined zones in which the object is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1976
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Norman L. Stauffer