GB2129574A - Optical apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Three optical units are arranged such that they may simultaneously view an object M. The units are supported on a structure which is pivotable horizontally or vertically, are pivotally linked together at points V and L, and are pivotally connected to the supporting structure at fixed point I and movable point F, point F being movable in slot E. The units may be single lens reflex cameras with lenses set at infinity and having view finders of the clear view type. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Visio-principled 3-dimentional neo-stereoscopic auto-focus focal oscillator The above named apparatus (Figures 6,7, & 8) represents the improved version of its counterpart as depicted and described in our U.K. patent No. 1540827. The named instrument will be referred to in the sequence in an abbreviated form as a "VP3D/FO". As regards the principle underlying the instrument the Figures from 1 to 8, explain in chronological order our painstaking and lengthy process (1964-1976) upon the path of their successful development.The addition of words "Visio-principled" and "Neo-stereoscopy" to the invention's title, was dictated by the need to demonstrate that it functions unprecedentally upon the spontaneous focusing principle of the human vision, which, according to our discovery, views the subjects of the surrounding world from the circumference of its ranges, in which the subjects viewed represent the centres of the ranges involved, whilst the lines of vision to the subjects represent radii of these ranges, hence the addition of words "Visio-Principled" to the title.On the other hand, the addition of words "Neo-stereoscopy" was dictated by the fact that the Visio-principled, 3D. steroscopy of three optical units focusing automatically and movable in relation to a pre-determined point in the distance, viz. movable upon the curve of the vision's range's sector, had been unknown to the science of the present day stereoscopy.

Thus, the "VP3D/FO" measures, vision-like, the distances to the subjects by means of an isosceles type of triangulation, or strictly speaking by the ranges' sectors.

For the stated reasons we do humbly request for the grant of patent.

Reference to our previous patents Our present VP3D/FO device is underlied (with certain corrections) by the principles of our previous three patents from which it absorbs the knowledge as follows: from the patent 1097643, it takes the principle of an automatic, two-routes, camera/vision type of viewfinding.

From our patent 1407606, it takes the principle (with certain corrections) that the viewfinder in order to focus the camera's lens, must possess the ability to move in respect to vision's angles, and simultaneously in response to human body's acts of oscillations, so as to achieve the proces of triangulation at automatic focusing.

From our patent 1540827 - depicting in the inclined position of the human body the 3-Dimentional Auto-focus system, - we did absorb and perfected the attained knowledge which underlies our present "VP3D/FO" instrument.

Explanation ofsymbols re. Figure 6.

(top view).

A - Clamp-screw.

B - A pair of standards.

C - Single-lens-reflex-clear view viewfinder.

D - One of three cameras.

E - System's re-adjustment slot.

F - Operational screw and movable axle.

G - One of the three double chain links.

H - Rotary structure incorporating a double, three-linked carrier chain for three cameras.

- - A fixed axle within rotary structure about which the one of the carrier chain's terminals turns about.

Q-R - Vision's range at minimum distance.

F-V-L-I - Tangential, camera-carrier, three-linked double chain.

P - Base, Linking firmly the pair of standards.

0 - Tripod attachment plate for the instrument's horizontal application.

M - Subject photographed Explanation ofsymbols re. Figure 7.

(Top view) a - Standard (one of the two) b - System's re-adjustment slot.

c - Movable axle within the slot.

d - The said movable axle serving also as an operational screw.

e - One of the three double chain links.

f - Base linking firmly the pair of standards.

g - Central, camera-carrier link.

h - Camera supporting platform.

- - Tripod attachment platform for a horizontal application.

j - camera.

k- Ditto.

- - Rotary structure comprising tangential camera-carrier double chain plus a separate viewfinder.

m- Movable viewfinder responding to camera's motion.

n - A fixed angle within rotary structure about which the one of the carrier chains terminals turns about.

o - A mininum range.

Explanation to diagram of Figure 8.

In order to draw a diagram for a 3-D auto-focus system proceed as follows:1. Draw two straight lines (A-C) and (B-D) which intersect each other at right angles.

2. Draw an arc by radius (B-D) forming thus sector of a circle. The tangential points (A), (B) and (C) thus obtained represent the theoretical points of focus, each to be engaged by the camera, or by some other optical units.

3. The system's starting point (E) can be found by means of radius (B-C).

4. The lines (A-D), (B-D) and (C-D) are the principal axes of the respective cameras which focus automatically upon the point (D) in the distance.

5. When in response to vision's angle the camera (B) moves towards (E) then the camera (A) moves simultaneously towards (A1). At infinity the points (B-E) and the (A-A1) merge together; as a consequence the all three cameras attain right-angular positions in relation to the line (A-C).

Description Our Visio-principled 3-Dimensional Neo-stereoscopic Auto-focus Focal Oscillator (abbreviated as a "VP3D/FO" of the present specification (Figure 6), has been designed according to principles as depicted bythe Figures from 1 to 8. The instrument represents a rotary structure (H) suspended upon a pair of axles between two standards (A). Within the said structure there is suspended a three-linked, tangential double chain (F-V-L-I), which plays a part of a triple-link camera-carrier. The said chain is suspended within the rotary structure (H) in such a manner that one of its links (I) rotates slightly about the fixed axle (I), whilst its counterpart (F) transits at function upwards or downwards, as the case may be, within the slot (E).Each of the three cameras is attached at right angle in relation to their corresponding tangential links, whilst the central focal point of each camera's lens cuts the curve (OR) through the only (F), (S), (I) tangential points of contact, until at infinity the sector's curve transforms itself into a straight line. It is then clearly seen from the Figures 6,7,8, that our 3-D auto-focus system functions from the sector position of a semi-circular range, in which the subject photographed represents the centre of that range, whilst the curve (QR) viz. that of the range, intersects the focal point of each of the three cameras compound lens. Obviously, the distances (viz.

the radii) from each camera to the subject in common are equal, and the triple sets of 3-D photos must inevitably turn out in focus.

Kind of cameras which may be employed by the device of the Figure 6, and their disposition within the tangential camera-carrier chain.

(a) A set of three single-lens-reflex, clear-view finder of non-conventional cameras having no focusing rings (which are superfluous in the "Visio-principled 3-D Auto-focus System"), are the proper cameras to be incorporated by the referred to device. At manufacture of such cameras, an important factor must be taken into consideration that the focal point of each camera's compound lens, must coincide with the tangential point of the camera-carrier's links. N.B. - This latter provision concerns also any conventional cameras employed within the system.

(b) Three single-lens-reflex conventional cameras can be employed in the system, providing that their compound lenses be set at infinity (for all distances), and their finders must be of the clear-view type.

(c) Two conventional single-lens-reflex cameras can be employed in the system, providing their compound lenses are set up at infinity, while their viewfinders must be of the clear-view type. In the context the central camera finds direction, whilst the flanking one at viewing/focusing, complets the process of triangulation.

(d) If two NON-single-lens-reflex cameras are to be employed in the system, then one of them must occupy the central position, whilst the second camera must be attached at the flanking one. The second flanking position which remains must be occupied by a viewfinder, whose central focal point must coincide with the carrier's tangential point.

(e) Any single camera (I-Figure 7) may be employed by the "VP3D/FO" device, providing that it is attached to the central tengential link (g-Figure 7) of the camera-carrier, and that the focal point of that camera's compound lens (p-Figure 7) coincides with the tangential point of the carrier's link. Furthermore, the said single camera must be accompanied by a separate viewfinder whose focal point must coincide with the centre of the axle (n-Figure 7).

Reference to drawings.

Figure 1 - Pictorial and diagrammatic, showing the vision's spontaneous focusing process by triangulation which is carried out from the circumference of its ranges. (Here follows the text which was attached to drawing Figure 1 contrary to r,egularions): During 1961-1964 period as a free lance photographer in the United Kingdom I did make a discovery that the human vision (AD) does, as a rule, run obliquely in relation to the head's vertical (EF) and to that of the horizontal (DG) axes, and that at focusing the vision intersects the said horizontal axis at any pre-determined point in the distance. This vision's, hitherto unknown auto-focus system I did, after a prolonged period of research and investigation (1964-1976), succeeded in adopting for the automatic focusing of cameras (Patents: K.J. Sagatis 1097643, 1407606, 1540827).

Figure 2 - Pictorial and diagrammatic, showing a successful attempt of inclusion of the camera into the vision's range. The drawing represents our first historic introduction of a two-routes viewing/focusing system (1964). (Here follows the text which was attached to drawing Figure 2 contrary to regulations): During 1964-1966 period we have discovered and utilised a two-routes auto-focus system, believing that it has a good prospect of eventually replacing the prior art's erroneous system of viewing/focusing (see below Figure 3).

Figure 3 - Prior art's viewing/focusing system which is carried out erroneously through the camera's principal axis. (Here follows the text which was attached to drawing Figure 3): The above is the representation of the prior art's viewing/focusing system, which according to our discovery is carried out incorrectly through the camera's principle axis instead obliquely from above it; moreover, the prior art's rigidity of the viewfinder prevents it from carrying out the re-adjustments of its viewing position in response to vision's angles.

Figure 4 - Pictorial and diagrammatic; in the inclined position of the human body we have discovered and utilised the "Visio-principled 3-Dimensional Neo-stereoscopic Auto-Focus System". (Here follows the text which was attached to drawing Figure 4): In the inclined position of the human body and in its visuai acts which it carries out from the position of a circular range (A-C), we have discovered the principle on which we have built our classic, the "VlSIO-Principled 3-DIMENSIONAL NEO-STEREOSCOPIC AUTO-FOCUS SYSTEM" which have solved that hitherto intractable auto-focus problem in respect to cameras.

Figure 5-Showing the inclusion of the camera into vision's range thus to focus it by triangulation. (Here follows the text which was attached to Figure 5): In accordance with our "Visio-principled Neo-stereoscopic 3-Dimensional Auto-focus System", an object (A) which is viewed and photographed, constitutes the centre of circular range (DF) whose arc (BC) intersects the lens of the eye and that of the camera simultaneously from a minimum distance (e.g. 1 foot ) to infinity, thus maintaining the camera all the while in focus. The system's chief criterion is an isosceles triangle (ABC), or rather the sector (ABC) which forms itself at an act of visual perception. Thus the eye and the camera coupled to it, do measure distances to objects by triangulation, or strictly speaking by sectors of a range.

Figure 6 - Schematic and diagrammatic, showing the top view of the "VP3D/FO" device incorporating three cameras.

Figure 7- Ditto as above, incorporating a single camera plus a viewfinder.

Figure 8-Showing a geometrical plan and the principle underlying the said Focal Oscillator.

Focal oscillator's mode of operation 1. Attach the instrument by means of its circular plate (O-Figure 6) to the tripod.

2. Aim the rotary structure (H) at a pre-determined object (M-Figure 6) clamp down the position.

3. View the subject (M-Figure 6) through the single-lens-reflex-clearview finder, which belongs to one of the flanking cameras.

4. Use the operational screw (F-Figure 6) and locate the pre-determined object within the camera's single-lens-reflex-clear view finder. This latter function denotes focus of all three cameras.

N.B. - In adherence to the above paragraph 2, the directional aiming must be carried out through the central camera's single-lens-reflex-clear view finder.

NOTA BENE, re. pages from 2 to 7.

Apart the cameras in general which are intended to be employed by the "VP3D/FO" device, also other optical instruments such as telescopes, microscopes, viewfinders, & ., may be successfully employed by the said device, providing the instructions given are being followed.

Claims (7)

1. A 3-Dimentional Device - employed horizontally or vertically (the latter with a simple modification). It has been designed for the auto-focusing of three, of two, or of a single optical unit or units, which in practice would represent chiefly still - and cine cameras, alternatively telescopes, microscopes, viewfinders, & . The auto-focus processes the said device carries out from the curve of the vision's minimal/maximal circular ranges sector whose three main tangential points must coincide with the focal points of the compound or non-compound lens or lenses of the given optical unit or units employed.At the automatic focusing function the optical unit of the central stereoscopic axis deviates from its initial 90-degrees position in response to vision's angle (which is cast from one of the flanking optical positions) causing angular re-adjustments of the remaining units in relation to a pre-determined point in the distance.

2. A 3-Dimentional Device, & ., according to claim 1, having a rotary structure which is suspended on two opposite each other axles between two standards. Within that structure there is suspended a movable 3-linked tangential double chain serving as a carrier and as an auto-focus medium for the optical unit or units, which in practice will represent still-and cine cameras, alternatively telescopes, microscopes, viewfinders, & . In the context of the said carrier-chain the focal point of the optical unit's compound or non-compound lens becomes at function intersected by the curve of the given semi-circular range's sector namely, as soon as the said carrier-chain deviates from its initial 90-degrees position, then all the optical units involved will aim simultaneously at the pre-determined point in the distance, thus automatically attaining focus.

3. A 3-Dimentional Device, & ., according to claims 1 and 2, in which the 3-linked-tangential-opticalunits-carrier-chain is suspended within the rotary structure in such a manner, that one of its terminals turns slightly about a stationary axle protruding from the rotary structure, whilst its opposite counterpart moves upwards or downwards within the limits of its slot through which protrudes, from the rotary structure, an operational screw which is geared to the said slot.

4. A 3-Dimentional Device, & ., according to claims 1, 2, and 3, whose the 3-linked tangential, optical unit carrier double chain, does, at an act of triangulation, carried out from the range's sector display the principles underlying the said device, the principles as illustrated by the Figures from 1 to 8th.

5. A 3-Dimentional Device, & ., according to claims 1, 2,3 & 4, irrespective the number of optical units employed in a related in principle device.

6. A 3-Dimentional Device, & ., according to claims from 1 to 5, which has been reduced of one of its flanking positions.

7. A monopoly for the modes that are based upon the principles as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings for all means carrying the principles into effect.