Patent US4774589A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4774589A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical system image stabilizer employing electromechanical torque sensors
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-03-03
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Granted: 1988-09-27
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Expires: 2006-03-03
Abstract
Abstract An image stabilizer for optical systems is disclosed as are its use with optical systems and its combination with such systems. The stabilizer measures the torque applied to the visual system about an axis and applies a reactive countertorque. More than one such device can be employed to stabilize along more than one axis.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Rowland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:18
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/60; H04N23/68; H04N23/681; H04N23/6812; H04N23/682; H04N23/685; H04N23/687
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A stabilizing mechanism for an optical system comprising an electromechanical torque sensor affixable to the optical system to detect vibration of the optical system about an axis and generate an electrical signal related to the detected vibration, an electric motor affixable to the optical system and capable of rotating a free flywheel mass about said axis, and a controller which measures the electrical signal from the electromechanical torque sensor and directs the motor to rotate the free flywheel mass so as to counteract the vibration detected by the electromechanical torque sensor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A stabilizing mechanism for an optical system comprising an electromechanical torque sensor affixable to the optical system to detect vibration of the optical system about an axis and generate an electrical signal related to the detected vibration, an electric motor affixable to the optical system and capable of rotating a free flywheel mass about said axis, and a controller which measures the electrical signal from the electromechanical torque sensor and directs the motor to rotate the free flywheel mass so as to counteract the vibration detected by the electromechanical torque sensor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stabilizing mechanism in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a frame to which the electromechanical torque sensor and the electric motor are attached.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stabilizing mechanism in accordance with claim 2 wherein the frame is affixable to the optical system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The stabilizing mechanism in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a plurality of electromechanical torque sensors, motors and controllers so as to counteract vibration about a plurality of axes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stabilizing mechanism in accordance with claim 1, further comprising means for filtering the signal generated by the electromechanical torque sensor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The stabilizing mechanism in accordance with claim 3, wherein the farme additionally comprises a handle for the operator of the optical system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
A stabilized optical system comprising an optical system in combination with a stabilizing mechanism, which mechanism comprises an electromechanical torque sensor affixed to the optical system to detect vibration of the optical system about an axis and generate an electrical signal related to the detected vibration, an electric motor affixed to the optical system and capable of rotating a free flywheel mass about said axis, and a controller which measures the electrical signal from the sensor and directs the motor to rotate the mass so as to counteract the vibration detected by the electromechanical torque sensor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
96 words
A stabilized optical system comprising an optical system in combination with a stabilizing mechanism, which mechanism comprises an electromechanical torque sensor affixed to the optical system to detect vibration of the optical system about an axis and generate an electrical signal related to the detected vibration, an electric motor affixed to the optical system and capable of rotating a free flywheel mass about said axis, and a controller which measures the electrical signal from the sensor and directs the motor to rotate the mass so as to counteract the vibration detected by the electromechanical torque sensor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The stabilized optical system in accordance with claim 7 further comprising a frame to which the optical system, the electromechanical torque sensor, and the electric motor are attached.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The stabilized optical system in accordance with claim 7, further comprising a plurality of electromechanical torque sensors, motors, and controllers so as to counteract vibration about a plurality of axes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stabilized optical system in accordance with claim 7, further comprising means for filtering the signal generated by electromechanical torque sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The stabilized optical system in accordance with claim 8, wherein the frame additionally comprises a handle for the operator of the optical system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A stabilized optical system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the optical system is the lens and image tube of a video camera and the optical system and stabilizing mechanism are rotatably mounted within the body of the camera.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A stabilized optical system in accordance with claim 7, wherein the optical system is the lens and film holder of a film camera and the optical system and stabilizing mechanism are rotatably mounted within the body of the camera.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of stabilizing an optical system against vibration about an axis comprising the steps of a. detecting with an electromechanical torque detector vibration of the optical system about the axis and generating an electrical signal related to the detected vibration, b. measuring the electrical signal, and c. directing an electric motor affixed to the optical system with its shaft parallel to the axis to rotate a free flywheel mass so as to counteract the vibration detected by the sensor.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of stabilizing an optical system against vibration about an axis comprising the steps of a. detecting with an electromechanical torque detector vibration of the optical system about the axis and generating an electrical signal related to the detected vibration, b. measuring the electrical signal, and c. directing an electric motor affixed to the optical system with its shaft parallel to the axis to rotate a free flywheel mass so as to counteract the vibration detected by the sensor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
99 words
A stabilizing mechanism for an optical system comprising a meter movement electromechanical torque sensor affixable through a frame to the optical system to detect vibration of the optical system about an axis and generate an electrical signal related to the detected vibration, an electric motor affixable to the optical system through said frame and capable of rotating a free flywheel mass about said axis, and a controller which measures the electrical signal from the electromechanical torque sensor and directs the motor to rotate the free flywheel mass so as to counteract the vibration detected by the electromechanical torque sensor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
99 words
A stabilizing mechanism for an optical system comprising a meter movement electromechanical torque sensor affixable through a frame to the optical system to detect vibration of the optical system about an axis and generate an electrical signal related to the detected vibration, an electric motor affixable to the optical system through said frame and capable of rotating a free flywheel mass about said axis, and a controller which measures the electrical signal from the electromechanical torque sensor and directs the motor to rotate the free flywheel mass so as to counteract the vibration detected by the electromechanical torque sensor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-27 | 1992-03-28 | 1992-09-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-27 | 1996-03-28 | 1996-09-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-27 | 2000-03-28 | 2000-09-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |