System for determining a lens position

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016014345-A1
Application number	US-201414326067-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 8, 2014
Priority date	Jul 8, 2014
Publication date	Jan 14, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for determining lens position includes a first sensor component disposed on a stationary housing of a camera. A second sensor component is disposed on a rotating lens component of the camera. A processor is operatively connected to the first and second sensory components to identify the position of the rotating lens component of the camera based on an angle between the first and second sensor components.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A system for determining lens position:
a first sensor component disposed on a stationary housing of a camera; a second sensor component disposed on a rotating lens component of the camera; and a processor operatively connected to the first and second sensory components to identify the position of the rotating lens component of the camera based on an angle between the first and second sensor components.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a memory operatively connected to the processor including program instructions to calculate a distance to a point of focus of the camera based on an angle of rotation between the first and second sensor components.

3 . The system of claim 2 , further including a second camera operatively connected to the processor wherein the memory includes program instructions to transform an image from the second camera to align with an image from the camera.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the first camera is a long wavelength infrared camera.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the second camera is a short wavelength infrared camera

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is operatively connected to a memory, wherein the memory includes instructions recorded thereon that, when read by the processor, cause the processor to:
calculate a distance from a point of focus to a focal plane of a camera based on a position of the rotating lens component using an angle of rotation between the first and second sensor components.

7 . A system as recited in claim 6 , wherein the memory includes instructions recorded thereon that, when read by the processor, cause the processor to:
parallax correct an image from a second camera based on the distance between the point of focus to the focal plane of the camera and an angle between the first and second sensor components.

8 . A camera, comprising:
a housing; a lens component rotatable relative to the housing; a first magneto-resistive sensor disposed on the housing; a second magneto-resistive sensor disposed on the lens; and a processor operatively connected to the first and second magneto-resistive sensors to identify the position of the rotating lens component of the camera based on an angle between the first and second magneto-resistive sensors.

9 . The camera of claim 8 , further comprising a memory operatively connected to the processor including program instructions to calculate a point of focus of the camera based on an angle of rotation between the first and second magneto-resistive sensors.

10 . The camera of claim 9 , further including a second camera operatively connected to the processor wherein the memory includes program instructions to transform an image from the second camera to align with an image from the camera.

11 . The camera of claim 10 , wherein the camera is a long wavelength infrared camera.

12 . The camera of claim 11 , wherein the second camera is a short wavelength infrared camera.

13 . The camera of claim 8 , wherein the processor is operatively connected to a memory, wherein the memory includes instructions recorded thereon that, when read by the processor, cause the processor to:
calculate a distance from a point of focus to a focal plane of a camera based on a position of the rotating lens component using an angle of rotation between the first and second magneto-resistive sensors.

14 . A camera as recited in claim 13 , wherein the memory includes instructions recorded thereon that, when read by the processor, cause the processor to:
parallax correct an image from a second camera based on the distance between the point of focus to the focal plane of the camera and an angle between the first and magneto-resistive sensors.

Assignees

• Sensors Unlimited Inc

Inventors

• Foster John T

Classifications

• H04N23/90 Primary

  Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums · CPC title

• H04N23/45

  for generating image signals from two or more image sensors being of different type or operating in different modes, e.g. with a CMOS sensor for moving images in combination with a charge-coupled device [CCD] for still images · CPC title

• H04N23/55

  Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof · CPC title

• H04N23/20

  for generating image signals from infrared radiation only · CPC title

• G03B13/36

  Autofocus systems · CPC title