U.S. patent number 3,646,336 [Application Number 04/822,085] was granted by the patent office on 1972-02-29 for correlation unit.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Itek Corporation. Invention is credited to Gilbert L. Hobrough.
United States Patent |
3,646,336 |
Hobrough |
February 29, 1972 |
CORRELATION UNIT
Abstract
A photogrammetric system for automatically registering a pair of
photographic images for stereographic inspection. Automatic
registration of the photographic images is accomplished by
electronically sensing parallaxes between the images, and by
transforming the images to accomplish registration. Each of a pair
of stereo photographs is scanned in X and Y by a separate flying
spot scanner which is driven by X- and Y-raster generators. The
output of the flying spot scanners is applied to a separate video
processor for controlling and enhancing the image signals and then
to a separate cathode-ray tube which is driven in X and Y by the
same X- and Y-raster generators. The two cathode-ray tubes comprise
the left and right sides of a binocular viewer. The output of each
of the flying spot scanners and the X- and Y-raster signals are
applied to a correlation system which detects parallax errors and
first and second order distortions between corresponding sections
of each of the photographic images. The correlation system divides
the output signals of the flying spot scanners into different
frequency band-pass regions for separate correlation of the
components of each of the signals in each band-pass region. The
output of the correlation system is applied, via a transformation
system, as correction signals to the raster signals driving the
flying spot scanners which enables the pair of photographic images
to be viewed in registration.
Inventors: |
Hobrough; Gilbert L. (Los
Altos, CA) |
Assignee: |
Itek Corporation (Lexington,
MA)
|
Family
ID: |
27410121 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/822,085 |
Filed: |
September 30, 1968 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
394052 |
Sep 4, 1964 |
3432674 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
708/814;
324/76.82; 327/4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C
11/00 (20130101); G08C 21/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01C
11/00 (20060101); G08C 21/00 (20060101); G06g
007/19 (); H03d 013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;235/181 ;179/15
;250/22SP ;328/114,133,155,109,110 ;307/232 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Botz; Eugene G.
Assistant Examiner: Gruber; Felix D.
Parent Case Text
This application is a divisional application of application Ser.
No. 394,502, filed Sept. 4, 1964, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,432,674.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A correlation system for operating upon first and second
electrical input signals generated from first and second data
sources by an X- and a Y-scanning signal comprising:
a. phase detection means, responsive to said first and second
electrical input signals, for detecting phase differences between
said first and second input signals, and for producing an output
signal indicative of said phase differences;
b. first analyzer means, responsive said output signal and said
X-scanning signal, for producing an X-parallax error output
signal;
c. second analyzer means, responsive to said output signal and said
Y-scanning signal, for producing a Y-parallax error output
signal;
d. third analyzer means, responsive to said X-parallax error output
signal and said X-scanning signal, for producing an X-scale error
output signal; and
e. fourth analyzer means, responsive to said Y-parallax error
output signal and said Y-scanning signal, for producing a Y-scale
error output signal.
2. The system as set forth in claim 1 and further including:
a. fifth analyzer means, responsive to said X-parallax error signal
and said Y-scanning signal, for producing an X-skew error output
signal; and
b. sixth analyzer means, responsive to said Y-parallax error signal
and said X-scanning signal, for producing a Y-skew error output
signal.
3. The system as set forth in claim 2 and further including:
a. means, responsive to said X-scanning signal and said Y-scanning
signal, to produce a composite scanning signal;
b. seventh analyzer means, responsive to said X-parallax error
signal and said composite scanning signal, for producing an XY in X
error output signal; and
c. eighth analyzer means, responsive to said Y-parallax error
signal and said composite scanning signal, for producing an XY in Y
error output signal.
4. The system as set forth in claim 3 and further including:
a. means for modifying said X-scanning signal to produce a modified
X-scanning signal having a frequency twice that of said X-scanning
signal;
b. means for modifying said Y-scanning signal to produce a modified
Y-scanning signal having a frequency twice that of said Y-scanning
signal;
c. ninth analyzer means, responsive to said X-parallax error signal
and said modified X-scanning signal, for producing an X.sup.2 in X
error output signal;
d. tenth analyzer means, responsive to said X-parallax error signal
and said modified Y-scanning signal, for producing a Y.sup.2 in X
error output signal;
e. eleventh analyzer means, responsive to said Y-parallax error
signal and said modified Y-scanning signal, for producing a Y.sup.2
in Y error output signal; and
f. twelfth analyzer means, responsive to said Y-parallax error
signal and said modified X-scanning signal, for producing an
X.sup.2 in Y error output signal.
5. A correlation system for operating upon first and second
electrical input signals generated from first and second data
sources by an X- and a Y-scanning signal comprising:
a. phase detection means, responsive to said first and second
electrical input signals, for detecting phase differences between
said first and second input signals, and for producing an output
signal indicative of said phase differences;
b. first analyzer means, responsive to said output signal and said
X-scanning signal, for producing an X-parallax error output
signal;
c. second analyzer means, responsive to said output signal and said
Y-scanning signal, for producing a Y-parallax error output
signal;
d. third analyzer means, responsive to said X-parallax error signal
and said Y-scanning signal, for producing an X-skew error output
signal; and
e. fourth analyzer means, responsive to said Y-parallax error
signal and said X-scanning signal, for producing a Y-skew error
output signal.
6. A correlation system for correlating first and second electrical
input signals and including:
a. a first band-pass circuit connected to said first input signal
for passing frequency components of said first input signal within
the band-pass region of that channel;
b. a second band-pass circuit connected to said second input signal
for passing frequency components of said second input signal within
the band-pass region of that channel, said frequency components
passed by said second band-pass circuit being in a band-pass region
which includes at least a portion of the band-pass region in which
said frequency components passed by said first band-pass circuit
are located;
c. phase detection means for detecting phase differences between
the signals passed by said first and second band-pass circuits and
for producing an output signal indicative of said phase
differences, whereby said output signal is representative of
correlation differences between said first and second electrical
input signals.
7. The system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first and second
electrical input signals are generated from first and second data
sources by an x- and a y-scanning signal and wherein:
a. each electronic channel further includes,
first analyzer means, responsive to said output signal and said
X-scanning signal, for producing an X-parallax error output signal,
and
second analyzer means, responsive to said output signal and said
Y-scanning signal, for producing a Y-parallax error signal; and
b. said correlation system further includes,
means, connected to said X-parallax error output signal producing
means in each of said electronic channels, for combining the
X-parallax error output signals and producing a composite
X-parallax error output signal, and
means, connected to said Y-parallax error output signal producing
means in each of said electronic channels, for combining the
Y-parallax error output signals and producing a composite
Y-parallax error output signal.
8. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein:
a. each electronic channel further includes,
third analyzer means, responsive to said X-parallax error output
signal and said X-scanning signal, for producing an X-scale error
output signal, and
fourth analyzer means, responsive to said Y-parallax error output
signal and said Y-scanning signal, for producing a Y-scale error
output signal; and
b. said correlation system includes,
means, connected to said X-scale error output signal producing
means in each of said electronic channels, for combining the
X-scale error output signals and producing a composite X-scale
error output signal, and
means, connected to said Y-scale error output signal producing
means in each of said electronic channels, for combining the
Y-scale error output signals producing a composite Y-scale error
output signal.
9. The system as set forth in claim 8 wherein:
a. each electronic channel further includes,
fifth analyzer means, responsive to said X-parallax error signal
and said Y-scanning signal, for producing an X-skew error output
signal, and
sixth analyzer means, responsive to said Y-parallax error signal
and said X-scanning signal, for producing a Y-skew error output
signal; and
b. said correlation system further includes,
means, connected to said X-skew error output signal producing means
in each of said electronic channels, for combining the X-skew error
output signals and producing a composite X-skew error output
signal, and
10. connected to said Y-skew error output signal producing means in
each of said electronic channels, for combining the Y-skew error
output signals and producing a composite Y-skew error output
signal.
10. The system as set forth in claim 9 wherein:
a. each electronic channel further includes,
means, responsive to said X-reference signal and said Y-reference
signal, to produce a composite scanning signal,
seventh analyzer means, responsive to said X-parallax error signal
and said composite scanning signal, for producing an XY in X error
output signal,
eighth analyzing means, responsive to said Y-parallax error signal
and said composite scanning signal, for producing an XY in Y error
output signal; and
b. said correlation system further includes,
means, connected to said XY in X error output signal producing
means in each of said electronic channels, for combining the XY in
X error output signals and producing a composite XY in X error
output signal, and
means, connected to said XY in Y error output signal producing
means in each of said electronic channels, for combining the XY in
Y error output signals and producing a composite XY in Y error
output signal.
11. The system as set forth in claim 10 wherein:
a. each electronic channel further includes,
means for modifying said X-scanning signal to produce a modified
X-scanning signal having a frequency twice that of said X-scanning
signal,
means for modifying said Y-scanning signal to produce a modified
Y-scanning signal having a frequency twice that of said Y-scanning
signal,
ninth analyzer means, responsive to said X-parallax error signal
and said modified X-scanning signal, for producing an X.sup.2 in X
error output signal,
tenth analyzer means, responsive to said X-parallax error signal
and said modified Y-scanning signal, for producing a Y.sup.2 in X
output signal,
eleventh analyzer means, responsive to said Y-parallax error signal
and said modified Y-scanning signal, for producing a Y.sup.2 in Y
error output signal,
twelfth analyzer means, responsive to said Y-parallax error signal
and said modified X-scanning signal, for producing an X.sup.2 in Y
error output signal; and
b. said correlation system further includes,
means, connected to said X.sup.2 in X error output signal producing
means in each of said electronic channels, for combining the
X.sup.2 in X error output signals and producing a composite X.sup.2
in X error output signal,
means, connected to said Y.sup.2 in X error output signal producing
means in each of said electronic channels, for combining the
Y.sup.2 in X error output signals and producing a composite Y.sup.2
in X error output signal,
means, connected to said Y.sup.2 in Y error output signal producing
means in each of said electronic channels, for combining the
Y.sup.2 in Y error output signals and producing a composite Y.sup.2
in Y error output signal, and
means, connected to said X.sup.2 in Y error output signal producing
means in each of said electronic channels, for combining the
X.sup.2 in Y error output signals and producing a composite X.sup.2
in Y error output signal.
12. The system as set forth in claim 7 wherein:
a. each electronic channel further includes,
third analyzer means, responsive to said X-parallax error signal
and said Y-scanning signal, for producing an X-skew error output
signal, and
fourth analyzer means, responsive to said Y-parallax error signal
and said X-scanning signal, for producing a Y-skew error output
signal; and
b. said correlation system further includes,
means, connected to said X-skew error output signal producing means
in each of said electronic channels, for combining the X-skew error
output signals and producing a composite X-skew error output
signal, and
means, connected to said Y-skew error output signal producing means
in each of said electronic channels, for combining the Y-skew error
output signals and producing composite Y-skew error output signals.
Description
This invention pertains to the art of photogrammetry, and is
concerned primarily with registration of a stereo pair of
photographic images for stereographic inspection thereof. In a
particular sense, the invention relates to a viewing instrument or
stereoscope in which certain image transformations requisite to
such registration are performed automatically.
The data reduction phase of mapmaking (data gathering and data
presentation being the other broad phases thereof) is generally
referred to as photogrammetry, and involves the derivation of
terrain dimensions from measurements taken in photographs. For
purposes of analysis, mapping photogrammetry can be subdivided into
compilation and aerial-triangulation operations. In a compilation
operation, topographic and planometric detail is plotted from a
pair of stereo photographs on a stereo plotting instrument; and in
an aerial-triangulation operation, the numerous serial photographs
obtained in the data gathering phase of mapmaking are related to
each other in order to reduce to a minimum the need for ground
control in the data gathering phase. In both compilation and
triangulation operations, the locating of corresponding or
homologous points in stereo images (that is, the registration of
such images) is the primary function performed. Consequently, it
may be said that the registration of photographic images, whether
accomplished manually or automatically, is basic to practically all
photogrammetric operations.
In connection with such registration of photographic images,
relative distortions between a stereo pair of photographic images
are a common occurrence quite familiar to photogrammetists.
Convergent and panoramic photography probably represent the most
extreme cases of such distortions, with convergent panoramic
stereograms providing the most severe instance thereof. As a
consequence of such relative image distortions, registration of
photographic images generally requires one or more image
transformations to be made if registration of the images is to be
accomplished.
In order to understand better what is meant by the aforementioned
terms "transformation" and "registration," it will be of
convenience to define the same as well as certain other terms used
herein. Accordingly, such terms are defined as follows:
1. transformation - a systematic operation upon an image thereby to
alter its scale, orientation, or overall shape;
2. parallax - the separation, generally unwanted, between
corresponding points in similar images when superimposed;
3. registration - the act of transforming one or both of a pair of
similar images so as to substantially reduce all parallaxes to zero
when the images are superimposed;
4. relative distortion - a difference in size or shape of similar
images such that a transformation of one or both images is required
to achieve registration;
5. manual registration - the visual observation of parallax and the
manual adjustment of the various image transformations as required
to reduce the parallaxes to zero;
6. automatic registration - the sensing of image parallaxes
(electronically herein) and the automatic feedback adjustment of
"prime" transformations toward registration.
For purposes of classification herein, there are a group of 10
first- and second-order transformations which are taken to be
prime, and there are various combination of such prime
transformations which will be considered therewith. (In this system
of classification, relative displacement or separation between
undistorted images - i.e., parallax- is regarded as a zero-order
transformation). The 10 first- and second-order transformations are
illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings in superimposed relation, in
each instance, on a nontransformed image indicated by broken lines.
Referring to this Figure, it is seen that the first-order
transformations are grouped in the left-hand vertical column and
the second-order transformations are grouped in the right-hand
vertical column. The 10 prime transformations comprise two groups
of five each, respectively involving X-parallaxes and Y-parallaxes.
In FIG. 1, the five prime transformations involving X-parallaxes
are located in the upper horizontal row, and the five prime
transformations involving Y-parallaxes are located in the middle
horizontal row. In the lower horizontal row are illustrated five
combinations of the prime transformations, and as is evident in
FIG. 1, three of such combinations are of the first-order and two
are of the second-order.
Referring to the illustrated transformations, the X in X (or
X-scale) transformation constitutes an elongation of the image
along the X or horizontal axis so that the image, which initially
is square-shaped, becomes rectangular. Similarly, the Y in Y (or
Y-scale) transformation is an elongation of the image along the Y
or vertical axis. A combination of the X-scale and Y-scale
transformations gives the scale transformation, illustrated under
first-order combinations, in which the image is elongated both in
the X- and Y-directions to enlarge the same from the initial
dimensions thereof illustrated by broken lines.
The Y in X (or X-skew) transformation is an angular distortion in
which the image becomes a parallelogram with the base thereof
parallel to the X or horizontal axis. The X in Y (or Y-skew)
transformation is an angular distortion in which the image becomes
a parallelogram with the base thereof parallel to the Y or vertical
axis. Combinations of the X-skew and Y-skew transformations, yield
the rotation transformations indicated under first-order
combinations.
The second-order transformations include an X.sup.2 in X
transformation in which the image is enlarged to progressively
increasing degrees along the X-axis, and the Y.sup.2 in Y
transformation is a similar enlargement along the Y axis. The
Y.sup.2 in X transformation results in a parabolic curving of all
the Y-ordinates. Similarly, the X.sup.2 in Y-transformation results
in a parabolic curving of all the X-abscissas. The XY in
X-transformation is a linear change in the X-direction-width of the
image which change progresses along the Y-axis. Correspondingly,
the XY in Y-transformation is a linear change in the
Y-direction-width of the image which change progresses along the
X-axis. Combinations of the prime second-order transformations to
produce the two illustrated projective combinations are,
respectively, the Y.sup.2 in Y and XY in X-transformations, and the
X.sup.2 in X and XY in Y transformations.
Each of the FIG. 1 illustrations representing prime transformations
shows the effect of such transformations upon an undistorted image
consisting of a square 4.times.4 grid. Considering firstly X-scale
transformations, such a transformation can be produced by adding to
the X-coordinate of any point in the undistorted image area a
quantity proportional to such X-coordinate Similarly, a Y-scale
transformation can be produced by adding to the Y-coordinate of any
point in the undistorted image area a quantity proportional to such
Y-coordinate.
X-skew transformations can be produced by adding to the
X-coordinate of any point in the undistorted image area a quantity
proportional to the Y-coordinate of that point. Similarly, the
Y-skew distortion illustrated in FIG. 1 can be produced by adding
to the Y-coordinate of any point in the undistorted image area a
quantity proportional to the X-coordinate of that point.
All distortions shown in FIG. 1 can be construed as being produced
by additions of this type; for example, the second-order distortion
Y.sup.2 in X can be produced by adding to the X-coordinate of any
point in the undistorted image area a quantity proportional to the
square of the Y-coordinate of that point.
It may be noted that panoramic photographs taken in their entirety
present considerable third and higher order distortions. However,
sections of a panoramic photograph of a size likely to be examined
at any one time show much less higher order distortion; and,
consequently, it is not proposed herein to consider transformations
of orders higher than the second when dealing with such
photography. Terrain relief also introduces higher order relative
distortion between stereo pairs, but such distortions and
displacements are in the X-direction only and are not subject to
systematic transformation by either optical or electronic means and
are not considered herein.
Relative orientation of stereo pairs of photographs to effect
registration thereof involves first- and second-order
transformations requiring 5.degree. of freedom of movement.
Consequently, when one considers the time and tedium involved in
the process of relative orientation, it is appreciated that a
manual registration operation in which all of the aforementioned
prime transformations are separately subject to control would be
for most purposes impractical. Also, the complexity of a
mechanical-optical instrument providing a separate adjustment for
each of such transformations would be equally impractical.
Nevertheless, registration operations have been performed manually
using stereoscopes and stereo comparators, but transformations
permitted in such instruments generally have been confined to
simple translations and rotations of the images. In view of the
complexities and difficulties inherent in manual registration, it
is apparent that an automatic registration instrument would be
desirable and some instruments of this type have been proposed.
Such proposed instruments vary widely in the number of
transformations subject to automatic registration, and so far as is
known, all are limited to certain zero and first-order
transformations.
The present invention is concerned with automatic registration of
photographic images in which image parallaxes are sensed
electronically, and error information is fed back automatically to
adjust the prime transformations toward registration. The invention
involves improved instrumentation in which:
a. Y-parallax is reduced essentially to zero at all points in the
image area;
b. X parallax is reduced at all points to values compatible with
comfortable ocular convergence; and
c. the tonal range of the observed image and the sine wave response
characteristic of the imaging system are both subject to automatic
adjustment to improve the appearance and interpretability of the
stereo model as seen by the operator. The instrumentation further
provides second-order transformations to accommodate simple terrain
curvature and to accommodate also photography exposed in oblique
cameras and in cameras (e.g., panoramic photography) that do not
conform to conventional perspective geometry.
The invention as embodied in instrumentation includes a transport
system adapted to carry a pair of stereo photographs or stereograms
and to permit X-axis and Y-axis translations thereof; a flying spot
scanning system for scanning such stereograms; a light collection
system including photoelectric detector devices; a binocular viewer
for inspecting the stereo model electronically developed by
properly fusing corresponding image areas of the stereograms; and
electronic circuitry including generally a raster generator for
developing the raster used by the scanning system and binocular
viewer, video processors for controlling and enhancing the images
transmitted from the light collection system to the binocular
viewer, a correlation system, and a transformation system--the
latter two of which are concerned with sensing parallax and making
the aforementioned image transformations.
Such instrument employs cathode-ray tubes in both the scanning
system and binocular viewer and, therefore, a raster generator is
necessarily included in the instrument to produce waveforms which,
when amplified and applied to the deflection systems of the
cathode-ray tubes, produce the required raster on the faces of such
tubes. The term "scanning pattern" or "pattern" as used herein
refers to the geometric interrelation of the various lines or
portions of the path traced out by the scanning spot of the
cathode-ray tube as such spot moves continuously throughout the
scanning area to define the entire scanning raster.
In the present instance, the scanning pattern utilized accommodates
both of the following two functions when performed simultaneously:
(1) the presentation to an operator of a high-quality image in
which all of the detail present in the original photographs is
preserved and, where possible, made more visible; and (2) the
estimation of X- and Y-parallaxes by the detection of time
differences between left and right video signals. Further the
scanning pattern, from the standpoint of parallax detection, offers
the following advantages:
a. Motion of the scanning spot in mutually perpendicular
directions, thereby permitting distance measurements to be made in
the image directly from time measurements and in two orthogonal
axes. Consequently, X- and Y-parallaxes can be detected without
pattern reorientation.
b. Scanning of each point in the image successively in four
directions along two perpendicular lines so as to give four
permutations of the image information and eliminate errors arising
out of delay displacement.
c. Giving equal weight to all areas in the image in the
determination of parallax and maintaining the scanning velocity
constant at all times without retraces. Therefore, comparitively
simple correlation circuitry can serve to detect parallax and to
derive therefrom the various error signals required for
transformation correction of the photographic images.
d. Production of the scanning pattern simply by application of
triangular waveforms of nearly identical frequency to both the X-
and Y-deflection systems of the cathode-ray tubes.
The particular scanning pattern has crossing orthogonal sets of
parallel lines, each set of which tends to obliterate the structure
of the opposite set thereby giving an image having a faint
woven-silk texture which is distinctly more pleasant than
television-type images of equivalent resolution; the crossed
diagonal raster defined by such pattern is of generally
square-shaped configuration and each image element is scanned in
mutually perpendicular directions by a spot traveling at
substantially uniform velocity throughout the useful image area;
and each scanning frame is produced in its entirety by a
continuously tracing scanning spot, and comprises two interlaced
fields (three or more interlaced fields can be provided if desired)
to double the resolution of the video image reproduction and
substantially obviate objectionable flicker thereof.
Further characteristics of the invention especially as concerns
particular objects and advantages thereof will become apparent from
a consideration of the following specification and drawings, the
latter of which illustrate a specific embodiment of the invention
in which:
FIG. 1 is a graph depicting a number of image transformations which
can be performed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the console which houses or
otherwise carries the various components of the instrument;
FIG. 3 is a general block diagram illustrating the functional
interrelation of the main components of the apparatus;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the functional interrelation
of one of the flying spot scanners, the light collection system
associated therewith, and a stereogram positioned upon the tabletop
support therefor;
FIG. 5 is a broken longitudinal sectional view of a part of the
binocular viewer;
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the character of the
path followed by the spot of a cathode-ray tube in tracing the
square-shaped dual diagonal pattern;
FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic view illustrating one complete field as
traced by the spot;
FIG. 8 is a broken diagrammatic view illustrating one complete
frame as traced by the spot, one field of the frame being shown in
solid lines and the second interlaced field being shown by broken
lines;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a raster generator network
for producing the required dual diagonal scanning patterns;
FIG. 10 is a graph showing a plurality of voltage waveforms plotted
against time;
FIG. 11 is a schematic circuit diagram of a shaper illustrated in
block form in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a schematic circuit diagram of a delay circuit used in
the shapers shown in FIG. 9;
FIGS. 13a through 13h comprise a series of diagrammatic views
respectively illustrating the orientation of the trace in relation
to the progressive change in the phase relationship of the two time
base signals derived from the raster generator network illustrated
in FIG. 9;
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of one of the video processors;
FIG. 15 is a schematic circuit diagram of the video processor shown
in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the transformation system;
FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the hybrid circuit employed in the
transformation system;
FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the correlation system;
FIG. 19 is a block diagram of one of the correlation units employed
in the correlation system illustrated in FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a schematic circuit diagram of one of the zero level
discriminators shown in FIG. 19;
FIG. 21 is a graph of the voltage waveforms of the input signal to
and the output signal from the zero level discriminators of FIG.
20;
FIG. 22 is a schematic circuit diagram of each of the
exclusive-or-gates employed in the correlation unit illustrated in
FIG. 19;
FIG. 23 is a chart showing the character of the output signal from
the gate of FIG. 22 in relation to the character of the two input
signals thereto;
FIGS. 24 through 26 respectively comprise a group of waveforms
relating to the video module of the correlation unit shown in FIG.
19;
FIG. 27 is a schematic circuit diagram of a delay line;
FIG. 28 is a schematic circuit diagram of a differentiator
circuit;
FIG. 29 is a graph illustrating waveforms applicable to the circuit
of FIG. 28;
FIG. 30 is a schematic circuit diagram of one of the analyzer
modules in the correlation unit;
FIGS. 31 through 46, inclusive, respectively comprise a group of
graphs illustrating waveforms on various signal lines in the
correlation unit of FIG. 19 relative to certain conditions of X-
and Y-parallax and with the scanning spot moving in various
directions;
FIG. 47 is a graph illustrating a group of waveforms appearing on
various signal liens in the correlation unit of FIG. 19;
FIG. 48 is a schematic circuit diagram of a fullwave rectifier;
FIG. 49 is a graph illustrating another group of waveforms
appearing on various other signal lines in the correlation unit of
FIG. 19;
FIG. 50 is a schematic circuit diagram of a low-pass network;
and
FIG. 51 is a chart depicting certain operational conditions
relating to the network of FIG. 50.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
In generally describing the apparatus, reference will be made in
particular to FIGS. 2 and 3, and referring thereto, the console
therein illustrated is designated in its entirety with the numeral
50. It comprises a lower casing or cabinet 51 defining therewithin
a compartment 52 in which is located various of the circuit
components to be described hereinafter. At its lower end, the
casing 51 may be equipped with feet, pads, rollers, etc., adapted
to engage a floor and support the console thereon. Adjacent it
upper end, the casing 51 provides a mounting for a tabletop or
platform 53 defining therealong a support system generally denoted
54 and a transport system generally designated 55. The transport
system 55 includes a pair of frame or transport elements 56a and
56b respectively adapted to support thereon a pair of photographic
transparencies 57a and 57b forming a stereographic pair of
photographs.
Mounted within the compartment 52 is the aforementioned scanning
system which comprises a pair of substantially identical flying
spot scanning assemblies generally designated in FIG. 2 with the
numerals 58a and 58b. The scanning assemblies 58a and 58b are
respectively associated with the photographic transparencies 57a
and 57b, and the scanning beams of such assemblies are directed
upwardly through such transparencies as diagrammatically indicated.
The image-modulated light energy of such scanning beams is
collected in a light collection system comprising a pair of
photoelectric detectors generally indicated with the numerals 59a
and 59b. These detectors are housed within a compartment 60 defined
in part by a control panel 61 appropriately supported above the
platform 53 in spaced relation therewith so that the transport
elements 56 and their associated photographic transparencies 57 can
be moved beneath the panel 61 to the light beams transmitted from
the flying spot scanning assemblies 58 to the photoelectric
detectors 59 respectively associated therewith.
Located above the tabletop 53 is a binocular viewer 62 carried by
bracket structure 63 swingable about a horizontal axis through a
support 64 so that the elevation of the viewer can be readily
adjusted to accommodate the height of any particular operator. The
viewer includes a pair of eyepieces 65a and 65b adapted to be
respectively aligned with the eyes of such operator who will view
at any instant a stereographic model of the image areas then being
scanned on the photographic transparencies 57a and 57b. A handle 66
may be provided to facilitate adjustment of the viewer, and
suitable spring structure or other counterbalancing means (not
shown) may be employed to maintain the viewer in any position of
adjustment thereof.
In FIG. 3, the scanning system comprising the assemblies 58a and
58b, the light collection system comprising the detectors 59a and
59b, and the transport system comprising the frame elements 56a and
56b respectively carrying the photographic transparencies 57a and
58b, are grouped together into a block defined by broken liens and
which in its entirety is designated with the numeral 67. The
binocular viewing assembly is illustrated diagrammatically in the
block denoted 62.
As indicated hereinbefore, such scanning and viewing components are
operatively arranged in a circuit comprising a raster generator 68,
a pair of video processors 69a and 69b respectively associated with
the photoelectric detection networks 59a and 59b, a correlation
system 70, a transformation system 71, and two groups of deflection
amplifiers 72 and 73--the first of which is associated with the
flying spot scanning assemblies 58a and 58b, and the second of
which is associated with the viewer assembly 62.
Quite evidently, each of the components generally designated in
FIG. 3 necessarily comprises a plurality of subcomponents or units
and will be considered in greater detail hereinafter. However, as
part of the general description of the invention, the functional
interrelationship of the components illustrated in FIG. 3 will be
described briefly; and for such description, it will be of
convenience to note that the scanning assemblies 58a and 58b
respectively include scanning cathode-ray tubes 74a and 74b, that
the viewing assembly 62 comprises a pair of viewing cathode-ray
tubes 75a and 75b, and that the light collection system comprises
multiplier phototubes 76a and 76b.
The stereo transparencies 57 are respectively positioned upon the
support elements 56a and 56b which are dimensioned and configurated
so as to fixedly constrain such transparencies. Usually, although
not essentially, such transparencies will be glass diapositives.
The transport system is air-supported on the surface of the
tabletop 53, and air is supplied to the transport system
continuously by a small compressor (not shown). The air supplied to
the transport system raises the support elements 56 about 20
microns above the surface of the tabletop and allows the whole
assembly to transport freely in response to the slightest
displacement force applied thereto.
The supply of actuating air to the transport system is under the
influence of a manually controlled valve; and when the supply of
energizing air is terminated, the transport immediately drops onto
the surface of the platform and remains fixed for continued
observation of the photographs. Thus, the operator can selectively
shift various areas of the photographs 57a and 57b into the paths
of the scanning beams transmitted from the scanning assemblies 58
to their respectively associated detector networks 59.
The raster generator 68 produces waveforms which, when amplified
and applied to the deflection systems of the scanning cathode-ray
tubes 74a and 74b and the viewing cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b,
produce the required scanning raster on the faces of such tubes.
The correlation system 70 observes the video signals being
transmitted through the video processors 69a and 69b to the viewing
cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b, and detects in such signals
differences in timing between corresponding detail in the left and
right channels of the apparatus. The correlation system 70 also
receives reference signals from the raster generator 68, which
reference signals indicate the scanning spot position in the X- and
Y-directions separately. From these four input signals (that is,
left and right video signals and the reference or X- and Y-spot
coordinate signals), the correlation system 70 computes the
direction of parallax errors and makes this information available
in the form of error signals on lines 291-300 and 317-318.
Signals from the raster generator 68 when applied to the
cathode-ray tubes 74 of the scanner and to the tubes 75 of the
viewer produce a square-shaped scanning raster in each instance.
The transformation system 71 develops signals which, when combined
with the signals transmitted from the raster generator to the
scanning cathode-ray tubes, modify the shape of the rasters on such
scanner tubes. Since the raster on each of the viewer tubes remains
square-shaped, the imagery as seen on such viewer tubes by the
operator has transformations complementary to the change in the
shape of the rasters of the flying spot scanner tubes 74a and 74b.
The signals developed by the transformation system 71 are under the
control of the respective transformation error signals from the
correlation system 70.
If no registration error exists, then all error signals will be
zero. Under these conditions, the rasters of the flying spot
scanner tubes 74a and 74b remain square-shaped and there is no
transformation of the imagery as seen by the operator. If, however,
registration is incomplete, then one or more prime transformation
error signals will be present, and a corresponding transformation
will be generated by the system 71. These signals, then, when
applied to the signals which otherwise would define a square-shaped
raster will produce on the face of the flying spot scanner tubes a
transformation of the type required to produce registration. As
will be noted hereinafter, any such transformations will be applied
to the left and right scanning rasters equally but in opposite
senses.
The video signals being transmitted from the multiplier phototubes
76a and 76b to the respectively associated viewing cathode-ray
tubes 75a and 75b pass through the video processors 69a and 69b
which function to provide constant image contrast or tonal range.
In this respect, each video processor includes an automatic gain
control operative to adjust signal amplification in such a manner
that the output video amplitude remains substantially constant in
spite of variations in input amplitude owing to differences in
local image contrast. In this way, the full range of the viewing
cathode ray tubes 75a and 75b from dark to light is utilized.
MECHANICAL COMPONENTS
The main mechanical components of the apparatus-- apart from the
lower cabinet 51 of the console, similar casing members and
enclosures, and the usual structural support elements present in
any piece of equipment-- are the support and transport system and
the binocular viewer. These mechanical components will now be
described.
SUPPORT AND TRANSPORT SYSTEM
The support and transport system used in the particular instrument
being considered herein has been disclosed in detail in the pending
patent application of Gilbert L. Hobrough and George A. Wood, Ser.
No. 313,882, filed Oct. 4, 1963, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,267,798, and
reference may be made thereto if a detailed consideration of this
component is desired. However, for convenience, a general
description of the support and transport system will be
included.
Accordingly, it may be noted that the photographic transparencies
57a and 57b are carried by the respectively associated frame or
transport elements 56a and 56b for translational movements over a
flat platform which serves as a reference plane for the scanning
system; and if the electronic reproduction of the photographic
images is to have a high order of fidelity and be useful, the
transparencies must be positionally oriented within very close
tolerances relative to the reference platform so as to be
accurately held at the plane of focus of the scanning system.
Therefore, the requirements for platform flatness and limitations
on transport motion along the scanning axis usually vertical) are
quite restrictive.
Further, in the viewing system being considered, the photographic
images usually will be inspected point by point, and it is
necessary therefore that the transport system be susceptible of
refined positional adjustments so that each point of interest in
the photographic transparencies can be accurately oriented with
respect to the scanning beams and corresponding points in the two
photographic images brought into proper register in order that a
useful stereoscopic image of any point of interest be provided.
Consequently, the transport system is characterized by being freely
and easily movable relative to the reference platform or tabletop,
and it is also able to maintain readily any position into which it
is moved so that any selected point of interest in the photographic
images will remain properly aligned with the scanning beams.
In the present instrument, it has been found convenient to employ a
glass platform of tabletop as the reference plane because the
transparency of glass permits the scanning beams of the cathode-ray
tubes to pass therethrough. However, it is practicably necessary to
restrict the thickness of the glass platform to approximately
one-quarter of an inch or less in order to avoid distortion in the
scanning beams transmitted therethrough. Unfortunately, a plate of
glass of such thickness is not sufficiently rigid to avoid sagging
or deflection in the vertical direction i.e., along the scanning
axis), and the resultant distortion which would be introduced into
the viewing system because of the accompanying displacements of the
photographic transparencies from the focal plane of the scanning
system would be intolerable. Furthermore, any random loads imposed
upon such a thin glass platform would aggravate the deflection
tendency thereof and further reduce the fidelity of the scanning
and viewing systems.
The support system employed herein is effective to uniformly
support the thin glass platform along substantially all incremental
surface areas thereof so that any tendency of the platform to sag
because of its lack of rigidity or because of random loads being
imposed thereon is obviated. The support system additionally
enables the platform to act as a weightless rigid member stably
supported at three nonlinearly oriented points, and it also permits
the platform to be leveled and enables the precise disposition of
the plane defined thereby (that is, the reference plane) to be
selectively adjusted and thereafter automatically maintained
irrespective of changes in the external load applied to the plate
whether distributed thereover or localized.
The transport system used herein provides excellent vertical
stability and has minimum inertia and also minimum frictional and
stictional resistance to movement, and yet, irrespective of its
freedom of translational movement, maintains itself readily in any
position of adjustment.
Referring to FIG. 4 in particular, the support system 54 includes
the aforementioned tabletop or platform 53, which is formed of
transparent material such as glass and permits the scanning beam of
the scanning cathode-ray tube 74 to pass therethrough. It may be
noted that the structural composition shown in FIG. 4 is equally
applicable to both video channels; and, therefore, either to the
scanning cathode-ray tube 74a, multiplier phototube 76a and
transparency 57a or to the scanning cathode-ray tube 74b,
multiplier phototube 76b and photographic transparency 57b.
Consequently, in FIG. 4 the suffixes a and b have been omitted.
The tabletop 53 is supported with respect to a stable base 77
carried by the console 50 in generally horizontal disposition. The
base 77 is formed from a relatively rigid material which is
substantially fluid-impervious as, for example, wood or metal.
Interposed between the upper surface of the base 77 and the
superjacent tabletop 53 is a hermetic seal structure 78 of a
character that permits movement of the tabletop 43 in directions
generally normal to the plane thereof and relative to the base 77.
The tabletop 53 is spaced from the upper surface of the base 77,
and the base and tabletop, together with the seal structure 78,
define a pressurizable chamber 79. The seal structure 78 comprises
a flexible resilient membrane and may be formed of rubber, and it
is sealingly secured to the base 77 at appropriate locations
therealong to form such pressurizable chamber 79. In the actual
structure, three independent pressurizable chambers are provided so
that the tabletop 53 is supported with respect to the base 77 on
three separate and independently regulated air cushions (i.e., any
gaseous fluid).
Each of the pressurizable chambers 79 is provided both with an
inlet 80 through which air under pressure is admitted thereto and
with an outlet 81 through which air is permitted to escape. Since
it is desired to accurately establish and thereafter maintain the
position of the tabletop 53 such that the photographic
transparencies 57 supported thereby are located at the plane of
focus of the scanning system, the requirement is imposed that the
tabletop 53 have a predetermined positional relation with respect
to the base 77. Such positional relation is determined by
regulating the relative rates of the supply of pressurized air to
and the escape of air from each of the chambers 78. In the
particular structure being considered, control over the relative
rates of supply and escape of air to each of the chambers is
maintained by automatically regulating the rate of escape of air
through the outlets 81 by means of valve structure (not shown).
The base 77 has an opening 82 formed therethrough for each of the
scanning systems so that the scanning beams from the cathode-ray
tubes 74 can be transmitted through such openings, through the
tabletop 53 and photographic transparencies 57 disposed thereabove
and to the multiplier phototubes 76. Quite evidently, the membrane
78 is sealingly secured to the base 77 about each such opening
82.
Referring to FIG. 2, it is seen that the transport system 55
includes a track 83 and rail 84 forming a pair of axes defining the
paths of movement for the system. In the structure shown, the track
and rail are disposed at substantially right angles with respect to
each other; and, therefore, such axes defined thereby are
rectangular coordinate axes in which the rail 84 establishes the X
or longitudinal direction and the track 83, the Y or transverse
direction.
The track 83 is fixedly carried by the console or base 77, and the
rail 84 is slidably related adjacent one end thereof to the track
83 so as to be movable therealong. The interconnection of the rail
and track is established through an antifriction sleeve or bearing
structure (generally indicated at 85) that slidably engages the
track 83 and is rigidly secured to the rail 84. A part of such
bearing structure includes a hollow tube or rod 86 adapted to be
connected to a compressor or other source (not shown) of
pressurized air. The rail 84 is a hollow tube defining a flow
passage therethrough in flow communication with the rod 86 which
connects it with such source of air.
Slidably mounted upon the rail 84 are the frame elements 56a and
56b. Each of the frame elements is a hollow tubular conduit
defining a flow passage therethrough. The hollow frame 56a is
supplied with compressed air from the hollow rail 84 through a
flexible tube 87, and the frame 56b is supplied with compressed air
from the hollow rod 86 through the fitting and associated flexible
tube 88. The frame element 56a is provided therealong with a
plurality of support pads 89a - there being three in number in the
specific structure shown. In an identical manner, the frame element
56b is provided with a plurality of support pads 89b; and again,
there are three in number. The support pads are each flow-connected
with the hollow interiors of the associated frame elements so as to
be supplied with compressed air therethrough. The undersurface of
each of the support pads is substantially planar and is provided
therealong with fluid discharge means through which compressed air
is expressed downwardly and against the upper surface of the
tabletop 53.
Manually controlled valve means are included in the transport
system so as to control the discharge of compressed air from the
support pads 89. In the structure shown, such valve constitutes an
opening or escape port provided in the handhold 90. When the
opening is closed, as by an operator placing his finger thereover,
compressed air is directed downwardly against the tabletop 53
through the various support pads 89 which elevates the pads and
frame elements above the tabletop. The frame elements then are
readily displaced in either or both the X- and Y-directions.
However, when the valve opening is uncovered, a sufficient quantity
of air escapes therethrough to prevent the compressed air from
elevating the frame elements. As a result, the frictional forces
developed between the lower surfaces of the support pads 89 and the
upper surface of the tabletop 53 effectively constrain the frame
elements against translational displacements.
The track 83 and rail 84 define a rotation-constraining guidance
system preventing the frame elements 56a and 56b (and more
particularly, the stereo transparencies 57a and 57b respectively
carried thereby) from exhibiting angular or rotational movements
during translational displacements thereof. Additionally, the track
and rail permit substantially uninhibited translational
displacements in the sense that the frame elements can be moved
into any desired position because of the permitted displacements
thereof along the two coordinate axes respectively defined by the
rail 84 (the X-axis) and the track 83 (the Y-axis). Further, each
of the frame elements 56 has a tip-tilt stability enforced thereon
because of the plurality of support pads 89a and 89b respectively
associated therewith which provide relatively independent
corrective actions resulting in such stability.
BINOCULAR VIEWER
The binocular viewer 62 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, and has
for its purpose the provision of two separate images, respectively
corresponding to the image areas being scanned at any instant on
the photographic transparencies 57a and 57b, for selective viewing
by the operator's right and left eyes through the eyepieces 65a and
65b. In the form shown, the viewer 62 comprises a hollow support
tube 91 that in the usual case will be formed of an insulating
material although this is not essential. The viewing cathode-ray
tubes 75a and 75b are respectively mounted adjacent the outer end
portions of the support tube 91 with the faces of the cathode ray
tubes directed inwardly. Interposed between the adjacent faces of
the viewing cathode-ray tubes is a mirror structure comprising
angularly disposed mirror sections 92a and 92b. The two sections
92a and 92b meet at an angle of substantially 90.degree., and such
angle is located at substantially the midpoint of the eyepieces 65a
and 65b. Such midpoint establishes the center of the binocular
viewer which is symmetrical from right to left about a plane
through such center.
Evidently, the images respectively appearing on the faces of the
cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b are respectively reflected by the
mirror elements 92a and 92b through the associated eyepieces 65a
and 65b. The mirror may be wholly conventional and, for example,
can be a silvered surface mirror. The eyepieces are respectively
associated with lens systems-- the requirement therefor being that
the light collected by such lens be transmitted therethrough with
substantially parallel rays so that no interpupiliary adjustment of
the eyepieces is required. In a typical system, the lens associated
with each eyepiece may be a two-element acromat having a focal
length in the order of 220 millimeters.
Each of the cathode-ray tubes 75 is equipped with the usual
deflection coil assembly or yoke and is centered with respect to
the tube 91 by a support spider 93 that is coaxially circumjacent
the deflection yoke and engages the inner surface of the tube 91 at
angularly spaced locations therealong. An inner sleeve 94 defines
an abutment or stop element limiting the maximum inward
displacement of the associated tube. The neck of each cathode-ray
tube extends through a transverse wall removably supported within
the tube 91 adjacent the outer end thereof and into a removable end
closure 95. The end closure is telescopically insertable into the
associated end of the tube 91 and encloses the connector-equipped
end portion of the cathode-ray tube (not shown in FIG. 5).
Apertures may be located wherever desired to permit the circulation
of air about the cathode-ray tubes and deflection coils thereof for
cooling purposes.
Light from the scanning rasters and any images appearing on the
respective faces of the cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b is directed
toward the associated mirrors 92a and 92b which change the
direction of light transmission by 90.degree. and transmit such
rasters and images through the respectively associated eyepieces
65a and 65b for separate viewing by the right and left eyes of an
operator. Thus, if the photographic transparencies providing such
images constitute a pair of stereo transparencies, such operator
will see a stereographic reproduction thereof, assuming the two
images are properly oriented.
ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
The various electronic components heretofore mentioned and which in
the main comprise the raster generator, scanning and light
collection systems, video processors, transformation system, and
correlation system, will now be described in the order set
forth.
RASTER GENERATOR
The desired scanning raster, as indicated hereinbefore, is
susceptible to both manual and electronic viewing of a stereo pair
of photographic images, and employs a dual diagonal pattern
comprising a plurality of interlaced fields defining one complete
frame or scanning cycle (i.e., one entire scanning pattern which is
then repeated). In a particular instance which has been found
satisfactory, the scanning pattern defines a square-shaped raster
having a frame repetition rate of 30 per second with each frame
comprising an interlace of two fields. Each field is formed of
substantially 205 lines to the diagonal or a total of 510 lines for
a complete frame.
Such scanning pattern is illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 8 of which
FIG. 6 denotes the path of movement of the traveling spot, FIG. 7
illustrates one complete field (with the number of lines reduced
for clarity), and FIG. 8 depicts one complete frame comprising two
interlaced fields. As indicated, each frame may comprise 510 lines
in each orthogonal set of parallel lines, and the frame repetition
rate may be 30 per second of the single interlace (i.e., two)
fields, as shown in FIG. 8. The traveling or moving spot that
develops the trace on the face of the cathode-ray tube is shown in
enlarged form in FIGS. 6 and 7 and is designated for identification
with the numeral 96. It is understood that the spot is developed in
the conventional manner by a stream of electrons striking the
coated inner face of a cathode-ray tube and, therefore, the entire
area enclosed within the generally square-shaped boundaries of
FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 may be taken to be a major portion of the face of
such cathode ray tube.
The spot 96 moves continuously in tracing an entire scanning
pattern of one frame which comprises two interlaced fields. The
general path of movement of the spot 96 is illustrated most clearly
in FIG. 6 wherein it is seen that the spot changes direction by
90.degree. as it reaches each marginal edge of the raster. Thus,
the crossing orthogonal sets of parallel lines are developed in a
progression in which one line of a set is traced, the spot changes
direction and the first line of a normally oriented second set is
traced, the spot again changes direction and the first line of a
set oppositely oriented to but parallel with the first set is then
traced, again the spot changes direction and the first line of a
set oppositely oriented to but parallel with the second set is then
traced, and so forth. In FIG. 6, one pair of sets of parallel lines
is indicated generally with the numeral 97 and the normally
oriented pair of sets of parallel lines are designated generally
with the numeral 98. The sets 97 as they are partially shown in
FIG. 6, constitute four parallel lines which for identification are
denoted as 97a, 97b, 97c and 97d. Similarly, the sets 22 as
illustrated in FIG. 6 comprises three parallel lines respectively
denoted with the numerals 98a, 98b and 98c.
The lines defining the orthogonal sets 97 are equally spaced from
each other and, in an identical manner, the lines forming the sets
98 are equally spaced. This equality of spacing is also present in
all of the parallel sets of lines forming one complete frame as
shown in FIG. 8. The single field illustrated in FIG. 7 is
designated in its entirety with the numeral 99, and in FIG. 8, the
two fields forming the single frame 100 are respectively designated
99a and 99b.
A technique for producing the deflection waveforms requisite for
the production of the desired interlaced dual diagonal scan is
illustrated in FIG. 9. This arrangement utilizes a relatively high
frequency oscillator and two counting circuits or channels for
providing the two signals independently necessary for the
deflection axes (hereinafter referred to for convenience as the X-
and Y-deflection axes). With this arrangement, the phase
relationship between the X- and Y-waveforms is rigidly controlled
cycle by cycle so that the application of interlace techniques is
quite feasible.
In order to achieve single interlace with a crossed diagonal scan
of square format, the two counting circuits must divide the
oscillator frequency by consecutive odd numbers. With such an
arrangement, the number of scanning lines across a picture diagonal
will be equal to the division ratio of the counting circuits and
the frame repetition rate of the pattern will be equal to the
oscillator frequency divided by the square of the counting ratio.
In the particular circuits illustrated, the division ratios are 509
and 511, thereby giving approximately 509 lines to one diagonal and
511 to the other. An oscillator frequency of 7.5 megacycles
provides a frame repetition rate of approximately 30 cycles per
second with single interlace.
The circuit embodiment shown in FIG. 9 includes a time base section
101 and a pair of shapers 102 and 103. The time base section 101
comprises an oscillator 104, the output of which is coupled to two
dividing or counting circuits or channels respectively denoted in
general with the numerals 105 and 106. The output of the dividing
channel 105 feeds directly into a limiting amplifier 107 the output
of which is delivered by a signal line 107' to the input of an
integrator 108. Similarly, the dividing channel 106 feeds directly
into a limiting amplifier 109 the output of which is delivered to
an integrator 110.
The flying spot scanner tubes 74a and 74b are each equipped with an
x- and Y-deflection system depicted in FIG. 3 in the form of yokes
112a and 112b. The cathode-ray tubes and deflection systems thereof
may be conventional, and such systems are provided with the
required deflection waveforms through conventional deflection
amplifiers generally denoted 72 in FIG. 3. The output terminals of
the integrators 108 and 110 are respectively designated 113 and 114
in FIG. 9; and as shown in FIG. 3, the integrators feed the
amplifiers 72 through the transformation system 71. It may be noted
that the deflection amplifiers 72 comprise four in number,
respectively identified as 115a, 115b, 116a and 116b. For purposes
hereof, it may be assumed that the output 113 of the integrator 108
is coupled to the Y-deflection amplifiers 115a and 115b, and that
the output 114 of the integrator 110 is coupled to the X-deflection
amplifiers 116a and 116b.
The viewing cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b are also each equipped
with an X- and Y-deflection system depicted in FIG. 3 in the form
of yokes 117a and 117b. These viewing cathode-ray tubes and the
deflection systems therefor may be conventional, and such systems
are provided with the required deflection waveforms through
conventional deflection amplifiers generally denoted 73 in FIG. 3.
The deflection amplifiers 73 comprise four in number, respectively
identified as 118a, 118b, 119a and 119b. The deflection waveforms
for the viewing system (i.e., the binocular viewer 62) are also
provided by the raster generator comprising the time base 101 and
shapers 102 and 103.
Although the same raster generator is used to energize the
deflection systems of the viewing cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b and
the deflection systems of the scanning cathode-ray tubes 74a and
74b, it is necessary to introduce a time delay in the development
of the scanning pattern for the viewing cathode-ray tubes 75a and
75b in order that the electronically produced images appearing on
the faces of such viewing tubes be correlated in a time sense with
the scanning of the photographic transparencies 57a and 57b.
Accordingly, and referring to FIG. 9, the inputs to the limiting
amplifiers 107 and 109 also respectively constitute the inputs to a
pair of delay circuits 122 ans 123 which form a part of the
respectively associated shapers 102 and 103.
The shapers 102 and 103 also include limiting amplifiers 125 and
126-- the inputs of which are respectively connected to the delay
circuits 122 and 123, and the outputs of which are respectively
connected to the integrators 127 and 128; in the case of the delay
circuit 122 it is connected to the limiting amplifier 125 via a
signal line 122', and the amplifier is connected to the integrator
127 via a signal line 125'. The output terminals of the integrators
127 and 128 are respectively designated 129 and 130 in FIG. 9; and
as shown in FIG. 3, the integrators feed the amplifier 73. For
purposes hereof, it may be assumed that the output 129 of the
integrator 127 is coupled to the Y-deflection amplifiers 118a and
118b, and that the output 130 of the integrator 128 is coupled to
the X-deflection amplifiers 119a and 119b.
The limiting amplifiers 107, 109, 125 and 126 are all identical and
are operative to provide at the respective outputs thereof a
substantially square-shaped voltage waveform as indicated in FIG.
9. In a similar manner, the integrators 108, 110, 127 and 128 are
all identical and function to provide an output voltage waveform of
essentially triangular shape, also as indicated in FIG. 9. Further,
the delay circuits 122 ans 123 are identical and their function is
to compensate for signal delays that occur in the video processors
69a and 69b so as to enable the video signal into the viewing
cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b to arrive in time coincidence with
the corresponding points on the scanning waveforms being fed into
the deflection amplifiers 73.
In this same connection, and referring to FIG. 10 in particular,
the output voltage of one of the dividing channels, one of the
limiting amplifiers and integrators of both the scanning and
viewing systems, and also one of the delay circuits are plotted
against time so as to depict not only the shape of the waveforms
but also tee interrelationship thereof in a time sense. Thus, in
FIG. 10 the vertical axis of the graph represents voltages and the
horizontal axis represents time. In this Figure, it is seen that
the voltage waveform constituting one of the outputs of the time
base unit 101 is generally square-shaped and alternates about a
zero voltage axis between positive and negative half-cycles. For
identification, the voltage waveform is designated with the numeral
132 and may constitute the voltage output of either of the counting
channels 105 or 106; but for purposes of positive selection, it may
be assumed that the waveform 132 is the output of the counting
channel 105. Accordingly, and for convenience of reference, the
output signal lines and the components from which they extend are
indicated in FIG. 10 in association with the appropriate
waveforms.
Such output signal is fed to the limiting amplifier 107 which
amplifier will cut off the signal at a predetermined level so that
the magnitude of the voltage output does not exceed a predetermined
value irrespective of the magnitude of the input voltage. Thus, the
voltage output of the limiting amplifier 107 may have the general
shape and magnitude relative to the waveform 132 shown in FIG. 10.
This output voltage waveform is designated with the numeral 133,
and is seen to be essentially in time coincidence with the waveform
132. The integrator 108 is operative to provide a triangularly
shaped waveform 134 which is also in time coincidence with the
waveforms 132 and 133.
The input to the limiting amplifier 107 also provides the input of
the delay circuit 122. The output waveform of the delay circuit is
shown in FIG. 10 and is denoted with the numeral 135. Such waveform
135 is a significant distortion of the input waveform 133 thereto
and as a consequence, the output voltage waveform of the delay
circuit must be limited and reshaped before it can be usefully
employed. As a result, such output voltage waveform is fed into the
limiting amplifier 125 which provides an output voltage waveform
136 substantially identical to the output voltage waveform 133 of
the limiting amplifier 107 except that the waveform is delayed
slightly-- the amount of such delay being represented in FIG. 10 by
the interval dt.
The voltage waveform 136, time delayed with respect to the voltage
waveform 133, is fed to the integrator 127 which provides an output
voltage waveform 137 of triangular shape which is substantially
identical to the triangularly shaped output waveform 134 of the
integrator 108 except that it is delayed in time with respect
thereto by the amount dt. Thus, the two voltage waveforms fed to
the deflection amplifiers from the respective terminals 113 and 129
are substantially identical in shape and in magnitude, but the
waveform at the output terminal 129 is slightly delayed with
respect to the waveform at the output terminal 113 by the amount dt
which is selected to correspond to the delay developed in the video
processor as between the input signal thereto and the output signal
therefrom.
Precisely, the same relationship exists with respect to the channel
comprising the elements 106, 109, and 110 and by the channel
comprising the elements 106, 123, 126 and 128. Consequently, the
triangularly shaped waveform constituting the voltage output
waveform of the integrator 128 is substantially the same in both
shape and magnitude as the voltage output waveform of the
integrator 110 but is delayed in time with respect thereto by the
amount dt.
Any suitable count down or frequency dividing circuitry may be
employed in the time base 101. In the specific arrangement being
considered, such circuitry will in one channel divide the
oscillator frequency of 7.5 megacycles by the number 509; and in
the other channel, it will divide such oscillator frequency by the
number 511. In a typical arrangement, the oscillator 104 may be a
conventional crystal oscillator and the counting channels 105 and
106 may each comprise a plurality of flip-flops or bistable
multivibrator stages coupled to each other. Flip-flop units which
may be used are commercially available, and an example thereof are
the units sold by the Motorola Company of Chicago, Illinois, under
part number Mc 308. An exemplary consideration of a circuit
grouping for such flip-flops is found in pages 323- 330 of the text
entitled "Pulse and Digital Circuits" by Millman and Taub,
published in 1956 by the McGraw Hill Company. Another example is
disclosed in the copending patent application of Gilbert L.
Hobrough, Ser. No. 394,424, filed Sept. 4, 1964, now U.S. Pat. No.
3,429,990, which is entitled "Scanning Raster and Generator
Therefor," and reference may be made to such copending patent
application for a discussion of such circuit and the details
thereof.
Fur purposes hereof, the limiting amplifier, integrator and delay
circuits used in the shapers 102 and 103 may be conventional
individually. However, it will facilitate the present disclosure if
the details of a typical limiting amplifier, integrator and delay
circuits are set forth herein. Accordingly, and as stated
heretofore, the limiting amplifiers 107, 109, 125 and 126 are all
substantially identical as are the integrators 108, 110, 127 and
128. One such limiting amplifier and integrator combination is
illustrated in FIG. 11 and will now be described.
The generally square-shaped voltage waveform 132 (shown in FIG. 10)
which constitutes the output of either of the time base counting
channels 105 or 106 is applied to the input terminal 140 of the
associated limiting amplifier, 107, for example. Such amplifier
essentially comprise two stages of amplification, the first of
which is defined by the transistor 141 and associated resistances
142, 143, 144 and 145. The resistance 142 connects the base of the
transistor to the negative side of a -30 volt DC power supply, the
resistance 143 connects the base of the transistor to ground, the
collector of the transistor is connected to the negative side of
such power supply through the resistance 144, and the emitter of
the transistor is grounded through resistance 145. The input
terminal 140 is connected to the base of the transistor, and the
generally square-shaped voltage waveform applied to such terminal
appears as a current waveform at the point 146 (the collector of
the transistor) and constitutes an amplified replica of the input
waveform.
A capacitance 147 connected to such point 146 couples the first
amplification stage to the subsequent limiting amplifier stage
which is effective to modify the waveform of the signal appearing
at the point 146. The second stage also includes an amplifier
comprising a transistor 148, a resistance 149 connecting the base
of the transistor to a negative control voltage on a line connected
to the terminal 501, a resistance 150 connecting such base to
ground, a resistance 151 connecting the emitter of the transistor
to ground, a capacitance 152 in shunt connection with the
resistance 151, and resistances 153 and 156 adapted to connect the
collector of the transistor to the negative voltage line (terminal
501). These elements together comprise an amplifier which would be
operative to provide an amplified replica at the output terminal
107' of the waveform appearing at the base of the transistor
148.
However, the circuit also includes a pair of diodes 154 and 155
which are directly connected annode-to-cathode at one of their
ends, and the other ends thereof are connected together through
resistance 156. A capacitance 157 is connected in shunt with the
resistance 156, and one side of such capacitance is connected to
the collector of the transistor 148. The opposite side of the
capacitance is connected to the resistance 153. A capacitance 158
connects the juncture of the resistances 148 and 150 and
capacitance 147 (i.e., the base of the transistor 148) with the
juncture of the diodes 154 and 155. A coupling capacitance 159
connects the collector of the transistor with the terminal 107' and
serves to provide DC isolation between the transistor 148 and the
subsequent integrator circuit.
The diode network comprising the diodes 154 and 155, and the
capacitances 157 and 158 constitute a feedback circuit effective to
reduce the amplitude of the voltage at the base of the transistor
148 to a lower value than would be the case in the absence of such
diode network. The diodes 154 and 155 are backbiased by the voltage
developed across the resistance 156 and smoothing capacitance 157
in shunt therewith, and such voltage is determined by the collector
current of the transistor 148 which flows through the DC circuit
defined by the resistances 156 and 153. Since the diodes are back
biased by this voltage, they normally present a high impedance and,
therefor, isolate the collector circuit of the transistor 148 from
the input or base circuit thereof.
However, when the magnitude of the output voltage waveform at point
107' exceeds the value of the back bias across either of the diodes
154 or 155, such diode begins to conduct current which effectively
connects the collector of the transistor 148 directly to the base
thereof with the result that the amplification of the transistor
stage is reduced substantially to zero. In the particular circuit
arrangement described, the diode 154 is adapted to become
conductive on positive going output voltage swings and the diode
155 is adapted to become conductive on negative going voltage
swings.
Clearly the amplitude of the limited signal appearing on the line
107', as shown in the FIG. 10 waveform 133, depends upon the value
of the back bias developed by the resistance 156, and, therefore,
upon the collector current of the transistor 148 which flows
therethrough. FIG. 10 shows resistances 149 and 153 being connected
to an external control line 501 which corresponds to the line 501
illustrated in FIG. 9. Such control line is connected to the
external -30 volt power supply through a potentiometer operative to
reduce the applied -30 volts to a lesser value. The potentiometer
is under the manual control of an operator, and it supplies a
control signal to the limiting amplifiers 107 and 109, which
control signal may have any value from zero to -30 volts depending
upon the setting of the potentiometer. The potentiometer
constitutes a "zoom" control and effectively reduces the size of
the rasters on the scanning tubes 74a and 74b in response to the
desires of the operator, thereby altering the effective
magnification of the images as seen on the viewing tubes 75a and
75b.
Specifically, a reduction in the potential on the line 501 from its
maximum possible value of -30 volts, representing the supply
potential, reduces correspondingly the current flow through the
resistance 156 and therefore the back bias on the diodes 154 and
155. Since the amplitude of the limited signal 133 (FIG. 10) on the
line 107' is determined by such back bias, therefore the amplitude
of the signal 133 will be reduced accordingly as will the amplitude
of all signals subsequently derived therefrom, and including
finally the deflection signals applied to the deflection yokes 112
of the flying spot scanner cathode-ray tubes 74.
The corresponding reduction in raster size on the scanner tubes 74
increases the effective magnification of the system since the
viewing tube rasters have not been reduced in size and display
thereon the entire reduced image area covered by the scanning
raster.
As shown in FIG. 9, the limiting amplifiers 125 and 126 do not
receive the control signal from the line 501; and, consequently,
the resistances in the amplifiers 125 and 126 respectively
corresponding to the resistances 149 and 153 in the amplifier 107
as shown in FIG. 11, are connected directly to the -30 supply line,
to provide a maximum signal amplitude at all times.
The capacitance 158 is provided in series with the diode network to
block the flow of DC current between the collector and the base
circuits of the transistor 148. In that DC current cannot flow
through the capacitance 158, the charge conducted by the diode 154
during positive cycles must be precisely equal to the charge
transferred by the diode 155 during negative half-cycles. This
action results in a symmetrical waveform having equal positive and
negative excursions from zero.
The resistance 151 and capacitance 152 bypassing the same serve to
bias the base to emitter junction of the transistor 148. Similarly,
the resistance 145 serves to bias the input junction of the
transistor 141 but is not bypassed so that this first transistor
stage provides essentially a constant current generator for the
subsequent limiting amplifier stage.
The output voltage waveform of the limiting amplifier 107 has a
substantially square-shaped configuration as shown most clearly in
FIG. 10 by the waveform 133. This voltage waveform which is coupled
to the terminal 107' by the capacitance 159, is the input signal to
the integrator 108. The integrator comprises an amplifier stage
which includes a transistor 160, resistances 161, 162, 163 and 164,
and capacitances 165 and 166. The voltage waveform appearing at the
terminal 107' is connected to the base of the transistor 160
through a resistance 167, and the transistor develops an amplified
replica of such input voltage waveform at the collector thereof
which, in FIG. 11, is denoted by the point 168.
The integrator circuit further comprises an emitter-follower
amplifier which includes a transistor 169 and a resistance 170
connected on the emitter circuit thereof. The emitter-follower
amplifier is operative to produce a current amplification of the
input signal appearing at the point 168 and, therefore, provides an
amplified replica of such input signal at the output terminal 113
but at a lower impedance level. The output of the transistor 169 is
connected to the input of the transistor 160 by the coupling
capacitance 166 and the output of the transistor 169 is connected
to the terminal 113 by the coupling capacitance 171 which serves to
provide DC isolation between the output of the transistor 169 and
the input of the subsequent circuitry connected to the terminal
113. The output voltage waveform appearing at the terminal 113 is
triangular shaped and constitutes the waveform 134 illustrated in
FIG. 10.
The action of the integrator 108 in producing an integrated
waveform at the output terminal 113 from the input voltage waveform
at the terminal 107' is best understood if the amplification or
gain of the transistors 160 and 169 is considered to be extremely
high. Under these conditions, the voltage waveform appearing at the
base of the transistor 160 constitutes the input waveform and will
be negligibly small. In specific terms, the voltage waveform at the
base of the transistor 160 will be equivalent to the output voltage
waveform at the terminal 113 divided by the voltage gain of the
transistors 160 and 169. Assuming an amplifier voltage gain in the
order of 100, the amplitude of the waveform at the base of the
transistor 160 will be approximately 1 percent of the amplitude of
the waveform at the output terminal 113 and, therefore, can be
considered negligible for present purposes.
Since the signal level at the base of the transistor 160 is
negligibly small, the value of the current flow through the
resistance 167 will be essentially equal to the value of the input
voltage divided by the value of the resistance 167. In that the
resistance 167 and capacitance 166 are connected in series, and
because the signal at the midpoint between the resistance and
capacitance (that is, at the base of the transistor 160) is
negligibly small, the value of the currents flowing through the
resistance 167 and through the capacitance 166 are essentially
equal. Also, since the magnitude of the signal at such midpoint or
base of the transistor 160 is negligibly small, the value of the
output voltage at the terminal 113 is essentially equal to the
voltage developed across the capacitance 166 by virtue of such
input current through it.
In that the input voltage at the terminal 107' has a substantially
square-shaped waveform, the waveform of the current flow through
the resistance 167 will be substantially square-shaped. Further,
the current flow through the capacitance 166 being essentially
equal to the current flow through the resistance 167, such flow of
current through the capacitance will also be essentially a
square-shaped waveform. Because the current flow through the
capacitance 166 has a square-shaped waveform, the voltage across
the capacitance 166 will have substantially constant positive and
negative slopes respectively corresponding to the positive and
negative current values through the capacitance. Since the current
flow through the capacitance 166 defines the output waveform, the
circuit 108 has therefore performed the required integrating
function.
As indicated hereinbefore, time delays are inherent in video
amplification and other video processing; and, therefore, again
considering the circuit arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3, the
video signals arriving at the intensity electrode of the viewing
cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b will not arrive in time coincidence
with the corresponding scan voltage waveforms applied thereto
unless special provision is made to assure such time coincidence.
The consequence of any such delay or time difference in the arrival
of the video signal and the scan voltage waveforms is that the
image points appear on the face of a viewing tube 75 will be
displaced from their proper position, and such displacement will
result in the presentation of four separate images respectively
corresponding to the four directions of scan, each displaced from
its proper location by the same distance.
Such undesirable displacement can be obviated by introducing a
delay in the time of arrival at each viewing cathode-ray tube 75 of
the scanning waveforms relative to the application to each scanning
cathode ray tube 74 of the scanning waveforms therefor. The delay
must be made equal to the delay that occurs in each video processor
69 so that the video signal delivered to the intensity electrode of
each viewing cathode-ray tube 75 will arrive in time coincidence
with the corresponding points on the scanning waveforms applied to
the deflection system of such viewing tube. In FIG. 9 such time
delay is provided by the delay means 122 and 123, which may be
identical.
A typical delay circuit comprising the means 122 and 123 is shown
in FIG. 12, and includes a resistance 172 and capacitance 173. The
resistance is connected in series between the input terminal 140
(considering the delay means 122) to the delay circuit and the
input to the following limiter-amplifier stage which, in the
particular illustration, is the limiting amplifier 125. The
capacitance 173 is connected between the output side of the
resistance and ground. The resistance 172 is made variable, and
thereby serves to afford adjustment of the amount of delay
introduced by the circuit. In a typical instance, the delay
interval dt may be in the order of about 0.15 microseconds.
As shown best in FIG. 10, the circuit 122 in addition to providing
the desirable delay in the transmission therethrough of the applied
square-shaped waveform 133 introduces an undesirable rounding of
the leading edges of such waveform, as shown by the waveform 135.
It is necessary, therefore, that an additional limiting amplifier
be used after the delay circuit to reestablish the square-shaped
waveform and this is accomplished by inclusion of the limiting
amplifiers 125 and 126 in the circuit arrangement of FIG. 9.
Evidently, by proper adjustment of each delay circuit, for example,
by means of the variable resistance 172 shown in FIG. 12 for delay
circuit 122, the scanning voltage waveforms and the video signals
are made to arrive at the associated viewing cathode-ray tube in
time coincidence.
Referring to FIG. 9, the time base circuit 101 together with the
shapers 102 and 103 provide two triangular waveforms at the outputs
of the integrators 108 and 110 that differ by a small but precise
frequency. These waveforms when applied to a conventional cathode
ray tube deflection system produce a square-shaped raster with
diagonal line scanning. The small but precise frequency difference
between the two triangular waveforms is maintained at a constant
value by virtue of the precise frequency division that occurs in
each of the channels 105 and 106; and by utilizing adjacent or
successive odd numbers in the frequency division, a single (i.e.,
two fields per frame) interlace of the scanning lines is
obtained.
The position and direction of the trace at any instant depend upon
the momentary phase relationship of the two time base signals
respectively applied to the deflection system of the cathode-ray
tube. As brought out hereinbefore, the two time base signals are
voltage waveforms of triangular shape, as shown at 134 in FIG. 10
considering the scanning cathode ray tubes 74, and as shown at 137
considering the viewing cathode-ray tubes 75. Various phase
relationships and the respectively corresponding orientation of the
trace on the face of the cathode-ray tube are shown in FIGS. 13a
through 13h, to which reference will now be made.
In this group of Figures, the two associated voltage waveforms are
illustratively depicted in various phase relationships in the
graphs that comprise a part of each of FIGS. 13a through 13h, and
which are correspondingly designated 174a through 174h. Each of the
graphs 174 is divided into equal increments by a plurality of
vertical lines, the spacings between which represent 45.degree. in
terms of the phase relationship between the two waveforms. For
purposes of identification in each of the graphs 174, the upper
triangularly shaped waveform is designated 134x and the lower
triangularly shaped waveform is designated 134y. By comparing the
waveform 134y in each of the graphs 174a through 174h, it will be
noted that it occupies the same position in each graph and
alternates between positive and negative half-cycles about a
reference axis.
Similarly, the waveform 134x alternates between positive and
negative half-cycles about a reference axis, but the phase thereof
is continuously changing relative to the waveform 134y. In graph
174a, the instantaneous phase relationship of the triangularly
shaped voltage waveforms 134x and 134y is one of coincidence, and
the spot is moving in one direction or the other to trace the path
175 which is diagonally oriented and extends from the lower
left-hand corner to the upper right-hand corner of the raster. The
alternate directions of movement of the spot in tracing the path
175 are indicated by the oppositely facing arrows therealong.
At the instant that the phase relationship has changed to one in
which the waveform 134x leads the waveform 134y by 45.degree., the
path then being traced by the moving spot is designated in FIG. 13b
with the numeral 176, and progresses in the direction indicated by
the arrows. Subsequently, the phase relationship between the
waveforms 134x and 134y is one in which the waveform 134x leads by
90.degree., as shown in FIG. 13c. The corresponding path traced by
the moving spot is denoted 177 in this Figure, and develops in the
direction of the arrows positioned therealong. At yet a subsequent
time at which the waveform 134x leads the waveform 134y 135.degree.
as illustrated in FIG. 13d, the corresponding path 178 being traced
by the spot has the illustrated orientation in such Figure and the
spot is moving in the direction of the arrows.
At the time that the waveform 134x has shifted to a position in
which it leads the waveform 134y by 180.degree., the path then
being traced by the moving spot has a straightline configuration,
as shown at 179 in FIG. 13c, and extends from the upper left-hand
to the lower right-hand corner of the raster pattern. The precise
direction of movement can be in either direction, as indicated by
the arrows. At the time that the waveform 134x leads the waveform
134y by 225.degree., as shown in FIG. 13f, the path described by
the spot has the illustrated orientation and is designated with the
numeral 180. The direction of movement of the trace is as indicated
by the arrows along such path. It should be noted that the
orientation of the paths 178 and 180 are substantially the some
except that the direction of movement of the scanning spot is
opposite as between these two paths. In that the paths are
substantially coincident, it will be evident that each spot along
such path will be traversed twice by the scanning spot, once in
each direction.
FIG. 13g illustrates the case in which the waveform 134x leads the
waveform 134y by 270.degree., and the corresponding path then
traversed by the moving spot is designated with the numeral 181 and
the direction of movement of the spot is indicated by the arrows
therealong. By comparing Figure 13g with FIG. 13c, it is seen that
the described paths 177 and 181 are substantially coincident but
that the direction in which the spot is moving to trace the path
181 is opposite to its direction in tracing the path 177. At the
time that the waveform 134x is leading the waveform 134y by
315.degree., the path 182 then being traced by the spot has the
orientation illustrated in FIG. 13h, and the direction of movement
of the spot is shown by the arrows. A comparison of FIG. 13h with
FIG. 13b indicates that the paths 176 and 182 are substantially
coincident, and that the spot is moving in opposite directions in
describing these two paths. Thus, any point along such paths is
traversed twice but in opposite directions by the spot in tracing
the two paths 176 and 182. Clearly then, and taking the case of a
point that lies on the paths 176 and 182, and also lies along the
paths 178 and 180, such point will be traversed four times by the
spot--twice in opposite directions along one orthogonal axis and
twice in opposite directions along the other orthogonal axis.
Considering all of the various paths traversed by the spot in
defining the dual diagonal scanning raster, every image point lying
within such raster is traversed four times in opposite directions
along each pair of orthogonal axes.
At the time that the waveform 134x leads the waveform 134y by
360.degree., the condition illustrated in FIG. 13a is again
assumed, and one entire field 99 (FIG. 7) has been completed and
the next successive field will be an interlace therewith to define
the frame 100 shown in FIG. 8. The entire cycle of operation will
then be repeated.
SCANNING AND LIGHT COLLECTION SYSTEMS
To a great extent, the essential features of the scanning and light
collection systems have been described hereinbefore, at least as
concerns the essence of the automatic registration instrument being
considered herein. That is to say, the scanning system comprising
the flying spot cathode-ray tubes 74a and 74b simply transmits
scanning light beams toward photosensitive devices, such as the
multiplier phototubes 76a and 76b, and the light reaching such
tubes is image-modulated as it passes through the photographic
transparencies 57a and 57b. The output of each photosensitive
device (that is, the anode current in the case of multiplier
phototubes) at any instant is dependent upon the amount of light
then incident thereon, and such output is transmitted to the
associated viewing cathode-ray tube 75 for visual reproduction on
the face thereof.
The various components shown in FIG. 3 within the block 67 in
direct association with the flying spot scanning tubes 74 and
photosensitive devices 76 are somewhat in the nature of refinements
that might be omitted if better performing cathode-ray tubes and
photosensitive devices were available or economically acceptable.
An exception perhaps is in each of the lens systems which first
focuses the scanning beam onto the emulsion 57' of the photographic
transparency 57, and then collects the light transmitted
therethrough and redirects the same toward the associated
multiplier phototube so as to be incident on the photosensitive
cathode thereof. The various lenses are indicated diagrammatically
in FIG. 3, and are designated with the numerals 183a and 194a in
the case of the cathode-ray tube 74a and multiplier phototube 76a,
and with the numerals 183b and 184b in the case of the cathode-ray
tube 74b and multiplier phototube 76b. As shown perhaps more
clearly in FIG. 4, the lens 183 is a high-quality cathode-ray tube
transfer lens (such as an Elgeet lens, F 1.9-3 inch focal length,
"oscilo novitar") and the lens 184 may comprise a pair of convex
lenses with the arcuate surfaces thereof disposed in facing
relation. In the usual instance, light shields such as the
enclosure 185 shown in FIG. 4 will be used in conjunction with the
scanning and light collection systems to exclude, insofar as
practicable, ambient light.
As indicated hereinbefore, the photosensitive devices 76 used in
the particular instrument being considered are multiplier
phototubes which are advantageously employed in detecting the
modulation of low-intensity light because the minute current
generated by light impinging on the photocathode of the tube is
amplified by the action of a series of dynodes or secondary
emission stages contained within the tube itself which thereby
obviates the necessity of separate amplification stages which might
otherwise be required to bring such minute current output to a
useful magnitude.
In operation of a multiplier phototube, light incident upon the
photocathode thereof causes the release of electrons which are then
attracted to the first of a series of secondary emission electrodes
(that is, dynodes)-- which first dynode is maintained at a positive
potential relative to the photocathode. Upon arriving at the first
dynode, the electrons striking the same dissipate some of their
energy at the dynode surface, thereby causing the release of
secondary electrons that are ejected from the dynode surface at a
relatively low velocity. Depending upon the potential of the first
dynode, as many as eight or 10 secondary electrons may be emitted
from each primary electron striking that dynode surface. The
electrons liberated from the surface of the first dynode are
accelerated toward a second dynode, the surface of which is
maintained at a positive potential with respect to the first
dynode. This action of electrons being attracted toward a dynode,
striking a surface thereof and causing the secondary emission of a
much greater number of electrons is repeated at each dynode
contained within the multiplier phototube; and in current practice,
tubes of this type generally have between six and 12 dynodes.
The number of secondary electrons emitted per primary electron at
each dynode stage is essentially a function of the kinetic energy
of each primary electron, and such kinetic energy is directly
proportional to the potential difference between the emitting
electrode (usually dynode) from which the primary electron was
emitted and the dynode at which it arrives. Over the useful
operating range of voltage differences between successive dynodes,
the number of electrons emitted is very nearly a linear function of
the potential difference between adjacent dynodes. Therefore, in a
multiplier phototube containing 10 dynodes, for example, the
amplification of the tube as a whole will vary substantially as the
tenth power of the voltage applied across the dynode string. As a
result, the final anode current of the phototube is strongly
dependent upon the value of the voltage applied thereacross.
Further, the dynodes of multiplier phototubes vary widely in their
electron-multiplying efficiency from unit to unit, and in addition
thereto, there is a slow change in dynode efficiency throughout the
useful life of multiplier phototubes which cannot be predicted with
accuracy and which disturbs the amplification characteristics
thereof.
Accordingly, a dynode regulator is employed in association with
each multiplier phototube 76, and it is operative to adjust
automatically the amplification of such phototube in response to
contemporary values of the output current thereof to maintain the
average current output substantially constant. This result is
attained by adjusting automatically the potential difference
between at least two and usually between several successive or
adjacent dynodes in response to changes, from a predetermined
value, tending to be experienced by the output current from time to
time. In FIG. 3, the dynode regulators respectively associated with
the multiplier phototubes 76a and 76b are denoted with the numerals
186a and 186b; and for the details of a specific circuit
arrangement that may be used herein, reference is made to the
copending patent application of Gilbert L. Hobrough, Ser. No.
325,867, filed Nov. 26, 1963, and entitled "Dynode Control
Circuit."
A pair of screen noise feedback control assemblies are shown in
FIG. 3 within the block 67 in respective association with the
scanning cathode-ray tubes 74a and 74b, and such assemblies have
for their purpose the maintenance of a relatively uniform or
constant light intensity from point to point along the faces of the
associated scanning tubes. These assemblies are refinements that
improve the quality of the images appearing on the faces of the
viewing cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b and, consequently, are not
essential in the instrument.
In the specific form shown, such assemblies include, in the case of
the scanning tube 74a, a lens system 187a which collects a part of
the light appearing along the face of the scanning tube 74a and
directs such light onto the photosensitive cathode of a multiplier
phototube 188a. The current output of the multiplier phototube is
fed to and provides the input of a conventional amplifier 189a, the
output of which is fed to the cathode-ray tube 74a and is effective
to alter the electron stream striking the face of the cathode-ray
tube to either increase or decrease the intensity of the light
resulting therefrom to make the scanning pattern of relatively
uniform intensity throughout the entire area of the face.
In the usual instance, the multiplier phototube 188a will be
associated with a dynode regulator, as heretofore described in
connection with the multiplier phototube 76a, but such a regulator
has been omitted in FIG. 3 for the purpose of simplifying the
drawing. It will be evident that a similar feedback control network
is arranged with the scanning cathode-ray tube 76b, and for
purposes of specific identification, the lens system is denoted
187b, the multiplier phototube 188b, and the amplifier 189b.
The feedback control network in performing the function of
maintaining the light intensity of the scanning spot substantially
uniform throughout the face of the scanning tube, senses any
tendency toward either an increase or decrease in such intensity
from a predetermined norm, and the current output of the multiplier
phototube changes in proportion thereto. That is to say, if the
light intensity tends to diminish at any instant, the corresponding
output current of the multiplier phototube will decrease, and vice
versa.
The output of the amplifier is inversely related to the current
input thereto from the multiplier phototube in the sense that when
the input current decreases, the amplifier output increases and is
fed to the scanning cathode-ray tube so as to cause the spot
intensity to increase. The reverse operation occurs if the light
intensity tends to increase along the face of the cathode-ray tube,
in which event the output current of the multiplier phototube
increases and the output of the amplifier is accordingly decreased
to reduce the spot intensity.
VIDEO PROCESSOR
The video processors 69 (FIGS. 3, 14 and 15) are employed for
enhancement of the video images seen by an operator on the faces of
the viewing cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b. In the present
apparatus, image enhancement is confined to automatic regulation of
tonal range and to a limited amount of edge enhancement. In
accomplishing automatic regulation of tonal range, each video
processor includes an automatic gain control operative to adjust
amplification in such a manner that the output video amplitude
remains substantially constant in spite of variations in input
amplitude caused by differences in local image contrast. This
automatic gain control feature together with the rapid transport
system 55 heretofore described and the zoom control can be used to
optimize the appearance and interpretability of individual portions
of the imagery.
For example, assume that the image area being viewed contains
elements of high contrast together with some areas of lesser
contrast. Under these conditions, the tonal range of the viewed
image will adjust itself to accommodate the high-contrast areas of
the image, and a relatively small fraction of the brightness range
will be effective in the presentation of the lower contrast
material. By adjusting the zoom control (namely, selective
enlargement of a particular small area of the photographic
transparencies, as was explained previously) and by moving the
transport in the X- and Y-directions, it is often possible to
exclude the high-contrast portions of such an image so that the
entire field consists of lower contrast materials. Under these
conditions, the automatic gain control immediately readjusts the
signal levels so that the lower contrast material will be increased
in apparent contrast until the brightness range of this material
fills the full range of the viewing cathode-ray tube.
There is a limit to the amount of edge enhancement or high
frequency emphasis that can be applied to the scanned image by
means of video networks; and this limit is set by the appearance of
undesirable smear and overshoot effects such as are obtained in an
uncorrectly tuned television set. The crossed diagonal raster
heretofore described permits considerable edge enhancement
(relative to a television raster, for example) because smearing or
overshoot effects appear symmetrically about a boundary being
enhanced in four diagonal directions. Thus, a dot enhanced by a
video network appears as a four-pointed star in the case of the
crossed diagonal raster but with a conventional TV raster it would
be stretched out into a line. Experience indicates that enhancement
to the extent of a two-to-one increase in amplitude over the
highest video octave can be tolerated with the dual diagonal raster
used herein, and that such enhancement is effective in increasing
the apparent sharpness of the viewed image.
The video processors 69a and 69b used herein in respective
association with the left and right scanning and viewing channels
are identical, and the video processor illustrated in FIGS. 14 and
15 may be taken to be either of the video processors 69a or 69b.
Therefore, in the subsequent description of this component with
reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, letter suffixes will be omitted since
the description applies equally to both processors.
The video processors are respectively connected to the outputs of
the multiplier phototubes, and each video signal enters the
associated video processor 69 through a signal line 190. The signal
line 190 divides at a junction point 191 with one branch leading to
an inverter 192 and the other branch leading to a stationary
contact 193 provided by a switch 194 which has also a second
stationary contact 195 and a movable contact 196 selectively
engageable with one or the other of the stationary contacts.
Evidently, the function of the switch 194 is to permit the inverter
192 to be selectively bypassed and such bypassing thereof is
accomplished whenever the movable contact 196 of the switch is in
engagement with the stationary contact 193. In the alternate
position of the switch, the inverter 192 is connected in the
circuit.
The inverter 192 serves to invert the input signal fed thereto so
as to provide at its output (which may be taken to be the second
stationary contact 195 of the switch 194) a video waveform which is
an inverted replica of the video waveform fed thereto on the signal
line 190. By way of example, the inverter may be a transformer or a
unity gain amplifier. The movable contact 196 of the switch
connects to the input of an attenuator 197, and depending upon the
position of the movable contact, either the video input signal
appearing at the line 190 or the inverted replica thereof will be
fed to the attenuator 197.
When the switch connects the input signal line 190 to the
attenuator through the inverter 192, the inverted replica of the
input signal when amplified and displayed at the binocular viewer
62 will present to the operator a negative image of the photographs
57 then being scanned. Alternatively, when the switch bypasses the
inverter 192, the input signal when amplified and displayed at the
binocular viewer will present to the operator a normal or positive
image of the photographs 57 then being scanned.
The purpose of such selector switch arrangement is to permit the
viewing of negative images as stereo pairs (a negative image may be
defined as one in which the lighter portions of the image appear
dark and the darker portions thereof appear light so that tonal
values are inverted), and such negative images may be obtained
directly from aerial film immediately after processing thereof. In
this respect, the action of the inverter reverses such negative
images, and they appear as normal positive images to the
operator.
The attenuator 197 delivers at the output signal line 198 thereof a
reduced replica of the video waveform fed thereto by the switch
194. The extent of attenuation or reduction in amplitude of the
signal during its transmission through the attenuator is determined
by the amplitude of a control signal applied to the attenuator
through a signal line 199. The output signal of the attenuator 197
is delivered through the signal line 198 to an amplifier 200 which
serves to amplify the attenuated signal, and the amplified replica
of the input signal thereto is fed by a signal line 201 to edge
enhancing networks 202.
The output signal of the edge enhancing networks 202 appears on a
signal line 203, and is very similar to the input signal to the
edge enhancing networks except that the high frequency components
of such input signal have been increased in amplitude relative to
the lower frequency components thereof. In particular, the edge
enhancing networks 202 employed in the particular instrument being
considered, operate to increase the amplitude of the signals or
signal components occupying the upper octave of the video spectrum
from approximately 4 megacycles to approximately 8 megacycles. This
increase is a linear function, and varies from essentially no
increase at a frequency of about 4 megacycles per second to an
increase of twice the initial amplitude at a frequency of about 8
megacycles per second.
The output signal line 203 of the edge enhancing networks 202
divides into two paths respectively denoted 204 and 205. The path
204 feeds into an output amplifier 206 which delivers at the output
signal line 207 thereof an amplified replica of the enhanced video
signal fed thereto from the edge enhancing networks 202. The path
205 feeds an automatic gain control amplifier 208 which supplies at
the output signal line 209 thereof an amplified replica of the
input signal fed thereto. Such output signal from the amplifier 208
is delivered to a rectifier 210 which may be conventional, and the
output thereof is fed by signal line 211 to a low pass network 212
that provides the aforementioned control signal fed to the
attenuator 197 through the signal line 199.
The output of the rectifier 210 consists principally of a direct
current component which is proportional to the average value of the
video waveform fed thereto through the signal line 209. However,
also present in the output of the rectifier 210 are undulations or
alternating current components having a minimum frequency equal to
approximately the lowest frequency present in the video input
signal fed to the rectifier on the signal line 209. The function of
the low-pass network 212 is to remove such undulations or
alternating current components from the signal fed thereto and to
provide at the signal line 199 a smoothed control signal, the value
of which is a function of the amplitude of the video signal
appearing at the signal line 209. This smoothed control signal
transmitted from the low-pass filter network 212 to the attenuator
197 controls the degree of attenuation of the video signals passing
through the attenuator.
Evidently then, the attenuator 197, amplifier 200, edge enhancing
networks 202, amplifier 208, rectifier 210, and low-pass network
212 define an automatic gain control system, and function to
maintain the amplitude of the video signals appearing at the output
signal line 203 (and, therefore, at the output signal line 207) at
a substantially constant value. In this connection, and as an
example of the action of such system when the equilibrium is
disturbed by a change in the amplitude of the signal fed to the
input of the attenuator network 197, consider an increase in the
amplitude of such signal resulting possibly from an examination of
a portion of a photograph having a higher contrast imagery than the
portion thereof previously under examination. Since the signals on
the lines 198, 201, 203 and the branches 204 and 205 thereof, and
209 are all amplified replicas of the video signal fed to the input
of the attenuator, the effect of a sudden increase in the amplitude
of such signal is to increase correspondingly the signal levels on
the enumerated signal lines.
Since the signals on the lines 211 and 199, which respectively
define the input to and output from the low-pass network 212, are
derived by rectification and filtering of the signal on the line
209 defining the input to the rectifier 210, the signals present on
the lines 211 and 199 will also increase in amplitude
proportionately to the increase in amplitude of the input signal to
the attenuator 197. Such increase in the amplitude of the control
signal fed from the low-pass network 212 to the attenuator 197
serves to increase the amount of attenuation of the video signal
passing through the attenuator 197 so that the output signal
thereof appearing at the line 198 will be reduced in amplitude
relative to the value that it would have had if the control signal
to the attenuator had not been increased in amplitude.
Such reduction in the amplitude of the signal on the line 198
defining the attenuator output is also present in the signals on
the lines 201, 203 and the branches 204 and 205 thereof, and 209
since all of such latter signals are amplified replicas of the
signal appearing at the output of the attenuator. Evidently then,
the automatic gain control system is effective to reduce amplitude
changes at the output signal line 207 relative to changes in the
amplitude of the video signals applied to the attenuator 197. In
practice, an amplitude variation in the order of 10 to 1 in the
video signals constituting the input to the attenuator 197 is
reduced by the action of the automatic gain control system to an
amplitude variation of approximately 1.2 to 1 at the output signal
line 207 of the video processor.
A specific circuit in which this result is achieved is illustrated
in FIG. 15, and will now be described at least as respects those
features thereof which are not readily evident from an inspection
of the circuit drawing. For convenience of analogy to the block
diagram of FIG. 14, the schematic circuit has been illustratively
separated by broken lines into sections generally corresponding to
the inverter 192, attenuator 197, edge enhancing networks 202,
amplifiers 206 and 208, rectifier 210, and low pass network 212;
and the various sections have been designated with these
numerals.
The signal input line 190 is connected to the base of a transistor
213 which serves as an inverting amplifier and selectively inverts
or does not invert the video signal fed thereto depending upon
whether a control voltage is applied to a conductor 214 which is
connected to the collector of the transistor through series
resistances 215 and 216. Thus, the functions of the inverter 192
and switch 194 as illustrated separately in FIG. 14 are combined
into a single circuit. The base-to-emitter junction of the
transistor is biased in part by a resistance 217 (bypassed with a
capacitance 218) connecting the emitter to ground, and in part by a
voltage dividing network by means of which the base of the
transistor is connected to ground through a resistance 219 and to
the supply voltage (e.g., -30 volts DC) through a resistance 220. A
capacitance 221 connected between ground and the junction of the
series resistances 215 and 216 bypasses to ground, noise or
spurious signals which may be present on the control line 214.
The conductor 214 is connected through a manually operable switch
to the power supply (-30 volts DC in the circuit shown).
Ordinarily, such manually operable switch is open--in which event
the base-emitter junction of the transistor 213 is forward-biased
by the resistors 219 and 220 in the base thereof, and the output
signal from the amplifier is a positive reproduction of the video
input signal. However, when the conductor 214 is connected to the
voltage supply, transistor 213 becomes a low-gain amplifier with
the output thereof being an inverted replica of the video input
signal present at the input signal line 190.
The attenuator 197 is in FIG. 15 the light-sensitive resistance
assembly 222 which is a commercially available element sold under
the trade name "Raysister." The function of this element is
conventional, and the value of the resistance defined between the
terminals 223 and 224 thereof is a function of the control lamp
voltage applied to the terminals 225 and 226. The video signal
constituting the output of the inverter 192 is fed from the
collector of the transistor 213 to the terminal 223 of the
light-sensitive resistance 222, and the output signal from such
attenuator is fed to the amplifier and edge enhancing networks
through a coupling capacitance 227 connected to the terminal
224.
The amplifier 200 and edge enhancing networks 202 comprise
transistors 228 and 229, and the coupling capacitance 227 transmits
the output signal from the attenuator to the base of the transistor
228 which is grounded through a resistance 230. The base of the
transistor 228 is also connected through a resistance 231 to the
emitter of the transistor 229 which emitter is coupled to the
emitter of the transistor 228 by a serially connected resistance
232 and capacitance 233 defining a feedback loop. A resistance 234
connects the emitter of the transistor 228 to ground; and in a
similar manner, the emitter of the transistor 228 is grounded
through a resistance 235 which is bypassed by a capacitance
236.
The collector of the transistor 229 is connected to the voltage
supply through a resistance 237, and the collector of the
transistor 228 is connected to such supply through series
resistances 238 and 239, and a capacitance 240 connects the
junction of such resistances to ground. The collector of the
transistor 228 is directly connected to the base of the transistor
229, and the collector of the transistor 229 is connected by a
resistance 241 and capacitance 242 in series therewith to the
emitter of the transistor 228. The transistors 228 and 229 together
with the described circuit components comprise the aforementioned
amplifier 200 and edge enhancing networks 202, which function
generally to amplify the attenuated signal output from the
attenuator 197 and additionally to amplify further the upper octave
of the video spectrum, from approximately 4 megacycles to
approximately 8 megacycles, progressively in a substantially linear
relation to frequency.
The output amplifier 206 comprises the transistor 243, the base of
which is directly connected to the collector of the aforementioned
transistor 229. The video output from the amplifier 206 is
delivered to the signal line 207 through a capacitance 244 which is
connected to the emitter of the transistor 243, which emitter is
connected to the voltage supply through a resistance 245. The
collector of the transistor is grounded through a resistance 246
which is bypassed by a capacitance 247.
The rectifier 210 is a voltage doubling rectifier comprising the
diodes 248 and 249, the first of which has its anode connected to
the emitter of the transistor 243 through a capacitance 250 and its
cathode connected to the voltage supply. The anode of the diode 249
is connected to such voltage supply by a capacitance 251, and the
cathode of such diode is connected to the junction of the diode 248
and capacitance 250.
The low-pass network 212 includes a transistor 252 which serves to
amplify the control signal transmitted to the attenuator 197. Such
control signal current is fed to the terminal 226 of the control
lamp of the light-sensitive resistance assembly 222 through a
current limiting resistance 253 which connects such terminal to the
collector of the transistor 252, and then to ground from terminal
225. The collector of the transistor 252 is connected with ground
through a capacitance 254 and the emitter of the transistor is
directly connected to the voltage supply. The base of the
transistor is connected by a resistance 255 to the cathode of the
diode 249, and the base is also connected to the voltage supply
through a resistance 256 and capacitance 257 in series therewith.
The voltage supply line, it may be noted, is connected to ground by
a capacitance 258.
Most of the low-pass filtering action is provided by the internal
characteristics of the light-sensitive resistance 222 (described
heretofore as being comprised by the attenuator 197), but
additional low-pass filtering action is provided by the capacitance
257 and resistance 256 in series therewith and also by the action
of the capacitance 254 and load resistance 253. Evidently then, the
functional elements clearly separated in the block diagram of FIG.
14 are in the actual circuit embodiment being considered not so
clearly separate and distinct, and a single network may perform
several of the functional operations indicated in the block diagram
of FIG. 14. For example, the amplifiers 206 and 208 illustrated
separately in FIG. 14 are combined in the actual circuit
illustrated in FIG. 15, and the transistor 243 performs the
function of both amplifiers supplying the video output signal to
the external circuit from its emitter on line 207 and an output on
its collector to the full wave rectifier on line 209.
In the circuit of FIG. 15, the junction of the resistance 255 and
diode 249 is connected by a resistance 259 and conductor 260 to a
manual adjustment (e.g., potentiometer), not shown, by means of
which the potential applied to the base of the transistor 252 can
be adjusted to control the degree of amplification afforded thereby
and, therefore, image brightness.
As stated hereinbefore and as illustrated in FIG. 3, the particular
automatic registration instrument being considered employs two
identical video processors, identified as 69a and 69b, which are
respectively associated with the flying spot scanning system 58a,
light collection assembly 59a, and viewing cathode-ray tube 75a,
and with the flying spot scanning system 58b, light collection
assembly 59b, and viewing cathode-ray tube 75b. The output signals
from the video processors 69a and 69b are fed by the output signal
lines 207a and 207b thereof to respectively associated amplifiers
261a and 261b which transmit amplified replicas of the video signal
inputs thereto to the intensity electrodes of the respective
viewing cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b through signal lines 262a and
262b. The amplifiers 261 may be wholly conventional units, such as
illustrated in Fairchild application Data Sheet APP, 27/2 September
1961.
TRANSFORMATION SYSTEM
The image transformations effected by the apparatus include, as
heretofore indicated, zero-order transformations or image
displacements, and these are produced by shifting the scanning
rasters on the faces of the flying spot scanner tubes 74a and 74b.
Such displacements of the images in the X- and Y-directions are
provided also by the relative physical displacement afforded by the
transport system of one photographic transparency 57 with respect
to the other. As heretofore explained, such relative motion may be
manually accommodated by the transport system. Displacement of the
rasters provides rapid image movement and the physical adjustment
of the photographic transparencies is by comparison relatively
slow. In this way, however, a rapid-acting system is obtained by
virtue of raster displacement while the physical adjustment avoids
the necessity of large raster displacements and thereby permits the
optical and electronic-optical systems to work over relatively
narrow field angles, thereby improving image resolution.
The image transformations also include the first- and second-order
transformations illustrated in FIG. and heretofore described; and
in the particular embodiment of the invention being considered, the
signals that result in the first- and second-order transformations
as well as the zero-order transformations originate in the
correlation system 70 and define the various error signal inputs to
the transformation system 71. However, as respects the operation of
the transformation system, the manner in which the registration
error signals are derived is not critical, and they could originate
as manual adjustments whereupon the various transformations would
be under the control of an operator who would adjust them (i.e.,
control signals therefor) separately by hand until the desired
registration of the left and right images was attained.
Thus, although the present invention anticipates the attainment of
automatic registration of a pair of stereo images by means of the
correlation system 70 which will be described in detail
hereinafter, it is apparent that signals under manual control could
be supplied for each of the desired transformations to serve as
input registration signals to the transformation system. Therefore,
the order of description, from the functional point of view, more
appropriately considers the transformation system 71 prior to a
discussion of the correlation system, and this order will be
observed.
Referring to FIG. 16, which is a block diagram of the
transformation system 71, such system is seen to comprise a
plurality of modulators-- there being 10 in number respectively
denoted with the numerals 270 through 279, one multiplier 280, two
squaring circuits 281 and 282, two sum and difference or hybrid
circuits 283 and 284, and a plurality of points of connection for
the modulators, illustrated as six summing points respectively
denoted with the numerals 285 through 290. Each of the prime
transformation error signals is applied to a separate modulator and
since there are 10 prime transformations accommodated by the
instrument, there are necessarily 10 modulators. The zero-order of
X- and Y-parallax error signals are directly fed, respectively, to
the summing points 285 and 286.
The prime first-order transformations illustrated in FIG. 1 are
accommodated by the modulators 270 through 273; and in a particular
sense, the X-scale error signals are fed to the modulator 270
through a signal line 291, the X-skew error signals are fed to the
modulator 271 through a signal line 292, the Y-skew error signals
are fed to the modulator 272 through a signal line 293, and the
Y-scale error signals are fed to the modulator 273 through a signal
line 294. The XY in X and XY in Y-error signals are respectively
fed to the modulators 274 and 275 through signal lines 295 and 296.
Similarly, the X.sup.2 in X, Y.sup.2 in X, X.sup.2 in Y, and
Y.sup.2 in Y-error signals are respectively fed to the modulators
275 through 279 through the respectively associated signal lines
297 through 300. Thus, there is an error signal line and a
modulator for each of the ten prime first- and second-order
transformations illustrated in FIG. 1.
The outputs of the various modulators are added together at the
respectively associated summing points; and considering firstly the
prime first-order transformations, the outputs of the modulators
270 and 271, which are associated with the X-parallaxes (i.e.,
X-scale and X-skew error signals) and with the X-parallax error
signal, are added together at the summing point 285 and are
transmitted via a signal line 301 to the hybrid circuit 283.
Similarly, the outputs of the modulators 272 and 273, which are
associated with the Y-parallaxes and with the Y-parallax error
signal, are added together at the summing point 286 and are
transmitted via a signal line 302 to the hybrid circuit 284. The
X-scanning signal from the raster generator 68 is transmitted to
the transformation system 71 by the signal line 114 and constitutes
one of the inputs to the modulator 270 and to the modulator 272.
Similarly, the Y-scanning signal from the raster generator 68 is
transmitted to the transformation system 71 by the signal line 113
and constitutes one of the inputs to the modulator 271 and to the
modulator 273.
The modulators used herein are each a balanced modulator which is a
type of multiplier wherein the input signals thereto are the
factors and the output signal is their product. Of the two input
signals to such modulator, one input (called the control) varies
slowly with time or remains constant. The other input (called the
carrier) is generally a repetitive waveform of relatively high
frequency. In each of the modulators comprised in the
transformation system 71, the registration error signals from the
correlation system 70 constitute the control inputs, and the
carrier inputs are derived from the scanning signals or waveforms
delivered to the transformation system from the raster generator
68. The outputs of the modulators are correction signals which are
added together into two groups respectively constituting the
.DELTA.X and .DELTA.Y-correction or transformation signals which
are combined with the scanning signals in the hybrid circuits 283
and 283, and the resultant signals are designated transformed
scanning signals which are transmitted to the flying spot scanners
74a and 74b via the amplification system 72.
In the present instance, any balanced modulator circuit is suitable
for use provided only that it performs the multiplication between
the control and carrier signals (that is, the associated
registration error signals and the scanning signals) accurately,
and that it is capable of handling without distortion all frequency
components present in the scanning signals. For a particular
modulator circuit suitable for use herein, reference may be made to
the copending patent application of Gilbert L. Hobrough, entitled
"Tunnel Diode Modulator," Ser. No. 311,607, filed Sept. 13,
1963.
A hybrid circuit is a sum and difference circuit, the purpose of
which in the present invention is to effect transformations of the
scanning rasters of the two flying spot scanner cathode-ray tubes
74a and 74b in opposite directions such that the transformation
applied to the cathode-ray tube 74a is complementary to the
corresponding transformation applied at any instant to the
cathode-ray tube 74b. A hybrid circuit which may be used herein is
illustrated in block diagram form in FIG. 17. It should be noted
that the hybrid circuits 283 and 284 are identical; and, therefore,
the circuit illustrated in FIG. 17 is equally applicable to both,
but for purposes of specific description will be taken to be the
hybrid circuit 283.
The control signal input, which constitutes the .DELTA.X-correction
signal, is transmitted to the hybrid circuit on signal line 301 and
the carrier signal input, which constitutes the X-scanning signal,
is transmitted to the hybrid circuit on signal line 114. The
carrier signal constitutes the unmodified X-scanning signal from
the raster generator 68, and the .DELTA.X-correction signal
constitutes the sum of the outputs of the modulators 270 and 271 as
such summation may be modified by the outputs of the modulators
274, 276 and 277. The two output signals from the hybrid circuit
appear on signal lines 303 and 304, the first of which (as shown in
FIG. 3) provides the input to the X-deflection amplifier 116b, and
the second of which provides the input to the right deflection
amplifier 116a. In the case of the hybrid 284, the two outputs
therefrom are denoted 305 and 306, and they are respectively
connected to the right and left deflection amplifiers 115a and
115b.
The hybrid circuit illustrated in FIG. 17 comprises four
amplifiers, respectively denoted 307 through 310, each of which,
for example, may be a transistor and the various circuit components
associated therewith. The two signals appearing at the input signal
lines 114 and 301 are respectively amplified in the amplifiers 307
and 308 and are added at the summing point 311. The input signal
appearing at the signal line 114 is also delivered to an amplifier
309, and the input signal appearing at the signal line 301 is also
fed to the amplifier 310 but through a phase inverter circuit
generally indicated at 312. The outputs of the amplifiers 309 and
310 are added at the summing point 313.
Quite evidently, an input signal present on the signal line 114
appears at each of the summing points 311 and 313 in amplified form
and identical phase. However, an input signal present at the signal
line 301 will appear at the summing point 311 in amplified form,
and at the summing point 313 in amplified form but in opposite
phase relationship. Therefore, the total output signal at the
signal line 303 associated with the summing point 311 is
proportional to the sum of the input signals present at the signal
lines 114 and 301, and in the present instance is the sum of the
amplified input signals. The total output signal at the signal line
304 associated with the summing point 313, however, is proportional
to the difference between the input signals present at the signal
lines 114 and 301, and in the present instance constitutes the
difference between the amplified input signals, and specifically,
the X-scanning signal from the line 114 minus the
.DELTA.X-correction signal on the line 301.
For a specific hybrid or sum and difference circuit which may be
used herein, reference may be made to the copending patent
application of Gilbert L. Hobrough, entitled "Hybrid Circuit," Ser.
No. 308,776, filed Sept. 13, 1963.
In considering the action of the transformation system 71 in
performing a first-order transformation, it will be seen that the
modulator 270 functions to produce an X-scale transformation of the
scanning patterns the scanner tubes 74a and 74b similar to the
X-scale transformation illustrated in FIG. 1 as transformation a.
It will also be seen that the magnitude and sign of such
transformation is proportional to the corresponding X-scale
registration error signal (derived from the correlation system)
applied to the modulator 270 by the signal line 291. In this
consideration, it will be assumed initially that all registration
error signals from the correlation system are zero, which will
correspond to a condition in which no transformations of the
scanning rasters are required to effect registration of the
photographic images being inspected by the scanner tubes 74a and
74b.
Since each of the modulators is in fact operative to multiply the
two input signals fed thereto, and since one of the input signals
is in each case equal to zero, the output of each modulator must of
necessity be equal to zero. Under these conditions, therefore, the
X-correction signal appearing on the signal line 301 will be zero;
and, consequently, one of the inputs (i.e., from the signal line
301) to the hybrid circuit 283 will be zero. Evidently then, the
output signals from the hybrid circuit 283 appearing on the signal
lines 303 and 304 will each be equal to the input scanning signal
appearing on the signal line 114 and which constitutes one of the
two inputs to the hybrid circuit. That is to say, the algebraic sum
of such scanning signal and zero will equal the scanning
signal.
Likewise, the Y-correction signal appearing on the signal line 302
will be zero; and, consequently, one of the inputs to the hybrid
circuit 284 will be zero. Evidently then, the output signals from
the hybrid circuit 284 appearing on the signal lines 305 and 306
will each be equal to the input scanning signal appearing on the
signal line 113 and which constitutes the other of the two inputs
to the hybrid circuit.
It may be concluded then that since the input signals on lines 113
and 114 to the transformation system constitute the Y- and
X-scanning signals required to produce the aforementioned
square-shaped scanning raster for the scanning cathode-ray tubes
74a and 74b, such scanning rasters will be square-shaped and
untransformed whenever the error signals are zero.
Next assume that a positive X-scale error signal is applied to the
modulator 270 through the signal line 291. Under this condition,
the modulator output being fed to the summing point 285 will be a
reduced replica of the input or X-scanning signal fed to the
modulator on line 114, and it may be designated the X-scale
correction signal. The extent of such reduction will be a function
of the magnitude of the input error signal because the output
signal constitutes the produce of such error signal and the
X-scanning signal. Accordingly, the greater the magnitude of the
error signal, the greater the magnitude of the output correction
signal from the modulator.
Added to this positive output signal from the modulator 270 will be
the zero outputs of the other modulators (271, 274, 276 and 277)
and the zero parallax signal from line 317, all of which contribute
to the total X-correction signal or .DELTA.X-correction signal
being transmitted via signal line 301 to the hybrid circuit 283;
and the hybrid circuit 283 will then have two output signals
respectively constituting the X-scanning signal and the
.DELTA.X-correction signal (which in this case constitutes the
X-scale correction signal). As a result of the action of the hybrid
circuit, the transformed scanning signal appearing on the output
signal line 303 will be the X-scanning signal increased in
amplitude by the addition thereto of the positive
.DELTA.X-correction signal. This will result in an increased
X-scanning amplitude on the left scanner cathode-ray tube 74b.
Correspondingly, the signal appearing on the output signal line 304
will be the X-scanning signal reduced in amplitude by the
subtraction therefrom (addition thereto of an inverted or negative
signal) of the positive X-correction signal. This will result in a
decrease in the X-scanning amplitude on the right scanner
cathode-ray tube 74a.
Generally stated, then, the presence of a positive X-scale
registration error signal on the line 291 will cause an increased
X-deflection on the left scanner cathode-ray tube 74b, with a
consequent increase in the X-dimension-width of the raster on the
face thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 1a; and at the same time,
there will be a decrease in the X-deflection on the right scanner
cathode-ray tube 74a, with a consequent reduction in the
X-dimension-width of the raster on the face thereof producing a
narrow raster having a transformation opposite to that illustrated
in FIG. 1a.
If the X-scale registration error signal appearing on the signal
line 291 is negative rather than positive, the product waveform
constituting the output of the modulator 270 will be an inverted
reduced replica of the X-scanning waveform on the signal line 114
representing the product of such scanning waveform multiplied by a
negative number representing the magnitude of the voltage of the
X-scale error signal present on the line 291.
In this event, the signal on the output line 303 of the hybrid 283,
which represents the sum of the input signals fed thereto on the
lines 114 and 301, will be equal to the X-scanning signal input
thereto appearing on the line 114 reduced by the amplitude of the
signal on the line 301 which, since it is negative, will be in
reverse phase relationship with respect to the scanning signal on
the line 114. Therefore, the left X-deflection signal on the output
line 303 will be reduced in amplitude and will result in a narrow
raster on the flying spot scanner tube 74b.
Likewise, the output signal on the line 304 will represent the
difference between the X-scanning signal input fed to the hybrid
circuit on the line 114 and the reverse replica thereof appearing
on the line 301 which difference, since the replica is negative, is
equivalent to the sum of the signal on the line 114 and an
unreversed replica thereof. Therefore, the signal on the output
line 304 will be of increased amplitude and will result in a
scanning raster on the right scanner cathode-ray tube 74a having an
increased X-dimension-width.
Summarizing then, it can be seen that the effect of any X-scale
error signal appearing on the signal line 291 is o produce an
X-scale transformation of the raster of each of the flying spot
scanner tubes 74a and 74b, and that the direction and magnitude of
any such transformation are respectively equal to the sign and
proportional to the magnitude of error signal appearing on the line
291. Further, such transformation as applied to the left
cathode-ray tube 74b is opposite in sign to the corresponding
transformation applied to the right cathode-ray tube 74a.
In an entirely analogous manner, it can be shown that a Y-scale
error signal applied to the modulator 273 via the signal line 294
will effect a Y-scale transformation of the scanner cathode-ray
tubes 74a and 74b through the action of the modulator in providing
in replica on the signal line 302 of the Y-scanning signal fed to
the modulator on the signal line 113. In this connection, the
hybrid circuit 284 functions in a manner similar to that of the
hybrid 283 in effecting X-scale transformations, and will
correspondingly effect Y-scale transformations in opposite senses
on the left and right scanner cathode-ray tubes 74b and 74a.
The operation of the transformation system 71 will now be described
with reference to the action taken thereby in response to the
presence of a skew error signal. Assume initially that a positive
X-skew error signal is being fed to the modulator 271 by the signal
line 292. The modulator 271 is substantially identical to and
therefore functions in the same manner as the modulator 270; and
accordingly, the output of the modulator 270 will be a reduced
replica of the Y-scanning signal fed to the modulator via the
signal line 113. Such reduced replica will be transmitted from the
modulator 271 to the summing point 285, and therefore will be
delivered by the signal line 301 to the input of the hybrid circuit
283.
Although the action of the modulator 271 is quite similar to that
of the modulator 270 in that both deliver reproduced replicas of
scanning signals to the summing point 285, and therefore to one of
the inputs of the hybrid circuit 283, it should be noted that the
modulator 270 introduces a reduced replica of the X-scanning signal
onto the signal line 301 and that the modulator 271 introduces a
reduced replica of the Y-scanning signal onto the signal line
301.
As a result of the action of the modulator 271 in response to the
presence of a positive X-skew error signal on the line 292, and the
consequent delivery of a reduced replica of the Y-scanning signal
to the hybrid circuit 283, such replica of the Y-scanning signal
(which is the X-skew correction signal) is added by the hybrid 283
to the X-scanning signal delivered thereto by signal line 114; and
the sum thereof appears on the output signal line 303. Such output
signal is delivered, as previously described, to the X-deflection
coil of the left flying spot scanner 74b; and since the position of
the scanning spot is at any instant a linear function of the X- and
Y-deflection signals at such instant, the position of the scanning
spot in the raster on the left scanner cathode-ray tube will be
modified by the addition to the X-scanning signal of a signal
derived from the Y-scanning signal. Therefore, the square-shaped
raster on the left flying spot scanner tube 74b will be
transformed, as indicated in FIG. 1b.
In particular, such raster will be displaced toward the right (as
viewed in FIG. 1) or in the positive X-direction in the upper
portion of the raster, which corresponds to the addition to the
X-coordinate signal (i.e., the instantaneous value of the
X-scanning signal) of a positive .DELTA.X correction signal which
constitutes a portion of the positive Y-coordinate signal (i.e.,
the contemporaneous instantaneous value of the Y-scanning signal).
Likewise, the raster will be displaced to the left or negative
X-direction in the lower portion of the raster corresponding to the
addition to the X-coordinate signal of a negative Y-coordinate
signal. Evidently then, such X-shift of the raster will be
proportional to the value of the Y-coordinate at any instant, and
the shift will range from zero in the center of the raster
(corresponding to the addition of a zero Y-coordinate signal) to a
maximum positive shift at the top of the raster which corresponds
to the maximum Y-positive coordinate signal, and similarly, to a
maximum negative shift at the bottom of the raster which
corresponds to the maximum Y-negative coordinate signal. A
corresponding complementary shift in the raster of the right
scanner cathode-ray tube 74a is effected by the hybrid circuit 283
via the output signal line 304 in the manner heretofore
described.
If the X-skew error signal on the line 292 is of negative sign, the
modulator 271 will produce negative replica of the Y-scanning
waveform, which replica will be transmitted to the summing point
285 and delivered by the signal line 301 to the hybrid circuit 283.
The action of the hybrid circuit 283 is then similar to that
heretofore described in connection with the presence of a negative
X-scale error signal on the line 291; and the negative replica or
inverted waveform delivered on the signal line 301 to the hybrid
circuit will be algebraically added thereby to the X-scanning
waveform delivered to the hybrid via the signal line 114. The
resulting waveforms appearing at the output lines 303 and 304 of
the hybrid will be modified in the opposite sense relative to the
waveforms appearing on such output lines when a positive X-skew
error signal is transmitted to the modulator 271. Consequently,
under the condition of a negative X-skew error signal, the
transformations on the flying spot scanner tubes 74a and 74b will
be reversed, and the transformation illustrated in FIG. 1b will
then appear on the right scanner cathode-ray tube 74a, and its
transformation complement will appear on the left scanner tube
74b.
The modulator 272 and hybrid circuit 284 will function in an
entirely analogous manner to the presence of either a positive or a
negative Y-skew error signal on the signal line 293. Accordingly,
the replicas of the X-scanning signal delivered to the summing
point 286 and transmitted by the signal line 302 to the hybrid 284
will be added to and subtracted from the Y-scanning signal, and the
output signals appearing on the lines 305 and 306 will effect
complementary skew transformations in the rasters appearing on the
faces of the scanner cathode-ray tubes 74a and 74b, as heretofore
described, to produce the Y-skew transformation illustrated in FIG.
1d.
It will be apparent from the foregoing discussion that the
modulators 270 through 273 are operative in combination with the
hybrid circuits 283 and 284 to effect the first-order
transformations illustrated in FIG. 1. The production of the
second-order transformations illustrated in FIG. 1 will now be
described and in this connection, the function of the modulators
276 through 279 will first be considered, which respectively
receive X.sup.2 in X, Y.sup.2 in X, X.sup.2 in Y, and Y.sup.2 in Y
error signals via the respectively associated error signal lines
298 through 300.
It may be noted first, however, that the multiplier 280 and
squaring circuits 281 and 282 used in the production of the
second-order transformations can be conventional and, for an
example of a typical multiplier suitable for use herein, reference
may be made to a publication entitled "IEEE Transactions on
Electronic Computers," Volume EC-13, No. 3, dated June 1964,
wherein a multiplier circuit is illustrated on page 291, FIG. 3 of
a chapter entitled "Transistorized Multiplier and Divider and Its
Applications" by P. Kundu and S. Banerji; and reference may be made
also to a publication entitled "IRE Transactions on Electronic
Computers," Volume EG-6, No. 1, dated March 1957, wherein a
multiplier circuit is illustrated in FIG. 3 (identified as "Ring
Modulator as Basic Multiplier Unit") of a chapter entitled "An
Electronic Analog Multiplier Using Carriers" by Eric S. Weibel. For
a squaring circuit, reference may by made to a publication by
McGraw-Hill Book Company entitled "Waveforms"-1949 Edition, Chapter
19 (by F. B. Berger and D, MacRae, Jr.), Section 6, FIGS. 19 and 20
which are concerned with a push-pull squaring circuit.
The modulators 276 through 279, in response to the registration
error signals respectively fed thereto, multiply the associated
error signals and the X- and Y-scanning signals after squaring of
the scanning signals in the respectively associated squaring
circuits 281 and 282. More particularly, the squaring circuit 281
delivers to a signal line 314 a signal having a waveform
proportional to the square of the X-scanning signal at any instant.
Similarly, the squaring circuit 282 delivers to a signal line 315 a
signal having a waveform proportional to the square of the
Y-scanning signal at any instant. The signal line 314 is connected
to both the modulator 276 and the modulator 278 and, therefore, the
output signal from the squaring circuit 281, which signal is
proportional to the square of the X-scanning signal, provides one
of the inputs to each of the modulators 276 and 278. In an
identical manner, the signal line 315 is connected to the
modulators 277 and 279 and, therefore, the output signal from the
squaring circuit 282, which signal is proportional to the square of
the Y-scanning signal, provides one of the inputs to each of the
modulators 277 and 279.
Considering the modulator 276, it will be evident that this
modulator multiplies the signal output from the squaring circuit
281 and the X.sup.2 in X registration error signal which is
delivered thereto by the signal line 297. The output of the
modulator 276 is connected to the summing point 289 which is
defined along the signal line 301 that delivers the .DELTA.X
correction signal to the hybrid circuit 283. Comparing the action
of the modulator 276 with that of the modulator 270 (heretofore
described in connection with the first-order transformations), it
will be evident that both modulators deliver to the signal line
301, which transmits signals thereon to the hybrid circuit 283,
signals derived from the X-scanning signal. Since, as heretofore
described, the modulator 270 functions to transmit to the summing
point 283 and signal line 301 a reduced replica of the X-scanning
signal, which is added in the hybrid circuit 283 to the original
X-scanning signal and ultimately produces the X-scale
transformation illustrated in FIG. 1a, it would be properly
expected that the modulator 276 functions to transmit to the
summing point 289 and signal line 301 an output signal combining
the aforementioned square of the X-scanning signal and the X.sup.2
in X error signal to produce, in an analogous manner, the X.sup.2
in X transformation illustrated in FIG. 1h. This is in fact the
case, and the modulator 276 may be regarded as producing such
second-order transformation.
The X.sup.2 in X-transformation is nonlinear because one of the
factors fed to the modulator 276 is signal proportional to the
square of the instantaneous X-scanning waveform (X-coordinate
signal). More especially, the scanning raster, as shown in FIG. 1h,
is displaced toward the right or in the +X direction in the right
half thereof i.e., the +X, +Y and +X, -Y quadrants), which
corresponds to the addition to the positive X-scanning signal
throughout such portion of the raster of a positive transformation
signal proportional to a (+X).sup.2 coordinate signal. Similarly,
the raster is displaced toward the right in the left half thereof,
(i.e., the -X, +Y and -X, -Y quadrants), which corresponds to the
addition to the negative X-scanning signal throughout such portion
of the raster of a positive transformation signal proportional to a
(-X).sup.2 coordinate signal.
It can be shown in an identical manner that the modulator 279
controls the multiplication of a Y.sup.2 in Y registration error
signal fed thereto on the signal line 300 and a signal proportional
to the square of the Y-scanning signal at any instant, which
proportional signal is fed to the modulator via the signal line
315; and it can be further shown that the output of the modulator
279, in being fed to the hybrid circuit 284 by the signal line 302,
provides the Y.sup.2 in Y transformation illustrated in FIG. 1
(1).
The operation of the modulator 277 may be analogized to the
operation of the modulator 271 in that each is concerned with a
skew-type transformation. More pointedly, each of the modulators
277 and 271 controls the multiplication of an X-parallax
registration error signal and a signal derived from the Y-scanning
signal. In the case of the modulator 271, such derived signal is a
reduced replica of the Y-scanning signal at any instant; and in the
case of the modulator 277, such derived signal is a reduced replica
of the square of the Y-scanning signal at any instant. Since, as
heretofore described, the modulator 271 functions to transmit to
the summing point 285 and signal line 301 a reduced replica of the
Y-scanning signal which is added in the hybrid circuit 283 to the
original X-scanning signal and ultimately produces the X-skew
transformation illustrated in FIG. 1b, it would be properly
expected that the modulator 277 functions to transmit to the
summing point 289 and signal line 301 a reduced replica of the
square of the Y-scanning signal which is added in the hybrid
circuit 283 to the original X-scanning signal and ultimately
produces the Y.sup.2 in Y-transformation illustrated in FIG. 1j,
and this is in fact the case.
The Y.sup.2 in X transformation is nonlinear because one of the
terms in the transformation signal is a squared quantity-- i.e.,
the square of the Y-scanning waveform at any instant (Y-coordinate
signal). As is evident in FIG. 1j, the transformation of the
scanning raster varies from a negative displacement along the
horizontal center thereof (i.e., along the X-coordinate axis
whereat the Y-coordinate signals are zero) to a maximum positive
displacement in both the upper and lower halves of the raster where
the Y-coordinate signals are maximum. The lines extending along or
"parallel" to the Y-axis are, therefore, curved in parabolic area
corresponding to the squared term processed by the modulator
277.
It can be shown in an identical manner that the modulator 278
controls the multiplication of an X.sup.2 in Y registration error
signal fed thereto on the signal line 299 and a signal proportional
to the square of the X-scanning signal at any instant-- which
scanning signal is fed to the modulator from the squaring circuit
281 by the signal line 314; and it can be further shown that the
output of the modulator 278 in being fed to the hybrid circuit 284
by the signal line 302 from summing point 290, provides the X.sup.2
in Y transformation illustrated in FIG. 1m.
The remaining two second-order transformations-- namely, the XY in
X and YX in Y transformations respectively illustrated in FIGS. 1k
and 1n --originate in the modulators 274 and 275 in response to
registration error signals fed thereto on the respectively
associated signal lines 295 and 296. The modulators 274 and 275
each receive their second input via a signal line 316 from a
multiplier 280 that delivers to the signal line a product signal
having a waveform proportional to the product, at any instant, of
the two input signal waveforms transmitted thereto by the signal
lines 114 and 113-- that is, the X- and Y-scanning signals.
Considering first the modulator 274 which produces the XY in
X-transformation illustrated in FIG. 1k, such modulator multiplies
a reduced replica of the XY-product signal (derived in the
multiplier 280 from the X- and Y-scanning signals) fed thereto on
line 316 and the XY in X error signal and delivers a product output
signal to the line 301 at the summing point 287. The combination of
an X-signal component with the X-scanning signal causes an
X-scale-type change in the scanning raster (as in the prior
described transformation shown in FIG. 1a), and the combination of
a Y-signal component with the X-scanning signal results in an
X-skew-type change in the lines parallel to the Y-axis of the
scanning raster. Evidently then, the combination with the
X-scanning signal of a waveform derived from the product of the X-
and Y-scanning signals can produce the composite change illustrated
in FIG. 1 as the k-transformation, XY in X.
In further considering this transformation, the product waveform
delivered by the multiplier 280 to the signal line 316 will be zero
when either of its factor waveforms is zero; that is, when either
the X-scanning signal appearing on the line 114 or the Y-scanning
signal appearing on the line 113 is zero. Upon such occurrence, the
scale and skew modifications will be zero, and this condition
obtains along the X-axis because the Y-coordinate signal is zero
therealong and also along the Y-axis because the X-coordinate
signal is zero therealong. In the first quadrant (+X, +Y) of the
scanning raster, all of the instantaneous X- and Y-coordinate
values are positive and, therefore, the product output signal of
the multiplier 280 will be positive as will be the outputs of the
modulators 274 and 275. Consequently, the addition of a positive
signal to the positive instantaneous X-coordinate signal will
displace the raster in the positive X-direction in this first
quadrant.
Considering the second quadrant (-X, +Y) of the raster, the product
output of the multiplier 280 for signals in this quadrant will be
negative because the X-scanning signal input to the multiplier is a
negative quantity in this quadrant. Consequently, the raster will
be displaced in the negative X-direction because of the addition to
the negative X-coordinate signals of negative transformation
signals.
Referring to the third quadrant (-X, -Y) of the raster, the product
output of the multiplier 280 will be a positive quantity because
each of the input signals thereto will be of negative sign. Thus,
the addition of a negative X-scanning signal and a positive
transformation signal will displace the raster in the positive
direction-- that is, reduce the X-direction-width thereof in the
third quadrant.
Correspondingly, and considering the fourth quadrant (+X, -Y), the
product output of the multiplier 280 will be a negative quantity
because one of the factors (the Y-scanning signal) fed thereto is a
negative quantity in this quadrant. Therefore, the addition to the
positive X-scanning signal of a negative quantity will displace the
raster in the negative direction or reduce the X-direction-width
thereof. Thus, the modulator 274 in cooperation with the multiplier
280 is operative to effect the XY in X transformation illustrated
in FIG. 1k.
By analogy, it is apparent that the modulator 275 is effective in
combination with the multiplier 280 to effect the XY in
Y-transformation illustrated in FIG. 1n. In this respect, and
considering the raster quadrants 1 through 4 heretofore described,
a positive product signal from the multiplier 280 will be added to
the Y-coordinate signal in the first quadrant, and will cause a
displacement of the raster in the positive direction along the
Y-axis In the second quadrant, a negative signal will be added to
the positive Y-coordinate signal (because the X-scanning signal fed
to the multiplier 280 is negative), which will result in a
displacement of the raster in the negative direction along the
Y-axis. In the third quadrant, a positive signal (both the X- and
Y-scanning signals fed to the multiplier are negative) will be
added to the negative Y-coordinate signal, which will reduce the
magnitude thereof and cause a displacement of the raster in the
positive direction along the Y-axis. In the fourth quadrant, the
product output of the multiplier 280 will be negative (the
Y-scanning signal thereto is negative), and the resulting negative
signal added to the negative Y-coordinate signal will displace the
raster in the negative direction along the Y-axis. Therefore, it is
seen that the modulator 275 in combination with the multiplier 280
is operative to produce the XY in Y raster transformation
illustrated in FIG. 1n.
As in the case of the first-order transformations described
hereinbefore, the hybrid circuits 283 and 284 introduce the
second-order transformation signals in opposite senses to the left
and right flying spot scanner tubes 74b and 74a to produce
complementary transformations in the left and right channels.
The modulators 270 through 279 have been seen to act as
mathematical multipliers and, therefore, it may be concluded that
the transformations illustrated in FIG. 1 are essentially
independent of the waveforms used to produce the scanning raster.
In this respect, displacement of any undistorted coordinate
position in the scanning raster is a function of such coordinate
position and, therefore, of the instantaneous values of the X- and
Y-scanning signal voltages representing such position. Thus, the
raster displacements or image transformations shown in FIG. 1 could
be effected were television scanning rasters employed rather that
the dual diagonal scanning raster specifically considered herein,
although in such case the waveforms would differ in many essential
respects.
It is evident from the foregoing that each of the modulators is
responsive to a particular error signal input thereto; and it
should be noted that the sign and the magnitude of the correction
signal output from each modulator is a function of the polarity and
magnitude of the registration error signal input thereto. Thus, in
each instance, the greater the magnitude, of the error signal input
to a modulator, the greater the magnitude of the output correction
signal therefrom, and vice versa.
In the foregoing discussion of the function of each of the
modulators 270 through 279 in producing an output correction signal
it was assumed, for simplicity of description, that the
contemporaneous values of the other modulators was zero. That is to
say, in describing the operation of the modulator 270 in developing
an X-scale correction signal and the transmission thereof to the
hybrid circuit 283 via signal line 301, it was assumed that the
modulators 271, 274, 276 and 277 had zero outputs, and it was
further assumed that the zero-order or X-parallax error signal
applied to the signal line 301 at the summing point 285 therealong
was also zero. Such "zero output" assumption was similarly made in
describing the function of each of the modulators 271, 274, 276 and
277.
It is evident, however, that some or all of the modulators may have
signal outputs concurrently, and at the same time there may be
parallax error signals respectively applied to the signal lines 301
and 302. Further, all such error signals might be positive, and
might be negative, some might be positive and others negative, and
still others might be zero-- whatever combination is necessary to
effect registration between left and right photographic images
being scanned. In any event, all such error signals appearing at
the summing points 285, 286 and 289 in the case of the signal line
301, and at the summing points 286, 288 and 290 in the case of the
signal line 302, will be algebraically summed; and such total sum
or .DELTA.X -correction signal will be applied to the hybrid
circuit 283 by the signal line 301, and such total sum or .DELTA.Y
-correction signal will be applied to the hybrid circuit 284 by the
signal line 302. The outputs of the hybrid circuits, then,
constitute the original scanning signals from the raster generator
as modified by the .DELTA.X or .DELTA.Y (as the case may be)
correction signal so that such hybrid circuits deliver transformed
scanning signals to the scanning cathode-ray tubes to control the
scanning rasters thereof.
The function of the transformation system 71 is conveniently
summarized in mathematical terms by the following polynomials:
.DELTA.X correction signal = a.sub.1 X.sup.2 +b.sub.1 Y.sup.2
+c.sub.1 XY +d.sub.1 X +e.sub.1 Y +f.sub.1, where
a.sub.1 X.sup.2 represents the X.sup.2 in X second-order
transformation;
b.sub.1 Y.sup.2 represents the Y.sup.2 in X second-order
transformation;
c.sub.1 XY represents the XY in X second-order transformation;
d.sub.1 X represents the X in X first-order transformation;
e.sub.1 Y represents the Y in X first-order transformation; and
f.sub.1 represents the X parallax zero-order transformation.
Correspondingly,
.DELTA.Y correction signal = a.sub.2 X.sup.2 +b.sup.2 Y.sup.2
+c.sup.2 XY +d.sub.2 X +e.sub.2 Y +f.sub.2, where
a.sub.2 X.sup.2 represents the X.sup.2 in Y second-order
transformation;
b.sub.2 Y.sup.2 represents the Y.sup.2 in Y second-order
transformation;
c.sub.2 XY represents the XY in Y second-order transformation;
d.sub.2 X represents the X in Y first-order transformation;
e.sub.2 Y represents the Y in Y first-order transformation; and
f.sub.2 represents the Y-parallax zero-order transformation.
In the case of each polynomial, the various X- and Y -terms
respectively represent the X- and Y-coordinate signals at any
instant (i.e., the instantaneous values of the X- and Y -scanning
signals). The coefficients "a" through "e," inclusive, represent
the error signals transmitted to the various modulators via the
respectively associated signal lines 291' through 300'. The f.sub.1
and f.sub.2 terms, as indicated heretofore, respectively represent
the X- and Y-parallax signals. Evidently then, the various X-terms
will be zero whenever the position of the scanning spot lies on the
Y-axis of the aforementioned Cartesian coordinate system, the
various Y-terms will be zero whenever the position of the scanning
spot lies on the X-axis of such system, and all of the X- and
Y-terms will be zero only when the scanning spot is located at the
origin of such X- and Y-coordinate axes. Any one of the various
coefficients will be zero whenever there is no misregister between
the left and right photographic images of the type requiring the
particular first- or second-order transformation represented by the
X- or Y-term associated with such coefficient. In the event that
any such misregister exists, the coefficient will be either
positive or negative depending upon the direction of the
misregister.
From the foregoing mathematical expressions, it is apparent that
the various terms in each polynomial may be of positive or negative
sign and can be of various magnitudes including zero. In any event,
the various terms are algebraically added to form the respective
.DELTA.X- and .DELTA.Y-correction signals which are transmitted to
the associated hybrid circuits 283 and 284 and are combined thereat
with the original X in Y scanning signals from the raster generator
to provide the transformed scanning signals which are then applied
to the scanning cathode-ray tubes to control the scanning rasters
thereof.
As indicated hereinbefore, the registration error signals are
derived from the correlation system 70 (FIG. 3) which senses any
misregister or displacement differences between the left and right
photographic images being scanned at any instant. In this manner,
the transformations of the scanning rasters can be controlled in
response to the relative distortions or displacements between the
two images, and the distortion reduced automatically to zero
through the described action of the transformation system.
Correlation System
As stated hereinbefore, the present invention includes the
attainment of automatic registration of a pair of stereo images,
and such attainment is effected through registration error signals
developed in the correlation system 70 which is operative to sense
any misregister or displacement differences between the left and
right photographic images being scanned at any instant and produce
such registration error signals in response thereto. In producing
the registration error signals, the correlation system observes the
video signals being transmitted through the video processors 69a
and 69b to the viewing cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b, and detects
in such signals any differences in timing between corresponding
detail in the left and right channels of the apparatus. The
correlation system also receives reference signals from the raster
generator 68, which reference signals indicate the scanning spot
position in the X- and Y-directions separately. From these four
input signals (that is, the left and right video signals and the X-
and Y-scanning spot coordinate signals), the correlation system
computes the direction of registration errors and makes this
information available in the form of registration error signals
which are fed to the transformation system 71.
In describing the correlation system, reference will first be made
to FIG. 18 which is a block diagram of the system in its entirety.
As seen in this Figure, the correlation system comprises an array
of correlation units similarly connected to the four input
terminals for the system by means of which it is connected to the
raster generator 68 and to the video processors 69a and 69b. For
convenience of identification, the video input signal line is
denoted with the numeral 325, the right video input signal line is
designated 326, and the X-reference input and Y-reference input
signal lines are respectively denoted with the numerals 327 and
328. As is evident in FIG. 3, the signal line 325 is connected to
the left video processor 69b or to the output signal line 207b
thereof; and in a similar manner, the signal line 326 is connected
to the right video processor 69a or to the output signal line 207a
thereof. The X- and Y-reference input signal lines 327 and 328 are
respectively connected to the output signal lines 130 and 129 of
the raster generator 68.
The outputs of the correlation units are added together to provide
12 registration error signals, and each of such signals is
transmitted through a low-pass filter network operative to smooth
the signals and control the response and stability of each of the
prime transformation correction channels. The 12 registration error
signals constituting the output of the correlation system 70 are
fed to the transformation system 71 heretofore described; and
constitute the zero-order (X- and Y-parallax) error signals
delivered thereto on the signal lines 317 and 318, the first-order
transformation error signals respectively fed thereto on the signal
lines 291 through 294, and the second-order registration error
signals respectively fed thereto on the signal lines 295 through
300. Accordingly, the output signal lines of the correlation system
are respectively denoted with the same numerals.
Each of the individual correlation units in the correlation system
70 is operative upon a different portion of the video spectrum. In
order to effect this selection, each correlation unit includes a
band-pass filter for each video input thereto. Each of the
band-pass filters limits the video signals available for use in the
correlation function to a fraction of the video spectrum. In the
particular instrument being considered, there are five correlation
units respectively denoted with the numerals 329, 330, 331, 332 and
333. The unit 329 is adapted to accept for correlation usage video
signals lying within a frequency band centered on approximately 80
kilocycles per second and extending from a lower limit of about 50
kilocycles per second to an upper limit of about 120 kilocycles per
second. Similarly, the correlation unit 330 is adapted to accept
for correlation usage video signals lying within a frequency band
centered on approximately 170 kilocycles from a lower limit of
about 120 kilocycles per second to an upper limit of about 220
kilocycles per second. In the same manner, the correlation units
331 through 333 are adapted to accept for correlation usage
contiguous portions of the video spectrum (respectively centered on
approximately 270 kilocycles, 800 kilocycles, and 1.7 megacycles)
so that the correlation units collectively are sensitive to video
input signals lying in the range from approximately 55 kilocycles
per second (the lower limit of correlation unit 329) to an upper
frequency limit of approximately 2.5 megacycles per second
(representing the upper frequency limit of the correlation unit
333). It should be noted that all of the correlation units are
identical in terms of both circuit and function except for the
characteristics of the said band-pass filters. The correlation
system 70 also includes a low-pass network for each registration
error signal; and since there are 12 such signals, there are 12
low-pass networks which, for identification, are respectively
designated with the numerals 334 through 345.
One of the correlation units comprised by the correlation system 70
is illustrated in FIG. 19, and may be taken to be any one of the
correlation units 329 through 333 since, as stated hereinbefore,
such units are all identical except for the band-pass filter
networks included therein which makes the same selective to certain
specific frequency ranges in the video spectrum. For purposes of
specific identification, however, the correlation unit shown in
FIG. 19 will be considered to be the unit 329 and is so designated
in this Figure.
The correlation unit comprises a group of modules that are
symmetrically disposed with respect to the four input signals
thereto. The video module to which the left and right video input
signals are delivered from the video processors 69b and 69a is
enclosed in chain links denoted with the numeral 346. The band-pass
filters that determine the portion of the video spectrum to which
the particular correlation unit is sensitive are located in the
module 346 and are respectively denoted with the numerals 347 and
348. The video module comprises five functional components which,
in addition to the band-pass networks 347 and 348, include
zero-level discriminators 349 and 350 respectively connected to the
band-pass networks through signal lines 351 and 352 and an
exclusive OR-gate 353 which is connected to the outputs of the
zero-level discriminators 349 and 350 by signal lines 354 and
355.
The band-pass networks 347 and 348 are completely conventional in
design and simply operate to reject all of the frequencies of the
video spectrum except those within a predetermined range or
pass-band. In the case of the network 347, the video signals lying
within such band are transmitted to the zero-level discriminator
349 via signal line 351; and in the case of the network 348, the
video signals lying within such band are transmitted to the
zero-level discriminator 350 via signal line 352. The output
signals from the zero-level discriminators 349 and 350 are
transmitted over signal lines 354 and 355 to the gate circuit 353--
the output of which constitutes the output signal of the video
module 346 and is transmitted over signal line 356 to a pair of
analyzer modules respectively indicated by chain line units denoted
357 and 358.
Before proceeding with the discussion of the correlation unit in
its entirety, it is believed that such discussion will be
implemented by first considering in detail the operation of the
zero-level discriminators 349 and 350 and then the operation of the
exclusive OR-gate 353. Accordingly, reference will now be made to
FIG. 20 which is a schematic circuit diagram of one of the
zero-level discriminators (the discriminators 349 and 350 being
identical)-- the discriminator 349, for example.
The circuit of FIG. 20 includes a pair of transistors 359 and 360
which are connected as a common-emitter limiting amplifier. The
output signal of the circuit is taken from the collector of the
transistor 360, which is connected to ground through a resistance
361, and appears on the aforementioned output signal line 354. The
input to the circuit is fed thereto on the aforementioned signal
line 351 which is connected to the base of the transistor 359
through a blocking capacitance 362. The input signal line 351 is
connected to ground through a resistance 363, and a voltage divider
comprising the resistances 364 and 365 determines the average
voltage on the base of the transistor 359. As indicated
hereinbefore, the emitters of the transistors are connected in
common and are coupled to the voltage supply line 366 through a
resistance 367. Such supply line is connected to the resistance 364
and is also connected to the voltage divider comprising the
resistances 368 and 369 that bias the base of the transistor 360.
The base of the transistor 360 is bypassed to ground by a
capacitance 370.
In operation of the circuit, the voltage supply line 366 is
connected to an external power source and is maintained at a
potential of approximately 6 volts positive with respect to ground.
The resistances 364 and 368 are approximately equal in value, as
are the resistances 365 and 369; and the values are selected so
that the bases of the transistors 359 and 360 are each maintained
at a direct current potential of approximately 3 volts with respect
to ground. The capacitance 370 in bypassing the base of the
transistor 360 to ground stabilizes the potential on such base. The
capacitance 362 prevents a direct current connection between the
base of the transistor 359 and the input signal line 351 so that
the potential established on the base of the transistor 359 by the
voltage divider resistances 364 and 365 will not be disturbed by
the flow of direct current to the input line 351 and external
circuit connected thereto.
The current flowing through the resistance 367 will selectively
flow through the transistors 359 and 360 depending upon which
transistor base is more negative. If the bases are equally
negative, then the current flowing through the resistances 367 will
split evenly and flow equally through the two transistors. Any
current flowing through the path defined by the resistance 367 and
transistor 360 will also flow through the resistance 361 and
thereby develop a potential drop thereacross which potential
constitutes a positive output signal from the transistor 360.
The characteristics of the transistors 359 and 360 are such that a
potential difference on the bases thereof of approximately 0.1 of a
volt is sufficient to switch the path of the current flowing
through the emitter resistance 367 completely to the transistor
having the most negative base potential. Since the input signal to
the circuit is applied to the base of the transistor 359 and is
superimposed on the direct current potential applied to the base,
also because the base of the transistor 360 is maintained at a
constant potential with respect to ground, and further because the
said direct current potential and said constant potential on the
bases of the transistors are substantially equal, it is apparent
that the current flowing through the resistance 367 will be
switched alternately through the transistors 359 and 360 in
response to the character of the input signal waveform transmitted
over the input signal line 351 to the base of the transistor
359.
A typical waveform of such input signal is illustrated in FIG. 21
and is generally denoted with the numeral 371. Also illustrated in
this Figure is the output waveform 372 which appears on the output
signal line 354 and is the waveform of the voltage appearing across
the collector resistance 361. The input and output waveforms 371
and 372 are related to each other in FIG. 21 in a time sense; and
it is seen that the input signal alternates about the reference
voltage (i.e., the DC potential on the base of the transistor 359)
and that whenever the input signal is positive relative thereto,
the output signal is positive by a predetermined fixed amount
regardless of the magnitude of the positive input signal. Likewise,
whenever the input signal is negative relative to the said
reference voltage, the output signal will be zero regardless of the
magnitude of the negative input signal. Further, whenever the input
signal changes from positive to negative, the output signal
switches abruptly from the positive state to the zero state.
Contrarywise, whenever the input signal changes from negative to
positive, the output signal switches abruptly from the zero state
to the positive state.
Next to be described are the details of the exclusive OR-gate 353.
Such details are shown in the schematic circuit diagram of FIG. 22,
and the function of the gate will be described with particular
reference to that Figure. It may be noted, however, that all of the
exclusive OR-gates used in the correlation unit shown in FIG. 19
are identical so that the following description applies to all of
the gates.
The exclusive OR-gate is seen to comprise five transistors
respectively designated with the numerals 373, 374, 375, 376 and
377. The transistors are connected in the circuit network
comprising four resistances 378, 379, 380 and 381. The two inputs
to the gate from the zero-level discriminators are applied via
signal lines 354 and 355 to the respective bases of the transistors
373 and 374. The output signal from the gate appears on the output
signal line 356 which is connected to the collector of the
transistor 377. The circuit is adapted to be connected by a voltage
supply line 382 to an external power source of approximately 6
volts positive potential with respect to ground. Each of the
resistances 378 through 381 is commonly connected to the voltage
supply line 382 and is also separately connected to the collectors
of the transistors so that each such resistance serves as a
collector load for at least one transistor. In particular, the
resistance 378 defines the collector load for the transistor 373,
the resistance 379 constitutes the collector load for the
transistor 374, the resistance 380 provides the collector load for
the transistors 375 and 376 which have the collectors thereof
connected in common, and the resistance 381 forms the collector
load for the transistor 377.
The operation of the exclusive OR-gate circuit 353 will now be
described under various types of input signals supplied thereto on
the signal lines 354 and 355. In this respect, the operation will
be considered first that corresponds to a condition in which the
potentials on both of the signal lines 354 and 355 are zero. This
condition prevails whenever the output signals from the zero-level
discriminators 349 and 350 are zero. In the condition in which the
input signals on the lines 354 and 355 are both zero, there will be
no base current flowing in the transistors 373 and 374, and
therefore each of such transistors will be in the "off" position.
That is to say, the collector currents thereof will also be zero.
Consequently, no current will flow through the resistances 378 and
379 which constitute the loads for the transistors 373 and 374.
Therefore, the voltage across these resistances will also be zero,
and the potential on the lines 383 and 384--respectively connecting
the resistance 378 to the collector of the transistor 373 and the
resistance 379 to the collector of the transistor 374--will be
positive and equal to the supply voltage.
Considering the transistors 375 and 376 under such conditions, it
is clear that since the emitters and bases are in each instance at
the same potential (namely, the value of the supply voltage
appearing on the supply line 382), the collector currents through
each of these transistors will be zero. Accordingly, the current
flow through the resistance 380 resulting from the supply potential
on the line 382 will flow into the base of the transistor 377 so
that such transistor will be in the "on" condition, whereupon
collector current will flow therein from the supply line 382
through the resistance 381. The resistances 380 and 381 are equal
and have a value of approximately 2,000 ohms each. Therefore, under
the condition in which the input signals on the lines 354 and 355
are both zero, the transistor 377 is said to be "saturated";
indicating that the collector thereof will assume a lower potential
than the base thereof and typically 0.15 of a volt above zero. The
signal level on the output signal line 356 will therefore be at
0.15 of a volt which, for purposes hereof, may be taken to be and
will be called herein a zero output.
Operation of the exclusive OR-gate circuit will now be considered
under the conditions in which the input signals thereto are both
positive. This condition will occur whenever the inputs to the
zero-level discriminators 349 and 350 are both positive. It should
be noted that the resistance values in the discriminators 349 and
350 are selected so that a positive output signal therefrom will be
of sufficient magnitude to saturate the transistors 373 and 374
which are respectively connected to the discriminators via the
signal lines 354 and 355. When such transistors are saturated, the
potentials on the conductors 383 and 384 will fall to a value of
approximately 0.15 of a volt as previously described for the
transistor 377. Correspondingly, current will flow through the
resistances 378 and 379 in response to the positive potential
maintained on the supply line 382. The potentials on the bases of
the transistors 375 and 376 will likewise be at the saturation
potential as a consequence of their direct connection to the
collectors of the transistors 373 and 374 via the respectively
associated conductors 383 and 384. The potentials on the emitters
of the transistors 375 and 376 will be at the same saturation
potential by virtue of their direct connection, respectively, to
the collectors of the transistors 374 and 373.
Considering the transistors 375 and 376 under such conditions, it
is clear that since the emitters and bases are in each instance at
the same potential (namely, the saturation potential of
approximately 0.15 of a volt), the collector currents flowing
through these transistors and bases will be zero. Accordingly, the
current flowing through the resistance 380 by virtue of the
positive supply potential on the line 382, will flow into the base
of the transistor 377 and saturate the same; and as described
before under the condition in which the signal inputs to the
circuit are both zero, the resulting output voltage on the signal
line 356 will be approximately 0.15 of a volt or the output will be
zero.
Operation of the exclusive OR-gate circuit will now be considered
under the conditions in which one of the input signals thereto is
positive and the other input is zero. By way of example, take the
condition in which the signal on the line 354 is positive and the
signal on the line 355 negative. Such positive input on the line
354 will be delivered to the base of the transistor 373 and will
cause the transistor to become saturated so that the potential on
the conductor 383 will be approximately 0.15 of a volt. The
zero-sinal potential on the conductor 355 will cause the transistor
374 to be cut off or nonconducting so that the potential on the
conductor 384 will tend toward the supply voltage on the supply
line 382 by virtue of the low-current flow through the resistance
379.
Since the emitter of the transistor 376 is at a few 10ths of a volt
above zero and the base of the transistor is connected to the
supply voltage through the resistance 379, base current will flow
in the transistor 376 and saturate the same so that the collector
thereof will be at a potential of approximately 0.15 of a volt
above the potential of the emitter of the transistor 374 which, as
previously established, is at a potential of approximately 0.15 of
a volt above zero. Therefore, the collector of the transistor 376
and the base of the transistor 377 will be at approximately 0.3
volt above zero; and under this condition, the transistor 377 will
be nonconducting and the potential on its collector and on the
output signal line 356 will be positive to an extent depending upon
the external load connected to such signal line.
In a completely analogous manner, if the signal on the input line
354 is of zero potential and the signal on the input line 355 is
positive, the transistors 374 and 375 will be saturated which will
result in a potential on the base of the transistor 377 of
approximately 0.3 of a volt above zero; and again, the transistor
377 will be in a nonconducting state and the output signal line 356
will be positive.
Summarizing the operation of the exclusive OR-gate shown in FIG.
22: If the two input signals thereto on the signal lines 354 and
355 are both at zero potential or are both positive, then the
potential on the output signal line 356 will be zero. If either of
the input signals on the lines 354 and 355 is positive and the
other zero, then the potential on the output signal line 356 will
be positive. This summation is illustrated in table form in FIG.
23. It will be evident that the gates employed herein (FIG. 22) are
capable of very high speed operation and accommodate the highest
video frequencies encountered--i.e., 2.5 megacycles.
Considering the action of the exclusive OR-gate together with the
action of the two zero-level discriminators 349 and 350 in the
video module 346, it will be apparent from the foregoing
description that whenever the input signals on the lines 351 and
352 to the zero-level discriminators have the same polarity, then
the output signal from the gate 353 appearing on the signal line
356 will be zero. Conversely, whenever the input signals to the
discriminators 349 and 350 are of opposite polarity, the output
signal from the gate 353 will be positive.
If the bandpass filter networks 347 and 348 are identical and
provided that the left and right video input signals thereto
appearing on the signal lines 325 and 326 are also identical (the
input signals will be identical under conditions of perfect image
registration), then the output of the gate 353 will be zero because
the input signals to the zero-level discriminators 349 and 350 will
have the same polarity.
It is anticipated, however, that the band-pass filter networks 347
and 348 will not be perfectly identical and, in fact, the pass
bands respectively defined by the networks 347 and 348 are
staggered to the extent of approximately 30 percent of the
bandwidth of such filter networks. Consequently, identical signals
delivered on the input signal lines 325 and 326 to the respective
band-pass filter networks will result in signals on the lines 351
and 352 to the zero-level discriminators which are in phase
quadrature. FIG. 24 illustrates the action of the video module 346
under conditions of identical input signals thereto on the lines
325 and 326 from the left and right video processors 69b and 69a,
and with the band-pass filter networks 347 and 348 producing output
signals that are in a phase quadrature relationship because of the
staggered passbands of the filter networks.
FIG. 24 shows the left and right video signals on the input signal
lines 325 and 326 to the band-pass filter networks, on the input
signal lines 351 and 352 to the zero-level discriminators, on the
input signal lines 354 and 355 to the exclusive OR-gate, and on the
output signal line 356 from the gate. For convenience, the
respective signal waveforms are identified in FIG. 24 by the
numbers applied to the signal lines on which they appear, and are
related to each other in a time sense. It can be seen that under
the stated conditions of identical input signals on the lines 325
and 326 and the development of a phase quadrature relationship (by
means of the filter networks 347 and 348) in the signals appearing
on the lines 351 and 352, the output of the gate appearing on the
signal line 353 will be alternately positive and zero with
approximately equal time periods spent in each condition.
FIG. 25 illustrates the relative relationship of the same waveforms
shown in FIG. 24 but at a condition in which the right video input
signal on the line 326 lags the left video input signal on the line
325 to an extent that the phase relationship between the signals on
the lines 351 and 352 (the output signals of the band-pass networks
347 and 348) is tending toward zero degrees. Under such conditions,
the output signal on the line 356 will alternate between positive
and zero values, but with a greater period of time spent in the
zero condition than in the positive condition. In FIG. 26, the
relationship is depicted in which the left video input signal on
the line 325 lags the right video input signal on the line 326 to
the extent that the signals on the lines 351 and 352 are
approaching a 180.degree. phase relationship. Under these
conditions, the output signal on the line 356 alternates between
positive and zero values but with a greater period of time spent in
the positive condition.
It is seen then that the video module 346 delivers an output signal
on the line 356 having characteristics which are dependent upon the
relative timing between the video input signals on the lines 325
and 326. In particular, if the left video input signal is lagging
the right video input signal, the output signal waveform on the
line 356 will be predominantly positive. Conversely, if the right
video input signal is lagging the left video input signal, the
output signal waveform on the line 356 will be predominantly
zero.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 18 in particular, it is seen that the
X-reference signal input to the correlation system is derived from
the raster generator 68 and is applied to each of the correlation
units from the X-reference input signal line 327. Similarly, the
Y-reference signal input is derived from the raster generator and
is applied to each of the correlation units from the Y-reference
input signal line 328. The X- and Y-reference input signals are
replicas of the current waveforms in the respective X- and
Y-deflection coils of the viewer cathode-ray tubes 75a and 75b.
Since the coordinate position of the scanning spot in the raster is
at any instant substantially a linear function of the X- and
Y-deflection coil currents, the X- and Y-reference signals on the
lines 327 and 328 respectively represent the instantaneous position
of the scanning spot raster in a Cartesian coordinate system having
its origin at the center of the raster. Consequently, the sign and
amplitude of the X-reference signal on the input line 327 specifies
the position of the scanning spot within the raster in the
X-coordinate direction. Correspondingly, the sign and amplitude of
the Y-reference signal on the input line 328 specifies the position
of the scanning spot within the raster in the Y-coordinate
direction.
Referring to FIG. 19, it is seen that the X-reference signal
constituting one of the inputs to the correlation unit 329 is fed
to a delay line 395, which delivers at the output signal line 386 a
delayed replica of the X-reference signal waveform. Similarly, the
Y-reference signal constituting one of the inputs to the
correlation unit 329 is fed to a delay line 387, which delivers at
the output signal line 388 a delayed replica of the Y-reference
signal waveform. The purpose of the delay lines 385 and 387 is to
compensate for the delays in the video signals that occur in the
video module 346. As a result of the delay lines 385 and 387, the
X- and Y-reference signals appearing on the signal lines 386 and
388 represent accurately in point of time the position of the
scanning spot giving rise to the parallax information from the
video module 346 appearing on the output signal line 356
thereof.
The delay lines 385 and 387 may be conventional and may take the
form of the lumped-constant, low-pass type of delay line
illustrated in FIG. 27. The design of such a delay line is
conventional in every respect, and the design procedures may be
used which are found in the literature as, for example, a book
entitled "Pulse and Digital Circuits" by Millman and Taub, chapter
10, section 2. For convenience, however, the illustration of FIG.
27 is included, and the typical delay line depicted thereby
comprises a plurality of inductances, respectively designated by
the numerals 389 through 392, connected in series with the input
signal line 327 and output signal line 386. Connected between the
successive junctures of such inductances are a plurality of
capacitances to ground, respectively denoted 393 through 395. Any
number of inductance-capacitance sections may be used in order to
obtain the delay interval required for matching with the delay that
occurs in the video module 346.
Referring again to FIG. 19, the delayed X-reference signal
appearing on the line 386 is delivered to a differentiator 396.
Similarly, the delayed Y-reference signal on the line 388 is
delivered to a differentiator 397. The function of each of the
differentiators 396 and 397 is to transmit a differentiated signal
waveform representing the scanning spot velocity in the X- and
Y-directions separately. Since the X-reference signal represents
the scanning spot position at any instant, the first derivation
with respect to time of such X-reference signal as provided by the
differentiator 396 will represent the scanning spot velocity at the
same instant of time. Similarly, the derivation of the Y-scanning
signal as provided by the differentiator 397 will represent the
scanning spot velocity in the Y-direction at any instant. In the
case of the differentiator 396, the signal output therefrom is
transmitted over a signal line 398 to an exclusive OR-gate 399
comprising a part of the analyzer module 357; and in the case of
the differentiator 397, the signal output therefrom is transmitted
over a signal line 400 to an exclusive OR-gate 401 comprising a
part of the analyzer module 358.
For convenience, a schematic circuit diagram of a differentiator
circuit suitable for use herein is illustrated in FIG. 28. The
differentiators 396 and 397 are identical, and therefore the
circuit shown in FIG. 28 applies equally to both. For terms of
description, however, the circuit may be assumed to be the
differentiator 396--in which event an input signal is delivered
thereto by the signal line 386 and the output therefrom is
transmitted to the gate 399 over signal line 398.
By comparing the differentiator circuit shown in FIG. 28 with the
zero-level discriminator circuit illustrated in FIG. 20, it will be
evident that the two circuits are nearly identical; and indeed, the
transistors 402 and 403 function together as a limiting amplifier,
and the description of the circuit shown in FIG. 20 applies equally
well to the circuit of FIG. 28. The essential difference is that
the input capacitance has different values in each case; and in
particular, the input capacitance 404 of the differentiator circuit
396 is of much lower value and therefore provides a higher
reactance than the equivalent capacitance 362 in the discriminator
circuit of FIG. 20. As a result of the high-capacitive reactance of
the capacitance 404, most of the scanning reference signal voltage
delivered to the differentiator by the input signal line 386
appears across the capacitance 404 so that a greatly attenuated
waveform appears on the signal line 405 and on the base of the
transistor 402.
The waveforms associated with the differentiator circuit are
illustrated in FIG. 29; and in comparing the same, it will be noted
that the waveform on the signal line 405 is considerably smaller
than the waveform delivered to the differentiator on the line 386.
Further, the triangularly shaped input waveform on the line 386 has
been converted on the line 405 to a low-amplitude square-shaped
waveform. Thus, the waveform on the signal line 405 is essentially
the first derivative with respect to time of the input waveform
appearing on the line 386. The action of the capacitance 404
together with the following resistances 406 and 407--which are each
connected to the signal line 405 and are respectively connected to
the voltage supply line 408 and to ground--in producing a
differentiated waveform is well known in the art, and a detailed
description of such action is available in the literature. See, for
example, the text entitled "Pulse and Digital Circuits," Millman
and Taub, chapter 2, section 2.
The differentiated waveform appearing on the signal line 405 is
amplified by the limiting amplifiers 402 and 403 to deliver an
amplified replica of the differentiated waveform on the output
signal line 398, which signal line is connected to the collector of
the transistor 403. A limiting amplifier rather than a linear
amplifier is employed in the circuit of FIG. 28 in order that
irregularities in the slopes of the input signal on the line 386
(and which would appear as irregularities in the amplitude of the
derivative signal on line 405) will be obviated by the action of
the limiting amplifier and will not appear in the output signal
waveform (FIG. 29) on the line 398. As is evident by inspection of
FIG. 28, the emitters of the transistors 402 and 403 are connected
in common and are connected to the voltage supply line 408 through
a resistance 409, the base of the transistor 403 is connected to a
voltage divider network comprising the series resistances 410 and
411 (the last of which is bypassed to ground by a capacitance 412),
and the collector of the transistor 403 is grounded through a
resistance 413.
The analyzer modules 357 and 358 are essentially identical, and a
schematic circuit diagram equally applicable to each is illustrated
in FIG. 30 and, for purposes of specific identification, may be
taken to be the analyzer module 357. This module comprises seven
transistors respectively denoted with the numerals 414, 415, 416,
417, 418, 419 and 420, six resistances respectively denoted 421,
422, 423, 424, 425 and 426, and a diode 427.
As is evident in FIG. 19, the analyzer module 357 includes the
aforementioned exclusive OR-gate 399 and an amplifier 428 connected
to the output thereof. The exclusive OR-gate 399 is identical in
both circuit and function with the exclusive OR-gate 353 heretofore
described and illustrated in FIG. 22. Consequently, the exclusive
OR-gate portion of the analyzer module 357 will not be described
further; and for convenience, the circuit as shown in FIG. 30 is
divided into two sections respectively corresponding to the
exclusive OR-gate 399 and to the amplifier 428. By comparing the
exclusive OR-gate 353 as shown in FIG. 22, it will be apparent that
the two circuits are identical.
The amplifier 428 constitutes an emitter-coupled or current mode
amplifier which yields a current of predetermined magnitude on the
output signal line (identified hereinbefore as signal line 317')
whenever the output of the exclusive OR-gate is positive. In the
circuit of FIG. 30, the output of the gate 399 is made separately
available for connection to external circuitry via the conductor
429 which is connected in common with the output of such gate to
the base of the transistor 419, which base defines the input to the
amplifier 428.
An external power supply maintains a potential of approximately 6
volts positive with respect to ground on the conductor 430. The
diode 427 is connected between such conductor and ground in series
with the resistance 426, and the diode develops a potential at the
juncture thereof with the resistance 426 of approximately 0.8 of a
volt by virtue of the current flowing through it, as determined by
the value of such resistance and the applied potential on the
conductor 430. The potential developed by the diode 427 is applied
to the base of the transistor 420, and when the output of the
exclusive OR-gate 399 is zero (representing the condition in which
the transistor 418 is saturated), the base of the transistor 419
will be approximately 0.15 of a volt with respect to ground while
the base of the transistor 420 will be at 0.8 of a volt as
determined by the diode 427. Under these conditions, the current
flowing through the resistance 425 will flow through the transistor
419 and from the collector thereof to ground.
In the alternate condition in which the output of the exclusive
OR-gate 399 is positive (representing a condition in which the
transistor 418 is nonconducting), the base of the transistor 419
will be connected to the supply conductor 430 through the
resistance 424 and, therefore, the base will be at a potential of
approximately +6 volts. Under these conditions, the current flowing
in the resistance 425 will flow through the transistor 420 and
through its collector to the output signal line 317'; and,
therefore, the current signal delivered to the external circuit via
the output signal line 317' will be a replica of the voltage
constituting the output of the exclusive OR-gate 399 present on the
output conductor 429 and on the base of the transistor 419.
Further, the magnitude of the current flowing in the signal line
317' when the gate is in the positive output condition thereof is
determined by the value of the resistance 425 and the potential on
the conductor 430.
It may be noted that it is necessary for proper operation of the
output amplifier stage comprising the transistor 420 that the
collector thereof be maintained at a negative potential with
respect to its base of at least 0.2 of a volt. With the maintenance
of such relative potential between the base and collector of the
transistor 420, the analyzer module 357 appears to the external
circuitry connected thereto as a very high impedance generator and
is, therefore, an approximation of a current source.
The action of the correlation unit 329, and in particular the
action of the analyzer modules 357 and 358 thereof, will be
considered in the presence of parallax between the right and left
photographic images being scanned by the flying spot scanners 74a
and 74b. As in the case of the description of the video module 346,
simplified video waveforms will be assumed, and specifically
sinusoidal waveforms having a frequency close to the center of the
pass band of the correlation unit under consideration
(approximately 80 kilocycles in the case of the correlation unit
329).
The function of the analyzer modules 357 and 358 is to respectively
translate the composite parallax signal present on the output
signal line 356 from the video module 346 into coherent X- and
Y-parallax signals. Considering first the module 357, it will be
apparent that the input signals thereto constitute the output
signal of the video module 346 (which is transmitted over signal
line 356 from the exclusive OR-gate 353 thereof) and the
differentiated X-deflection reference signal which is transmitted
over the signal line 398 from the differentiator 396.
FIGS. 31 through 34, inclusive, constitute a table of waveforms
depicting the signals at the video module 346 and at the analyzer
modules 357 and 358 in the presence of positive X-parallax between
the right and left photographic images being scanned. The waveforms
are respectively identified in each of FIGS. 31 through 34 by the
signal lines on which they appear. FIG. 31 illustrates the
waveforms whenever the scanning spot is moving in the +X,
+Y-direction, FIG. 32 illustrates the waveforms whenever the
scanning spot is moving in the -X, +Y-direction, FIG. 33
illustrates the waveforms whenever the scanning spot is moving in
the -X, -Y direction, and FIG. 34 illustrates the waveforms
whenever the scanning spot is moving in the +X, -Y direction. Since
the scanning spot is constrained by the nature of the dual diagonal
scanning raster (FIGS. 6 through 8 and 13) to move only in these
four diagonal directions, FIGS. 31 through 34 illustrate the
waveforms in the presence of +X-parallax under all possible
scanning conditions.
It should be explained that the parallax assumed to exist between
the right and left photographic images being scanned by the flying
spot scanners 74a and 74b is oriented, for purposes of this
discussion, in a Cartesian coordinate system intended in the
illustration of FIG. 1 and effectively depicted therein by the
undistorted or nontransformed images indicated by broken lines.
Thus, the corresponding or homologous points in a pair of
stereographic transparencies being scanned may be located by giving
the X- and Y-coordinates thereof as such coordinates relate to such
Cartesian system. Therefore, the magnitude of any parallax existing
between such two points may be specifically identified in terms of
X- and/or Y-coordinate numbers.
For example, if a specific point in the right photographic
transparency is properly identified by the coordinate values
X.sub.1 =4, Y.sub.1 =4, and if the corresponding point in the left
photographic transparency is properly identified as X.sub.2 =2,
Y.sub.2 =2, then relative parallax exists between such two points
in both the X- and Y-directions and is specifically identifiable as
X.sub.p =2, Y.sub.p =2. However, the sign of X.sub.p and Y.sub.p
will depend upon whether the parallax is taken to be that of the
right image point with respect to the corresponding left image
point, or vice versa. In the first instance, the relative
displacement would be positive, and in the second instance it would
be negative. For purposes hereof, a displacement of the left video
image toward the right or in the +X-direction, considering the
aforementioned Cartesian coordinate system illustrated in FIG. 1,
is taken to be a+X.sub.p parallax; and a displacement of the left
video image upwardly or in the +Y direction with respect to such
coordinate system is taken to be a +Y.sub.p -parallax.
Referring to FIGS. 31 through 34, it can be seen that the phase
relationship between the input waveforms to the video module
appearing on the left and right signal lines 325 and 326 is
dependent, in the presence of parallax, upon the direction of
movement of the scanning spot. Consequently, and considering the
condition of a +X-parallax, the left video signal appearing on the
line 325 lags the right video signal appearing on the line 326, as
illustrated in FIGS. 31 and 34, when the direction of movement of
the scanning spot is effectively in the +X direction. However, when
the direction of movement of the spot is effectively in the
opposite or -X-direction, the left video signal appearing on the
line 325 leads the right video signal appearing on the line 326, as
illustrated in FIGS. 32 and 33.
Contrarywise, and considering a condition of +X-parallax, the phase
relationship between such input signals is not dependent upon the
direction of movement of the scanning spot in the Y-direction. More
particularly, the average value of such input signals, as evidenced
by the output signal of the video module appearing on the line 356,
is dependent upon the direction of movement of the scanning spot in
the X-direction and is independent of the direction of movement
thereof in the Y-direction. The waveform on the signal line 317',
which represents the output of the analyzer module 357, is seen to
have a low-average value under the four possible directions of
scanning motion. The waveform on the signal line 318' which
represents the output of the analyzer module 358 is seen to have a
low-average value in FIGS. 31 and 33 and a high-average value in
FIGS. 32 and 34. Since the effective output of each analyzer module
is the average value of its output signal waveform, it can be seen
that the output from the analyzer module 358 appearing on the line
318' has a median average value representing a zero Y-parallax
error signal, and that the output from the analyzer module 357
appearing on the line 317' has a low-average value defining a
+X-parallax error signal associated with the +X-parallax being
sensed.
FIGS. 35 through 38, inclusive, constitute a table of waveforms
similar to those illustrated in FIGS. 31 through 34, but represent
the situation in which there is parallax between the images being
scanned in a direction opposite to the parallax represented by the
waveforms in FIGS. 31 through 34, or negative X-parallax.
Accordingly, the left video signal appearing on the line 325 leads
the video signal appearing on line 326 when the scanning spot is
moving in the +X-direction as shown in FIGS. 35 and 38.
Correspondingly, the left video signal lags the right video signal
as shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 when the direction of movement of the
scanning spot is effectively in the -X-direction. It can be seen,
then, that under such condition of -X-parallax, the output signal
on the line 317' from the analyzer module 357 has a high-average
value defining a negative error signal in the X-parallax channel,
and that this average value is maintained throughout all four
directions of motion of the scanning spot. Contrarywise, the output
of the analyzer module 358 appearing on the signal line 318' has
alternately high- and low-average values resulting in an overall
median average value defining a zero error signal in the Y-parallax
direction.
FIGS. 39 through 42, inclusive, illustrate the waveforms associated
with the video module 346 and analyzer modules 358 and 358 under
conditions of a +Y-parallax displacement between the two
photographic images being scanned by the scanner tubes 74a and 74b.
As indicated hereinbefore, the direction of +Y-parallax is taken to
be such that the left video signal on the line 325 lags the right
video signal appearing on the line 326 when the scanning spot is
effectively moving in the +Y-direction, as illustrated in FIGS. 39
and 40. Correspondingly then, the left video signal leads the right
video signal when the scanning spot is effectively moving in a
-Y-direction, as illustrated in FIGS. 41 and 42. In the case of a
+Y-parallax, the output from the analyzer 357, which output appears
on the signal line 317' and represents X-parallax, alternates
between low- and high-average values, giving an effective median
average output defining a zero error signal output for the
X-parallax channel. It can also be seen that the output from the
analyzer module 358, which appears on the signal line 318' and
represents Y-parallax, has a low-average value under all four
directions of movement of the scanning spot defining a positive
Y-parallax error signal.
FIGS. 43 through 46, inclusive, constitute a table of waveforms
associated with the video module 346 and analyzer modules 357 and
358 under conditions of combined +X and +Y-parallax. Comparing
these FIGS., it will be seen that the outputs of the analyzer
modules 357 and 358 respectively appearing on signal lines 317' and
318' have a low-average value under the two conditions in which the
direction of movement of the scanning spot is in the +X, +Y and -X,
-Y directions respectively illustrated in FIGS. 43 and 45, and have
a median average value in the other two scanning directions
respectively illustrated in FIGS. 44 and 46. Therefore, the
effective outputs of the analyzer modules 357 and 358 under
conditions of a +X, +Y-parallax are both below median value when
averaged in all four directions of movement of the scanning spot;
and, consequently, both the X-parallax error signal appearing on
the line 317' and the Y-parallax error signal appearing on the line
317' represent the positive parallax error in both the X- and
Y-channels.
It will be apparent from the foregoing discussion that the analyzer
modules 357 and 358 function in entirely analogous manners in
accommodating -Y-parallax, -X, -Y parallaxes and the various
possible combinations of .+-.X- and .+-.Y-parallaxes. Accordingly,
specific descriptions of these cases have been omitted as
unnecessary to a complete understanding of the function of the
correlation unit in providing appropriate parallax error signals on
the output signal lines 317' and 318'.
Summarizing, the analyzer module 357 delivers an X-parallax error
signal on the line 317' representative of the parallax between the
left and right photographic images being scanned in the X-direction
but not representative of any parallax existing between such two
images in the Y-direction. Similarly, the analyzer module 358
delivers a Y-parallax error signal on the line 318' representative
of the parallax between the left and right photographic images
being scanned in the Y-direction but not representative of any
parallax existing between such two images in the X-direction. In
the absence of average X- and Y-parallax distortions, the signal on
the line 356 will alternate between zero and positive for
substantially equal periods, thereby representing a median signal.
Therefore, the output of the analyzer module 357 will also have a
median value regardless of the character of the reference signal
present on the line 398, thereby representing a condition of zero
X-parallax. Similarly, the output from the analyzer module 358 will
have a median value regardless of the character of the reference
signal present on the line 400, thereby representing a condition of
zero Y-parallax. Also, it will be apparent that increasing values
of X- and Y-parallax distortions result in an increasing departure
from a median signal on the line 356 and a correspondingly
increasing departure from a median signal on the line 317', in the
case of X-parallax, and on the line 318', in the case of
Y-parallax. Therefore, the sign and magnitude of the output signals
on the lines 317' and 318' are truly representative, respectively,
of the direction or sign and the magnitude of the X-parallax
distortion and Y-parallax distortion between any left and right
photographic images being scanned by the flying spot scanners 74a
and 74b.
The action of the correlation unit 329 illustrated in FIG. 19 has
been described under various conditions of parallax between the
left and right photographic transparencies being scanned and in the
various directions of movement of the scanning spot. Referring to
FIG. 18, it is seen that the corresponding outputs of the
correlation units 329 through 333 (which, as heretofore explained,
are identical in function except for the specific frequency
portions of the video spectrum on which they operate) are added
together and the summed output is applied to a low-pass filter
network. Each of the low-pass networks 334 through 345, inclusive,
is an averaging network which smoothes the error signals delivered
thereto from the associated analyzer modules so that the output
signal from the filter network is in each case the average value of
the signals from the analyzer modules in all of the correlation
units connected to any particular low-pass network.
Specifically, the output of the X-parallax analyzer module 357 of
each of the correlation units 329 through 333 is connected to the
input of the X-parallax low-pass network 334. Likewise, the output
of the Y-parallax analyzer module 358 in each of such correlation
units is connected to the input of the Y-parallax low-pass network
335. If the video signals representing the left and right images
being scanned have frequency components lying within the pass band
of several of the correlation units comprised by the correlation
system 70, then each such unit will contribute a signal output
constituting a portion of the combined registration error signal
available at the corresponding output terminal of the correlation
system. Conversely, if the video signals representing the left and
right images being scanned contain frequencies lying within the
pass band of only one correlation unit, then the registration error
signal appearing at the corresponding output terminal of the
correlation system will be derived entirely from such one
correlation unit. Due to the combined action of the several
correlation units, a greater degree of reliability is obtained in
the registration error signals than would be the case of only one
correlation unit were to be used.
The action of the correlation unit 329 has been described in
producing X- and Y-parallax error signals, and the action of the
unit 329 will now be described under conditions of relative
distortion between the left and right images being scanned so that
a registration error signal should be produced which will represent
the particular distortion existing between such scanned images. In
general, it may be stated that the presence of relative distortion
between the images being scanned causes fluctuating parallax
conditions to exist even after the average X and Y-parallaxes have
been reduced to zero. For example, if an X-scale discrepancy exists
between the left and right images being scanned, then a fluctuating
X-parallax signal will be developed by the analyzer module 357
(FIG. 19).
As shown in FIG. 19, and as indicated in FIG. 30, the analyzer
module 357 not only provides an output signal from the amplifier
428 thereof to the signal line 317' but it also provides an output
signal directly from the exclusive OR-gate 399 which appears on the
signal line 429. This signal line leads to an analyzer module 431,
and in particular to an exclusive OR-gate 432 defining the input
stage thereto. The function of the analyzer module 431 is to
develop an X-scale error signal from the nonamplified, X-parallax
signal from the analyzer module 357. In an analogous manner, if a
Y-scale discrepancy exists between the left and right images being
scanned, then a fluctuating Y-parallax signal will be developed by
the analyzer module 358 (FIG. 19).
As shown in FIG. 19, the analyzer module 358 not only provides an
output signal from the amplifier 433 thereof to the signal line
318', but it also provides an output signal directly from the
exclusive OR-gate 434 which output from the gate appears on the
signal line 435. This signal line leads to an analyzer module 436,
and in particular to an exclusive OR-gate 437 defining the input
stage thereto. The function of the analyzer module 436 is to
develop a Y-scale error signal from the nonamplified, Y-parallax
signal from the analyzer module 358.
The correlation unit 329 also includes a pair of analyzer modules
438 and 439 respectively comprising exclusive OR-gates 440 and 441.
The gate 440 is connected to the signal line 429 from the analyzer
module 357 (the gate 399 thereof), and the gate 441 is connected to
the signal line 435 from the analyzer module 358 (the gate 434
thereof). The analyzer modules 438 and 439 respectively detect the
presence of X-skew and Y-skew distortions resulting from the
X-parallax signal on the signal line 429 being a function of the
scanning spot position in the Y-direction, and resulting from the
Y-parallax signal on the signal line 435 being a function of the
scanning spot position in the X-direction. For purposes of
specifically designating the amplifier components of each of the
analyzer modules 431, 436, 438 and 439, such amplifiers are
respectively denoted with the numerals 442, 443, 444 and 445.
Referring to FIG. 19, the analyzer modules 431, 436, 438 and 439
respectively develop the first-order registration signals denoted
X-scale, Y-scale, X-skew and Y-skew. In performing such functions,
the analyzer modules 431 and 438 receive as one of the input
signals thereto the X-parallax signal output from the analyzer
module 357 appearing on the signal line 429 therefrom. Similarly,
the analyzer modules 436 and 439 receive as one of the input
signals thereto the Y-parallax signal output from the analyzer
module 358 appearing on the signal line 435 therefrom. The analyzer
modules 431 and 439 receive as the other input signals thereto the
undifferentiated X-reference signal appearing on the signal line
446 which is connected to the output signal line 386 from the delay
circuit 385 through a limiting amplifier 447 operative to shape and
limit the amplitude of the signal on the line 386. Similarly, the
analyzer modules 436 and 438 receive as the other input signals
thereto the undifferentiated Y-reference signal appearing on the
signal line 448 which is connected to the output signal line 388
from the delay circuit 387 through a limiting amplifier 449 operate
to shape and limit the amplitude of the signal on the line 388. The
limiting amplifiers 447 and 449 are identical in circuit detail and
function to the zero level discriminator previously described in
connection with FIG. 20, and the waveforms illustrated in FIG. 21
may be taken to specifically apply to the limiting amplifier
447.
In this respect, the signal input to the limiting amplifier 447
appearing on the line 386 is proportional to the X-coordinate of
the scanning spot at any instant. As indicated in FIG. 21, the
output signal from the limiting amplifier 447 appearing on the line
446 has a constant positive value whenever the input signal is of
positive polarity, and the output signal has a zero value whenever
the input signal to the amplifier is of negative polarity. The
signal on the line 446 constituting the output of the limiting
amplifier indicates, therefore, only that the scanning spot is
either in the right half (first and fourth quadrants) or the left
half (second and third quadrants) of the raster. Similarly, and in
a completely analogous manner, the action of the limiting amplifier
449 indicates only that the scanning spot is in the upper half
(first and second quadrants) or the lower half (third and fourth
quadrants) of the raster.
In describing the action of the analyzer modules 431, 438, 439 and
436, the nature and polarities of the parallax and reference
signals to the analyzer modules will be separately considered in
each case in the four quadrants of the scanning raster and in the
presence of relative distortion between the left and right
photographic images appropriate to the specific analyzer module in
each instance.
As shown in FIG. 19, the module 431 delivers an X-scale
registration error signal to the line 291', and receives as its
inputs the X-parallax signal delivered thereto on the line 429 and
the undifferentiated but shaped and limited X-reference signal
delivered thereto on the line 446. Consider first the position of
the scanning spot to be in the first or fourth quadrants of the
scanning raster, and referring to FIG. 1a, it will be seen that the
X-parallax signal will be positive in these quadrants. Therefore,
the X-parallax signal on the line 429 will be predominantly zero,
as shown in FIGS. 31 through 34, for a condition of positive
X-parallax. Since the first and fourth quadrants involve only
positive X-coordinate values, the X-position signal on the line 386
will be positive, as will the output signal of the limiting
amplifier 447 appearing on the signal line 446. Under these
conditions, the analyzer module 431 will have as its inputs a
positive reference signal delivered thereto by the signal line 446
and a predominantly zero signal delivered thereto on the line 429.
In accordance with the operation of the exclusive OR-gate in the
analyzer module 431 (identical to the operation of the gate 353
illustrated in FIG. 22, and corresponding to the input and output
conditions thereof summarized in FIG. 23), the output signal from
the analyzer module 431 appearing on the line 291' under such
conditions will be predominantly positive, defining a condition of
positive X in X or X-scale distortions.
Considering next that the scanning spot is moving in the second or
third quadrants of the raster, and since the second and third
quadrants both represent negative X-coordinate values, the
X-position reference signal on the line 387 will be negative but
the output signal of the limiting amplifier 447 appearing on the
signal line 446 will then be zero. Referring to FIG. 1a, it is seen
that the X-parallax signal will be negative in the second and third
quadrants of the raster, and therefore, the X-parallax signal on
the line 429 will be predominantly positive, as shown in FIGS. 35
through 38 for conditions of negative X-parallax. In accordance
with the operation of the exclusive OR-gate in the analyzer module
357 (refer to the operation of the gate 353 in FIGS. 22 and 23),
the output signal from the analyzer module 431 appearing on the
line 291' under such conditions will be predominantly positive,
representing a condition of positive X- in X, or X-scale
distortion. Evidently then, the output of the analyzer module 431
will be consistently positive under these conditions regardless of
the quadrant in which the scanning spot is located, and therefore
the signal on the line 291' is truly representative of positive
X-scale distortion.
Whenever the X-scale distortion is of opposite sign (that is,
negative X-scale distortion), as would be represented in FIG. 1a of
the width of the raster therein illustrated were less than the
height (that is to say, the X-direction-width of the raster is
contracted rather than expanded), the X-parallax is negative in the
first and fourth quadrants and positive in the second and third
quadrants. In the first and fourth quadrants, therefore, the input
to the analyzer module 431 will be positive on the signal line 446
representing a positive X-coordinate position, and predominantly
positive on the signal line 429 defining a negative X-parallax.
Under such conditions, and in accordance with the operation of the
analyzer module 431, the output thereof on the signal line 291'
will be predominantly zero thereby representing a negative X-scale
distortion. Likewise, with the scanning spot in either the second
or third quadrants of the raster, the X-coordinate signal appearing
on the line 446 will be zero representing negative X-coordinate
values, and the parallax signal on the line 429 will be
predominantly zero representing negative X-parallax. Therefore, the
output of the module 431 appearing on the signal line 291' would
again be predominantly zero representing a negative X-scale
distortion.
In the absence of X-scale distortion between the photographic
images being scanned, and assuming that all other distortions have
been corrected or are nonexistant, the signal appearing on the line
429 will alternate between zero and positive for substantially
equal periods, thereby representing a median signal. Therefore, the
output appearing on the signal line 291' from the analyzer module
431 will also have a median value regardless of the character of
the X-reference signal appearing on the line 446. It can also be
seen that increasing values of X-scale distortion result in an
increasing departure from a median signal on the line 429 and a
correspondingly increasing departure from a median signal on the
line 291'. Therefore, the sign and magnitude of the output signal
appearing on the line 291 is truly representative of the direction
or sign and magnitude of the X-scale distortion between any left
and right photographic images being scanned by the flying spot
scanners 74a and 74b.
Quite evidently then, the analyzer module 431 functions to
correlate the fluctuating X-parallax signal output transmitted
thereto from the analyzer module 357 with the X-coordinate
reference signal transmitted thereto on the line 446, and derive
from these two signals a consistent X-scale error signal. In an
entirely analogous manner, it can be shown that the analyzer module
436 functions to detect the presence of Y-scale distortion between
the left and right photographic images by correlating the
fluctuating Y-parallax signal transmitted thereto via signal line
435 from the analyzer module 358 with the Y-coordinate reference
signal transmitted thereto via the signal line 448 from the
limiting amplifier 449, and to derive a consistent Y-scale error
signal therefrom appearing on the line 294'.
The action of the correlation unit 329 has been described in
producing X- and Y-parallax error signals and X- and Y-scale error
signals; and the action of the correlation unit will now be
described in the presence of skew distortions as shown in FIGS. 1b
and 1d. Referring to FIG. 19, it will be observed that the X-skew
and Y-skew registration error signals appear on the lines 292' and
293' and, therefore, must be developed by the analyzer modules 438
and 439. It will also be observed that these modules 438 and 439
receive as parallax and reference inputs thereto the same signals
that were utilized by the modules 431 and 436 in the development of
X- and Y-scale error signals. However, in the case of the modules
438 and 439, X-parallax is correlated with the Y-coordinate
position of the scanning spot, and Y-parallax is correlated with
the X-coordinate position of the scanning spot, respectively.
In the following description of the production of the skew error
signals, the analyzer module 438 will first be considered. As shown
in FIG. 19, the module 438 receives as inputs thereto the
X-parallax signal output from the analyzer module 357 which is
transmitted by the signal line 429 and the shaped and
undifferentiated Y-scanning signal which is transmitted thereto
from the limiting amplifier 449 on the signal line 448. Considering
first the position of the scanning spot when moving in the first
and second quadrants of the raster, and referring to FIG. 1b, it
will be seen that X-parallax will be positive in each of these two
quadrants. Since the Y-coordinate values are positive in the first
and second quadrants, the analyzer module 438 will have as inputs
thereto a positive reference signal appearing on the line 448
representing + Y coordinate position and a predominantly zero
parallax signal appearing on the line 429 (illustrated in FIGS. 31
through 34 for a positive X-parallax condition). In accordance with
the operation of the exclusive OR-gate in the analyzer module 438
(such gate having been described in detail hereinbefore), the
output signal appearing on the line 292' will be predominantly
positive under such conditions representing a positive Y in X or
X-skew distortion.
The operation of the analyzer module 438 will next be considered
when the scanning spot is located in either the third or fourth
quadrants of the scanning raster. In these quadrants the
Y-coordinate values will be negative in all instances and therefore
the potential on line 448 will be zero. Also, referring to FIG. 1b,
it will be seen that the X parallax is negative in both the third
and fourth quadrants of the raster, and therefore the X-parallax
signal transmitted to the module 438 on the signal line 429 will be
predominantly positive, as shown in FIGS. 34 through 38 for
negative X-parallax. In accordance with the operation of the
exclusive OR-gate in the analyzer module 438, the output thereof
appearing on the signal line 292' will be predominantly positive
under these conditions representing a positive Y in X or X-skew
distortion.
It can be seen, therefore, that the signal output of the analyzer
module 438 will be consistently positive under these conditions
regardless of the quadrant in which the scanning spot is located;
and therefore, the signal appearing on the line 292' is truly
representative of +X-skew distortion. Whenever the X-skew
distortion is of opposite sign (that is, negative X-skew), as would
be represented by FIG. 1b if the slope of the Y-ordinates were
opposite to that illustrated, the X-parallax will be negative in
the first and second quadrants and positive in the third and fourth
quadrants. Therefore, when the scanning spot is in the first and
second quadrants, the inputs to the analyzer module 438 will be
positive on the signal line 448 representing a positive
Y-coordinate position, and predominantly positive on the signal
line 429 representing a negative X-parallax. In accordance with the
operation of the analyzer module, the signal output therefrom on
the line 292' will be predominantly zero, representing a negative
skew distortion under these conditions. Likewise, when the scanning
spot is in either the third or fourth quadrants of the raster, the
Y-coordinate signal appearing on the line 448 will be zero, thereby
representing negative Y-coordinate values, and the parallax signal
appearing on the line 429 will be predominantly zero, representing
positive X-parallax in such third and fourth quadrants. Therefore,
the signal output of the analyzer module 438 will again be
predominantly zero, representing a negative X-skew distortion.
In the absence of X-skew distortion, and assuming that all other
distortions have been corrected or are nonexistent, the parallax
signal appearing on the line 429 will alternate between zero and
positive for substantially equal periods thereby representing a
median signal. Accordingly, the output of the analyzer module 438
will also have a median value regardless of the character of the
reference signal appearing on the line 448. Also, it can be seen
that increasing values of X-skew distortion result in increasing
departure from a median signal on the line 429 and a
correspondingly increasing departure from a median signal on the
output signal line 292', and therefore that the sign and magnitude
of the output signal on the line 292' is truly representative of
the direction and magnitude of the X-skew distortion between the
left and right photographic images being scanned.
It will be apparent from the foregoing that the analyzer module 438
is operative to correlate a fluctuating X-parallax signal
transmitted thereto via the signal line 429 from the analyzer
module 357 with the Y-coordinate reference signal transmitted
thereto on the signal line 448, and derive therefrom a consistent Y
in X or X-skew error signal. It may be shown in an entirely
analogous manner that the analyzer module 439 is operative to
detect the presence of X in Y or Y-skew distortion between the left
and right images being scanned by correlating the fluctuating
Y-parallax signal transmitted thereto via the signal line 435 from
the analyzer module 358 with the X-coordinate reference signal
transmitted thereto via the signal line 446 from the limiting
amplifier 447.
The analyzer modules 431, 436, 438 and 439 each detect the presence
of first-order distortion between the left and right photographic
images being scanned; and in performing this detection function,
each of these analyzer modules is supplied with a reference signal
derived directly from the instantaneous X- and Y-scanning spot
coordinate signals--that is to say, undifferentiated reference
signals which are fed thereto from the X- and Y-reference signal
input lines 327 and 328 through the respectively associated delay
lines and limiting amplifiers 385-447 and 387-449. The correlation
unit 329 is also operative to detect the presence of second-order
distortion between such images and, in response thereto, provide
second-order registration error signals. In the specific apparatus
being considered, there are six such second-order registration
error signals developed.
The first two second-order error signals to be considered herein
are the XY in X and XY in Y signals which respectively appear on
the signal lines 295' and 296' and are developed in the analyzer
modules associated therewith (respectively identified in FIG. 19 by
the numerals 450 and 451). These two modules receive as a reference
signal, supplied thereto on a signal line 452, a signal derived
from both of the X- and Y-coordinate position reference signals.
Such derived signal is produced by an exclusive OR-gate 453 the
input signals to which are delivered thereto via the signal line
446 from the limiting amplifier 447 and via the signal line 448
from the limiting amplifier 449. The exclusive OR-gate 453 is
identical in both circuit and function with the exclusive OR-gate
353 heretofore described in detail and illustrated in FIG. 22.
The analyzer module 450 receives as input signals thereto the
signal provided by the exclusive OR-gate 453 and the X parallax
signal from the exclusive OR-gate 399 of the analyzer module 357,
which parallax signal is transmitted to the analyzer module 450 via
the signal line 429. The output of the analyzer module 450
constitutes the XY in X error signal appearing on the line 295',
and such signal is produced by the analyzer module 450 as a
consequence of the operation of the exclusive OR-gate 454 and
amplifier 455 therein which function in the manner hereinbefore
described in connection with the analyzer module 357.
The analyzer module 451 receives as input signals thereto the
signal provided by the exclusive OR-gate 453 and the Y-parallax
signal from the exclusive OR-gate 434 of the analyzer module 358,
which parallax signal is transmitted to the analyzer module 451 via
the signal line 435. The output of the analyzer module 451
constitutes the XY in Y error signal appearing on the line 296',
and such signal is produced by the analyzer module 451 as a
consequence of the operation of the exclusive OR-gate 456 and
amplifier 457 therein which function in the manner hereinbefore
described in connection with the analyzer module 358.
In considering the operation of the analyzer modules in producing
the second-order XY in X and XY in Y registration error signals,
the analyzer module 450 will be described with respect to the
nature and polarities of the input signals thereto in the presence
of XY in X distortion (FIG. 1k) between the left and right
photographic images being scanned when the scanning spot is in each
of the four quadrants of the scanning raster. Taking the first
quadrant (+X,+ Y) of the scanning raster, and assuming the XY in X
distortion illustrated in FIG. 1k, it is seen that positive
X-parallax is present throughout the first quadrant. Therefore,
under these conditions, the X-parallax signal transmitted to the
module 450 on the signal line 429 will be predominantly zero, as
shown in FIGS. 31 through 34. Since both the X- and Y-coordinate
positions are positive in this quadrant, the corresponding
reference signals on the lines 446 and 448 will each be positive,
as previously described; and under these conditions, the product
output of the exclusive OR-gate 453 appearing on the signal line
452 will be zero, as previously explained (see FIG. 23). Since the
inputs to the exclusive OR-gate 454 of the analyzer module 450 are
zero on the signal line 452 and predominantly zero on the signal
line 429, the output of the gate and therefore of the module 450
will be predominantly zero, which in this case represents a
positive XY in X distortion in the first quadrant as illustrated in
FIG. 1k.
Consider next the situation when the scanning spot is moving in the
second quadrant (-X,+ Y) of the scanning raster, and assuming the
XY in X distortion illustrated in FIG. 1k, it is seen that negative
X-parallax is present throughout the second quadrant. Therefore,
under these conditions, the X-parallax signal transmitted to the
module 450 on the signal line 429 will be predominantly positive,
as shown in FIGS. 35 through 38. In this quadrant, the X-coordinate
position is negative and the Y-coordinate position is positive; and
therefore, the X-reference signal on the line 446 will be zero
(FIG. 21) and the Y-reference signal on the line 448 will be
positive. Under these conditions, the product output of the
exclusive OR-gate 453 appearing on the signal line 452 will be
positive as previously explained (see FIG. 23). Since the inputs to
the exclusive OR-gate 454 of the analyzer module 450 are positive
on the signal line 452 and predominantly positive on the signal
line 429, the output of the gate and therefore of the module 450
will be predominantly zero--which again represents a positive XY in
X distortion.
Consider next the situation when the scanning spot is moving in the
third quadrant (-X,- Y) of the scanning raster, and assuming the XY
in X distortion illustrated in FIG. 1k, it is seen that positive
X-parallax is present throughout such third quadrant. Therefore,
under these conditions, the X-parallax signal transmitted to the
module 450 on the signal line 429 will be predominantly zero, as
shown in FIGS. 31 through 34. Since both the X- and Y-coordinate
positions are negative in this quadrant, the corresponding
reference signals on the lines 446 and 448 will each be zero as
previously described. Under these conditions, the product output of
the exclusive OR -gate 453 appearing on the signal line 452 will be
zero, as previously explained (FIG. 23). Since the inputs to the
exclusive OR-gate 454 of the analyzer module 450 are zero on the
signal line 452 and predominantly zero on the signal line 429, the
output of the gate and therefore of the module 450 will be
predominantly zero--which again represents a positive XY in X
distortion.
Consider finally the situation when the scanning spot is moving in
the fourth quadrant (+X,-Y) of the scanning raster, and assuming
the XY in X distortion illustrated in FIG. 1k, it is seen that
negative X-parallax is present throughout such fourth quadrant.
Therefore, under these conditions, the X-parallax signal
transmitted to the module 450 on the signal line 429 will be
predominantly positive, as shown in FIGS. 35 through 38. In this
quadrant, the X-coordinate position is positive and the
Y-coordinate position is negative; and therefore, the X-reference
signal on the line 446 will be positive and the Y-reference signal
on the line 448 will be zero. Under these conditions, the product
output of the exclusive OR-gate 453 appearing on the signal line
452 will be positive as previously explained (see FIG. 23). Since
the inputs to the exclusive OR-gate 454 of the analyzer module 450
are positive on the signal line 452 and predominantly positive on
the signal line 429, the output of the gate and therefore of the
module 450 will be predominantly zero--which again represents a
positive XY in X distortion.
It is seen, therefore, that the signal output appearing on the
signal line 295' from the analyzer module 450 is predominantly zero
irrespective of the quadrant in which the scanning spot may be
moving whenever a positive XY in X distortion exists; and
accordingly, such signal output of the analyzer module is truly
representative of positive XY in X distortion. If such distortion
had been of opposite sign such as would be represented by an
inversion of the distortion illustrated in FIG. 1k (that is, the
longer abscissa would be on the bottom rather than on the top) then
the X-parallax would have been negative in the first and third
quadrants and positive in the second and fourth quadrants. In the
first and third quadrants, therefore, the signal inputs to the
analyzer module 450 would be zero on the line 452 and predominantly
positive on the line 429. Under such conditions, the output from
the analyzer module 450 is predominantly positive, representing,
therefore, a negative XY in X distortion as required. Similarly, it
can be shown that the output of the analyzer module 450 is positive
whenever the scanning spot is moving in the second and fourth
quadrants and the XY in X distortion is negative (i.e., the
parallax is positive in each of these quadrants).
In the absence of XY in X distortion, and assuming that all other
distortions have been corrected or are nonexistent, the signal
representing X-parallax on the line 429 will alternate between zero
and positive for substantially equal periods thereby representing a
median signal. Therefore, the output from the analyzer module 450
will also have a median value regardless of the character of the
reference signal present on the line 452. Also, it will be apparent
that increasing values of XY in X distortion result in an
increasing departure from a median signal on the line 429 and a
correspondingly increasing departure from a median signal on the
line 295'. Therefore, the sign and magnitude of the output signal
on the line 295' is truly representative of the direction or sign
and the magnitude of the XY in X distortion between any left and
right photographic images being scanned by the flying spot scanners
74a and 74b.
Quite evidently then, the analyzer module 450 in operative
association with the various circuit components described functions
to correlate the fluctuating X-parallax signal output from the
analyzer module 357 with the XY-coordinate reference signal from
the exclusive OR-gate 453 in a manner such that a consistent XY in
X error signal is derived. In an entirely analogous manner, the
analyzer module 451 functions to detect the presence of XY in Y
distortion between left and right photographic images being scanned
by the flying spot scanners by correlating the fluctuating
Y-parallax signal output from the analyzer module 358 with the
XY-reference signal from the exclusive OR-gate 453 so as to produce
a consistent XY in Y error signal on the line 296'.
The second-order transformations containing squared terms are
illustrated in FIGS. 1h, 1j, 1-l and 1m, and are effected in
response to registration error signals appearing on the signal
lines 297' through 300' which are respectively connected to and
define the output signal lines of analyzer modules 458, 459, 460
and 461. As in the case of the prior analyzer modules heretofore
considered, each of the modules 458 through 461 comprises an
exclusive OR-gate and an amplifier; and for purposes of specific
identification, the exclusive OR-gates are respectively denoted 462
through 465 and, similarly, the amplifiers are respectively denoted
466 through 469. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the analyzer modules
458 and 459 receive as one of their inputs the X-parallax signal
transmitted thereto on signal line 429 from the analyzer module
357. Similarly, the analyzer modules 460 and 461 receive as one of
their inputs the Y-parallax signal transmitted thereto on signal
line 435 from the analyzer module 358.
The modules 458 and 460 receive as the other input signal thereto a
reference signal from a signal line 470, which reference signal is
derived from the X-position reference signal appearing on the line
386 after processing thereof in a full-wave rectifier 471 and
limiting amplifier 472. The signal line 470 defines the output from
the amplifier 472, and the full-wave rectifier is connected to the
input thereof by signal line 473. Similarly, the modules 459 and
461 receive as the other input signal thereto a reference signal
from a signal line 474, which reference signal is derived from the
y position reference signal appearing on the line 388 after
processing thereof in a full-wave rectifier 475 and limiting
amplifier 476. The signal line 474 defines the output from the
amplifier 476, and the full-wave rectifier is connected to the
input thereof by a signal line 477.
Prior to describing the operation of the analyzer modules 458
through 461, the action of each of the full-wave rectifiers and
limiting amplifiers will be considered; and for purposes of
description, the full-wave rectifier 471 and amplifier 472 will be
selected, and their function described with relation to the
X-coordinate reference signal fed to the rectifier 471 from the
signal line 386. In this connection, a schematic circuit diagram of
the rectifier is illustrated in FIG. 48.
The rectifier comprises four diodes respectively denoted 478, 479,
480 and 481 connected in a bridge network, with the anodes of the
diodes 478 and 481 connected in common to ground and the cathodes
of the diodes 479 and 480 connected in common to an output signal
line 473. The cathode of the diode 478 and anode of the diode 479
are connected in common to one side of the secondary winding 483 of
an isolation transformer generally designated with the numeral 485.
In a similar manner, the cathode of the diode 481 and anode of the
diode 480 are connected in common to the opposite side of the
secondary winding 483. The primary winding 486 of the transformer
is grounded at one end thereof, and the opposite end is connected
to an input signal line 386. The output signal line 473 is
connected to ground through a suitable load resistance 488 which
can be omitted if the external circuitry connected with the output
signal line 482 in any specific network provides a suitable loading
resistance.
The transformer 485 acts to produce a voltage waveform across the
secondary winding 483 which is a replica of the voltage input
appearing on the signal line 386, and the full-wave rectifier
delivers to the output signal line 473 a waveform having twice the
frequency of the input waveform applied to the input signal line
386. More particularly, consider first the action of the rectifier
when the potential at the juncture of the diodes 478 and 479 is
positive with respect to the potential at the juncture of the
diodes 480 and 481. Under these voltage conditions, the diodes 479
and 481 will be forward-biased and, therefore, will present a low
resistance to the flow of current. Correspondingly, the diodes 478
and 480 will be back-biased and will accordingly present a high
resistance to current flow. Consequently, the juncture of the
diodes 480 and 481 is effectively connected to ground through the
forward-biased diode 481, and the juncture of the diodes 478 and
479 is connected to the output signal line 386 through the
forward-biased diode 479. The diodes 478 and 480 in being
back-biased will present a very high resistance to current flow,
and the current therethrough can be neglected. Therefore, the
potential appearing on the output signal line 473 will be
essentially a duplicate of the potential at the juncture of the
diodes 478 and 479, and the positive half of the input voltage
waveform will be reproduced on the output signal line 473
essentially unmodified.
Consider next the action of the rectifier when the potential at the
juncture of the diodes 480 and 481 is positive with respect to the
potential at the juncture of the diodes 478 and 479. Under these
voltage conditions, the diodes 478 and 480 will be forward-biased
and will therefore present a low resistance to the flow of current.
Correspondingly, the diodes 479 and 481 will be back-biased and
will therefore present a high resistance to current flow.
Consequently, the juncture of the diodes 478 and 479 is effectively
connected to ground through the forward-biased diode 478, and the
juncture of the diodes 480 and 481 is connected to the output
signal line 473 through the forward-biased diode 480. The diodes
479 and 481 in being back-biased will present a very high
resistance to current flow, and the current therethrough can be
neglected. Therefore, the potential appearing on the output signal
line 473 will be essentially a duplicate of the potential at the
juncture of the diodes 480 and 481 which is, by action of the
transformer 485, an inverted duplicate of the input voltage
waveform applied to the transformer on the input signal line
386.
The time relationships between the input and output waveforms of
the full-wave rectifier 471 are illustrated in FIG. 49. Referring
to this Figure, it is seen that the lower or negative portions of
the X-reference signal waveforms on the line 386 appear inverted on
the output line 473 of the rectifier and are added to the
uninverted upper or positive portions of the input waveform to
provide a reduced amplitude sawtooth waveform having twice the
frequency of the input sawtooth waveform. The zero axis of the
waveform appearing on the signal line 473 is denoted by the broken
line 473a in FIG. 49, and such zero axis is established by the
input circuit to the limiting amplifier 472.
Such limiting amplifier is identical in circuit and function with
the limiting amplifiers heretofore described, and in particular
with the zero level discriminator 349 which is illustrated
schematically in FIG. 20. The input circuit establishing such zero
line 473a in FIG. 49 is defined in the amplifier illustrated in
FIG. 20 by the capacitance 362 and the resistances 364 and 365. The
output waveform of the limiting amplifier 472 is a square-shaped
waveform as shown in FIG. 49, and it alternates between positive
and zero values in accordance with whether the input signal thereto
is respectively positive or negative.
As indicated hereinbefore, the action of the full-wave rectifier
475 and limiting amplifier 476 associated therewith is completely
analogous to that of the rectifier 471 and amplifier 472, and
therefore the components 471-472 and 475-476 respectively perform
analogous functions in the X-reference channel and Y-reference
channel.
The nature of the X-reference signal appearing on the line 470 and
its relation to the position of the scanning spot in the raster at
any instant will now be considered with reference to the waveforms
illustrated in FIG. 49. Whenever the position of the scanning spot
is adjacent the right-hand border of the scanning raster (that is,
approaching the extreme limit of scanning motion in the
+X-direction), the signal on the line 386 will be strongly positive
and the corresponding signal on the line 470 will be positive.
Similarly, whenever the scanning spot is adjacent the left-hand
border of the scanning raster (that is, approaching the extreme
limit of scanning motion in the -X-direction), the signal on the
line 386 will be strongly negative and the corresponding signal on
the line 470 will be positive. Whenever the scanning spot is near
the center of the scanning raster (that is to say, adjacent the
Y-axis thereof), the signal on the line 386 will be near zero and
the corresponding signal on the line 470 will be zero. It will be
observed in FIG. 49 that the transition in the signal waveform from
zero to a positive value on the line 470 occurs when the scanning
spot is about halfway between the center (Y-axis) of the raster and
the left or right borders thereof.
The analyzer module 458 is connected to the signal line 470, and
therefore one of the input signals to the exclusive OR-gate 462 is
the second-order X-reference waveform illustrated in FIG. 49. The
other input to the gate 462 is transmitted thereto via signal line
429 which provides a fluctuating X-parallax signal from the
analyzer module 357. In response to these signal inputs, the
analyzer module 458 develops an X.sup.2 in X registration error
signal which appears on the line 297'. Referring to FIG. 1h which
illustrates an X.sup.2 in X distortion of the scanning raster, it
will be noted that an undistorted raster, indicated by broken lines
is superimposed thereon. Comparing the undistorted and transformed
rasters, it is seen that the X parallax is positive adjacent both
the left and right borders of the raster and is negative in the
central region thereof.
Consider first the action of the analyzer module 458 whenever the
position of the scanning spot approaches the right-hand margin of
the scanning raster. The X-parallax is positive in this region and
the X-parallax signal appearing on the line 429 will be
predominantly zero, as shown in FIGS. 31 through 34 for a condition
of positive parallax. Since the position of the spot near the
right-hand border of the scanning raster represents a large
positive X-coordinate value, the potential of the reference signal
on the line 386 will be strongly positive, resulting in a positive
signal on the input line 470 to the analyzer module 458, as
illustrated in FIG. 49. In accordance with the operation of the
exclusive OR-gate 462 in the module 458, the output signal on the
line 297' therefrom will be predominantly positive (see FIG. 23
indicating that the output of the exclusive OR-gate is positive
whenever one of the input signals thereto is positive and the other
zero), thereby representing a positive X.sup.2 in X distortion.
Next consider the action of the analyzer module 458 whenever the
position of the scanning spot approaches the left-hand margin of
the scanning raster. The X-parallax is positive in this region and
the X-parallax signal appearing on the line 429 will be
predominantly zero, as shown in FIGS. 31 through 34 for a condition
of positive parallax. Since the position of the spot near the
left-hand border represents a large negative X-coordinate value,
the potential of the reference signal on the line 386 will be
strongly negative, resulting in a positive signal on the input line
470 to the analyzer module 458 (FIG. 49). In accordance with the
operation of the exclusive OR-gate 462 in the module 458, the
output signal on the line 297' therefrom will be predominantly
positive, thereby again representing a positive X.sup.2 in X
distortion.
Next consider the action of the analyzer module 458 whenever the
scanning spot is positioned near the center of the scanning raster.
The X-parallax is negative in this region and the X-parallax signal
appearing on the line 429 will be predominantly positive, as shown
in FIGS. 35 through 38, for a condition of negative X-parallax.
Since the position of the spot near the center of the scanning
raster represents near-zero X-coordinate values, the potential of
the reference signal on the line 386 will be near zero, resulting
in a zero signal on the input line 470 to the analyzer module 458.
In accordance with the operation of the exclusive OR-gate 462 in
the module 458, the output signal on the line 297' therefrom will
be predominantly positive, thereby representing a positive X.sup.2
in X distortion.
Evidently then, the output of the analyzer module will be
consistently positive regardless of the position of the scanning
spot in the scanning raster; and, therefore, the positive signal on
the line 297' is truly representative of positive X.sup. 2 in X
distortion. If the distortion had been of opposite sign, such as
would be represented by the FIG. 1h if it were reversed from left
to right, then the x-parallax would have been negative along both
the left and right-hand borders of the scanning raster and positive
in the central regions thereof. Therefore, with the scanning spot
near the borders of the raster, the inputs to the module 458 would
have been positive on the signal line 470, as before, and
predominantly positive on the signal line 429 representing a
negative X-parallax. In accordance with the operation of the
analyzer module 458, the output therefrom on the signal line 297'
would be predominantly zero under these conditions, representing a
negative X.sup. 2 in x distortion. Similarly, with the scanning
spot near the center of the raster, the coordinate reference signal
on the line 470 would be zero, as before; and the X-parallax signal
on the line 429 would be predominantly zero representing positive
X-parallax. Accordingly, the output signal on line 297' from the
analyzer module 458 would be predominantly zero, again representing
a negative X.sup. 2 in x distortion.
In the absence of X.sup. 2 in X distortion and assuming that all
other distortions have been corrected or are nonexistent, the
X-parallax signal on the line 429 will alternate between zero and
positive values for substantially equal periods, representing a
median signal. Therefore, the output from the module 458 will also
have a median value regardless of the character of the reference
signal fed thereto on the line 470. Also, increasing values of
X.sup. 2 in X distortion result in an increasing departure from a
median signal on the line 429, and a correspondingly increasing
departure from a median signal on the output line 297'. Therefore,
the sign and magnitude of the signal appearing on the line 297' is
truly representative of the direction and magnitude of the X.sup. 2
in X distortion between the left and right photographic images
being scanned by the flying spot scanners 74a and 74b.
It is apparent from the foregoing discussion that the analyzer
module 458 functions to correlate the fluctuating X-parallax signal
transmitted thereto on signal line 429 from the analyzer module 357
with the X.sup. 2 coordinate reference signal transmitted thereto
on the line 470 from the limiting amplifier 472, and to derive from
such signals a consistent X.sup. 2 in X error signal. The analyzer
module 461, in an entirely analogous manner, functions to correlate
the fluctuating Y-parallax signal transmitted thereto on signal
line 435 from the analyzer module 358 with the Y.sup. 2 -coordinate
reference signal transmitted thereto on the line 474 from the
limiting amplifier 476, and to derive from such signals a
consistent Y.sup. 2 in Y error signal that appears on the signal
line 300'.
The action of the correlation unit 329 will now be described in the
presence of the second-order distortions illustrated in FIGS. 1j
and 1m (namely, Y.sup. 2 in X and X.sup. 2 in Y distortions) which
may be described as being curvilinear. The error signals
representing such distortions respectively appear on the signal
lines 298' and 299' which define the outputs from the respective
analyzer modules 459 and 460. It may be concluded, therefore, that
the signals for such second-order distortions are developed in
these two modules.
It will be observed in FIG. 19 that the analyzer modules 459 and
460 receive as input signals the same parallax and reference
signals which are utilized by the analyzer modules 458 and 461
heretofore described. However, in contrast to the modules 458 and
461 in which X-parallax error signals are coordinated with X.sup. 2
-coordinate reference signals and Y-parallax error signals are
coordinated with the Y.sup. 2 -coordinate reference signals,
respectively, the module 459 correlates the X-parallax error signal
with the Y.sup. 2 coordinate reference signal and the module 460
correlates the Y-parallax error signal with the X.sup. 2
-coordinate reference signal. In this respect, the X.sup. 2
-coordinate reference signal. In this respect, the exclusive
or-gate 463 of the analyzer module 459 is connected with the
X-parallax signal line 429 and with the Y.sup. 2 -reference signal
line 474; and similarly, the exclusive OR-gate 464 of the module
460 is connected to the Y-parallax signal line 435 and to the
X.sup. 2 -reference signal line 470.
In considering the operation of the correlation unit in producing
error signals representing the curvilinear distortions shown in
FIGS. 1j and 1m, the action of the analyzer module 459 will be
described in producing the Y.sup. 2 in X error signal appearing on
the line 298'. As stated, the inputs to such module 459 constitute
the X-parallax signal transmitted thereto on the line 429 and the
Y.sup. 2 coordinate reference signal transmitted thereto on the
line 474. By referring to FIG. 1j, a comparison of the superimposed
undistorted and transformed rasters shows that the X-parallax is
positive toward the upper and lower borders of the raster and is
negative in the central regions thereof.
Consider first the action of the analyzer module 459 whenever the
position of the scanning spot approaches the upper border of the
scanning raster. The X-parallax is positive in this region, and the
X-parallax signal appearing on the line 429 will be predominantly
zero, as shown in FIGS. 31 through 34 for a condition of positive
parallax. Since the position of the spot near the upper border of
the scanning raster represents a large positive Y-coordinate value,
the potential of the reference signal on line 388 will be strongly
positive, resulting in a positive Y.sup. 2 -reference signal on the
input line 474 to the analyzer module 459 (corresponding to the
X.sup. 2 -reference signal on line 470, as illustrated in FIG. 49).
In accordance with the operation of the exclusive OR-gate 463 in
the analyzer module 459, the output signal on the line 298
therefrom will be predominantly positive (see FIG. 23 indicating
that the output of the exclusive OR-gate is positive whenever one
of the input signals thereto is positive and the other negative),
thereby representing a positive Y.sup. 2 in x distortion.
Next consider the action of the analyzer module 459 whenever the
position of the scanning spot approaches the lower boundary of the
scanning raster. The X-parallax is positive in this region and the
X-parallax signal appearing on the line 429 will be predominantly
zero, as shown in FIGS. 31 through 34 for a condition of positive
parallax. Since the position of the spot near the lower boundary of
the reactor represents a large negative Y-coordinate value, the
potential of the reference signal on the line 388 will be strongly
negative, resulting in a Y.sup. 2 -reference waveform on the line
474 to the analyzer module 459 which will be positive. In
accordance with the operation of the exclusive OR-gate 463 in the
module 459, the output signal on the line 298' therefrom will be
predominantly positive, thereby again representing a positive
Y.sup. 2 in X distortion.
Next consider the action of the analyzer module 459 whenever the
scanning spot is positioned near the center of the scanning raster.
The X-parallax is negative in this region and the X-parallax signal
appearing on the line 429 will be predominantly positive, as shown
in FIGS. 35 through 38 for a condition of negative X-parallax.
Since the position of the spot near the center of the scanning
raster represents near-zero Y-coordinate values, the potential of
the reference signal on the line 388 will be near zero, resulting
in a zero signal on the input line 474 to the analyzer module 459.
(Analogous to the signal on the line 470, as shown in FIG. 49). In
accordance with the operation of the exclusive OR-gate 463 in the
module 459, the output signal on the line 298' therefrom will be
predominantly positive, thereby representing a positive Y.sup. 2 in
X distortion. Evidently then, the output of the analyzer module 459
will be consistently positive regardless of the position of the
scanning spot in the scanning raster; and, therefore, the positive
signal on the line 298' is truly representative of positive Y.sup.
2 in X distortion.
If the distortion had been of opposite sign such as would be
represented in FIG. 1j if it were reversed from left to right with
the ordinals curved in the opposite direction, then the X-parallax
would have been negative toward the upper and lower boundaries of
the scanning raster and positive in the central regions thereof.
Therefore, with the scanning spot near the upper and lower
boundaries of the raster, the inputs to the module 459 would have
been positive on the signal line 474, as before, and predominantly
positive on the line 429, representing a negative X-parallax. In
accordance with the operation of the analyzer module 459, the
output therefrom on the signal line 298' would be predominantly
zero under these conditions, representing a negative Y.sup. 2 in X
distortion. Similarly, with the scanning spot near the center of
the raster, the Y.sup. 2 -coordinate reference signal on the line
474 would be zero as before; and the X -parallax signal on the line
429 would be predominantly zero, representing positive X-parallax.
Accordingly, the output signal on the line 298' from the analyzer
module 459 would be predominantly zero, again representing a
negative Y.sup. 2 in X distortion.
In the absence of Y.sup. 2 in X distortion, the X-parallax signal
on the line 429 will alternate between zero and positive values for
substantially equal periods representing a median signal.
Therefore, the output from the analyzer module 459 will also have a
median value regardless of the character of the reference signal
fed thereto on the line 474. Also, increasing values of X.sup. 2 in
X distortion result in an increasing departure from a median signal
on the line 429 and a correspondingly increasing departure from a
median signal on the output line 298'. Therefore, the sign and
magnitude of the signal appearing on the line 298' is truly
representative of the direction and magnitude of the Y.sup. 2 in X
distortion between the left and right photographic images being
scanned by the flying spot scanners 74a and 74b.
It is apparent from the foregoing discussion that the analyzer
module 459 functions to correlate the fluctuating X-parallax signal
transmitted thereto on signal line 429 from the analyzer module 357
with the Y.sup. 2 -coordinate reference signal transmitted thereto
on the line 474 from the limiting amplifier 476, and to derive from
such signals a consistent Y.sup. 2 in X error signal. The analyzer
module 460, in an entirely analogous manner, functions to correlate
the fluctuating Y-parallax signal transmitted thereto on signal
line 435 from the analyzer module 358 with the X.sup. 2 -coordinate
reference signal transmitted thereto on the line 470 from the
limiting amplifier 472, and to derive from such signals a
consistent X.sup. 2 in Y error signal that appears on the line
299.
Summarizing briefly the operation of the correlation unit
illustrated in FIG. 19, it may be said that each of the ten
analyzer modules function to sense misregister between the images
being scanned according to the various types corresponding to the
ten prime transformations illustrated in FIG. 1, and the zero-order
or X- and Y-parallax transformations. Such sensing operations are
performed in terms of detecting time differences between the left
and right video input signals respectively transmitted to the video
module 346 on the input signal lines 325 and 326, and between
signals derived from the respective video input signals and the X-
and Y-reference signals or their derivatives. In particular, each
analyzer module is effective to correlate a fluctuating parallax
signal with the appropriate X- and Y-reference signal or derivative
thereof and to extract a registration error signal coherent with
the particular reference input signal.
As illustrated in FIGS. 39 through 42, the analyzer module 357 is
insensitive to Y parallax components of the output signal from the
exclusive OR-gate 353 appearing on the signal line 356 therefrom.
In a similar manner, FIGS. 31 through 38 illustrate that the
analyzer module 358 is insensitive to X-parallax components of the
output signal appearing on the line 356. It can be shown in a
similar manner that each of the other analyzer modules is
insensitive to parallax fluctuations that are not coherent with the
reference signal input thereto but which may be coherent with
reference signals to other modules. Therefore, each analyzer module
by correlating a composite parallax fluctuation with its own
particular reference signal is responsive, exclusively, to a single
distortion component in such composite parallax signal. Evidently
then, the actions of the various analyzer modules may be said to be
mutually independent and, accordingly, there is no interference
therebetween.
As discussed hereinbefore, the specific correlation system
disclosed comprises a plurality of correlation units (see FIG. 18)
which are identical except for the band-pass networks (the networks
347 and 348 illustrated in FIG. 19 for the correlation unit 329).
By effectively segmenting the entire video spectrum into
restricted-bandwidth portions thereof, the extent of information
loss that results from clipping or reducing the amplitude of such
video signals is materially lessened. Accordingly, this
multiple-correlation-unit arrangement enables the use of the
exceedingly simple correlation circuitry comprising the exclusive
OR-gates in combination with the amplitude-limiting networks,
namely, the zero-level discriminators 349 and 350, without
significant loss of video information utilizable for correlation
purposes.
As stated hereinbefore, the low-pass networks 334 through 345
illustrated in FIG. 18 are identical in both circuit and function,
and the circuit details of one such low-pass network is illustrated
in FIG. 50. This circuit, then, defines all of the low-pass
networks, but for specific reference, the circuit is considered to
represent the network 334 and is so labeled in FIG. 50.
Referring to FIG. 50, it is seen that the low-pass network 334
comprises resistors 490, 491, 493 and 495 together with capacitors
492, 494 and 496. The input signal line 317' is connected to the
output signal line 317 through the series-connected resistors 490
and 491. The input line 317' is connected to ground through the
capacitor 492, and the output line 317 is connected to ground
through the resistor 495 and the capacitor 496 in series connection
therewith. The midpoint of resistors 490 and 491 is connected to
ground through the resistor 493 and the capacitor 494 in series
connection therewith.
It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the network
shown in FIG. 50 will, in general, attenuate signals applied to the
input line 317' so that a reduced signal level with respect thereto
will be available at the output line 317. Also, it will be evident
that the higher frequency components of the input signals applied
to the line 317' will be attenuated to a greater extent than the
lower frequency components owing to the relatively reduced
reactance of the capacitance elements of the circuit at higher
frequencies.
FIG. 51 is a graph in which the X or horizontal axis represents
frequency conveniently in a logarithmic scale and the Y or vertical
axis represents power-level ratio (decibels), and such graph
illustrates the type of response to be expected from the low-pass
network 334. Each of the segments 497 and 499 of the response
characteristic has a slope of about -12 db. per octave, i.e., the
abscissa of a point on the characteristic decreases by about 12 db.
for an increase in frequency by a factor of 2. Similarly, each of
the segments 498 and 500 has a slope of about -6 db. per octave.
The points of mergence of the successive segments are called corner
frequencies and are determined by the values of the circuit
elements.
The circuit network 334 is effective to smooth the input signal on
the line 317' in order to provide an output signal on the line 317
which varies smoothly with time. Also the network 334 does not
render the X-parallax feedback correction loop unstable, as would
be the case if the average slope of the characteristic in FIG. 51
were equal to at least -12 db. per octave.
The response time of each prime transformation correction channel
is governed largely by the characteristic of the low pass networks,
particularly the corner frequencies thereof. Higher corner
frequencies produce more rapid response and also increase the
susceptibility of the system to noise and to the temporary loss of
image correlation such as may be encountered briefly in passing
areas of little or no image detail in one or both of the images
being scanned.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS
The operation of the image registration instrument, in an overall
sense, is evident from the foregoing discussion in which each of
the various components and its operation has been set forth in
specific detail. Therefore, at this point only a few observations
concerning features not specifically discussed heretofor in detail
are desirable.
In this connection, it may be noted that the power supplies
employed to generate the various voltages used throughout the
instrument are wholly conventional, regulated power supplies.
In the particular instrument considered in detail herein, the
primary use therefor is in obtaining registration of a pair of
images and, in particular, registration of a pair of stereograms or
stereo photographic transparencies for stereographic observation
thereof. Thus, the scanning system concurrently scans a pair of
such images, and electronic reproductions thereof are respectively
developed in the binocular viewer 62 comprising the right and left
viewing cathode ray tubes 75a and 75b. It is quite common in
photogrammetry, however, to be concerned with the problem of
transforming a single image to facilitate visual observation
thereof, for example, for photographically reproducing the same in
undistorted form. That is to say, a photographic image may be
undesirably distorted for any one of a number of reasons and visual
inspection thereof can be tremendously enhanced if at least some of
the distortion is removed. Such removal is often referred to as
image rectification and involves transforming the image (that is,
performing thereon one or more of the transformations illustrated
in FIG. 1). It should be quite evident that the present instrument
is exceedingly useful in this "single-image transformation"
context.
Also in the particular instrument being considered, the raster
transformations are applied at the same time to each of the flying
spot scanners 74a and 74b. This is by no means requisite, however,
and image registration of a pair of images is readily obtained by
applying the transformations exclusively to one or the other of the
flying spot scanners. In this event, the hybrid circuits 283 and
284 (FIG. 16) could be omitted since their function, as heretofore
explained in detail, is to modify in opposite senses the X-scanning
signals, in the case of the hybrid 283, applied to the left and
right scanning cathode ray tubes 74b and 74a to effect
complementary transformations of the rasters thereof. Similarly,
modification is effected on the Y-scanning signals by the hybrid
circuit 284. If transformations are to be performed on the rasters
of only one of the scanners, specifically by way of example the
left flying spot scanner, the hybrid circuits 283 and 284 would be
replaced by simple summing points such as the point 285 along the
line 301, as already described. In this way, the
.DELTA.X-correction signal present on the line 301 could be applied
to the left scanner tube by adding at such a summing point, the
X-scanning signal present on the line 114 and the .DELTA.X
correction signal on the line 301, and then taking the output of
such summing point directly to the output line 303. In this case,
since an X-transformation is not desired on the right scanner tube,
the output line 304 would bypass the hybrid circuit and would be
directly connected to the X-scanning signal line 114. Similarly,
the .DELTA.X-correction signal on the line 302 could be applied to
the left scanner tube by adding at a summing point, the Y-scanning
signal present on the line 113 and the .DELTA.Y-correction signal
on the line 302, and then taking the output of such summing point
directly to the output line 305. Since any transformation is not
desired on the right scanner, the output line 306 would bypass the
hybrid circuit and would be directly connected to the Y-scanning
signal line 113.
In certain instances the raster transformations can be applied as
readily to the viewing cathode ray tubes 75a and 75b (or to one
such viewing tube in accordance with the foregoing discussion) as
to the flying spot scanner tubes 74a and 74b, although in the case
of automatic registration the feedback control loops are
effectively closed by effecting raster changes of the scanner
tubes. In the event of such application to the viewing tubes, the
output signals from the transformation system illustrated in FIG.
16 will simply be applied to the viewing cathode-ray tubes rather
than to the flying spot scanners. It may be noted that in most
cases, it is more desirable to apply the transformations to the
scanning cathode-ray tubes because then the rasters appearing on
the faces of the viewing cathode-ray tubes have the customary
rectangular configuration. For purposes hereof, the application of
the raster transformations to the scanning and viewing cathode-ray
tubes are considered to have functional identicalness and for
purposes of simplifying the claim language, reference will be made
in the main to the flying spot scanners specifically in preference
to employing generalities that, while sufficiently broad to
literally encompass both the scanning and viewing cathode ray
tubes, would be quite cumbersome.
It should be understood that while the specific instrument performs
transformations of the zero-, first-, and second-order, as
heretofore described, the principles employed therein can be used
to provide transformation of any higher order that might be either
necessary or desirable in any particular instance. In a general
sense, this would involve simply the addition of analyzer modules
in the correlation system, and additional modulators would
accordingly be used in the transformation system. Quite apparently,
the inclusion of such additional components would increase both
cost and complexity, neither of which are warranted in this
instrument because, as stated hereinbefore, although certain types
of photographs present considerable third- and higher-order
distortions, sections of such photographs of a size likely to be
examined at any one time show much less higher order distortion.
Therefore, the complexity inherent in providing such higher order
transformations should not be occasioned in this instance.
In a similar manner, there may be situations in which only
lesser-order transformations are warranted in an instrument, and in
such event, a simplified form of the present instrument could be
provided. That is, the correlation unit illustrated in FIG. 19
could be simplified by eliminating those analyzer modules and
associated components concerned with the second-order
transformations, and the transformation system illustrated in FIG.
16 would be simplified correspondingly by eliminating modulator
assemblies. Thus, it can be stated that image transformations of
any order that may be required in a particular environment can be
provided using the principles disclosed herein.
It is to be understood that viewing referred to herein is
comprehensive of visual observation by eyes or by photographic or
analogous sensing means.
For purposes of presenting a specific example of component values
in typical illustrative circuits, the following may be
considered:
The Limiting Amplifier and Integrator Circuit
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
illustrated in FIG. 11
transistor 141 2N2189 resistance 142 6.8K ohms resistance 143 15k
ohms resistance 144 4.7K ohms resistance 145 15k ohms capacitance
147 0.1 microfarad transistor 148 2N2189 resistance 149 15k ohms
resistance 150 2.2k ohms resistance 151 220 ohms capacitance 152 1
microfarad resistance 153 2.2k ohms diode 154 1N914 diode 155 1N914
resistance 156 1.8k ohms capacitance 157 1 microfarad capacitance
158 1 microfarad coupling capacitance 159 4.7 microfarads
transistor 160 2N2189 resistance 161 56k ohms resistance 162 10k
ohms resistance 163 10k ohms resistance 164 2.2k ohms capacitance
165 4.7 microfarads capacitance 166 33 picofarads resistance 167
10k ohms transistor 169 2N2189 resistance 170 3.3k ohms coupling
capacitance 171 4.7 microfarads
__________________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Delay Circuit illustrated in FIG. 12
resistance (variable) 172 5k ohms capacitance 173 68 picofarads
__________________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Video Processor Circuit illustrated in FIG. 15
transistor 213 2N2189 resistance 215 3.9k ohms resistance 216 1k
ohms resistance 217 1k ohms bypass capacitance 218 15 picofarads
resistance 219 3.3k ohms resistance 220 18k ohms smoothing
capacitance 221 15 microfarads light-sensitive resistance 222 ck
1114 capacitance 227 10 microfarads transistor 228 2N2189
transistor 229 2N2189 resistance 230 3.3k ohms resistance 231 6.8k
ohms resistance 232 220 ohms capacitance 233 68 picofarads biasing
resistance 234 270 ohms resistance 235 1k ohms capacitance 236 56
microfarads resistance 237 2.2k ohms resistance 238 6.8k ohms
resistance 239 330 ohms smoothing capacitance 240 15 microfarads
resistance 241 4.7k ohms capacitance 242 1 microfarad transistor
243 2N2102 capacitance 244 100 microfarads resistance 245 330 ohms
resistance 246 330 ohms capacitance 247 470 picofarads diode 248
1N198 diode 249 1N198 capacitance 250 1.0microfarads capacitance
251 2.2microfarads transistor 252 2N2104 load resistance 253 1.8k
ohms capacitance 254 1 microfarads resistance 255 1k ohms
resistance 256 390 ohms capacitance 257 1000 microfarads
capacitance 258 6.8 microfarads resistance 259 3.9k ohms
__________________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Zero-Level Discriminator circuit illustrated in FIG. 20
transistor 359 2N2189 transistor 360 2N2189 resistance 361 1 k ohms
blocking capacitance 362 0.02 microfarads resistance 363 1 k ohms
resistance 364 10 k ohms resistance 365 4.7 k ohms resistance 367
2.7 k ohms resistance 368 10 k ohms resistance 369 4.7 k ohms
capacitance 370 0.02 microfarads
__________________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Exclusive-OR-Gate Circuit illustrated in FIG. 22
transistor 373 2N709 transistor 374 2N709 transistor 375 2N709
transistor 376 2N709 transistor 377 2N709 resistance 378 1k ohms
resistance 379 1k ohms resistance 380 1k ohms resistance 381 1k
ohms
__________________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Delay Line illustrated in FIG. 27
inductance 389 1 microhenry inductance 390 1 microhenry inductance
391 1 microhenry inductance 392 1 microhenry capacitance 393 1000
picofarads capacitance 394 1000 picofarads capacitance 395 1000
picofarads
__________________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Differentiator Circuit illustrated in FIG. 28
transistor 402 2N2189 transistor 403 2N2189 input capacitance 404
0.02 microfarads resistance 406 10k ohms resistance 407 4.7k ohms
resistance 409 2.7k ohms resistance 410 10k ohms resistance 411
4.7k ohms capacitance 412 0.02 microfarads resistance 413 1k ohms
__________________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Analyzer Module Circuit illustrated in FIG. 30
transistor 414 2N709 transistor 415 2N709 transistor 416 2N709
transistor 417 2N709 transistor 418 2N709 transistor 419 2N2189
transistor 420 2N2189 resistance 421 1k ohms resistance 422 1k ohms
resistance 423 1k ohms resistance 424 1k ohms resistance 425 2.2k
ohms resistance 426 1.2k ohms diode 427 1N914
__________________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
the full Waveform Rectifier Circuit illustrated in FIG. 48
diode 478 1N914 diode 479 1N914 diode 480 1N914 diode 481 1N914
load resistance 488 1k ohms
__________________________________________________________________________
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Low-Pass Networks illustrated in FIG. 50
resistance 490 4.7k ohms resistance 491 4.7k ohms capacitance 492
39 microfarads resistance 493 3.3k ohms capacitance 494 15
microfarads resistance 495 2.2k ohms capacitance 496 82 microfarads
__________________________________________________________________________
Approximate values for the corner frequencies indicated in the
graph of FIG. 51 that result from the circuit values specifically
set forth are as
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
follows
f.sub.1 =0.2 cycles per second
f.sub.2 =0.8 cycles per second
f.sub.3 =1.6 cycles per second
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
f.sub.4 =3.2 cycles per second
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Components illustrated in FIG. 3
74a cathode-ray tube Dumont 5 CK P16. 74b cathode-ray tube Dumont 5
CK P16. 75a cathode-ray tube Video-color Corp. VC5AP (PAS5) 75b
cathode-ray tube Video-Color Corp. VC5AP (PAS5) 76a multiplier
phototube RCA 6655-A 76b multiplier phototube RCA 6655-A 188a
multiplier phototube RCA 6655-A 188b multiplier phototube RCA
6655-A
__________________________________________________________________________
it should be appreciated that the specific circuit values set forth
imply no criticality and can be varied greatly depending upon
internal and external parameters, the choice of transistors, the
specific function intended for the circuit in any environmental
setting, etc.
While in the foregoing specification an embodiment of the invention
has been set forth in considerable detail for purposes of making an
adequate disclosure thereof, it will be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made in such
details without departing from the spirit and principles of the
invention.
* * * * *