U.S. patent number RE29,194 [Application Number 05/627,411] was granted by the patent office on 1977-04-26 for method and apparatus for transferring data.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. Invention is credited to Walter R. Ambrose, Robert T. Shone, Brian H. Welham.
United States Patent |
RE29,194 |
Ambrose , et al. |
April 26, 1977 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Method and apparatus for transferring data
Abstract
A cartographic means and method employs two or more compound
microscopes having optical paths combined through semireflective
means. One of the microscopes has means for receiving an input
record in its object plane while the other has an output record in
a horizontal object plane beneath its objective. Image modification
means including a zoom system and preferably an image rotation
mechanism and an anamorphic system are included in the input
microscope system to permit the input image to be matched to the
output image as both are viewed through the eyepieces. Various
apparatus and methods for mounting, illuminating and scanning
inputs, handling outputs, supporting the instrument, photographing
the superimposed images and transferring data from input to output
are described.
Inventors: |
Ambrose; Walter R. (Naples,
NY), Shone; Robert T. (Pittsford, NY), Welham; Brian
H. (Cincinnati, OH) |
Assignee: |
Bausch & Lomb Incorporated
(Rochester, NY)
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Family
ID: |
26902627 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/627,411 |
Filed: |
October 30, 1975 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
207818 |
Dec 14, 1971 |
03770347 |
Nov 6, 1973 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
355/43; 33/20.4;
359/447; 356/389; 355/45; 359/380; 359/472 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C
11/04 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01C
11/04 (20060101); G01C 11/00 (20060101); G03B
027/52 (); G03B 027/70 () |
Field of
Search: |
;355/40,43,45,65,66
;350/137,138,121,30 ;356/162 ;33/2D,1A,1M,18C
;353/11,5,30,7,44,81 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
"A Radar Image Correlation Viewer", Ambrose, Photo-Grammetric
Engineering, Feb. 1967, pp. 211-214. .
"Two Plot Transfer Devices Developed for Aerial Photographic Forest
Insect Trend Surveys", Aldrich, U.S. Forrest Service Research Note
WO-3, Mar. 1964..
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Primary Examiner: Wintercorn; Richard A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Parker; Frank C. Morgan; DeWitt
M.
Claims
We claim:
1. An instrument for use by a human operator in transferring
graphical information from an input record to an output record,
comprising:
a. a first compound microscope having a first optical axis and
objective and eyepiece means disposed at cooperative optical
conjugates along said first optical axis;
b. a second compound microscope having a second optical axis and
objective and eyepiece means disposed at cooperative optical
conjugates along said second optical axis; said eyepiece means
being in common with the eyepiece means of said first compound
microscope;
c. semireflective beam combiner means disposed across said first
and second optical axes for transmitting and reflecting portions of
rays directed along said axes by said first and second compound
microscopes toward said common eyepiece means;
d. means for mounting an input record in an object plane conjugated
to said objective of said first compound microscope;
e. means for focusing said first compound microscope on said object
plane;
f. output record receiving means including means defining a
substantially planar surface adjacent a human operator station;
g. lens means disposed in said first compound microscope between
said beam combiner means and said objective, and conjugated to an
eyepiece focal plane of said common eyepiece means for focusing
rays emanating from said input record to form an image of said
input record in said eyepiece focal plane;
h. lens means disposed in said second compound microscope between
said beam combiner means and said objective and conjugated to an
eyepiece focal plane of said common eyepiece means for focusing
rays emanating from said output record to form an image of said
output record in said eyepiece focal plane superimposed over said
image of said input record;
i. means for mounting said second compound microscope at a fixed
object conjugate above said planar surface;
j. means including means for disposing said common eyepiece means
adjacent said human operator station in position to receive at
least one of said human operator's eyes in correspondence with an
exit pupil of said eyepiece means while simultaneously having said
planar surface in position to receive manual transfer of data by
said human operator from said input record to said output record;
and
k. means in said first compound microscope between said objective
and said beam combining means, including at least a variable
magnification system which is continuously variable over a range of
magnifications without variance of the object conjugate, for
modifying an image of said input record to correspond with an image
of said output record.
2. The instrument of claim 1 further including means for rotating
the image of said input record to an orientaion corresponding to
the orientation of an image of said output record.
3. The instrument of claim 2 wherein said image rotating means
comprises a rotatable input record mounting stage.
4. The instrument of claim 2 wherein said image rotating means
comprises a rotatable optical member aligned along said optical
axis to provide an odd number of reflections of said optical
axis.
5. The instrument of claim 4 where said rotatable optical member is
a pechan prism.
6. The instrument of claim 2 further including means disposed
between said image rotating means and an input record mounting
stage, for stretching said image in one direction and for varying
the azimuth of said direction of stretch.
7. The instrument of claim 1 further including means for
illuminating said input record and said output record, said
illuminating means including means for adjusting the relative
brilliance of illumination of said input and output records.
8. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said common eyepiece means
includes binocular eyepieces, each having an eyepiece focal plane,
and said beam combiner means includes means for splitting sets of
rays emanating from each of said input and output records into
transmitted and reflected portions, one of each of such portions
forming an image in each of said eyepiece focal planes.
9. The instrument of claim 1 including rotatable periscope means
between said input record mounting means and said .[.first
objective.]. .Iadd.image modifying .Iaddend.means of said first
compound microscope.
10. The instrument of claim 1 equipped for stereo-viewing by
further having a third compound microscope having a third optical
axis and objective and eyepiece means disposed at cooperative
optical conjugates along said third optical axis, and having means
for mounting a second input record in an object plane of said third
microscope objective lens, said instrument having at least triple
semireflective means including beamsplitting means in said second
compound microscope for splitting rays emanating from said output
record into two portions and at least two beam combining means, one
of which is disposed in each of said first and third compound
microscopes for receiving one of said portions of said output
record rays and for combining said portions of said output record
rays with said input record rays.
11. The instrument of claim 8 wherein said beam combiner means
includes means for displacing said ray splitting means and also
means for replacing said ray splitting means with additional
optical means for directing one of said sets of rays exclusively to
one of said binocular eyepieces and for directing the other of said
sets of rays exclusively to the other of said binocular
eyepieces.
12. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said input record mounting
means includes means for rotating said input record in said object
plane.
13. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said input record mounting
means includes means for raising and lowering said input
record.
14. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said input record mounting
means includes film supply reel means, intermediate roller means,
and film take-up reel means disposed adjacent said input record
mounting means for receiving uncut roll film inputs.
15. The instrument of claim 9 wherein said objective of said first
compound microscope is disposed within said rotatable
periscope.
16. The instrument of claim 9 wherein said rotatable periscope is
demountably disposed on said instrument for interchanging with
additional periscope means.
17. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said objective of said second
compound microscope is disposed in laterally displaceable mounting
means.
18. A method of transferring data from an input graphic record to
an output graphic record, including the steps of:
a. directing first illuminating rays upon an input graphic
record;
b. after said first rays have contacted said input graphic record,
collecting said first rays with a first objective lens;
c. further modifying the path of said first rays with additional
lens means, at least by varying the magnification afforded by said
first rays;
d. directing said first rays upon semireflective means for passing
at least a portion of said first rays therebeyond;
e. directing said portion of said first rays along an optical path
to form an image of said input graphic record with said passed
portion of said first rays in an eyepiece focal plane;
f. directing second illuminating rays upon an output graphic
record;
g. after said second rays have contacted said output graphic
record, collecting said second rays with a second objective
lens;
h. directing said second rays upon said semireflective means for
passing at least a portion of said second rays therebeyond along
said optical path with said first rays to form an image of said
output graphic record with said passed portion of said second rays
in said eyepiece focal plane;
i. simultaneously viewing both said images in said eyepiece focal
plane through an eyepiece lens;
j. varying the magnification and orientation of said images until
said images substantially match; and
k. guiding recording means on said output graphic record to record
data thereon from said input graphic record.
19. Apparatus including an instrument for use in transferring
graphical data from, for instance, a photograph to a recording
sheet, comprising:
means for supporting said graphical data in a first object
plane;
means for illuminating said graphical data for generating
image-bearing light rays;
a first optical train, comprising in optical alignment along a
first optical axis;
an objective lens system for receiving said image-bearing light
rays from said graphical data;
a collimating lens;
a decollimating lens;
a rotatable and variable anamorphic optical system disposed between
said collimating and decollimating lenses;
a continuously variable magnification lens system, and
odd-multiple reflective means rotatably mounted for rotating said
image-bearing light rays about said first optical axis;
means for illuminating said recording sheet to produce
image-bearing rays, said sheet lying in a second object plane;
a second optical train comprising in optical alignment along a
second optical axis:
an objective lens system, having associated therewith an object
conjugate distance, for receiving said image-bearing light rays
from said sheet; and
optical relay means disposed for directing said second optical axis
toward said first optical axis;
semireflective means for combining said axes and said image-bearing
rays from said sheet and from said graphical data;
both said first and second optical trains including lens means
adapted to focus said image-bearing rays through said
semireflective means to form images in a common focal plane;
eyepiece means disposed in said instrument along said combined
axes, said eyepiece means being adapted for viewing at least one of
said images so formed in said common focal plane; and
support means for said instrument including means defining said
second object plane and means for positioning said objective lens
system of said second optical train at its associated object
conjugate distance relative to said second object plane.
20. A cartographic method, comprising the steps of: illuminating a
photograph of terrain corresponding to
a map to generate rays bearing an image of said photograph;
collecting said rays with first microscope objective means;
varying the magnification of said rays;
illuminating said map to generate rays bearing an image of a
portion of said map;
collecting said rays from said map with second microscope objective
means;
superimposing said rays from said photograph over said rays
emanating from said map;
focusing said superimposed rays in at least one eyepiece focal
plane to form superimposed images of said photograph and said
map;
viewing said images so combined in said eyepiece focal plane, with
eyepiece means, while further varying the magnification of said
rays from said photograph, until a plurality of points in said
image of said photograph are seen to match with points from said
partially completed map;
observing differences between information carried by said
photograph and said map; and
while viewing said rays so combined, and with said points so
matched, recording said differences on said map.
21. The cartographic method of claim 20, further comprising the
steps of:
with said superimposed rays from said first photograph and said map
focused in only one eyepiece plane and while viewing said
superimposed rays with only one eye, illuminating a second
photograph of said terrain, said second photograph having been
taken from a different perspective than said first photograph, to
generate rays bearing an image of said second photograph;
collecting said rays from said second photograph with third
microscope objective means;
varying the magnification of said rays;
focusing said rays from said second photograph in a second eyepiece
plane;
viewing said rays from said second photograph with only the
observer's second eye with second eyepiece means in said second
eyepiece plane;
further varying the magnification of said rays from said second
photograph until stereofusion of said rays from said first and
second photographs is achieved; and
with said rays from said map still superimposed over the rays from
at least one of said first and second photographs, and with said
rays from said first and second photographs stereofused, recording
said differences on said map.
22. The cartographic method of claim 20, further comprising the
steps of:
interfering with and restoring said illumination of said photograph
alternately with said illumination of said partially completed map
to make first one of said photograph or said map to appear dominant
and then the other, as an aid to perceiving differences between
said map and said photograph; and
while viewing said map and said photograph and while interfering
with and restoring said illumination of said map alternately with
said photograph, recording said differences upon said map.
23. The cartographic method of claim 20, further comprising,
following the collecting of said rays from said terrain photograph
with said first microscope means, and before superimposing said
rays over said map rays, the steps of:
collimating said collected rays;
stretching said rays from said photograph in one azimuthal
direction as required to substantially correct image displacements
in said photograph to match said image of said photograph with said
image of said map; and
decollimating said rays.
24. The cartographic method of claim 20, further comprising the
steps of:
photographically recording a plurality of matched, superimposed
images of said photograph and said map, each such image being
chosen to cover terrain adjacent other such images; and
assembling photographs so recorded to form a mosaic of said
terrain. .[.25. Apparatus for transferring graphical data, said
apparatus including:
a support means;
b. a first optical system secured to said support means, said first
optical system including a first optical axis and first objective
lens means, said support means including means for positioning said
first objective lens means relative to a first plane transverse to
said first optical axis in which graphic data may be
positioned;
a second optical system secured to said support means, said second
optical system including a second optical axis and second objective
lens means said support means including means for positioning said
second objective lens means relative to a second plane transverse
to said second optical axis in which graphic data may be
positioned;
d. eyepiece means secured to said support means;
e. semireflective beam combiner means disposed across said first
and second optical axes between said first and second objective
lens means and said eyepiece means for transmitting and reflecting
portions of rays directed along said first and second optical axes
toward said eyepiece means whereby an image of graphic data in said
first plane and an image of graphic data in said second plane may
be superimposed upon one another; and
f. zoom means in one of said first and second optical systems
between said semireflective beam combiner means and the
corresponding one of said first and second objective lens means,
said zoom means including a variable magnification system which is
continuously variable over a range of
magnifications..]. .[.26. The instrument as set forth in claim 25
further including graphic data supporting means, said graphic data
supporting means being coincident with said first plane, said
support means including means for varying the position of said
graphic data support means relative to said first objective lens
means..]. .[.27. The instrument as set forth in claim 25 further
including image rotation means disposed along one of said first and
second optical axes between said semireflective beam combiner means
and the corresponding one of said first and second objective lens
means..]. .[.28. The instrument as set forth in claim 25 further
including anamorphic means disposed on one of said first and second
optical axes between said semireflective beam combiner means and
the corresponding one of said first and second objective lens
means..].
.[.9. Apparatus for transferring graphical data, said apparatus
comprising:
a. a first optical system including a first optical axis and first
objective lens means;
b. a second optical system including a second optical axis and
second objective lens means;
c. means for supporting graphical data;
d. means for supporting said first and second optical systems, said
support means positioning one of said first and second objective
lens means relative to a plane on which graphic data may be
supported, said support means also positioning said graphical data
supporting means relative to the other of said first and second
objective lens means;
e. eyepiece means secured to said support means;
f. semireflective beam combiner means positioned across said first
and second optical axes between said first and second objective
lens means and said eyepiece means for transmitting and reflecting
portions of rays directed along said first and second optical axes
toward said eyepiece means; and
g. zoom means in one of said first and second optical systems
between the corresponding one of said first and second objective
lens means and said beam combiner means, said zoom means including
a variable magnification system which is continuously variable over
a range of magnification..]. .[.30. The apparatus as set forth in
claim 29 wherein said support means includes means for variable
positioning said graphical data supporting means relative to said
other of said first and second objective lens means..]. .Iadd. 31.
An instrument for use by an operator to simultaneously view at
least first and second graphical representations to thereby
facilitate the transfer of graphical data from said first graphical
representation to said second graphical representation, as by
tracing a portion of an image of a photograph on a map base, said
instrument comprising:
(a) housing means;
(b) optical means supported by said housing means, said optical
means including first and second image forming optical systems,
eyepiece means and beam combiner means, said eyepiece means and
said beam combiner means being common to both said first and said
second optical systems, said first optical system having a first
optical axis, a first object plane and a first image plane, said
second optical system having a second optical axis, a second object
plane and a second image plane, said second image plane being
coincident with said first image plane whereby said first and
second optical systems form superimposed images of said first
graphical representation and said second graphical representation
when said first graphical representation is positioned in said
first object plane and said second graphical representation is
positioned in said second object plane, at least one of said first
and second optical systems including means for matching said first
image with said second image, said image matching means including a
continuously variable magnification means positioned along the
corresponding one of said first and second optical axes; and
(c) means for positioning said housing means relative to a surface
which is coincident with said second object plane and in which at
least a portion of said second graphical representation may be
positioned, at least a portion of said positioning means, at least
a portion of said second optical system and at least a portion of
said surface cooperating to define a work space between said second
optical system and said second object plane in which said operator
may record information on said second graphical representation.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 32. The apparatus as set forth in claim 31 further
including means, secured relative to said housing means, for
positioning said first graphical representation in said first
object plane. .Iaddend..Iadd. 33. The instrument as set forth in
claim 32 wherein said means for positioning said first graphical
representation in said first object plane is a photographic
mounting stage. .Iaddend..Iadd. 34. The instrument as set forth in
claim 33 further including means for varying the distance between
said photographic mounting stage and said first optical system.
.Iaddend. .Iadd. 35. An instrument for use by an operator to
simultaneously view at least first and second graphical
representations to thereby facilitate the transfer of graphical
data from said first graphical representation to said second
graphical representation, as by tracing a portion of an image of a
photograph on a map base, said instrument comprising:
(a) housing means;
(b) optical means supported by said housing means, said optical
means including first and second image forming optical systems,
eyepiece means and beam combiner means, said eyepiece means and
said beam combiner means being common to both said first and said
second optical systems, said first optical system having a first
optical axis, a first object plane and a first image plane, said
second optical system having a second optical axis, a second object
plane and a second image plane, said second image plane being
coincident with said first image plane whereby said first and
second optical systems form superimposed images of said first
graphical representation and said second graphical representation
when said first graphical representation is positioned in said
first object plane and said second graphical representation is
positioned in said second object plane, said first and second
optical systems including means for matching said first image with
said second image, said image matching means including a
continuously variable magnification means and an anamorphic means,
said continuously variable magnification means being positioned
along one of said first and second optical axes, said anamorphic
means being positioned along either said first or second optical
axes; and
(c) means for positioning said housing means relative to a surface
which is coincident with said second object plane and in which at
least a portion of said second graphical representation may be
positioned, at least a portion of said positioning means, at least
a portion of said second optical system and at least a portion of
said surface cooperating to define a work space between said second
optical system and said second object plane in which said operator
may record information on said second graphical representation.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 36. The instrument as set forth in claim 35 wherein
said continuously variable magnification means and said anamorphic
means are both positioned along the same one of said first and
second optical axes. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 37. The instrument as set
forth in claim 36 wherein said anamorphic means is positioned
between said continuously variable magnification means and said
beam combiner means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 38. The instrument as set
forth in claim 37 further including a collimating lens and a
decollimating lens, said collimating lens being positioned along
said same one of said first and second optical axes between said
continuously variable magnification means and said anamorphic means
said decollimating lens being positioned along said same one of
said first and second optical axes between said anamorphic means
and said beam combiner means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 39. The instrument
as set forth in claim 38 wherein said image matching means further
includes image rotation means, said image rotation means positioned
along said same one of said first and second optical axes between
said decollimating lens and said beam combiner means.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 40. The instrument as set forth in claim 31 wherein
said image matching means further includes image rotation means,
said image rotation means being positioned along one of said first
and second optical axes. .Iaddend..Iadd. 41. The instrument as set
forth in claim 31 further including means, secured to said housing
means, to permit transverse movement of a first portion of one of
said first and second optical axes relative to the corresponding
one of said first and second object planes. .Iaddend..Iadd. 42. The
instrument as set forth in claim 41 wherein said means to permit
transverse movement includes parallel reflective surfaces for
imparting lateral offset to said one of said first and second
optical axes and means to permit rotation of said reflective
surfaces about an axis coincident with a second portion of said one
of said first and second optical axes. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 43. The
instrument as set forth in claim 31 wherein said eyepiece means
includes right and left eyepieces and said beam combiner means
includes means for combining and dividing the light rays incident
from said first and second object planes into first and second
portions, said first portion being directed to said right eyepiece,
said second portion being directed to said left eyepiece.
.Iaddend..Iadd. 44. The instrument as set forth in claim 43 wherein
said beam combiner means is a beam splitter having a semireflective
surface, said surface having a reflectance substantially equal to
its transmittance. .Iaddend..Iadd. 45. The instrument as set forth
in claim 44 further including means for moving said beam splitter
out of both said first and said second optical systems whereby said
image of said first graphical representation is viewed in one of
said right and said left eyepieces and said image of said second
graphical representation is viewed in the other of said right and
said left eyepieces. .Iaddend..Iadd. 46. The instrument as set
forth in claim 31 further including means, disposed between said
beam combiner means and said eyepiece means, for permitting light
rays incident from said first and second object planes to be
directed either to said eyepiece means or a photographic means.
.Iaddend. .Iadd. 47. The instrument as set forth in claim 31
wherein said optical means includes a third image forming optical
system and wherein said eyepiece means included left and right
eyepieces, said third optical system including a third optical
axis, a third object plane and a third image plane, said beam
combiner means including means for combining the light rays
incident from said first and second object planes and directing at
least a portion of said combined rays to one of said right and left
eyepieces, said beam combiner means further including means for
directing at least a portion of the light rays incident from said
third object plane to the other of said right and left eyepieces.
.Iaddend. .Iadd. 48. An instrument for use by an operator to
simultaneously view at least first and second graphical
representations to thereby facilitate the transfer of graphical
data from said first graphical representation to said second
graphical representation, as by tracing a portion of an image of a
photograph on a map base, said instrument comprising:
(a) housing means;
(b) optical means supported by said housing means, said optical
means including first and second image forming optical systems,
eyepiece means and beam combiner means, said eyepiece means and
said beam combiner means being common to both said first and second
optical systems, said first optical system having a first optical
axis, a first object plane and a first image plane, said second
optical system having a second optical axis, a second object plane
and a second image plane, said second image plane being coincident
with said first image plane whereby said first and second optical
systems form superimposed images of said first graphical
representation and said second graphical representation when said
first graphical representation is positioned in said first object
plane and said second graphical representation is positioned in
said second object plane, one of said first and second optical
systems including means for matching said first image with said
second image, said image matching means including a continuously
variable magnification means positioned along the corresponding one
of said first and second optical axes;
(c) means for positioning said first graphical representation in
said first object plane; and
(d) means for suspending said housing means including both said
first and second optical systems and said eyepiece means over a
surface which is coincident with said second object plane and in
which at least a portion of said second graphical representation
may be positioned, at least a portion of said means for suspending,
at least a portion of said housing means and at least a portion of
said surface defining a space which allows said operator to record
information on said second graphical representation. .Iaddend.
.Iadd. 49. The instrument as set forth in claim 35 wherein said
optical means includes a third image forming optical system and
wherein said eyepiece means included left and right eyepieces, said
third optical system including a third optical axis, a third object
plane and a third image plane, said beam combiner means including
means for combining the light rays incident from said first and
second object planes and directing at least a portion of said
combined rays to one of said right and left eyepieces, said beam
combiner means further including means for directing at least a
portion of the light rays incident from said third object plane to
the other of said right and left eyepieces. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Our invention lies in the field of data transfer and more
specifically in the field of methods and apparatus for comparing
images and recording selected matter as perceived from compared
images on an output record sheet.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A. Camera Lucidas
Several instruments employing semireflective optics to combine an
image of a tracing manuscript with an image of a photograph are
known, the respective distances to the photograph and the
manuscript being variable to match their scales for tracing
purposes. Such instruments are also known with introducible
magnifying and minifying lenses to help accommodate scale matching
problems.
Ambrose, A Radar Image Correlation Viewer, 33 Photogrammetric
Engineering, 211-214, (Feb. 1967), describes a semireflective
binocular bar prism in fixed equidistant orientation to a
manuscript easel and a rear projection screen, mechanisms being
provided in a somewhat elaborate projection system for image
rotation, autofocusing variable magnification to match the
manuscript scale, and for anamorphic (one-directional stretch)
magnification to compensate for such image distortions as may have
been induced by camera tilt, variable topography and other
causes.
B. Compound Microscopes for Film Viewing
Compound microscope optical systems have been employed for viewing
photographic films. Sophisticated instrumentation is known which
may include two or more compound optical systems having image
rotators, zoom variable magnification systems and anamorphic image
stretchers, the images from the various optical systems being
directable to separate eyepieces for stereoviewing, or combinable
for comparison of photographically recorded features.
C. Camera Lucidas in Compound Microscopes
The microscope art has for several decades included external camera
lucida attachments which comprise a semireflective member placed
diagonally across the image path emerging from a microscope
eyepiece, and a mirror aligned to deflect an image of a tracing
sketch onto the semireflective member for relay to an observer's
eye when sketching microscopic images.
A difficulty with most camera lucida devices is that the images to
be combined have different conjugates to the semireflective member,
thereby forcing the viewing eye to try to focus at both distances
simultaneously, which quickly induces eyestrain. Another operator
fatigue problem arises from prolonged body contortion required for
parallax-free viewing through a semireflective member whose
position may have been dictated by the need to overcome
photographic distortions due to tilts in the taking camera, or to
other causes. Ambrose' Correlation Viewer, above described, was
free of these problems, but its use of a projection system
necessitated losses of photographic image resolution inherent in
projections upon a screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The main purpose of our invention is to provide a method and
apparatus for processing and recording graphical data, including a
double microscope data-transfer instrument having an internal
camera lucida, means for mounting the instrument in comfortable
relationship to a tracing manuscript consistent with sustained
operation, as nearly free of instrument-induced operator fatigue as
possible, and versatile means for receiving and illuminating
various kinds of photographs or other input graphics from whence
data is sought to be transferred to an output tracing
manuscript.
The terms "photograph" and "map" used throughout this application
are not meant as limitations. The scope of the invention plainly
includes graphical data of any form capable of being viewed through
the instrument's input and output optical system.
We have found that an internal camera lucida permits the
introduction, into a compound microscope optical system, of modules
which permit alterations and adjustments to be made in a viewed
image without significantly degrading the quality of the image on
the one hand or requiring the operator to contort his body, on the
other. When two microscope optical systems are used, one being
conjugated and aligned to form and transmit an image of a tracing
manuscript, and the other arranged to form and transmit an image of
a photograph, the two images can be matched and combined upon
transmission through a semireflective device, such as a
beamsplitter cube, and brought to focus in at least one image plane
to both images and also to the eyepiece system. Thus, an operator
may be comfortably seated before our instrument and view both
images without eyestrain or other fatiguing influences, but still
be conveniently able to record data directly on the manuscript
while verifying its position by reference to the image of the
photograph.
The matching process is carried out with the aid of at least a
zoom, i.e., a continously variable, magnification system in the
photographic, or input, optical system for varying the
magnification of the photographic image to correspond with the
viewed scale of the manuscript. An image rotator in the optical
system can compensate for rotational misorientation of photographs,
and we have found that if optical means for rotating the
photographic images are included we can use somewhat simplified
apparatus for mounting the viewed photograph while still providing
for several different kinds of photographic inputs.
Displacements of image points in photographs, such as those due to
camera tilts, lens distortions and other factors, commonly
predominate in one direction in particular parts of a photograph.
Thus, if a stretching of the image transverse to that direction
could be accomplished, a rough rectification of the photographic
image sufficient to permit direct transfer of graphical data to a
map manuscript within reasonable accuracy standards becomes
feasible. Some versions of our invention incorporate an anamorphic
stretching module comprising a plurality of tiltable optical wedges
which serve, when tilted with respect to one another, to elongate
the photographic image. The whole anamorphic module is rotatable to
permit selection of a desired azimuth of elongation, and the wedges
are then tilted to achieve the degree of stretch required to make
the photographic image a suitable approximation of the
corresponding manuscript image.
The scale matching range of the instrument may be enlarged by
providing interchangeable objective lenses of greater or lesser
power in either or both the photographic and manuscript microscope
systems. In some cases, simple attachment lenses may be used with
an objective to increase or decrease its power. Our instrument is
relatively light in weight and may rest entirely or partially on a
tracing manuscript laid out on a table. A supporting frame is
provided to maintain the optical portion of the instrument above
the table at a suitable focal conjugate above the manuscript. The
frame is supported by pads which may actually rest upon the
manuscript, the pads being made in that case from a suitable
non-marking material such as tetrafluoroethylene plastic.
A focusable stage is provided in alignment with the photographic
microscope system. The stage preferably comprises a transparent
plate which may be glass or clear plastic mounted in a frame which
encloses illuminating apparatus, such as a cold cathode grid, or
one or more fluorescent fixtures, for back lighting photographic
transparencies which may be mounted upon the plate. Additional
lighting facilities may be provided in front of the stage for
illumination of opaque photographic prints. The illumination
systems preferably are provided with independent dimming systems,
either mechanical or electrical, so that the relative brilliance of
the photographic and manuscript images may be adjusted. We have
found that varying the relative illumination of the two
superimposed images, as by repetitively alternating the prominence
of the two images, greatly facilitates the operator's perception of
differences between the two. Slots may be provided for insertion of
filters for coloring or dimming the images.
A small periscope, which has come to be called a "rhomboid arm,"
since their predecessors in earlier instruments were simply
rhomboid prisms, may be used to offset the axis of the photographic
optical system. Such a rhomboid arm when rotatably mounted, can be
used to scan across a photograph, reducing the need for shifting
the photograph about.
In another version of our instrument a second photo mounting and
viewing system is provided to permit the operator to view each of a
stereo pair of photographs. To achieve a stereo view, two extra
semireflective cubes are provided, making a total of three. Thus,
one semireflective cube receives and divides rays from the map,
splitting the rays and directing a portion of each toward each
eyepiece for binocular viewing. The other two semireflective cubes
are employed one before each eyepiece to receive, respectively, the
rays from one of the photoviewing optical systems and the
respective portion of map system rays. The operator therefore may
see a stereo view of the terrain matched over a binocular view of
the map of the same terrain. Some operators prefer, and means may
be provided to accomplish, a map superimposition in only one
eyepiece view.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective of one embodiment of our invention with a
portion of a photographic stage cut away to show an underlying
light grid.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partly in section showing another
photographic stage which might be used with the instrument of FIG.
1.
FIG. 3 is a perspective optical schematic illustrating an
arrangement of optical modules which might be employed in carrying
out our invention in the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an optical schematic diagram illustrating alternate beam
splitting and combining apparatus with which a stereoview might be
obtained.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a lens attachment which may be used
with our invention.
FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of a mechanism by which the main
beamsplitter of our invention can conveniently be replaced with
another optical member.
FIG. 7 shows an alternate photographic stage.
FIG. 8 shows in perspective an alternate mounting means for the
photographic stage of FIG. 7.
FIG. 9 shows a schematic side view of means for mounting uncut roll
film to be used with our instrument.
FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the optical system
employed in viewing the photographic stage.
FIG. 11 is a detail of FIG. 10 showing the rhomboid arm mounting
bearing.
FIG. 12 is a sectional side view showing the eyepieces and the
optical system employed for viewing the tracing manuscript.
FIG. 13 illustrates the apparatus for illuminating the tracing
manuscript.
FIG. 14 is a plan view of the eyepieces and the beamsplitting and
combining apparatus of our invention.
FIG. 15 illustrates, in a side view diagram, alternate mounting
means for the instrument of our invention.
FIG. 16 is a wiring diagram of our invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A version of our data transfer instrument 10 appears in FIG. 1
wherein a photograph or input mounting stage 12 is slidably carried
by the instrument chassis 14 for focusing motion with respect to an
optical system mounted and aligned within a housing 16. The
instrument chassis 14 is carried by a lightweight frame 18 having
foot pads 20 of a smooth, low friction, nonmarking material. The
foot pads 20 rest upon a tracing manuscript (not shown) which may
be a map or other representation of the graphical data, such as a
photograph, mounted on the stage 12. An electrical power pack 22 is
mounted at the rear of the instrument and it includes plugs through
which the lamps 24 and 26 may be connected for illuminating a
photograph and tracing manuscript respectively.
THE OPTICAL SYSTEMS
The basic instrument incorporates essentially two optical systems
.Iadd.11 and 13 .Iaddend.illustrated in schematic form in FIG. 3. A
photograph 30 is .[.mounted on.]. .Iadd.positioned in the object
plane 31 of optical system 11 by .Iaddend.the stage 12 and is
illuminated by appropriate means to be subsequently discussed.
Light rays substantially following the optical axis 28 .Iadd.of
first optical system 11 .Iaddend.from the photograph 30 and are
deviated by the mirror 32, mounted in a rhomboid arm 33 (seen in
FIG. 1), into an arm objective lens system 34 by means of which a
first image of the photograph 30 is formed. Another reflective
surface 36 is aligned behind the lens system 34 for deviating the
light rays into a zoom system 38. As is well known, a zoom system
affords a continuously variable choice among a particular range of
magnifications, so that the operator is free to select any of those
encompassed.
The rays emerging from the zoom system 38 are collimated by the
collimating lens 40. Then they pass into the anamorphic module 42
for stretching as desired by the operator. The rays then pass
through the decollimating lens system 44 whose rear focal plane
coincides with the focal planes 45, 46 of the eyepieces 48, 50.
Collimation is required in front of the anamorphic module so that
the rays will be uniformly affected by their non-orthogonal
incidence on anamorphic prisms 264, illustrated in FIG. 10, which
form a part of module 42. Before reaching the focal planes 45, 46
the rays are passed through an image rotator, such as the Pechan
prism 52. The rays are deviated upward and then laterally by the
prism system 54, so as to enter the beamsplitter 56 from its side.
There, a semireflective surface 58, preferably one having a
reflectance substantially equalling its transmittance, divides the
rays into two portions, one of which is transmitted and, upon
deviation by the mirror 60, brought to focus in the focal plane 45
of the left eyepiece 48. Meanwhile, the reflected portion of the
rays is twice more deviated by the mirrors 62, 64 into the focal
plane 46 of the right eyepiece 50.
The .[.other.]. .Iadd.second .Iaddend.optical system .Iadd.13
.Iaddend.operates to form an image of a tracing manuscript 70
.Iadd., positioned in object plane 71, .Iaddend.and to relay it so
that it may be combined with the image of the first optical system
.Iadd.11.Iaddend.. The tracing manuscript is hereafter referred to
as the map, since one of the primary uses of the instrument is the
revision of maps by transfer of data from current aerial
photographs, but no waiver of scope is thereby intended.
A map objective lens 72 gathers light rays emanating from the map
70 and directs them along an optical axis 74 .Iadd.of system
13.Iaddend.. The rays further pass through relay lenses 76, 78, and
are deviated respectively by the mirrors 80 and 82 into the
beamsplitter 56.
The rays are there divided into two portions by the semireflective
surface 58, one portion being reflected into the mirror 60 and
thence to the focal plane 45, which is a plane of the rear focal
conjugate of the relay lens 78 as well as that of the front focal
conjugate of the left eyepiece 48. The other portion, being
transmitted by the semireflective surface 58, is twice deviated, by
the mirrors 62 and 64, and the rays are brought to focus in the
focal plane 46 for viewing through the right eyepiece 50.
It may now be seen that images of both the photograph 30 and the
map 70 are transmitted to the eyepiece focal planes 45, 46 where
both images may be simultaneously observed, the difference between
them noted and such additions and deletions made to the output
manuscript as the operator decides.
OPERATION
In operation, corresponding positions on the map and photograph are
brought before the respective objective lenses 34 and 72; then the
magnification is adjusted by means of the zoom system 38; and the
image is rotated by means of a Pechan prism 52 until two or more
points in the map, identifiable in the photograph, are brought into
substantial coincidence with the corresponding input points.
The operator is then readily able to perceive the extent and
direction of image displacement necessary to bring all image points
into substantial correspondence, if any. He may then turn the
anamorphic module 42 to the appropriate azimuth and rotate
anamorphic prisms 264 relative to one another to provide an image
stretch toward the final correspondence position. The anamorphic
correction may require further adjustments to the magnification and
rotation positions, but in a short time a generalized adjustment
may be reached whereby the input image is in a working
correspondence with the image of the output record.
At this point the operator simply traces, as with the classic
camera lucida, the desired data from the photograph onto the map,
while additionally noting such deletions and corrections to
existing data in the output as may be appropriate.
MECHANICAL ARRANGEMENT
The mechanical requirements of the instrument involve provision for
support of the two microscopes, one of which has a fixed image
conjugate to the map, or output record, while the other has a
variable conjugate stage for mounting the photograph, or input
record.
The instrument must be versatile and modular in character, so the
design must allow for interchangeability of most functional
components. Thus, one of a variety of photographic stages may be
mounted on the upper framework to permit the mounting, variously,
of opaque photographic prints with magnets or tape, of film
transparencies with magnets or tape, of glass diapositives, and of
uncut roll film. If the photographs are opaque, means must be
provided for illuminating them from the operator's side. If
transparent, the input imagery must be transilluminated and thus
backlighting means must be available, as for example a cold cathode
grid built into the photo mounting frame. To accommodate the
operator's progress from one portion of a photograph to the next,
the stage, or at least the photograph, may be made vertically
movable, while the rhomboid arm which houses the objective lens 34
is rotatable to provide horizontal scan.
Several different rhomboid arms may be interchanged on the rhomboid
arm mounting bearing, each one having an objective of a different
power, and each combining with the magnification range of the zoom
system to afford a different range of photo scales which may be
matched to a map. Each rhomboid arm affords mounting means to
accommodate an attachment lens, perhaps a minifying lens of
one-half power, to further extend the magnification and
scale-matching range. The anamorphic system and the image rotation
system may be omitted during assembly if their presence is not
mandated by the intended application of the instrument.
Several map lenses 72, each of a different magnification, may be
interchanged. All of such lenses are parfocalized to conveniently
permit a standard height support frame.
In one version of our instrument, the beamsplitter cube is made
interchangeable with a second cube, the latter either being clear
glass, or having a wholly reflective diagonal, and being cemented
in tandem with the beamsplitter, both being mounted in a detented
slide. By slidably replacing the beamsplitter with the other cube,
the photographic image optical system and the map image system may
be kept separate to convert the instrument into a somewhat
unorthodox stereoviewer.
Another module may be introduced to direct the combined image rays
from the beamsplitter upward to a camera system rather than toward
the eyepiece focal plane. Thus, when the rays emerge from the
beamsplitter 56, additional mirrors may be provided for directing
them into one of several conventional photomicrographic camera
systems to record the superimposed images. Photographic outputs may
also be realized by means of various well known eyepiece cameras
through either of the regular eyepieces 48, 50.
INPUT MOUNTING STAGES
In a simple form the photographic stage 12 is shown in FIG. 2 to be
only a vertical plate 112 of a magnetic material, the plate
including means, such as the flange 114 and bearing surface 116
which are cooperative with the rails 118, 120 to afford both
support for the plate 112 and a slideway along which the plate 112
may be moved for focusing. It is also feasible to use other linear
bearings, such as a drawer slide for mounting the photographic
stage. An aperture 122 may be defined by the plate for the purpose
of exposing a film transparency to transillumination.
Another form of simple stage is illustrated in FIG. 7, wherein a
frame 124 is mounted on a flange 114' and bearing surface 116' like
those described above. The frame defines a semicircular groove 126
formed between it and a lip 128. An insert 130 of circular shape
and having a rim 132 whose cross-sectional shape conforms to that
of the groove 126 may be placed in the groove. The insert 130
defines an aperture 134 whose size and shape are chosen to
correspond substantially to those of a glass photographic
diapositive which may be slidably mounted therein. Means are
provided about the aperture 134 for retaining such a diapositive,
as, preferably, the lip 136 which defines a diapositive-retaining
groove with the main body of the insert 130.
In use, the frame 124 may be placed over the rails 118, 120 and an
insert 130, having a pre-mounted diapositive therein, is placed in
the semicircular groove 126. The insert 130 may then be rotated in
the groove 126 to bring particular image points of interest to a
convenient viewing position. Angular misorientations of the
diapositive are corrected by suitable adjustment of the image
rotation prism in instruments so equipped.
Instruments without image rotators advantageously should have a
vertical scanning means to bring the desired image points into map
correspondence. Such a scanning means appears in FIG. 8 and
includes a member 138 having a flange 114" and a bearing surface
116", and defining an elongated slot 140. Track-defining members
142 depend from the member 138 at the ends of the slot 140. An
insert receiver 144 including a lip .[.128.]. .Iadd.128'
.Iaddend.defines a semicircular groove .[.126.]. .Iadd.126'
.Iaddend.in which an insert 130 is receivable. The ends 146 of the
receiver 144 fit slidably into the tracks of the members 142 for
vertical adjustment of the receiver 144 and its diapositive. The
receiver 144 is retained against the pull of gravity by suitable
means, such as the locking screws 148. Other means, such as
counterweights, or negator springs, might be employed to offset the
weight of the stage and photograph for ease of vertical
scanning.
In another form, shown in FIG. 1, the photo mounting stage 12 takes
the form of a vertically standing light box 150 whose housing 152
is bolted to a cross-member 154. The cross-member 154 is attached
to a slide 155 which is mounted on a side wall of the chassis 14.
The housing 152 defines a window 156 behind which is mounted a
light source 158, such as the cold cathode light grid 160. The
light source 158 may be retained in place within the housing 152 by
any suitable means, such as machine screws.
The illumination system is preferably modular to be adaptable to
any of a variety of tasks. For opaque photographic prints small
swiveling lamps 24 are removably clamped to the rails of the
chassis 14 to illuminate the front of the print. The clamp mount at
the side is advantageous in that it can be readily adjusted as to
distance and angle to optimize the illumination and to minimize
glare off the face of the print.
The lamps 24 can be clamped behind the photographic stage 12 for
transillumination of photographic transparencies, such as glass
diapositives or cut film. In the case of uncut roll film, the
preferred illumination means is a light box with a cold cathode
grid 160 as discussed above, or with fluorescent lamps.
The instrument may be adapted for use with uncut roll film as is
shown in FIG. 9. Well-known roll film brackets 180 may be attached
to the frame 18 to mount supply and take-up reels 182, 184 which
hold the film roll 186. A lower roller bracket 188 is hingedly
mounted on the underside of the light box 150 and carries a pair of
rollers 190 at its front and another roller 190 at its rear.
Additional rollers 190 are carried by the upper roller bracket 192
which is hingedly mounted on the top of the light box 150.
It may be seen, then, that a film roll threaded between the rollers
at the front portion of the bracket 188 will be stretched upwardly
across the luminant face of the light box 150 over the rollers
carried by the upper bracket 192, and down over the rear roller of
the bracket 188 to be reeled onto the take-up reel 184. Both the
supply reel 182 and the take-up reel 184 are equipped with
well-known brake mechanisms to retain the film in a desired
position before the light box 150.
SUSPENSION SYSTEMS
As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred means for suspending the
instrument's optical systems over the tracing manuscript, or map,
is a simple, lightweight framework 18 having feet 20 which rests
directly on the map, thereby holding the map flat while
simultaneously establishing the correct image conjugate for the
map-viewing optical system. We have found that thin, tubular
aluminum makes a good framework, although steel and certain
plastics would serve about as well. The feet 20 are preferably of
tetrafluoroethylene plastic or other material chosen for low
friction against the map surface, and especially for resistance to
marking or smearing the manuscript. Gas bearings could also be
employed as feet.
Other mounting configurations may be used with the instrument, for
example various forms of overhead suspension are feasible, leaving
the area below the instrument unencumbered to permit free shifting
about of the tracing manuscript. Such configurations are open to
the unwanted introduction of vibrations from the overhead mounting
means, however, and they complicate the maintenance of good focus
in the map image system.
Another mounting configuration, shown in FIG. 15, includes a pair
of main support pedestals.Iadd., .Iaddend.one being illustrated at
194.Iadd., .Iaddend.having a rigid connection with the chassis 14.
The pedestals may be bolted to a piece of drafting furniture such
as the drafting table surface 195, and the chassis may act as a
cantilever support for the viewing optics. The map 70 occupies its
customary position beneath the instrument, but it is received at
the rear in the upper split tube 196 attached to the pedestals, and
at the front in the lower split tube 198 attached to the front of
the drafting table. In operation, the map may be shifted freely
about on the table surface 195, its edges being rolled up as
necessary within the split tubes 196, 198.
In a further variation, the pedestals may be bolted directly to a
drafting board as opposed to a drafting table, the front of which
may receive the split tube 198. In such a configuration, the
drafting board may be placed on any desk or tabletop, as may be
convenient for the operator.
RHOMBOID ARMS
In its very simplest form, the instrument may have no rhomboid arm
33 of any kind, relying solely on the ability to shift an input
photograph about on the stage 12 for positioning of the particular
input data. The objective system 34 is preferably one having a very
low magnification, possibly a minification, so as to afford a very
large field of view and a deep focal envelope. The latter relieves
the sensitivity with which the photographic stage 12 must be
focusable, at least for the lower magnifications.
We have found that the convenience of a rhomboid arm for
side-to-side scanning without moving the photograph itself, is
preferred over a fixed objective system relying upon movement of
the photograph. As is well known, a rhomboid arm, like a rhomboid
prism, mounts two aligned parallel reflective surfaces whose
function is to impart a lateral offset in an optical path. One end
of the rhomboid arm is rotatably constrained and the optical path
in question is deviated along the axis of rotation, thereby leaving
the free end movable for scanning an object to be viewed, such as a
photograph. The optics in a rhomboid arm may consist solely of the
two reflectors, as in a prism or a pair of mirrors, or they may
further include objective lenses, relays or the like, between the
reflective surfaces. The latter situation is advantageous for
compactness in optical and mechanical design, and is preferred.
The rhomboid arm 33 may be seen from FIG. 10 to comprise a pair of
mirrors 32, 36 held respectively in an elongated mount 212 and a
right angle bracket 214. The mount 212 and bracket 214 are
mechanically connected by a hollow member 216 which has internal
shoulders to receive the optical components of the objective lens
34, and which therefore serves as an objective lens mounting cell.
The hollow member 216 is demountably fastened to the right angle
bracket 214 by means of a pair of knurled screws (not shown). Since
the rhomboid arm 33 is carried by the hollow member 216, other
rhomboid arms may be readily interchanged therefore, by removal and
replacement of the knurled screws (not shown). Such other rhomboid
arms might be used for example with input photographs requiring an
objective lens having a higher or lower magnification than that of
the regular arm.
Another means of providing higher or lower magnification is by
attaching a supplementary magnifying or minifying lens to the arm.
This is preferably done by mounting a supplementary lens 220 as
seen by FIGS. 5 and 10, in a ring mount 222 having pins 224. The
latter are cooperative with the two cam slots 226 formed in the
hollow member 216, so that the ring mount 222 is held snug against
an interior shoulder 228 of the hollow member 216, the dimensions
of the ring 222, the shoulder 228 and the cam slots 226 being
chosen according to the optical conjugate required by the
supplementary lens 220.
The right angle bracket 214 is rigidly attached to a bearing 230
which is rotatably retained by the cover 232.
Since the mirror 32 (as seen in FIG. 10) should preferably be a
first surface mirror of good quality it may tend to be somewhat
heavy and its weight, together with the weight of the other
rhomboid arm components, tends to pull the arm downward. It is
desirable therefore to include means such as is shown in FIG. 11
for inducing friction against the bearing 230 to counteract this
tendency. Such means might include a variable pressured friction
disc adjacent the bearing, or as is preferred, one or more stiff
springs 234 retained in recesses of the cover 232 so as to be borne
by the .[.tension.]. .Iadd.compression .Iaddend.screws 236 against
the side of the bearing 230 sufficiently as to inhibit
gravitationally induced rotation of the rhomboid arm.
INPUT OPTICAL SYSTEM
The variable magnification system chosen for the instrument should
ideally afford a large range of magnifications in order to match a
wide variety of photographic input scales to the desired scale of
the output document. It should be compatible with the rather long
working distances contemplated in the instrument's use and should
not unduly degrade the image quality. We have chosen a modification
of the zoom optical system described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,421,807,
which has a continuously variable magnification range of 7:1,
excellent optical quality, and which is intended to function with a
relatively long image conjugate.
The optical system base plate 238 is shown in FIG. 10. Rigidly
attached to the base plate 238 is the zoom system mount 240 in the
ends of which is journaled the zoom cam 242. Fixed front lenses 244
and fixed rear lenses 246 are positioned on the optical axis 28 by
the front and rear portions respectively of the mount 240.
Meanwhile zoom lens carriers 248 and 250 are constrained for travel
along a rail, not shown, parallel to the optical axis, and are
engaged with the parahelical slots 251 in the cam 242 for linear
motion along the rail. The cam 242 is connected to a zoom control
knob 252 at the front of the instrument by a shaft which is not
shown. Rotation of the knob 252 drives the cam 242 and the zoom
lens carriers 248, 250, to adjust the positions, respectively and
simultaneously of the zoom lenses 254 and 256 along the optical
axis 28, according to principles well known and understood in the
optical arts, to provide a continuous variation in the
magnification furnished by the zoom system 38.
For the purpose of introducing a one-dimensional magnification as
may be desired to overcome local image distortions, as is discussed
above, an anamorphic module, preferably one which is prism variable
through a stretch of 1:1 to 1:2, and which is rotatable as a unit
to vary the azimuth of stretch through 360.degree., may be
assembled in optical alignment next behind the zoom system. The
preferred anamorphic system is not described in detail since it is
similar to the ones described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,410,629 and
3,497,289, but it may be observed that after the light ray path
along the axis 28 has been collimated by the fixed rear zoom lens
246, a series of four compound glass wedges 264 corrected to void
introducing optical aberrations are mounted in brackets such as
illustrated at 266. The brackets are connected with cranks and
springs, substantially as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,289 and
they are provided suspended within a mounting cylinder 268. The
cylinder 268 is journaled for rotation about the optical axis 28 of
the photoviewing system and is rigidly attached to the knurled
wheel 270. The wheel 270 protrudes above the housing 16 of the
instrument through a slot defined therein, to provide means
accessible to the operator for rotating the direction of stretch. A
second cylinder 272 surrounds the cylinder 268, but it is
constrained against rotation by a keyway which permits it to slide
longitudinally for a short excursion in the direction parallel with
the optical axis 28. A slot 274 extends radially about the interior
of the cylinder 272, the slot 274 receiving an ear 276 which
protrudes from one of the wedge mounts 266. The ear 276 extends
through a slot defined in the wall of the cylinder 268 coextensive
with the length of the axial excursions of the cylinder 272.
Longitudinal motion of the cylinder 272 may be imparted by the
operator through manipulation of a handle 278 which extends through
a longitudinal slot defined in the cover 16. As the cylinder 272 is
advanced, the vertical walls of the radial slot 274 engage the ear
276 thereby instigating changes in the relative positions of the
anamorphic wedges 264 by means of the cranks, springs and pivots
about referred to, with the effect that the photographic image is
stretched in one direction. It may be noted that the radial slot
274 is effective to engage the ear 276 irrespective of the position
of the wheel 270 which determines the azimuth of stretch, thereby
permitting the operator freedom to vary the degree of anamorphic
stretch irrespective of the anamorphic azimuth.
It should be noted that the basic layout of instruments which
include both image rotation means and rotatable means for
anamorphically stretching an image, should place the anamorphic
means toward the object from the image rotation means. This avoids
the operator's having to readjust the anamorphic correction after
each adjustment of the image rotator.
Immediately following the anamorphic module 42 is disposed a
decollimating lens system 44, which, since it receives parallel
rays, acts somewhat like a telescope objective in focusing the rays
following the optical axis 28 in the eyepiece focal planes 45, 46
where the images are to be observed.
The image rotator, which is preferably a Pechan prism 52, is
mounted in a housing 284 which is attached to a knurled wheel 286,
part of which extends through a slot in the instrument housing 16.
The image rotator housing 284 is rotatably mounted in the bearing
288 so that when the operator rotates the exposed portion of the
wheel 286, the Pechan prism 52 is rotated, producing by
well-understood principles, a rotation of the image emerging from
the anamorphic module 42. Pechan prisms are desirable in such image
rotation applications because they need not be operated in a
collimated light path and because they condense a considerable
amount of the optical path without unduly narrowing the aperture
through which the light must pass.
As the optical path emerges from the Pechan prism 52 following the
optical axis 28, it is twice deviated in the prism system 54
comprising two 45.degree. right angle prisms 292, 294. The first
deviation, which occurs in the lower prism 292 turns the optical
path upward while the second deviation, in the upper prism 294,
turns the path 28 toward the beamsplitter 56.
OUTPUT OPTICAL SYSTEM
Light rays by which a map 70 is illuminated are generated by a
plurality of lamps 26 shown in FIG. 13, which are connected by
cords 312 to the instrument power pack 22. The lamps 26 are
attached by swiveling pivots 314 to a long, narrow, lamp mounting
unit 316. The unit 316 is detachably held onto the instrument
baseplate 238 by suitable means such as the screws 318. The pivots
314 are of the well-known friction type which will maintain a lamp
26 in whatever angular position which the operator may manually
select.
The preferred mechanical accommodation of the map image optical
system is shown in FIG. 12. Rays reflected from the map 70 are
refracted by one of a plurality of parfocalized objective lenses 72
of different magnification to form an image of the map which is
subsequently relayed to the eyepiece focal planes 45, 46. The lens
72 may comprise one or more optical components which are mounted in
optical alignment with a cylindrical lens cell 324 upon the upper
end of which external threads are formed. The threaded portion of
the lens cell 324 is receivable in a lens cell mounting ring 326
having cooperative threads on its interior, and various alternate
lenses of differing magnification may be substituted for one
another as the input-output scale ratios may require. The ring 326
rests slidably upon a shoulder 328 of a bracket 330 which is
rigidly connected to the baseplate 238. A leaf spring 332 is
disposed loosely on the shoulder 328 between the cell mounting ring
326 and a vertical interior wall of the bracket 330. Opposite the
spring 332 the bracket 330 defines two threaded apertures in which
knurled screws such as shown at 334 are receivable. The tips of the
knurled screws 334 bear against the cell mounting ring 326.
Therefore it may be seen that the precise lateral position of the
lens 72 may be adjusted by rotating the knurled screws 334 against
the ring 326 and the spring 332 to slide the ring 326 and the lens
324 about on the shoulder 328. The optical characteristics of the
lens 72 and the other lenses in the map viewing system are
carefully chosen to permit this small lateral motion which results
in a slight shift of the map image as seen in the eyepiece focal
planes 45, 46. Thus, the knurled screws 334 constitute a fine
adjustment for the superimposition of the images of the map and the
photograph, thereby reducing the need for shifting the relative
positions of the instrument and the map.
The bracket 330 defines a laterally extending slot above the screws
334 wherein a slide 338 is receivable. The slide 338 is a mount for
an optical filter 340 and a plurality of such filter mounting
slides are available to be inserted as desired across the map
system optical axis 74. Most frequently the operator will wish to
have no filtering effect whatever and he will choose a clear glass
filter.
Occasionally, however, a colored filter may be useful, as to block
out lines of the same color which may appear on the map. Each
filter is made from glass of a common thickness and refractive
index for the purpose of avoiding the introduction of optical
aberrations when one filter is substituted for another. For the
same reason, the clear glass filter is kept in the slot even when
no filtering effect is desired.
A map system relay mount 344 is preferably a single member which is
rigidly attached to the baseplate 238 .[.by.]. by, for instance,
screws as illustrated at 346. A portion 348 of the mount 344 is
tube-shaped and has a shoulder against which a field lens 350 is
seated. The lens 350 is retained in position by the spacer tube 352
which rests in turn on the lens 354. A retaining ring 356 is
threaded snugly beneath the lens 354 and serves to hold both lenses
and the spacer tube 352 in the tube portion 348.
The relay lens 76 is mounted in a lens mounting shelf 360 which
protrudes from the mount 344. A small aperture stop 361 is provided
by a member 362 which is screwed to the side of the shelf 360.
At the top of the mount 344 a ring 364 extends laterally, its upper
surface defining a mount for the mirror 80 which serves to deflect
the optical path 74 downward toward the relay lens 78. The lens 78
comprises a plurality of lenses mounted in a cell 366 which is
attached to the mount 344. The lens 78 refracts the map image rays
to form an image in the eyepiece focal planes 45, 46 subsequently
along the optical path. The optical axis 74 is deviated by the
mirror 82, which rests on an adjustable tripod based on the mount
344, into the beamsplitter 56.
IMAGE COMBINING AND VIEWING SYSTEMS
The beamsplitter 56 is part of a binocular eyepiece assembly seen
in FIGS. 12 and 14, which was adapted from one successfully used in
a high quality microscope. A monocular eyepiece would be within the
scope of the invention and would provide a certain minimum level of
workability, however the choice of a binocular eyepiece is more in
line with the goal of providing a production instrument which may
be comfortably used by an operator over a sustained period of time.
The well-known demountable headrest 370 is made available to assist
the operator in maintaining his eyes on-station to the exit pupils
of the eyepieces 48, 50. It is receivable in a portion of the
instrument housing 16 and may be adjustably secured therein by
tightening of the knurled clamp screw 372. Angular adjustment of
the headrest 370 is achieved by manipulation of the locking cam
374.
As may be seen from the plan view of the binocular assembly in FIG.
14, the rays carrying the map image follow the optical axis 74 into
the beamsplitter 56 and are divided into two portions at the
semireflective surface 58. The reflected portion follows the left
eyepiece optical axis 378, out of the beamsplitter toward the
mirror 60 whose normal orientation serves to deviate the axis 378
toward the left eyepiece focal plane 45.
The transmitted portion of the map image rays proceed straight
through the beamsplitter 56 along the right eyepiece optical axis
380 for deviation at each of the mirrors 62, 64 resulting in the
rays forming an image in the right eyepiece focal plane 46.
Meanwhile photographic image rays having been borne along the
optical axis 28 through a series of optical modules will have been
refracted by a lens to form images in the eyepiece focal planes 45,
46, and as described above, the rays emerge from the upper right
angle prism 294 to enter the beamsplitter 56 through a side face.
The rays are divided into reflected and transmitted portions at the
semireflective surface 58, the transmitted portion following the
left eyepiece axis 378, being deviated at the mirror 60 and forming
an image in the focal plane 45. The reflected portion follows the
right eyepiece axis 380, is twice more deviated, at the mirrors 62
and 64, and it forms an image in the focal plane 46. Those skilled
in the optical arts will appreciate that both the transmitted and
reflected portions of the map image retained their common
orientation, each having been deviated twice, an even number of
times, after division in the beamsplitter. They will also note that
the transmitted and reflected portions of the photographic image
rays retained their common orientation by having been deviated,
respectively, once and three times, odd numbers of times, after
division.
The superimposed images formed in the eyepiece focal planes may be
viewed through standard eyepieces 48, 50, which may be of any of
several magnifications, several interchangeable kinds of eyepieces
being available for use as with high quality microscopes.
The beamsplitter 56 is preferably an optical beamsplitter cube,
although other semireflective means might be used. In general,
semireflective surfaces formed on plano parallel plates are to be
avoided since they tend to be productive of ghost images.
The mirror 60 is adjustably mounted on the springloaded hinge 384
and may be swung out of the way so that the rays bearing the two
superimposed images emerging from the beamsplitter are free to
follow the optical path 386 to the fixed mirror 388, above which is
a well-known camera adapter (not shown). The hinge 384 includes a
flange portion 390 extending along its lower edge, as appears in
FIG. 12. A slide 392 is engageable with the flange 390 to drive the
mirror back from its normal spring-urged position. The slide 392
extends through the lateral slot 394 defined in the lower portion
of the housing 16 and which forms a slideway for it. A finger tab
396 is attached to the slide 392 to afford the operator a
convenient means for driving it to swing the mirror 60 out of the
optical path for operation of the photographic system.
PHOTOMAPPING TECHNIQUES
Ordinary photomicrographic equipment may be attached to the camera
adapter and exposures may be systematically made of the
superimposed map and photograph. These exposures may then be
printed and assembled into a mosaic as is conventionally done with
ordinary rectified photographs. The mosaic may be used directly as
a photomap, or it may be photographically copied as a composite
photograph for reproduction in the form of a printed photomap, the
latter technique being well known to those versed in the
cartographic arts.
Photomaps consisting of rectified aerial photographs and having an
outline map superimposed thereon are known, however they are
normally made by the process of first creating a controlled mosaic
from rectified photographs, a uniform map scale being obtained by
careful projection enlarging, and then either double exposing a
photographic print of the mosaic with one of the map, or
overprinting an ordinary graphic print of the mosaic with an
outline map, sometimes in a different color. It is believed,
however that the process of first scaling and anamorphically
stretching a photographic image to match a map image while
simultaneously viewing both images through a beamsplitter and then
exposing a photograph of both superimposed images, is
unprecedented. The further steps of preparing a photomosaic from
photographs so made and reproducing such a photomosaic are through
to be correspondingly new.
BEAMSPLITTER SWITCH
In another version of our instrument the beamsplitter 56 is made
interchangeable, by operation of a simple switch, with an optical
cube either of clear glass or having a fully reflective diagonal.
Examination of FIG. 6 in the light of the previous discussion of
the image combining and viewing systems shown in FIG. 14, but with
the consideration that if the semireflective surface 58 were
regarded as a fully reflective surface shows that image rays
following the optical axis 74 would be entirely deviated along the
axis 378 toward the mirror 60 and thence to the left eyepiece focal
plane 45. Similarly, rays following the axis 28 would be fully
reflected along the axis 380 toward the mirror 62, to the mirror 64
and finally to the right eyepiece focal plane 46. Thus, a fully
reflective surface would separate the two images and prevent their
overlapping. If a photograph placed on the photographic stage had a
mating photograph taken from a different aspect, even though they
were of different scales, and the mating photograph were placed in
the map plane and the two were positionally adjusted, a stereoview
might be perceived through the eyepieces. The stereo effect could
be equally well obtained with a clear glass cube in place of the
beamsplitter as those skilled in the art will readily see.
Substitution of the fully reflective cube or the clear glass cube
for the beamsplitter is preferably accomplished by the mechanism
shown in FIG. 6, wherein it may be seen that a beamsplitter 56 is
mounted in tandem with a second optical cube 412. The two cubes are
cemented over apertures in a flat surface of a mounting plate 414.
The plate 414 is grooved to rest cooperatively against a rod 416,
being held in sliding contact therewith by leaf springs 418. A
second, and identical rod (not shown) is mounted parallel to and
behind the rod 416, being obscured thereby in FIG. 6, and a set
screw (not shown) threaded through the plate 414 makes adjustable
sliding contact with the second rod. Alignment of both cubes is
accomplished in assembly by adjustment of the set screw. Both rods
are received at each end in a mounting bracket 420 which is
attached to the housing 16 by machine screws 422. An aperture 424
is left in the bracket 420 to permit passage therethrough of rays
following the optical axis 74. A shaft 426 carrying a handle 428 is
attached to the plate 414 and extends below the baseplate 238
through a passage 430 therein.
When the operator wishes to switch from a superimposition mode of
viewing to a stereo mode, he pulls down on the handle 428 thereby
causing the shaft 426, mounting plate 414, beamsplitter 56, and
cube 412 to be lowered until the beamsplitter 56 and the cube 412
take up the positions shown in dotted outlines in FIG. 6, (the
position of the cube 412 being identical with and therefore
obscured by the beamsplitter 56).
DOUBLE INPUT STEREO
In another version of our instrument, two photographic stages are
provided which may be substantially identical with any of the
versions above described. The left photograph of a stereo pair of
photographs is mounted and illuminated on the left photographic
stage and the right photograph of the stereo pair is mounted and
illuminated on the right photographic stage. A map of the
corresponding territory is placed beneath the instrument. A second
photographic optical system is provided for the second photograph
and it has the same optical components as above described with
respect to the first system. The main difference lies in the
arrangement of beamsplitters and beam combiners in the binocular
portion of the instrument, the latter being shown schematically in
FIG. 4.
An image of the map is formed by means similar to those described
for that purpose above and the image is directed along an optical
axis 74 into a beamsplitter 56 having a semireflective diagonal
surface 58 as before. The map image rays are divided into two
portions, as before, and the transmitted portion passes along the
optical axis 440 to be deviated by the mirror 62 into a right beam
combining cube 442 having a semireflective diagonal surface 444
which serves to deviate the map image rays toward the right
eyepiece focal plane 46 where an image of the map is formed.
Meanwhile, the reflected portion of the map image rays is deviated
along the optical axis 450 into a left beam combining cube 452
having a diagonal semireflective surface 454 which deviates the map
image rays toward the left eyepiece focal plane 45 where another
image of the map is formed.
Meanwhile, imaging rays of the right stereo photograph have been
passed through the right photographic image optical system
following the optical axis 458 into the right beam combining cube
442 to form an image in the right eyepiece focal plane 46.
Similarly, rays emanating from the left stereo photograph have been
passed through the left photographic image optical system along the
optical axis 460 and through the left beam combining cube 452
through the semireflective surface 454 and on to form an image in
the left eyepiece focal plane 45.
It may now be observed that a conventional stereo image may be seen
by the operator looking through the left and right eyepieces of the
focal planes 45, 46 and that the map image will also appear,
binocularly superimposed over the stereo image. A shutter 462 may
be removably interposed across either of the axes 440 or 450 if the
operator preferred to have the map image appear in only his left or
right eye's view.
The stereo viewing version of our instrument described above, is
preferred in certain applications for transfer of cultural features
from aerial photography to a previously furnished topographic base
map. This is because the operator's ability to see the images in
stereo maximizes his ability to make an orthogonal placement of
such features on the map free from bias due to topographical
parallax in the photographs.
The stereo capability is also advantageous in permitting the
operator to estimate the location of contour lines where topography
has been locally altered, for example by cuts and fills on a new
highway. It is also useful for positioning contours generated by
other sources, such as drop-line contours obtained from an
orthophoto process, on a planimetric map.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The instrument's electrical system shown schematically in FIG. 16,
preferably is powered by conventional 110 volt 60 cycle alternating
current which enters the system through an inlet connector 464
which may be connected from a wall outlet into a control box 466.
Power in one branch is first supplied through one of a pair of
well-known dimming circuits 468 to a step-down transformer 470 and
to contacts in an outlet connector 472. Meanwhile, line voltage is
supplied directly through a second dimming circuit 468 to
additional contacts in the outlet connector 472. A third branch of
the incoming line leads to a variable transformer 474 the output of
which leads to still further contacts in the outlet connector 472.
A composite plug 476 cooperative with the outlet connector 472 is
demountable receivable therein and serves to connect contacts for a
cable leading to the power-pack 22 which is mounted on the rear of
the instrument. Wires leading from the step-down transformer 470
through the cable serve a low voltage connector 478 in the
power-pack 22. The plug 480 is receivable in the connector 478 to
the map illumination system including the lamps 26. The regular
line voltage is branched in the power-pack to outlet connectors 484
in which the plugs 486 are receivable to serve the photograph
illuminating lamps 24. Another branch of the line voltage input
powers a step-up transformer 488 from whence high voltage is
supplied to the cold cathode grid 160.
It may be further observed that the cold cathode grid 160 is
grounded by the wire 490 to the power-pack 22, that the power-pack
22 is grounded by the wire 492 to the control box 466 which, in
turn, is grounded by a third wire 494 to the building's electrical
system ground.
The control box 466 may be a separate console placed near the
operator, or it may advantageously be built into the instrument
beneath the housing 16. In any event it is desirable to have
convenient operator access to the controls and especially to the
controls of the dimming circuits 468 so that he may readily vary
both the relative and absolute illuminations of the two images.
ALTERNATING DIMMING TECHNIQUE
The operator obtains a special advantage with the ability to dim
one of the images relative to the other. As a first image is dimmed
the second becomes dominant to the viewer's perception. As
illumination is then restored to the second image its distinctive
features seem to loom up into special prominence while the features
common to both images do not appear to change. Thus, if one were
comparing a new aerial photograph as an input image with an old
topographic map as an output image, with the intention of
correcting and updating the old map, houses shown in both the old
map and the new photographs, for example, would remain
substantially unchanging to the operator's perception during
illumination changes, notwithstanding that their representations
were a photographic image on the one hand and a map symbol on the
other. New houses, built since the map was originally compiled,
however, leap into prominence as the map is dimmed out in favor of
the photograph, so it is easy to perceive that they should be
recorded. Once they are recorded, however, the differential is
lessened so that as the process is repeated the unrecorded
differences become less and less until finally the operator can say
with a good degree of confidence that he has recorded all the new
features. By the same token, cultural features on the map which do
not appear in the input photograph may be readily ascertained and
marked for deletion, also with what is thought to be an
unprecedented degree of confidence. Other means for alternating the
dominance of the images might be employed. Mechanical interferences
with the light sources or the optical paths such as filters or
shutters could be used, however it is thought to be especially
beneficial if the non-dominant image is not completely faded from
view and if the alternation takes place gradually rather than
instantaneously so as to present the illusion of a feature "looming
up" from obscurity.
* * * * *