US3818125A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Stereo television microscope
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-10-26
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Granted: 1974-06-18
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Expires: 1991-10-26
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed herein a stereo television microscope apparatus and system including a housing with beam splitting optics therein which pick up two slightly different images of a small object and relay such images through an optics system to the pickup tube of a television camera. The television camera is connected with a television monitor which displays the two adjacent images. Optics in the face plate of the hood associated with the monitor enable the viewer to observe a single magnified television picture of the object in three dimensions. The instrument can be used in place of a regular optical stereo microscope. The television picture from one device can be connected to and viewed by any desired number of other such devices for group instruction, on-line inspection, transmission of pictures to remote areas for analysis, and so forth. Also, the stereo television picture may be recorded on a recording media, such as video tape or film, for later playback.
Inventors
- 👤 J Butterfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:16
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B21/00; G02B21/36; G02B21/361; G02B21/368
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
Stereo television microscope apparatus for providing a three dimensional enlarged view of an object comprising first optical means including a beam spliter, for picking up images of the object from different angles and magnifying said images, said first optical means including image separation means for providing respective separate different images of the object, pickup means for receiving images of the object and providing electrical signals representative of the respective images, display means for displaying the magnified images represented by said respective signals, and second optical means for directing one image to a first eye and a different image to a second eye of a viewer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
Stereo television microscope apparatus for providing a three dimensional enlarged view of an object comprising first optical means including a beam spliter, for picking up images of the object from different angles and magnifying said images, said first optical means including image separation means for providing respective separate different images of the object, pickup means for receiving images of the object and providing electrical signals representative of the respective images, display means for displaying the magnified images represented by said respective signals, and second optical means for directing one image to a first eye and a different image to a second eye of a viewer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said display means comprises a cathode ray tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said display means comprises a cathode ray tube for displaying continuous enlarged images.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first and second optical means, pickup means and display means are mounted together in a single housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said display means and second optical means are remotely located with respect to said first optical means and said pickup means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said image separation means comprises means for reflecting and relaying said respective images of the object to said pickup means by separate and independent light paths.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first optical means including a movable optical assembly and said pickup means including a movable pickup tube and a path between the object and said first optical means and a path between said first optical means and said pickup means are variable, thereby allowing variable magnification of the view of the object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first optical means includes a plurality of prism wedges for picking up images of the object from different angles.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said images separation means comprises means for refracting and relaying said respective images of the object of said pickup means by separate and independent light paths.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first optical means includes a plurality of mirror flats for picking up images of the object from different angles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said pickup means comprises a single television camera means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said display device comprises a cathode ray tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said second optical means includes a viewing means comprising a visor and a hood means, said hood means providing a light-proof enclosure between said display means and said visor, and a viewing optical plate positioned between said display means and said visor for viewing said display means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said viewing optical plate includes a first and second aperture, and a first and second wedge prism respectively deposed behind said first and second aperture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first optical means includes a matched pair of lenses for image separation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus as in claim 15 including a baffle, said baffle being positioned between said first optical means and said pickup means for keeping the images separate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said image separation mEans includes filter means for relaying said respective images to said pickup means by a single light path.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 17 wherein said filter means comprises two sets of mutually exclusive polarizing filters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as in claim 17 wherein said filter means comprises two sets of mutually exclusive colored filters.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
124 words
Stereo television microscope apparatus for providing a three dimensional enlarged view of an object comprising first optical means having an adjustable stereo base for picking up images of the object from different angles and magnifying said images, and image separation means for providing respective separate different images of the object, electro-optical pickup means comprising a single electro-optical pickup tube for receiving the separated images from said first optical means and providing electrical signals representative of the respective separated images from said first optical means, display means comprising a single display device for displaying continuous magnified images represented by said respective signals, and second optical means for directing one image to a first eye and a different image to a second eye of a viewer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
124 words
Stereo television microscope apparatus for providing a three dimensional enlarged view of an object comprising first optical means having an adjustable stereo base for picking up images of the object from different angles and magnifying said images, and image separation means for providing respective separate different images of the object, electro-optical pickup means comprising a single electro-optical pickup tube for receiving the separated images from said first optical means and providing electrical signals representative of the respective separated images from said first optical means, display means comprising a single display device for displaying continuous magnified images represented by said respective signals, and second optical means for directing one image to a first eye and a different image to a second eye of a viewer.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of microscopy for providing substantially enlarged three dimensional views of a small object comprising the steps of optically picking up two images of an object from different angles and relaying said images in a side by side relationship thereby forming a first and second image, maintaining the first image separate with respect to the second image, by filtering each image independently with matched exclusive filters, converting said electrical signals to respective enlarged visual images, and channeling one image to each of the eyes of a viewer.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of microscopy for providing substantially enlarged three dimensional views of a small object comprising the steps of optically picking up two images of an object from different angles and relaying said images in a side by side relationship thereby forming a first and second image, maintaining the first image separate with respect to the second image, by filtering each image independently with matched exclusive filters, converting said electrical signals to respective enlarged visual images, and channeling one image to each of the eyes of a viewer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
120 words
Stereo television microscope apparatus for providing a three dimensional enlarged view of an object comprising first optical means for picking up images of the object from different angles and magnifying said images, said first optical means including image separation means for providing respective separate different images of the object, said first optical means including an aperture plate having two slots horizontally separated from each other for image separation, pickup means for receiving images of the object and providing electrical signals representative of the respective images, display means for displaying the magnified images represented by said respective signals, and second optical means for directing one image to a first eye and a different image to a second eye of a viewer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
120 words
Stereo television microscope apparatus for providing a three dimensional enlarged view of an object comprising first optical means for picking up images of the object from different angles and magnifying said images, said first optical means including image separation means for providing respective separate different images of the object, said first optical means including an aperture plate having two slots horizontally separated from each other for image separation, pickup means for receiving images of the object and providing electrical signals representative of the respective images, display means for displaying the magnified images represented by said respective signals, and second optical means for directing one image to a first eye and a different image to a second eye of a viewer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
140 words
Stereo television microscope apparatus for providing a three dimensional enlarged view of an object comprising first optical means for picking up images of the object from different angles and magnifying said images, said first optical means including image separation means for providing respective separate different images of the object, said first optical means including a matched pair of lenses for image separation and further including a pair of prisms, capable of conveying rays from the object to allow the rays to pass through said matched pair of lenses, pickup means for receiving images of the object and providing electrical signals representative of the respective images, display means for displaying the magnified images represented by said respective signals, and second optical means for directing one image to a first eye and a different image to a second eye of a viewer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
140 words
Stereo television microscope apparatus for providing a three dimensional enlarged view of an object comprising first optical means for picking up images of the object from different angles and magnifying said images, said first optical means including image separation means for providing respective separate different images of the object, said first optical means including a matched pair of lenses for image separation and further including a pair of prisms, capable of conveying rays from the object to allow the rays to pass through said matched pair of lenses, pickup means for receiving images of the object and providing electrical signals representative of the respective images, display means for displaying the magnified images represented by said respective signals, and second optical means for directing one image to a first eye and a different image to a second eye of a viewer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus as in claim 23 including two sets of mutually exclusive filters, said first set of filters being positioned in a first optical means and said second set of filters being positioned immediately in front of said pickup means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
142 words
Stereo television microscope apparatus for providing a three dimensional enlarged view of an object comprising first optical means for picking up images of the object from different angles and magnifying said images, said first optical means inCluding image separation means for providing respective separate different images of the object, said first optical means including a matched pair of lenses for image separation and further including a beam splitter, said beam splitter capable of converging rays from the object to allow the rays to pass through said matched pair of lenses, pickup means for receiving images of the object and providing electrical signals representative of the respective images, display means for displaying the magnified images represented by said respective signals, and second optical means for directing one image to a first eye and a different image to a second eye of a viewer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
142 words
Stereo television microscope apparatus for providing a three dimensional enlarged view of an object comprising first optical means for picking up images of the object from different angles and magnifying said images, said first optical means inCluding image separation means for providing respective separate different images of the object, said first optical means including a matched pair of lenses for image separation and further including a beam splitter, said beam splitter capable of converging rays from the object to allow the rays to pass through said matched pair of lenses, pickup means for receiving images of the object and providing electrical signals representative of the respective images, display means for displaying the magnified images represented by said respective signals, and second optical means for directing one image to a first eye and a different image to a second eye of a viewer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus as in claim 25 wherein said beam splitter includes two pair of reflectors positioned to cross the images.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
109 words
Stereo television microscope apparatus for providing a three dimensional enlarged view of an object comprising first optical means including means for providing an adjustable stereo base, for picking up images of the object from different angles and magnifying said images, said first optical means including image separation means for providing respective separate different images of the object, pickup means for receiving images of the object and providing electrical signals representative of the respective images, display means for displaying the magnified images represented by said respective signals, and second optical means for directing one image to a first eye and a different image to a second eye of a viewer.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
109 words
Stereo television microscope apparatus for providing a three dimensional enlarged view of an object comprising first optical means including means for providing an adjustable stereo base, for picking up images of the object from different angles and magnifying said images, said first optical means including image separation means for providing respective separate different images of the object, pickup means for receiving images of the object and providing electrical signals representative of the respective images, display means for displaying the magnified images represented by said respective signals, and second optical means for directing one image to a first eye and a different image to a second eye of a viewer.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of microscopy for providing substantially enlarged three dimensional views of a small object comprising the steps of adjusting the stereo base for optimum depth perception at a given working distance, optically picking up images of an object from different angles thereby forming a first and second image, maintaining the first image separate with respect to the second image by optically channeling each image independently, converting said images to electrical signals representative of said images, converting said electrical signals to respective enlarged visual images, and channeling one image to each of the eyes of a viewer.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of microscopy for providing substantially enlarged three dimensional views of a small object comprising the steps of adjusting the stereo base for optimum depth perception at a given working distance, optically picking up images of an object from different angles thereby forming a first and second image, maintaining the first image separate with respect to the second image by optically channeling each image independently, converting said images to electrical signals representative of said images, converting said electrical signals to respective enlarged visual images, and channeling one image to each of the eyes of a viewer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-06-17 | 1977-12-17 | 1978-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-06-17 | 1981-12-17 | 1982-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-06-17 | 1985-12-17 | 1986-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |