Optical free space signalling system
First Claim
1. A signalling device comprising:
- a lens system for collecting light incident on the signalling device;
a reflector for reflecting light collected by the lens system back through the lens system; and
a modulator for modulating the light collected by the lens system and/or for modulating the reflected light in accordance with modulation data, wherein the modulator comprises a plurality of modulating elements, each modulator element extending a first length in a first direction and a second length, which is greater than twice the first length, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There is described a signalling device having a plurality of electro-optic elements and a lens system which is operable to receive a plurality of incoming free-space light beams from respective different light sources and direct the received light beams to respective ones of the electro-optic elements. The layout and/or shape of the electro-optic elements in the signalling device is adapted in accordance with a predetermined distribution of light sources. In this way, the number of electro-optic elements can be reduced. In an alternative embodiment, there is provided a signalling device having an electro-optic device, a plurality of lens systems having respective different fields of view, and a plurality of reflecting surfaces. Each reflecting surface is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lens systems, and the associated reflecting surface and lens system pairs are arranged so that the electro-optic device is provided in common to the plurality of lens systems.
13 Citations
50 Claims
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1. A signalling device comprising:
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a lens system for collecting light incident on the signalling device;
a reflector for reflecting light collected by the lens system back through the lens system; and
a modulator for modulating the light collected by the lens system and/or for modulating the reflected light in accordance with modulation data, wherein the modulator comprises a plurality of modulating elements, each modulator element extending a first length in a first direction and a second length, which is greater than twice the first length, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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14. A signalling device comprising:
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a plurality of detectors for converting light into corresponding electrical signals; and
a lens system for collecting light incident on the signalling device and for directing the incident light to at least one of the plurality of detectors which corresponds to the direction of incidence of the incident light, wherein each detector extends a first length in a first direction and a second length, which is greater than twice the first length, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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30. A signalling device comprising:
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a plurality of lens systems, each having a respective field of view;
an electro-optic device provided in common to said plurality of lens systems; and
a plurality of reflecting surfaces, each reflecting surface being associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lens systems and being positioned relative to said associated lens system and said electro-optic device so that light incident on the associated lens system from the respective field of view is directed towards a respective different portion of said electro-optic device. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification