Standalone gradient detector
First Claim
1. A light beam gradient detector comprising:
- a. a photodetector array having a plurality of photodetector elements each operable to provide a signal that corresponds to the light received by photodetector element;
b. a gradient circuit in communication with the photodetector array and operable to determine a light gradient measured between two of the plurality of photodetector elements; and
c. a display device in communication with the gradient circuit and operable to display the value of the light gradient measured between two of the plurality of photodetector elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A standalone gradient detector system, utilizing a gradient detector with a several photodetectors, is disclosed. A lamp emits light toward a screen. The light strikes the photodetectors on a photodector array, which communicate the light intensity to a gradient circuit. The gradient circuit compares the intensity values from each photodetector with the intensity value for the photodetector immediately adjacent, and computes a gradient value. The maximum gradient value is displayed using a display device, and the position of the photodetector with the maximum gradient value is indicated by an adjacent light source. The gradient of an automobile headlamp may thus be found easily, assisting in headlamp positioning during headlamp and vehicle manufacture.
13 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A light beam gradient detector comprising:
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a. a photodetector array having a plurality of photodetector elements each operable to provide a signal that corresponds to the light received by photodetector element;
b. a gradient circuit in communication with the photodetector array and operable to determine a light gradient measured between two of the plurality of photodetector elements; and
c. a display device in communication with the gradient circuit and operable to display the value of the light gradient measured between two of the plurality of photodetector elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A light beam gradient detector comprising:
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a. a mounting device;
b. a photodetector array positioned upon the mounting device, the photodetector array having a plurality of adjacent photodetector elements;
c. a gradient circuit in communication with the plurality of photodetector elements, the gradient circuit operable to determine a light gradient between two of the plurality of adjacent photodetector elements, and d. a plurality of light sources also positioned upon the mounting device, each of the plurality of light sources adjacent to one of the plurality of photodetector elements, wherein one of the plurality of light sources is illuminated to indicate the location of the light gradient determined by the gradient circuit. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A light beam gradient detector comprising:
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a. a screen for receiving at least one beam of light;
b. means for determining a maximum gradient value of light projected onto the screen; and
c. means for displaying the position of the maximum gradient on the screen. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification