Optical motion sensor
First Claim
1. An optical system for sensing the motion of a movable surface, the system comprising:
- a lens assembly adapted to magnify an image of a movable surface;
a light source;
an image processing unit adapted to obtain images of the movable surface and convert those images into motion data, the image processing unit placed on the opposite side of the lens from the movable surface; and
a motion evaluation unit electronically connected to the image processing unit and adapted to evaluate the motion data obtained from the image processing unit, wherein the system does not contact the movable surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical device senses the motion or lack of motion of a moving surface that is perpendicular to the axis of the device. The sensor obtains images of the movable surface, and then analyses those images to determine the nature of the motion. The sensor then produces output signals indicating the state of motion of the movable surface. The optical device does not require contact with the surface of motion or a separate lighting source or a target applied to the movable surface. The optical sensor includes a lens assembly, a light source, an image processing unit, and a motion evaluation unit to accomplish the sensing of the movement of the surface.
34 Citations
29 Claims
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1. An optical system for sensing the motion of a movable surface, the system comprising:
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a lens assembly adapted to magnify an image of a movable surface;
a light source;
an image processing unit adapted to obtain images of the movable surface and convert those images into motion data, the image processing unit placed on the opposite side of the lens from the movable surface; and
a motion evaluation unit electronically connected to the image processing unit and adapted to evaluate the motion data obtained from the image processing unit, wherein the system does not contact the movable surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An optical system for sensing the motion of a movable surface, the system consisting essentially of:
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a lens assembly adapted to magnify an image of a movable surface;
a light source;
an image processing unit adapted to obtain images of the movable surface and convert those images into motion data, the image processing unit placed on the opposite side of the lens from the movable surface; and
a motion evaluation unit electronically connected to the image processing unit and adapted to evaluate the motion data obtained from the image processing unit, wherein the system does not contact the movable surface. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A conveyor assembly comprising:
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a conveyor belt mounted onto a support frame, and a sensor mounted onto the support frame for sensing the motion of the conveyor belt, the sensor comprising;
a lens assembly adapted to magnify an image of the conveyor belt;
a light source;
an image processing unit adapted to obtain images of the surface of the conveyor belt and convert those images into motion data, the image processing unit placed on the opposite side of the lens from the surface of the conveyor belt; and
a motion evaluation unit electronically connected to the image processing unit and adapted to evaluate the motion data obtained from the image processing unit, wherein the sensor does not contact the surface of the conveyor belt. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification