POSITIONING A FIRST SURFACE IN A PRE-DETERMINED POSITION RELATIVE TO A SECOND SURFACE

• US 20070121102A1
• Filed: 01/29/2007
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Marcu, Gabriel
• Granted Patent: US 7,933,008 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 356/152.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/272 using photoelectric detection means

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for positioning a first device in relation to a second device. An optical signal from a first device is sent to a second device. A reflection of the optical signal from the second device is received. A position of one of the devices relative to the other device is adjusted based upon the reflection.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. The method comprising:

sending an optical signal from a first apparatus to a second apparatus;

receiving a reflection of said optical signal from said second apparatus; and

adjusting a position of one of said apparatuses relative to the other apparatus based upon said reflection, adjusting the incident angle to change a location on the screen upon which said reflective light is received, and, wherein adjusting said position of one of said apparatuses relative to the other apparatus based upon said reflection further comprises using a feedback control system to adjust the incident angle.

10-13. -13. (canceled)

14. A system, comprising:

an optical source affixed to said first apparatus, said optical source for directing an incident light to said second apparatus;

a light receiving unit to receive reflective light reflected from said second apparatus, said reflective light being used to adjust the positioning of said first apparatus in relation to the second apparatus;

a feedback control unit to receive data from said optical source and said light receiving unit;

said feedback control unit to generate an alignment control signal; and

an alignment unit operatively coupled to said feedback control unit, said alignment unit to affect the alignment of at least one of said first and second apparatuses based upon said alignment control signal.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said feedback control unit comprises a controller to determining an incident angle of said incident light and generate said alignment control signal based upon said incident angle.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein said alignment unit comprises a control system to adjust an alignment of at least one of said first and second apparatuses based upon said alignment control signal.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said control system comprises a servo motor to affect the positioning of at least one of said first and second apparatuses.

18-23. -23. (canceled)

24. A system comprising:

an optical source affixed to said first apparatus, said optical source for directing an incident light to said second apparatus; and

a light receiving unit to receive reflective light reflected from said second apparatus, said reflective light being used to adjust the positioning of said first apparatus in relation to the second apparatus;

wherein said second apparatus comprises at least one sensor for sensing said incident light.

25. The system of claim 24, further comprising a sensor controller operatively coupled to said sensor, said sensor controller to detect a signal from said at least one sensor indicating that an incident light was detected.

26-30. -30. (canceled)

31. An apparatus for positioning a first device in relation to a second device, comprising an optical source affixed upon said first device, said optical source comprising a screen, said optical source to provide an incident light that is directed towards said second device from which a reflected light is received upon said screen;

said apparatus being adapted to adjust the relative positioning between said first and second devices based upon an angle of said reflected light, wherein said reflective light is provided by a reflective material affixed upon said second device, and wherein said apparatus comprises;

a feedback control unit to receive data from said optical source, said feedback control unit to generate an alignment control signal; and

an alignment unit operatively coupled to said feedback control unit, said alignment unit to affect the alignment of at least one of said first and second devices based upon said alignment control signal.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said feedback control unit comprises a controller to determining an angle of said incident light and generate said alignment control signal based upon said incident angle.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said alignment unit comprises a control system to adjust an alignment of at least one of said first and second apparatuses based upon alignment control signal.

34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said control system comprises a servo motor to affect the positioning of at least one of said first and second apparatuses.

35-45. -45. (canceled)