ANGULAR POSITION SENSOR FOR RELATIVE ATTITUDE SENSING
First Claim
1. An angular position sensor comprising:
- a light emitter configured to transmit an emitted light beam having a range of wavelengths toward a reflecting element that is configured to produce a reflected light beam having a particular wavelength that is a function of an angle of incidence of the emitted light beam from a normal of the reflecting element;
a color sensor in proximity to and fixed relative to the light emitter and configured to (i) receive the reflected light beam, (ii) detect the particular wavelength of the reflected light beam, and (iii) transmit a color signal indicating the particular wavelength of the reflected light beam; and
processing circuitry disposed in electrical communication with the color sensor and configured to receive the color signal and calculate the angle of incidence based on the particular wavelength.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A disclosed sensor includes a light emitter configured to transmit an emitted light beam having a range of wavelengths toward a reflecting element that is configured to produce a reflected light beam having a particular wavelength that is a function of an angle of incidence of the emitted light beam from a normal of the reflecting element. The sensor also includes a color sensor in proximity to and fixed relative to the light emitter and configured to (i) receive the reflected light beam, (ii) detect the particular wavelength of the reflected light beam, and (iii) transmit a color signal indicating the particular wavelength of the reflected light beam. The sensor further includes processing circuitry disposed in electrical communication with the color sensor and configured to receive the color signal and calculate the angle of incidence based on the particular wavelength.
5 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An angular position sensor comprising:
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a light emitter configured to transmit an emitted light beam having a range of wavelengths toward a reflecting element that is configured to produce a reflected light beam having a particular wavelength that is a function of an angle of incidence of the emitted light beam from a normal of the reflecting element; a color sensor in proximity to and fixed relative to the light emitter and configured to (i) receive the reflected light beam, (ii) detect the particular wavelength of the reflected light beam, and (iii) transmit a color signal indicating the particular wavelength of the reflected light beam; and processing circuitry disposed in electrical communication with the color sensor and configured to receive the color signal and calculate the angle of incidence based on the particular wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An angular position sensor system comprising:
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a platform configured to move through a range of motion and having a reflecting element that is configured to produce a reflected light beam having a particular wavelength that is a function of an angle of incidence of a emitted light beam from a normal of the reflecting element; and an angular position sensor disposed within the movable platform and isolated from movement of the platform, the angular position sensor having; a light emitter configured to transmit the emitted light beam having a range of wavelengths toward the reflecting element, a color sensor in proximity to and fixed relative to the light emitter and configured to (i) receive the reflected light beam, (ii) detect the particular wavelength of the reflected light beam, and (iii) transmit a color signal indicating the particular wavelength of the reflected light beam and processing circuitry disposed in communication with the color sensor and configured to receive the color signal and calculate the angle of incidence based on the particular wavelength. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for sensing angular movement of a moving platform comprising:
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transmitting from a light emitter, an emitted light beam having a range of wavelengths towards a reflecting element attached to the platform that is movable relative to the light emitter; receiving from the reflecting element, a reflected light beam having a particular wavelength that is a function of an angle of incidence of the emitted light beam from a normal of the reflecting element; detecting the particular wavelength of the reflected light beam; and calculating the angle of incidence based on the particular wavelength.
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Specification