Two-Dimensional Position Sensing Systems and Sensors Therefor
First Claim
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1. A method of estimating the direction of a radiation source positioned in a sensing region, the method comprising:
- providing a radiation sensor, the radiation sensor comprising;
a linear array sensor having a plurality of sensor elements, the sensor elements facing the sensing region;
an aperture plate positioned between the linear array sensor and the sensing region to block radiation from the sensing region from reach the linear array sensor; and
an aperture formed in the aperture plate to allow radiation from the radiation source to reach some of the sensor elements;
receiving an intensity signal from the linear array sensor, wherein the intensity signal includes intensity values corresponding to radiation incident on the sensor elements through the aperture; and
determining the direction based on the intensity signal.
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Abstract
Two dimensional position sensing system and sensors for use in such systems are disclosed. The sensors incorporate linear array sensors having sensor elements and an aperture plate. Some embodiments include a radiation source that directs radiation onto some of the sensor elements. Other embodiments including radiation blocking objects that block radiation from reaching some of sensor elements. The direction or position of the radiation source or radiation blocking object may be estimated from the radiation incident on the sensor elements.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of estimating the direction of a radiation source positioned in a sensing region, the method comprising:
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providing a radiation sensor, the radiation sensor comprising; a linear array sensor having a plurality of sensor elements, the sensor elements facing the sensing region; an aperture plate positioned between the linear array sensor and the sensing region to block radiation from the sensing region from reach the linear array sensor; and an aperture formed in the aperture plate to allow radiation from the radiation source to reach some of the sensor elements; receiving an intensity signal from the linear array sensor, wherein the intensity signal includes intensity values corresponding to radiation incident on the sensor elements through the aperture; and determining the direction based on the intensity signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of estimating the position of a radiation source relative to a sensing region, the method comprising:
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positioning a first position sensor in a first position relative to the sensing region; positioning a second position sensor in a second position relative to the plane, wherein the first and second position sensors are separated by a distance; determining a first ray relative to first position sensor; determining a second ray relative to the second position sensor; and estimating the position of the radiation source to be at the intersection of the first and second rays. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of estimating the position of a radiation source relative to a sensing region, the method comprising:
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providing a plurality of active radiation sources adjacent the sensing region; positioning a first position sensor in a first position relative to the sensing region wherein radiation emitted by at least some of the radiation sources is incident upon the first radiation sensor; positioning a second position sensor in a second position relative to the plane wherein radiation emitted by at least some of the radiation sources is incident upon the second radiation sensor, and wherein the first and second position sensors are separated by a distance; determining a first ray relative to first position sensor; determining a second ray relative to the second position sensor; and estimating the position of the radiation source to be at the intersection of the first and second rays. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21-26. -26. (canceled)
Specification