Apparatus for detecting an output image of an optical correlation
First Claim
1. In an optical correlation system wherein the position of an object within a search area x-y is represented by the position of a correlation image in correlation space, the image being formed by a focused beam of light, means for detecting the position of the correlation image comprising;
- a beam splitter in the beam of light to form two light beams,multiple imaging diffraction grating means in each of the two light beams arranged to display two image patterns in respective correlation planes, each image pattern comprising a series of closely spaced spots arranged in a straight line, anda photoelectric detector in each correlation plane, each detector comprising a linear photodiode array positioned orthogonally to and intersecting the image pattern in its respective correlation plane so that a photodiode in each array is illuminated according to the position of the correlation image thereby providing a pair of electrical signals representing the coordinate position of the correlation image.
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Abstract
A coherent optical correlation system produces an output signal in the form of a beam of light which if focused onto an output plane would produce a spot of light somewhere in that output plane. To detect the position that spot would have in the output plane, the output beam is formed into two parts by a beam splitter and each part is passed through a multiple image diffraction grating arranged mutually at right angles to thereby form a linear array of spots parallel to the x and y axes of a correlation output plane. Each series of output spots illuminates a photodiode in a linear diode array thereby identifying the x and the y coordinates of a correlation image.
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Citations
1 Claim
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1. In an optical correlation system wherein the position of an object within a search area x-y is represented by the position of a correlation image in correlation space, the image being formed by a focused beam of light, means for detecting the position of the correlation image comprising;
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a beam splitter in the beam of light to form two light beams, multiple imaging diffraction grating means in each of the two light beams arranged to display two image patterns in respective correlation planes, each image pattern comprising a series of closely spaced spots arranged in a straight line, and a photoelectric detector in each correlation plane, each detector comprising a linear photodiode array positioned orthogonally to and intersecting the image pattern in its respective correlation plane so that a photodiode in each array is illuminated according to the position of the correlation image thereby providing a pair of electrical signals representing the coordinate position of the correlation image.
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
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Original AssigneeGeneral Motors Corporation (General Motors Company)
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InventorsLewis, Robert W., Gara, Aaron D.
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Primary Examiner(s)Corbin, John K.
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Assistant Examiner(s)Rosenberger, R. A.
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Application NumberUS05/970,650Time in Patent Office540 DaysField of Search356/356, 356/373, 356/375US Class Current356/615CPC Class CodesG01B 11/272 using photoelectric detecti...
