Non-contact visual proximity sensing apparatus
First Claim
Patent Images
1. Apparatus for determining the location and orientation of an object, comprising:
- a plurality of light sources disposed in spaced apart relationship from said object,a light source activation means operatively connected to said plurality of light sources to sequentially activate said light sources causing a series of light beams to impinge on said object,light responsive transducer means having a two dimensional light sensitive area positioned relative to said object to receive the reflected light beams from said object and develop output signals in response to each of said reflected light beams, each of said output signals being indicative of the location on said light sensitive area contacted by the respective reflected light beams; and
signal processing means responding to said output signals by identifying a pattern of output signals and determining therefrom the location and orientation of said object.
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Abstract
An array of light sources transmit a series of light beams onto an object and the reflected light beams are focussed on a light responsive transducer. The output signals of the transducer are processed to determine the location and orientation of the object. The location and orientation information in turn is available to control the operation of a tool or manipulator relative to the object.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. Apparatus for determining the location and orientation of an object, comprising:
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a plurality of light sources disposed in spaced apart relationship from said object, a light source activation means operatively connected to said plurality of light sources to sequentially activate said light sources causing a series of light beams to impinge on said object, light responsive transducer means having a two dimensional light sensitive area positioned relative to said object to receive the reflected light beams from said object and develop output signals in response to each of said reflected light beams, each of said output signals being indicative of the location on said light sensitive area contacted by the respective reflected light beams; and signal processing means responding to said output signals by identifying a pattern of output signals and determining therefrom the location and orientation of said object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification