System for optically transferring information between a moving object and a fixed position
First Claim
1. A system for optically transferring information between a moving object traveling along a route of travel and a predetermined spot, comprising:
- light beam-scanning means provided above the predetermined spot for sequentially scanning a light beam along the route of travel;
polarization means provided at the light-beam scanning means for plane-polarizing the light beam being scanned along the route of travel;
modulation-reflection means provided on an object movable along the route of travel, for receiving the plane-polarized light beam scanned along the route of travel incident thereon and reflecting the received light beam back along its direction of incidence, the modulation-reflection means impressing a modulation signal on the reflected light beam in accordance with information regarding the status of the moving object, the modulation signal corresponding to a predetermined angular rotation of the plane of polarization of the reflected light beam with respect to the plane of polarization of the received light beam;
light-analyzing means at the light-beam scanning means for receiving the light beam reflected from the modulation-reflection means, the light-analyzing means selectively passing therethrough only light beams having a predetermined plane of polarization corresponding to the modulation signal;
light-receiving means provided in operable association with the the light-analyzing means for receiving light beams passing through the light-analyzing means and providing an output signal corresponding thereto; and
discriminating means in operable association with the light-receiving means for discriminating said information regarding the status of the moving object on the basis of the output signal from the light receiving means.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An information transfer system for transferring information to a fixed position from a moving object. The information system includes a light beam scanning along the route of the moving object. The light beam is linearly deflected. The moving object is provided with a modulation-reflection apparatus which receives the linearly-deflected light and changes a rotary angle at a polarization surface based upon information from the moving object itself such as object number, destination, or running speed. This modulates the incident light and reflects it back in the direction from which it came. The reflected light from the modulation-reflection apparatus is received through a light-sensitive detection device which allows the light to pass corresponding to the rotary angle of the polarization surface. Consequently, information regarding the moving object is discriminated.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A system for optically transferring information between a moving object traveling along a route of travel and a predetermined spot, comprising:
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light beam-scanning means provided above the predetermined spot for sequentially scanning a light beam along the route of travel; polarization means provided at the light-beam scanning means for plane-polarizing the light beam being scanned along the route of travel; modulation-reflection means provided on an object movable along the route of travel, for receiving the plane-polarized light beam scanned along the route of travel incident thereon and reflecting the received light beam back along its direction of incidence, the modulation-reflection means impressing a modulation signal on the reflected light beam in accordance with information regarding the status of the moving object, the modulation signal corresponding to a predetermined angular rotation of the plane of polarization of the reflected light beam with respect to the plane of polarization of the received light beam; light-analyzing means at the light-beam scanning means for receiving the light beam reflected from the modulation-reflection means, the light-analyzing means selectively passing therethrough only light beams having a predetermined plane of polarization corresponding to the modulation signal; light-receiving means provided in operable association with the the light-analyzing means for receiving light beams passing through the light-analyzing means and providing an output signal corresponding thereto; and discriminating means in operable association with the light-receiving means for discriminating said information regarding the status of the moving object on the basis of the output signal from the light receiving means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification