Solid-state optical position determining apparatus
First Claim
1. An optical position determining apparatus for detecting radiant energy reflected from a target zone comprising:
- emission means for generating and for emitting of radiant energy;
means for redirecting the radiant energy across the target zone;
means for reflecting the radiant energy back from the target zone;
detector means for sensing the presence of radiant energy;
said emission means being stationary and emitting a beam of radiant energy toward said redirecting means to be directed therefrom along a primary beam path in a first direction to the target zone;
said detector means being located along said primary beam path for detecting the radiant energy reflected from the target zone back along the primary beam path in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction;
said redirecting means being configured for permitting at least a portion of an incident beam traveling in said second direction along said primary beam path to pass therethrough for detection by said detector means;
said detector means including a CCD (charge coupled device) linear image sensor formed of a plurality of sensor elements, said sensor elements being pulsed in successive order for scanning the target zone for the presence of the reflected radiant energy and for producing an electrical signal which is proportional to the intensity of the radiant energy reflected from the target zone in response to the presence of such reflected radiant energy; and
electronic processing circuit means connected to said linear image sensor for processing of said electrical signal, said electronic processing circuit means including interface circuit means for indicating angular displacements from a reference so that when an obstruction is located within the target zone a first notch having a secondary angle and a second notch having a primary angle will appear in said electrical signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical position determining apparatus for detecting radiant energy reflected from a target zone includes an emission device for generation and emission of radiant energy, a device for redirecting radiant energy across the target zone, a reflecting device for reflecting the radiant energy back from the target zone, and a detector device for sensing the presence of radiant energy reflected from the target zone. The emission device is stationary and emits a beam of radiant energy toward the redirecting device, which redirects the radiant energy along a primary beam path. The redirecting device also is configured for permitting a return beam of light from the target zone to impinge upon the detector device, which is located therebehind with respect to the direction of travel of the return beam. The detector device includes a CCD (charge coupled device) linear sensor formed of a plurality of sensor elements. The sensor elements are pulsed in successive order for scanning the target zone for the presence of the reflected radiant energy and for producing an electrical signal in response to the presence of such reflected radiant energy.
72 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An optical position determining apparatus for detecting radiant energy reflected from a target zone comprising:
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emission means for generating and for emitting of radiant energy; means for redirecting the radiant energy across the target zone; means for reflecting the radiant energy back from the target zone; detector means for sensing the presence of radiant energy; said emission means being stationary and emitting a beam of radiant energy toward said redirecting means to be directed therefrom along a primary beam path in a first direction to the target zone; said detector means being located along said primary beam path for detecting the radiant energy reflected from the target zone back along the primary beam path in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction; said redirecting means being configured for permitting at least a portion of an incident beam traveling in said second direction along said primary beam path to pass therethrough for detection by said detector means; said detector means including a CCD (charge coupled device) linear image sensor formed of a plurality of sensor elements, said sensor elements being pulsed in successive order for scanning the target zone for the presence of the reflected radiant energy and for producing an electrical signal which is proportional to the intensity of the radiant energy reflected from the target zone in response to the presence of such reflected radiant energy; and
electronic processing circuit means connected to said linear image sensor for processing of said electrical signal, said electronic processing circuit means including interface circuit means for indicating angular displacements from a reference so that when an obstruction is located within the target zone a first notch having a secondary angle and a second notch having a primary angle will appear in said electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An optical position determining apparatus for detecting radiant energy reflected from a target zone comprising:
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emission means for generating and for emitting of radiant energy; means for redirecting the radiant energy across the target zone; means for reflecting the radiant energy back from the target zone; detector means for sensing the presence of radiant energy and for producing an electrical signal in response thereto; said emission means being stationary and emitting a beam of radiant energy toward said redirecting means to be directed therefrom along a primary beam path in a first direction to the target zone; said detector means being located along said primary beam path for detecting the radiant energy reflected from the target zone back along the primary beam path in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction; said redirecting means being configured for permitting at least a portion of an incident beam traveling in said second direction along said primary beam path to pass therethrough for detection by said detector means; and said redirecting means including a split mirror formed of a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion and forming a gap therebetween, each of said first and second portions having a substantially flat relative surface facing away from said detector means, said gap extending through said reflective surfaces and being substantially centered with respect to said detector means and said primary beam path. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An optical position determining apparatus for detecting radiant energy reflected from a target zone comprising:
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emission means for generating and for emitting of radiant energy; means for redirecting the radiant energy across the target zone; means for reflecting the radiant energy back from the target zone; detector means for sensing the presence of radiant energy and for producing an electrical signal in response thereto; said emission means being stationary and emitting a beam of radiant energy toward said redirecting means to be directed therefrom along a primary beam path in a first direction to the target zone; said detector means being located along said primary beam path for detecting the radiant energy reflected from the target zone back along the primary beam path in a second direction substantially opposite to said first direction; said redirecting means including a single-piece mirror having a substantially flat reflective surface facing away from said detector means, said single-piece mirror being configured for permitting at least a portion of an incident beam traveling in said second direction along said primary beam path to pass through an opening adjacent to said single-piece mirror for detection by said detector means. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification