Light distribution and detection apparatus
First Claim
1. An optical position location apparatus comprising:
- a housing defining a target zone; and
means for determining the location of an object in two dimensions within said target zone, said position determining means includinga reflector disposed within said housing and about said target zone,emission means for generating and emitting radiant energy, said emission means being stationary,means for redirecting the radiant energy emitted by said emission means along a primary beam path in a first direction,scanning means for sweeping said redirected radiant energy traveling in said first direction across said target zone, and for directing radiant energy reflected by said reflector from said target zone in a second direction along said primary beam path and substantially opposite to said first direction, anddetector means for detecting radiant energy reflected by said reflector from said target zone and directed by said scanning means in said second direction,said redirecting means being interposed between said scanning means and said detector means and being configured for permitting at least a portion of said radiant energy reflected from said target zone and travelling in said second direction to pass through said redirecting means for detection by said detector means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved radiant energy distribution and detection apparatus for use with a device 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 along a predetermined path 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 area to impinge upon the detector device, which is located therebehind with repect to the direction of travel of the return beam. A masking arrangement is employed for substantially limiting light reaching the detector to light from the return beam. Also a focusing arrangement is employed for the emission device for focusing the emitted light upon the redirecting device relative to the masking arrangement and detector so as to cause detection of the return beam to take place substantially in the same position as the apparent source of the emitted beam.
81 Citations
14 Claims
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1. An optical position location apparatus comprising:
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a housing defining a target zone; and means for determining the location of an object in two dimensions within said target zone, said position determining means including a reflector disposed within said housing and about said target zone, emission means for generating and emitting radiant energy, said emission means being stationary, means for redirecting the radiant energy emitted by said emission means along a primary beam path in a first direction, scanning means for sweeping said redirected radiant energy traveling in said first direction across said target zone, and for directing radiant energy reflected by said reflector from said target zone in a second direction along said primary beam path and substantially opposite to said first direction, and detector means for detecting radiant energy reflected by said reflector from said target zone and directed by said scanning means in said second direction, said redirecting means being interposed between said scanning means and said detector means and being configured for permitting at least a portion of said radiant energy reflected from said target zone and travelling in said second direction to pass through said redirecting means for detection by said detector means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification