Optical position and orientation sensor
First Claim
1. An optical position determination system for determining the relative position of an object with respect to a two-dimensional position sensing detector comprising:
- energy source means connected to said object for directing at least three energy beams to points of incidence on said position sensing detector;
means connected to said energy source means for characterizing each said energy beam, whereby said position sensing detector provides outputs which are indicative of the position of each said point of incidence; and
computer means responsive to said outputs for calculating the position and orientation of said object.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An optical position determination system is described which determines the six degrees of freedom (i.e. position of orientation) of an object with respect to a two-dimensional position sensing detector. The system comprises at least three energy beams physically connected to the object and directed to corresponding points of incidence on a surface of the position sensing detector. The energy beams are selectively energized to enable the position sensing detector to provide outputs indicative of the positions of the points of incidence. A microcomputer is responsive to those outputs to calculate the position of their common point of intersection. A single position sensing detector is thereby able to provide complete, three-dimensional information on the position of the object.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. An optical position determination system for determining the relative position of an object with respect to a two-dimensional position sensing detector comprising:
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energy source means connected to said object for directing at least three energy beams to points of incidence on said position sensing detector; means connected to said energy source means for characterizing each said energy beam, whereby said position sensing detector provides outputs which are indicative of the position of each said point of incidence; and computer means responsive to said outputs for calculating the position and orientation of said object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification