Apparatus for and method of controlling a device by sensing radiation having an emission space and a sensing space
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting an object, comprising:
- a) a support;
b) emitter means supported by the support, and operative for transmitting radiation away from the support into an emission space;
c) sensor means supported by the support and having a sensing space, said sensor means being operative for receiving radiation directed by an object located in the sensing space to the sensor means, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the presence of the object in the sensing space;
d) at least one of said sensor means and said emitter means including means for shaping at least one of said spaces to have a generally thin, screen-like volume having a cross-sectional width and a cross-sectional thickness less than said width substantially throughout said volume; and
e) means for determining a position of the object in said at least one of said spaces relative to the support, and for generating a control signal indicative of the object position.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An optical controller is capable of surrounding a player with a radiation screen from a plurality of panels, and enables the player to produce control signals for interface with a controlled instrument such as a musical instrument, a video game processor, etc. The insertion of the appendage of the player can produce a functional control signal. The relative position of the insertion of the appendage can be determined, for example, as a result of the intensity of the reflected radiation in the dispersing radiation screen and adjusted in elevation. The video game processing unit can play either a conventional video game that usually accepts eight functional control signals, or it can utilize the full capacities of the control signals available from the optical controller for enhanced play action.
117 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting an object, comprising:
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a) a support; b) emitter means supported by the support, and operative for transmitting radiation away from the support into an emission space; c) sensor means supported by the support and having a sensing space, said sensor means being operative for receiving radiation directed by an object located in the sensing space to the sensor means, and for generating an electrical signal indicative of the presence of the object in the sensing space; d) at least one of said sensor means and said emitter means including means for shaping at least one of said spaces to have a generally thin, screen-like volume having a cross-sectional width and a cross-sectional thickness less than said width substantially throughout said volume; and e) means for determining a position of the object in said at least one of said spaces relative to the support, and for generating a control signal indicative of the object position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of detecting an object, comprising the steps of:
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a) transmitting radiation from an emitter on a support away from the support into an emission space; b) mounting a sensor having a sensing space on the support; c) receiving radiation directed by an object located in the sensing space to the sensor, and generating an electrical signal indicative of the presence of the object in the sensing space; d) shaping at least one of said spaces to have a generally thin, screen-like volume having a cross-sectional width and a cross-sectional thickness less than said width substantially throughout said volume; and e) determining a position of the object in said at least one of said spaces relative to the support, and generating a control signal indicative of the object position. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification