Moving object monitoring system

• US 5,988,645 A
• Filed: 11/21/1996
• Issued: 11/23/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dennis L. Downing
• Original Assignee: Dennis L. Downing
• Inventors: Downing, Dennis L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Application Number:
  US08/754,682
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 273/382, 273/371, 273/317, 273/348, 273/358, 273/366, 273/381, 273/404
• US Class Current: 273/348
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 1/10 Target stands; Target holders
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/02 Photo-electric hit-detector systems comprising a light-emitting device for simulating the firing of a gun F41G3/2622; detecting by optical means G01V8/10

Abstract

A method has been invented for monitoring an object passing through a frame space of a light panel, the light panel having at least one light emitter on the first side, the at least one light emitter for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam, across the frame through which and beyond which an object may pass, and at least one light detector on the second side of the frame and associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to the at least one light detector for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter, the method including detecting with the at least one light detector and associated electronic sensing apparatus interruption by an object of the fan-shaped light beam continuously emitted by the at least one light emitter; and generating with the electronic sensing apparatus a signal signalling the interruption of the fan-shaped beam by the object. A light panel system has been invented for monitoring and determining information concerning moving or stationary objects. In one aspect the light beam is modulated. In one aspect such a panel has on-board electronics for calculating: object (e.g., but not limited to, bullet) location, size, shape, orientation and/or velocity. Methods are described for using such systems and such light panels.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring an object passing through a frame space of a light panel, the light panel comprising a frame with a top, a bottom spaced apart from the top, a first side between the top and the bottom, and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the second side between the top and the bottom, the frame defining a frame space between its top, bottom, and two sides, at least one light emitter on the first side, the at least one light emitter for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam, across the frame through which and beyond which an object may pass, and at least one light detector on the second side of the frame and associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to the at least one light detector for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter, the method comprising

continuously detecting with the at least one light detector and associated electronic sensing apparatus interruption by an object of the fan-shaped light beam continuously emitted by the at least one light emitter, and

generating with the electronic sensing apparatus a signal signalling the interruption of the fan-shaped beam by the object.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitter emits a modulated fan-shaped light beam.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising

transmitting with the electronic sensing apparatus the signal to a device thereby activating the device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the device is from the group consisting of a computer, an alarm device, a message sender, a signal recording device, a shut-down device, a camera, a machine, a switch, a relay, a controller, a timer, a clock, a display, a light, an instrument, an indicator, a motor, and an image device.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the light panel is a first light panel, a second light panel is spaced apart a known distance from the first light panel, the second light panel comprising a second frame with a second top, a second bottom spaced apart from the second top, a first lateral side between the second top and the second bottom, and a second lateral side spaced apart from the first lateral side, the second lateral side between the second top and the second bottom, the second frame defining a second frame space between its second top, second bottom, and two lateral sides, at least one second light emitter on the first lateral side, the at least one second light emitter for continuously emitting a second fan-shaped light beam across the second frame through which and beyond which an object may pass, and at least one second light detector on the second lateral side of the second frame and second associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to the at least one second light detector for continuously detecting the second fan-shaped light beam from the at least one second light emitter, each light panel'"'"'s associated electronic sensing apparatus including a signal generator and a signal transmitter, each associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to a clock, the clock including signal recording apparatus, the method further comprising

generating a first signal indicative of passage of the object through the frame space of the first light panel,

transmitting the signal to the clock to start the clock to time amount of time for the object to go from the first light panel to the second light panel,

generating a second signal indicative of passage of the object through the second frame space of the second light panel,

transmitting the second signal to the clock to stop the clock,

recording with the clock time elapsed for passage of the object from the first light panel to the second light panel, and

calculating velocity of the object based on the time elapsed and the known distance between the light panels.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the object is a bullet fired from a gun so that the bullet passes through the frame space of both light panels.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein each light emitter emits a modulated fan-shaped light beam.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the object is a first object and a plurality of objects passes sequentially through the light panel, the light panel and associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to totalling apparatus for receiving a plurality of signals from the associated electronic sensing apparatus, one signal corresponding to each object of the plurality of objects, the method further comprising

generating a signal corresponding to a time each object passes through the frame space of the light panel,

transmitting each signal to the totalling apparatus,

totalling the number of signals received from the associated electronic sensing apparatus with the totalling apparatus and producing an output indicative of the total number of objects passing through the frame space, and

totalling an amount of time elapsed for occurrence of the plurality of signals received from the associated electronic sensing apparatus with the totalling apparatus, and calculating with electronic calculating apparatus a numerical rate of passage of objects through the light panel frame space based on the number of objects counted and the time elapsed.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the totalling apparatus is a computer.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitter is at least two spaced apart light emitters and the at least one light detector is at least two light detectors with at least one light detector positioned opposite each of the at least two spaced apart light emitters and wherein the light panel is disposed adjacent a menu diagram so that touching a portion of the menu diagram in a specific location with a touch member interrupts a specific part of the fan-shaped light beam, the at least one light detector comprising a plurality of light detectors and associated electronic sensing apparatus so that interruption of the specific part of the fan-shaped light beam is sensed by at least one of the plurality of light detectors and a signal is generated indicating which light detector sensed said interruption thereby indicating the portion of the menu diagram touched by the touch member, the method further comprising,

touching a portion of a menu diagram with a touch member, the menu diagram disposed adjacent the light panel so that in touching the portion of the menu diagram the touch member interrupts the fan-shaped light beam and said interruption is sensed by at least one of the light detectors and associated electronic sensing apparatus,

generating a touch signal with the associated electronic sensing apparatus indicative of location of the touching and of the portion of the menu diagram touched by the touch member, and

transmitting with the associated electronic sensing apparatus the touch signal to a signal receiving other device to activate the signal receiving other device.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitter is at least two spaced apart light emitters and the at least one light detector is at least two light detectors with at least one light detector positioned opposite each of the at least two spaced apart light emitters and wherein each light detector is connected to associated electronic sensing apparatus for generating a signal upon interruption of a portion of the fan-shaped light beam detected by said each light detector, the method further comprising

generating a set of signals from light detectors whose beam portions are interrupted by the object, the set of signals corresponding to an image of the object.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein each light emitter emits a modulated fan-shaped light beam.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising

transmitting the set of images to an image device.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein the image indicates a density pattern of the object.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the image device is a computer and the method further comprising calculating angles of pitch and yaw for the object.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the object is a bullet and the image device is a computer, the light panel is a first light panel, a second light panel is spaced apart a known distance from the first light panel, the second light panel comprising a second frame with a second top, a second bottom spaced apart from the second top, a first lateral side between the second top and the second bottom, and a second lateral side spaced apart from the first lateral side, the second lateral side between the second top and the second bottom, the second frame defining a second frame space between its second top, second bottom, and two lateral sides, at least one second light emitter on the first lateral side, the at least one second light emitter for continuously emitting a second fan-shaped light beam across the second frame through which and beyond which an object may pass, and at least one second light detector on the second lateral side of the second frame and second associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to the at least one second light detector for continuously detecting the second fan-shaped light beam from the at least one second light emitter, each light panel'"'"'s associated electronic sensing apparatus including a signal generator and a signal transmitter, each associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to a computer, the computer including signal recording apparatus, and the method further comprising

calculating with the computer an angle of arrival of the bullet on a target adjacent the light panel.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the object'"'"'s size is a known size and initial entry into the frame space of the light panel generates a first signal and prior to exiting the frame space the object'"'"'s passage generates a last signal, the method further comprising

transmission of the first and last signals to electronic calculating apparatus and calculating therewith time elapsed between the first and last signals, and

based on the known size of the object and time elapsed between the first and last signals, calculating velocity of the object.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein the object is a first object, the first object and a plurality of objects flow through the frame space as a solids stream, and the image is an image of the solids stream, the image device is a computer and the method further comprising

calculating with the computer a flow rate of the solids stream.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the light panel is connected to electronic calculating apparatus associated with the frame for calculating location coordinates of an object passing through the frame space, the associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to the electronic calculating apparatus, the method further comprising

calculating location coordinates of the object passing through the frame space.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein the light panel is connected to electronic calculating apparatus associated with the frame for calculating size of an object passing through the frame space, the associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to the electronic calculating apparatus, the method further comprising

calculating size of the object passing through the frame space.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the associated electronic sensing apparatus is connected to electronic calculating apparatus which calculates velocity of an object passing through the light panel frame space, which object has first passed through a second light panel spaced apart from, on a common axis with, and interconnected in electronic communication with the light panel, the method further comprising

calculating velocity of the object passing through the light panel frame space.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the associated electronic sensing apparatus is connected to electronic calculating apparatus that transmits data to another device regarding the object, the method further comprising

transmitting the data to the another device.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitter is a laser and the light panel includes lens means adjacent the laser and the laser provides a laser light beam to the lens means.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the lens means is a line generating lens emitting a fan-shaped plane of light, the method further comprising

generating a fan-shaped plane of light with the lens means.

33. The method of claim 11 wherein the object is a continuous web passing through the frame space and the method further comprising

monitoring the continuous web as it passes through the light panel.

35. The method of claim 1 wherein there is at least one reflector for reflecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter to the at least one light detector, the method further comprising

reflecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter to the at least one light detector.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the at least one reflector is on the light panel.

37. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one light emitter is at least two spaced apart light emitters and the at least one light detector is at least two light detectors with at least one light detector positioned opposite each of the at least two spaced apart light emitters and wherein the object interrupts a specific part of the fan-shaped light beam, the at least one light detector comprising a plurality of light detectors and associated electronic sensing apparatus so that interruption of the specific part of the fan-shaped light beam is sensed by at least one of the plurality of light detectors and a signal is generated indicating which light detector sensed said interruption thereby indicating a location in the frame space interrupted by the object, the method further comprising,

sensing the object'"'"'s interruption of the fan-shaped light beam with at least one of the light detectors and associated electronic sensing apparatus, and

generating a signal with the associated electronic sensing apparatus indicative of location of the interruption by the object.

25. A method for monitoring an object passing through a frame space of a light panel, the light panel comprising a frame with a top, a bottom spaced apart from the top, a first side between the top and the bottom, and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the second side between the top and the bottom, the frame defining a frame space between its top, bottom, and two sides, at least one light emitter on the first side, and at least one light emitter on the bottom, the light emitters each for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam in a plane across the frame through which an object may pass, the light beams crossing each other in the frame space, at least one light detector on the second side of the frame for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter on the first side, and at least one light detector on the top of the frame for continuously detecting the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter on the bottom of the frame, associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to the at least one light detector, the method comprising

continuously detecting with the at least one light detector and associated electronic sensing apparatus interruption by an object of the fan-shaped light beams continuously emitted by the at least one light emitter, and

generating with the electronic sensing apparatus a signal signalling the interruption of the fan-shaped beams by the object.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the at least one light emitter on the bottom emits a modulated fan-shaped light beam and the at least one light emitter on the first side emits a modulated fan-shaped light beam.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the light panel is connected to the associated electronic sensing apparatus associated with the frame for detecting interruption of the light beams by an object passing through the frame space, and to electronic calculating apparatus associated with the frame for calculating size and location coordinates of an object passing through the frame space, and for calculating velocity of an object passing through the light panel frame space and through a frame space of another identical light panel spaced apart therefrom and on a common axis therewith, and for transmitting data regarding the velocity, size, and location coordinates, wherein the at least one light emitter on the first side is a laser with lens means adjacent the laser, the laser for providing a laser light beam to the lens means, and wherein the lens means is a line generating lens emitting a fan-shaped plane of light, wherein the at least one light emitter on the bottom is a laser with lens means adjacent the laser, the laser for providing a laser light beam to the lens means, and wherein the lens means is a line generating lens emitting a fan-shaped plane of light, the method further comprising

detecting with the associated electronic sensing apparatuses interruption of the light beams by an object passing through the frame spaces,

calculating with the electronic calculating apparatus velocity and size and location coordinates of the object passing through the frame spaces and producing data indicative thereof, and

transmitting the data to another device.

28. A method for monitoring an object passing through a frame space of a light panel, the light panel comprising a frame with a top and a bottom spaced apart from the top, the frame defining a frame space between its top and bottom, at least one light emitting fiber optic on the frame with lens means for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam across the frame through which an object may pass and having a first end on the frame and a second end spaced apart therefrom, at least one light receiving fiber optic on the frame disposed opposite from the at least one light emitting fiber optic with lens means and having a first end on the frame and a second end spaced apart therefrom, a light emitter adjacent the second end of the at least one light emitting fiber optic for continuously emitting light into the light emitting fiber optic, and a light detector adjacent the second end of the at least one light receiving fiber optic for continuously receiving light therefrom, and associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to the at least one light receiving fiber optic, the method comprising

detecting with the at least one light receiving fiber optic and the associated electronic sensing apparatus interruption by an object of the fan-shaped light beam continuously emitted by the at least one light emitter, and

generating with the associated electronic sensing apparatus a signal signalling the interruption of the fan-shaped beam by the object.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the light panel is connected to the associated electronic sensing apparatus associated with the frame for detecting interruption of the light beams by an object passing through the frame space and to electronic calculating apparatus associated with the frame for calculating size and location coordinates of an object passing through the frame space, and for calculating velocity of an object passing through the light panel frame space and through a frame space of another identical light panel spaced apart therefrom and on a common axis therewith, and for transmitting data regarding the velocity, size, and location coordinates, the method further comprising

detecting with the associated electronic sensing apparatuses interruption of the light beams by an object passing through the frame space,

calculating with the calculating apparatus velocity and size and location coordinates of the object passing through the frame space and producing data indicative thereof, and

transmitting the data to another device.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the object is a bullet fired from a gun.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein the light emitter adjacent the second end of the at least one light emitting fiber optic is a laser.

32. The method of claim 28 wherein the lens means is a line generating lens emitting a fan-shaped plane of light.

34. A method for monitoring a gas stream passing through a frame space of a light panel, the light panel comprising a frame with a top, a bottom spaced apart from the top, a first side between the top and the bottom, and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the second side between the top and the bottom, the frame defining a frame space between its top, bottom, and two sides, at least one light emitter on the first side, the at least one light emitter for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam, across the frame through which and beyond which a gas stream may pass, and at least one light detector on the second side of the frame and associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to the at least one light detector for continuously detecting a portion of the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter that passes through the gas stream, the method comprising

detecting with the at least one light detector and associated electronic sensing apparatus the portion of the fan-shaped light beam that passes through the gas stream, and

generating with the electronic sensing apparatus a signal signalling the amount of the fan-shaped beam that passes through the gas stream.

38. A method for monitoring a liquid stream passing through a frame space of a light panel, the light panel comprising a frame with a top, a bottom spaced apart from the top, a first side between the top and the bottom, and a second side spaced apart from the first side, the second side between the top and the bottom, the frame defining a frame space between its top, bottom, and two sides, at least one light emitter on the first side, the at least one light emitter for continuously emitting a fan-shaped light beam, across the frame through which and beyond which a liquid stream may pass, and at least one light detector on the second side of the frame and associated electronic sensing apparatus connected to the at least one light detector for continuously detecting a portion of the fan-shaped light beam from the at least one light emitter that passes through the liquid stream, the method comprising

detecting with the at least one light detector and associated electronic sensing apparatus the portion of the fan-shaped light beam that passes through the liquid stream, and

generating with the electronic sensing apparatus a signal signalling the amount of the fan-shaped beam that passes through the liquid stream.