Method and apparatus for laser safety
First Claim
1. Apparatus for laser safety comprising:
- fault detector means for detecting a laser fault condition and generating a laser fault control signal;
counter means coupled to said fault detector means for counting said laser fault conditions and for generating a disable laser control signal, said counter means comprising a pair of flip-flops arranged for counting two laser fault conditions and for generating said disable laser control signal, andtimer means coupled to said counter means for identifying a predetermined reset time period responsive to said laser fault control signal and for applying a reset signal to said counter means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for laser safety. A fault detector detects laser fault conditions and generates a laser fault control signal. A laser fault counter is coupled to the fault detector for counting laser fault conditions and for generating a disable laser control signal responsive to a predetermined fault count. A reset timer is coupled to the laser fault counter for identifying a predetermined reset time period responsive to the laser fault control signal and applying a reset signal to the laser fault counter. Features of laser safety method and apparatus of the invention are that the laser fault counter is reset if a second laser fault condition is not detected within the predetermined reset time period after the laser is turned on. The disable laser control signal is not generated when a safe laser optical power condition occurs between two laser fault conditions.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. Apparatus for laser safety comprising:
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fault detector means for detecting a laser fault condition and generating a laser fault control signal; counter means coupled to said fault detector means for counting said laser fault conditions and for generating a disable laser control signal, said counter means comprising a pair of flip-flops arranged for counting two laser fault conditions and for generating said disable laser control signal, and timer means coupled to said counter means for identifying a predetermined reset time period responsive to said laser fault control signal and for applying a reset signal to said counter means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for providing laser safety comprising the steps of:
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detecting a laser fault condition and generating a laser fault control signal; utilizing a laser fault counter counting at least two successive laser fault conditions and responsive to a predetermined fault count, generating a disable laser control signal, and utilizing a reset timer coupled to said laser fault counter identifying a predetermined reset time period responsive to said laser fault control signal and applying a reset signal to said laser fault counter, whereby said disable laser control signal is not generated when a safe laser optical power condition occurs between laser fault conditions. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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Specification