Object sensing system
First Claim
1. An object sensing system comprising at least one array of emitters arranged with overlapping fields of illumination such that each illuminates at least part of a space within which objects are to be sensed, at least one detector positioned to detect the intensity of radiation reflected from each object to be sensed, means for energising the emitters in a sequence such that the space is illuminated by each emitter in turn, and means for correlating the energisation of each of the emitters with an intensity dependant output of the or each detector to sense the range of an object from the emitters within the space.
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Abstract
An object sensing system comprises an array of emitters (3) and detectors (4). The emitters are arranged with overlapping fields of illumination such that each illuminates at least part of a space within which objects are to be sensed. Each detector is positioned to detect radiation reflected from the emitters towards it from any object in the space. The emitters are energized in a sequence such that the space is illuminated by each emitter in turn. The sequential energization of the emitters is correlated with an output of each detector to sense an object and its range within the space.
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20 Claims
- 1. An object sensing system comprising at least one array of emitters arranged with overlapping fields of illumination such that each illuminates at least part of a space within which objects are to be sensed, at least one detector positioned to detect the intensity of radiation reflected from each object to be sensed, means for energising the emitters in a sequence such that the space is illuminated by each emitter in turn, and means for correlating the energisation of each of the emitters with an intensity dependant output of the or each detector to sense the range of an object from the emitters within the space.
- 11. An object sensing system comprising at least one emitter which illuminates a space within which objects are to be sensed, at least one array of detectors each positioned to detect the intensity of radiation reflected from the objects to be sensed, and means for correlating the output of the or each emitter with an intensity dependant output of each detector to sense the range of an object from the or each emitter within the space.
Specification