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Position tracking system

  • US 6,266,136 B1
  • Filed: 02/14/2000
  • Issued: 07/24/2001
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A position tracking system, comprising:

  • a radiant energy detecting transducer;

    a radiant energy emitting transducer for causing radiant energy to be directed from an object to be tracked toward the detecting transducer; and

    a processing circuit coupled to the detecting transducer, for processing at least one received-energy responsive signal produced by the detecting transducer to determine the position of the object to be tracked, wherein one of the transducers comprises;

    (a) a base having a diffuse active optical area which faces substantially toward at least a portion of an intended field of operation of the one transducer;

    (b) a mask spaced from the base and positioned to occlude a portion of the active optical area of the base with respect to the portion of the intended field of operation, the mask having a reflective surface facing substantially toward the portion of the active optical area of the base;

    (c) a diffusely reflective cavity formed in one of the active optical area of the base and the reflective surface of the mask; and

    (d) an electromagnetic transducer for transducing between radiant energy associated with the active optical area and corresponding electrical signals.

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