Methods and systems for detecting proximity of an object
First Claim
1. A method of detecting a proximity of an object, said method comprising:
- receiving a first beam of radiation from a first field of view directed onto a first detector and a second beam of radiation from a second field of view directed onto a second detector wherein the second beam is angularly displaced from the first beam by a predetermined amount wherein the received beams of radiation are received at the detectors off focus;
generating a first output signal from the first detector correlative to the energy received from the first beam and a second output signal from the second detector correlative to the energy received from the second beam; and
outputting a proximity signal indicative of the proximity of an object when a differential between the first and second output signals exceeds a predetermined threshold.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for detecting a proximity of an object are provided. The method includes receiving a first beam of radiation from a first field of view directed onto a first detector and a second beam of radiation from a second field of view directed onto a second detector wherein the second beam is angularly displaced from the first beam by a predetermined amount, generating a first output signal from the first detector correlative to the energy received from the first beam and a second output signal from the second detector correlative to the energy received from the second beam, and outputting a proximity signal indicative of the proximity of an object when a differential between the first and second output signals exceeds a predetermined threshold.
18 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of detecting a proximity of an object, said method comprising:
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receiving a first beam of radiation from a first field of view directed onto a first detector and a second beam of radiation from a second field of view directed onto a second detector wherein the second beam is angularly displaced from the first beam by a predetermined amount wherein the received beams of radiation are received at the detectors off focus; generating a first output signal from the first detector correlative to the energy received from the first beam and a second output signal from the second detector correlative to the energy received from the second beam; and outputting a proximity signal indicative of the proximity of an object when a differential between the first and second output signals exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A proximity sensor comprising:
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a first detector configured to receive a first beam of radiation from a first field of view wherein the first beam of radiation is received off focus at the first detector and to generate a first output signal correlative to the energy received from said first beam; a second detector configured to receive a second beam of radiation from a second field of view wherein the second beam of radiation is received off focus at the second detector and to generate a second output signal correlative to the energy received from said second beam wherein said second beam is displaced from said first beam by a predetermined angle; and an electronic circuit configured to output a proximity signal indicative of the proximity of an object when a differential between the first and second output signals exceeds a predetermined threshold. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for determining a proximity to an object, said system comprising:
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a first detector in optical communication with a first field of view through a first reflector wherein a first beam of radiation in the first field of view is off focus at the first detector; a second detector in optical communication with a second field of view through a second reflector wherein a second beam of radiation in the second field of view is off focus at the second detector; and an electronic circuit configured to receive first and second temperature signals from said first and second detectors respectively, said electronic circuit further configured to output a proximity signal indicative of the proximity of an object using the first and second temperature signals. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification