Eye-safe laser navigation sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a diode laser; and
a current source interconnected with the diode laser, the current source including a first current limiter circuit configured to limit a current output from the current source to an anode of the diode laser, and an independent second current limiter circuit configured to limit a current return from a cathode of the diode laser to the current source so that laser output power does not exceed a specified maximum regardless of a single fault in either the first or second current limiter circuits.
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Abstract
The apparatus includes a diode laser and a current source interconnected with the diode laser. Two independent circuits in the current source are configured to limit current flowing through the diode laser. A first current limiter circuit configured to limit a current output from the current source to an anode of the diode laser, and an independent second current limiter circuit configured to limit a current return from a cathode of the diode laser to the current source so that laser output power does not exceed a specified maximum regardless of a single fault in either the first or second current limiter circuits.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a diode laser; and a current source interconnected with the diode laser, the current source including a first current limiter circuit configured to limit a current output from the current source to an anode of the diode laser, and an independent second current limiter circuit configured to limit a current return from a cathode of the diode laser to the current source so that laser output power does not exceed a specified maximum regardless of a single fault in either the first or second current limiter circuits. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 22)
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13. A method of providing fault-tolerant limitation of laser output power in an optical navigation apparatus, the method comprising:
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converting a first digital current limit value to a first analog signal; using the first analog signal to limit an electrical current from a power supply connection to an anode of a diode laser with a first current limiter circuit configured to limit current so as not to exceed a first maximum current; converting a second digital current limit value to a second analog signal; and using the second analog signal to limit an electrical current from a cathode of the diode laser to a ground connection with a second current limiter circuit configured to limit current so as not to exceed a second maximum current, wherein the second current limiter circuit is independent of the first current limiter circuit. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. An integrated circuit comprising:
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circuit means for converting a first digital current limit value to a first analog signal; circuit means coupled to an anode of a diode laser for using the first analog signal to limit an electrical current from a power supply connection to the anode of the diode laser so as not to exceed a first maximum current; circuit means for converting a second digital current limit value to a second analog signal; and circuit means coupled to a cathode of the diode laser for using the second analog signal to limit an electrical current from the cathode of the diode laser to a ground connection so as not to exceed a second maximum current, wherein the circuit means coupled to the cathode is independent of the circuit means coupled to the anode. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. An apparatus comprising:
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a diode laser; and a current source interconnected with the diode laser; a first independent circuit coupled to an anode of the diode laser and configured to limit a current out from the current source to the diode laser so as not to exceed a first maximum current; and a second independent circuit coupled to a cathode of the diode laser and configured to limit a current return from the diode laser to the current source so as not to exceed a second maximum current. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification