Optical fault monitoring
First Claim
1. In an optical system comprising a light source, a light outlet, and an optical element disposed between the light source and the light outlet, a method of monitoring for optical system faults, the method comprising:
- detecting, via a light sensor configured to receive light from an interface surface of the optical element closest to the light source, an intensity of light traveling from the interface surface of the optical element to the light sensor;
if a first optical system fault condition, due to a change in location of the optical element, is identified based upon the intensity of light, then modifying operation of the optical system in a first manner; and
if a second optical system fault condition, due to a physical object blocking an optical path, is identified based upon the intensity of light, then modifying operation of the optical system in a second manner that is different than the first manner.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various embodiments related to monitoring for optical faults in an optical system are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides, in an optical system comprising a light source, a light outlet, and an optical element disposed between the light source and the light outlet, a method of monitoring for optical system faults. The method includes detecting, via a light sensor directed toward an interface surface of the optical element closest to the light source, an intensity of light traveling from the interface surface of the optical element to the light sensor, and comparing an intensity of light detected to one or more threshold intensity values. The method further includes identifying an optical system fault condition based on comparing the intensity of light detected to one or more threshold values, and modifying operation of the optical system.
190 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In an optical system comprising a light source, a light outlet, and an optical element disposed between the light source and the light outlet, a method of monitoring for optical system faults, the method comprising:
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detecting, via a light sensor configured to receive light from an interface surface of the optical element closest to the light source, an intensity of light traveling from the interface surface of the optical element to the light sensor; if a first optical system fault condition, due to a change in location of the optical element, is identified based upon the intensity of light, then modifying operation of the optical system in a first manner; and if a second optical system fault condition, due to a physical object blocking an optical path, is identified based upon the intensity of light, then modifying operation of the optical system in a second manner that is different than the first manner. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An optical device, comprising:
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a light source configured to output a beam of light; a diffractive optical element configured to receive the beam of light on a light-source side of the diffractive optical element and to diffract the beam of light to form a structured pattern; a photodetector directed toward the light-source side of the diffractive optical element, the photodetector configured to measure an intensity of light traveling from the light-source side of the diffractive optical element; and a controller configured to distinguish one or more optical fault conditions from proper optical device operation by monitoring the intensity of light as measured by the photodetector, and to take action corresponding to the one or more optical fault conditions. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An optical system, comprising:
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a light source; a light outlet; one or more optical elements; a light sensor configured to receive light from an interface surface of an optical element closest to the light source; and a controller configured to; control the light source to project a beam of light through the one or more optical elements; detect, via the light sensor, an intensity of light transmitted through the optical element to the light sensor; compare the intensity of light detected to one or more threshold intensity values; identify an optical system fault condition based on comparing the intensity of light detected to the one or more threshold intensity values; and take one or more actions based upon the optical system fault condition. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification