Electro-optical system for detecting the presence of an object within a predetermined detection system
First Claim
1. A system for detecting an object within a detection region comprising:
- a) a light source for projecting a beam of light in the direction of the object to be detected;
b) a pair of light detector units, said light detector units each including a light detector for receiving light reflected from the object to be detected upon illumination by said light beam and producing output signals indicative thereof, each light detector having a field of view, said pair of light detector units being constructed and angularly oriented relative to each other so that the fields of view of their respective light detectors intersect to provide a four sided detection zone common to both of said fields of view, the beam of light from said light source passing through at least a portion of said four sided detection zone, the portion of the detection zone illuminated by said beam of light constituting a detection region; and
c) means coupled to said pair of light detector units for producing a detection signal when an output signal has been emitted from both of said light detector units, said detection signal indicting that the object to be detected is within said detection region.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for detecting the presence of an object within a predetermined detection region. The system comprises a light source for producing a beam of light in the direction of the object to be detected and a pair of light detector units. The light detector units are angularly oriented so that their fields of view intersect to form a detection zone, the portion of the detection zone illuminated by the light beam defining a detection region. The outputs from said light detector units are coupled to an AND gate which, upon simultaneous receipt of output signals from both light detector units, emits a detection signal. If the object is disposed within the detection region and is illuminated by the light source, both light detector units will simultaneously emit an output signal, thereby causing the AND gate to emit a detection signal. In contrast, if the object is disposed outside of the detection region and/or is not illuminated by the light source, only one or none of the light detector units will emit an output signal and the AND gate will not emit a detection signal.
91 Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A system for detecting an object within a detection region comprising:
-
a) a light source for projecting a beam of light in the direction of the object to be detected; b) a pair of light detector units, said light detector units each including a light detector for receiving light reflected from the object to be detected upon illumination by said light beam and producing output signals indicative thereof, each light detector having a field of view, said pair of light detector units being constructed and angularly oriented relative to each other so that the fields of view of their respective light detectors intersect to provide a four sided detection zone common to both of said fields of view, the beam of light from said light source passing through at least a portion of said four sided detection zone, the portion of the detection zone illuminated by said beam of light constituting a detection region; and c) means coupled to said pair of light detector units for producing a detection signal when an output signal has been emitted from both of said light detector units, said detection signal indicting that the object to be detected is within said detection region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A system for detecting an object within a detection region comprising:
-
a) means for projecting radiation in the direction of the object to be detected; b) a pair of radiation detector units for receiving the radiation reflected from the object to be detected upon contact with said projected radiation and for producing output signals indicative thereof, said pair of radiation detector units being constructed and angularly oriented relative to each other so that their fields of view intersect to provide a four sided detection zone common to both of said fields of view, the radiation from the radiation projecting means passing through at least a portion of said four sided detection zone, the portion of the detection zone onto which radiation is projected constituting a detection region; and c) means coupled to said pair of radiation detector units for producing a detection signal when an output signal has been emitted from both of said radiation detector units, said detection signal indicating that the object to be detected is within said detection region. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
-
-
17. A system of detecting an object within a detection region comprising:
-
a) a light source for projecting a beam of light in the direction of the object to be tested when energized, b) a pair of light detector units, each light detector unit including; i) a first output terminal, ii) a second output terminal, iii) means for generating a pulsating light source drive signal, iv) a light detector for receiving light and producing therefrom an electrical signal output, v) circuitry coupling said output of said light detector to said first output terminal and said light source drive signal generating means to said second output terminal such that a signal outputted from said first output terminal is synchronized with the drive signal outputted from said second output terminal, c) a signal indicator, d) first circuitry coupling said second output terminal of each light detector unit to said light source so as to energize said light source only when an output signal is emitted from both second output terminals, and e) second circuitry coupling said first output terminal of each light detector unit to said signal indicator so as to energize said signal indicator only when an output signal is emitted from both first output terminal, f) said light detector units being constructed and angularly oriented relative to each other so that the fields of view of their respective light detectors intersect to provide a four sided detection zone common to both of said fields of view, the beam of light form said light source passing through at least a portion of said four side detecting zone, the portion of the detection zone illuminated by said beam of light constituting a detection region. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A system for detecting an object within a detection region comprising:
-
a) a light source for projecting a beam of light in the direction of the object to be tested, b) a pair of light detectors for receiving light reflected from said object on illumination by said light source and producing output signals indicative thereof, said pair of light detectors being oriented relative to each other so that their fields of view intersect to provide a four sided zone common to both fields of view, c) said beam of light from said light source passing through at least a portion of said four sided zone, the portion of said four sided zone defining a detection region, and d) means coupled to said light detectors for producing a detection signal when an output signal is simultaneously outputted from both of said light detectors, e) whereby, a detection signal will be produced when an object is detected in said detection region.
-
Specification