Device and method for the determination of distance by means of light pulses
First Claim
1. Apparatus for measuring distance by means of light pulses, comprising:
- a light source for the emission of a train of light pulses,a detector for receiving light pulses emitted by the light source and reflected from targets,at least two timers, anda controller in communication with and adapted to control the light source and the detector and the at least two timers,wherein the controller is adapted to generate a start signal for each emitted light pulse received by the detector, each start signal triggering a time measurement by one of the at least two timers during a measurement window temporarily assigned to said one of the at least two timers, the timers being triggered by successive emitted light pulses in a repetitive sequence, andwherein the controller is adapted to generate a stop signal when a reflected light pulse is received by the detector during the measurement window, the stop signal serving to stop a time measurement by said one of the at least two timers to which the measurement window is assigned,whereby the at least two timers are capable of measuring the travel time of respective light pulses which are simultaneously in transit.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device (1) for the determination of distance by means of light pulses is disclosed. The device (1) comprises a light source (2) for emitting light pulses with a specified frequency, a detector (8) for receiving the light pulses emitted and reflected by the light source, and a controller (4) which is in communication with the light source (2) and the detector (8) and which can control said light source and detector by means of signals. The device (1) further comprises at least two timers (Z1, Z2, Z3) which are connected to the controller (4) and the detector (8). Said controller (4) is designed in such a way that when a light pulse is emitted by the light source (2), the controller (4) generates a start signal which triggers the time measurement by each one of the at least two timers, in order, and beginning again from the start. The detector (8) is designed in such a way that upon receiving a reflected light pulse, said detector (8) generates a stop signal which is forwarded to the at least two timers (Z1, Z2, Z3) and which stops the time measurement by the timer of the at least two timers, to which at that instant a measuring window is assigned by the controller (4). The device can preferably be designed as a fiber-optic scanner. In addition, a method for the determination of distance by means of light pulses is disclosed.
20 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. Apparatus for measuring distance by means of light pulses, comprising:
-
a light source for the emission of a train of light pulses, a detector for receiving light pulses emitted by the light source and reflected from targets, at least two timers, and a controller in communication with and adapted to control the light source and the detector and the at least two timers, wherein the controller is adapted to generate a start signal for each emitted light pulse received by the detector, each start signal triggering a time measurement by one of the at least two timers during a measurement window temporarily assigned to said one of the at least two timers, the timers being triggered by successive emitted light pulses in a repetitive sequence, and wherein the controller is adapted to generate a stop signal when a reflected light pulse is received by the detector during the measurement window, the stop signal serving to stop a time measurement by said one of the at least two timers to which the measurement window is assigned, whereby the at least two timers are capable of measuring the travel time of respective light pulses which are simultaneously in transit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A method for measuring distance by means of light pulses, comprising:
-
generating a start signal upon emission of each of a plurality of light pulses from a light source, using each start signal to trigger a time measurement during a respective measurement window temporarily assigned to one of at least two timers, such that the timers are triggered by successive emitted light pulses in a repetitive sequence, generating a stop signal upon reception of each of a plurality of reflected light pulses at a detector, using each stop signal to stop a time measurement occurring during a corresponding time measurement window, whereby the at least two timers are capable of measuring the travel time of respective light pulses which are simultaneously in transit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
-
Specification