Apparatus having a first optical sensor making a first measurement to detect position and a second optical sensor making a second measurement

• US 8,472,012 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2012
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: JJL Technologies, L.L.C.
• Inventors: Jung, Russell W., Loudermilk, Alan R., Jung, Wayne D.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAUCHMAN, LAYLA G
• Application Number:
  US13/597,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20130027687A1
• Time in Patent Office: 301 Days
• Field of Search: 356/73, 356/419, 356/402
• US Class Current: 356/73
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/0003 Making bridge-work, inlays, implants or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 13/0004 Computer-assisted sizing or machining of dental prostheses
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1234 Continuously variable IF [CVIF]; Wedge type
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 2003/1239 and separate detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/02 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0218 using optical fibers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0278 Control or determination of height or angle information for sensors or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/0291 Housings; Spectrometer accessories; Spatial arrangement of elements, e.g. folded path arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/50 using electric radiation detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/508 measuring the colour of teeth
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/51 using colour filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 3/513 having fixed filter-detector pairs
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6463 Optics
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/6484 Optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/251 Colorimeters; Construction thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/255 Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/474 Details of optical heads therefor, e.g. using optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/645 Specially adapted constructive features of fluorimeters
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/6486 Measuring fluorescence of biological material, e.g. DNA, RNA, cells G01N21/6428 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4292 : the light guide being disconnectable from the opto-electronic element, e.g. mutually self aligning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture

Abstract

An apparatus measuring optical characteristics including position detection is disclosed. A processor is coupled to a display. A first optical sensor makes a first measurement, and a second optical sensor makes a second measurement. A source of illumination and the first optical sensor determine a minimal distance between the apparatus and an external object such that illumination emitted by the source is not received by the first optical sensor when the apparatus is less than the minimal distance from the external object. A position of the apparatus with respect to an object and an optical property of light received by the apparatus are determined. A transparent member with a thickness less than the minimal distance may provide illumination external to the apparatus and receive light from external to the apparatus.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a display coupled to the processor and displaying information to a user of the apparatus;

at least a first optical sensor making a first measurement, wherein data based on the first measurement is coupled to the processor;

at least a second optical sensor making a second measurement, wherein data based on the second measurement is coupled to the processor;

at least one source of illumination operating under control of the processor;

wherein the source of illumination and the first optical sensor in part determine a minimal distance between the apparatus and an external object such that illumination emitted by the source is not received by the first optical sensor when the apparatus is less than the minimal distance from the external object;

wherein data based on the first measurement made with the first optical sensor determines a position of the apparatus with respect to an object;

wherein data based on the second measurement made with the second optical sensor determines an optical property of light received by the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display is controlled responsive to the first measurement.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display is controlled responsive to the second measurement.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display is controlled responsive to the first and second measurements.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a series of first measurements are taken and the processor determines a peak intensity when the apparatus is a predetermined distance from the external object.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the peak intensity is determined by properties of the light source and a light receiving path of the apparatus.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a transparent member through which the source provides illumination external to the apparatus and through which the at least one first optical sensor receives light from external to the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the transparent member has a thickness, wherein the thickness of the transparent member is less than the minimal distance.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the object comprises human skin.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a circuit coupled to the processor providing an interface to an external computer.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the circuit comprises a serial communication circuit.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the display comprises an LCD.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a speaker coupled to the processor and outputting audio information.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor, wherein data indicative of temperature conditions of the apparatus are coupled to the processor, wherein the apparatus operates responsive to temperature conditions of the apparatus.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of switches, wherein the apparatus operates responsive to activation of the switches.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a plurality of second optical sensors.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein one or more of the second optical sensors receive light via a filter.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising Flash memory coupled to the processor.

19. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a non-reflective material positioned between the light source and the light receiving path.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein either the first optical sensor or the second optical sensor comprises a photo diode array coupled to an integrator, wherein the integrator outputs a signal having a frequency characteristic dependent upon an intensity of light received by the first optical sensor or the second optical sensor.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, where both the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor comprise a photo diode array coupled to an integrator, wherein the integrator outputs a signal having a frequency characteristic dependent upon an intensity of light received by the first optical sensor or the second optical sensor, respectively.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the first optical sensor or the second optical sensor comprise a light-to-frequency converter.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein both the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor comprise a light-to-frequency converter.