Sensor
First Claim
1. A sensor comprising:
- a light component support mechanically coupled to a single light source that generates a beam of light; and
an imager connected to the light component support via one or more elastic members, wherein the imager receives the beam of light, and converts the beam of light into an electric signal, wherein the light component support and the imager are movable relative to one another;
wherein the sensor determines a relative movement of the light component support and the imager in multiple degrees of freedom.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A sensor comprising a light component in support of a light source operable to direct a beam of light onto an imaging device having an image sensor, such as a CCD or CMOS or N-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS or Live MOS) sensor. The sensor can also comprise an imaging device positioned proximate to the light component and operable to receive the beam of light, and to convert this into an electric signal, wherein the light component and the imaging device are movable relative to one another, and wherein relative movement of the light component and the imaging device is determinable in multiple degrees of freedom. The sensor can also comprise a light deflecting module designed to deflect light from a light component onto the imaging device. The light sources and the resulting beams of light therefrom can comprise a number of different types, orientations, configurations to facilitate different measurable and determinable degrees of freedom by the sensor.
18 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A sensor comprising:
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a light component support mechanically coupled to a single light source that generates a beam of light; and an imager connected to the light component support via one or more elastic members, wherein the imager receives the beam of light, and converts the beam of light into an electric signal, wherein the light component support and the imager are movable relative to one another; wherein the sensor determines a relative movement of the light component support and the imager in multiple degrees of freedom. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A sensor comprising:
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at least one light source that directs a beam of light; an imager that receives the beam of light, and converts the beam of light into an electric signal; a light deflection surface proximate to the imager that receives the beam of light and deflects the beam of light onto the imager, wherein the light deflection surface and the imager are movable relative to one another; and one or more elastic members that connect the light deflection surface to the imager; wherein the sensor determines a relative movement of the light deflection surface and the imager in multiple degrees of freedom. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for facilitating a displacement measurement, comprising:
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directing, by a single light source, a beam of light, wherein the single light source is coupled to a light component support; receiving, by an imager, the beam of light; converting, by the imager, the beam of light into an electric signal, wherein the light component support and the imager are movable relative to one another; and facilitating relative movement of the imager and the light component, wherein the imager and the light component support are connected by one or more elastic members. - View Dependent Claims (27)
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28. A method for facilitating a displacement measurement, comprising:
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directing, by a single light source, a beam of light; receiving, by an imager, the beam of light, converting, by the imager, the beam of light into an electric signal; deflecting, by a light deflection surface, the beam of light onto the imager, wherein the light deflecting surface and the imager are movable relative to one another; and determining a relative movement of the light deflecting surface and the imager is in multiple degrees of freedom; wherein the imager and a light component support of the single light source are connected by one or more elastic members. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification