Patent · US Expired

Optical attenuator movement detection system

US5184009A · kind A · utility

101Cited by
0References
22Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 6, 1990
Grant dateFeb 2, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 6, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG05B2219/36454
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An optical attenuation measurement system is provided for obtaining signals proportional to movement of a system to which it is attached. The measurement system includes a light source positioned within a length of conduit in which the light emitted will produce multiple reflections. A fiber optic cable is slidably disposed within the conduit to transmit the radiation emitted from the light source gathered thereby. The relative displacement of the fiber optic cable to the light source produces a signal as a function of this displacement which is converted into electrical signals by a light detecting element at the opposite end of the cable. The system is particularly useful to form an interactive device for control of a remote intelligent machine, robot or the like. For example, the system may be used on an operator's hand to detect movement of the hand and fingers for controlling a robotic hand which will mimic the operator's hand movements.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.