Apparatus and method for detecting an object using digitally encoded optical signals
US5902998A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 16, 1997 |
| Grant date | May 11, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A proximity detection apparatus for detecting objects within a predetermined region. The apparatus comprises a transmitter, a receiver, a microcontroller, and a power supply that provides electrical potential to the transmitter, the receiver, and the microcontroller. The microcontroller produces transmitted data bursts to the transmitter, the transmitter emits optical data bursts toward the predetermined region where, if the object is present, the optical data bursts reflect off of the object as return optical bursts. The receiver detects the return optical bursts and transmits received data bursts to the microcontroller. The microcontroller compares the received data bursts against the transmitted data bursts to verify that the object is present in the predetermined region. The microcontroller produces an output signal to control equipment based the object being present or absent from the predetermined region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.