Optical triangulation distance sensing system and method using a position sensitive detector and an automatic power controlled light source
US5923427A · kind A · utility
25Cited by
3References
10Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 13, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 10, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S7/4868
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A distance sensing system employs an optical triangulation system and a position sensitive device (PSD). The PSD generates a pair of current signals when a target reflects light from a light source back to the surface of the PSD. An automatic power control circuit is used to keep one of the current signals a constant value. The position of the reflected light spot on the PSD is linearly proportional to the other current generated by the PSD according to the formula: EQU Y=C.times.I2 Where Y is the spot position and C is a normalization constant. The signal I2 is processed to extract distance information relative to the target.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.