Method and apparatus for laser safety
US5999549A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 9, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 7, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 9, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/0014
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided for laser safety. A fault detector detects laser fault conditions and generates a laser fault control signal. A laser fault counter is coupled to the fault detector for counting laser fault conditions and for generating a disable laser control signal responsive to a predetermined fault count. A reset timer is coupled to the laser fault counter for identifying a predetermined reset time period responsive to the laser fault control signal and applying a reset signal to the laser fault counter. Features of laser safety method and apparatus of the invention are that the laser fault counter is reset if a second laser fault condition is not detected within the predetermined reset time period after the laser is turned on. The disable laser control signal is not generated when a safe laser optical power condition occurs between two laser fault conditions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.