Method for determining the position of an object

US6031600A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Robert Bosch GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Hermann Winner · Bietigheim, DE
• Alain Gaillard · Karlsruhe, DE
• Werner Uhler · Bruchsal, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 20, 1998
• Grant date: Feb 29, 2000
• Expiry date: Oct 20, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S17/87
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

In a method for determining the position of an object with reference to a measurement device having an optical transmitter which emits a light beam at a varying transmission angle, and having an angularly resolving optical receiver spaced away from the transmitter, a conclusion being drawn, from the respective transmission angle and from the respective angle at which the receiver receives radiation reflected from the object (reception angle), as to the resolution cell, defined by the angular resolution of the transmitter and the receiver, in which the object is located, the light beam emitted from the transmitter is modulated. The phase difference between the modulation of the transmitted light beam and the modulation of the received radiation is measured. From the phase difference, the position of the object within the respective resolution cell is calculated.