Position encoding optical device and method
US6552809B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 18, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01D5/38
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A simple optical position encoder of detecting the position of a light spot generated by any light source of either light generating or light reflecting type, directly in a binary or other encoded format at very high speed, comprises a diffractive optical element including an array of diffractive cells each being formed by a unique arrangement of diffractive sub-cells and being disposed at a predetermined position with respect to a predetermined reference point on the diffractive optical element. Each cell is capable of generating a unique optical diffraction pattern when illuminated. When an image of the light spot is formed on the diffractive element, at least one cell is positioned to receive the light spot input image, generating its unique optical diffraction pattern accordingly at an output image plane, where one or more optical detectors are disposed. The detectors are responsive to the unique optical diffraction pattern to generate one or more encoded signals indicative of the position of the light spot image with respect to said reference point. Described applications of the basic embodiment of the position encoder includes absolute three-dimensional position measurement o…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.