Proximity sensor based on projection of structured light
US7459670B2 · kind B2 · utility
5Cited by
22References
14Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 11, 2003 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 4, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/04
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
This invention relates to a proximity sensor. An illumination means (2) projects an array of spots (40) towards a scene. Detector (8) looks towards the scene through a mask (6). The mask (6) is arranged such that light from a target at a certain range, for instance far object (14) is not transmitted to the detector. Light reflected from a close object (16) however passes through the mask (6) and is incident on the detector (8). A rise in the intensity of incident light at the detector (8) is determined by threshold detector (10) and used to operate an alarm (12).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.