Method and device for determining a distance from an object
US7869005B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jan 11, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/42
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device for determining a distance from an object may include a light emitter for emitting an emission light beam, a light receiver for receiving a reception light beam, and an evaluation unit for determining the distance on the basis of a propagation time of the emission and reception light beams. The reception light beam may arise as a result of reflection of the emission light beam at the object. The light receiver may have a reception optical unit comprising a first lens element and a pinhole diaphragm. A light-impermeable element may shade a central region of the reception optical unit in such a way that the reception light beam is incident in the form of a light ring on the pinhole diaphragm. A second lens element, which is substantially hat-shaped in cross section, is arranged between the first lens element and the pinhole diaphragm.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.