Sensing/emitting apparatus, system and method
US8330646B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 2, 2009 |
| Grant date | Dec 11, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 22, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S17/89
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A number of apparatuses are provided, for sensing and/or emitting energy along one or more desired apparatus line of sights (LOS) with respect to the respective apparatus. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus includes an assembly that is rotatably mounted on a base with respect to a switching axis. The assembly has two or more sensing/emitting units, each having a respective sensing/emitting unit line of sight (ULOS). Each sensing/emitting unit has an operative state, wherein the respective unit ULOS is pointed along a LOS of the apparatus for sensing and/or emitting energy along the LOS, and a corresponding inoperative state, where the respective unit ULOS is pointed along a direction different from this LOS. A switching mechanism enables switching between the sensing/emitting units to selectively bring a desired sensing/emitting unit exclusively into its respective operative state while concurrently bringing a remainder of the sensing/emitting units each to a respective non-operative state. Corresponding systems and methods are also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.