Laser sensor system based on self-mixing interference

US8692979B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KONINIKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V. · NL

Inventors

• Holger Moench · Vaals, NL
• Mark Carpaij · Eindhoven, NL
• Alexander Marc Van Der Lee · Eindhoven, NL
• Stefan Schwan · Herzogenrath, DE
• Meng Han · Aachen, DE
• Marcel F. Schemmann · Maria Hoop, NL

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 12, 2009
• Grant date: Apr 8, 2014
• Expiry date: Mar 20, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S7/4916
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A sensor module (1) for measuring the distance to a target and/or the velocity of the target (50), the sensor module (1) comprising at least one laser source (100), at least one detector (200) being adapted to detect modulated laser light and at least one control element the control element (400) being adapted to vary the focus point of the laser light and/or the intensity of the laser light and/or the direction of the laser light. The control of the laser light emitted by the laser source (100) either by active optical devices as variable focus lenses or controllable attenuators or passive optical elements in combination with arrays of laser sources (100) and detectors (200) enable flexible and robust sensor modules.