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US3937575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electro-optical ranging means
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-26
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Granted: 1976-02-10
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Expires: 1993-11-26
Abstract
Abstract An electro-optical ranging system is disclosed for purposes of measuring or determining the distance from a transmitting/receiving location to an object, such as a target. An electro-optical transducer, such as a laser diode, is employed which exhibits the characteristic of emitting radiant energy in the infrared region when driven into a conductive condition and also exhibits the characteristic of being in a photovoltaic condition in response to receipt of radiant energy within the wavelength of the energy emitted. The transducer is periodically driven so as to emit radiant energy, and an optical directing means, such as an optical lens system, is employed for purposes of directing emitted energy from the transducer along a path toward the target as well as for receiving energy traveling in the opposite direction from the target and directing the received energy so as to impinge upon the transducer such that the transducer is actuated to a photovoltaic condition. An output circuit provides a first pulse each time the transducer is driven into conduction and a second output pulse each time the transducer is actuated into the photovoltaic conduction by received radiant energy. In this way, the time duration from the first pulse to the second pulse provides a representation of the distance of the target from the transducer.
Inventors
- 👤 George H. Bateman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/08; G01S17/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
An electro-optical distance measuring system comprising: electro-optical transducer means exhibiting the characteristic of emitting radiant energy within a given infrared wavelength range when driven into a conductive condition, and exhibiting a photo voltaic condition in response to receipt of radiant energy within said given infrared wavelength range, transducer control means including means for periodically driving said transducer means into conduction so as to emit radiant energy, optical directing means for directing said emitted energy from said transducer means along a given path toward a target, and for receiving radiant energy traveling in the opposite direction along said given path from said target toward said optical directing means, said directing means directing said received energy to said transducer means so that said transducer means is actuated to the photo voltaic condition upon receipt of radiant energy within said given infrared wavelength range, and output circuit means for providing a first pulse each time said transducer means is driven into conduction and a second output pulse each time said transducer means is actuated into photo voltaic operation by said received radiant energy whereby the time duration from said first pulse to said second pulse is representative of the distance of said target from said transducer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
An electro-optical distance measuring system comprising: electro-optical transducer means exhibiting the characteristic of emitting radiant energy within a given infrared wavelength range when driven into a conductive condition, and exhibiting a photo voltaic condition in response to receipt of radiant energy within said given infrared wavelength range, transducer control means including means for periodically driving said transducer means into conduction so as to emit radiant energy, optical directing means for directing said emitted energy from said transducer means along a given path toward a target, and for receiving radiant energy traveling in the opposite direction along said given path from said target toward said optical directing means, said directing means directing said received energy to said transducer means so that said transducer means is actuated to the photo voltaic condition upon receipt of radiant energy within said given infrared wavelength range, and output circuit means for providing a first pulse each time said transducer means is driven into conduction and a second output pulse each time said transducer means is actuated into photo voltaic operation by said received radiant energy whereby the time duration from said first pulse to said second pulse is representative of the distance of said target from said transducer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electro-optical distance measuring system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said transducer means is a solid state light emitting diode exhibiting the characteristic of emitting radiant energy in the infrared region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An electro-optical distance measuring system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said transducer means exhibits the characteristic of lasing when driven into conduction so as to emit light energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electro-optical distance measuring system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said transducer is a solid state, P-N junction laser diode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electro-optical measuring system as set forth in claim 3 wherein said transducer means is a solid state gallium arsenide light emitting diode for emitting radiant energy at a wavelength on the order of 0.9 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An electro-optical distance measuring system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said transducer means exhibits a photovoltaic characteristic in that it is photovoltaic in response to received radiant energy at a wavelength on the order of 0.9 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electro-optical distance measuring system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said optical directing means includes a lens defining a common optical path for transmission and reception of said transmitted and received radiant energy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electro-optical distance measuring system comprising: electro-optical transducer means, having a first normal condition and a second actuated condition, said transducer means exhibiting the characteristic of emitting radiant energy in the infrared region within a given wavelength range when actuated to its second condition and exhibiting the characteristic of photovoltaically detecting received radiant energy in the infrared region within said given wavelength range when in its first condition, control means for periodically applying an electrical potential to said transducer means to drive said transducer means to said second condition, and output means for providing a first pulse when said control means applies an electrical potential to said transducer means, and including circuitry for providing an output pulse whenever said transducer means receives radiant energy in the infrared region within said given wavelength range while in its first condition, whereby the time duration from said first pulse to said second pulse is representative of the distance of a target from said transducer means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
162 words
An electro-optical distance measuring system comprising: electro-optical transducer means, having a first normal condition and a second actuated condition, said transducer means exhibiting the characteristic of emitting radiant energy in the infrared region within a given wavelength range when actuated to its second condition and exhibiting the characteristic of photovoltaically detecting received radiant energy in the infrared region within said given wavelength range when in its first condition, control means for periodically applying an electrical potential to said transducer means to drive said transducer means to said second condition, and output means for providing a first pulse when said control means applies an electrical potential to said transducer means, and including circuitry for providing an output pulse whenever said transducer means receives radiant energy in the infrared region within said given wavelength range while in its first condition, whereby the time duration from said first pulse to said second pulse is representative of the distance of a target from said transducer means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An electro-optical distance measuring system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said transducer means is a laser emitting means and said control means includes circuit means for periodically energizing said laser emitting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An electro-optical distance measuring system as set forth in claim 9, wherein said laser emitting means is a solid state, laser diode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An electro-optical distance measuring system as set forth in claim 10, including optical directing means for directing emitted radiant energy from said laser diode toward a target and directing received radiant energy toward said laser diode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-02-09 | 1979-08-11 | 1980-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-02-09 | 1983-08-11 | 1984-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-02-09 | 1987-08-11 | 1988-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |