Patent US2135577A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4441817A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4441817A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electro-optical sensors with fiber optic bundles
Assignee: Diffracto Ltd Canada
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Filing: 1980-07-29
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Granted: 1984-04-10
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Expires: 2000-07-29
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for determining physical characteristics of an object, such as its location, utilizing a non-coherent fiber optic bundle. In one embodiment, a non-coherent fiber optic bundle containing up to 30% randomly non-aligned fibers is utilized and an object is imaged onto one end of the bundle and the image is transferred from the other end of the bundle to a photodetector comprising a plurality of discrete photodetector elements. The area of the lighted or unlighted portion at the other end of the bundle is utilized to determine the physical characteristics of the object.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy R. Pryor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:02
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/02; G01B11/024; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/268; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S250/00; Y10S250/90; Y10S250/901; Y10S250/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of determining the dimension, location, orientation, presence, or identity of at least a portion of an object comprising the steps of imaging at least a portion of an object onto an end of a non-coherent optical fiber bundle whereby the image incident on said end of said fiber bundle is transmitted to the other end thereof; transferring said image from said other end of said non-coherent optical fiber bundle onto a photodetector comprising a plurality of discrete photodetector elements; determining, from the output of said photodetector elements, the area of the lighted or unlighted portion at the other end of said non-coherent optical fiber bundle; and determining, from said area, said dimension, location, orientation, presence, or identity of at least said portion of said object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of determining the dimension, location, orientation, presence, or identity of at least a portion of an object comprising the steps of imaging at least a portion of an object onto an end of a non-coherent optical fiber bundle whereby the image incident on said end of said fiber bundle is transmitted to the other end thereof; transferring said image from said other end of said non-coherent optical fiber bundle onto a photodetector comprising a plurality of discrete photodetector elements; determining, from the output of said photodetector elements, the area of the lighted or unlighted portion at the other end of said non-coherent optical fiber bundle; and determining, from said area, said dimension, location, orientation, presence, or identity of at least said portion of said object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said transferring step comprises imaging the other end of said non-coherent fiber bundle on said photodetector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said photodetector comprises a solid state photodetector array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said photodetector comprises a matrix array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the area of the individual photodetectors making up said photodetector is less than the cross sectional area of each individual fiber in said bundle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the area of an individual photodetector is not more than one fifth of the cross sectional area of said individual fiber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said photodetector comprises at least 20 discrete photodetector elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said image transferring step comprises locating said photodetector in close proximity to said other end of said fiber optical bundle without the interposition of a lens therebetween, whereby the light from said other end of said non-coherent optical fiber bundle is transmitted directly thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said photodetector is affixed to said other end of said non-coherent optical fiber bundle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the fibers in either of said fiber bundle ends are arranged in at least one row.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said object comprises an edge and wherein said imaging step comprises imaging said edge on said end of said non-coherent fiber bundle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of imaging comprises illuminating said object with fiber optic illuminating means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said object comprises a tool.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising sensing the intensity of light making up said object image, and utilizing the sensed intensity to set threshold limits for determining light intensity characteristics at said other end of said non-coherent fiber bundle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising detecting the intensity distribution of light at said other end of said non-coherent fiber bundle for a given object or object position, and utilizing said intensity distribution at a later time to determine if said given object or object portion is present.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising contacting said object and a part at a point and utilizing the position of another point of said object to determine the dimension or location of said part.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said imaging step comprises providing a plurality of images of said object onto said end of said non-coherent fiber bundle.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising pulsing a light to freeze said image of said object.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said object is among a plurality of objects in a feed track, wherein orientation of said objects in said feed track is determined, and further comprising directing mis-oriented objects to a reservoir for reintroduction into said feed track.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said fiber bundle is a plastic type.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said object has one or more holes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said object is threaded.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
66 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said imaging comprises illuminating said object with reflected light and imaging with a lens and wherein the axis of illuminating light is disposed at an angle with respect to the lens axis, and wherein said method includes the further step of determining the proximity of said object relative to said lens or to a light source used for illuminating.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein repeated images of different objects or positions of the same object are memorized.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 24 wherein the object is at least one test pattern.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the ends of the fibers at one or both ends of said bundle are in alignment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said fiber bundle is in the form of a ribbon comprising a row of fibers.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 27 wherein said fiber bundle comprises a plurality of said ribbons laminated together.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said fiber bundle comprises a plurality of discrete fiber bundles.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 further comprising utilizing said determined dimension, location, presence or identity to control a machine.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said object comprises a liquid spray.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said object comprises an intruder, a flame or smoke in a monitored zone.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said end of said fiber optic bundle is mounted on a gripper or arm of a robot.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for determining the dimension, location, orientation, presence or identiy of at least a portion of an object comprising; means for imaging at least a portion of an object onto an end of a non-coherent optical fiber bundle whereby the image incident on said end of said fiber bundle is transmitted to the other end thereof; means for transferring said image from said other end of said non-coherent optical fiber bundle onto a photodetector comprising a plurality of discrete photodetector elements; means for determining, from the output of said photodetector elements, the area of the lighted or unlighted portion at the other end of said non-coherent optical fiber bundle; and means for determining, from said area, said dimension, location, orientation, presence or identity of at least said portion of said object.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for determining the dimension, location, orientation, presence or identiy of at least a portion of an object comprising; means for imaging at least a portion of an object onto an end of a non-coherent optical fiber bundle whereby the image incident on said end of said fiber bundle is transmitted to the other end thereof; means for transferring said image from said other end of said non-coherent optical fiber bundle onto a photodetector comprising a plurality of discrete photodetector elements; means for determining, from the output of said photodetector elements, the area of the lighted or unlighted portion at the other end of said non-coherent optical fiber bundle; and means for determining, from said area, said dimension, location, orientation, presence or identity of at least said portion of said object.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said image transferring means comprises means for imaging the other end of said non-coherent fiber bundle on said photodetector.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 35 wherein said photodetector comprises a solid state photodetector array.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus according to claim 36 wherein said photodetector comprises a matrix array.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the area of the individual photodetectors making up said photodetector is less than the cross sectional area of each individual fiber in said bundle.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 38 wherein the area of an individual photodetector is not more than one-fifth of the cross sectional area of said individual fiber.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said photodetector comprises at least 20 discrete photodetector elements.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said image transferring means comprising means for locating said photodetector in close proximity to said other end of said fiber optical bundle without the interposition of a lens therebetween, whereby the light from said other end of said noncoherent optical fiber bundle is transmitted directly thereto.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 41 wherein said photodetector is affixed to said other end of said non-coherent optical fiber bundle.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the fibers in either of said fiber bundle ends are arranged in at least one row.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said object comprises an edge and wherein said imaging means comprises means for imaging said edge on said end of said non-coherent fiber bundle.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said means for imaging comprises fiber optic means for illuminating said object.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 further comprising means for sensing the intensity of light making up said object image, and means for utilizing the sensed intensity to set threshold limits for determining light intensity characteristics at both ends of said non-coherent fiber bundle.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 further comprising means for detecting the intensity distribution of light at said other end of said non-coherent fiber bundle for a given object or object position, and means for utilizing said intensity distribution at a later time to determine if said given object or object portion is present.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said imaging means comprises providing a plurality of images of said object onto said end of said non-coherent fiber bundle.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 further comprising means for pulsing a light to freeze said image of said object.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 further comprising feed track means for feeding a plurality of objects, wherein said determining means comprises means for determining orientation of an object in said feed track, and further comprising means for directing mis-oriented objects to a reservoir for reintroduction into said feed track.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said fiber bundle is a plastic type.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 further comprising means for memorizing repeated images of different objects or of different positions of the same object.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein the ends of the fibers at one or both ends of said fiber bundle are in alignment.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said fiber bundle is in the form of a ribbon comprising a row of fibers.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus according to claim 105 wherein said fiber bundle comprises a plurality of said ribbons laminated together.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said fiber bundle comprises a plurality of discrete fiber bundles.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 further comprising means for utilizing said determined dimension, location, presence or identity to control a machine.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said end of said fiber optic bundle is mounted on a gripper or arm of a robot.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 34 wherein said means for determining said object dimension, location, orientation, presence, or identity comprises a microcomputer.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-04-10 | 1987-10-10 | 1988-04-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-04-10 | 1991-10-10 | 1992-04-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-04-10 | 1995-10-10 | 1996-04-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |