US4583000A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coordinate measuring method and device with a contact member and light detector
Assignee: LMI Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1984-03-22
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Granted: 1986-04-15
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Expires: 2004-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for sensing the presence and location of an object in a reference plane by directing light along a line perpendicular to the plane, defining a ring in that plane encircling said line of light, and sensing, by a change in the condition of the light, the presence of an object on the ring. In a first, non-contacting embodiment, light is directed along a line which is the axis of the ring and directed outwardly and focused at the ring. A circular detector coaxial with the light ring is positioned to sense intrusion onto that ring of an object, and by using a circular diode array detector, one can detect both the presence and location of that object on the ring. According to another contacting embodiment, a disc is placed in the reference plane with the light shining through an opening therein, the disc being movable in any direction in said reference plane. When an object touches the disc at any point and moves it, this changes the location of the aperture through which the light passes. This change is sensed to indicate an object on the ring.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy R. Pryor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:42
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00; G01B11/002; G01B11/005; G01B11/007
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for optically sensing the presence of an object in a plane perpendicular to a reference axis, said device comprising: a disc disposed in said plane and movable in all directions in said plane; and means for directing light along the reference axis; detector means for detecting a reference condition of the light when the disc is the rest position thereof, and for detecting a different condition of the light when the position of the disc is changed from said rest position by contact with the object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A device for optically sensing the presence of an object in a plane perpendicular to a reference axis, said device comprising: a disc disposed in said plane and movable in all directions in said plane; and means for directing light along the reference axis; detector means for detecting a reference condition of the light when the disc is the rest position thereof, and for detecting a different condition of the light when the position of the disc is changed from said rest position by contact with the object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said disc has a hole therethrough, said light passing through the hole and imaging on said detector means in said rest position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 1, including means for moving the disc along the axis to sense the location of objects in different planes on the axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said detector means is further responsive to the amount of movement of the disc along said reference axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein said detector means is further capable of detecting the magnitude and direction of said movement of said disc relative to said reference axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein said detector means is a photo detector array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said disc is part of a ball contact member and said apparatus includes means for mounting said ball contact member for movement in a direction orthogonal to said plane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 5 wherein said detector is an analog position sensing detector.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for optically sensing the position and location of an object in a plane perpendicular to a reference axis, comprising: locating a disc, in said plane, which is movable in all directions in said plane from a normal rest position, directing light along the axis across said plane, and monitoring the light received by a light detector disposed such that said detector senses a reference condition of the light when said disc is in the rest position thereof and senses a different condition of the light when said disc is moved by contact with a said object.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for optically sensing the position and location of an object in a plane perpendicular to a reference axis, comprising: locating a disc, in said plane, which is movable in all directions in said plane from a normal rest position, directing light along the axis across said plane, and monitoring the light received by a light detector disposed such that said detector senses a reference condition of the light when said disc is in the rest position thereof and senses a different condition of the light when said disc is moved by contact with a said object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 9 further incorporating the step of moving said reference axis until said object presence is determined and reading the position of said axis to determine the coordinate location of said object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said object direction of contact is further determined.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 9 further comprising determining the coordinates of said object relative to said reference axis.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for optically sensing the presence and location of an object, said device comprising a contact member moveable in at least two dimensions from a normal, rest position thereof; a light source; a matrix photodetector array; means for forming an image on said photodetector array of at least one point of said contact member with said contact member in the rest position thereof; and means for determining the presence of a said object in contact with said contact member from a change of position of said image relative to said photodetector array and for determining the amount of movement of said contact member relative to the rest position thereof from the output of said photodetector array to thereby determine the relative location of the said object.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for optically sensing the presence and location of an object, said device comprising a contact member moveable in at least two dimensions from a normal, rest position thereof; a light source; a matrix photodetector array; means for forming an image on said photodetector array of at least one point of said contact member with said contact member in the rest position thereof; and means for determining the presence of a said object in contact with said contact member from a change of position of said image relative to said photodetector array and for determining the amount of movement of said contact member relative to the rest position thereof from the output of said photodetector array to thereby determine the relative location of the said object.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said determining means comprises further means for determining the position of the said object in a direction orthogonal to the plane of said two dimensions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said determining means includes means for comparing the size of the image of the contact member in a non-rest position thereof with the size of said image for the rest position of said contact member so as to determine the relative position of said contact member in a direction orthogonal to the plane of said photodetector array.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said contact member comprises a ball contact and said light source is located within said ball contact.
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) | 1989-04-14 | 1989-10-14 | 1990-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-04-14 | 1993-10-14 | 1994-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-04-14 | 1997-10-14 | 1998-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |