US4764668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for locating an object provided with at least one passive target pattern
Assignee: Alcatel Espace Industries SA
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Filing: 1986-11-25
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Granted: 1988-08-16
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Expires: 2006-11-25
Abstract
Abstract The system comprises a plurality of passive target patterns (30, 31, 32, 33) situated on a surface (24) of an object to be located, and an approach sensor (19) including: a source (20) for emitting light towards said patterns; a receiver (22) for receiving light reflected from said object (21); and a processor member (23) connected to said source (20) and said receiver (22). Each passive pattern comprises a series of optically-readable elongate symbols disposed relative to one another in such a manner as to constitute a code, with the approach sensor serving to scan said object optically. The invention is applicable to docking and stowage maneuvers between two space vehicles.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Hayard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/87; G01S17/875; G01S17/02; G01S17/74
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A system for locating an object provided with passive target patterns, said system comprising an approach sensor including a source for emitting light towards each pattern, a receiver for receiving light reflected from said object, and a processor member connected to said source and to said receiver, said locating system being a system for locating an object with reference to three dimensions, said passive patterns being constituted by at least four patterns disposed on two of said dimensions, each passive pattern being situated on a surface of said object and comprising a series of optically-readable elongate symbols disposed relative to one another in such a manner as to constitute a code, and said approach sensor being capable of performing narrow beam scanning of said surface along two of said dimensions, said patterns being disposed in pairs on respective axes Δ1 and Δ2 which are inclined relative to one another and which pass through a common point 0.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A system for locating an object provided with passive target patterns, said system comprising an approach sensor including a source for emitting light towards each pattern, a receiver for receiving light reflected from said object, and a processor member connected to said source and to said receiver, said locating system being a system for locating an object with reference to three dimensions, said passive patterns being constituted by at least four patterns disposed on two of said dimensions, each passive pattern being situated on a surface of said object and comprising a series of optically-readable elongate symbols disposed relative to one another in such a manner as to constitute a code, and said approach sensor being capable of performing narrow beam scanning of said surface along two of said dimensions, said patterns being disposed in pairs on respective axes Δ1 and Δ2 which are inclined relative to one another and which pass through a common point 0.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A locating system according to claim 1, wherein the passive patterns are situated on a plane face of the object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A locating system according to claim 1, wherein each passive pattern comprises a series of lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A locating system according to claim 3, wherein each passive pattern comprises a series of parallel bars.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A locating system according to claim 4, wherein the bars constituting the patterns extend perpendicularly to the respective axes Δ1 and Δ2 passing through said patterns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A locating system according to claim 4, wherein the bars constituting the patterns are at least as long as said patterns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A locating system according to claim 4, said patterns comprise main patterns and further including at least one additional pattern having the same characteristics as the main patterns and situated on the plane face of the object on which said main patterns are situated, in such a manner as to obtain greater locating accuracy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A locating system according to claim 7, wherein the bars of each additional pattern are shorter than the lengths of said patterns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A locating system according to claim 7, wherein there are four additional patterns disposed on the same axes Δ1 and Δ2 as the main patterns but closer to the point of intersection O of said axes than said main patterns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A locating system according to claim 7, wherein at least one additional pattern is disposed at the bottom of a well.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A locating system according to claim 10, wherein said additional pattern located at the bottom of a well is situated at the intersection O of the axes Δ1 and Δ2 of the main patterns.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A locating system according to claim 1, wherein the patterns are situated symmetrically about the point of intersection O of said axes Δ1 and Δ2.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A locating system according to claim 1, wherein the patterns are four in number and are respectively disposed as on pairs two the axes Δ1 and Δ2 which are perpendicular to each other.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locating system according to claim 1, wherein the approach sensor is capable of scanning the object along at least two different directions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A locating system according to claim 14, wherein said two scan directions are mutually perpendicular.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
A locating system according to claim 1, wherein the approach sensor is capable of scanning the object at constant speed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
A locating system according to claim 1, wherein the source emits a pencil beam which scans the object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A locating system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is sensitive to light in a solid reception angle which scans the object.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
FR2186658A1
Cited
FR2433760A1
Cited
GB2143395A
Cited
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Cited
US4662752A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-08-16 | 1992-02-15 | 1992-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-16 | 1996-02-15 | 1996-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-16 | 2000-02-15 | 2000-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |