US4845556A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video spot detector
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1987-10-30
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Granted: 1989-07-04
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Expires: 2007-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A non-contacting sensing system for measuring dimensions or determining the position of an object, such as a workpiece in an automated machining process. A small diameter light beam is projected and focused at a predetermined location. A television camera, positioned to view the location, receives light reflected from the location and generates a video signal. This signal is provided to a circuit which detects changes in signal magnitude indicative of a change in position of the object relative to the predetermined location.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph M. Somers
- 👤 Ronald G. Alcoke
- 👤 Robert L. McDonnell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A non-contacting sensing system for determining the position of a movable object, comprising: means for projecting a light beam; means for focusing said light beam at a predetermined location, said object being positionable at said location; means for sensing the intensity of light reflected from said location and generating a video signal representative of the intensity of said reflected light; a peak follower circuit coupled to receive said video signal; and means for detecting a change in the output of said peak follower circuit indicative of a change of position of said object relative to said location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A non-contacting sensing system for determining the position of a movable object, comprising: means for projecting a light beam; means for focusing said light beam at a predetermined location, said object being positionable at said location; means for sensing the intensity of light reflected from said location and generating a video signal representative of the intensity of said reflected light; a peak follower circuit coupled to receive said video signal; and means for detecting a change in the output of said peak follower circuit indicative of a change of position of said object relative to said location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said light beam projecting means comprises means for producing a visible HeNe laser beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means comprises: means for comparing the output signal of said peak follower circuit to a reference signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said detecting means further comprises: a latching circuit responsive to the output of said comparing means to provide an activating signal; and a relay circuit responsive to said activating signal to generate a trip signal indicative of the presence of said object at said predetermined location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
125 words
A non-contacting sensing system for determining the position of a movable object, comprising: means for projecting a light beam; means for focusing said light beam at a predetermined location, said object being positionable at said location; a scanning device responsive to the intensity of light reflected from said location to generate a video signal; a peak follower circuit coupled to receive said video signal; and means for comparing the output signal of said peak follower circuit to a reference signal and generating a binary signal indicative of the position of said object relative to said location, said binary signal having a first value when said object is present at said location and having a second value when said object is not present at said location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
125 words
A non-contacting sensing system for determining the position of a movable object, comprising: means for projecting a light beam; means for focusing said light beam at a predetermined location, said object being positionable at said location; a scanning device responsive to the intensity of light reflected from said location to generate a video signal; a peak follower circuit coupled to receive said video signal; and means for comparing the output signal of said peak follower circuit to a reference signal and generating a binary signal indicative of the position of said object relative to said location, said binary signal having a first value when said object is present at said location and having a second value when said object is not present at said location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 and further comprising: a latching circuit responsive to the output of said comparing means to provide an activating signal; and a relay circuit responsive to said activating signal to generate a trip signal indicative of the presence of said object at said predetermined location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said scanning device comprises a television camera.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said projecting means comprises means for producing a visible HeNe laser beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
121 words
A non-contacting sensing system for determining the position of a movable object, comprising: means for projecting a visible HeNe laser beam; means for focusing said laser beam at a predetermined location, said object being positionable at said location; a television camera positioned to view said predetermined location, said camera being responsive to produce a video signal; a peak follower circuit coupled to receive said video signal; means for comparing the output of said peak follower circuit to a reference signal; a latching circuit responsive to the output of said comparing means to provide an activating signal; and a relay circuit responsive to said activating signal to generate a trip signal indicative of the presence of said object at said predetermined location.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
121 words
A non-contacting sensing system for determining the position of a movable object, comprising: means for projecting a visible HeNe laser beam; means for focusing said laser beam at a predetermined location, said object being positionable at said location; a television camera positioned to view said predetermined location, said camera being responsive to produce a video signal; a peak follower circuit coupled to receive said video signal; means for comparing the output of said peak follower circuit to a reference signal; a latching circuit responsive to the output of said comparing means to provide an activating signal; and a relay circuit responsive to said activating signal to generate a trip signal indicative of the presence of said object at said predetermined location.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for determining the position of a movable object without physically contacting said object, said method comprising the steps of: projecting a light beam; focusing said light beam at a predetermined location, said object being positionable at said location; sensing the light reflected from said location; generating a video signal representative of the intensity of the reflected light; generating a derivative signal corresponding to the envelope of said video signal; and comparing said derivative signal with a reference signal to determine the position of said object relative to said location.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for determining the position of a movable object without physically contacting said object, said method comprising the steps of: projecting a light beam; focusing said light beam at a predetermined location, said object being positionable at said location; sensing the light reflected from said location; generating a video signal representative of the intensity of the reflected light; generating a derivative signal corresponding to the envelope of said video signal; and comparing said derivative signal with a reference signal to determine the position of said object relative to said location.
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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) | 1992-07-03 | 1993-01-02 | 1993-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-03 | 1997-01-02 | 1997-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-03 | 2001-01-02 | 2001-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |