Patent US1524463A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4850692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Semiconductor light position detector for rangefinder
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1986-06-19
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Granted: 1989-07-25
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Expires: 2006-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A semiconductor light position detector for a rangefinder which projects a light beam onto an object and receives a reflected light beam from the object to measure a distance to the object. A portion of the light-receiving surface of the detector on which the reflected beam will not form a light spot is partially covered with a member that blocks unwanted light. Thus, the malfunctions caused by the flare component of the light from the light projector and the malfunctions due to increases in the shot noise under a high illuminance are reduced greatly.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshiaki Hirao
- 👤 Ryuichiro Kuga
- 👤 Hiroyuki Asakura
- 👤 Shusuke Ono
- 👤 Yoshitomi Nagaoka
- 👤 Shinji Hataji
- 👤 Hiromichi Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:01
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C3/00; G01C3/10; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/481; G01S7/4816; G01S7/491; G01S7/4912; G02; G02B; G02B7/00; G02B7/28; G02B7/30; G02B7/32; H; H10; H10F; H10F77/00; H10F77/30; H10F77/306; H10F77/331; H10F77/334; H10F77/95; H10F77/953; H10F77/957; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/46; G01S17/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A semiconductor light position detector for a rangefinder which projects a light beam onto an object, receives a light beam reflected from the object, and calculates a distance to the object from a position of a light spot formed by the reflected light beam on a light-receiving surface of the detector, the position of the light spot being variable within an effective light-receiving area on the light-receiving surface according to the distance to the object with a center point of the light spot being formed at different points along a length of the light-receiving surface, each of the points corresponding to a different distance to the object, characterized in that a part of the light-receiving surface of the position detector is covered with a light-blocking member outside of the effective light-receiving area on which a light spot formed by the reflected beam will be formed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A semiconductor light position detector for a rangefinder which projects a light beam onto an object, receives a light beam reflected from the object, and calculates a distance to the object from a position of a light spot formed by the reflected light beam on a light-receiving surface of the detector, the position of the light spot being variable within an effective light-receiving area on the light-receiving surface according to the distance to the object with a center point of the light spot being formed at different points along a length of the light-receiving surface, each of the points corresponding to a different distance to the object, characterized in that a part of the light-receiving surface of the position detector is covered with a light-blocking member outside of the effective light-receiving area on which a light spot formed by the reflected beam will be formed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The semiconductor light position detector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light-receiving surface is covered with a protective film made of a nonconductive material except for electrode portions, and wherein the light-blocking member is formed on the protective film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The semiconductor light position detector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light-blocking member is a film made of aluminum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The semiconductor light position detector as set forth in claim 2, wherein the light-blocking member is formed by extending electrodes of the detector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The semiconductor light position detector as set forth in claim 1, wherein the light-blocking member blocks light having a wavelength longer than 400 nm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
132 words
A semiconductor light position detector for a rangefinder for measuring a distance to an object, comprising: a PIN photodiode having a light-receiving surface on which a reflected light beam from the object will form a light spot, the light spot being formed at a position which is variable within an effective light-receiving area on the light-receiving surface according to the distance to the object with a center point of the light spot being formed at different points along a length of the light-receiving surface, each of the points corresponding to a different distance to the object; electrodes formed on both ends of the light-receiving surface for taking out photocurrents produced by the PIN photodiode; and a light-blocking member formed on the light-receiving surface at a part outside of said effective light-receiving area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
132 words
A semiconductor light position detector for a rangefinder for measuring a distance to an object, comprising: a PIN photodiode having a light-receiving surface on which a reflected light beam from the object will form a light spot, the light spot being formed at a position which is variable within an effective light-receiving area on the light-receiving surface according to the distance to the object with a center point of the light spot being formed at different points along a length of the light-receiving surface, each of the points corresponding to a different distance to the object; electrodes formed on both ends of the light-receiving surface for taking out photocurrents produced by the PIN photodiode; and a light-blocking member formed on the light-receiving surface at a part outside of said effective light-receiving area.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The semiconductor light position detector as set forth in claim 6, further comprising a transparent protective film made of an electrically nonconductive material formed between the light-receiving surface and the light-blocking member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The semiconductor light position detector as set forth in claim 7, wherein the light-blocking member is formed integrally with at least one of the electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The semiconductor light position detector as set forth in claim 6, wherein the light-blocking member blocks light having a wavelength longer than 400 nm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
151 words
A semiconductor light position detector for a rangefinder which projects a light beam onto an object, receives a light beam reflected from the object, and calculates a distance to the object from a position of a light spot formed by the reflected light beam on a light-receiving surface of the detector, the position of the light spot being variable within an effective light-receiving area on the light-receiving surface according to the distance to the object with a center point of the light spot being formed at different points along a length of the light-receiving surface, each of the points corresponding to a different distance to the object, characterized in that part of the light-receiving surface of the position detector is covered with a light-blocking member which is fixed with respect to the light-receiving surface, the blocking member covering only the part of the light-receiving surface outside of the effective light-receiving area.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
151 words
A semiconductor light position detector for a rangefinder which projects a light beam onto an object, receives a light beam reflected from the object, and calculates a distance to the object from a position of a light spot formed by the reflected light beam on a light-receiving surface of the detector, the position of the light spot being variable within an effective light-receiving area on the light-receiving surface according to the distance to the object with a center point of the light spot being formed at different points along a length of the light-receiving surface, each of the points corresponding to a different distance to the object, characterized in that part of the light-receiving surface of the position detector is covered with a light-blocking member which is fixed with respect to the light-receiving surface, the blocking member covering only the part of the light-receiving surface outside of the effective light-receiving area.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The semiconductor light position detector as set forth in claim 10, wherein the light-receiving surface is covered with a protective film made of a nonconductive material except for electrode portions, and wherein the light-blocking member is formed on the protective film.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The semiconductor light position detector as set forth in claim 10, wherein the light-blocking member is a film made of aluminum.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The semiconductor light position detector as set forth in claim 11, wherein the light-blocking member is formed by extending electrodes of the detector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The semiconductor light position detector as set forth in claim 10, wherein the light-blocking member blocks light having a wavelength longer than 400 nm.
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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) | 1992-07-24 | 1993-01-23 | 1993-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-07-24 | 1997-01-23 | 1997-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-07-24 | 2001-01-23 | 2001-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |