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US4942291A
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Position-resolving sensor for detecting individual light flashes
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1989-03-27
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Granted: 1990-07-17
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Expires: 2009-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A position-resolving sensor for detecting individual light flashes with a multiplicity of adjacent light-receiving elements and an evaluating circuit which determines the light-receiving element which is struck by a light flash. The sensor comprises light-receiving elements subdivided into a plurality of groups such that each light-receiving element is exclusively adjacent to light-receiving elements belonging to other groups. Each group of light-receiving elements is associated with a row of light detectors and at least one optical connecting element establishes a light-conducting connection between each individual light-receiving element and light detectors which are selected in accordance with a given code from the assigned row of light detectors. A high solid-angle resolution can be achieved with few light detectors. In addition, that order number of the light-receiving element is read out which has registered the light flash, directly in a digital code.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus Dietrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:56
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/107; H10F77/00; H10F77/40; H10F77/407; H10F77/95; H10F77/953; H10F77/957
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
105 words
A position-resolving sensor for detecting individual light flashes having a multiplicity of adjacent light-receiving elements and an evaluating circuit which determines the light-receiving element upon which a light-flash impinges, wherein the light-receiving elements are subdivided into a plurality of groups such that each group of light-receiving elements borders exclusively on light-receiving elements belonging to other groups, each group of light-receiving elements being associated with a number of light detectors, at least one optical connecting element establishing a light-conducting connection between each individual light-receiving element and the light detectors, said light detectors being selected from the number of light detectors in accordance with a defined code.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
105 words
A position-resolving sensor for detecting individual light flashes having a multiplicity of adjacent light-receiving elements and an evaluating circuit which determines the light-receiving element upon which a light-flash impinges, wherein the light-receiving elements are subdivided into a plurality of groups such that each group of light-receiving elements borders exclusively on light-receiving elements belonging to other groups, each group of light-receiving elements being associated with a number of light detectors, at least one optical connecting element establishing a light-conducting connection between each individual light-receiving element and the light detectors, said light detectors being selected from the number of light detectors in accordance with a defined code.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sensor recited in claim 1, wherein the light-receiving elements form a row and are subdivided into at least two groups.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sensor recited in claim 1, wherein the light-receiving elements form an array and are subdivided into at least three groups.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sensor recited in claim 1, wherein the optical connecting element comprises a microprism plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sensor recited in claim 1, wherein the optical connecting element comprises a multiplicity of light-conducting elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sensor recited in claim 4, wherein the light-receiving elements have light-absorbing zones which are distributed in accordance with the selected code.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The sensor recited in claim 1, wherein, in determining the direction from which a registered light flashes comes, a direction-selective element or a facet eye is arranged in the direction of the light ahead of the light-receiving element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sensor recited in claim 7, wherein the direction-selective element comprises a material opaque to light, in which a passage according to the associated solid angle segment is provided for each light-receiving element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor recited in claim 1, wherein the code is a binary code.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The sensor recited in claim 1, wherein the code is a Gray code.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The sensor recited in claim 1, wherein the evaluating circuit comprises an event selector which determines the solid angle of the light flash if simultaneously adjacent light-receiving elements which belong to different groups are illuminated.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The sensor recited in claim 1, wherein said sensor is used as a laser warning sensor.
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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) | 1993-07-16 | 1994-01-15 | 1994-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-16 | 1998-01-15 | 1998-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-16 | 2002-01-15 | 2002-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |