US5418359A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for detecting objects with range-dependent blocking
Assignee: AutoSense LLC
•
Filing: 1993-11-30
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Granted: 1995-05-23
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Expires: 2013-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus are disclosed which allow for the detection of an object (14) by the generation of a radiated beam (18) and a subsequent reflection by the object (14) of a portion (20) thereof. The detection of particulate object material (16) due to a reflection of a portion (22) of the generated beam (18) is minimized.
Inventors
- 👤 Scott Juds
- 👤 Paul Mathews
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:31
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/481; G01S7/4816; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/93; G01S17/931; G01S7/491; G01S7/4912; G01S7/4918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
An object detector for detecting the presence of an object reflecting a beam of radiation therefrom and located within a range of distances from said object detector, said object detector comprising: (a) acquisition means for acquiring said beam of radiation reflected by said object; (b) detecting means optically coupled to said acquisition means for receiving said beam of radiation reflected from said object and for generating a signal in response thereto; and (c) blocking means optically coupled to said acquisition means and to said detecting means for blocking a variable portion of a beam of radiation received by said detecting means, when said beam is reflected from an object located within said range of distances, said blocked portion increasing as the distance of said object from said object detector decreases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
An object detector for detecting the presence of an object reflecting a beam of radiation therefrom and located within a range of distances from said object detector, said object detector comprising: (a) acquisition means for acquiring said beam of radiation reflected by said object; (b) detecting means optically coupled to said acquisition means for receiving said beam of radiation reflected from said object and for generating a signal in response thereto; and (c) blocking means optically coupled to said acquisition means and to said detecting means for blocking a variable portion of a beam of radiation received by said detecting means, when said beam is reflected from an object located within said range of distances, said blocked portion increasing as the distance of said object from said object detector decreases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The object detector of claim 1 wherein said detecting means comprises a photosensor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The object detector of claim 1 wherein said acquisition means comprises a lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The object detector of claim 1 wherein said blocking means comprises a variable optical density filter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The object detector of claim 1 wherein said blocking means comprises a mask.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The object detector of claim 1, further comprising generating means coupled to said detecting means for generating a beam of radiation therefrom into the field of view of the acquisition means for reflection by said object.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The object detector of claim 6, wherein said generation means comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The object detector of claim 7, wherein said generation means further comprises a second lens optically coupled to said light emitting diode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
125 words
An object detector for detecting objects located within a range of distances from the detector, comprising generating means for generating a focused beam of light energy, acquisition means, having a field of view that includes said beam, for acquiring the reflection of the beam from an object located within said range of distances, detecting means optically coupled to the acquisition means for receiving the acquired reflected beam and generating an output signal in response thereto, and reducing means optically coupled to the acquisition means for effecting a variable reduction in an output signal generated by the detecting means in response to the reception of an acquired beam reflected from an object, said reduction increasing as the distance of the detected object from the detector decreases.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
125 words
An object detector for detecting objects located within a range of distances from the detector, comprising generating means for generating a focused beam of light energy, acquisition means, having a field of view that includes said beam, for acquiring the reflection of the beam from an object located within said range of distances, detecting means optically coupled to the acquisition means for receiving the acquired reflected beam and generating an output signal in response thereto, and reducing means optically coupled to the acquisition means for effecting a variable reduction in an output signal generated by the detecting means in response to the reception of an acquired beam reflected from an object, said reduction increasing as the distance of the detected object from the detector decreases.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The object detector of claim 9, wherein said detecting means comprises a photosensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The object detector of claim 9, wherein said acquisition means comprises a lens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The object detector of claim 9, wherein said reducing means comprises a variable optical density filter for partially blocking said beam of radiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The object detector of claim 9, wherein said reducing means comprises a mask.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The object detector of claim 9, wherein said generating means comprises a light emitting diode.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The object detector of claim 14, wherein said generating means further comprises a second lens optically coupled to said light emitting diode.
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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) | 1998-05-22 | 1998-11-21 | 1999-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-22 | 2002-11-21 | 2003-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-22 | 2006-11-21 | 2007-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |