Reflection shadow sensor with light directing diffusive surface

Claim 2

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said diffusive surface directing the light flow towards a light impermeable object; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by the light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said light receiving means being provided with a diffusive surface for directing the light flow received by said light receiving means.

Claim 3

The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship in such a manner that the diffusive surface of said light emitting means and the diffusive surface of said light receiving means are oriented in a substantially coplanar relationship.

Claim 4

The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein said light emitting means comprises a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface.

Claim 5

The optical sensor of claim 1, wherein said light receiving means comprises a body having a diffusive surface and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface of said light receiving means.

Claim 6

The optical sensor of claim 3, wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are retained stationary during operation of the optical sensor.

Claim 7

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis; and a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means.

Claim 8

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis; and a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means.

Claim 9

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for rotational movement about its transverse axis; and a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means.

Claim 10

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for rotational movement about its transverse axis; and a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means.

Claim 11

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; and a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said light receiving means comprising a body provided with a diffusive surface and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface, and, wherein said body is mounted for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 12

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; and a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said light receiving means comprising a body provided with a diffusive surface and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface, and, wherein said body is mounted for rotational movement about its longitudinal axis.

Claim 13

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said light receiving means comprising a body provided with a diffusive surface and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface, and, wherein said body is mounted for rotational movement about its transverse axis.

Claim 14

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said light receiving means comprising a body provided with a diffusive surface and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface, and, wherein said body is mounted for rotational movement about its transverse axis.

Claim 15

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for movement co-axial with a longitudinal axis of said housing; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means.

Claim 16

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for movement co-axial with a longitudinal axis of said housing; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means.

Claim 17

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for movement in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said housing; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means.

Claim 18

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for movement in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said housing; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means.

Claim 19

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for movement in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said housing; and a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means.

Claim 20

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for movement in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said housing; and a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means.

Claim 21

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said light receiving means comprising a body provided with a diffusive surface and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface, and wherein said body is mounted for movement in a direction co-axial with the longitudinal axis of said body.

Claim 22

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said light receiving means comprising a body provided with a diffusive surface and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface, and wherein said body is mounted for movement in a direction co-axial with the longitudinal axis of said body.

Claim 23

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said light receiving means comprising a body provided with a diffusive surface and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface, and, wherein said body is mounted for movement in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said body.

Claim 24

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said light receiving means comprising a body provided with a diffusive surface and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface, and, wherein said body is mounted for movement in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said body.

Claim 25

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said light receiving means comprising a body provided with a diffusive surface and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface, said light receiving means, wherein said body is mounted for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said body.

Claim 26

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said light receiving means comprising a body provided with a diffusive surface and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface, said light receiving means, wherein said body is mounted for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said body.

Claim 27

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said diffusive surface directing the light flow towards a light impermeable object; a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by the light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said diffusive surface of said light receiving means directing the light flow received by said light receiving means, and wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in a such a manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object.

Claim 28

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said diffusive surface directing the light flow towards a light impermeable object; a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by the light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, said diffusive surface of said light receiving means directing the light flow received by said light receiving means, and wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in a such a manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object.

Claim 29

The optical sensor of claim 16, wherein said light emitting means comprises a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface.

Claim 30

The optical sensor of claim 16, wherein said light receiving means comprises a body and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface of said light receiving means.

Claim 31

The optical sensor of claim 17, wherein said housing is retained stationary during operation of the optical sensor.

Claim 32

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for selective rotational movement about its longitudinal axis and its transverse axis; a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, and wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object.

Claim 33

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for selective rotational movement about its longitudinal axis and its transverse axis; a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, and wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object.

Claim 34

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object, said light receiving means comprising a body and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface of said light receiving means, and wherein said body is mounted for selective rotational movement about its longitudinal axis and its transverse axis.

Claim 35

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object, said light receiving means comprising a body and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface of said light receiving means, and wherein said body is mounted for selective rotational movement about its longitudinal axis and its transverse axis.

Claim 36

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for movement co-axial with a longitudinal axis of said housing; and a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, and wherein said light emitting means and said Light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object.

Claim 37

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for movement co-axial with a longitudinal axis of said housing; and a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, and wherein said light emitting means and said Light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object.

Claim 38

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for movement in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said housing; and a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, and wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object.

Claim 39

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for movement in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said housing; and a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, and wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object.

Claim 40

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said housing; and a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, and wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object.

Claim 41

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels, said light emitting means comprising a housing and a light source mounted in a light transferring relationship with said diffusive surface, wherein said housing is mounted for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said housing; and a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, and wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object.

Claim 42

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object, said light receiving means comprising a body and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface of said light receiving means, and wherein said body is mounted for movement in a direction co-axial with the longitudinal axis of said body.

Claim 43

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object, said light receiving means comprising a body and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface of said light receiving means, and wherein said body is mounted for movement in a direction co-axial with the longitudinal axis of said body.

Claim 44

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object, said light receiving means comprising a body and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface of said light receiving means, and wherein said body is mounted for movement in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said body.

Claim 45

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object, said light receiving means comprising a body and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface of said light receiving means, and wherein said body is mounted for movement in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of said body.

Claim 46

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object, said light receiving means comprising a body and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface of said light receiving means, and wherein said body is mounted for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said body.

Claim 47

An optical sensor, comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow, said light emitting means having a diffusive surface through which the light flow travels; a light receiving means having a diffusive surface for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means, wherein said light emitting means and said light receiving means are mounted in a spaced-apart relationship to each other, such that their respective diffusive surfaces are oriented in such manner that they face one surface of said light impermeable object, said light receiving means comprising a body and a light sensor mounted in a light receiving relationship with said diffusive surface of said light receiving means, and wherein said body is mounted for movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said body.

Claim 48

An optical sensor comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means; and a means for directing a light flow towards said light impermeable object, said light directing means comprising a diffusive surface through which the light travels from said light emitting means.

Claim 49

An optical sensor comprising: a light emitting means for emitting a light flow; a light receiving means for receiving the light flow emitted by the light emitting means and reflected by a light impermeable object mounted opposite said light emitting means and said light receiving means; and a means for directing a light flow towards said light impermeable object, said light directing means comprising a diffusive surface through which the light travels from said light emitting means.

Claim 50

The optical sensor of claim 28, wherein said light receiving means comprises a body having a light sensor and a light diffusive surface formed a distance from said light sensor, said diffusive surface directing the light flow towards said light sensor.