Patent US5565686A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5565686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for detecting the presence and location of objects in a field via scanned optical beams
Assignee: Laser Score Inc
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Filing: 1995-03-07
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Granted: 1996-10-15
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Expires: 2015-03-07
Abstract
Abstract An optical system and method for detecting the presence and location of multiple objects in a field. The optical system has at least one light source to generate a beam, which beam is scanned by at least one first reflecting surface to generate at least three sets of beams. A first and second set of beams are overlapped across the field by at least one second reflecting surface and a third set overlaps the field without the second reflecting surface. The beam intensity is measured by at least one detection means.
Inventors
- 👤 David F. Welch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:46
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41J; F41J5/00; F41J5/02; G; G01; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/88; G01S17/89; G01V; G01V8/00; G01V8/10; G01V8/12; G01V8/18; G01V8/20; G01V8/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An optical system for detecting the presence and location of multiple objects in a planar field with minimum shadowing effects and high measuring redundancy comprising: (i) at least one light source to generate a beam; (ii) at least one first rotating reflective planar surface positioned to generate at least three sets of beams that are coplanar with the field being detected; (iii) at least one second reflecting surface to cause a first and second set of said beams to overlap said field, wherein a third set of beams overlaps the field without said at least one second reflecting surface; and (iv) at least one detection means for detecting the intensity of said beams, which detection means is not part of the objects.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
An optical system for detecting the presence and location of multiple objects in a planar field with minimum shadowing effects and high measuring redundancy comprising: (i) at least one light source to generate a beam; (ii) at least one first rotating reflective planar surface positioned to generate at least three sets of beams that are coplanar with the field being detected; (iii) at least one second reflecting surface to cause a first and second set of said beams to overlap said field, wherein a third set of beams overlaps the field without said at least one second reflecting surface; and (iv) at least one detection means for detecting the intensity of said beams, which detection means is not part of the objects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical system of claim 1 further comprising at least one retroreflector to reflect said beams along their original paths.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said light source comprises a collimated light source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said first reflecting surface comprises a rotating mirror.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical system of claim 4 wherein said first reflecting surface rotates at a constant speed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical system of claim 4 wherein said first reflecting surface rotates at a variable speed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said first reflecting surface is used to scan a two-dimensional field.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical system of claim 7 wherein said two-dimensional field being scanned comprises a dart board surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said detection means comprises a detector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said detection means comprises a light guide coupled with a detector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical system of claim 1 further comprising a retroreflector and a beam splitter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical system of claim 1 wherein said first reflecting surface causes said beam to scan.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical system of claim 1 further comprising means for analyzing the detected intensity of said beams to determine the object's location in said field.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The optical system of claim 13 wherein said analyzing means further correlates the objects' location in said field to a numerical value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The optical system of claim 13 wherein said analyzing means further correlates the objects' location in said field to an image displayed on a screen.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for detecting the presence and location of multiple objects in a planar field with minimum shadowing effects and high measuring redundancy comprising the steps of: (i) generating at least one beam; (ii) reflecting said beam to generate at least three sets of beams with at least one first rotating reflective planar surface positioned so that said beams are coplanar with the field being detected; (iii) causing a first and second set of said beams to overlap said field with at least one second reflective surface, wherein a third set of beams overlaps the field without said at least one second reflecting surface; and (iv) measuring the intensity of said beams after they overlap said field with at least one detection means, which detection means is not a part of the objects.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for detecting the presence and location of multiple objects in a planar field with minimum shadowing effects and high measuring redundancy comprising the steps of: (i) generating at least one beam; (ii) reflecting said beam to generate at least three sets of beams with at least one first rotating reflective planar surface positioned so that said beams are coplanar with the field being detected; (iii) causing a first and second set of said beams to overlap said field with at least one second reflective surface, wherein a third set of beams overlaps the field without said at least one second reflecting surface; and (iv) measuring the intensity of said beams after they overlap said field with at least one detection means, which detection means is not a part of the objects.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of reflecting said beams along their original paths after overlapping the field and prior to measuring their intensity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said beam is generated by a collimated light source.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said first reflecting surface is a rotating mirror having a planar reflecting surface capable of scanning a two-dimensional field.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the measuring step is accomplished by detecting a decrease in the intensity of said beams when the object is present in the field.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said first reflective surface causes said beam to scan and generate said at least three sets of beams.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said detection means comprises a detector.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said detection means comprises a light guide coupled to a detector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of analyzing the measured intensity of said beams to determine the objects' location in said field.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of correlating the objects' location in said field to a numerical value.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of correlating the objects' location in said field to an image created on a screen.
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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) | 1999-10-15 | 2000-04-15 | 2000-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | 2004-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-04-15 | 2008-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |