US5705804A — Quadrant light detector

Claim 1

Independent Claim 107 words

A light detector for determining the position of a light source with respect to the orientation of the light detector, comprising: a base having a surface formed of a diffusely reflective material; a diffusely reflective baffle that, together with the base, defines a plurality of diffusely reflective regions; a mask spaced a predetermined distance away from the base, the mask occluding a portion of light directed toward the reflective regions; a plurality of light sensors, each light sensor responsively connected to receive light incident on one of said reflective regions and generating a response signal based on the intensity of light incident on its respective reflective region.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 107 words

A light detector for determining the position of a light source with respect to the orientation of the light detector, comprising: a base having a surface formed of a diffusely reflective material; a diffusely reflective baffle that, together with the base, defines a plurality of diffusely reflective regions; a mask spaced a predetermined distance away from the base, the mask occluding a portion of light directed toward the reflective regions; a plurality of light sensors, each light sensor responsively connected to receive light incident on one of said reflective regions and generating a response signal based on the intensity of light incident on its respective reflective region.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

A light detector as defined in claim 1, wherein the reflective regions are formed by quadrants of a hemispherical cavity.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 23 words

A light detector as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface of the mask facing the sensors diffusely reflects light toward the sensors.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 12 words

A device as recited in claim 1, wherein the mask is opaque.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 101 words

A device for determining the incoming direction of incident light, comprising: a base defining a substantially light reflective surface configured to receive the incident light; a mask situated a predetermined distance from the surface; a plurality of light detectors which are each adapted to generate a signal that is indicative of the intensity of incident light received by the detector; and a baffle situated between the mask and the light reflective surface of the base, the base, the mask and the baffle together defining a plurality of separate light receiving sections, each of which supplies light to one of the detectors.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 101 words

A device for determining the incoming direction of incident light, comprising: a base defining a substantially light reflective surface configured to receive the incident light; a mask situated a predetermined distance from the surface; a plurality of light detectors which are each adapted to generate a signal that is indicative of the intensity of incident light received by the detector; and a baffle situated between the mask and the light reflective surface of the base, the base, the mask and the baffle together defining a plurality of separate light receiving sections, each of which supplies light to one of the detectors.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 37 words

A device as recited in claim 5, further comprising a processor, associated with the detectors, for processing signals received from the detectors and generating direction signals that are indicative of the incoming direction of the incident light.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 22 words

A device as recited in claim 5, wherein the reflective surface of the base is a diffuse reflector of the Lambertian type.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 38 words

A device as recited in claim 5, wherein: the mask is configured and situated such that the total cross-sectional area of incident light passed to the detectors remains substantially constant over a range of elevational angles of incidence.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 13 words

A device as recited in claim 5, wherein each detector is a photodiode.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 12 words

A device as recited in claim 5, wherein the baffle defines quadrants.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 13 words

A device as recited in claim 10, wherein the baffle is substantially cross-shaped.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 81 words

A device for determining the incoming direction of light, comprising: a base configured with a detection aperture that receives light from substantially any direction within a hemisphere; a mask positioned in said hemisphere and spaced from said detection aperture; a baffle positioned in said aperture between said mask and said base, said baffle dividing said aperture into regions; and a plurality of detectors, each optically coupled to generate a signal representative of illumination incident on a respective region of the aperture.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 81 words

A device for determining the incoming direction of light, comprising: a base configured with a detection aperture that receives light from substantially any direction within a hemisphere; a mask positioned in said hemisphere and spaced from said detection aperture; a baffle positioned in said aperture between said mask and said base, said baffle dividing said aperture into regions; and a plurality of detectors, each optically coupled to generate a signal representative of illumination incident on a respective region of the aperture.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 25 words

A device as recited in claim 12, wherein said base has a diffusely reflective cavity with said detection aperture, and said baffle divides said cavity.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 21 words

A device as recited in claim 12, wherein said baffle includes two intersecting planar members that form four of said regions.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 17 words

A device as recited in claim 12, wherein said mask and said baffle have diffusely reflective surfaces.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 17 words

A device as recited in claim 12, wherein said aperture and said mask have circular cross sections.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 21 words

A device as recited in claim 12, wherein said detectors are positioned on a side of the mask facing said aperture.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 25 words

A device as recited in claim 12, further comprising a processor that processes said signals to generate signals indicative of incoming direction of said light.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 20 words

A device as recited in claim 18, further comprising a display that receives said signals and displays said incoming direction.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-01-05	2001-07-07	2002-01-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-01-05	2005-07-07	2006-01-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-01-05	2009-07-07	2010-01-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Quadrant light detector

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