Patent US5773819A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5773819A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Single element light detector
Assignee: ABL IP Holding LLC
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Filing: 1996-01-23
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Granted: 1998-06-30
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Expires: 2016-01-23
Abstract
Abstract A single element hemispherical light detector that employs the concept of constructed occlusion to improve its uniformity of detection response across a large range of incident angles, and that incorporates a deflector to provide detection response to low incidence angles. The hemispherical light detector uses one active element or photodiode to achieve a substantially uniform response within a sector of a hemisphere.
Inventors
- 👤 David P. Ramer
- 👤 Jack C. Rains, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J1/00; G01J1/02; G01J1/04; G01J1/0407; G01J1/0437; G01S; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/42; G01S3/00; G01S3/78; G01S3/781; G01S5/00; G01S5/16; G01S5/163; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/481; G01S7/4816; G01J2001/0481; G01S17/66
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
170 words
A light detector that provides a response signal based on the intensity of light incident from any direction within a predetermined sector, comprising: a base having a surface formed of a diffusely reflective material that defines a reflective region that faces the predetermined sector; a mask spaced a predetermined distance from the reflective region and located between the base and the predetermined sector such that, when light is incident at an angle normal to the base's surface, the mask occludes a portion of the reflective region; a sensor, responsive to incident light, that generates the response signal based on the intensity of light that it receives and that is located to intercept light reflections from the base surface, wherein the base, mask and sensor are configured such that the light detector is substantially uniformly responsive to light from any direction within the predetermined sector, wherein the reflective region further includes a hemispherical cavity and the reflective region is defined by the cavity's aperture and a shoulder surrounding the cavity's aperture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
170 words
A light detector that provides a response signal based on the intensity of light incident from any direction within a predetermined sector, comprising: a base having a surface formed of a diffusely reflective material that defines a reflective region that faces the predetermined sector; a mask spaced a predetermined distance from the reflective region and located between the base and the predetermined sector such that, when light is incident at an angle normal to the base's surface, the mask occludes a portion of the reflective region; a sensor, responsive to incident light, that generates the response signal based on the intensity of light that it receives and that is located to intercept light reflections from the base surface, wherein the base, mask and sensor are configured such that the light detector is substantially uniformly responsive to light from any direction within the predetermined sector, wherein the reflective region further includes a hemispherical cavity and the reflective region is defined by the cavity's aperture and a shoulder surrounding the cavity's aperture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
A light detector as defined in claim 1, wherein the mask is circular disk having at least one flat surface and an axis through the flat surface's center that is aligned with an axis through the center of the hemispherical cavity such that the disk's flat surface is parallel with the cavity's aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
227 words
A light detector that provides a response signal based on the intensity of light incident from any direction within a predetermined sector, comprising: a base having a surface formed of a diffusely reflective material that defines a reflective region that faces the predetermined sector; a mask spaced a predetermined distance from the reflective region and located between the base and the predetermined sector such that, when light is incident at an angle normal to the base's surface, the mask occludes a portion of the reflective region; a sensor, responsive to incident light, that generates the response signal based on the intensity of light that it receives and that is located to intercept light reflections from the base surface, wherein the base, mask and sensor are configured such that the light detector is substantially uniformly responsive to light from any direction within the predetermined sector, wherein the reflective region further includes a hemispherical cavity and the reflective region is defined by the cavity's aperture, and wherein the mask is a circular disk having at least one flat surface and an axis through the flat surface's center that is aligned with an axis through the center of the hemispherical cavity such that the disk's flat surface is parallel with the cavity's aperture, and wherein the diameter of the disk is about 90% of the diameter of the hemispherical cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
227 words
A light detector that provides a response signal based on the intensity of light incident from any direction within a predetermined sector, comprising: a base having a surface formed of a diffusely reflective material that defines a reflective region that faces the predetermined sector; a mask spaced a predetermined distance from the reflective region and located between the base and the predetermined sector such that, when light is incident at an angle normal to the base's surface, the mask occludes a portion of the reflective region; a sensor, responsive to incident light, that generates the response signal based on the intensity of light that it receives and that is located to intercept light reflections from the base surface, wherein the base, mask and sensor are configured such that the light detector is substantially uniformly responsive to light from any direction within the predetermined sector, wherein the reflective region further includes a hemispherical cavity and the reflective region is defined by the cavity's aperture, and wherein the mask is a circular disk having at least one flat surface and an axis through the flat surface's center that is aligned with an axis through the center of the hemispherical cavity such that the disk's flat surface is parallel with the cavity's aperture, and wherein the diameter of the disk is about 90% of the diameter of the hemispherical cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A light detector as defined in claim 3, wherein the mask is spaced away from the aperture at a distance that is about 10% to 15% of the diameter of the hemispherical cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
234 words
A light detector that provides a response signal based on the intensity of light incident from any direction within a predetermined sector, comprising: a base having a surface formed of a diffusely reflective material that defines a reflective region that faces the predetermined sector; a mask spaced a predetermined distance from the reflective region and located between the base and the predetermined sector such that, when light is incident at an angle normal to the base's surface, the mask occludes a portion of the reflective region; a sensor, responsive to incident light, that generates the response signal based on the intensity of light that it receives and that is located to intercept light reflections from the base surface, wherein the base, mask and sensor are configured such that the light detector is substantially uniformly responsive to light from any direction within the predetermined sector, wherein the reflective region further includes a hemispherical cavity and the reflective region is defined by the cavity's aperture, and wherein the mask is a circular disk having at least one flat surface and an axis through the flat surface's center that is aligned with an axis through the center of the hemispherical cavity such that the disk's flat surface is parallel with the cavity's aperture, and further wherein the sensor is a photodiode located between the mask and the reflective region, and its response signal is an electrical signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
234 words
A light detector that provides a response signal based on the intensity of light incident from any direction within a predetermined sector, comprising: a base having a surface formed of a diffusely reflective material that defines a reflective region that faces the predetermined sector; a mask spaced a predetermined distance from the reflective region and located between the base and the predetermined sector such that, when light is incident at an angle normal to the base's surface, the mask occludes a portion of the reflective region; a sensor, responsive to incident light, that generates the response signal based on the intensity of light that it receives and that is located to intercept light reflections from the base surface, wherein the base, mask and sensor are configured such that the light detector is substantially uniformly responsive to light from any direction within the predetermined sector, wherein the reflective region further includes a hemispherical cavity and the reflective region is defined by the cavity's aperture, and wherein the mask is a circular disk having at least one flat surface and an axis through the flat surface's center that is aligned with an axis through the center of the hemispherical cavity such that the disk's flat surface is parallel with the cavity's aperture, and further wherein the sensor is a photodiode located between the mask and the reflective region, and its response signal is an electrical signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A light detector as defined in claim 5, wherein the photodiode is attached to the disk's flat surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A light detector as defined in claim 6, further comprising a deflector that directs light incident from a direction nearly parallel with the aperture toward the aperture.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
A light detector as defined in claim 7, wherein the light deflector is an orthogonal pair of baffles that are oriented to diffusely reflect light incident from a direction nearly parallel with the aperture toward the aperture and the photodiode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
A light detector as defined in claim 8, wherein the disk has a thickness that is about 10% of the diameter of the hemispherical cavity and the disk's edge is beveled and reflective so that is directs light incident from a direction nearly parallel with the aperture toward the aperture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A light detector as defined in claim 1, further comprising a deflector that reflectively directs light incident from a direction nearly parallel with the aperture toward the reflective region.
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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) | 2001-06-29 | 2001-12-29 | 2002-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-29 | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-12-29 | 2010-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |