US5805275A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scanning optical rangefinder
Assignee: Kollmorgen Corp
•
Filing: 1995-09-29
•
Granted: 1998-09-08
•
Expires: 2015-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A scanning optical rangefinder including an optical scanner and a light source. The optical scanner includes a rotating scan disc with a circular array of concave reflectors thereon. Mirrors are provided for directing light from the light source towards the concave reflectors on the rotating scan disc and then to direct light from the concave reflectors on the scan disc towards a target. Light received from the target is directed towards the concave reflectors on the scan disc by mirrors along a plurality of channels. A detector adapted to receive light reflected from the concave reflectors is provided for each channel, along with error correction for parallax data from the detector. The light is directed towards the target along a channel laterally displaced from a channel for light received from the target.
Inventors
- 👤 William H. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 03:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K19/00; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/48; G01S7/481; G01S7/4811; G01S17/00; G01S17/02; G01S17/06; G01S17/42; G01S17/46; G01S17/48; G01S17/88; G01S17/89; G01S17/93; G01S17/931; G01S7/4817; G01S7/497; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/08; G02B26/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 80
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A scanning rangefinder, comprising: a radiation source; a scanning element; means for directing radiation from said radiation source towards said scanning element; means for directing radiation reflected from said scanning element towards a target; means for directing radiation from said target towards said scanning element along a plurality of channels; a detector adapted to receive radiation reflected from said scanning element along each of said channels; and means for error correction for parallax data from said detector; wherein radiation is directed along a channel laterally displaced from a channel receiving radiation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A scanning rangefinder, comprising: a radiation source; a scanning element; means for directing radiation from said radiation source towards said scanning element; means for directing radiation reflected from said scanning element towards a target; means for directing radiation from said target towards said scanning element along a plurality of channels; a detector adapted to receive radiation reflected from said scanning element along each of said channels; and means for error correction for parallax data from said detector; wherein radiation is directed along a channel laterally displaced from a channel receiving radiation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, wherein said scanning element is a CVROS scanner.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, wherein said scanning element is a polygon scanner.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, wherein said scanning element is a plurality of oscillating mirrors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, further comprising means for vertically scanning a field of view.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 5, wherein said means for vertically scanning further comprises at least one rotatable mirror.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 5, wherein said means for vertically scanning further comprises means for translating a housing of the scanning rangefinder.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, wherein said radiation source is a laser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 8, wherein said laser is a GaAlAs laser diode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, wherein said radiation source illuminates each pixel in a field of view.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, wherein the scanning rangefinder has at least two optical levels.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, wherein said means for directing radiation from said target directs radiation along two channels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 12, wherein radiation directed from said radiation source to said target travels along one of the same channels as radiation directed from said target to said detector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, wherein said detector adapted to receive radiation reflected from said scanning element along each of said channels further comprises a single element detector and a detector array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, wherein said means for directing radiation from said radiation source further comprises at least one mirror.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, wherein said means for directing radiation reflected from said scanning element further comprises at least one mirror.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, wherein said means for directing radiation from said target further comprises at least one mirror.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A scanning rangefinder according to any one of claims 15, 16 or 17, wherein said at least one mirror is integrally formed with a housing of the scanning rangefinder.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, further comprising a signal processor for determining target range and lateral position from a signal from said detector.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
22 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 19, further comprising a signal processor for determining target reflectivity from a signal from said detector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 19, further comprising a signal processor for target imaging.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, further comprising a signal processor for establishing a signal threshold for signals from said detector and for rejection of extraneous signals from said detector.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A scanning rangefinder according to claim 1, further comprising a signal processor for centroid location on said detector.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
104 words
An optical scanner, comprising: a light source; a rotating scan disc including a circular array of scanning element on a planar surface thereof; means for directing light from said light source towards said scanning element; means for directing light reflected from said scanning element towards a target; means for directing light from said target towards said scanning element along a plurality of channels; a detector adapted to receive light reflected from said scanning element along each of said channels; and means for error correction for parallax data from said detector; wherein radiation is directed along a channel laterally displaced from a channel receiving radiation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
104 words
An optical scanner, comprising: a light source; a rotating scan disc including a circular array of scanning element on a planar surface thereof; means for directing light from said light source towards said scanning element; means for directing light reflected from said scanning element towards a target; means for directing light from said target towards said scanning element along a plurality of channels; a detector adapted to receive light reflected from said scanning element along each of said channels; and means for error correction for parallax data from said detector; wherein radiation is directed along a channel laterally displaced from a channel receiving radiation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical scanner according to claim 24, further comprising means for vertically scanning a field of view.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical scanner according to claim 25, wherein said means for vertically scanning further comprises at least one rotatable mirror.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical scanner according to claim 25, wherein said means for vertically scanning further comprises means for translating a housing of the optical scanner.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
An optical scanner according to claim 24, wherein said light source is a laser.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical scanner according to claim 28, wherein said laser is a GaAlAs laser diode.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical scanner according to claim 24, wherein said light source illuminates each pixel in a field of view.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
An optical scanner according to claim 24, wherein the optical scanner has at least two optical levels.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical scanner according to claim 24, wherein said means for directing light from said target directs light along two channels.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
An optical scanner according to claim 32, wherein light directed from said light source to said target travels along one of the same channels as light directed from said target to said detector.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical scanner according to claim 24, wherein said detector adapted to receive light reflected from said scanning element along each of said channels further comprises a single element detector and a detector array.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
An optical scanner according to claim 24, wherein said means for directing light from said light source further comprises at least one mirror.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
An optical scanner according to claim 24, wherein said means for directing light reflected from said scanning element further comprises at least one mirror.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical scanner according to claim 24, wherein said means for directing light from said target further comprises at least one mirror.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
An optical scanner according to any one of claims 35, 36 or 37, wherein said at least one mirror is integrally formed with a housing of the optical scanner.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical scanner according to claim 24, further comprising a signal processor for determining target range and lateral position from a signal from said detector.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical scanner according to claim 39, further comprising a signal processor for determining target reflectivity from a signal from said detector.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical scanner according to claim 39, further comprising a signal processor for target imaging.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical scanner according to claim 20, further comprising a signal processor for establishing a signal threshold for signals from said detector and for rejection of extraneous signals from said detector.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical scanner according to claim 24, further comprising a signal processor for centroid location on said detector.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
148 words
A collision avoidance system, comprising: light source; a rotating scan disc including a circular array of scanning element on a planar surface thereof; means for directing radiation from said radiation source towards said scanning element; means for directing radiation reflected from said scanning element towards a target; means for directing radiation from said target towards said scanning element along a plurality of channels; a detector adapted to receive radiation reflected from said scanning element along each of said channels; and means for error correction for parallax data from said detector; wherein said light source, said rotating scan disc, said means for directing light from said light source, said means for directing light reflected from said concave reflectors, said means for directing light from said target and said detector are mounted in a vehicle; and wherein radiation is directed along a channel laterally displaced from a channel receiving radiation.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
148 words
A collision avoidance system, comprising: light source; a rotating scan disc including a circular array of scanning element on a planar surface thereof; means for directing radiation from said radiation source towards said scanning element; means for directing radiation reflected from said scanning element towards a target; means for directing radiation from said target towards said scanning element along a plurality of channels; a detector adapted to receive radiation reflected from said scanning element along each of said channels; and means for error correction for parallax data from said detector; wherein said light source, said rotating scan disc, said means for directing light from said light source, said means for directing light reflected from said concave reflectors, said means for directing light from said target and said detector are mounted in a vehicle; and wherein radiation is directed along a channel laterally displaced from a channel receiving radiation.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
18 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 44, further comprising means for vertically scanning a field of view.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 45, wherein said means for vertically scanning further comprises at least one rotatable mirror.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 45, wherein said means for vertically scanning further comprises means for translating a housing of the collision avoidance system.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
15 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 44, wherein said light source is a laser.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
16 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 48, wherein said laser is a GaAlAs laser diode.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 44, wherein the collision avoidance system has at least two optical levels.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
22 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 44, wherein said means for directing light from said target directs light along two channels.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 51, wherein light directed from said light source to said target travels along one of the same channels as light directed from said target to said detector.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
35 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 44, wherein said detector adapted to receive light reflected from said scanning element along each of said channels further comprises a single element detector and a detector array.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
24 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 44, wherein said means for directing light from said light source further comprises at least one mirror.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 44, wherein said means for directing light reflected from said scanning element further comprises at least one mirror.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
23 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 44, wherein said means for directing light from said target further comprise at least one mirror.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
31 words
A collision avoidance system according to any one of claims 54, 55 or 56, wherein said at least one mirror is integrally formed with a housing of the collision avoidance system.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
26 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 44, further comprising a signal processor for determining target range and lateral position from a signal from said detector.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
24 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 58, further comprising a signal processor means for determining target reflectivity from a signal from said detector.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
16 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 58, further comprising a signal processor for target imaging.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
32 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 44, further comprising a signal processor for establishing a signal threshold for signals from said detector and for rejection of extraneous signals from said detector.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
19 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 44, further comprising a signal processor for centroid location on said detector.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
28 words
A collision avoidance system according to any one of claims 59, 60, 61 or 62 wherein information from said detector is processed by a computer in said vehicle.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
34 words
A collision avoidance system according to claim 44, wherein said means for directing light towards a target and said means for directing light from said target are mounted on the centerline of said vehicle.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of optical scanning, comprising the steps of: directing light from a light source towards a concave reflector on a rotating scan disc; directing light reflected from said concave reflector towards a target; directing light from said target towards scanning element on said scan disc along a plurality of channels; detecting light reflected from said scanning element along each of said channels; and correcting errors in parallax data from detected light; wherein radiation is directed along a channel laterally displaced from a channel receiving radiation.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of optical scanning, comprising the steps of: directing light from a light source towards a concave reflector on a rotating scan disc; directing light reflected from said concave reflector towards a target; directing light from said target towards scanning element on said scan disc along a plurality of channels; detecting light reflected from said scanning element along each of said channels; and correcting errors in parallax data from detected light; wherein radiation is directed along a channel laterally displaced from a channel receiving radiation.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of optical scanning according to claim 65, further comprising the step of vertically scanning a field of view.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of optical scanning according to claim 65, further comprising the step of providing a laser as said light source.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of optical scanning according to claim 65, further comprising the step of directing light from said target along at least two optical levels.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of optical scanning according to claim 65, further comprising the step of directing light from said target along two channels.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of optical scanning according to claim 69, further comprising the step of directing light from said light source to said target and at least some light from said target along the same channel.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method optical scanning according to claim 65, further comprising the step of using mirrors integrally formed with a housing to direct light.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of optical scanning according to claim 65, further comprising the step of determining the range and lateral position of said target.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of optical scanning according to claim 72, further comprising the step of determining the reflectivity of said target.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of optical scanning according to claim 72, further comprising the step of imaging said target.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of optical scanning according to claim 65, further comprising the step of locating the centroid of light reflected from said target.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
33 words
The method of optical scanning according to any one of claims 72, 73, 74 or 75, further comprising the step of processing information from said detected light by a computer in a vehicle.
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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) | 2001-09-07 | 2002-03-09 | 2002-09-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-09-07 | 2006-03-09 | 2006-09-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-09-07 | 2010-03-09 | 2010-09-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |