Optical reflection sensor

An optical reflection sensor comprising:

• a light emitter for emitting light towards a target object;
• a light receiver for receiving reflected light from said target object;
• and
• a signal processor for carrying out a specified measurement on the reflected light received by said light receiver, making a comparison between the result of said measurement and a specified threshold value and outputting a result of said comparison, said signal processor including:
• accuracy calculating means for calculating repeatability of measured values obtained by a plurality of said measurements;
• and
• setting means for setting a threshold width on the basis of the calculated repeatability.

An optical reflection sensor comprising:

• a light emitter for emitting light towards a target object;
• a light receiver for receiving reflected light from said target object;
• and
• a signal processor for carrying out a specified measurement on the reflected light received by said light receiver and outputting a result of said measurement;
• said signal processor including:
• an input device for setting a required accuracy level for the outputted result of said measurement;
• averaging means for carrying out an averaging process for averaging a specified number of measured values obtained from each cycle of said reflected light while varying said specified number;
• and
• accuracy calculating means for calculating repeatability of a plurality of the averaged measured values;
• said signal processor continuing said specified measurement at least until the calculated repeatability reaches said required accuracy level set through said input device.