Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Position Sensing Systems and Sensors Therefor
AssigneeBaanto International Ltd.
InventorsAvanindra Utukuri, Jonathan Clarke, Stephen McFadyen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Two and three dimensional position sensing systems and sensors for use in such systems are disclosed. The sensors incorporate linear array sensors and an aperture plate to block light or other radiation from reaching most elements of the sensors. A direction of a radiation source relative is determined based on illuminated sensor elements in each sensor. The sensors are combined in systems to allow the position of a radiation source to be estimated.
Claims16
A method of estimating the direction of a radiation source positioned in a sensing region, the method comprising:
- providing a two-dimensional radiation sensor, the radiation sensor comprising:
- a first linear array sensor having a plurality of first sensor elements arranged linearly, the first sensor elements facing a sensing region;
- a second linear array sensor having a plurality of second sensor elements arranged linearly, the second sensor elements facing the sensing region;
- an aperture plate positioned between the linear array sensor and the sensing region to block radiation from the sensing region from reaching the linear array sensor;
- a first aperture formed in the aperture plate to allow radiation from the sensing region to reach some of the first sensor elements;
- and
- a second aperture formed in the aperture plate to allow radiation from the sensing region to reach some of the second sensor elements;
- receiving a first intensity signal from the first linear array sensor, wherein the first intensity signal includes first intensity values corresponding to radiation incident on the first sensor elements through the first aperture;
- receiving a second intensity signal from the second linear array sensor, wherein the second intensity signal includes second intensity values corresponding to radiation incident on the second sensor elements through the second aperture;
- and
- determining the direction based on the first and second intensity signals.
-16. (canceled)
A two-dimensional sensor comprising:
- a first linear array sensor having a plurality of first sensor elements arranged linearly, the first sensor elements facing a sensing region;
- a second linear array sensor having a plurality of second sensor elements arranged linearly, the second sensor elements facing the sensing region;
- an aperture plate positioned between the linear array sensor and the sensing region to block radiation from the sensing region from reaching the linear array sensor;
- a first aperture formed in the aperture plate to allow radiation from the sensing region to reach some of the first sensor elements;
- and
- a second aperture formed in the aperture plate to allow radiation from the sensing region to reach some of the second sensor elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.