Detection and display device
AssigneeSpectra-Physics, Inc.
InventorDuWain K. Ake
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device for detecting and displaying the relative position of a generally horizontal reference plane of light. even when partial shading of the device occures, includes a photodetector means having including first and second interdigitated photodetector elements positioned adjacent each other on the device. The first and second interdigitated photodetector element provide first and second detection signals, respectively. A circuit means, responsive to the photodetector means, for determines the relative levels of the first and second detection signals such that the position of the reference plane of light with respect to the detector device is determined. A display means, responsive to the circuit means, for provides an indication of the position of the referece plane of light with respect to the detector device.
Claims9
A device for detecting and displaying the relative position of a generally horizontal reference plane of light, even when partial shading of said device occurs, comprising:
- photodetector means, including first and second interdigitated photodetector elements positioned adjacent each other on said device, said first and second interdigitated photodetector elements providing first and second detection signals, respectively,
- circuit means, responsive to said photodetector means, for determining the relative levels of said first and second detection signals such that the position of said reference plane of light with respect to said detector device is determined, and
- display means, responsive to said circuit means, for providing an indication of the position of said reference plane of light with respect to said detector device.
A device for detecting the relative position of a reference plane of light, the operation of said device being unaffected by partial shading of said device, comprising:
- a first photodetector element including a plurality of sections arranged in a row which is generally perpendicular to said reference plane of light,
- a second photodetector element including a plurality of sections arranged along said row, each section of said second photodetector element being positioned between adjacent sections of said first photodetector element, and
- circuit means, responsive to said first and second photodetector elements, for determining the relative levels of said first and second detection signals such that the position of said reference plane of light with respect to said detector device is determined.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.