Proximity device

A method for determining a relative angular displacement from a signal energy source which utilizes the propagation speed of the signal energy, comprising the steps of:

• receiving signal energy radiated from the energy source at any of a plurality of energy sensors;
• providing the received signal energy to each of a plurality of channels electrically connected to at least one of the energy sensors;
• detecting the receipt of signal energy within each channel and generating at least one detection signal therefrom;
• comparing the magnitude of each detection signal with a predetermined value and generating a level signal therefrom, the level signal indicating that the received signal energy is recognized for processing;
• generating a timing signal for each channel in accordance with each level signal;
• delaying each timing signal and generating a time delay signal therefrom, the time delay signal defining a focal scanning range of operation in terms of an angular displacement from the energy source relative to a normal extending from a midpoint of a straight line connecting the energy sensors;
• comparing timing signals generated within each channel and generating a time difference signal therefrom, the time difference signal used to determine the angular displacement from the energy source if the source is within the focal scanning range of the proximity device;
• comparing the timing and time delay signals and generating an alignment signal therefrom if the comparison determines that a first channel has received signal energy and a second channel not first receiving signal energy does not receive signal energy before the time delay associated with the first channel runs;
• delegating control of the second channel to the first channel in accordance with the alignment signal;
• generating a time delay limiter signal if the second channel receives signal energy before the time delay associated with the first channel runs;
• transferring the time delay limiter signal to each time delay section to redefine the time delays;
• generating at least one displacement signal for communicating the relative angular displacement in accordance with the comparing;
• generating a positional signal based on the position of the signal energy source relative to the device;
• and
• outputting the alignment, positional and displacement signals.

A receiver for determining a distance to and angular displacement from a source of an energy signal, comprising:

• at least two energy sensors;
• a first and a second channel section, the first and second channel sections each comprising a detector section electrically connected to one energy sensor for detecting a signal radiated from the energy signal source, a comparison and timer section coupled to the detector section for comparing and determining the timing of the energy signal within the first and second channel, and a delay section coupled to the comparison and timer section to delay processing the energy signal for a predetermined time delay, wherein each of the first and second channels receives and processes the energy signal and the channel which received the energy signal first controls the operation of the other channel;
• means for controlling the first and second channels whereby a relative distance to and an angular displacement from the signal energy source is determined;
• and
• means for outputting at least one signal for communicating the relative distance and the angular displacement.

A proximity device for determining a relative angular displacement from a remote energy source in accordance with a speed of propagation of signal energy radiated by the source, comprising:

• a plurality of energy sensors for receiving the signal energy;
• a receiver including at least a first and a second channel electrically connected to at least one of the energy sensors, each channel comprising:
• (A) a channel detector for detecting and amplifying signal energy received at the channel and generating a detection signal therefrom,
• (B) a level comparator electrically connected to the channel detector for comparing the magnitude of the detection signal associated with each channel to a predetermined value, and generating a level signal to indicate whether the signal energy received will be recognized for processing;
• (C) a timer section responsive to the level signal for generating a timing signal if the level signal indicates recognition;
• and
• (D) at least one time delay section electrically connected to the timer section and responsive to a time delay limiter signal for delaying each timing signal and generating a time delay signal to define a focal scanning range for the device, the focal scanning range utilized in determining an angular displacement from the energy source relative to a normal extending from a midpoint of a straight line connecting the energy sensors;
• a channel controller electrically connected to each channel, the channel controller comprising:
• (1) a time comparator for comparing each timing signal and generating a time difference signal, the time difference signal used to determine the relative angular displacement to the remote energy source if the remote source is within the focal scanning range of the device, comparing the timing and time delay signals and generating an alignment signal to direct a first channel receiving signal energy to control operation of a second channel not receiving signal energy first if the comparison determines that the second channel does not receive the signal energy before the time delay associated with the first channel runs, the time comparator also including a first counter;
• (2) a time delay limiter to generate a time delay limiter signal based on the time difference signal to redefine the time delay within each time delay section thereby manipulating the focal scanning range, the time delay limiter signal generated if the second channel receives signal energy before the time delay associated with the first channel receiving signal energy runs;
• (3) a position detector for detecting a position of the signal energy source in accordance with the focal scanning range and generating a positional signal therefrom;
• and
• (4) an angular determiner for determining the angular displacement of the signal energy source if the source lies within the focal scanning range and generating a displacement signal therefrom;
• and
• communication means responsive to said alignment, positional and displacement signals for outputting the same.