# US 6,297,498 B1 · Modular articulated light curtain > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,297,498 B1 - Document ID: US6297498B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/523,406 - Filed: 2000-03-10 - Granted: 2001-10-02 - Earliest claimed: 1999-03-11 - Assignees: Scientific Technologies Incorporated - Inventors: Boris Shteynberg; James A. Ashford - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6297498B1 ## CPC - G01V 8/20: using multiple transmitters or receivers - G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02) ## Abstract A modular articulated light curtain is formed by combining straight, curved, or angled modules with straight or angled couplers. Modules include an array of pitched light emitters or light detectors, and have rounded distal ends that mate, mechanically and electrically, with each other or with a coupler. Interconnection of adjacent modules is such that a constant pitch of light emitters or light detectors is maintained. The light curtain comprises an assembly of interconnected light emitting modules spaced-apart from interconnected light detecting modules. One end of each assembly is terminated, while the other assembly end has a cable end module that may include at least one light emitter or detector, and may include a visual indicator, and provides input/output electrical interface to the light curtain. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A light system for a modular articulated light curtain, comprising: a first module having a first rounded distal end, a second rounded distal end, and a length therebetween, and including on a surface of said first module an array of light units spaced-apart from each other with a pitch P1, said light units being selected from a group consisting of (a) light emitters, and (b) light detectors; said first distal end including a first electrical connector providing first connections, said second distal end including a second electrical connector providing second connections, and further including at least one lead electrically coupling at least some said first connections on said first electrical connector to said light units to at least some said second connections on said second electrical connector; and means for coupling electrical signals to and from at least said first electrical connector. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The light system of claim 1, wherein said first module has a shape selected from a group consisting of (a) straight, (b) curved, and (c) angled. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The light system of claim 1, further including: a coupler having a first distal end that defines a rounded cavity sized to receive at least a portion of said first rounded distal end of said first module, said coupler further including a first electrical connector sized to mate with said first electrical connector on said first module. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The light system of claim 3, wherein said coupler has a shape selected from a group consisting of (a) straight, and (b) angled. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The light system of claim 3, further including a second said module; wherein: said coupler has a second distal end defining a rounded cavity sized to receive at least a portion of said first rounded distal end of said second module, said coupler further including a second electrical connector sized to mate with a first electrical connector of said second module; and said pitch P1 is maintained between a distal-most located light unit on said first module and an adjacent-most distal-most located light unit on said second module. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The light system of claim 5, further including a second said light system; wherein: light units in said first light system are light emitters, and light units in said second light system are light detectors; said second light system being spaced-apart from said first light system such that light emitted by at least one light emitter in said first light system is detectable, absent an intruding object, by a light detector in said second light system. ### Claim 7 A light curtain coupleable to electronics providing operating power and drive signals and providing analysis of signals output by the light curtain, the light curtain comprising: a light emitting system defining a locus; said light emitting system including: a first module having a first rounded distal end, a second rounded distal end, and a length therebetween, and including on a surface of said first module an array of light emitters spaced-apart from each other with a pitch P1; said first distal end including a first electrical connector providing first connections, said second distal end including a second electrical connector providing second connections, and further including at least one lead electrically coupling at least some said first connections on said first electrical connector to said light units to at least some said second connections on said second electrical connector; a second module having a first rounded distal end, a second rounded distal end, and a length therebetween, and including on a surface of said second module an array of light emitters spaced-apart from each other with a pitch P1; said first distal end including a first electrical connector providing first connections, said second distal end including a second electrical connector providing second connections, and further including at least one lead electrically coupling at least some said first connections on said first electrical connector to said light emitters to at least some said second connections on said second electrical connector; a coupler disposed to receive and retain said first rounded distal end of said first module and said first rounded distal end of said second module, said coupler including a first electrical connector to make electrical connection with said first electrical connector on said first module, and including a second electrical connector to make electrical connection with said first electrical connector on said second module, said coupler maintaining said pitch P1 between adjacent ends of said first and second module; a light detecting system, spaced-apart from said light emitting system, also defining said locus; and means for coupling electrical signals to and from said light emitting system and said light detecting system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The light curtain of claim 7, wherein said first module is selected from a group consisting of (a) a straight module, (b) a curved module, and (c) an angled module. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The light curtain of claim 7, wherein said coupler is selected from a group consisting of (a) a straight coupler, and (b) an angled coupler. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The light curtain of claim 7, further including a third module having a first rounded distal end having curved radius R, a second rounded distal end having curved radius R, and a length L therebetween; a plurality equal to a number n of light units disposed on a first surface of said third module a common distance P1 apart from each other, said light units selected from a group consisting of (a) light emitters, and (b) light detectors; said first surface of said third module at said first rounded distal end defining a curved ledge with radius R≦P1/2 overhanging an edge of a second surface of said third module, said second surface of said third module defining a base having radius R≦P1/2 extending beyond a second rounded distal end of said first surface; a first electrical connector, providing first connections, disposed beneath said curved ledge at said first rounded distal end; a second electrical connector, providing second connections, disposed on said base extending from said second surface; and means for electrically coupling at least some said first connections on said first electrical connector to said light units to at least some said second connections on said second electrical connector. ### Claim 11 A modular coupler for use in implementing a modular articulated light curtain, comprising: a module having a first rounded distal end having curved radius R, a second rounded distal end having curved radius R, and a length L therebetween; a plurality equal to a number n of light units disposed on a first surface of said module a common distance P1 apart from each other, said light units selected from a group consisting of (a) light emitters, and (b) light detectors; said first surface of said module at said first rounded distal end defining a curved ledge with radius R≦P1/2 overhanging an edge of a second surface of said module, said second surface of said module defining a base having radius R≦P1/2 extending beyond a second rounded distal end of said first surface; a first electrical connector, providing first connections, disposed beneath said curved ledge at said first rounded distal end; a second electrical connector, providing second connections, disposed on said base extending from said second surface; and means for electrically coupling at least some said first connections on said first electrical connector to said light units to at least some said second connections on said second electrical connector. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The modular coupler of claim 11, wherein said length L=nP1+2R. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The modular coupler of claim 11, wherein distance from a center of one of said first electrical connector and said second electrical connector to center of a distal-most disposed light unit is P1. ### Claim 14 A modular articulated light curtain coupleable to electronics providing operating power and drive signals and providing analysis of signals output by the light curtain, comprising: a light emitting system defining a locus; said light emitting system including: first and second modules each having a first rounded distal end having curved radius R, a second rounded distal end having curved radius R, and a length L therebetween; a plurality equal to a number n of light emitters disposed on a first surface of each said module a common distance P1 apart from each other; said first surface of each said module at said first rounded distal end defining a curved ledge with radius R≦P1/2 overhanging an edge of a second surface of said module, said second surface of said module defining a base having radius R≦P1/2 extending beyond a second rounded distal end of said first surface; a first electrical connector, providing first connections, disposed beneath said curved ledge at said first rounded distal end; second electrical connector, providing second connections, disposed on said base extending from said second surface; each of said first and second modules including electrical connection between the first and second connectors on a module and including electrical connection to said light emitters; wherein a distal end of each of said modules is connectable-together using mating said electrical connectors to maintain said distance P1 from module to module, while allowing a desired angle between connected-together said modules to be achieved; a light detecting system, spaced-apart from said light emitting system, also defining said locus; and means for coupling electrical signals to and from said light emitting system and said light detecting system. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The light curtain of claim 14, wherein length L of said first module is L=nP1+2R. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The light curtain of claim 14, wherein said light detecting system includes a plurality of modules identical to the first and second modules except that light detectors are substituted for light emitters. ### Claim 17 A method for implementing an articulatable modular light curtain, comprising the following steps: (a) providing at least first and second modules each containing an array of light units spaced-apart from each other a pitch distance P1; and (b) coupling a distal end of the first module to a distal end of the second module so as to maintain said pitch distance P1, said coupling also maintaining electrical connectivity through said modules and said light units. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein step (a) includes providing a first module selected from a group consisting of (i) a straight module, (ii) a curved module, and (iii) an angled module. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein step (a) includes providing said modules with matingly attachable electrical connectors that permit electrical and mechanical interconnection with a member selected from a group consisting of (i) a module, (ii) a coupler, (iii) an end terminator, (iv) a cable end module, and (v) a cable end module containing at least one light unit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein step (b) is carried out automatically by interconnecting said modules with said member.