Detector for determining a longitudinal coordinate of an object via an intensity distribution of illuminated pixels

#The present invention is based on previous European patent application number 13171901.5, the full content of which is herewith included by reference. The invention relates to a detector, a detector system and a method for determining a position of at least one object. The invention further relates to a human-machine interface for exchanging at least one item of information between a user and a machine, an entertainment device, a tracking system, a camera and various uses of the detector device. The devices, systems, methods and uses according to the present invention specifically may be employed for example in various areas of daily life, gaming, traffic technology, production technology, security technology, photography such as digital photography or video photography for arts, documentation or technical purposes, medical technology or in the sciences. However, other applications are also possible.

#A large number of optical sensors and photovoltaic devices are known from the prior art. While photovoltaic devices are generally used to convert electromagnetic radiation, for example, ultraviolet, visible or infrared light, into electrical signals or electrical energy, optical detectors are generally used for picking up image information and/or for detecting at least one optical parameter, for example, a brightness.

#A large number of optical sensors which can be based generally on the use of inorganic and/or organic sensor materials are known from the prior art. Examples of such sensors are disclosed in US 2007/0176165 A1, U.S. Pat. No. 6,995,445 B2, DE 2501124 A1, DE 3225372 A1 or else in numerous other prior art documents. To an increasing extent, in particular for cost reasons and for reasons of large-area processing, sensors comprising at least one organic sensor material are being used, as described for example in US 2007/0176165 A1. In particular, so-called dye solar cells are increasingly of importance here, which are described generally, for example in WO 2009/013282 A1.

#Further optional details and features of the invention are evident from the description of preferred exemplary embodiments which follows in conjunction with the dependent claims. In this context, the particular features may be implemented alone or with several in combination. The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are shown schematically in the figures. Identical reference numerals in the individual figures refer to identical elements or elements with identical function, or elements which correspond to one another with regard to their functions.

#Specifically, in the figures:

#FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a detector, a detector system, a human-machine interface, an entertainment device and a tracking system according to the present invention;

#FIG. 1 shows, in a highly schematic illustration, an exemplary embodiment of a detector 110, having a plurality of optical sensors 112. The detector 110 specifically may be embodied as a camera 111 or may be part of a camera 111. The camera 111 may be made for imaging, specifically for 3D imaging, and may be made for acquiring standstill images and/or image sequences such as digital video clips. Other embodiments are feasible. FIG. 1 further shows an embodiment of a detector system 114, which, besides the at least one detector 110, comprises one or more beacon devices 116, which, in this exemplary embodiment, are attached and/or integrated into an object 118, the position of which shall be detected by using the detector 110. FIG. 1 further shows an exemplary embodiment of a human-machine interface 120, which comprises the at least one detector system 114, and, further, an entertainment device 122, which comprises the human-machine interface 120. The figure further shows an embodiment of a tracking system 124 for tracking a position of the object 118, which comprises the detector system 114. The components of the devices and systems shall be explained in further detail in the following.

#The detector 110, besides the one or more optical sensors 112, comprises at least one evaluation device 126. The evaluation device 126 may be connected to the optical sensors 112 by one or more connectors 128 and/or one or more interfaces. Further, the connector 128 may comprise one or more drivers and/or one or more measurement devices for generating sensor signals, as will be explained with regard to FIGS. 2A and 2B below. Further, instead of using the at least one optional connector 128, the evaluation device 126 may fully or partially be integrated into the optical sensors 112 and/or into a housing 130 of the detector 110. Additionally or alternatively, the evaluation device 126 may fully or partially be designed as a separate device.

#In this exemplary embodiment, the object 118, the position of which may be detected, may be designed as an article of sports equipment and/or may form a control element 132, the position of which may be manipulated by a user 134. As an example, the object 118 may be or may comprise a bat, a record, a club or any other article of sports equipment and/or fake sports equipment. Other types of objects 118 are possible. Further, the user 134 himself or herself may be considered as the object 118, the position of which shall be detected.