公开(公告)号：EP0876583A4

公开(公告)日：2000-01-19

申请号：EP97903061

申请日：1997-01-22

Applicant: ADVANCED OPTICAL TECH INC

Inventor： RAMER DAVID P ,  WATSON HAROLD E ,  RITTER MICHAEL P ,  EPLING BOBBY L ,  SCHMITT MARK G ,  RAINS JACK C JR

IPC: G01B11/00 ,  G01J1/04 ,  G01J1/06 ,  G01J1/42 ,  G01J5/08 ,  G01S5/16 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S17/42 ,  G01S17/66 ,  G01C21/00

CPC classification number: G01S7/4816 ,  G01J1/0271 ,  G01J1/04 ,  G01J1/0437 ,  G01J1/0474 ,  G01J1/06 ,  G01J1/4228 ,  G01J5/08 ,  G01J2001/0481 ,  G01S5/16 ,  G01S5/163 ,  G01S17/42 ,  G01S17/66

Abstract: An optical position tracking system that tracks the position of objects, using light intensity and/or frequency with the application of geometry and ratios of detector responses, is provided, having light distributing and light detecting components (59) that employ the concepts of constructive occlusion and diffuse reflection. Diffusely reflective cavities (16), masks (M) and baffles (51) are used to improve certain radiating characteristics of the distributing components (59) and certain response characteristics of the detecting components (59), to tailor the radiation and detection profiles thereof, including them substantially uniform for all angles within a hemispheric area which the distributing and detecting components (59) face. The distributing and/or detecting components (59) are partitioned with specially configured baffles (51). A partitioned distributor has distinct emission sections where the sections can emit spectrally-different or distinguishable radiation. A partitioned detector has distinct detection sections where the sections can detect radiation from different directions.