초록 ▼

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 that employ the concepts of constructive occlusion

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 that employ the concepts of constructive occlusion and diffuse reflection. Diffusely reflective cavities, masks and baffles are used to improve certain radiating characteristics of the distributing components and certain response characteristics of the detecting components, 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 face. The distributing and/or detecting components are partitioned with specially-configured baffles. 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. The system may be variously configured, to use different combinations of partitioned and nonpartitioned devices. In most configurations, a single head module provides one set of directional data about two coordinates (e.g., .rho. and .THETA.) for one reflector. An additional head module remotely positioned from the first head module can provide a second set of directional data for the reflector (e.g., .rho..sub.2 and .THETA..sub.2), for cross-referencing with the first set of directional data to obtain positional data in three dimensions of the object being tracked.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A light emitting system, comprising:an emitter surface facing an area to be illuminated;a mask positioned a predetermined distance from said emitter surface and between the emitter surface and the area to be illuminated, whereby the mask constructively occludes a substantial portio

[ We claim:] [1.] A light emitting system, comprising:an emitter surface facing an area to be illuminated;a mask positioned a predetermined distance from said emitter surface and between the emitter surface and the area to be illuminated, whereby the mask constructively occludes a substantial portion of the emitter surface with respect to the area to be illuminated;a baffle positioned in a region between said mask and said emitter surface, said baffle dividing said region into sections; anda plurality of emitters, each emitter being coupled to emit light into a distinct one of the sections.