Two-dimensional position sensing systems and sensors therefor

摘要

Two dimensional position sensing system and sensors for use in such systems are disclosed. The sensors incorporate linear array sensors having sensor elements and an aperture plate. Some embodiments include a radiation source that directs radiation onto some of the sensor elements. Other embodiments including radiation blocking objects that block radiation from reaching some of sensor elements. The direction or position of the radiation source or radiation blocking object may be estimated from the radiation incident on the sensor elements.

主权项

1. A method of estimating the position of a radiation source relative to a sensing region, the method comprising:
positioning a first position sensor in a first position relative to the sensing region, wherein the first position sensor comprises:
a first linear array sensor having a plurality of first sensor elements, the first sensor elements facing the sensing region;a first aperture plate positioned between the first linear array sensor and the sensing region to block radiation from the sensing region from reaching the first linear array sensor;a first aperture formed in the first aperture plate to allow radiation from the radiation source to reach at least one of the first sensor elements; positioning a second position sensor in a second position relative to the plane, wherein the first and second position sensors are separated by a distance, wherein the second position sensor comprises:
a second linear array sensor having a plurality of second sensor elements, the second sensor elements facing the sensing region;a second aperture plate positioned between the second linear array sensor and the sensing region to block radiation from the sensing region from reaching the second linear array sensor;a second aperture formed in the second aperture plate to allow radiation from the radiation source to reach at least one of the second sensor elements; receiving a first radiation intensity signal from the first linear array sensor, wherein the first intensity signal includes intensity value corresponding to radiation incident on the first sensor elements through the first aperture; determining a first ray relative to first position sensor based on the first intensity signal; receiving a second radiation intensity signal from the second linear array sensor, wherein the second intensity signal includes intensity value corresponding to radiation incident on the second sensor elements through the second aperture; determining a second ray relative to the second position sensor based on the second intensity signal; selecting a first center sensor element from the plurality of first sensor elements; selecting a second center sensor element from the plurality of second sensor elements; determining the first ray based on the first center sensor element determining the second ray based on the second center sensor element; and estimating the position of the radiation source to be at the intersection of the first and second rays.