Multiple gap photo-electric sensor using light pipes
Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000
United States of America Patent
Stats
-
Jul 10, 2001
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Apr 26, 1999
filing date -
Apr 27, 1998
priority date (Note) -
Expired
status (Latency Note)
Importance
Abstract
An optical sensor for detecting a document moving along a document path. The invention provides at least two light paths across the document path, so that the document breaks at least one of the light paths as it moves along the document path, and this broken light path indicates the presence of the document. In an exemplary embodiment, the optical sensor comprises a photo-emitter that emits light across the document path to provide the first light path. A first reflector is optically coupled to the photo-emitter, and receives and reflects the light emitted by the photo-emitter. At least a second reflector is optically coupled to the first reflector to receive the light from the first reflector and to reflect that light across the document path to provide the second data path. A photo-detector is disposed across the light path from the second reflector and is optically coupled to the second reflector. The photo-detector is operable to detect the presence of the document by detecting when the document has broken at least one of the light paths.
First Claim
Family
International Classification(s)
Cited Art Landscape
Patent Citation Ranking
Recipient Email Address
Recipient Email Address
Comment
Recipient Email Address
Add to Portfolio(s)
To add this patent to one, or more, of your portfolios, simply click the add button.
This Patent is in these Portfolios:
Add to additional portfolios:
Last Refreshed On:
Changes done successfully