Patent ID: 6201236
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
An electro-optical detection system for detecting objects within the boundaries of a monitored zone, comprisinga plurality of emitter and photodetector pairs, each comprising an emitter for emitting a beam of pulses of light energy into the monitored zone, and a photodetector for detecting light energy including light energy from each of the beam pulses that is reflected from an object within the monitored zone and for generating light detection signals, anda controller for operating the emitter and photodetector pair and for evaluating the light detection signals to discriminate between a valid signal, comprising light energy of a beam pulse which is reflected from an object within the monitored zone, and invalid signals comprising other light energy, and which produces an object detection signal, including programmable range adjustment means for each of the emitter and photodetector pairs which selectively adjusts the evaluation of the light detection signals to adjust the effective boundaries of the monitored zone.