Patent ID: 6492652
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: G01C,G01S,G01V

Abstract:
Opto-electronic sensor for distance measurement of for the distance-dependent identification of objects or for both, distance measurement and the distance dependent identification of objects, comprising:a transmission unit for the emission of light within a monitoring zone, the transmission unit comprising a light source; a receiving unit with at least one photo detector for receiving light impinging from the monitoring zone, wherein the transmission unit and the receiving unit are arranged with respect to one another in such a manner, that the direction of propagation of light, which is emitted from said light source of the transmission unit to an object within the monitoring zone, and the direction of propagation of light, which is thrown back from the object to the receiving unit encompass an angle, which is dependent on the distance (d) of the object to the distance sensor; a control and evaluation unit for the receiving unit, said control and evaluation unit comprising means for the sub-division of the photo-detector and the selection of at least two zones, from each of which an electric output signal (I1â€², I2â€²) is receivable, the means for the sub-division comprising tappings and switches, wherein said at least two zones being such that the information, which zone said light emitted from said single light source and then thrown back from the object impinges on, is indicative of said angle being dependent on the distance of said object to the distance sensor; and means for the amplification of said output signals (I1â€², I2â€²) in said control and evaluation unit, wherein the means for the amplification of the output signals (I1â€²) of at least one zone have a variable amplification factor (k), said amplification factor being independent of the amplification factors of other ones of said at least two zones, such that said means for the amplification of the output signals serve as interpolation means.