Patent ID: 8368873

Claim:
A proximity to a target detection system, comprising: a laser transmitter for transmitting a beam of radiation at a predetermined wavelength range, the laser transmitter being configured and operable for transmitting the beam towards a target from which the proximity is to be determined, and for applying a predetermined beam shaping to the beam being transmitted for thereby forming on said target an illumination with a predetermined spot like shape having a predetermined diameter to cause a reflected beam of radiation from the target to be indicative of said shape; and a body having an opening for admitting the reflected beam from said target, said body housing a receiver configured for receiving the reflected beam from the target and directing the reflected beam towards at least one detector in the body, said receiver being configured to allow the reflected beam to enter at a predetermined angle; said diameter and said angle are configured to obtain a desired variation of an intensity of said reflected beam with respect to a range between said body and said target; and said detector including a detection logic circuit allowing detection of the reflected beam, determining the intensity of the reflected beam and producing an output signal indicative of the range from said body to said target based on said intensity.