Patent ID: 7154112

Claim:
Measurement sensor comprising a PSD ( 30 ) as an optoelectronic receiver, said PSD generating output signals (I 1 , I 2 ); a transmitter ( 10 , 12 ) for generating spots ( 22 , 26 ), optics ( 14 , 32 ) for reproducing said spots ( 22 ′, 26 ′) on said PSD ( 30 ) and means ( 44 , 46 , 48 , 50 , 52 ) for processing output signals (I 1 , I 2 ) generated by said PSD ( 30 ) and for controlling the said transmitter ( 10 , 12 ) depending on said processed output signals (I 1 , I 2 ) in order to measure the distance between a target ( 24 ) and said sensor by a triangulation technique, characterized in that said transmitter comprises at least two optoelectronic signal sources ( 10 , 12 ) for projecting at least two spots ( 22 , 26 ) independent from each other on a target ( 24 ), said means ( 44 , 46 , 48 , 50 , 52 ) comprising a digitally controlled potentiometer ( 48 ) for balancing the output signals (I 1 , I 2 ) and a digital processor ( 52 ) adapted for controlling the potentiometer ( 48 ).