Patent ID: 7763875

Claim:
A method for sensing any of position, displacement, velocity, acceleration, area, and volume utilizing a memory, processing electronics, and at least one readhead having a radiation source, a lens, and a multi-pixel optical array transducer positioned to receive radiation emanating from the radiation source, the method comprising the steps of: positioning the at least one readhead proximate to an uncalibrated patterned surface; utilizing a controllable actuating element to effect automated initial relative movement between (i) the at least one readhead and (ii) the patterned surface along a predetermined path; using the optical array transducer to image multiple portions of the uncalibrated patterned surface and thereby acquire a plurality of position-dependent intensity data sets representative of the uncalibrated patterned surface; generating a mapping data set representative of an intensity map of the uncalibrated patterned surface correlated to position along the uncalibrated patterned surface, said mapping data set being distinct from any data set of the plurality of position-dependent intensity data sets; and utilizing said actuating element to effect automated subsequent relative movement between (i) the at least one readhead and (ii) the uncalibrated patterned surface along said predetermined path, wherein said subsequent relative movement is controlled utilizing said mapping data set.