Multiuse optical sensor

Abstract

One or more electromagnetic radiation sources, such as a light emitting diode, may emit electromagnetic waves into a volume of space. When an object enters the volume of space, the electromagnetic waves may reflect off the object and strike one or more position sensitive detectors after passing through an imaging optical system such as glass, plastic lens, or a pinhole located at known distances from the sources. Mixed signal electronics may process detected signals at the position sensitive detectors to calculate position information as well as total reflected light intensity, which may be used in medical and other applications. A transparent barrier may separate the sources and detectors from the objects entering the volume of space and reflecting emitted waves. Methods and devices are provided.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A device comprising:
 a source emitting electromagnetic radiation into a volume of space, the source modulated to reduce an effect of ambient radiation on the measurement;   a position sensitive detector measuring a position of the electromagnetic radiation reflected off an object in the volume of space; and   electronics to calculate a position of the object in the volume of space based on the position of the measured reflected radiation.   
     
     
         42 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the calculated position of the object updates as the object is moved. 
     
     
         43 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the electronics further calculates an intensity of the reflected radiation. 
     
     
         44 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the source and the detector are co-located on a two-dimensional plane. 
     
     
         45 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the source and the detector are co-located in a device. 
     
     
         46 . The device of  claim 41 , further comprising a transparent barrier between the object and the detector, wherein the reflected radiation travels through the barrier. 
     
     
         47 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the source and the detector are modulated in a time domain. 
     
     
         48 . The device of  claim 41 , wherein the source is modulated in a frequency domain. 
     
     
         49 . The device of  claim 46 , wherein the source is co-located with the detector on a same side of the barrier. 
     
     
         50 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the source is configured to emit radiation through the barrier. 
     
     
         51 . The device of  claim 50 , wherein the detector measures the position of the electromagnetic radiation reflected off an object when the object is touching a surface of the barrier and the electronics calculate movement of the object on the surface of the barrier. 
     
     
         52 . The device of  claim 50 , wherein the electronics are able to continuously calculate movement as the object moves between the volume of space and the barrier surface. 
     
     
         53 . A method comprising:
 emitting electromagnetic radiation from a source into a volume of space;   reflecting the emitted radiation off an object in the volume of space;   detecting a position of the reflected radiation at a position sensitive detector;   modulating the emission and detection of the radiation to reduce an effect of ambient radiation on the detection; and   calculating a position of the object in the volume of space from the detected position of reflected radiation.