Two-Dimensional and Three-Dimensional Position Sensing Systems and Sensors Therefor

Abstract

Two and three dimensional position sensing systems and sensors for use in such systems are disclosed. The sensors incorporate linear array sensors and an aperture plate to block light or other radiation from reaching most elements of the sensors. A direction of a radiation source relative is determined based on illuminated sensor elements in each sensor. The sensors are combined in systems to allow the position of a radiation source to be estimated.

1 .- 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method of estimating the position of a radiation source in a three-dimensional space, the method comprising:
 positioning a two-dimensional sensor in a first position relative to the three-dimensional space;   positioning a one-dimensional sensor in a second position relative to the three-dimensional space, wherein the first and second position sensors are separated by a distance;   determining a ray relative to two-dimensional sensor;   determining a plane relative to the one-dimensional position sensor; and   estimating the position of radiation source to be at the intersection of the plane and the ray.   
     
     
         11 . A method of estimating the position of a radiation source in a three-dimensional space, the method comprising:
 positioning a first one-dimensional sensor in a first position relative to the three-dimensional space;   positioning a second one-dimensional sensor in a second position relative to the three-dimensional space;   positioning a third one-dimensional sensor in a third position relative to the three-dimensional space;   determining a first plane relative to the first position sensor;   determining a second plane relative to the second position sensor;   determining a third plane relative to the third position sensor; and   estimating the position of the radiation source to be at the intersection of the three planes.   
     
     
         12 . The method of claim Error! Reference source not found. wherein each of the first, second and third one-dimensional sensors includes a linear array sensor, and wherein the linear array sensor of the third one-dimensional sensor is positioned orthogonally to the linear array sensor of the first one-dimensional sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the linear array sensors of the first and second one-dimensional sensors are positioned co-linearly. 
     
     
         14 . A method of estimating the position of a radiation source in a three-dimensional space, the method comprising:
 positioning a first two-dimensional sensor in a first position relative to the three-dimensional space;   positioning a second two-dimensional sensor in a second position relative to the three-dimensional space;   determining a first ray relative to the first two-dimensional sensor;   determining a second ray relative to the second two-dimensional sensor;   estimating the position of the radiation based on the first and second rays.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  including estimating the position of the radiation source to be on a shortest line segment between the first and second rays. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  including estimating the position of the radiation source to be at the midpoint of the line segment. 
     
     
         17 .- 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 10  wherein each of the first, second and third one-dimensional sensors includes a linear array sensor, and wherein the linear array sensor of the third one-dimensional sensor is positioned orthogonally to the linear array sensor of the first one-dimensional sensor. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein the linear array sensors of the first and second one-dimensional sensors are positioned co-linearly.