Optics: measuring and testing – By polarized light examination – With light attenuation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-07
2001-05-29
Font, Frank G. (Department: 2877)
Optics: measuring and testing
By polarized light examination
With light attenuation
C356S389000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06239874
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to an orientation detector, arrangement, and in particular relates to an orientation detector arrangement adapted to detect the orientation of one component relative to another component.
The invention will be described with reference to a specific embodiment, which has been devised for use where a particular need exists, but the invention may find other applications.
BACKGROUND ART
In certain surgical situations, for example in endoscopic surgery, the surgeon requires to use both hands simultaneously to manipulate various instruments, but also requires to control the position of the endoscopic camera. The present invention seeks to provide an arrangement that may be used by a surgeon to control an item such as a camera without moving his hands or feet.
WO96/35960 discloses a complex system for determining the position and orientation of a movable object in space relative to a stationary object in which two transmitter units are mounted in a fixed spaced relationship on a stationary consul, and two receiver units are mounted on the movable object which may, for example, be a head-set. Each transmitter unit has a triplet of orthogonally arranged light-emitting diodes, each of which generates a hemispherical beam of radiation. The beams of radiation substantially overlap. Each receiver unit has six photo-detectors, each of which has a plane of sensitivity such that the intensity of incidence radiation is proportional to the co-sign of the angle of incidence of the radiation. The six photo-detectors are arranged so that they form four sets of three photo-detectors with the photo-detectors in each set having their planes of sensitivity arranged orthogonally. Each of the photo-detectors generates a direction co-sign signal proportional to the intensity of radiation received from each LED.
The described arrangement is relatively complex, and relies on each photo-detector receiving light from a substantial number of the light-emitting diodes. The arrangement does generate a control signal, which depends upon the ratio of the intensities of the radiation received by each photo-detector from each light-emitting diode.
GB 2,284,957A discloses an optical system for the remote tracking of the position and/or orientation of an object such as the helmet of a pilot. The Specification teaches that two groups of light-emitting diodes are provided on the helmet, and light from the light-emitting diodes are imaged on to photo-sensitive layers of two position sensitive detectors. An output signal is provided from each layer which depends upon the position of the spots of light imaged on to the layer from the light-emitting diodes. The output signals is used to track movement of the helmet of the pilot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention there is provided an orientation detector arrangement, adapted to detect the orientation of a first component relative to a second component, wherein the first component comprises transmitter means adapted to transmit a plurality of diverging beams, each beam being uniquely identifiable, the second component comprising a detector, the detector being adapted to detect and distinguish the beams transmitted by the transmitters, the detector being associated with a control circuit adapted to generate a control signal in dependence upon the identity of a beam or beams detected by the detector.
Conveniently each beam is a beam of light in or near the visible spectrum.
Advantageously each beam is a beam of infra-red light.
In one embodiment each beam is pulse-code modulated in a unique way. In a preferred embodiment each beam carries a signal generated by an oscillator, which oscillates at a unique respective frequency.
Conveniently the means to distinguish the beams is a plurality of tuned circuits, each tuned circuit being tuned to a frequency of a respective one of the oscillators.
Preferably the first component is provided with means to enable the first component to be worn on the head of a person.
Advantageously the first component comprises a housing provided with a head-band or strap.
Conveniently the detector is provided on or adjacent a visual display. Advantageously the control circuit is adapted to control the operation of a component which causes the image on the visual display unit or monitor to alter.
Preferably the control circuit controls a camera, the image from the camera being displayed on the visual display unit or monitor.
Alternatively the control circuit controls a component which is visible in the image as shown on the visual display unit or monitor, or which, when controlled, causes said image to change.
According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a control apparatus comprising a first component adapted to be worn on the head of an operator, the first component having means which emit a plurality of diverging beams, each beam being uniquely identifiable, and detector means to determine the orientation of the first component and control means to generate a control signal in accordance with the orientation of the first component, the detector means being adapted to detect and identify the beam or beams being received, the detector means being associated with the control means which are adapted to generate a control signal in dependence upon the identity of the beam or beams detected, wherein the control means control movement or function of a further device.
Advantageously the further device is a camera, the detector means being located on or adjacent a visual display unit or monitor adapted to display an image of the scene viewed by the camera.
Alternatively the means are located on or adjacent a visual display unit or monitor adapted to display an image of a scene viewed by a camera, the further device comprising a component which is visible within that scene.
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patent: 3678283 (1972-07-01), LaBaw
patent: 4067015 (1978-01-01), Mogavero et al.
patent: 4175861 (1979-11-01), Kottas
patent: 4475814 (1984-10-01), Marche
patent: 5179421 (1993-01-01), Parker et al.
patent: 5296854 (1994-03-01), Hamilton et al.
patent: 5622170 (1997-04-01), Schulz
patent: 5657128 (1997-08-01), Muller et al.
patent: 5987349 (1999-11-01), Schulz
patent: 2284957 (1995-06-01), None
patent: 95/19577 (1995-07-01), None
patent: 96/35960 (1996-11-01), None
Armstrong Healthcare Limited
Font Frank G.
Harrison & Egbert
Nguyen Sang H.
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