Logical optical detector: a new sensor for robotic applications

Abstract

The advance of automated assembly equipment and robotics has led to the development of intelligent sensor systems. Analog optical-imaging systems are current, but signal processing and interfacing can make these cumbersome. It would speed up response if the optical information could be presented directly as binary data. A new class of sensor, the logical optical detector, is described. The sensor has an inbuilt threshold, which can be externally controlled and is sharply defined, permitting a form of feedback analog-to-digital conversion. Based on silicon technology, it has wide application, such as in an imaging sensor with memory.