US5517019A — Optical compound eye sensor with ommatidium senso…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 113 words

An optical compound eye sensor for detecting distributions of light by apposition, comprising: a plurality of ommatidium sensors disposed in a fixed relationship to form a compound eye sensing means with a multifaceted surface for receiving light; and each of said ommatidium sensors having a substantially conical body of refractive material, or free space, situated longitudinally along a respective optic axis and having a lens face and a light detector situated at substantially opposing ends of said conical body along said respective optic axis, said lens faces and said conical body for directing light to said light detector, said lens faces of each of said ommatidium sensors for collectively defining said multifaceted surface.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 113 words

An optical compound eye sensor for detecting distributions of light by apposition, comprising: a plurality of ommatidium sensors disposed in a fixed relationship to form a compound eye sensing means with a multifaceted surface for receiving light; and each of said ommatidium sensors having a substantially conical body of refractive material, or free space, situated longitudinally along a respective optic axis and having a lens face and a light detector situated at substantially opposing ends of said conical body along said respective optic axis, said lens faces and said conical body for directing light to said light detector, said lens faces of each of said ommatidium sensors for collectively defining said multifaceted surface.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 17 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, wherein said multifaceted surface resides in a single plane.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, wherein said multifaceted surface is three dimensional.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 29 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, further comprising a light emitter located in an ommatidium sensor of said plurality for emitting light outwardly from said ommatidium sensor.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 26 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, wherein said conical body comprises a reflective material situated about said respective optic axis for directing light inwardly.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, wherein said conical body is substantially rigid.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, wherein said compound eye sensing means exhibits an asymmetric angle of light acceptance.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 21 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, wherein said compound eye sensing means exhibits a symmetric angle of light acceptance.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 24 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, wherein said light detector of at least one of said ommatidium sensors comprises a photo diode.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 24 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, wherein said light detector of at least one of said ommatidium sensors comprises a variable resistance.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 27 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, further comprising a means for optically encoding signals from said detector of at least one of said ommatidium sensors.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 19 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, further comprising a bonding agent for affixing said ommatidium sensors together.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 39 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, wherein said body of each of said ommatidium sensors further comprises connection fins disposed externally on and protruding outwardly from said body, said connection fins for affixing adjacent ommatidium sensors together.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, wherein said body of each of said ommatidium sensors further comprises a threaded connection means for affixing said body to a mounting means.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 50 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 1, wherein said conical body includes a lateral external surface, and further comprising a conductive ring disposed on the lateral external surface of said conical body of each said ommatidium sensor and electrically connected to said light detector of each said ommatidium sensor.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 32 words

The optical compound eye sensor of claim 5, further comprising a coating situated on said conical body on said reflective material, said coating for inhibiting penetration of light toward said optic axis.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 119 words

An ommatidium sensor for creating an optical compound eye sensor which can detect a distribution of light by apposition, comprising: a substantially conical body of refractive material, or free space, having a wide end and a narrow end; a lens face situated at said wide end; a light detector at said narrow end, said light detector for receiving light passing through said lens faces and said conical body; and mounting means for mounting said body in a fixed relationship relative to an adjacent body of an adjacent ommatidium sensor; whereby a plurality of said ommatidium sensors are supported in a fixed relationship so that said lens faces of said ommatidium sensors collectively define a multifaceted surface for receiving light.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 119 words

An ommatidium sensor for creating an optical compound eye sensor which can detect a distribution of light by apposition, comprising: a substantially conical body of refractive material, or free space, having a wide end and a narrow end; a lens face situated at said wide end; a light detector at said narrow end, said light detector for receiving light passing through said lens faces and said conical body; and mounting means for mounting said body in a fixed relationship relative to an adjacent body of an adjacent ommatidium sensor; whereby a plurality of said ommatidium sensors are supported in a fixed relationship so that said lens faces of said ommatidium sensors collectively define a multifaceted surface for receiving light.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 47 words

The sensor of claim 17, wherein said mounting means comprises a plurality of connection fin pairs disposed externally on and protruding outwardly from said body, each of said pairs comprising two substantially parallel blades for receiving therebetween in frictional engagement a blade of an adjacent ommatidium sensor.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 20 words

The sensor of claim 17, wherein said mounting means comprises a threaded connector for affixing said body to a mount.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 25 words

The sensor of claim 17, further comprising a conductive ring disposed on the lateral external surface of said body and electrically connected to said detector.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 17 words

The sensor of claim 17, further comprising a means for interfacing said detector to a coaxial cable.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 18 words

The sensor of claim 17, further comprising a means for interfacing said detector to a fiber optic cable.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

The sensor of claim 17, further comprising a light modulator situated in said body between said lens faces and said detector.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 86 words

A method for creating an optical compound eye sensor which can detect a distribution of light by apposition, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of ommatidium sensors, each having a substantially conical body of refractive material with a lens face situated at a wide end and with a light detector situated at a narrow end; and mounting said ommatidium sensors in a fixed relationship relative to each other so that said lens faces of said ommatidium sensors collectively define a multifaceted surface for receiving light.

Claim 27

Independent Claim 86 words

A method for creating an optical compound eye sensor which can detect a distribution of light by apposition, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of ommatidium sensors, each having a substantially conical body of refractive material with a lens face situated at a wide end and with a light detector situated at a narrow end; and mounting said ommatidium sensors in a fixed relationship relative to each other so that said lens faces of said ommatidium sensors collectively define a multifaceted surface for receiving light.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 101 words

An ommatidium sensor for creating an optical compound eye sensor which can detect a distribution of light by apposition, said sensor having a substantially conical body of refractive material, or free space, situated along an optic axis and having a lens face and a light detector situated at substantially opposing ends of said conical body along said optic axis, said detector mounted at an angle with respect to said optic axis, whereby a plurality of said ommatidium sensors are supported in a fixed relationship so that said lens face of said ommatidium sensors collectively define a multifaceted surface for receiving light.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 101 words

An ommatidium sensor for creating an optical compound eye sensor which can detect a distribution of light by apposition, said sensor having a substantially conical body of refractive material, or free space, situated along an optic axis and having a lens face and a light detector situated at substantially opposing ends of said conical body along said optic axis, said detector mounted at an angle with respect to said optic axis, whereby a plurality of said ommatidium sensors are supported in a fixed relationship so that said lens face of said ommatidium sensors collectively define a multifaceted surface for receiving light.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 95 words

An optical compound eye sensor comprising a plurality of ommatidium sensors, each ommatidium sensor having a substantially conical body of refractive material, or free space, situated along an optic axis and having a lens face and the light detector situated at substantially opposing ends of said conical body along said optic axis, said detector mounted at an angle with respect to said optic axis so as to produce an asymmetric angle of acceptance function about said optic axis, said sensors held together in a fixed relationship so as to provide a polarization sensitive compound eye.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 95 words

An optical compound eye sensor comprising a plurality of ommatidium sensors, each ommatidium sensor having a substantially conical body of refractive material, or free space, situated along an optic axis and having a lens face and the light detector situated at substantially opposing ends of said conical body along said optic axis, said detector mounted at an angle with respect to said optic axis so as to produce an asymmetric angle of acceptance function about said optic axis, said sensors held together in a fixed relationship so as to provide a polarization sensitive compound eye.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1999-05-14	1999-11-13	2000-05-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2003-05-14	2003-11-13	2004-05-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2007-05-14	2007-11-13	2008-05-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Optical compound eye sensor with ommatidium sensor and related methods

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