A cordless graphics input device system for use with a computer. The device comprises an infrared emitting module useable on any surface adjacent a detector having a pair of patterned concave sensors. Coordinate information is determined via a detector contained microprocessor relative to the sensed analog position data.

Cordless digital graphics input device

A two dimensional matrix of liquid crystal cells is laid on the surface of a vehicle's windshield. The sunshade is formed by selectively turning some of the cells to be less transparent. The size of the sunshade is close to the minimum necessary to cast an umbra covering the vehicle occupant's eyes. A three dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is used, in which the z axis is parallel to the direction of travel and perpendicular to the x and y axes. The coordinates of an internal target are stored in the memory and may separately be increased or decreased by pushing some buttons. In a normal mode of operation, the microprocessor continuously repositions the sunshade to shade the target from direct sunlight. The computation is based on the image of the sun captured by a two dimensional CCD, the relative locations of the CCD and the optical center of a lens forming the image on the CCD, and the locations of the target and the windshield surface. In a special mode of operation, the microprocessor continuously repositions the sunshade to a position having the same x,y-coordinates as the target. With this sunshade system, the method comprises the steps of (a) switching the system to the special mode and adjusting the x,y-coordinates of the target until the sunshade is repositioned straight ahead of, and at the same height as, the eyes; and (b) switching the system to the normal mode and adjusting the z-coordinate of the target until the sunshade shades the eyes from direct sunlight. Thus the target is coincident with the eyes, and the system will always reposition the sunshade to shade the eyes from direct sunlight.

Automatic visor for continuously repositioning a shading object to shade a designated location from a direct radiation source

In an optical position sensor capable of detecting a direction of incidence of light and intensity, this invention contemplates to make the sensor compact by reducing the number of pixels constituting light reception sensors and reducing the light reception area. To accomplish this object, a detection element portion 10 comprises a glass substrate 22, a light shading film 24 formed on a surface of the glass substrate 22 and having mutually criss-crossing slits 24a, 24b and a light reception portion 26 fixed to the back of the glass substrate 22. Unidimensional photo-diode arrays 26X, 26Y for receiving the slit beams passing through the slits 24a, 24b respectively, and a signal processing circuit 28 for scanning the photo-diode arrays 26X, 26Y and taking out light reception signals are disposed in the light reception portion 26.

Optical position sensor and isolation sensor using this position sensor

A solar tracking system for a sun sensitive system such as a solar energy generating unit is described. Means for tracking the sun in bright sunlight and in cloudy conditions having a sun sensing mode and a blind mode are disclosed. Solar energy generating units compatible with the solar tracking system capable of automatically operating a stock watering system are also disclosed.

Solar energy recovery system

A radiation sensor for determining the angular location of a light source and locating a direction defined by a plurality of sources fastened to a movable structure such as a helmet-mounted sight visor. The sensor comprises a housing with an optical mask which is provided with transparent zones of circular shape, with the result that the omnidirectional radiation transmitted by a point source is confined within a cone. Radiation-detecting means constituted by linear arrays of photosensitive elements are disposed in a plane parallel to the mask so that the center of the projected circle corresponding to the angular direction of the source is determined by the positions of sensitized elements of the detecting strips.

Arrangement for locating radiating sources

A sun direction detection system is disclosed. It includes a housing with a slit, through which a line image of the sun is directed into the housing in a first direction. Placed in the housing is a substrate on which at least one pair of detectors are deposited in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. One of the detectors is an illumination detector consisting of two spaced apart elongated strips with a strip of cadmium sulphide (CdS) deposited therebetween. Whenever the line image impinges the CdS strip, the resistance between the two other strips is relatively low, while being high when the line image is outside the field of view of the illumination detector. Also included is a sun angle detector which consists of a vapor deposited resistor strip connected at one end to +10v and at the other end to -10v. Spaced apart from the resistor strip is an elongated strip of low resistance material acting as an output strip, with a CdS strip between the two strips. When the line image is within the field of view of the sun angle detector, the output voltage at the output strip depends on the position of the line image across the sun angle detector. When the line image is at one end, the output voltage is +10v and when the line image is at the other end, the output voltage is -10v. The field of view of the illumination detector is less than that of the sun angle detector so that the change of resistance of the illumination detector from high to low or low to high occurs when the output voltage is either +10v or -10v, depending on the position of the line image with respect to the two detectors.

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George D. Pace

Papers

Sun direction detection system