Albert R Augustine

US Patent:

61477591, Nov 14, 2000

Filed:

Feb 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/243138

Inventors:

George R. Simmons - Haddon Heights NJ
Edmond J. Dougherty - Strafford PA
Anders G. Andersson - San Jose CA
Gregory M. Bone - West Chester PA
Albert Augustine - Belmont Hills PA
Charles T. Griswold - Westampton NJ
Gary D. Giegerich - North Woods PA
Paul T. Giegerich - Laverock PA
William G. Van Ocker - Doylestown PA

Assignee:

Laserscore, Inc. - Fort Washington PA

International Classification:

G01B 1103

US Classification:

356375

Abstract:

An apparatus detects the presence and location of at least one object in a field. The apparatus comprises a rotating arm which spins around the field, a position sensor for detecting the angular displacement of the rotating arm relative to a fixed point, and a processor. The rotating arm includes a transmitter and an opposing receiver array mounted thereon and fixed relative to each other. The receiver array includes a plurality of receivers located horizontally coplanar with each other. The receivers are concentrated towards one side of the receiver array which is aligned with a center region of the dartboard. The transmitter outputs a detection beam that emanates from a single point, such as a divergent beam. The detection beam overlaps the field and is simultaneously received at all times by the plurality of receivers of the receiver array. The receivers detect changes which occur in the field as a result of an object being in the field, manifested by shadows on the field.