Importance

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Abstract

The invention provides an optical system for monitoring the position and orientation of an object in a frame of reference. The system includes at least four light sensors (or light sources) fixed on the object in a non-coplanar arrangement, each producing a signal in response to a change in the intensity of light falling on it. The system also includes an optical scanner that generates a fan-shaped light beam (or acceptance beam) that scans a volume containing the object in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the beam, alternately in a first direction, and then in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; a signal generator that provides a time signal synchronized with a specific point in the scan; a timer that records the times of position signals generated by the light sensors and time signals generated by the signal generator; and a computing device that calculates the position and orientation of the object based on the times recorded by the timer and the coordinates of the light sensors.

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First Claim