Self-checking photoelectric sensor and method of operation

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 11754438
APP PUB NO 20220268625A1
SERIAL NO

17651308

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Abstract

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Certain embodiments provide a self-checking photoelectric sensor that is configured to determine a characteristic (e.g., an amount of blockage and/or wellness/decay) of an optical pathway (e.g., an electro-optical pathway). An example method generally includes increasing, over a time period that starts at a first time, a current input to a light emitting element (LEE). The method generally includes receiving, by a light detection element, an output of the LEE via the optical pathway during the time period. The method generally includes converting, during the time period, the LEE output to a voltage output. The method generally includes determining a second time in the time period when the voltage output crosses a threshold. The method generally includes determining the characteristic of the optical pathway between the LEE and the light detection element based on a difference between the second time and the first time.

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Patent Owner(s)

  • ALCON INC.

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Jung, Christopher Carl Mission Viejo, US 2 0

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