US PATENT SUBCLASS 250 / 203.1
.~.~ Following a target (e.g., a star or instrument pointer or other object) other than a pattern

Current as of: June, 1999
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250 /   HD   RADIANT ENERGY

200  DF  PHOTOCELLS; CIRCUITS AND APPARATUS {11}
201.1  DF  .~ Photocell controls its own optical systems {8}
203.1.~.~ Following a target (e.g., a star or instrument pointer or other object) other than a pattern {2}
203.2  DF  .~.~.~> Target illuminated by artificial light source
203.3  DF  .~.~.~> Self-luminous target {4}

DEFINITION

Classification: 250/203.1

Following a target (e.g., a star or instrument pointer or other object) other than a pattern:

(under subclass 201.1) Subject matter having means for illuminating the photocell in accordance with the relative position of the photoelectric cell and an object, and having means for causing the photoelectric cell to follow the object under the control of said illumination.

(1) Note. The object may be a star, a search light at the end of a luminous glide path beam or a spot or an instrument.

(2) Note. The photocell must follow the object, as seen through the associated optical system. However, the photocell itself, or the supporting structure, as a whole, need not

follow the point, as in a guided missile which is guided towards a terrestrial target by heavenly bodies sensed by a self-carried photocell guiding apparatus.

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS

244, Aeronautics,

3.16, for missile stabilization or trajectory control using optical guidance.

318, Electricity: Motive Power Systems, 640, for electric motor follow-up systems wherein the motor control includes a photocell responsive to a moving light point.

346, Recorders,

31, and 32 for photocell systems which control a recorder in accordance with an instrument which operates, free of the mechanical burden, of the recorder, in which the pointer of the instrument is sensed and followed by the photocell, which controls the system which drives the recorder and following means.

382, Image Analysis,

60, image sensing curve tracers for systems that follow the contour of a character as part of an optical character reader.

434, Education and Demonstration,

4, optical radar included in a simulator; and subclass 240, light sensor included in simulator of radio navigation equipment.

463, Amusement Devices: Games,

51+, for a game in which an electromagnetic ray (e.g., a light ray, etc.) is used to stimulate a projectile fired from a gun, torpedo launcher, etc., which game may include a photocell (often as part of a target for the gun, torpedo launcher, etc.)

473, Amusement Devices: Games,

140+, 151+, 176, 192, and 199 for moving golf ball detection which may involve a photocell.