The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 16, 1988
Filed:
Nov. 25, 1986
Michel Hayard, Toulouse, FR;
Alcatel Espace, Courbevoie, FR;
Abstract
The system comprises a plurality of passive target patterns (30, 31, 32, 33) situated on a surface (24) of an object to be located, and an approach sensor (19) including: a source (20) for emitting light towards said patterns; a receiver (22) for receiving light reflected from said object (21); and a processor member (23) connected to said source (20) and said receiver (22). Each passive pattern comprises a series of optically-readable elongate symbols disposed relative to one another in such a manner as to constitute a code, with the approach sensor serving to scan said object optically. The invention is applicable to docking and stowage maneuvers between two space vehicles.