Apparatus and methods for controlling a laser output and improving laser safety using a proximity sensor

Abstract

A laser output control method and a laser output control device, including a luminous source in the optical interface of an optical transceiver, a proximity detector configured to detect and capture reflection intensity of a luminous beam from the luminous source, an optical processing circuit electrically connected to the proximity detector and configured to receive and process the reflection intensity, and a microcontroller configured to capture parametric information of the reflection intensity, are disclosed. The microcontroller is also electrically connected to a laser driver, to receive parametric information of the optical processing circuit and to regulate the laser and/or laser driver activity based on the parametric information. The laser output control device may effectively restrict the laser output activity and the total laser output energy, which may prevent exposing human eyes to relatively strong laser energy and enhance the security of laser usage and protection for the human body.