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Electric eye is a somewhat dated term used to describe an opto-electronic means of sensing something, most commonly a photodetector of some type. An example is the door safety system used on garage door openers that use a light transmitter and receiver at the bottom of the door to prevent closing if there is any obstruction in the way that breaks the light beam.

In the frequently played "Proper Modulation" soundbite from the Howard Stern Radio Show, Stern's father, a sound engineer, describes "the electric eye" as "a green type of... tube." He is apparently describing a "magic eye tube" (used as a recording level indicator on some tape recorders), rather than an electric eye.

Examples

Highway vehicle counter

• In the 1930s a primitive electric eye vehicle counter was introduced in the US using two IR lamps set apart so that only cars and not pedestrians would be counted.

First compact commercial unit

• Also, a compact type of electric eye was offered in 1931 that was enclosed in a small steel case and much easier to install compared to older models.

Automatic wrapping wachines

• In the 1930s an electric eye apparatus was developed to help a wrapping machine, wrap 82 boxes a minute.

Automatic door opener

• In 1931 General Electric tested the first automatic door openers now popular in hospitals. They called their electric eye, the Magic Eye.

Business alarm system

• In 1931 an electric eye that used invisible UV wave length was offered to businesses in need of a 24 hour alarm system.

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (July 2010)

See also

• Machine vision
• Electric Eye (song)

Reference and Notes

1. "Autos Are Counted By Electric Eye", January 1937, Popular Science
2. "Electric Eye And Relay Set Combined In Cabinet", March 1931, Popular Mechanics
3. "Electric Eye is Robot Guard For Wrapping Machine", February 1931, Popular Mechanics
4. "Door That Opens Itself Is Boon To Waitresses", February 1931, Popular Mechanics
5. "UV Ray Electric Eye Alarm, February 1931

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