Abstract: An illuminating apparatus is for use with a visual sensory apparatus, for projecting a light pattern onto a surface to be viewed by the sensory apparatus. The illuminating apparatus comprises: a light source; a patterniser for constraining light emitted from the source to produce on the surface, a light pattern having a light interface, the interface having an extended dimension. The light pattern is caused to move relative to the surface, parallel to the extended dimension of the light interface. The pattern may comprise a plurality of extended straight line interfaces, each interface being parallel to the other interfaces of the plurality. Rather than straight, the plurality may be circular and concentric. Rather than a plurality, the pattern may comprise a single straight line or circular light interface.

Abstract: A position locating system for a vehicle such as a mobile robot which includes a multisector sensor for sensing the coded signal emitted by a beacon. There are means responsive to the sensor for generating a code data signal representative of the coded signal and means responsive to the sensor sectors for generating an angle data signal representative of the angle from sensor to the beacon and at least one of the azimuthal and altitude dimensions.