This is what i know:

If the surface of the liquid/object is within range and in line with the IR beam, reflected light forms an image on a linear CCD array in the receiver.

Can someone give me a more in depth explanation, or relevant links would be useful too.

lol is that question hard? My examiner asked me that at my presentation yesterday

I said it uses Triangulation, but he wanted to know how

Originally Posted by fantabulous68

lol is that question hard? My examiner asked me that at my presentation yesterday

hi Ms F.

Look thru this link.

Sharp GP2D12

Look thru this link.

Sharp GP2D12

I have that link already and lol it doesn't even mention the word ccd array.

Try ctrl+f ccd or ctrl+f array

But thanks for tryingMr Gibbs

Ok with google i found this info:
This sensor works by sending a pulse of IR light through its emitter. If the light hits an object it is reflected back, creating a triangle between the send, receive, and reflection point. The emitter for this sensor is a precision lens that reflects light onto a small linear CCD array. The way the light falls on the CCD array makes it possible to calculate the distance from the object.

• The GP2D12 uses an IR emitter and a small linear CCD array detector that is 3/4" away from the IR emitter, in order to calculate the distance an object is away from the sensor. It can detect distances that are around 4" to 30" away from the sensor. The IR emitted sends off some IR light and the light will be picked up by the detector. Between the IR emitter, the point of reflection at the object the light hits, and then the detector, a triangle is formed and from this the distance can be calculated. The angles in this triangle will change depending on the distance of the object and thus we can calculate the distances using the angles.

but i want a more in depth explanation, somebody, anybody,
im gonna try wikipaedia now

Originally Posted by fantabulous68

I have that link already and lol it doesn't even mention the word ccd array.

Try ctrl+f ccd or ctrl+f array

Wooo Ms F that smarts!!
The optics dont form a true image on the CCD just an illuminated area offset at an angle from the source.
The GP2D12 outputs a signal proportional to this offset which is related to the angle.

Using fairly simple trig from these angles a range/distance can be calculated.

Roborugby Distance Sensor

Wooo Ms F that smarts!!

lol is that sarcasm
Thanx Mr Gibbs, thats a good explanation. I have a better understanding now.
WIKIPAEDIA:

A charge-coupled device (CCD) is a device for the movement of electrical charge, usually from within the device to an area where the charge can be manipulated, for example conversion into a digital value. This is achieved by "shifting" the signals between stages within the device one at a time. Technically, CCDs are implemented as shift registers that move charge between capacative bins in the device, with the shift allowing for the transfer of charge between bins.

Often the device is integrated with a sensor, such as a photoelectric device to produce the charge that is being read, thus making the CCD a major technology where the conversion of images into a digital signal is required. Although CCDs are not the only technology to allow for light detection, CCDs are widely used in professional, medical, and scientific applications where high-quality image data is required.

A CCD is an analog device. When light strikes the chip it is held as a small electrical charge in each photo sensor. The charges are converted to voltage one pixel at a time as they are read from the chip. Additional circuitry in the camera converts the voltage into digital information.

Oh yes, you are right, I have forgotten that. But, if the surface is a plane mirror, well, does it mean that the captor can't calculate the distance?