Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080198356 | LASER RANGE FINDER FOR USE ON A GOLF COURSE - An improved range finder for use on a golf course. The improved range finder includes means for identifying the closest target in a field of view during a sweep operation of the field of view and means for presenting the distance of the closest target at the conclusion of the sweep operation of the field of view. The improved range finder preferably uses infrared light to detect a flagstick. | 08-21-2008 |
20080204698 | Phase Noise Compensation For Interferometric Absolute Rangefinders - The invention relates to a method for interferometric absolute distance measuring by a frequency modulation electromagnetic radiation on at least one measurable target and for subsequently receiving a retransmitted radiation with a heterodyne mixture, wherein the radiation is guided in a parallel direction via a reference interferometric length. In such a way, a first digitised interferogram of the radiation retransmitted by the target and a second digitised interferogram of the radiation guided on the reference length are obtainable at a reception. According to phase progression data of the second interferogram, a virtual interferogram or a phase progression thereof is synthesised and the distance determination is carried out by comparing the progression face data of the first interferogram with the progression face data of the virtual interferogram. | 08-28-2008 |
20080204699 | Method and System for Determining the Position of a Receiver Unit - Disclosed are a method and a system for determining the position of a receiver unit ( | 08-28-2008 |
20080225262 | Displacement Measurement System - A displacement measurement apparatus includes a light source, a splitter grating, a measurement grating, and first a second detector arrays. The splitter grating splits a light beam into first and second measurement channels that each illuminates the measurement grating. The first and second measurement channels split into 0 | 09-18-2008 |
20080225263 | SENSOR DEVICE - A sensor device including a source for electromagnetic radiation, a receiver and a control device, the control device being designed for emitting electromagnetic radiation by means of the source and for determining a distance that is covered by the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source from a reflection surface of an object to the receiver, doing so by evaluating a propagation time of the radiation or a phase of an oscillation modulated onto the radiation. According to the invention, the control device provides an economy mode in which the power of the source is lower in a prescribed time interval by comparison with a normal object detection mode, means being provided to ensure switching back into the normal object detection mode in the event of a predefined object situation. | 09-18-2008 |
20080231828 | Distance Measuring Equipment, and Method of Mounting an Electrooptical Unit on a Lead Frame Unit - The invention is based on a piece of distance measuring equipment, particularly a laser rangefinder ( | 09-25-2008 |
20080231829 | USER-WORN RANGEFINDER SYSTEM AND METHODS - Embodiments of an arm-worn rangefinder device includes a rangefinder body and a switch. The rangefinder body is shaped for coupling to a user's arm and has an electronic rangefinder circuit operable to emit an energy beam directed at a selected target, to receive a reflected beam from the target, and to calculate the target's approximate range based on properties of the reflected beam and indicate the calculated approximate range to the user. The switch is coupled to the rangefinder body, and the user can use the switch to selectively actuate the rangefinder circuit. | 09-25-2008 |
20080259311 | MEASUREMENT METHOD AND MEASUREMENT APPARATUS USING TRACKING TYPE LASER INTERFEROMETER - A tracking type laser interferometer including: a retro-reflector | 10-23-2008 |
20080266541 | Method and apparatus for locating and measuring the distance to a target - Embodiments of the invention comprise an apparatus for use with a laser range finder configured to direct a laser beam toward a scene to measure the distance to a target in the scene and having a range finder display for displaying data, including data that is indicative of the distance to a target, wherein the apparatus comprises a protective housing, a camera module in the housing, the camera module including a lens mounted in a front end portion of the housing, and a light path through the lens to image sensor, an image sensor operatively connected to the camera module for receiving images acquired by the camera module, electronic memory for selectively storing data of images from the image sensor, circuitry for controlling the operation of the image sensor and the memory, a camera display in the housing operatively connected to the image sensor for receiving the image data and providing a visual display of the image, and a switch for storing image data in the memory. Other embodiments include a projector in the housing for projecting the data displayed by the second display onto the image sensor to thereby capture the image data of the scene and displayed distance data together. | 10-30-2008 |
20080266542 | DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE - A distance measuring device has a housing carrying a display, a distance measuring module, an inductive touch pad, a touch pad control circuit in communication with the touch pad, and a control circuit in communication with the display, the distance measuring module, and the touch pad control circuit. The touch pad control circuit provides signals to the control circuit representative of a touching of the touch pad. | 10-30-2008 |
20080273190 | Polyspectral Rangefinder for Close-In Target Ranging and Identification of Incoming Threats - A computationless system | 11-06-2008 |
20080273191 | OPTICAL TRACKING DEVICE USING MICROMIRROR ARRAY LENSES - The optical tracking device of this invention comprises a lens unit, a control circuitry communicatively coupled to the lens unit, and an imaging unit optically coupled to the lens unit. The lens unit comprises at least one Micromirror Array Lens, wherein the Micromirror Array Lens comprises a plurality of micromirrors and is configured to have a plurality of optical surface profiles by controlling rotations or translations of the micromirrors. The optical tracking device of the invention further comprises an image processing unit, communicatively coupled to the imaging unit, configured to process the image information from the imaging unit and generates a control signal for the control circuit to control the lens unit. The optical tracking device of the present invention provides capability of tracking a target moving in a high speed, providing three-dimensional image information of the object, and compensating the aberration of the optical tracking device. | 11-06-2008 |
20080297760 | Geodesic Measuring Instrument with a Piezo Drive - In a geodesic measuring instrument ( | 12-04-2008 |
20080304040 | Cargo Dimensional and Weight Analyzing System - A laser scanner apparatus is disclosed herein for measuring the geometry and physical dimensions of one or more objects in a specified location or platform. The specified location or platform is within a range less than a predetermined maximum object distance. The laser scanner includes a waveform generator that generates a predetermined reference waveform to an analog laser that provides an modulated laser beam responsive to the reference waveform, an optical scanning system which 1) transmits and scans the object with the modulated laser light beam and 2) includes a means for receiving reflected the modulated laser light from the surface of an object on the platform or specified location, an avalanche photo-detector positioned to receive the processed modulated light from the optical processing system, and convert energy in the incident light into an amplitude-modulated range signal, a mixer is provided to down-convert the frequency of the range signal into a lower (LF) frequency. In practice, a first electrical circuit receives the down-converted range signal and converts it into a converted waveform that has a sinusoidal wave falling and rising that correspond to the zero crossings. The reference waveform is also applied to a mixer that down-converts it to the LF frequency. A second electrical circuit receives the down-converted reference waveform and converts it a second converted waveform that has a sinusoidal wave falling and rising that correspond to the zero crossings. A computer receives the first and second converted waveforms and outputs a highly accurate signal indicative of the time delay there between. The time delay is used by the computer system to determine the physical dimension of the particular scanning. | 12-11-2008 |
20080304041 | Measuring system - A measuring system, comprising a surveying instrument for projecting a laser beam by rotary irradiation and a photodetection sensor device installed at a measuring point, wherein the surveying instrument comprises a first radio communication unit, the photodetection sensor device comprises a second radio communication unit, and communication can be performed between the surveying instrument and the photodetection sensor device, wherein the surveying instrument comprises an angle detecting means for detecting a horizontal angle in a projecting direction of the laser beam and a first arithmetic unit for controlling the angle detecting means based on a receiving signal from the first radio communication unit, and the photodetection sensor device comprises a photodetection unit for receiving the laser beam and a second arithmetic unit for performing transmission of a photodetection notifying signal to notify the receiving of the laser beam by the photodetection unit and also for performing transmission of a synchronization data by the second radio communication unit to the first radio communication unit, wherein the first arithmetic unit calculates a horizontal angle of the projection of the laser beam when the photodetection sensor device receives the laser beam based on the photodetection notifying signal and the synchronization data. | 12-11-2008 |
20080309913 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LASER RADAR IMAGING FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED - A 3D imaging ladar system comprises a solid state laser and geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes utilizing a scanning imaging system in conjunction with a user interface to provide 3D spatial object information for vision augmentation for the blind. Depth and located object information is presented acoustically by: 1) generating an audio acoustic field to present depth as amplitude and the audio image as a 2D location. 2) holographic acoustical imaging for a 3D sweep of the acoustic field. 3) a 2D acoustic sweep combined with acoustic frequency information to create a 3D presentation. | 12-18-2008 |
20080309914 | METHOD FOR DETECTING OBJECTS WITH VISIBLE LIGHT - A method for detecting an object using visible light comprises providing a visible-light source having a function of illuminating an environment. The visible-light source is driven to emit visible light in a predetermined mode, with visible light in the predetermined mode being emitted such that the light source maintains said function of illuminating an environment. A reflection/backscatter of the emitted visible light is received from an object. The reflection/backscatter is filtered over a selected wavelength range as a function of a desired range of detection from the light source to obtain a light input. The presence or position of the object is identified with the desired range of detection as a function of the light input and of the predetermined mode. | 12-18-2008 |
20080316463 | Laser radar apparatus that measures direction and distance of an object - There is provided a laser radar including laser beam generating means, photo detecting means, a mirror, light deflecting means, and rotation driving means. The laser beam generating means emits a laser beam having an axis thereof. The photo detecting means detects a reflected laser beam that is reflected back by an object. The mirror includes a through-hole that passes the laser beam and a reflecting surface that reflects a reflected laser beam reflected back by the object toward the photo detecting means. The light deflecting means deflects the laser beam toward a measuring region and reflects the reflected laser beam from the object toward the mirror. The rotation driving means rotates the light deflecting means so as to direct the laser beam toward the measuring region. | 12-25-2008 |
20090002677 | TARGET LOCATOR SYSTEM - A target locator system comprises at least two target-locator cameras and a wireless communication system to communicatively couple the at least two target-locator cameras. Each target-locator camera includes a target sight to sight a target, a range finder, which is aligned with the target sight, configured to determine a distance to the target, a location sensor to determine a location associated with the range finder, at least one elevation angle sensor to determine an elevation angle of the axis of the target sight when sighting the target. | 01-01-2009 |
20090002678 | Laser radar apparatus for three-dimensional detection of objects - In a laser radar apparatus, a laser beam generator that generates a laser beam and an optical detector that detects reflected light that has been reflected by an object in a field to be observed. A deflection performing means, provided with one or more deflection means each rotatable on a given central axis thereof, for enabling the deflection means to deflect the laser beam to the field and to deflect the reflected light toward the optical detector. A drive means driven to rotate the deflection means. A direction changing means changes a direction of the laser beam from the deflection means is changed in a direction of the central axis. A control means controls an operation of the direction changing means. | 01-01-2009 |
20090009747 | Device for Optically Measuring Distance and Method for Operating Said Type of Device - The invention relates to a device for optically measuring distance, in particular a hand-held device, comprising an transmission unit ( | 01-08-2009 |
20090021720 | SENSOR DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE COMPRESSION TRAVEL AND/OR THE COMPRESSION RATE OF WHEELS AND/OR AXLES OF VEHICLES - A sensor device for measuring the compression travel and/or the compression rate of wheels and/or axles of vehicles, in particular of commercial vehicles, may include at least one sensor measuring in a contactless manner. The sensor device may include a radar and/or high-frequency sensor generating a beam, which is emitted and received after reflection at a reference and reflection surface. | 01-22-2009 |
20090027651 | System and Method for Improving Lidar Data Fidelity Using Pixel-Aligned Lidar/Electro-Optic Data - A lidar and digital camera system collect data and generate a three-dimensional image. A lidar generates a laser beam to form a lidar shot and to receive a reflected laser beam to provide range data. A digital camera includes an array of pixels to receive optical radiation and provide electro-optical data. An optical bench passes the laser beam, reflected laser beam, and optical radiation and is positioned to align each pixel to known positions within the lidar shot. Pixels are matched to form a lidar point-cloud which is used to generate an image. | 01-29-2009 |
20090027652 | Integrated ambient light sensor and distance sensor - An integrated proximity and light sensor includes an indicating light-emitting device (“ILD”), a projecting light-emitting device (“PLD”), and a light sensing integrated circuit (“LSIC”) configured as a single package. The LSIC controls each of the ILD and the PLD to emit light therefrom and the LSIC is configured to detect an ambient light level and also to detect a reflection of the light projected by the PLD from a surface for proximity detection. | 01-29-2009 |
20090033910 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STEREO PHOTOGRAPHY - A system and method for stereo photography is provided. The system comprises a first light source, a second light source and a photodetector. The first light source is configured to illuminate one or more first non-white colors on an object. The second light source is configured to illuminate one or more second non-white colors that are different from the first non-white colors on the object. The photodetector is configured to detect a three dimensional representation of the object at a single moment in time in response to the first light source illuminating the first non-white colors and the second light source illuminating the second non-white colors on the object. | 02-05-2009 |
20090040501 | OBJECT-DETECTION DEVICE FOR VEHICLE - The object-detection device for vehicle provides a transmission-and-reception device; a reflection point calculation device; a segment setting device; a median point calculation device; and a relative speed calculation device, wherein the relative speed calculation device eliminates a calculation result of the relative speed in the car width direction, with respect to the reflection points calculated based on the electromagnetic waves which are irradiated to the most downward direction in the specified angle in the vertical direction, in case that the number of difference between the reflection points in the current processing and the reflection points in the previous processing is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. | 02-12-2009 |
20090079955 | Spatial information detection device and spatial information detection system using the same - A spatial information detection device is provided, which is capable of, even under the condition that an environmental light having intensity fluctuations exists in a target space, projecting a light intensity-modulated with a predetermined modulation signal from a light emitting source into the target space, receiving light from the target space with a photodetector, and detecting spatial information of the target space from a change between the light projected from the light emitting source and the light received by the photodetector. This device has a smoothing unit configured to integrate, over a predetermined integration period, a fluctuation component in a prescribed phase zone of the modulation signal with respect to an electric charge amount generated by receiving the environmental light in the electric charge amount generated at the photodetector by receiving the light from the target space, thereby smoothing the fluctuation component. | 03-26-2009 |
20090079956 | Three-dimensional LADAR module with alignment reference insert circuitry comprising high density interconnect structure - A 3-D LADAR imaging system incorporating stacked microelectronic layers is provided. A light source such as a laser is imaged upon a target through beam shaping optics. Photons reflected from the target are collected and imaged upon a detector array through collection optics. The detector array signals are fed into a multilayer processing module wherein each layer includes detector signal processing circuitry. The detector array signals are amplified, compared to a user-defined threshold, digitized and fed into a high speed FIFO shift register range bin. Dependant on the value of the digit contained in the bins in the register, and the digit's bin location, the time of a photon reflection from a target surface can be determined. A T | 03-26-2009 |
20090086188 | OPTICAL MEMBER DRIVING APPARATUS FOR LASER RADAR - An optical-member driving apparatus for laser radar, comprising: an optical-member integrated portion including an optical member and an optical-member mounted portion having the optical member mounted thereon; first erection members supporting the optical-member integrated portion; a relay portion to which the first erection members is connected; second erection members: supporting the relay portion; and a fixed portion to which the second erection members are connected. | 04-02-2009 |
20090097010 | OPTICAL RANGE-FINDING SENSOR, OBJECT DETECTION DEVICE, SELF-CLEANING TOILET SEAT, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING OPTICAL RANGE-FINDING SENSOR - An optical range-finding sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a light-emitting element that emits irradiation light, a light-emitting side lens that collects the irradiation light and irradiates the light to a range-finding object, a light-receiving side lens that collects reflected light of the irradiation light reflected by the range-finding object, a position detecting light-receiving element that receives the collected reflected light and detects a position of the range-finding object, and a control processing integrated circuit that controls light emission of the light-emitting element and processes a detection current of the position detecting light-receiving element. The light-emitting element is configured of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser. | 04-16-2009 |
20090097011 | DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE - A distance measuring device including a housing that contains a radiation emitting and receiving device, a switch for emitting the radiation and a control panel, where a first wall of the housing features an opening for radiation emission and reception, and the opposite wall or its outer surface forms a stop surface or a stop edge. In order to enable simple handling, it is proposed that a handle emerges from the housing which is displaceable in relation to the housing or can be reset and grasped laterally to the housing. | 04-16-2009 |
20090122294 | LASER RADAR APPARATUS THAT MEASURES DIRECTION AND DISTANCE OF AN OBJECT - There is provided a laser radar apparatus including laser beam generating means, photo detecting means, a mirror assembly, light deflecting means, and rotation driving means. The laser beam generating means emits a laser beam having an axis thereof. The photo detecting means detects a reflected laser beam that is reflected back by an object. The mirror assembly includes a through-hole that transmits the laser beam and a reflecting surface that reflects a reflected laser beam reflected back by the object toward the photo detecting means. The light deflecting means has a flat mirror surface and a concave-shaped mirror surface, and reflects the laser beam toward a measurement range and deflects the reflected laser beam from the object toward the mirror assembly. The rotation driving means rotates the light deflecting means so as to direct the laser beam toward the measurement range. | 05-14-2009 |
20090128797 | Retro detector system - A light detection system duplicates the dynamic range of low intensity non-cooperative targets for high intensity cooperative targets. Both dynamic ranges of return light pulses are supported at the same time. In one embodiment, two beam splitters are used to reduce the intensity of reflected light that is received from high intensity sources to levels that can be accurately ranged. Ambiguity between the two paths is resolved by using an additional detector. Alternatively, one beam splitter is used to reduce the intensity of reflected light that is received from high intensity sources to levels that can be accurately ranged. The beam splitter system increases the effective dynamic range of the detection and ranging system passively without any need to reconfigure the system. | 05-21-2009 |
20090135401 | OPTICAL DEVICE, AND METHOD OF MEASURING THE DIMENSION OF OBJECT USING OPTICAL DEVICE - A device and a method for measuring the sizes of a remote object, for example, concrete crack, without using a high-place work vehicle or a ladder. An optical apparatus (e.g. a measuring device ( | 05-28-2009 |
20090135402 | COMPUTERIZED IMAGING OF TARGET ANIMALS - A method of generating and storing three-dimensional digital data indicative of a sporting trophy is provided. The method may be implemented in relation to a wide variety of sporting trophy applications. A sportsman can provide a sporting trophy to a scanning system to obtain three-dimensional image data relative to the sporting trophy. Sporting-relevant measurements can be computed based on the stored three-dimensional image data. | 05-28-2009 |
20090141261 | ELECTRO-OPTICAL OUTPUT UNIT AND MEASURING DEVICE COMPRISING SAID ELECTRO-OPTICAL OUTPUT UNIT - The invention relates to an electro-optical output unit ( | 06-04-2009 |
20090153834 | Laser distance meter - An electro-optic laser distance meter ( | 06-18-2009 |
20090161091 | DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM AND PROJECTOR - A projector includes a light source unit, a light source-side optical system for guiding light from the light source unit to a display device, the display device, a projection-side optical system for projecting an image emitted from the display device on to a screen, and a distance measuring system | 06-25-2009 |
20090168045 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL SURROUND SCANNING DEVICE AND METHOD THEREOF - A three-dimensional surround scanning device and a method thereof are described, which are adopted to perform surround scanning on a scene area, so as to construct a three-dimensional model. The device includes an image acquisition element, a first moving mechanism, a range acquisition element, and a controller. The controller controls the image acquisition element, the range acquisition element, and the first moving mechanism to perform three-dimensional image acquisition, so as to obtain a two-dimensional image covering the scene area, depth information with three-dimensional coordinates, and corresponding position signals. The controller rearranges and combines the two-dimensional image, position signals, and depth information, so as to construct the three-dimensional model. | 07-02-2009 |
20090180099 | Distance Measuring System - The distance detector | 07-16-2009 |
20090185158 | DEVICE FOR OPTICAL DISTANCE MEASUREMENT - The invention relates to a device for optically measuring distance, in particular a hand-held device, comprising an transmitter unit ( | 07-23-2009 |
20090190119 | Light meter apparatus and system - A light meter for measuring photometric quantities includes a telephotometer having a photo detector to receive light energy entering the telephotometer. A light metering valve, for the purpose of providing a variable field of view, is located in the body of the telephotometer generally at the focal plane of the objective lens of the telephotometer. A controller, which includes a digital processor in communication with the photo detector will process information from the photo detector and from a range finder included in the system to output light intensity of a target light source. | 07-30-2009 |
20090195769 | DISTANT MEASUREMENT METHOD AND DISTANT MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A distant measurement method and a distant measurement system are provided. The distant measurement method includes the following steps: emitting a first light beam and a second light beam from an emitting terminal, wherein the first light beam travels toward a target; providing a switching sequence by a switch mechanism; placing a receiving terminal to receive the first light beam reflected from the target in accordance with the switching sequence and correspondingly provide a first electrical signal, and to receive the second light beam and correspondingly provide a second electrical signal; and utilizing a controlling terminal to receive the first and second electrical signals, and calculate distance between the distant measurement system and the target in accordance with a phase differential formed between the first and second electrical signals. | 08-06-2009 |
20090201486 | SCANNED LASER DETECTION AND RANGING APPARATUS - A method and apparatus for obtaining information about an environment having objects located around a vehicle. The laser detection and ranging system comprises a fan beam generation unit, a streak unit, a telescope, a switch, and a detector unit. The fan beam generation unit transmits a fan beam. The streak unit streaks a received beam generated in response to the fan beam to form a streaked beam. The telescope propagates the fan beam to a portion of the environment around the vehicle. The switch directs the fan beam generated by the fan beam generation unit through the telescope along an azimuth onto the environment around the vehicle and directing a response signal to the fan beam to the streak unit. The detector unit detects the streaked beam and generating range and angle data to generate an image of the environment. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201487 | MULTI SPECTRAL VISION SYSTEM - A MultiSpectral Vision Sensor (MSVS) that employs three detectors which detect optical radiation in different frequency bands to permit target detection in a wide range of lighting conditions. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201488 | BEAM IRRADIATION DEVICE, LASER RADAR SYSTEM, AND DETECTING DEVICE - A beam irradiation device includes: a first light source for emitting laser light; an actuator for moving a scanning section for receiving the laser light to scan a target area with the laser light; a second light source movable with the scanning section and adapted for emitting diffused light; a light receiving position detecting device for receiving the diffused light to output a signal depending on a position of receiving the diffused light; and a light projecting element, disposed at a position closer to the light receiving position detecting device with respect to an intermediate position between the second light source and the light receiving position detecting device, for projecting an emission position to be defined by the second light source on the light receiving position detecting device via a predetermined projection area. | 08-13-2009 |
20090213358 | METHOD, DEVICE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR DETERMINING A RANGE TO A TARGET - A method, device, and computer program for determining range to a target is disclosed. Specifically, the invention provides a method, device and computer program for determining a second range to a target based on a first range to the target and an angle to the target such that the parabolic trajectory of a projectile is accounted for in determining the second range. The device generally includes a range sensor for determining a first range to a target, a tilt sensor for determining an angle to the target, and a computing element for determining a second range to the target based on the first range and the determined angle. | 08-27-2009 |
20090237639 | MEASURING SYSTEM - A measuring system includes a measuring apparatus provided at an already-known point, a plurality of light-receiving apparatuses provided at measured points, and a main calculating apparatus for instructing to the measuring apparatus and to the light-receiving apparatus, the measuring apparatuses including a wireless communication section for communicating a measurement data with the light-receiving apparatus or with the main calculating apparatus, wherein the measurement data includes an angle detected by the emission-direction detecting section and a distance measured by the distance-measuring section, the light-receiving apparatus including a light-receiving side wireless communication section communicating the measurement data of the measured point with the measuring apparatus or with the main calculating section, the main calculating sections including a main memory collecting and storing the measurement data which is measured by the measuring apparatus and by the plurality of light-receiving apparatuses. | 09-24-2009 |
20090244514 | DISTANCE MEASURING SENSORS INCLUDING VERTICAL PHOTOGATE AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL COLOR IMAGE SENSORS INCLUDING DISTANCE MEASURING SENSORS - A distance measuring sensor may include: a photoelectric conversion region; first and second charge storage regions; first and second trenches; and/or first and second vertical photogates. The photoelectric conversion region may be in a substrate and/or may be doped with a first impurity in order to generate charges in response to received light. The first and second charge storage regions may be in the substrate and/or may be doped with a second impurity in order to collect charges. The first and second trenches may be formed to have depths in the substrate that correspond to the first and second charge storage regions, respectively. The first and second vertical photogates may be respectively in the first and second trenches. A three-dimensional color image sensor may include a plurality of unit pixels. Each unit pixel may include a plurality of color pixels and the distance measuring sensor. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244515 | SENSOR SYSTEM WITH A LIGHTING DEVICE AND A DETECTOR DEVICE - A sensor system with a lighting device and a detector device is specified. The lighting device is provided for emitting laser radiation of a first wavelength and laser radiation of a second wavelength different from the first. The detector device is provided for detecting electromagnetic radiation of the first and the second wavelength. | 10-01-2009 |
20090273769 | MEASURING DEVICE - The invention relates to a measuring instrument, particularly a hand-held instrument ( | 11-05-2009 |
20090284731 | Distance measuring sensor including double transfer gate and three dimensional color image sensor including the distance measuring sensor - Provided are a distance measuring sensor including a double transfer gate, and a three dimensional color image sensor including the distance measuring sensor. The distance measuring sensor may include first and second charge storage regions which are spaced apart from each other on a substrate doped with a first impurity, the first and second charge storage regions being doped with a second impurity; a photoelectric conversion region between the first and second charge storage regions on the substrate, being doped with the second impurity, and generating photo-charges by receiving light; and first and second transfer gates which are formed between the photoelectric conversion region and the first and second charge storage regions above the substrate to selectively transfer the photo-charges in the photoelectric conversion region to the first and second charge storage regions. | 11-19-2009 |
20090296070 | Systems and Methods for Targeting Directed Energy Devices - Systems and methods for targeting a directed energy system are provided. A particular system includes a first laser and a second laser. The system also includes a scanning system coupled to the first laser and the second laser. The scanning system is adapted to movably direct the second laser in a pattern around a pointing location of the first laser. | 12-03-2009 |
20090310117 | Method for Detecting Objects With a Pivotable Sensor Device - A scan sensor emits detection beams for detecting objects in a scanning area within a scanning plane. The position of the scanning plane is changed by pivoting the sensor device in a scanning area, to produce multiple detection planes. Detection points of objects in the surroundings of the sensor device are detected by the detection beams in the detection planes. Lines are extracted from the detection points of a respective detection plan. Measuring points are determined at the intersection points of the lines with one or more predetermined measuring planes. The measuring points in a respective measuring plane are classified into blocks and lines are extracted on a block basis from the measuring points of the blocks generated, as a result of which structures of objects in the measuring planes are determined. | 12-17-2009 |
20090316134 | FIBER LASER LADAR - A laser radar system and a method for use in a laser radar system are disclosed. More particularly, the laser radar system includes a fiber laser capable of generating a laser signal; a first optical path through which the generated laser signal may be transmitted; a second optical path through which a reflection of the transmitted laser signal may be received; and a detector capable of detecting the received reflection. The method includes generating a laser signal from a fiber laser; transmitting the laser signal; receiving a reflection of the transmitted laser signal; and detecting the reflection. | 12-24-2009 |
20090323046 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DETECT FOREIGN OBJECTS ON A SURFACE - A detection system and method are disclosed for detecting a foreign object on a surface, such as an airport runway or a racetrack. The detection system includes a plurality of detectors mounted on the vehicle and capable of receiving light reflected from the object on the surface, and producing data that indicates the presence of said object as said vehicle moves along the surface; and a computer electrically coupled to each of the plurality of detectors, said computer being capable of processing said data and generating an alarm to alert an operator of said vehicle to a presence of said object. In low light conditions, the system may further include a plurality of light sources mounted on a vehicle and capable of illuminating at least one monitored area of the surface with light. | 12-31-2009 |
20090323047 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DESIGNATING A TARGET AND GENERATING TARGET-RELATED ACTION - A system that includes a laser designator configured to continuously designate a target with a pulsed laser spot. The system includes a sensor and associated processing system configured to receive a reflection of the laser spot, convert the received energy to plurality of signals, processing the signals for detecting true reflected signals and process the true reflected signals for generating target related action. The sensor and associated processor are configured to detect the true signals notwithstanding an inherent low Signal/Noise ratio of below 4 of the received signals from due to low pulse power of the laser designator and distance to target. | 12-31-2009 |
20100002222 | LIDAR WITH STREAK-TUBE IMAGING, INCLUDING HAZARD DETECTION IN MARINE APPLICATIONS; RELATED OPTICS - The system and method relate to detection of objects that are submerged, or partially submerged (e.g. floating), relative to a water surface. One aspect of the invention emits LIDAR fan-beam pulses and analyzes return-pulse portions to determine water-surface orientations and derive submerged-object images corrected for refractive distortion. Another defines simulated images of submerged objects as seen through waves in a water surface, prepares an algorithm for applying a three-dimensional image of the water surface in refractive correction of LIDAR imaging through waves—and also models application of the algorithm to the images, and finally specifies the LIDAR-system optics. Yet another emits nearly horizontal pulses to illuminate small exposed objects at tens of kilometers, detects reflected portions and images successive such portions with a streak-tube subsystem. Still others make special provisions for airborne objects. | 01-07-2010 |
20100002223 | EXTERNAL MICROCONTROLLER FOR LED LIGHTING FIXTURE, LED LIGHTING FIXTURE WITH INTERNAL CONTROLLER, AND LED LIGHTING SYSTEM - A detector ( | 01-07-2010 |
20100026981 | ELASTIC BACKSCATTERING AND BACKREFLECTION LIDAR DEVICE FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF ATMOSPHERIC PARTICLES - A method is described for the characterization of atmospheric particles by means of a lidar device. The method provides to send a laser pulse in the atmosphere, a part of which is directly backscattered by the particles in the atmosphere. A reflecting optical device is provided, that is positioned at a predetermined distance d from the lidar device, whereby a part of the laser pulse that directly reaches the reflecting device is backreflected and is later backscattered by the particles in the atmosphere thus generating a counterpropagating backscattering signal directed towards the reflecting device, which signal reaches the reflecting device and is backreflected towards the lidar device. The lidar device detects the direct backscattering and counterpropagating signals. The optical characteristics of the particles are determined on the basis of the direct backscattering signal and the counterpropagating backscattering signal. | 02-04-2010 |
20100026982 | OPTICAL INSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING DISTANCE AND IMAGE INFORMATION - An optical instrument and a method for obtaining distance and image information of an object is disclosed to improve the speed and accuracy of data acquisition. The instrument comprises a camera, positioning unit, distance measuring unit, lens arrangement and control unit. The camera acquires images of an object and the control unit defines an area to be scanned and measurement pixels of an object in the image, wherein the measurement pixels are converted into an approximation of coordinates of positions to be measured assuming a default distance to the positions, and the optical axis of the lens arrangement is adjusted sequentially onto the positions to be measured. After measuring the distances to the positions, the coordinates are recalculated increasing the accuracy of the coordinates. | 02-04-2010 |
20100045963 | OPTICAL DISTANCE MEASURING SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - An optical distance measuring sensor includes a light receiving element arranged on the same plane as a light emitting element. The light receiving element includes a light receiving unit having a plurality of cells and collecting the light emitted from the light emitting element and reflected by a target object, a flash memory unit storing a predetermined position on the light receiving unit, and a signal processing circuit unit sensing the collection position of the light on the light receiving unit, and measuring the distance to the target object based on a relative positional relationship between the predetermined position stored in the flash memory unit and the collection position of the light on light receiving unit. | 02-25-2010 |
20100053592 | METHOD, DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR IMAGING - There is provided a novel method, device and system for imaging. According to some embodiments of the present invention, a visible light image sensor array (e.g. Charge-Couple Device (“CCD”) or Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (“CMOS”)) and arranging sensor array may be arranged substantially facing the same direction and having a substantially overlapping field of view. According to further embodiments of the present invention, a range value derived from one or more ranging sensor elements within the ranging sensor array may be correlated with one or more imaging elements within the visible sensor array. Image processing logic may correlate the derived ranging value with the one or more imaging elements as a function of the derived range. | 03-04-2010 |
20100066993 | Method of scanning a scene and corresponding scanning device - The present invention provides devices and methods for multi-dimensional scanning of a scene. In particular, this invention provides scanning devices and methods employing controllable light beam scanning devices capable of sending a light beam onto a scene, and of receiving corresponding light returned from the scene, and controllers capable of operating the scanning device at selected beam orientations, and of gaining distance information from the scanning device at the beam orientations. The controller can dynamically define beam orientations using the distance information gained from preceding beam orientations. | 03-18-2010 |
20100073664 | LOOKDOWN AND LOITERING LADAR SYSTEM - A LADAR system and with lookdown and loitering capabilities is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a LADAR sensor and a gimbal. The LADAR sensor is mounted to the gimbal, which is capable of scanning in azimuth sufficient to provide a look down and loitering capability. In another aspect, a method includes flying an airborne vehicle through an environment; and scanning a LADAR signal forward and to at least one side into a field of regard. | 03-25-2010 |
20100079744 | LASER APPARATUS AND DISTANCE MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - A technique for selecting two or more wavelengths of output light by a simpler structure is provided. A laser apparatus includes a laser oscillation portion for oscillating laser light; a nonlinear crystal inputting the laser light from the laser oscillation portion as a fundamental wave, the nonlinear crystal converting the fundamental wave into a second harmonic wave and changing conversion efficiency according to a temperature thereof, the nonlinear crystal having a periodically poled structure; and a ratio control means for controlling a ratio of the fundamental wave and the second harmonic wave outputting from the nonlinear crystal by controlling the temperature of the nonlinear crystal. | 04-01-2010 |
20100091263 | Laser surveying system and distance measuring method - A laser surveying system, comprising a light source for emitting a laser beam, a projection optical system for turning the laser beam from the light source to a parallel luminous flux, a scanning unit for projecting the luminous flux of the projected laser beam for scanning, a scanning direction detecting unit for detecting a scanning direction, a photodetection optical system for receiving a reflected light of the projected laser beam from an object to be measured, a photodetection element for performing photo-electric conversion of the reflected light received via the photodetection optical system, and a distance measuring unit for measuring a distance based on a signal from the photodetection element, wherein the projection optical system has a luminous flux diameter changing means, and a luminous flux diameter of the projected laser beam is enabled to be changed. | 04-15-2010 |
20100103406 | DEVICE FOR A LENGTH MEASUREMENT AND ADAPTER FOR ACCOMODATING A DEVICE FOR A LENGTH MEASUREMENT - The invention relates to a device for a length measurement providing a housing, a sending device for producing an optical measuring beam, a receiving device for detecting parts of the measuring beam that have beam scattered back from the measuring object and a redirecting device for redirecting the measuring beam that has been send out by the sending device and/or the receiving area of the receiving device. The invention relates also to an adapter for accommodating a device for a length measurement with a housing, a sending device for producing an optical measuring beam and a receiving device for detecting parts of the measuring beam that is scattered back from the measuring object, whereby the adapter provides frame for accommodating the device and a redirecting device for redirecting the measuring beam that has been send out by sending device and/or the receiving area of the receiving device. | 04-29-2010 |
20100110413 | DISTANCE DETECTING SENSOR AND CLOSE RANGE DETECTING METHOD - The present invention discloses a distance detecting sensor, comprising: a casing, focusing lenses, a circuit board mounted with several electronic elements, and an emitting device emitting infrared light and a receiving device receiving and sensing a reflected infrared light. Wherein, the casing comprises a main body and two round openings on the top surface of the main body. The lenses comprise an emitting lens and a receiving lens arranged at the openings of the casing. The circuit board is mounted in the main body of the casing; the emitting device is an infrared emitting diode (LED), emitting infrared light toward the emitting lens. The receiving device is a distance detecting sensor module, which senses the reflected light focused by the receiving lens. The distance detecting sensor further comprises an emitting light guide unit arranged between the emitting lens and the emitting device, and the emitting light guide unit comprises small round holes at the emitting tube core of the emitting device. The present invention has higher detection accuracy and improves the overall detection performance of the sensor. | 05-06-2010 |
20100123892 | LAYOUT METHOD - The location of one of a series of construction points at an indoor construction site is established using a robotic total station and a handheld device. Construction data is inputted into the handheld device with the construction data defining a plurality of construction points at the construction site. One of the plurality of construction points is selected with the handheld device. Data regarding the selected construction point is then transmitted wirelessly from the handheld device to a robotic total station. The robotic total station generates a beam of laser light, and directs the beam of laser light from the robotic total station to the construction point. The construction point is defined by x and y coordinates, and by an assumed z coordinate. The actual z coordinate is that of a point on a horizontal surface, such as a ceiling or floor, having the same x and y coordinates. Through an iterative process, the location of the construction point is established. | 05-20-2010 |
20100123893 | Laser distance measuring device - The laser distance measuring device of the present invention comprises an emitting part having a laser generating device with a first spectral bandwidth arranged on an emitting optical path and a collimating lens. The emitting part also has an optical filter with a second spectral bandwidth which is less than the first spectral bandwidth. The laser distance measuring device also has a receiving part having a photoelectric receiving and conversion device to receive the measuring beam reflected by the object to be measured and convert it into an electric signal. Using the optical filter, most of the unneeded portions of the laser beam emitted from the laser are filtered out so that the useful proportion of the measuring beam of the laser beam is improved and the ranging capability of the laser distance measuring device under a bright or strong light environment is enhanced. | 05-20-2010 |
20100128244 | GIMBALED SYSTEM WITH OPTICAL COUDE PATH AND METHOD TRANSFERRING DATA - Embodiments of a gimbaled system with an optical coudé path and method for transferring data are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the gimbaled system includes optical coudé path to provide a data communication path with a gimbaled payload, an on-gimbal communication laser to transmit modulated camera data via the coudé path, and an off-gimbal communication detector to detect the camera data received via the coudé path. In some embodiments, the optical coudé path may include at least two mirrors to provide a bi-directional communication path through an azimuth axis and an elevation axis of the gimbaled payload. | 05-27-2010 |
20100128245 | DISTANCE MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A distance measurement device having better measurement accuracy than conventional distance measurement devices. A stereo camera ( | 05-27-2010 |
20100141927 | PHOTODETECTOR AND SPATIAL INFORMATION DETECTING DEVICE USING THE SAME - A photodetector capable of improving dynamic range for input signals is provided. This photodetector includes a photoelectric converting portion, a charge separating portion, a charge accumulating portion, a barrier electrode formed the charge separating portion and the charge accumulating portion, and a barrier-height adjusting portion electrically connected to the barrier electrode. Undesired electric charges such as generated when environment light is incident on the photoelectric converting portion are removed by the charge separating portion. A potential barrier with an appropriate height is formed under the barrier electrode by applying a voltage to the barrier electrode according to an electric charge amount supplied from the charge separating portion to the barrier-height adjusting portion. Electric charges flowing from the charge separating portion into the charge accumulating portion over the potential barrier are provided as an output of the photodetector. | 06-10-2010 |
20100149518 | METHODS AND INSTRUMENTS FOR ESTIMATING TARGET MOTION - The present invention relates to a measuring instrument and methods for such a measuring instrument for tracking a moving object, measuring a distance to an object. According to the invention, sets of target position data including at least horizontal (Ha) and vertical angle (Va) between the measuring instrument ( | 06-17-2010 |
20100157279 | Distance Measuring Apparatus and Control Method Thereof - The invention provides a distance measuring apparatus for measuring distance to a target, having: a light emitter for emitting a measuring light; a light receiving system for receiving a reflected light reflected from the target and outputting a sensing signal; a comparator having a reference signal input terminal for receiving a reference signal, a sensing signal input terminal for receiving the sensing signal, and a comparison result signal output terminal for outputting a comparison result signal according to comparison results between the reference signal and the sensing signal; and a process and control module for providing the reference signal to the reference signal input terminal of the comparator and adjusting the reference signal according to the comparison signal. | 06-24-2010 |
20100157280 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ALIGNING A LINE SCAN CAMERA WITH A LIDAR SCANNER FOR REAL TIME DATA FUSION IN THREE DIMENSIONS - An apparatus and method for aligning a line scan camera with a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanner for real-time data fusion in three dimensions is provided. Imaging data is captured at a computer processor simultaneously from the line scan camera and the laser scanner from target object providing scanning targets defined in an imaging plane perpendicular to focal axes of the line scan camera and the LiDAR scanner. X-axis and Y-axis pixel locations of a centroid of each of the targets from captured imaging data is extracted. LiDAR return intensity versus scan angle is determined and scan angle locations of intensity peaks which correspond to individual targets is determined. Two axis parallax correction parameters are determined by applying a least squares. The correction parameters are provided to post processing software to correct for alignment differences between the imaging camera and LiDAR scanner for real-time colorization for acquired LiDAR data. | 06-24-2010 |
20100165322 | Camera-style lidar setup - Separate reception/transmission apertures enhance pointing: reception is more efficient than transmission (kept smaller for MEMS steering). Apparatus aspects of the invention include lidar transmitters emitting laser beams, and scan mirrors (or assemblies) angularly adjustable to deflect the beams in orthogonal directions. In one aspect, afocal optics magnify deflection; a transmitter aperture transmits the beam; a lidar receiver doesn't share the transmitter aperture. In another aspect, auxiliary optics calibrate the deflection. | 07-01-2010 |
20100171943 | Method for geodetic monitoring of rails - Method for geodetic monitoring of rails provided for conveying devices in that stationed at least in the area of one rail end is a tachymeter with spatial reference, placed on the rail to be checked is a rail measuring vehicle that travels the rail alone for measuring the rail when the rail is not loaded, and that for measuring the rail when loaded is driven at the same speed as the conveying device, the measuring points during the measurement being recorded continuously when the rail is loaded and/or unloaded. | 07-08-2010 |
20100177296 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR POSITION OPTIMIZATION OF A FIELD GENERATOR - An electro-magnetic tracking system ( | 07-15-2010 |
20100177297 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR QUANTUM RECEIVERS FOR TARGET DETECTION USING A QUANTUM OPTICAL RADAR - A quantum-illumination receiver is described comprising a phase-conjugation and mixing system for mixing and/or conjugating the idler beam from an entangled light transmitter and the return beam from the target to produce an output beam that is representative of the presence or absence of the target, a light beam collector for receiving a return light beam from the target region and directing the return light beam from a target region to the phase-conjugation and mixing system input, an optical input for receiving an idler light beam from a transmitter and directing the idler light beam from the transmitter to the phase-conjugation and mixing system, a sensor for measuring the output of the phase-conjugation and mixing system, and a processor to process the output of the sensor to make an determination about the presence of the target. | 07-15-2010 |
20100177298 | LASER RANGE FINDER FOR USE ON A GOLF COURSE - An improved range finder for use on a golf course. The improved range finder includes means for identifying the closest target in a field of view during a sweep operation of the field of view and means for presenting the distance of the closest target at the conclusion of the sweep operation of the field of view. The improved range finder preferably uses infrared light to detect a flagstick. | 07-15-2010 |
20100182587 | Energy Efficient Laser Detection and Ranging System - According to one embodiment, a laser detection and ranging system includes a beam forming element that is optically coupled to a light source. The light source generates a light beam that is split by the beam forming element into multiple beamlets and directed toward a target. At least one of the beamlets are reflected from the target as backscattered light that is received by a detector that generates a signal indicative of a characteristic of the target. | 07-22-2010 |
20100188648 | BEAM IRRADIATION DEVICE AND LASER RADAR SYSTEM - A beam irradiation device includes: a laser light source for emitting laser light; an actuator which scans a targeted area with the laser light; a servo optical system which changes a propagating direction of servo light in response to driving of the actuator; a photodetector which receives the servo light to output a signal depending on a light receiving position of the servo light; an actuator controlling section which controls the actuator based on the signal to be outputted from the photodetector; and a laser controlling section which controls the laser light source based on the signal to be outputted from the photodetector. The laser controlling section controls the laser light source to emit the laser light in a pulse manner at a timing when the light receiving position of the servo light coincides with a predetermined targeted position. | 07-29-2010 |
20100208231 | LIGHT WAVE DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM AND DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE - Object is to provide a light wave distance measuring system and a light wave distance measuring device which are capable of realizing prolonged measurable distance as well as improved distance measuring accuracy and which enable a distance measuring device to be constructed inexpensively. | 08-19-2010 |
20100220309 | SOLAR POWERED RANGEFINDER - A rangefinder for measuring a distance to a target includes a housing having a front wall, an opposed rear wall, first and second side walls disposed between the front and rear walls, an upper wall, and an opposed lower wall. The rangefinder also includes a transmission device for transmitting a signal towards a target, a receiving device for receiving a reflected signal from the target, and a distance measuring mechanism for determining the distance to the target using the transmitted signal and the reflected signal. A display device is in communication with the distance measuring mechanism for displaying the determined distance to the target. A solar power supply mechanism supplies solar power to operate the rangefinder, and includes a solar energy collector positioned on an outer surface of the housing that is operatively in communication with an energy storage device. | 09-02-2010 |
20100225896 | DISTANCE MEASURING UNIT - The invention relates to a distance measuring unit ( | 09-09-2010 |
20100253931 | COORDINATE MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENT - A coordinate measurement instrument includes an optical distance measurement device ( | 10-07-2010 |
20100259746 | PROFILOMETER - A profilometer for measuring a surface profile of a measuring target has a lighting device for irradiating the measuring target with light, an imaging device for imaging a reflected light from the measuring target, and a normal calculation section for calculating a normal direction of a surface at each position of the measuring target from an imaged image. The lighting device has a light emission region of a predetermined extent. A radiance of center of gravity of a light source distribution of a point symmetric region coincides with a radiance of the center of the point symmetric region in an arbitrary point symmetric region of the light emission region. | 10-14-2010 |
20100271614 | LIDAR system utilizing SOI-based opto-electronic components - A compact, integrated LIDAR system utilizes SOI-based opto-electronic components to provide for lower cost and higher reliability as compared to current LIDAR systems. Preferably, an SOI-based LIDAR transmitter and an SOI-based LIDAR receiver (both optical components and electrical components) are integrated within a single module. The various optical and electrical components are formed utilizing portions of the SOI layer and applying well-known CMOS fabrication processes (e.g., patterning, etching, doping), including the formation of additional layer(s) over the SOI layer to provide the required devices. A laser source itself is attached to the SOI arrangement and coupled through an integrated modulation device (such as a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, i.e., MZI) to provide the scanning laser output signal (the scan controlled by, for example, an electrical (encoder) input to the input to the MZI). The return, reflected optical signal is received by a photodetector integrated within the SOI arrangement, where it is thereafter converted into an electrical signal and subjected to various types of signal processing to perform the desired type(s) of signal characterization/signature analysis. | 10-28-2010 |
20100271615 | System and Method for Generating Three Dimensional Images Using Lidar and Video Measurements - A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar system and images from a video system to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory of a target. The system estimates this trajectory in two stages: a first stage in which the range and Doppler measurements from the lidar system along with various feature measurements obtained from the images from the video system are used to estimate first stage motion aspects of the target (i.e., the trajectory of the target); and a second stage in which the images from the video system and the first stage motion aspects of the target are used to estimate second stage motion aspects of the target. Once the second stage motion aspects of the target are estimated, a three-dimensional image of the target may be generated. | 10-28-2010 |
20100277711 | OPTICAL QUANTIZED DISTANCE MEASURING APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF - The present invention discloses an optical quantized distance measuring apparatus and a method thereof. The optical distance quantized measuring apparatus comprises an illuminating module, a sensing component array and a processing module. The illuminating module projects a light source onto an object to generate a reflecting light. The sensing component array receives the reflecting light, which generates a light source location on the sensing component array. The processing module determines the light source location, and determines an interval between the object and the sensing component array according to the light source location. The processing module determines the light source location with the binary search algorithm. | 11-04-2010 |
20100283988 | SEMI-ACTIVE OPTICAL TRACKING SYSTEM - A system and method for tracking an airborne target including an illumination source (e.g., a diode laser array) is used to enhance a target signature and a detector (e.g., a passive high-speed camera) is used to detect to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., infrared radiation) reflected off the target. The received electromagnetic radiation may be processed by a digital computer and passed through a spatial filter that implements a band limited edge detection operation in the frequency domain. The filter may remove low spatial frequencies that attenuate soft edged clutter such as clouds and smoke as well as filter out artifacts and attenuated medium to high spatial frequencies to inhibit speckle noise from the detector as well as speckle from the laser return off the target. | 11-11-2010 |
20100290026 | Radiation Sensor for Detecting the Position and Intensity of a Radiation Source - A description is given of a radiation sensor for detecting the position and intensity of a radiation source. The radiation sensor includes at least one photodetector having a radiation-sensitive surface. Furthermore, the radiation sensor includes a reflector that reflects the radiation emitted by a radiation source from specific directions at least partly in the direction of the radiation-sensitive surface of the photodetector. The reflector is arranged on that side of the radiation sensor that is remote from the radiation source. | 11-18-2010 |
20100296077 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL RANGE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A three-dimensional range imager includes a light source for providing a modulated light signal, a multiplexer, an optical fiber connecting the light source to the multiplexer, a plurality of optical fibers connected at first ends to the multiplexer and at second ends to a first fiber array, and a transmitter optic disposed adjacent the first fiber array for projecting a pixel pattern of the array onto a target. | 11-25-2010 |
20100302527 | LASER INSTRUMENT FOR ELECTRO-OPTICAL DISTANCE MEASUREMENT - A laser instrument for electro-optical measurement of the distance of a target object to a reference mark is disclosed. The instrument includes a housing, a measuring device which emits a laser beam and determines a distance value from the receiving beam coming from the target object, an outlet opening to couple out the laser beam from the housing, a display device to display the distance value and an operating device to operate the laser instrument and to start a distance measurement. The display and operating devices are arranged on an upper side of the housing. The outlet opening is arranged in the upper side, in the lower side opposite from the upper side or in a side surface of the housing. | 12-02-2010 |
20100309453 | LASER INSTRUMENT FOR ELECTRO-OPTICAL DISTANCE MEASUREMENT - A laser instrument for electro-optical measurement of the distance of a target object to a reference mark is disclosed. The instrument includes a housing, where the housing has an outlet opening to couple out a laser beam from the laser instrument, a measuring device which emits a laser beam and determines a distance value from the receiving beam coming from the target object, a display device to display the distance value, an operating device to operate the laser instrument and to start the distance measurement, and an optical sighting device to align the laser beam on the target object. The direction in which a user looks into the optical sighting device is aligned parallel to the optical axis of the laser beam coupled out of the laser instrument via the outlet opening. | 12-09-2010 |
20100321668 | Distance/speed meter and distance/speed measuring method - In a distance/speed meter, first and second semiconductor lasers emit parallel laser light beams to a measurement target. A first laser driver drives the first semiconductor laser such that the oscillation interval in which at least the oscillation wavelength monotonically increases repeatedly exists. A second laser driver drives the second semiconductor laser such that the oscillation wavelength increases/decreases inversely to the oscillation wavelength of the first semiconductor laser. First and second light-receiving devices convert optical outputs from the first and second semiconductor lasers into electrical signals. A counting unit counts the numbers of interference waveforms generated by the first and second laser light beams and return light beams of the first and second laser light beams. A computing device computes the distance to the measurement target and the speed of the measurement target from the minimum and maximum oscillation wavelengths of the first and second semiconductor lasers and the counting result obtained by the counting unit. | 12-23-2010 |
20100321669 | RANGE FINDER - A laser range finder | 12-23-2010 |
20110001957 | DISTANCE-MEASURING OPTOELECTRONIC SENSOR - A distance-measuring optoelectronic sensor for the monitoring of a working zone is provided which is located within a detection zone of the sensor and at a first distance from the sensor, wherein the sensor has a lighting unit having a light source to illuminate the working zone at least partly as well as an object detection unit by means of which unauthorized objects in the working zone can be detected. In this respect, an illumination control is designed, in a switching-on phase,
| 01-06-2011 |
20110001958 | LASER-BASED COORDINATE MEASURING DEVICE AND LASER-BASED METHOD FOR MEASURING COORDINATES - A laser based coordinate measuring device measures a position of a remote target. The laser based coordinate measuring device includes a stationary portion, a rotatable portion, and at least a first optical fiber. The stationary portion has at least a first laser radiation source and at least a first optical detector, and the rotatable portion is rotatable with respect to the stationary portion. The first optical fiber system, which optically interconnects the first laser radiation source and the first optical detector with an emission end of the first optical fiber system, has the emission end disposed on the rotatable portion. The emission end emits laser radiation to the remote target and receives laser radiation reflected from the remote target with the emission direction of the laser radiation being controlled according to the rotation of the rotatable portion. | 01-06-2011 |
20110007300 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COVERTLY MARKING TARGETS - An apparatus for covertly marking a target includes a housing sized and configured to simulate a portable electronic device; a reservoir positioned in the housing for holding a quantity of miniature markers; and a dispersing mechanism positioned in or on the housing for dispersing the markers onto the target. | 01-13-2011 |
20110013172 | OBJECT MEASURING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USE IN THE DEVICE - Provided is an object measuring device capable of avoiding unnecessary scanning of an object that is unlikely to be an obstacle. By detecting a reflected light of a laser light emitted to an entire emission region, objects, other than a road surface, existing within the emission region are identified. When the objects other than the road surface are identified, a spread angle of the laser light, which is required for measuring the identified objects with a necessary accuracy, is determined. When the spread angle is determined, the laser light is emitted, at the determined spread angle, to the objects other than the road surface, and thereby the respective objects are measured. | 01-20-2011 |
20110037965 | Combined Coherent and Incoherent Imaging LADAR - The present invention relates generally to a long range eye-safe laser radar (LADAR) system for use in an environment where real-time non-cooperative identification of an object is required. In particular, a laser beam is aimed at an object, the laser energy reflected from the object is collected by a detector array for use in generating a composite of both a high resolution 3-Dimensional (3D) shape of the object and the object's high resolution micro-Doppler vibration spectrum, a characteristic of the object as unique as a fingerprint. The composite is then used to automatically identify the object by comparison to a database of similar composite sets of 3D shape and vibration spectrum information with the results of the identification conveyed to the user. | 02-17-2011 |
20110037966 | System for Measuring a Physical Quantity and for the Map Representation of Said Measures - The present invention relates to a system for measuring a physical magnitude and for the mapping representation of these measurements. The system for measuring a physical magnitude at different points of a zone to be examined, each measurement being located spatially, the system comprising a probe for measuring said physical magnitude, the system comprising a tachymeter associated with a target, said target being attached to the probe, the tachymeter determining the location of the target during each measurement in order to ascertain the position of the probe at the time of the measurement. The invention applies notably to the mapping of electromagnetic fields. | 02-17-2011 |
20110051117 | OBSERVATION DEVICE WITH RANGE FINDER - The invention relates to a binocular observation device, in particular binoculars, having two visual beam paths and a laser range finder with a laser transmitter and a laser receiver and with an opto-electronic display element. A part of one of the beam paths of the laser transmitter is integrated into a first visual beam path, wherein a part of one beam path of the laser receiver is furthermore also integrated into the first visual beam path. | 03-03-2011 |
20110085153 | DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE - A distance measuring device is provided. The distance measuring device includes: a distance sensing unit, for sensing a distance value of a target object; a drive unit, for driving the distance sensing unit to rotate according to a rotation angle; and a compensation unit, for providing a compensation value according to the rotation angle and obtaining an actual distance according to the compensation value and the distance value. | 04-14-2011 |
20110085154 | FIBER OPTIC SCANNER - Fiber optic scanner and method for transmitting and receiving optical signals and range imaging camera including fiber optic scanner. The fiber optic scanner includes a light guide array including individual light guides arranged such that a first end has first ends of the individual light guides arranged in an image plane of collimating optics and a second end has second ends of the individual light guides arranged in a circular manner. A central light guide includes a first end arranged at a center of the circularly arranged second ends of the individual light guides and a motor driven reflector arranged to guide light emerging from the circularly arranged ends of the individual light guides into the central light guide. The central light guide further includes two coaxially arranged cross sectional areas that are structured and arranged to guide transmitted light through a central one of the two coaxially arranged cross sectional areas and to guide received light through an outer one of the two coaxially arranged cross sectional areas. | 04-14-2011 |
20110090481 | MULTIPLE-WAVELENGTH CAPABLE LASER RECEIVER - A laser light receiver used to detect pulsed laser light that is produced by a rotating laser light source on a construction jobsite is disclosed. In this manner, the laser receiver acts as an elevation detector and provides an equipment operator, or a construction worker, with the current elevation status with respect to the plane of laser light. The laser receiver is a unitary device that can detect multiple light frequencies/wavelengths, including laser beams that are in the green, red, and infrared spectra. The laser receiver also is capable of discriminating between such laser beams and other interference light sources, particularly fluorescent light sources. | 04-21-2011 |
20110102763 | Three Dimensional Imaging Device, System and Method - A 3D imaging system projects a light spot on an object and images the light spot with a 2D image sensor. The position of the light spot within the field of view of the 2D image sensor is used to determine the distance to the object. | 05-05-2011 |
20110128524 | LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING SYSTEM - A method of light detection includes emitting a pulsed light beam from a pulsed light source; splitting the pulsed light beam with a beam splitting device into at least two light beam ray sets, wherein at least one of the ray sets collide with airborne particulates, resulting in backscattered light; which is received through an aperture(s); and detecting the received backscattered light at a detector. A light detection and ranging system is also disclosed. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims. | 06-02-2011 |
20110128525 | Light scanning device, laser radar device, and light scanning method - An on-vehicle laser radar device scans laser light in front and side zones through the windshield glass of a vehicle in a horizontal direction in order to detect an obstacle. When projecting the laser light emitted from the light source to the windshield glass, the device rotates a polarization plane of the laser light according to the angle of inclination of the windshield glass and an azimuth angle in the horizontal direction, and outputs the polarized laser light through the windshield glass in order to scan the laser light toward front and side visual zones of the vehicle. | 06-02-2011 |
20110141452 | RANGE SENSOR AND RANGE IMAGE SENSOR - The range image sensor is a range image sensor which is provided on a semiconductor substrate with an imaging region composed of a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged units (pixel P), thereby obtaining a range image on the basis of charge quantities Q | 06-16-2011 |
20110149266 | Position and Orientation Determination Using Movement Data - Position determining systems and methods are provided. A particular portable device includes a calibration component to communicate with a local positioning system to determine an initial position and orientation of the portable device within a local coordinate system associated with a target structure. The portable device also includes at least one movement sensor to detect movement of the portable device. The portable device further includes a processor to determine a measured position and orientation of the portable device based on the initial position and orientation of the portable device within the local coordinate system and based on the detected movement of the portable device. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149267 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING TREE CANOPIES WITH LiDAR DATA - A system and method for analyzing a canopy of a forest by analyzing the spatial uniformity of LiDAR data point heights in a number of areas surrounding a tree top, where the areas are smaller than the expected size of the crown of the tree. In one embodiment, the spatial uniformity is quantified as a canopy closure vector based on an analysis of the LiDAR data point heights in a frequency domain. In one particular embodiment, the standard deviation of the frequency components in the cells of a number of rings centered around the average value in an FFT output matrix is used to quantify the spatial uniformity. | 06-23-2011 |
20110164241 | Rangefinder - A rangefinder. A main body includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The second end includes at least one guide bar. A receiving lens is connected to the first end of the main body. A first adjusting wheel and a second adjusting wheel are rotatably connected to the second end of the main body. A movable board is movably fit on the guide bar of the second end of the main body and is disposed between the first and second adjusting wheels. A receiving member is connected to the movable board, receiving light beams received by the receiving lens. The movable board is moved by rotation of the first and second adjusting wheels, driving the receiving member to move on an optical axis. | 07-07-2011 |
20110170086 | RANGING DEVICE AND RANGING MODULE AND IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE USING THE RANGING DEVICE OR THE RANGING MODULE - A ranging device including: a lens array member which has first and second ranging lenses, optical axes of the pair of ranging lenses being parallel to each other, and first and second optical images of a subject being formed by the first and the second ranging lenses respectively; a mirror array member which has first and second reflecting members, each of the pair of reflecting members being provided with a reflecting plane; a medium mirror member which has first and second reflecting planes, the medium mirror member being arranged between the pair of reflecting members; an imaging element which is configured to convert the first and the second optical images to electronic signals; and an electronic circuit which is configured to calculate a distance to the subject based on the electronic signals output from the imaging element. | 07-14-2011 |
20110181862 | OPTICAL SIGHT HAVING A RANGE-FINDING FUNCTION - An optical sight includes an outer barrel unit, an objective lens unit, an ocular lens unit, a magnification unit, amounting unit, and a range-finding module. The outer barrel unit extends about an axis and has a front end and a rear end. The objective lens unit is mounted to the front end of the outer barrel unit. The ocular lens unit is mounted to the rear end of the outer barrel unit. The magnification unit is disposed between the objective lens unit and the ocular lens unit. The mounting unit is disposed in the outer barrel unit between the objective lens unit and the magnification unit, and has an outer peripheral surface, and an inner passage extending along the axis. The range-finding module is disposed in the outer barrel unit, and includes a light emitter, a light receiver, and a circuit board unit. | 07-28-2011 |
20110188024 | DOOR LATCH MISALIGHMENT MEASURING ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD - A pair of laser distance sensors are arranged to impinge a respective laser beam on a respective one of a pair of surfaces on a reference target installed on a car door to determine the extent of misalignment of a door latch and striker by determining the extent of any vertical door movement induced by such misalignment. The use of oppositely inclined surfaces eliminates the effect of small mispositioning of the reference target surfaces and the laser distance sensors. A side by side arrangement of the laser distance sensors can also be used to determine the door closing speed. | 08-04-2011 |
20110194097 | OPTICAL RANGING SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT - An optical ranging sensor includes a light emitting unit for projecting a light beam on an object to be measured, a light receiving unit on which a light spot of reflected light of the light beam from the object is formed, and a processing circuit unit for processing output signals from the light receiving unit and detecting a distance to the object. The light receiving unit includes an effective light receiving part having light receiving cells arranged in matrix form in a first direction in which a position of the light spot moves as the object moves along a direction of an optical axis of the light emitting unit, and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A size of the effective light receiving part in the second direction is not smaller than a radius of the light spot but not larger than a diameter thereof. | 08-11-2011 |
20110194098 | BEAM IRRADIATION DEVICE - A beam irradiation device includes a laser light source which emits laser light; an actuator which causes the laser light to scan a targeted area; and a wiring portion which supplies a drive signal to the actuator. The actuator includes a first movable portion which is pivotally movable around a first axis, an optical element which is disposed on the first movable portion, and on which the laser light is entered, and a first coil which is disposed on the first movable portion. The wiring portion includes a wiring member which is electrically connected to the first coil, and has a spring property in a flexing direction. The wiring member is disposed at such a position as to urge the first movable portion toward a first scan start position around the first axis, using the spring property. | 08-11-2011 |
20110205521 | MULTI-CHANNEL LED OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method for detecting an object located in an environment and a multi-channel LED object detection system for detecting an object located in an environment are provided. The method includes providing a Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) light source having a wide field-of-illumination and orienting the LED light source for the wide field-of-illumination to encompass the width of the environment; providing an optical detector having a wide field-of-view and orienting the optical detector for the wide field-of-view to encompass the width of the environment, the optical detector having a plurality of sub-detectors, each having an individual narrow field-of-view, each individual narrow field-of-view creating a channel in the wide field-of-view; driving the LED light source into emitting light toward the environment, the width of the environment being illuminated by the light, the light having an emitted light waveform; receiving and acquiring an individual complete trace of a reflection/backscatter of the emitted light on the object in the environment at each sub-detector of the plurality, thereby combining the individual narrow field-of-view to create the wide field-of-view encompassing the width of the environment and thereby receiving and acquiring an individual complete trace for each channel; converting the acquired individual complete trace of the reflection/backscatter into an individual digital signal; and detecting and identifying at least one of a presence of an object in the environment, a position of the object in the environment, a distance between the object and the LED light source and a visibility in the environment, using the emitted light waveform and at least one of the individual digital signal. | 08-25-2011 |
20110211187 | RESONANT SCANNER FOR 3D MAPPING - A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for a resonant scanner for three-dimensional (3D) mapping. The system, apparatus, and method employ a small, lightweight articulating device that performs as a 3D Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) laser from a moving scanner platform in a way that provides geolocation and takes advantage of mechanical resonance to amplify motion in the tilt axis. The device is used to map terrain in 3D space. The disclosed method involves resonating the scanner platform of the device with a spring about a pivot. The method further involves determining with a position sensor the tilt position and/or resonance rate of the scanner platform. Further, the method involves applying torque with an actuator to the scanner platform, and controlling with a controller the resonance of the scanner platform. | 09-01-2011 |
20110211188 | COMPACT LASER RANGEFINDER - A laser distance measuring device comprising a transmitter channel ( | 09-01-2011 |
20110216304 | HIGH DEFINITION LIDAR SYSTEM - A LiDAR-based 3-D point cloud measuring system includes a base, a housing, a plurality of photon transmitters and photon detectors contained within the housing, a rotary motor that rotates the housing about the base, and a communication component that allows transmission of signals generated by the photon detectors to external components. In several versions of the invention, the system includes a vertically oriented motherboard, thin circuit boards such as ceramic hybrids for selectively mounting emitters and detectors, a conjoined D-shaped lens array, and preferred firing sequences. | 09-08-2011 |
20110216305 | ELECTRIC DISTANCE METER - An electric distance meter is downsized by using a condensing optical member having a small outer diameter (effective diameter) as a condensing optical member in a light-receiving optical system of reflection light from an object, reducing a focal length of the condensing optical member without reducing a spread angle to a light-receiving optical fiber and reducing a diameter of the light-receiving optical fiber. An optical distance meter | 09-08-2011 |
20110222046 | RANGEFINDER FOR SHOOTING DEVICE AND METHOD OF ALIGNING RANGEFINDER TO SHOOTING DEVICE SIGHT - Embodiments of the present concept are directed to a rangefinder that can be aligned to a fixed sight on a shooting device so that a range can be accurately taken that corresponds to a fixed sight that is used to align the shooting device to a target. Other embodiments of this concept provide methods of aligning the rangefinder to the fixed sight of the shooting device. | 09-15-2011 |
20110222047 | AERIAL OBSERVATION SYSTEM - An aerial platform comprising a kite providing a level of directional stability when elevated by the wind, and an inflated balloon attached above the kite with a cord. The payload is attached to the kite. The physical separation of the balloon from the kite isolates the payload from shocks generated by the balloon. Additional isolation is provided by use of an elastic attachment cord. Electric power is supplied to the aerial platform by means of an optical fiber receiving optical power from a ground-based source, and conversion of the optical power to electrical power on board the platform. In order to provide a strong tether line, the optical fiber is plaited with a jacket braided from high tensile strength fibers. An aerial laser transmitter is described using a ground based laser source transmitting laser power through an optical fiber to an aerial platform for transmission from the platform. | 09-15-2011 |
20110228249 | LASER IMAGING SYSTEM WITH UNIFORM LINE ILLUMINATION AND METHOD FOR GENERATING IMAGES - Embodiments of a laser imaging system with uniform line illumination and method for generating images are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the laser imaging system includes a polarizer beam splitter to angularly separate an input laser beam into a pair of overlapping cross-polarized beams having a first angular separation therebetween, and a diffraction optic beamlet generator to generate a plurality of beamlets of alternating polarization states with a second angular separation therebetween. The laser imaging system may also include a focal-plane array (FPA) having a field-of-view (FOV) to be illuminated by the plurality of beamlets. | 09-22-2011 |
20110235017 | PHYSICAL INFORMATION ACQUISITION DEVICE, SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND PHYSICAL INFORMATION ACQUISITION METHOD - Disclosed herein is a physical information acquisition device including an electromagnetic wave output section, a first detection section, and a signal processing section. The electromagnetic wave output section is adapted to generate electromagnetic wave at a wavelength equivalent to a specific wavelength when, for a first wavelength range of electromagnetic wave, a wavelength where electromagnetic wave energy is lower than at other wavelengths is determined to be the specific wavelength. The first detection section is adapted to detect electromagnetic wave at the specific wavelength. The signal processing section is adapted to perform signal processing based on detection information acquired from the first detection section. | 09-29-2011 |
20110242521 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING INDIVIDUAL TREES IN LIDAR DATA USING LOCAL VIEW - A method and apparatus for identifying individual trees and its canopy shape in LiDAR data determines if the view of each LiDAR data point is blocked by one or more neighboring LiDAR data points. LiDAR data points that do not have neighboring LiDAR data points that block the view are considered to be a central part of a tree canopy. In one embodiment, those LiDAR data points that are central part of a canopy are added to an output file that stores clusters of data points for each canopy detected. The central part of the canopy area can be analyzed to predict one or more characteristics of the tree. | 10-06-2011 |
20110255070 | TRAFFIC SCANNING LIDAR - A system for determining the speed and position of objects comprises a beam source, a transmit reflection device, a beam receiver, a receive reflection device, and a controller. The beam source may generate a beam. The transmit reflection device may reflect the beam at the objects and may include a plurality of transmit faces with each transmit face oriented at a different angle and operable to reflect the beam at a different height. The beam receiver may detect the beam. The receive reflection device may include a plurality of receive faces with each receive face oriented at a different angle and operable to focus the beam reflected from objects at different heights onto the beam receiver. The controller may determine the position of the objects over time and calculate the speed of the objects based on a change in the position of the objects. | 10-20-2011 |
20110279808 | FOLDED PATH LASER RANGEFINDER ARCHITECTURE AND TECHNIQUE INCORPORATING A SINGLE CIRCUIT BOARD FOR MOUNTING OF BOTH LASER EMITTING AND DETECTING ELEMENTS - A handheld, folded-path, laser rangefinder architecture and technique incorporating a single circuit board for mounting of both the laser emitting and detecting elements is disclosed. The architecture disclosed provides an efficient and low cost design for a laser rangefinder, and by eliminating the conventional provision of separate circuit boards for the laser transmitting and receiving elements, reduces the overall size of the unit and its cost of manufacture by concomitantly eliminating unnecessary interconnecting cables and the like. | 11-17-2011 |
20110279809 | STRUCTURAL ELEMENT FOR A FUSELAGE CELL STRUCTURE OF AN AIRCRAFT, COMPRISING AT LEAST ONE POSITIONING AID - A structural element for a fuselage cell structure of an aircraft, in particular a stringer profile or an annular former segment, the structural element being made from a composite material, in particular from a carbon-fibre-reinforced epoxy resin. The structural element comprises at least one positioning aid for facilitating position determination by means of a measuring system. A laser measuring system and/or a tactile measuring system may be used as a measuring system. As a result of the reflector which can be attached to the positioning aid without clearance as a target for the laser measuring system, which is preferably a laser tracker, a spatial position of the structural element in relation to a further component can be determined very precisely and without contact. Following position determination and orientation of the structural element, the reflector can be removed from the positioning aid. | 11-17-2011 |
20110285981 | Sensor Element and System Comprising Wide Field-of-View 3-D Imaging LIDAR - A LIDAR sensor element and system for wide field-of-view applications such as autonomous UAS landing site selection is disclosed. The sensor element and system have an imaging source such as a SWIR laser for imaging a field of regard or target with a beam having a predefined wavelength. The beam is scanned over the field of regard or target with a beam steering device such as Risley prism. The reflected beam is captured by the system by receiving optics which may comprise a Risley prism for receiving and imaging the reflected beam upon a photodetector array such as a focal plane array. The focal plane array may be bonded to and a part of a three-dimensional stack of integrated circuits, a plurality of which may comprise one or more read out integrated circuits. | 11-24-2011 |
20110285982 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION ABOUT OBJECTS AROUND A VEHICLE - Arrangement and method for obtaining information about objects exterior of a vehicle in which a light source is mounted in the vehicle, structured light is projected into an area of interest exterior of the vehicle, rays of light forming the structured light originate from the light source, reflected light is detected at an image sensor at a position different than the position from which the structured light is projected, and the reflected light is analyzed relative to the projected structured light to obtain information about the object in the area of interest exterior of the vehicle. The structured light is designed to appear as if it comes from a source of light (virtual or actual) which is at a position different than the position of the image sensor. | 11-24-2011 |
20120013885 | DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MEASURING DISTANCE - A distance measuring device having a measuring range and configured for measuring a distance of at least an object located in the measuring range is provided. The distance measuring device includes a light emitting component, a diffusing component, an adjusting component and an image sensing component. The light emitting component is configured for emitting a light beam. The diffusing component is disposed on a transmission path of the light beam and is configured for transforming the light beam into a measuring light beam with a specific pattern to irradiate the object. The adjusting component is configured for adjusting an incidence angle and an incidence location of the light beam striking at the diffusing component. The image sensing component has a field of view covering the measuring range. The distance measuring device has a far measurable distance. A method for measuring distance and another distance measuring device are also provided. | 01-19-2012 |
20120013886 | Distance Measuring Module And Electronic Device Including The Same - Provided is a distance measuring module including an imaging lens imaging an object, a light source part emitting reference light to the object through the imaging lens, and a light receiving part receiving reflected light reflected by the object and made incident thereupon through the imaging lens, wherein a distance from the object is measured on the basis of a time of flight of the reflected light having reached the light receiving part. | 01-19-2012 |
20120019806 | DEVICE FOR OPTICALLY SCANNING AND MEASURING AN ENVIRONMENT - A device for optically scanning and measuring an environment, which is designed as a laser scanner, with a light emitter, which emits an emission light beam, with a light receiver which receives a reception light beam which is reflected from an object (O) in the environment of the laser scanner or scattered otherwise, and with a control and evaluation unit which, for a multitude of measuring points (X), determines at least the distance to the object (O), the laser scanner has a swivel-axis module which, as a pre-assembled assembly, on the one hand is provided with a base resting in the stationary reference system of the laser scanner and, on the other hand, with parts which can be fixed to a carrying structure of the measuring head which is rotatable relative to the base. | 01-26-2012 |
20120026481 | DETECTOR DEVICE AND MOBILE ROBOT HAVING THE SAME - A detector device includes a detector module and a lens module. The detector module includes an optical emitter and a photon detector spaced apart from the optical emitter. The lens body includes a first light-transmissive surface, a second light-transmissive surface, and a third light-transmissive surface. The optical emitter is operable to emit a light beam passing through the first light-transmissive surface and the second light-transmissive surface toward a surface so as to define a field of emission on the surface. The photon detector is aligned with the first and third light-transmissive surfaces so as to define a field of view on the surface. An extent of overlap between the field of view and the field of emission varies in accordance with a distance between the optical emitter and the surface. | 02-02-2012 |
20120033195 | Multipurpose Aiming Sight with Head-Up Display Module - A multipurpose sighting device includes a viewing window, an illuminated display, a beam combiner positioned to transmit light from a target scene and reflect light from the illuminated display through the viewing window, and projection optics having a plurality of optical elements to direct light from the display toward the beam combiner, the projection optics projecting an image of the display through the viewing window at a distance to be in focus with the target scene. | 02-09-2012 |
20120033196 | Method for Enhancing a Three Dimensional Image from a Plurality of Frames of Flash Lidar Data - A method for enhancing a three dimensional image from frames of flash LIDAR data includes generating a first distance R | 02-09-2012 |
20120038901 | OPTICAL PAYLOAD WITH INTEGRATED LASER RANGEFINDER AND TARGET DESIGNATOR - A compact optical payload for an unmanned aircraft includes two infrared cameras for wide and narrow field viewing, a daylight color camera, a laser pointer and a laser range finder. | 02-16-2012 |
20120038902 | ENHANCEMENT OF RANGE MEASUREMENT RESOLUTION USING IMAGERY - This invention provides a method for computing hybrid range measurements wherein range measurements of a target are obtained along with at least two images of the target and the location and the orientation of the images. Hybrid range measurements are computed based on the range measurements and the images. | 02-16-2012 |
20120044476 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF SCENE AND ACTION CAPTURE USING IMAGING SYSTEM INCORPORATING 3D LIDAR - The present invention pertains to systems and methods for the capture of information regarding scenes using single or multiple three-dimensional LADAR systems. Where multiple systems are included, those systems can be placed in different positions about the imaged scene such that each LADAR system provides different viewing perspectives and/or angles. In accordance with further embodiments, the single or multiple LADAR systems can include two-dimensional focal plane arrays, in addition to three-dimensional focal plane arrays, and associated light sources for obtaining three-dimensional information about a scene, including information regarding the contours of the objects within the scene. Processing of captured image information can be performed in real time, and processed scene information can include data frames that comprise three-dimensional and two-dimensional image data. | 02-23-2012 |
20120062867 | LASER DISTANCE MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - A laser-radar distance measurement apparatus for measuring the distance between two arbitrary points on a measurement target in a non-contact fashion has a light emitter, a light receiver, a scanner, and a calculation controller. The light emitter emits laser light. The scanner deflects the laser light from the light emitter to irradiate with the laser light the two arbitrary points on the measurement target one after the other, and performs one-dimensional scanning along a straight line including the two arbitrary points. The light receiver receives the laser light reflected from the two arbitrary points to output signals respectively. The calculation controller calculates the distance between the two arbitrary points based on the signals output from the light receiver and operation information on the scanner. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062868 | OPTICAL INSTRUMENT AND METHOD FOR OBTAINING DISTANCE AND IMAGE INFORMATION - An optical instrument and a method for obtaining distance and image information of an object is disclosed to improve the speed and accuracy of data acquisition. The instrument comprises a camera, positioning unit, distance measuring unit, lens arrangement and control unit. The camera acquires images of an object and the control unit defines an area to be scanned and measurement pixels of an object in the image, wherein the measurement pixels are converted into an approximation of coordinates of positions to be measured assuming a default distance to the positions, and the optical axis of the lens arrangement is adjusted sequentially onto the positions to be measured. After measuring the distances to the positions, the coordinates are recalculated increasing the accuracy of the coordinates. | 03-15-2012 |
20120069319 | BEAM IRRADIATION DEVICE AND LASER RADAR SYSTEM - A beam irradiation device is provided with a laser light source which emits laser light, a mirror actuator which causes the laser light to scan a targeted area, and an emission window through which laser light reflected on a mirror of the mirror actuator is transmitted. The emission window is formed with an anti-reflection film for suppressing surface reflection. The anti-reflection film has an angle dependence such that a lower limit of a reflectance is maintained in an incident angle range (0 to 20°) of the laser light at least corresponding to a scanning range of the laser light. | 03-22-2012 |
20120081690 | Measuring Method And Measuring Instrument - The invention provides a measuring instrument, comprising a telescope, a distance measuring unit, an image pickup unit, angle detecting units for detecting a vertical and horizontal angle in the sighting direction, an automatic sighting unit, an arithmetic unit, and a storage unit. The arithmetic unit makes the telescope rotate in horizontal and vertical direction and perform scanning over a predetermined range so that a plurality of objects to be measured are included and makes the image pickup unit acquire digital images during the scanning process. The arithmetic unit detects the objects in the digital images, calculates a vertical and horizontal angle of the objects based on the angle detector and a deviation of each of the objects from sighting axis, associates the calculated angles with each of the objects, and makes the storage unit store the vertical and horizontal angles of the objects as target values for automatic sighting. | 04-05-2012 |
20120081691 | Measuring Method And Measuring Instrument - The invention provides the measuring method for performing monitoring measurement on a plurality of measuring points by using a measuring instrument | 04-05-2012 |
20120081692 | Distance Measuring Instrument - The invention provides a distance measuring instrument, comprising a light emitting unit | 04-05-2012 |
20120092642 | DISTANCE-MEASURING SYSTEM - A distance-measuring system includes a light source, a light detector, and measuring optics for projecting light emitted by the light source to a target and for guiding light reflected from said target towards the light detector. The distance-measuring system also includes reference optics for guiding light emitted by the light source within the system towards the light detector as internal reference light and a variable attenuator for adjusting intensity of light incident on the light detector. The variable attenuator includes an attenuating filter arranged in a beam path between the measuring optics and the light detector and an actuator coupled to the attenuating filter for moving the attenuating filter. The distance-measuring system further includes an optical selector coupled to at least one of the actuator or the attenuating filter and moved by the actuator together with the attenuating filter. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092643 | SYSTEM FOR THE IDENTIFICATION AND/OR LOCATION DETERMINATION OF A CONTAINER HANDLING MACHINE - The invention relates to a system capable of determining in which lane a container handling machine is present below a quay crane or the like crane and/or capable of determining the correct location of a container handling machine in its driving direction (y) with respect to a quay crane or the like crane as containers are delivered to the crane or containers are retrieved from the crane by the container handling machine. The crane is fitted with at least one scanning laser distance sensor or the like range finder, and the container handling machines are fitted with one or more reflectors whose height profile is used for the determination of a correct location and/or for the identification of a container handling machine and for the distinction thereof from other container handling machines. | 04-19-2012 |
20120113407 | AUTOMATIC LASER RANGEFINDER AND METHOD OF AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATING THE LASER RANGEFINDER TO MEASURE DISTANCE - The present invention provides a laser rangefinder and a method of activating the laser rangefinder to measure distance. The laser rangefinder has a first sensing to sense whether the user is aiming the laser rangefinder at a target and a second sensing device to sense an acceleration of the laser rangefinder and the acceleration has to be smaller than a preset value. The laser rangefinder will be automatically activated to measure distance when both of the first sensing device and the second device are checked. | 05-10-2012 |
20120113408 | Radiation Sensor for Detecting the Position and Intensity of a Radiation Source - A radiation sensor is provided for detecting the position and intensity of a radiation source. The radiation sensor includes at least one photodetector having a radiation-sensitive surface. Furthermore, the radiation sensor includes a reflector that reflects the radiation emitted by a radiation source from specific directions at least partly in the direction of the radiation-sensitive surface of the photodetector. The reflector is arranged on that side of the radiation sensor that is remote from the radiation source. | 05-10-2012 |
20120120382 | MULTI-DIRECTIONAL ACTIVE SENSOR - A multi-directional sensor system includes a light source configured to generate a beam of electromagnetic radiation; and a transmitter configured to transmit the beam of electromagnetic radiation to a target. The transmitter may include (i) a plurality of optical fibers, wherein one or more of the optical fibers are configured to receive the beam of electromagnetic radiation, and (ii) a surface on which one end of each of the plurality of optical fibers terminate in a different direction and/or orientation thereof to emit electromagnetic radiation. A detector is configured to detect electromagnetic radiation responsive to electromagnetic radiation transmitted to the target. A method of sensing is also disclosed. | 05-17-2012 |
20120133917 | DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE AND SURVEYING SYSTEM - A distance-measuring device for contactless measurement of a distance to an object, including a housing; a contactless measuring apparatus utilizing an optical measuring beam arranged in the housing and having a radiation unit, an optical unit with optical elements encompassing at least a transmitting and receiving lens system, an optical transmitting path with an optical axis for emitting a measuring beam onto the target object, an optical receiving path with an optical axis for receiving a measuring beam that is reflected and/or scattered by the target object. At least one optical element is movable relative to an initial position; a motion sensor detects a movement of the object, the optical element movable out of the initial position into a variable compensation position so that the transmitting path can be stabilized at a spatially fixed position. | 05-31-2012 |
20120133918 | SURVEYING DEVICE AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM FOR THE SAME - A surveying device includes a surveying unit configured to measure a direction and a distance to a target object, a control unit configured to control the surveying unit, a communication unit configured to allow the control unit to communicate with an outside network, and a status input unit with which operation status information on the surveying unit is input, wherein the control unit transmits the operation status information input with the status input unit to the outside network via the communication unit. | 05-31-2012 |
20120140201 | RANGEFINDER WITH INTEGRATED RED-DOT SIGHT - A laser range finder has a first laser oriented in a first direction and a laser range transmitter and a laser range receiver oriented in a second and opposite direction, all mounted on an optical bench. The first laser having a small divergence and used to aim the laser range transmitter and receiver at a target of interest in order to determine the distance to target. The optics and electronics being housed in a housing that can be coupled to a weapon. The housing supporting a plurality of adjustors in contact with the optical bench to align the first laser, the laser range transmitter, and laser range receiver with a scope or iron sights on a weapon. | 06-07-2012 |
20120140202 | SENSOR ARRANGEMENT FOR OBJECT RECOGNITION - A sensor arrangement for object recognition in a monitored zone is provided having a first and second distance-measuring optoelectronic sensor whose fields of vision overlap, and having a common control unit which is formed for determining a position of a calibration target in the overlap region with respect to the first and second sensor to determine a transformation instruction between coordinate systems of the sensors in a registration mode so that measured points of the sensors can be combined in a common global coordinate system. The common control unit is designed to determine positions of the calibration target with respect to the first and second sensor and to determine that transformation instruction which brings a connection line between the positions with respect to the first sensor's coordinate system to cover the connection line between the positions with respect to second sensor's coordinate system. | 06-07-2012 |
20120154783 | COMPACT MONOSTATIC OPTICAL RECEIVER AND TRANSMITTER - A compact monostatic optical transmitter/receiver device simultaneously transmits an optical beam and collects returning light using a single lens or optical aperture. The system provides automatic alignment of the transmit and receive aperture and is compatible with fiber-coupled laser sources. Transmit light is emitted from a double-cladding fiber core while received light is coupled into the inner cladding of the same fiber. The transmit light propagating in the core and the received light propagating in the inner cladding are separated by the means of a diplexer comprised of a fused fiber coupler or a fiber-coupled micro-optic device. | 06-21-2012 |
20120154784 | LASER RADAR PROJECTION WITH OBJECT FEATURE DETECTION AND RANGING - A laser projection system is disclosed. The system includes a laser projector that projects a light beam to the surface of an object and scans that projected light beam over at least a portion of the surface, wherein a portion of the projected beam is diffusely reflected from the surface back to the system. The system further includes an optical signal detector that receives the feedback light beam and converts it to an image signal, a light suppression means for suppressing unwanted light from entering the optical signal detector, and a computer for producing a measurement of the distance from the projector to the object surface, and controlling the system to buck the laser projector into a coordinate system of the object using three or more features on the object, wherein at least one of the three or more features serves as a targetless fiducial point. | 06-21-2012 |
20120176593 | LASER RANGE FINDER AND METHOD FOR INTRUSION DETECTION - A scanning beam laser range finder and a method are provided for detecting an intrusion into a protected area by enhancing the capability of detecting an intruded attempting to blend with the area background. The laser range finder and method include an Emitter/Receiver configured to emit laser pulses towards each point out of the plurality of points and to receive therefrom reflected laser pulses. Further included is a processor coupled to the Emitter/Receiver and configured to derive an initial distance separating the laser range finder away from each point, the initial distance having an initial measurement error. At least one amplitude comparator is coupled to the Emitter/Receiver and to the processor, which is configured to derive a corrected distance to each point, the corrected distance having a corrected measurement error smaller than the initial measurement error. | 07-12-2012 |
20120176594 | Phase Measurement Calibrating Method And Calibrating Device Based on Liquid Crystal Light Valve Principle - Phase measurement calibrating method, calibrating device and ranging device based on the liquid crystal shutter principle are disclosed. A light wave is emitted by a light wave emitter ( | 07-12-2012 |
20120182539 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CLASSIFYING PROXIMATE MATERIALS AND ESTIMATING RANGE - A mobile device may determine a material-type of a surface proximate to the device and/or a distance between the device and the proximate surface, in at least one implementation. In some implementations, proximate material-type information may be used to estimate a distance between a mobile device and a proximate surface. A material class may also be determined for a proximate surface in some implementations. Various context-based applications are disclosed for material-type, material class, and/or distance information in connection with a mobile device. | 07-19-2012 |
20120182540 | RANGE SENSOR AND RANGE IMAGE SENSOR - A range image sensor RS is provided with an imaging region consisting of a plurality of units arranged in a two-dimensional pattern, on a semiconductor substrate | 07-19-2012 |
20120206708 | METHOD AND CONTROL UNIT FOR ROBUSTLY DETECTING A LANE CHANGE OF A VEHICLE - A method for detecting a lane change of a vehicle or for providing a curvature of a target line for lane guidance of a vehicle is described, the method including a step of receiving a first piece of traffic lane information which represents an optically detected first traffic lane boundary adjacent to or in front of a left-hand vehicle side and/or receiving a second piece of traffic lane information which represents an optically detected second lane boundary adjacent to or in front of a right-hand vehicle side. The method further includes a step of detecting a lane change if the first and/or the second piece(s) of traffic lane information represent(s) a traffic lane boundary which is less than a predetermined lateral distance to a vehicle side, or ascertaining a curvature of a desired target line for lane guidance of a vehicle from the first piece of traffic lane information weighted using a first weighting factor and the second piece of traffic lane information weighted using a second weighting factor, on the basis of a correlation observation. | 08-16-2012 |
20120206709 | Apparatus and Method for Sensing Distance - The apparatus for sensing a distance from an object includes an emitter, a first receiver, and a second receiver. The emitter emits a light along an emitting direction toward the object. The first receiver is disposed on a side of the emitter and has a first light incident surface, wherein the first receiver receives the light reflected from the object to generate a first signal. The second receiver is disposed between the emitter and the first receiver and has a second light incident surface, wherein the second receiver receives the light reflected from the object to generate a second signal. The first receiver has a first signal-to-distance curve with a first peak, the second receiver has a second signal-to-distance curve with a second peak, and a distance corresponding to the first peak is larger than a distance corresponding to the second peak. | 08-16-2012 |
20120218539 | Omni-directional imaging sensor - A method comprises generating a laser signal; scanning the laser signal into a field of view; and processing the return signal. | 08-30-2012 |
20120229788 | DEVICE FOR OPTICALLY SCANNING AND MEASURING AN ENVIRONMENT - In a device for optically scanning and measuring an environment, which device is designed as a laser scanner, with a light emitter, which, by means of a rotary mirror, emits an emission light beam, with a light receiver which receives a reception light beam which is reflected from an object in the environment of the laser scanner, and with a control and evaluation unit which, for a multitude of measuring points, determines at least the distance to the object, the rotary mirror is part of a rotor, which is configured as a hybrid structure. | 09-13-2012 |
20120236286 | ACCURATE GUN BORESIGHTING SYSTEM - A device including an optical laser radiation source that emits laser radiation having a radially symmetric intensity profile and a mounting structure that engages a weapon barrel. An optical receiver including photodetectors located equidistant from and surrounding a central target site is locatable remote from the weapon. The photodetectors are sensitive to the laser radiation and each photodetector generates an electrical signal proportional to an intensity of the laser radiation received from the laser radiation source. A signal processor processes the electrical signals from the photodetectors to generate an intensity gradient indicating comparative intensity of the laser radiation that is detected by the photodetectors. The intensity gradient presents a null point when the intensity detected by at least two compared photodetectors is equal. A communicative link exists between the optical laser radiation source and the optical receiver. Synchronous modulation-demodulation of the laser source and detectors assists in optical noise exclusion. | 09-20-2012 |
20120236287 | EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT VISUALIZATION APPARATUS AND METHOD - The present invention adjusts images received from plural cameras that are oriented to plural directions and combines the images with distance information. Thereafter, the circumstantial environment is visualized based on a moving object using an augmented reality technique to provide to a user. Specifically, the present invention adjusts images in plural directions and adds the distance information to improve the accuracy and uses a visualization method that displays the images with respect to the moving object. | 09-20-2012 |
20120236288 | Range Based Sensing - Ranging apparatus capable of projecting patterns of structured light tailored for use at particular ranges or depth regimes. Detected light points in a scene can be compared to pre-determined pattern templates to provide a simple and low cost gesture recognition system, for example as an interface to a smartphone or PDA. A structured light generator can be adapted to switch back and forth between said first and second structured patterns, either automatically according to a timing control, or adaptively in response to sensed information from the illuminated scene. Alternatively the structured light generator can be adapted to project the first and second patterns simultaneously. Separate light generators may be employed for the different patterns, or alternatively components can be shared. | 09-20-2012 |
20120242971 | Omnidirectional Image Detection System With Range Information - An omnidirectional image detection system, which uses a single camera to acquire distance information from dual images. In addition to the camera, an upper mirror and a lower mirror are all arranged coaxially. Both mirrors have reflective outer surfaces, symmetric about the axis, and both are generally conical in shape, with the apex toward the camera. The lower mirror (nearest the camera) is truncated at the apex and has an opening in its center that permits light from the upper mirror to pass to the camera. The camera receives an image from each mirror, and these images form a concentric dual image. The disparity between the images can be used to provide distance data or to generate a three-dimensional image. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242972 | Vehicular Ranging System and Method of Operation - A vehicular object ranging system having a long-range sensor having a long-range field of view and a short-range sensor having a short-range field of view overlapping and exceeding said long-range field of view and having an angular resolution capability. The sampling rate of one of the long-range sensor and short-range sensor can be varied depending of the signal provided by the other. | 09-27-2012 |
20120242973 | Stabilisation of the Repetition Rate of a Passively Q-Switched Laser by Means of Coupled Resonators - The invention relates to a Q-switched laser comprised of a pump light source ( | 09-27-2012 |
20120249996 | LASER RADAR FOR THREE-DIMENSIONAL SCANNING - In a laser radar, a first scanning member scans a laser beam in a virtual plane passing through an axis. A control means controls displacements of the first scanning member to change a scan beam angle in the plane. A second scanning member deflects the scanned laser beam and again scans the deflected laser beam toward an external space. A light collecting means collects reflected light. A driving means rotates both the second scanning member and the light collecting means about the axis. The second scanning member has a deflecting surface to deflect the laser beam. The deflecting surface is formed around the axis and has a plurality of reflecting surfaces coaxially arranged centering on the axis. The reflecting surfaces have different inclinations with respect to a horizontal plane perpendicular to the axis. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249997 | Laser Scanner And Method For Detecting Mobile Object - A laser scanner comprises a light projecting optical system for projecting a distance measuring light, a deflecting optical member for deflecting and projecting the distance measuring light to a measurement area, a distance measuring unit for carrying out measurement based on a reflection light and for acquiring distance data of the measurement area, a second image pickup unit capable of continuously acquiring image data including the measurement area, and a control unit. The control unit has a first image processing unit for acquiring a three-dimensional image based on the image data and on the distance data, and also has a second image processing unit for detecting a mobile object by comparing image data being adjacent to each other in terms of time. The control unit controls the distance measuring unit so that measurement of the mobile object detected in the measurement area is restricted by the second image processing unit. | 10-04-2012 |
20120262696 | Optical Distance Measuring Device - A measuring device for optically measuring a distance to a target object including an emitter device for emitting an optical measuring beam to the target object, a capturing device comprising a detection surface for detecting an optical beam returned by the target object, and an evaluation device. The detection surface has a plurality of pixels, each pixel having at least one light-sensitive element and each of the plurality of pixels is connected to the evaluation device. The emitting device and the capturing device are configured in such a manner that the optical measurement beam returned by the target object simultaneously illuminates a plurality of pixels. The evaluation device is configured in such a manner that detection signals of a plurality of pixels are guided to at least one of the plurality of distance determining devices. | 10-18-2012 |
20120262697 | ABSOLUTE DISTANCE METER BASED ON AN UNDERSAMPLING METHOD - A measurement system includes a signal generator producing an RF modulation frequency and sampling frequency and sending the sampling frequency to an ADC, and sending the RF frequency to modulate a first light source to produce a first light; an optical system sending a portion of the first light to a reference optical detector a portion of the first light out a measurement device to a target that returns a second light to the optical system which sends the second light to a measure optical detector, the reference and measure optical detectors converting the optical signals into corresponding electrical signals; a first ADC channel receiving the electrical measure signal and producing digital measure values; a second ADC channel receiving the electrical reference signal and producing digital reference values; and a processor receiving the digital measure and reference values and calculating the device to target distance. | 10-18-2012 |
20120262698 | GIMBAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A PREALIGNED AND REPLACEABLE OPTICS BENCH - A method includes providing: an optics assembly including a housing, a beam splitter, and a position detector; and an alignment fixture; placing the assembly on the fixture which makes contact with the assembly on the first region; projecting the third beam of light onto a first surface; rotating the assembly about the sixth axis on the fixture; sensing a change in a position of the third beam of light in response to rotation of the assembly about the sixth axis; adjusting the first path to align the third beam of light to the sixth axis; attaching the assembly to a dimensional measurement device; directing the third beam of light to a retroreflector target; reflecting a portion of the third beam from the target as a fourth beam of light; and sending a third portion of the fourth beam from the beam splitter to the position detector. | 10-18-2012 |
20120262699 | LASER TRACKER WITH ENHANCED ILLUMINATION INDICATORS - A coordinate measurement device includes: first and second angle measuring devices; a distance meter; a position detector; a first collection of illuminators rotatable about the first axis and fixed with respect to the second axis, the first collection configured to provide a first light selected from among at least two different colors of light in a visible spectrum, the first collection configured to make the first light visible from first and second points along the second axis and external to the device, the first and second points on opposite sides of the device; a second collection of illuminators rotatable about the first and second axes, the second collection configured to provide at least a second light selected from among two different colors of illumination in the visible spectrum; and a processor configured to provide a pattern of illumination for the first and second collections. | 10-18-2012 |
20120262700 | DEVICE FOR OPTICALLY SCANNING AND MEASURING AN ENVIRONMENT - In a device for optically scanning and measuring an environment, where the device is a laser scanner having a light emitter which, by a rotary mirror, emits an emission light beam, with a light receiver which receives a reception light beam, which, after passing the rotary mirror and a receiver lens which has an optical axis, is reflected from an object in the environment of the laser scanner. The laser scanner also includes a control and evaluation unit which, for a multitude of measuring points, determines the distance to the object. Also, a rear mirror is provided on the optical axis behind the receiver lens, where the rear mirror reflects towards the receiver lens the reception light beam which is refracted by the receiver lens. | 10-18-2012 |
20120262701 | SEMICONDUCTOR OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE - A manufacture having an electrical response to incident photons includes a semiconductor substrate; a chalcogen-doped semiconductor active layer on a first side of the substrate; a first contact in electrical contact with the active layer; and a second contact in electrical contact with the substrate; wherein, photons incident upon the active layer cause a variation in current between the first and second contacts. | 10-18-2012 |
20120281199 | Systems and Methods for Generating an Optical Pulse - A system for providing a sliced optical pulse is disclosed. The system can comprise a master oscillator (MO) configured to generate an optical pulse at a first spectral bandwidth. The system can also comprise a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) configured to slice the optical pulse to generate a sliced optical pulse that has a second spectral bandwidth. The second spectral bandwidth can be smaller than the first spectral bandwidth. | 11-08-2012 |
20120300190 | MEASURING DEVICE FOR DISTANCE MEASUREMENT - A measuring device for measuring a distance between a reference mark and a target object is disclosed. The device includes a beam source, which is embodied as an electro-optical component and emits a laser beam along an optical axis, a detector, which is embodied as an additional electro-optical component and receives a reception beam reflected and/or scattered by the target object along an optical axis, a beam forming optics, which forms the laser beam and the reception beam along an optical axis, and a beam splitting optics, which deflects the laser beam or the reception beam. An optics carrier is provided with a first receptacle for mounting a first of the electro-optical components and a second receptacle for mounting the beam forming optics. The optics carrier is monolithic. | 11-29-2012 |
20120314199 | DISTANCE DETECTING SENSOR AND CLOSE RANGE DETECTING METHOD - The present invention discloses a distance detecting sensor. The distance detecting sensor includes a casing, a focusing lenses, a circuit board mounted with several electronic elements, an emitting device for emitting infrared light, and a receiving device for receiving and sensing a reflected infrared light. The distance detecting sensor is configured to have a high detection accuracy and improved detection performance. | 12-13-2012 |
20120320363 | DETERMINING THRESHOLDS TO FILTER NOISE IN GMAPD LADAR DATA - In one aspect, a computerized method to automatically determine thresholds includes receiving data generated from a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GmAPD) laser detecting and ranging (LADAR) sensor of a scene, determining an overall threshold value for the scene using a binomial distribution and determining post threshold values for each x-y position in the scene. The computerized method also includes, for each x-y position, using a maximum value of the post threshold values and the overall threshold value to filter the data from the scene. | 12-20-2012 |
20120320364 | DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR DETERMINING A DISTANCE TO A SURFACE OF A WORKPIECE AND AN ARRANGEMENT AND A METHOD FOR EFFECTING A WORKPIECE - A device for determining a distance to a surface of a workpiece includes an arrangement for emitting an energy beam towards the surface. The device includes a contact member with a first surface configured to contact the surface of the workpiece and a second surface facing the energy beam emitting means. The energy beam emitting arrangement is arranged for directing the energy beam to the second surface of the contact member. | 12-20-2012 |
20130003039 | OPTICAL DISTANCE-MEASURING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A lens frame, made from metal, retaining a light-emitting lens and a light-receiving lens is retained between a second mold and a third mold both of which are made from light-shielding resins. The lens frame has an asperity structure on its front and back surfaces. This greatly enhances adhesiveness between the light-emitting lens and the lens frame and adhesiveness between the light-receiving lens and the lens frame, thus preventing sliding of the light-emitting lens and the light-receiving lens over the lens frame. | 01-03-2013 |
20130010278 | DISTANCE MEASURING APPARATUS - The present application provides a distance measuring apparatus that can measure a distance with accuracy even when a light receiving level of a reflected light becomes saturated. A light emitting section of the distance measuring apparatus emits a measuring light toward an object to be measured. A light receiving section receives the reflected light being reflected from the object to be measured. A distance calculating section obtains a distance to the object to be measured based on an elapsed time which is from a point the measuring light is emitted until a point a light receiving level of the reflected light indicates a peak thereof. A distance correcting section corrects a value of the distance to the object to be measured depending on a length of saturation time of the light receiving level when the light receiving level becomes saturated and the peak is impossible to identify. | 01-10-2013 |
20130010279 | OMNIDIRECTIONAL LENS, OPTICAL DEVICES UTILIZING THE LENS AND METHOD FOR OPTICAL MEASUREMENT - The invention relates to an omnidirectional lens, an optical measuring device, and a method for optical measurement. The lens comprises a central portion, collecting optically in a first direction, and an edge portion, which surrounds the central portion, and which is arranged to guide the light arriving at the edge portion omnidirectionally relative to the said first direction essentially transversely relative to the said first direction. According to the invention, the edge portion is arranged to guide the light through the central portion. With the aid of the invention, it is possible to create, for example, a simpler laser radar. | 01-10-2013 |
20130021595 | THREE DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A system for making distance measurements of remote points using a phenomenon related to the time of flight of an illuminating beam. A modulated beam of light is directed at the target area. The modulated beam has temporally varying information impressed upon it, such that the time of flight of the beam to the target and back can be related to the temporal signature of the received beam. An acousto-optic modulator is used to perform frequency conversion of the modulated light reflected from points in the field, before that light impinges on the pixels of a detector array. The AO modulation frequency is close to the illuminating light modulation frequency, so that the converted mixed frequency falls within the limited parallel reading rate range of the detector array, and contains the temporal signature information of the modulated light received from the target within signals of manageable frequencies. | 01-24-2013 |
20130077082 | Device and Method for Determining the Distance to an Object - A method and apparatus for defining, from a first periodic signal, a second signal of same period, including the steps of: generating a third signal exhibiting detectable events; and synchronizing the second signal for each event. | 03-28-2013 |
20130077083 | OPTICAL BEAM SCANNER AND LASER RADAR UNIT - An optical beam scanner includes a light source, an optical scanner configured to scan a light beam irradiated from the light source, and an input optical system configured to direct the light beam irradiated from the light source to the optical scanner, wherein the optical scanner includes a rotating mirror configured to rotate around a rotational axis and reflect the light beam irradiated from the light source; the rotating mirror is rotated around the rotational axis so that the light beam is irradiated on differing positions of a mirror surface of the rotating mirror; and the mirror surface of the rotating mirror has a mirror surface inclining angle with respect to a direction parallel to the rotational axis that is arranged to gradually increase from a first side to a second side of the rotating mirror in a direction parallel to a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis. | 03-28-2013 |
20130094011 | DISTANCE MEASUREMENT USING INCOHERENT OPTICAL REFLECTOMETRY - A method for estimating a distance includes: generating an optical signal having a wavelength that is within a wavelength range, the optical signal modulated via a modulation signal having a modulation frequency; transmitting the modulated optical signal from a light source into the optical fiber, the optical fiber in contact with a moveable strain inducing element located at the position along the optical fiber, the optical fiber including a plurality of sensing locations configured to reflect light within the wavelength range when under strain from the strain inducing element and transmit light within the wavelength range when not under strain from the strain inducing element; receiving a reflected signal including light reflected from at least one of the sensing locations; demodulating the reflected signal with a reference signal to generate reflected signal data; and determining the distance to the position along the optical fiber based on the reflected signal data. | 04-18-2013 |
20130114063 | RANGE FINDER - A laser range finder | 05-09-2013 |
20130120734 | LASER RADAR APPARATUS - A laser radar apparatus includes a light source; a light scanning unit configured to scan light irradiated from the light source; a light receiving unit configured to receive light that is reflected by an object, the light being irradiated from the light scanning unit onto the object and reflected by the object; and a porous member arranged between the object and the light receiving unit, the porous member including plural through holes. | 05-16-2013 |
20130120735 | RANGE SENSOR AND RANGE IMAGE SENSOR - A light receiving region has a planar shape of a rectangular shape having a pair of long sides opposed to each other in a first direction and a pair of short sides opposed to each other in a second direction. First and second semiconductor regions are arranged as spatially separated from each other along the respective long sides. First and second gate electrodes are arranged each between the corresponding semiconductor region and the light receiving region. Third gate electrodes are arranged as spatially separated from each other between the first and second gate electrodes arranged along the long sides. Each of the third gate electrodes has a first electrode portion located between a third semiconductor region and the light receiving region, and a second electrode portion overlapping with the light receiving region and having a width in the second direction smaller than that of the first electrode portion. | 05-16-2013 |
20130120736 | THREE DIMENSIONAL SCANNING BEAM SYSTEM AND METHOD - A three dimensional scanning beam system ( | 05-16-2013 |
20130128257 | AUTOMATIC RANGE CORRECTED FLASH LADAR CAMERA - A three dimensional imaging camera comprises a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, receiving optics, an infrared focal plane array light detector, and an image processor. The described invention is capable of developing a complete 3-D scene from a single point of view. The 3-D imaging camera utilizes a pulsed laser transmitter capable of illuminating an entire scene with a single high power flash of light. The 3-D imaging camera employs a system controller to trigger a pulse of high intensity light from the pulsed laser transmitter, and counts the time from the start of the transmitter light pulse. The light reflected from the illuminated scene impinges on a receiving optics and is detected by a focal plane array optical detector. An image processor applies image enhancing algorithms to improve the image quality and develop object data for subjects in the field of view of the flash ladar imaging camera. | 05-23-2013 |
20130128258 | HELICOPTER OBSTACLE DETECTION AND INFORMATION SYSTEM - A helicopter obstacle detection and information system arranged to be transmitting laser light and receiving reflected laser light from obstacles for detecting and informing the pilot of a helicopter of obstacles in proximity of the helicopter. An obstacle detection sensor unit is arranged to be mounted on a rotor head of a helicopter such that the obstacle detection sensor unit is arranged to rotate with the rotor head when mounted. The system also includes an information unit. The transmitted laser light is arranged to cover a sector volume around a rotor head axis having a coverage defined as a radial extension in a sector plane around the rotor head axis and an angular extension perpendicular to the sector plane. A communication unit is arranged for communication between the sensor unit and the information unit. | 05-23-2013 |
20130128259 | RANGE SENSOR AND RANGE IMAGE SENSOR - A photogate electrode has a planar shape of a rectangular shape having first and second long sides opposed to each other and first and second short sides opposed to each other. First and second semiconductor regions are arranged opposite to each other with the photogate electrode in between in a direction in which the first and second long sides are opposed. Third semiconductor regions are arranged opposite to each other with the photogate electrode in between in a direction in which the first and second short sides are opposed. The third semiconductor regions make a potential on the sides of the first and second short sides higher than a potential in a region located between the first and second semiconductor regions in a region immediately below the photogate electrode. | 05-23-2013 |
20130135604 | MEASURING DEVICE FOR MEASURING DISTANCE - A measuring device and a method for adjusting the measuring device is disclosed. The device includes a first electro-optical component, a second electro-optical component, a beam-shaping optical element, an optics carrier, and a printed circuit board. The optics carrier includes a first receptacle, where the first electro-optical component is mounted in the first receptacle, and a second receptacle, where the beam-shaping optical element is mounted in the second receptacle. The printed circuit board includes a third receptacle, where the second electro-optical component is mounted in the third receptacle. The first electro-optical component and the beam-shaping optical element are adjustable relative to the optics carrier in a direction of a respective optical axis of the first electro-optical component and the beam-shaping optical element and the second electro-optical component is adjustable and fixable in a plane essentially perpendicular to an optical axis of the second electro-optical element. | 05-30-2013 |
20130135605 | OPTICAL RANGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT INSTALLED WITH THE SAME - An optical ranging device has a light emitting element, a light receiving element, a light emitting lens, and a light receiving lens. Provided between the light receiving lens and the light receiving element are a first reflection surface and a second reflection surface for changing a direction of an optical axis of a light beam condensed by the light receiving lens and guiding the light beam to the light receiving element. A single medium exists between the first reflection surface and the second reflection surface. | 05-30-2013 |
20130148095 | DOPPLER COMPENSATION FOR A COHERENT LADAR - In one aspect, a method includes representing a range of Doppler frequency offsets as a local oscillator waveform comprising a plurality of digital waveform samples, selecting a portion of the plurality of digital waveform samples using a Doppler value to form an optical heterodyne; and generating a signal associated with a target within a bandwidth of a receiver using the optical heterodyne. | 06-13-2013 |
20130148096 | RANGEFINDER - A rangefinder for measuring a distance of an object includes a case, in which a refractor, a measuring light source, a light receiver, a receiving lens, a reference light source, and a reflector are provided. The measuring light source emits measuring light to the refractor, and the refractor refracts the measuring light to the object. The measuring light reflected by the object emits to the light receiver through the receiving lens. The reference light emits reference light to the reflector, and the reflector reflects the reference light to the light receiver. The refractor and the reflector may be turned for calibration. | 06-13-2013 |
20130148097 | DISTANCE MEASURING SENSOR - A distance measuring sensor includes a substrate doped with a first impurity, first and second charge storage regions spaced apart from each other in the substrate and doped with a second impurity, a photoelectric conversion region doped with the second impurity between the first and the second charge storage regions and configured to receive light to generate charges, a first dielectric layer covering the first and second charge storage regions and the photoelectric conversion region, a second dielectric layer on the first dielectric layer, and first and second transfer gates spaced apart from each other on the first dielectric layer and between the first and second charge storage regions. Each of the first and second transfer gates may cover a portion of the second dielectric layer and may be configured to selectively transfer the charges generated in the photoelectric conversion region to the first and second charge storage regions. | 06-13-2013 |
20130148098 | Manual Distance Measuring Apparatus - A manual distance measuring apparatus includes at least one computing unit, an image acquisition means and a laser measuring device, which determines a distance of a measurement point on a measurement object in a measurement direction during a measuring process. The computing unit is configured to control, at least by open-loop control, the measurement direction depending at least on an output characteristic variable of the image acquisition means. | 06-13-2013 |
20130148099 | OPTICAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING DISTANCES - A measuring system for determining a distance between a sensor device and a measured object, wherein the sensor device comprises a light source for generating an illumination light beam and a detector for detecting a portion of the illumination light beam reflected on the surface of the measured object and wherein the measured object is designed so it is transparent at least for a wavelength range of the visible light, is designed and further developed under consideration of the most reliable distance measurement possible in all types of measuring situations, that the illumination light beam has a wavelength in the violet or ultraviolet range and that the measured object is designed in such a way that the illumination light beam is diffusely reflected on the surface of the measured object. In addition, a corresponding measuring system is specified for measuring measured objects that are essentially impermeable to light. | 06-13-2013 |
20130155386 | LASER TRACKER USED WITH SIX DEGREE-OF-FREEDOM PROBE HAVING SEPARABLE SPHERICAL RETROREFLECTOR - A method for measuring three-dimensional coordinates of a probe center includes: providing a spherically mounted retroreflector; providing a probe assembly; providing an orientation sensor; providing a coordinate measurement device; placing the spherically mounted retroreflector on the probe head; directing the first beam of light from the coordinate measurement device to the spherically mounted retroreflector; measuring the first distance; measuring the first angle of rotation; measuring the second angle of rotation; measuring the three orientational degrees of freedom based at least in part on information provided by the orientation sensor; calculating the three-dimensional coordinates of the probe center based at least in part on the first distance, the first angle of rotation, the second angle of rotation, and the three orientational degrees of freedom; and storing the three-dimensional coordinates of the probe center. | 06-20-2013 |
20130162969 | DISTANCE DETECTING SENSOR AND CLOSE RANGE DETECTING METHOD - The present invention discloses a distance detecting sensor, comprising: a casing, focusing lenses, a circuit board mounted with several electronic elements, and an emitting device emitting infrared light and a receiving device receiving and sensing a reflected infrared light. Wherein, the casing comprises a main body and two round openings on the top surface of the main body. The lenses comprise an emitting lens and a receiving lens arranged at the openings of the casing. The circuit board is mounted in the main body of the casing; the emitting device is an infrared emitting diode (LED), emitting infrared light toward the emitting lens. The receiving device is a distance detecting sensor module, which senses the reflected light focused by the receiving lens. The distance detecting sensor further comprises an emitting light guide unit arranged between the emitting lens and the emitting device, and the emitting light guide unit comprises small round holes at the emitting tube core of the emitting device. The present invention has higher detection accuracy and improves the overall detection performance of the sensor. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162970 | DEVICE FOR MEASURING A DISTANCE TO A TARGET OBJECT - A measuring device for the measurement of a distance to a target object has a beam source which is designed as an electrical-optical component and which emits a transmission beam. A detector, which is designed as a further electrical-optical component, receives a reception beam that is reflected and/or scattered by the target object. A beam splitting lens is configured to deflect the transmission and/or reception beam. Alternatively or additionally, the measuring device includes a beam shaping lens is configured for shaping the transmission and/or reception beam. A lens support is configured to accommodate the electrical-optical components. The lens support also accommodates the beam splitting lens and/or the beam shaping lens. The lens support has a first wafer for accommodating the electrical-optical components and a second wafer for accommodating the beam splitting lens, and/or the beam shaping lens. | 06-27-2013 |
20130162971 | OPTICAL SYSTEM - An optical system is disclosed. The optical system includes a radiation device having a rotational pointer, in particular a rotary laser, for the contactless display of an azimuth plane on a circumferentially disposed target object, which is configured to generate a light signal rotating or turning in the azimuth plane when emitting optical pointer radiation. A control and computing unit, which is configured to put the rotational pointer into a first operating mode or a second operating mode, where a light signal rotating continuously over a round angle by the rotational pointer can be generated in the first operating mode and a light signal that is rotatable in a limited angular sector of a round angle can be generated in the second operating mode. A radiation receiver is configured to receive and/or reflect optical radiation. | 06-27-2013 |
20130182238 | OPTOELECTRONIC DEVICE FOR OBSERVING AND/OR AIMING AT A SCENE, COMPRISING A RANGEFINDER, AND RELATED RANGE-FINDING METHOD - The invention concerns an opto-electronic device for observing and/or aiming at a scene comprising a target (C), comprising
| 07-18-2013 |
20130182239 | Lidar Imager - A lidar imager for acquiring a range image of a scene comprises a light source for emitting a light beam, a scanning device for scanning the light beam across the scene and a light sensor for receiving light reflected from the scene. The scanning device comprises a spatial light modulator (SLM) configured to display holograms that deflect the light beam into different directions within the scene to be imaged. | 07-18-2013 |
20130188167 | Using Multiple Waveforms From A Coherent Ladar For Target Acquisition - In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a tone waveform from a laser detection and ranging (LADAR) sensor, detecting a target using an echo of the tone waveform reflected from the target, determining a radial velocity of the target using the echo of the monotone waveform from the target, transmitting, from the LADAR sensor, linear frequency modulation (FM) chirp signals and determining a range to target using to echoes from the linear FM chirp signals. | 07-25-2013 |
20130194563 | OPTICAL ASSEMBLY FOR LASER RADAR - A compact optical assembly for a laser radar system is provided, that is configured to move as a unit with a laser radar system as the laser radar system is pointed at a target and eliminates the need for a large scanning (pointing) mirror that is moveable relative to other parts of the laser radar. The optical assembly comprises a light source, a lens, a scanning reflector and a fixed reflector that are oriented relative to each other such that: (i) a beam from the light source is reflected by the scanning reflector to the fixed reflector; (ii) reflected light from the fixed reflector is reflected again by the scanning reflector and directed along A line of sight through the lens; and (iii) the scanning reflector is moveable relative to the source, the lens and the fixed reflector, to adjust the focus of the beam along the line of sight. | 08-01-2013 |
20130208256 | LDV with Diffractive Optical Element for Transceiver Lens - A transceiver device that includes one or more light sources configured to emit a light beam that includes one or more different wavelengths, and includes a diffractive optical element configured to initiate one or more wavelength specific responses from the light beam to form one or more transmission light beams and to direct the one or more transmission light beams substantially towards a target; and further includes one or more sensor devices configured to receive the one or more transmission light beams and one or more reception light beams that are reflected back from the target. The diffractive optical element (e.g., a holographic element) is used in either a monostatic, bistatic or multistatic design to reduce the required size and/or number of optical elements, lasers and receivers. The transceiver device may be used in a LIDAR system in order to measure air and wind parameters at multiple altitudes. | 08-15-2013 |
20130208257 | OPTICAL PROXIMITY SENSORS USING ECHO CANCELLATION TECHNIQUES TO DETECT ONE OR MORE OBJECTS - An optical sensor includes a driver, light detector and echo canceller. The driver is adapted to selectively drive a light source. The light detector is adapted to produce a detection signal indicative of an intensity of light detected by the light detector. The echo canceller is adapted to produce an echo cancellation signal that is combined with the detection signal produced by the light detector to produce an echo cancelled detection signal having a predetermined target magnitude (e.g., zero). The echo canceller includes a coefficient generator that is adapted to produce echo cancellation coefficients indicative of distance(s) to one or more objects, if any, within the sense region of the optical sensor. The optical sensor can also include a proximity detector adapted to detect distance(s) to one or more objects within the sense region of the optical sensor based on the echo cancellation coefficients generated by the coefficient generator. | 08-15-2013 |
20130222783 | METHOD FOR SUPPRESSING AN ECHO SIGNAL - Method for suppressing an echo signal in a range finder device, which has at least one light-sensitive receiver and at least one laser light source as transmitter, characterized in that at least one counter signal corresponding to the echo signal is generated and which counter signal is super-imposed to a signal generated by the transmitter. | 08-29-2013 |
20130222784 | Fiber Optically Coupled Laser Rangefinder For Use In A Gimbal Systems - A fiber optically coupled laser rangefinder (LRF) for use in a gimbal system to input/extract a laser beam into/from a camera is disclosed. in one embodiment, the fiber optically coupled LRF includes a gimbal assembly. Further, the gimbal assembly includes a first fiber optic cable for receiving the laser beam from a remote transmitter assembly, a fiber optically coupled laser interface module to receive the laser beam and opposing mirrors to direct the laser beam to a target. In addition, the gimbal assembly includes a second fiber optic cable for transmitting a return laser beam to a remote receiver assembly. The opposing mirrors are further configured to direct the return laser bean from the target to the fiber optically coupled laser interface module. The fiber optically coupled laser interface module is further configured to transmit it to the receiver assembly via the second fiber optic cable. | 08-29-2013 |
20130229641 | DISTANCE METER - A distance meter includes a distance measuring mechanism, an evaluation unit configured to determine distance measured values, and an energy supply which is permanently installed in a housing of the distance meter. The energy supply is one or more rechargeable battery cells. | 09-05-2013 |
20130229642 | Observation Device With Range Finder - The invention describes a long-range optical device ( | 09-05-2013 |
20130229643 | ROTATING LASER - A rotating laser has a source of electromagnetic radiation for production of a reference beam, and deflection means, which can rotate about a rotation axis, by which means a laser area is defined when rotated, and with the reference beam passing over a reference path. The rotating laser has a functionality for perpendicular alignment of the laser area relative to the surface, with the control means being designed such that the laser area is automatically variably inclined relative to the surface by swiveling means swiveling the rotation axis, with a reference line range from the reference line to the rotating laser being determined for each of the respective inclination angles, and with that inclination angle of the laser area being determined as the perpendicular inclination angle at which the laser area includes the reference line with the respective shortest determined reference line range, and therefore being perpendicular to the surface. | 09-05-2013 |
20130242283 | PERSONAL LADAR SENSOR - A lightweight, low volume, inexpensive LADAR sensor incorporating 3-D focal plane arrays is adapted specifically for personal electronic appliances. The present invention generates, at high speed, 3-D image maps and object data at short to medium ranges. The techniques and structures described may be used to extend the range of long range systems as well, though the focus is on compact, short to medium range ladar sensors suitable for use in personal electronic devices. 3-D focal plane arrays are used in a variety of physical configurations to provide useful new capabilities to a variety of personal electronic appliances. | 09-19-2013 |
20130242284 | METHODS AND APPARATUS OF FUSING RADAR/CAMERA OBJECT DATA AND LiDAR SCAN POINTS - A system and method for fusing the outputs from multiple LiDAR sensors on a vehicle that includes cueing the fusion process in response to an object being detected by a radar sensor and/or a vision system. The method includes providing object files for objects detected by the LiDAR sensors at a previous sample time, where the object files identify the position, orientation and velocity of the detected objects. The method projects object models in the object files from the previous sample time to provide predicted object models. The method also includes receiving a plurality of scan returns from objects detected in the field-of-view of the sensors at a current sample time and constructing a point cloud from the scan returns. The method then segments the scan points in the point cloud into predicted scan clusters, where each cluster identifies an object detected by the sensors. | 09-19-2013 |
20130250272 | Threshold Detection Method, Module and Readout Integrated Circuit Layer for LIDAR Time of Flight System Using Differentiated Gaussian Signal - A LIDAR device and method for determining the range of a target surface using a threshold detector circuit that differentiates the laser return signal to define a differentiated signal. The signal level crossing point or threshold is representative of the peak amplitude of the return signal. The device and method compare the signal level crossing point to a predetermined threshold level to determine the range of the target surface in a LIDAR system. | 09-26-2013 |
20130258312 | OPTICAL DISTANCE MEASUREMENT DEVICE - Optical range finders are configured to transmit optical bursts toward a target and detect a corresponding received burst. DC offset in the received burst due to square law detection can be offset based on a difference between high pass and low pass filtered portions of the received burst. Edge records associated with bursts can be obtained, and correlated with a reference signal or waveform to obtain a range estimate. | 10-03-2013 |
20130265562 | DISTANCE DETECTING INDUCTION DEVICE - A distance detecting induction device ( | 10-10-2013 |
20130265563 | CONCEALED LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING SYSTEM - A concealed light detection and ranging system (LIDAR) for detecting, confusing, and jamming external laser, radar, infrared and other varieties of velocity and position detectors. The LIDAR mounts in numerous different locations on a vehicle such as the brake light, grill, door handle, etc. By utilizing a plethora of locations on the vehicle to receive and transmit light signals, the LIDAR allows generated light pulses to be carried by a network of fiber optic cables to the front, rear, top and sides of the vehicle. This ubiquitous positioning of the LIDAR on the vehicle allows for efficient reception and emission of light pulses to detect and/or, jam LIDAR guns, parking sensors, and proximity sensors without the need for the electronics to be exposed or mounted in the actual reception and transmission locations. When configured to detect lasers, the LIDAR further may include a laser receiver and pulse shaping device. | 10-10-2013 |
20130271744 | LASER RANGEFINDER MODULE FOR OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION WITH SMARTPHONES AND TABLET COMPUTERS - A laser rangefinding module for cable connected and/or wireless operative association with smartphones and tablet computers. In a particular embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, the operation of the laser rangefinder module is controlled by the smartphone or tablet computer and functions through the smartphone touchscreen with the laser rangefinder results being displayed on the smartphone display. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271745 | DEVICE FOR IMPARTING DISTANCE INFORMATION - Disclosed are methods and devices for imparting distance information to a human subject, for example a visually-impaired subject. | 10-17-2013 |
20130271746 | RANGING APPARATUS - A ranging apparatus includes a body, a substrate on which a sensor unit is mounted and fitted to a surface of the body, a sensor holder attached to the surface of the body and configured to hold the substrate, a lens unit attached to another surface of the body, and a positioning mechanism to position and connect the body, the surface and the sensor holder. The positioning mechanism includes first and second engaging parts which are provided between the body and the substrate and configured to engage the body and the substrate, and third and fourth engaging parts which are provided between the substrate and the sensor holder and configured to engage the substrate and the sensor holder. The first and second engaging parts are different in shape, and the third and fourth engaging parts are different in shape. | 10-17-2013 |
20130286376 | APPARATUS AND OPTICAL METHOD OF RANGING AND OF HIGH BIT-RATE COMMUNICATION - An optical apparatus for ranging and communication in free space comprises a rangefinder comprising a device for transmitting an optical signal to a target and a device for receiving the signals backscattered by the target. A system for optical communication in free space comprises a device for transmitting an optical signal to a remote optical receiving device. The transmitting device of the rangefinder and transmitting device of the communication system is a transmitting device common to the rangefinder and communication system and transmitting pulses of peak power greater than 50 W and shape factor less than 0.01 or a modulated continuous signal of peak power less than 10 W and shape factor equal to approximately 0.5 and the apparatus comprises a supervisor controlling the common transmitting device according to two modes, the pulse mode to perform the ranging function, or the modulated continuous mode to perform the optical communication function. | 10-31-2013 |
20130301029 | DISTANCE-MEASURING SYSTEM - A distance-measuring system includes a light source, a light detector, and measuring optics for projecting light emitted by the light source to a target and for guiding light reflected from said target towards the light detector. The distance-measuring system also includes reference optics for guiding light emitted by the light source within the system towards the light detector as internal reference light and a variable attenuator for adjusting intensity of light incident on the light detector. The variable attenuator includes an attenuating filter arranged in a beam path between the measuring optics and the light detector and an actuator coupled to the attenuating filter for moving the attenuating filter. The distance-measuring system further includes an optical selector coupled to at least one of the actuator or the attenuating filter and moved by the actuator together with the attenuating filter. | 11-14-2013 |
20130301030 | OPTOELECTRONIC SENSOR AND METHOD FOR THE DETECTION AND DETERMINATION OF DISTANCES OF OBJECTS - A laser scanner ( | 11-14-2013 |
20130308118 | OPTICAL SIGNAL TRANSMISSION STRUCTURE OF LASER DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE - An optical signal transmission structure of a laser distance measuring device, comprising: a laser pipe, suspended right above a center of a rotation disk, to emit laser beam downward; a light projector module, provided with at least two reflection plates, to reflect laser beam of said laser pipe onto a target; a lens, disposed on said rotation disk, to receive laser beam reflected from said target; and a circuit board, disposed on a lower side of said rotation disk, so laser beam received by said lens is transmitted onto a light sensor element on said circuit board, to produce at least a photoelectric signal, so that circuits on said circuit board determine distance to said target based on said photoelectric signal. | 11-21-2013 |
20130314689 | INTERCHANGEABLE CHROMATIC RANGE SENSOR PROBE FOR A COORDINATE MEASURING MACHINE - An interchangeable chromatic range sensor (CRS) probe for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The CRS probe is capable of being automatically connected to a CMM under program control. In one embodiment, in order to make the CRS probe compatible with a standard CMM auto exchange joint, all CRS measurement light transmitting and receiving elements (e.g., the light source, wavelength detector, optical pen, etc.) are included in the CRS probe assembly. The CRS probe assembly also includes an auto exchange joint element that is attachable through a standard auto exchange joint connection to a CMM. In one embodiment, in order to provide the required signals through the limited number of connections of the standard CMM auto exchange joint (e.g., 13 pins), a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) serializer may be utilized for providing additional control and data signals on two signal lines. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314690 | INTERCHANGEABLE OPTICS CONFIGURATION FOR A CHROMATIC RANGE SENSOR OPTICAL PEN - An optical pen for use in a chromatic range sensor (CRS) may be used in a probe system for a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The optical pen includes a confocal optical path, an interchangeable optics element, an optical pen base member, and a repeatable fast exchange mount. The confocal optical path includes a confocal aperture and a chromatically dispersive optics portion. The interchangeable optics element includes the chromatically dispersive optics portion. The optical pen base member includes an external mounting surface for mounting to an external reference frame. The repeatable fast exchange mount includes a first mating half located on the base member and a second mating half located on the interchangeable optics element. The repeatable fast exchange mount is configured to allow the base member to receive and hold the interchangeable optics element in a fixed relationship relative to the base member and the external reference frame. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314691 | DISTANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A light source transmits detecting light toward an object. The object reflects the detecting light and forms a reflected light. A sensor is used for sensing the reflected light. Then, an exposure control unit coupled to the sensor performs luminance convergence on the reflected light according to luminance of the reflected light sensed by the sensor. And a distance measurement device coupled to the sensor detects a distance between the object and the light source and/or the sensor according to an image position of the reflected light on the sensor. | 11-28-2013 |
20130321791 | MULTIPLE CHANNEL LOCATING - Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for estimating a location on an object in a three-dimensional scene. Multiple radiation patterns are produced by spatially modulating each of multiple first radiations with a distinct combination of one or more modulating structures, each first radiation having at least one of a distinct radiation path, a distinct source, a distinct source spectrum, or a distinct source polarization with respect to the other first radiations. The location on the object is illuminated with a portion of each of two or more of the radiation patterns, the location producing multiple object radiations, each object radiation produced in response to one of the multiple radiation patterns. Multiple measured values are produced by detecting the object radiations from the location on the object due to each pattern separately using one or more detector elements. The location on the object is estimated based on the multiple measured values. | 12-05-2013 |
20130329211 | Target-Correlated Electronic Rangefinder - A viewing device includes a laser rangefinder circuit configured to capture range data associated with a target within a view area and at least one sensor configured to capture orientation data associated with an aim-point of the laser rangefinder circuit concurrently with capturing the range data. The viewing device further includes a controller coupled to the laser rangefinder and to the at least one sensor and configured to automatically determine a range to the target from the range data based on the orientation data and a target location within the view area. | 12-12-2013 |
20130335724 | CONTINUOUS RANGE FINDER - Method and system for obtaining continuous range measurements to a target aimed at by using a laser range finder, and where this is independent of whether a laser beam in the laser range finder is reflected off the target at all time. | 12-19-2013 |
20130342822 | LASER RADAR DEVICE - A laser radar device mounted on a vehicle includes a first laser emission part configured to generate a measuring laser beam by using a laser beam emitted from a laser source and to illuminate a predetermined area in a front traveling direction and a second laser emission part configured to generate a measuring laser beam by using the laser beam emitted from the laser source. A beam spread angle, viewed from a side of the vehicle, of the measuring laser beam generated by the second laser emission part is larger than a beam spread angle, viewed from a side of the vehicle, of the measuring laser beam generated by the first laser emission part. | 12-26-2013 |
20140002806 | ELECTRO-OPTICAL DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE WITH A GESTURE-BASED MEASUREMENT TRIGGER THAT FUNCTIONS WITHOUT CONTACTING THE MEASURING DEVICE | 01-02-2014 |
20140009747 | LASER RADAR DEVICE - Disclosed is a laser radar device including a modulated light beam generator that emits light beams to a target, a photodetector that receives reflected light; a reflected light condenser that condenses the reflected light; a rotator that rotates around a rotation axis; and mirrors included in the rotator that scan the light beams, and guide the reflected light to the reflected light condenser, wherein an angular detection range in a vertical direction is divided into a plurality of layers, wherein mirror surfaces of the mirrors are tilted by corresponding tilt angles relative to the rotation axis, the tilt angles being different from each other, wherein the modulated light beam generator emits the light beams in the vertical direction, the light beams having different emission angles, and wherein a difference between the emission angles corresponds to the angular detection range of one layer in the vertical direction. | 01-09-2014 |
20140016114 | Hand-Held Laser Distance Measuring Device - The disclosure is based on a hand-held laser distance measuring device comprising at least one laser unit which is configured to determine a first distance using a laser beam emitted in a first relative direction. The laser unit is further configured to determine at least one second distance, near instantaneously, using a laser beam emitted in at least one second relative direction which differs from the first relative direction. | 01-16-2014 |
20140022528 | PROXIMITY SENSOR AND PROXIMITY SENSING METHOD USING LIGHT QUANTITY OF REFLECTION LIGHT - A proximity sensor and proximity sensing method using a change in light quantity of a reflected light are disclosed. The proximity sensor may include a quantity change detection unit which detects a change in a quantity of reflected light which is output light which has been reflected by an object, where an intensity of the output light changes, and a proximity determination unit which determines a proximity of the object to the quantity change detection unit based on a change in the intensity of the output light and the detected change in the quantity of the reflected light. | 01-23-2014 |
20140043597 | DISTANCE MEASURING SYSTEM - A distance measuring system comprises a radiation source, a radiation detector, a measuring lens system, a first damping filter, a second damping filter and an actuator. The radiation source is constructed to emit optical radiation and the radiation detector is constructed to detect optical radiation. The measuring lens system is designed to project optical radiation to a target and to conduct optical radiation reflected by the target to the radiation detector. The first damping filter has a constant damping and can be arranged in a beam path between the radiation source and the measuring lens system. The second damping filter has an adjustable damping and can be arranged in a beam path between the measuring lens system and the radiation detector. The actuator is mechanically coupled to the first and also to the second damping filter and is constructed to move the first and the second damping filter in common. | 02-13-2014 |
20140071425 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SUPERIMPOSING A VIRTUAL AIMING MECHANISM WITH A PROJECTED SYSTEM BEAM IN A COMPACT LASER-BASED RANGEFINDING INSTRUMENT - A system and method for superimposing a virtual aiming mechanism with a projected system beam in a compact laser-based rangefinding instrument such as a laser-based tape measure which employs a laser rangefinding system beam and visible light beam to enable a user to merely pick up the instrument and, if the visible beam can be seen, merely aim the device without sighting by placing the resultant visible light dot on the target itself. Alternatively, if the beam cannot be seen, the user can sight through the instrument viewing aperture and see a virtual visible dot and superimpose it upon his view of the target. | 03-13-2014 |
20140071426 | SELF-ALIGNED AIMING SYSTEM AND TECHNIQUE FOR A LASER RANGEFINDER INCORPORATING A RETROREFLECTOR - A self-aligned aiming system and technique for a laser rangefinder incorporating a retroreflector. In operation, a virtual dot perceived in the laser rangefinder viewing window is inherently aligned with a visible beam projected on the target and has zero parallax by design. Even if there is a slight offset in the visual pathway of the laser rangefinder, when the virtual dot in the viewing window is placed on a specific point on the target, the visual beam is located at that same specific point. | 03-13-2014 |
20140071427 | IMAGING RANGE FINDER FABRICATION - Fabrication of an imaging range finder is disclosed. The range finder can be formed of an imaging lens and an array of emitters and photodetectors in optical communication with the lens. The emitters in the array can be formed to emit light that is directed by the lens toward a target object. The photodetectors in the array can be formed to detect light received from the object through the lens and onto the photodetectors. The lens, the array, or both can be movable to adjust the light emitted by the range finder. The range finder can be formed to find the object's range based on characteristics of the emitted light and/or the detected light. | 03-13-2014 |
20140071428 | DISTANCE MEASUREMENT APPARATUS - A distance measurement apparatus that measures distance to a target by irradiating the target with laser beams and detecting light reflected by the target includes a light projection unit. The distance measurement apparatus also includes a plurality of light emission units to emit a plurality of laser beams onto the target while setting optical paths of the plurality of laser beams radially along a given virtual plane; and a light receiving unit including a plurality of light receivers to receive the plurality of laser beams projected from the light projection unit and reflected by the target. | 03-13-2014 |
20140071429 | RANGE SENSOR AND RANGE IMAGE SENSOR - The range image sensor is a range image sensor which is provided on a semiconductor substrate with an imaging region composed of a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged units (pixel P), thereby obtaining a range image on the basis of charge quantities Q | 03-13-2014 |
20140071430 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING VOLUME - A cargo handling vehicle comprising a mast and a lifting device movable along said mast. The cargo handling vehicle comprises a range sensor located on said cargo handling vehicle at a position suitable for measuring the distance to the top of a piece of cargo. The cargo handling vehicle also comprises means for calculating a calculated height of said piece of cargo with respect based on said distance to the top of the piece of cargo, and means for calculating the estimated volume of said piece of cargo based on said known length and width and said calculated height. The cargo handling vehicle is used in a method for calculating the estimated volume of said piece of cargo. | 03-13-2014 |
20140078488 | OPTICAL RADAR DEVICE - An optical radar device for scanning an object that reduces the effects of stray light is provided. The optical radar device has a light source, a light scanning section, a light path change section, a light receiver, and an opposite phase signal adder. The opposite phase signal adder adds an opposite phase signal to the output signal from the light receiver. A rise timing of the opposite phase signal is delayed by a predetermined time relative to an output timing of the pulse light, and the opposite phase signal has an opposite phase with respect to a phase of the reflected light. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078489 | OPTICAL RADAR DEVICE - An optical laser device for scanning an object is provided. The optical radar device includes a light source that outputs a beam having an elliptical cross section. The beam is output towards a light scanning section that rotates a mirror plate about an axis for (i) reflecting the beam toward the object and (ii) reflecting a reflected light received from the object. The device also includes a light path change section that guides the beam toward the light scanning section and guides the reflected light from the light scanning section in a direction that is different from a direction of the light source. A light receiver receives the reflected light. Further, the elliptical cross section of the beam has a major axis and the major axis is substantially parallel to the axis of the mirror plate. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078490 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING A TARGET OBJECT - An information processing apparatus includes at least one projection unit configured to project a light pattern on a measuring target object, at least one imaging unit configured to capture an image of the measuring target object with the light pattern projected thereon, a measurement unit configured to measure a distance from the at least one projection unit or imaging unit to the measuring target object based on the image captured by the at least one imaging unit, a determination unit configured to determine whether a measured distance is valid, and a control unit configured to reduce luminance of a light pattern, included in a projected light pattern, which is projected on an area with respect to which the measured distance is determined by the determination unit to be valid. | 03-20-2014 |
20140085621 | PROXIMITY SENSOR AND PROXIMITY SENSING METHOD USING EVENT-BASED VISION SENSOR - A proximity sensor and a proximity sensing method using an event-based vision sensor are provided. The proximity sensor may include a point identification (ID) unit which identifies a point at which an output light output from a focused light source is reflected from an object in an image taken by the proximity sensor; and a distance determination unit which determines a distance between the object and the proximity sensor based on a position of the point. | 03-27-2014 |
20140104591 | DISTANCE FINDER APPARATUS AND SYSTEM - The present invention is a distance finder apparatus and system operable to project a laser beam spread in a line across a plane, and to determine the distance between a lens and objects that points of the spread laser beam contacts. The present invention comprises: a rangefinder incorporating an optical plate operable to cause an invisible laser beam to be spread, and a visible laser beam to be scattered, in a line along a plane, and the rangefinder is operable to measure distances at points where beams contact one or more objects; a visible pointer laser; and one or more display units. Locations where the spread beam contacts the one or more objects may be at variant distances, and measurements may be determined at any point along the scattered beam. | 04-17-2014 |
20140118716 | VIDEO AND LIDAR TARGET DETECTION AND TRACKING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEGMENTING MOVING TARGETS - Embodiments of video and LIDAR target detection and tracking system and method for segmenting targets are generally described herein. In some embodiments, the system may perform moving target detection using three-frame difference processing on frames of LIDAR range images of a scene to identify a moving target and determine an initial position estimate for the moving target. The system may also perform segmentation of the moving target using a single frame of the LIDAR range images to generate a segmented target that may include a target mask and target centroid position. After segmentation, moving target registration including motion compensation may be performed by registering the segmented target in multiple LIDAR frames to determine a target position, a target orientation and a target heading. In some embodiments, a three-dimensional model of the moving target may be generated and added to a sequence of video frames. | 05-01-2014 |
20140125964 | DIRECTED ENERGY BEAM POWER CONTROL SYSTEM AND METHOD - According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a directed energy device configured to direct energy onto a remote target under control of a controller. The receives a distance measurement to the target using a rangefinder, determines whether the target is within an expected range; and modifies a power output of the directed energy device when the target is not within the expected range. | 05-08-2014 |
20140125965 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES BY INDUCED PLASMA (LIP) - A system for classifying moving materials in real time, the system including a laser pulse generator operative to generate at least first and second laser pulses which impinge on the same impingement location on the moving materials, the first and second laser pulses being separated in time by up to 10 microseconds; and an absorption detector operative to sense an absorption spectrum at the impingement location over a detection time duration of up to 20 nanoseconds following the second laser pulse. | 05-08-2014 |
20140125966 | TRAFFIC SCANNING LIDAR - A system for determining the speed and position of objects comprises a beam source, a transmit reflection device, a beam receiver, a receive reflection device, and a controller. The beam source may generate a beam. The transmit reflection device may reflect the beam at the objects and may include a plurality of transmit faces with each transmit face oriented at a different angle and operable to reflect the beam at a different height. The beam receiver may detect the beam. The receive reflection device may include a plurality of receive faces with each receive face oriented at a different angle and operable to focus the beam reflected from objects at different heights onto the beam receiver. The controller may determine the position of the objects over time and calculate the speed of the objects based on a change in the position of the objects. | 05-08-2014 |
20140139817 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND RANGE FINDER USING THE SAME - The invention provides a solid-state image sensor including a plurality of pixels, at least one pixel of the plurality of the pixels having a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions and a pupil-dividing member that causes light that passes through an exit pupil and is incident on a region defined by the member itself to be incident on the plurality of the photoelectric conversion portions, wherein potential profiles with respect to electric charge of the plurality of the photoelectric conversion portions change in a perpendicular line direction of the substrate, and wherein a distance between potential centroids in a section perpendicular to the perpendicular line of the plurality of the photoelectric conversion portions is longer on a back side that is a side opposite to a light incidence side than on the light incidence side. | 05-22-2014 |
20140152971 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTENSITY CALIBRATION OF MULTI-BEAM LIDAR SENSORS - A method of multi-beam Lidar intensity measurement calibration including determining, by a positioning device, position information of a moving platform within a global reference frame, collecting a plurality of data points, each data point including the position information and intensity information from a plurality of beams, segmenting the plurality of data points into a plurality of voxels, based on the position information associated with each data point, finding a subset of voxels in the plurality of voxels that include a point corresponding to a certain beam in the plurality of beams and an intensity value in a predetermined neighborhood of a certain intensity value, estimating a probability density based on the subset of voxels, and generating a calibration map that maps the certain intensity value of the certain beam to a calibrated intensity value for the certain beam, based on the probability density and a prior density. | 06-05-2014 |
20140152972 | ORIENTATION INDEPENDENT FOCUS MECHANISMS FOR LASER RADAR - Focus arrangements for laser radar and other applications provide compensation of orientation-dependent gravitational forces. A linear stage can be preloaded and provided with balanced linear encoders so that gravitational force induced pitch, yaw, and roll can be reduced, detected, or compensated. Alternatively, movable focus elements can be secured to actuator driven spring assemblies that are controlled to compensate orientation-dependent gravitational forces. | 06-05-2014 |
20140152973 | OBSERVATION DEVICE WITH RANGE FINDER - The invention describes a long-range optical device with two observation parts and a first observation beam path and a measurement beam path, in which the two observation parts are arranged essentially parallel next to each other and spaced a predefinable distance apart via at least one connection element. In a plan view of the device | 06-05-2014 |
20140160458 | BISTATIC SYNTHETIC APERTURE LADAR SYSTEM - In one aspect, ladar system includes a ladar transmitter system and a ladar receiver system configured to receive data from the transmitter. The ladar transmitter system and the ladar receiver system are disposed in a configuration forming a bistatic synthetic aperture ladar system. In one example, the ladar transmitter system is configured to be disposed in a vehicle and the ladar receiver system is configured to be stationary. | 06-12-2014 |
20140168631 | Multi-clad Fiber Based Optical Apparatus and Methods for Light Detection and Ranging Sensors - Methods and apparatus for light detecting and range sensing. In one approach, a light detecting and ranging (LiDAR) sensor uses an optical directing device; a multi-clad optical fiber, a light source, and a detector. The light source is optically coupled to the multi-clad optical fiber which is configured to receive optical rays transmitted from the light source and route the rays on an optical path leading to the optical directing device. The optical directing device is configured both to direct the transmitted optical rays routed through the multi-clad fiber towards a target to be sensed and direct optical rays reflected from the target on an optical path leading to the multi-clad optical fiber. The multi-clad optical fiber is configured to receive the reflected optical rays and route the reflected optical rays on an optical path leading to the detector. The detector is configured to detect the reflected optical rays. | 06-19-2014 |
20140176933 | LIGHT DETECTING AND RANGING SENSING APPARATUS AND METHODS - According to one aspect, an optical apparatus for a light detecting and ranging (LiDAR) sensing system is provided. The optical apparatus can comprise an optical directing device; and a multi clad optical fiber, wherein said multi clad optical fiber comprises a core, at least one inner cladding, and an outer cladding. The core is arranged to receive optical rays transmitted from a light source of said sensing system and route said transmitted optical rays on an optical path leading to optical directing device. The optical directing device is configured both to direct said routed transmitted optical rays on an optical path leading to a target to be sensed and direct optical rays reflected from said target on an optical path leading to said inner cladding of said multi clad optical fiber. The inner cladding is configured to receive said reflected optical rays and route said reflected optical rays on an optical path leading to a detector for receiving reflected optical rays of said sensing system. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176934 | BINOCULAR TELESCOPE HAVING AN INTEGRATED LASER RANGE FINDER - A binocular telescope with an integrated laser rangefinder, consisting of:
| 06-26-2014 |
20140192340 | MEASUREMENT SYSTEM AND MEASURING METHOD - A ranging apparatus transmits an optical input signal to an optical signal input/output unit mounted on a measurement target. The optical signal input/output unit receives the optical signal and transmits an optical output signal applied with an optical change, to the ranging apparatus. The ranging apparatus receives the optical output signal, measures a propagation distance from a light source a the light receiving unit through the optical signal input/output unit, and measures a relative position of the optical signal input/output unit based on the propagation distance. Thus, a distributed aperture radar is realized from the ranging apparatus and the optical signal input/output unit. | 07-10-2014 |
20140198308 | PANORAMIC SCAN RADAR AND PANORAMIC LASER SCANNING METHOD - A panoramic scan radar is provided. The panoramic scan radar includes: a fixed base; a rotary base which is rotatably combined with the fixed base; a reflector which is disposed on the rotary base to rotate with the rotary base and includes a reflective surface; a laser emitter which is disposed on the rotary base to rotate with the rotary base and selectively irradiate laser beams onto a plurality of points on the reflective surface of the reflector; and a laser receiver. The reflector reflects the laser beams toward an object and reflects at least one of the laser beams reflected by the object toward the laser receiver and the laser receiver senses the at least one of the laser beams reflected toward the laser receiver. | 07-17-2014 |
20140204360 | OPTICAL GUIDANCE SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING MUTUALLY DISTINCT SIGNAL-MODIFYING SENSORS - In an embodiment, a guidance system determines a location parameter of an object, and includes: at least one oscillating element located at the object for emitting modulated optical radiation; at least two mutually distinct signal-modifying electro-optical sensors, each of the electro-optical sensors having a detector and a demodulator for generating a demodulated electrical signal in response to detection of at least a portion of the modulated optical radiation; and a processor for determining the location parameter from the demodulated electrical signals. In another embodiment, a guidance system has aberration-corrected imaging and includes: a plurality of electro-optical sensors sharing a field of view and mutually distinctly providing a respective plurality of altered images therefrom; and an image generator module for linearly and non-linearly processing spatial frequency properties of the plurality of altered images to synthesize an aberration-corrected image for the imaging system. | 07-24-2014 |
20140218715 | STRUCTURE OF AN OPTICAL PATH FOR LASER RANGE FINDING - A structure of an optical path for laser range finding includes a main body and a light-emitting unit assembled in the main body. The main body has a transmitting channel, a receiving channel and a calibration channel. The light-emitting unit is assembled in the transmitting channel. The light-emitting unit emits an external optical beam and an internal optical beam. The external optical beam is emitted through the transmitting channel. The internal optical beam is emitted to the receiving channel via the calibration channel. An included angle is defined between the external optical beam and the internal optical beam. A receiver is mounted in the receiving channel. Under this arrangement, the external optical beam and the internal optical beam do not interfere with each other. | 08-07-2014 |
20140233010 | LOCALISING TRANSPORTABLE APPARATUS - A method of localising transportable apparatus ( | 08-21-2014 |
20140240689 | LASER RANGE FINDING ATTACHMENT FOR MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE - The present disclosure describes methods and systems, including computer-implemented methods, computer-readable media, and computer systems, for measuring range to an object (e.g., range finding) by reflection of laser radiation. One computer-implemented method includes the following operations executed on a mobile computing device (MCD): targeting an object with the MCD display operating as a viewfinder, receiving a request to trigger a laser range finding operation, initiating triggering of an emitter on a laser range finding attachment (LRFA) coupled to the MCD, receiving range finding data from the LRFA, processing the range finding data, and initiating display of data associated with the object, the data corresponding to the processed range finding data. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240690 | DETERMINING EXTRINSIC CALIBRATION PARAMETERS FOR A SENSOR - A method of determining extrinsic calibration parameters for at least one sensor ( | 08-28-2014 |
20140247439 | MOBILE FIELD CONTROLLER FOR MEASUREMENT AND REMOTE CONTROL - A mobile field controller, together with a geodetic surveying device, forms a one-person measurement system for geodetic position determination. The field controller allows the spatial orientation of the field controller to be determined. The field controller supports a geodetic target object and has a distance-measuring unit that measures the distance between the field controller and a target point, the distance being optically marked by the field controller, as a result of which a 3D point cloud is generated without physical contact to a target point. When surveying a specific terrain region, algorithms analyzing the 3D point cloud are saved in a control and evaluation unit of the field controller. The absolute position of the target point is calculated from the data of the spatial orientation of the field controller, the distance between field controller and target point and the absolute position of the geodetic target object. | 09-04-2014 |
20140253903 | STUD MAPPING AND LAYOUT METHOD - A method of establishing the location of a pair construction points for a stud in a building interior at a construction site and for determining the length of the stud needed to extend between the pair of construction points uses a robotic total station. The points are defined by x and y coordinates and anticipated z coordinates on upper and lower surfaces. The robotic total station establishes the points by directing a beam of laser light toward anticipated points and, through an iterative process, determining the actual location of the points on upper and lower surfaces that have the same x and y coordinates. | 09-11-2014 |
20140253904 | Measuring Device for Distance Measurement - A measuring device for measuring a distance between a reference mark and a target object is disclosed. The device includes a beam source, which is embodied as an electro-optical component and emits a laser beam along an optical axis, a detector, which is embodied as an additional electro-optical component and receives a reception beam reflected and/or scattered by the target object along an optical axis, a beam forming optics, which forms the laser beam and the reception beam along an optical axis, and a beam splitting optics, which deflects the laser beam or the reception beam. An optics carrier is provided with a first receptacle for mounting a first of the electro-optical components and a second receptacle for mounting the beam forming optics. The optics carrier is monolithic. | 09-11-2014 |
20140268095 | DYNAMIC SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING THE SAME - A sensor system includes a mounting member, an actuator disposed adjacent the mounting member, and a sensor connected to the actuator for sensing movement of an object using a signal. The actuator moves the sensor from a first sensing position to a second sensing position if the sensor is unable to read the signal. | 09-18-2014 |
20140268096 | Time-Gated Image Reconstruction Using Phase Conjugation - A method and system are described for illuminating a target with a laser source with a wide-area illuminating beam. A conjugator can receive a reflected, imprinted wavefront from the target that is imprinted with effects from beam distortions and obstructions between the laser source and the target. The conjugator can then generate a hologram. A directed laser beam can then be generated to the target by reading the generated hologram with a second reference beam creating a time-reversed wavefront that can be generated with high gain. The time-reversed wavefront can retrace the path that originated from the laser source to the target, and can reverse the effects of beam distortions and obstructions. Finally, an enhanced return can be received from the target with a receiver, and a time-gating switch can be utilized that selectively selects a particular range of return wavefronts that include wavefronts that reached the target. | 09-18-2014 |
20140285792 | COORDINATE MEASURING DEVICE - A coordinate measuring device includes a carrier that automatically rotates about two axes and can be directed toward a measuring aid. The following are arranged on the carrier so as to be able to move together: a device for optically measuring the distance to the measuring aid; a first light source for emitting a target beam that is visible as a first target point when reflected on the measuring aid; a detection unit for determining a fine position of the first target point on a first position detection sensor; a second light source, the light of which is visible as a second target point when reflected on the measuring aid; a rough target detection unit for determining a rough position of the second target point on a second position detection sensor. A control device directs the carrier toward the measuring aid according to the fine and rough positions. | 09-25-2014 |
20140293262 | Imaging System for Wire Detection - The present disclosure provides a system, method, and apparatus for detection and imaging. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves transmitting, with a first optical transmitter, a first transmit signal to an object (e.g., a wire); and transmitting, with a second optical transmitter, a second transmit signal to the object. The method further involves receiving, with an optical receiver, a receive signal that is reflected from the object. In one or more embodiments, the receive signal is a function of the first transmit signal and the second transmit signal. Further, the method involves detecting, with a detector, the receive signal. The frequency of the receive signal is the sum of the frequency of the first transmit signal and the frequency of the second transmit signal, and/or is the difference between the frequency of the first transmit signal and the frequency of the second transmit signal. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293263 | LIDAR Comprising Polyhedron Transmission and Receiving Scanning Element - A LIDAR system having a rotating geometric solid polyhedron reflective scanning and receiving element disposed on a rotation table element. The system is configured for scanning a transmitted electromagnetic beam such as a laser beam over a scene of interest in both elevation and azimuth and for receiving a reflected portion of the transmitted beam onto the focal plane detector array of the invention and to output an (x, y, range) set of point cloud coordinate image data. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293264 | LASER RADAR DEVICE - A laser radar device has a light projection part that projects light to a monitoring area outside a vehicle, and a light receiving part that receives a reflected light that is projected by the light projection part and reflected by an object outside the vehicle. The light projection part has a light projection circuit that emits a laser beam, a converter that converts the laser beam into parallel light and outputs the parallel light in a horizontal direction, and a lenticular lens or a lens array. The lenticular lens or the lens array diffuses horizontally the parallel light in a plurality of directions. | 10-02-2014 |
20140293265 | AUTOMATIC RANGE CORRECTED FLASH LADAR CAMERA - A three dimensional imaging camera comprises a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, receiving optics, an infrared focal plane array light detector, and an image processor. The described invention is capable of developing a complete 3-D scene from a single point of view. The 3-D imaging camera utilizes a pulsed laser transmitter capable of illuminating an entire scene with a single high power flash of light. The 3-D imaging camera employs a system controller to trigger a pulse of high intensity light from the pulsed laser transmitter, and counts the time from the start of the transmitter light pulse. The light reflected from the illuminated scene impinges on a receiving optics and is detected by a focal plane array optical detector. An image processor applies image enhancing algorithms to improve the image quality and develop object data for subjects in the field of view of the flash ladar imaging camera. | 10-02-2014 |
20140300884 | System and Method for Tracking Objects Using Lidar and Video Measurements - A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar system and images from a video system to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory of a target. The system estimates this trajectory in two stages: a first stage in which the range and Doppler measurements from the lidar system along with various feature measurements obtained from the images from the video system are used to estimate first stage motion aspects of the target (i.e., the trajectory of the target); and a second stage in which the images from the video system and the first stage motion aspects of the target are used to estimate second stage motion aspects of the target. Once the second stage motion aspects of the target are estimated, a three-dimensional image of the target may be generated. | 10-09-2014 |
20140300885 | UNDERWATER PLATFORM WITH LIDAR AND RELATED METHODS - Systems and methods for conducting autonomous underwater inspections of subsea and other underwater structures using a 3D laser mounted on an underwater platform such as AUV, an ROV or a tripod. The systems and methods described herein can be used for scanning underwater structures to gain a better understanding of the underwater structures, such as for example, for the purpose of generating a 3D virtual model of the underwater structure. The 3D virtual model can be used for many purposes including, but not limited to, directing inspection, repair, and manipulation of the underwater structure, navigating around the underwater structure, and other purposes. | 10-09-2014 |
20140300886 | GEODETIC REFERENCING OF POINT CLOUDS - A geodetic surveying method includes deriving surface information for an object and geodetically accurate individual point measuring to at least one reference point. A position reference to an external coordinate system may also be provided by the at least one reference point. The method may also include aligning measurement radiation on the at least one reference point. The method may also include determining at least one direction to the reference point in an internal coordinate system. A method for reference point-independent scanning is also disclosed for deriving the surface information, the method may comprise scanning by continuously changing the alignment of the measurement radiation, determining a respective distance and a respective alignment of the measurement radiation emitted for a distance measurement for scanning points lying within the specified scanning region, and producing a point cloud representing the surface information and having the scanning points, in the internal coordinate system. | 10-09-2014 |
20140307247 | Methods and Systems for Detecting Weather Conditions Including Wet Surfaces Using Vehicle Onboard Sensors - Example methods and systems for detecting weather conditions including wet surfaces using vehicle onboard sensors are provided. An example method includes receiving laser data collected for an environment of a vehicle. The method also includes determining laser data points that are associated with one or more objects in the environment, and based on laser data points being unassociated with the one or more objects in the environment, identifying an indication that a surface on which the vehicle travels is wet. The method may further include receiving radar data collected for the environment of the vehicle that is indicative of a presence of the one or more objects in the environment of the vehicle, and identifying the indication that the surface on which the vehicle travels is wet further based on laser data points being unassociated with the one or more objects in the environment indicated by the radar data. | 10-16-2014 |
20140313502 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MOTION CAPTURE IN AN UNDERGROUND ENVIRONMENT - Systems and methods for motion capture of a subject, suitable for use in an underground mining environment. | 10-23-2014 |
20140320843 | TIME-MULTIPLEXED BROADBAND AND MULTI-FILTERED ELECTRO-OPTIC SENSOR - An EO sensor is configured to time multiplex a primary optical channel that provides high detection sensitivity to maintain high SNR and a multi-filtered optical channel that provides detection in different measurement bands (e.g. spectral, polarization, amplitude or phase). The channels may, for example, be time multiplexed based on range to target or within each integration period of the EO sensor. The multi-filtered optical channel uses a field directing array to sample the FOV to form different optical sub-channels that are filtered by different optical filters. These sub-channels may be spatially multiplexed onto different sub-regions of the detector or may be time multiplexed onto the entire detector. The light modulator used to time multiplex the primary and multi-filtered optical channels may be used to time de-multiplex spatially overlapping regions of the FOV onto a pixel of the detector in order to detect high spatial resolution images with low resolution detectors. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320844 | Range Finder - A range finder includes a laser transmitter, an IR transmitter, a laser receiver, an objective lens, an image sensing device, a prism device, and a display device. At least one laser beam is emitted from a laser transmitter and reflected to a laser receiver by a measured object. An infrared ray is emitted from the IR transmitter and reflected to the image sensing device by the measured object. The prism device is disposed between the objective lens and the image sensing device, for guiding visible light and the infrared ray to the image sensing device and guiding the laser beam to the laser receiver. The display device displays the image of the measured object that is captured by the image sensing device. | 10-30-2014 |
20140327901 | Rangefinder - A rangefinder includes a display, an operator control element, a distance measuring apparatus, and a computation apparatus configured (i) to initiate a measurement by the distance measuring apparatus when the operator control element is operated, and (ii) to switch on at least the display when the operator control element is operated with the display switched off. | 11-06-2014 |
20140340669 | Unknown - A long-range optical instrument comprises at least one observation beam path and an apparatus for laser ranging comprising at least one transmission apparatus with a transmission beam path and at least one reception apparatus with a reception beam path, moreover comprising an image rendering unit. The transmission beam path of the transmission apparatus and/or the reception beam path of the reception apparatus are combined using at least one optical support element for superposition with the at least one observation beam path. The image rendering unit generates the light of an image to be superposed and likewise guides said light using the at least one optical support element for superposition with the at least one observation beam path. Moreover, for beam shaping and/or beam guidance, at least one diffractive optical coupling element is arranged at the optical support element in the transmission beam path and/or in the reception beam path. | 11-20-2014 |
20140347648 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD OF COMMUNICATING POSITIONING INFORMATION - Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of communicating positioning information. For example, an apparatus may include an optical communication unit to communicate Intensity-Modulated (IM) optical signals of a positioning packet, the positioning packet including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including information modulated over a first frequency band, and the second portion including On-Off-Keying (OOK) signals over a second frequency band, the second frequency band is different from the first frequency band | 11-27-2014 |
20140347649 | METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR TESTING THE PROPER FUNCTIONALITY OF AN ELEVATOR - The invention relates to a method for testing the proper functionality of an elevator, in which a car ( | 11-27-2014 |
20140375977 | LIDAR Device and Method for Clear and Degraded Environmental Viewing Conditions - A LIDAR system that can accommodate both a clear atmosphere and be adaptable to environments in which smoke, dust or other particulates (i.e., a degraded environment) exist in the atmosphere around the target is described. The system operates in two fields of regard: clear view mode (wide field of regard) and a degraded view mode (narrow field of regard). The wide field of regard allows the output laser energy to be concentrated over a large number of detector pixels and thus resulting in high scene scan rate. The narrow field of regard allows concentrating the laser output energy on fewer pixels to compensate for the loss of laser energy due to atmospheric degradation. The combination of the ROIC and LIDAR modes of operation result in a system that is capable of operation under clear and degraded environments. | 12-25-2014 |
20150009485 | LASER RADAR SYSTEM - Provided is a laser radar system. The laser radar system includes a first transmission and reception unit sequentially radiating a first laser beam to a plurality of locations within a first view range and receiving a reflected light; and a second transmission and reception unit sequentially radiating a second laser beam to a plurality of locations within a second view range and receiving a reflected light, wherein each of the first transmission and reception unit and the second transmission and reception unit is fixed to a loader and independently searches for the first view range and the second view range. | 01-08-2015 |
20150009486 | Imaging System - An imaging system is provided, having a housing, an inlet opening receiving radiation from objects and an optical system. The optical system includes a reception channel for visible radiation, an infra-red radiation channel, a channel of the laser range finder having a laser radiation source, a photoreceptor and spectral splitters. All channels are optically coupled to one another. An optical element made from a material that transmits the radiation in the working range of the photoreceptor and is inserted into the inlet opening to hermetically seal the system. The reception channel for the visible radiation and the infra-red radiation channel are constructed as an optoelectronic multichannel system having at least two channels, the optical axes of which coincide and are situated inside the inlet opening. | 01-08-2015 |
20150029486 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING DISTANCE BETWEEN VEHICLES - Disclosed herein is an apparatus for detecting a lead distance between a user vehicle and a target vehicle in front thereof. The apparatus includes first and second position sensitive devices (PSD) arranged in the user vehicle orthogonal to the distance and each having first and second light receivers configured to receive light emitted from the target vehicle, in which the first and second PSDs output voltage corresponding intensity of light received by the first and second light receivers, and a controller configured to receive voltages output from the first and second PSDs and calculate the distance using Equation 1: L=(KD/d)/(v1−v2). | 01-29-2015 |
20150029487 | DETECTION APPARATUS AND VEHICLE - A detection apparatus attachable to a structure includes a transmission unit to transmit a transmission signal; a receiving unit to receive a reflection signal of the transmission signal reflected from a detection target; and a detection processing unit to detect the detection target based on the reflection signal. The structure includes a transmission translucent portion and a receiving translucent portion. The transmission signal having a given wavelength range passes through the transmission translucent portion, and the reflection signal having a given wavelength range passes through the receiving translucent portion. | 01-29-2015 |
20150029488 | MEASURING SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF - A measuring system includes a smart terminal and a measuring device. The smart terminal includes a first power source module, a first processor, a first wireless communication unit and a memory. The measuring device includes a measuring module, a second power source module and a second wireless communication unit. The measuring system may include one or more applications to provide a rich set of functionalities. | 01-29-2015 |
20150029489 | MEASURING DEVICE HAVING A SCANNING FUNCTIONALITY AND A SINGLE-POINT MEASUREMENT MODE - Embodiments described herein relate to a measuring device, comprising a base that defines a vertical axis, an assembly that can be pivoted about the vertical axis relative to the base, and a beam deflecting unit for varying the orientation of a measurement axis, wherein the beam deflecting unit can be rotated about a horizontal axis relative to the assembly. The measuring device further has a distance measurement functionality for measuring distance by means of the measurement radiation, an angle measurement functionality for determining an orientation of the measurement axis relative to the base, a control and processing unit for processing data and for controlling the measuring device, and a scanning functionality, wherein when the scanning functionality is executed, a scan is performed, and a point cloud comprising the scan points is produced. The assembly also has an imaging system. The measuring device may have a single-point measurement mode. | 01-29-2015 |
20150042977 | MEASUREMENT SYSTEM WITH A MEASURING DEVICE AND A SCANNING MODULE - The present invention relates to a measurement system | 02-12-2015 |
20150049325 | Wearable user-controlled obstacle identification and notification system for hands-free navigation - An obstacle identification and notification system comprised of a wearable item | 02-19-2015 |
20150055115 | Multiple Directional LIDAR System - The present invention relates to a low-cost LIDAR system. The system may be integrated in a wind turbine for measurement of the approaching wind field. One embodiment relates to a LIDAR system comprising a beam generating section adapted for generating a substantially linearly polarized output beam, and a beam steering section comprising a first optical device for controllably altering the polarization of the output beam, said first optical device in optical connection with a first polarizing beam splitter, said beam steering section adapted for directing the outputbeam interchangeably between a first direction and a second direction. | 02-26-2015 |
20150055116 | Range Finder and Prism Assembly Thereof - A prism assembly includes a first prism, a second prism, a roof prism and an optical multilayer film. The first prism includes a first, a second and a third surface. The second prism includes a fourth, a fifth and a sixth surface. The fifth surface faces the third surface. The roof prism includes a seventh, an eighth and a ridge surface. | 02-26-2015 |
20150055117 | Devices and Methods for a Rotating LIDAR Platform with a Shared Transmit/Receive Path - A LIDAR device may transmit light pulses originating from one or more light sources and may receive reflected light pulses that are then detected by one or more detectors. The LIDAR device may include a lens that both (i) collimates the light from the one or more light sources to provide collimated light for transmission into an environment of the LIDAR device and (ii) focuses the reflected light onto the one or more detectors. The lens may define a curved focal surface in a transmit path of the light from the one or more light sources and a curved focal surface in a receive path of the one or more detectors. The one or more light sources may be arranged along the curved focal surface in the transmit path. The one or more detectors may be arranged along the curved focal surface in the receive path. | 02-26-2015 |
20150055118 | LIGHT-EMITTING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A light-emitting device that can switch between two modes: single light emission and intermittent light emission is provided. The light-emitting device includes a driver circuit that can supply a control pulse signal, a constant current power supply that is supplied with the control pulse signal and can supply a constant current pulse, and a light-emitting panel that is supplied with the constant current pulse. The driver circuit includes a start switch circuit that can supply a start signal, a pulse-interval modulation circuit that can supply a pulse-interval modulation signal, and a microcomputer that is supplied with the start signal and the pulse-interval modulation signal and can supply the control pulse signal. | 02-26-2015 |
20150055119 | LASER RANGEFINDER WITH IMPROVED DISPLAY - A rangefinder having improved display capabilities. The rangefinder has a ranging system, a processor, and a display. The rangefinder may have a multi-position button for inputting data, and may also have an inertial navigation unit. The rangefinder has improved input and tracking of wind direction and speed, allowing for improved ballistic compensation for wind. | 02-26-2015 |
20150062555 | LIDAR SENSOR SYSTEM - A LIDAR sensor system includes: a transmitting unit including one or more emitting units so as to transmit polarization lasers to an object; a receiving unit configured to receive reflection light reflected on the object; and a processing unit configured to sense the object from the reflection light, and the transmitting unit may include a first emitting unit emitting a first laser and a second emitting unit emitting a second laser having polarization light orthogonal to the first laser. | 03-05-2015 |
20150062556 | STUD MAPPING AND LAYOUT METHOD - In a method of establishing the location of a pair construction points for a stud in a building, the points are defined by x and y coordinates. A beam of laser light is used to determine a z coordinate of each of the pair of construction points on surfaces of the building. The construction points are established by directing a beam of laser light toward defined x and y coordinate locations and establishing the z coordinate location of the construction points on building surfaces that have the defined x and y coordinates. | 03-05-2015 |
20150070682 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING OBSTACLE USING LASER SCANNER - An apparatus and method for recognizing an obstacle using a laser scanner are provided. The apparatus includes a laser scanner that is installed at the front of a traveling vehicle and is configured to acquire laser scanner data configured of multiple layers in real time and an imaging device installed at the front of the moving object and is configured to acquire video data. A controller is configured to divide first laser scanner data item and second laser scanner data item acquired by the laser scanner into multiple layers to extract measurement data items each existing in the respective layers and is configured to compare the measurement data items in the same layer of the multiple layers to determine whether an obstacle is present ahead of the traveling vehicle. Additionally, the controller is configured to combine the laser scanner data reflecting whether an obstacle is present with the video data. | 03-12-2015 |
20150085273 | MEASUREMENT SUPPORT DEVICE, MEASUREMENT SUPPORTING METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - According to an embodiment, a first calculator, a second calculator, a determination unit, and an informing controller. The first calculator is configured to calculate a projection position on which the point is projected on each image obtained by an image-capturing unit, by using a direction, a first distance from a measurement unit to an irradiated point of an object, and calibration information between both units. The second calculator is configured to calculate a set of reprojection positions by reprojecting a three-dimensional position on each image. The determination unit is configured to extract, from the set, a reprojection position on an image containing the projection position calculated from the point measured and captured within a certain time period, and calculate a second distance between the reprojection and projection positions. The informing controller is configured to prompt to irradiate the object in a direction in which the second distance decreases. | 03-26-2015 |
20150092177 | LASER RADAR THROUGH THE WINDOW (LRTW) COORDINATE CORRECTION METHOD - A method for corrections of measurements of points of interests measured by beams of radiation propagating through stratified media including performance of ray-tracing of at least one ray lunched from a metrology instrument in a direction of an apparent point of interest, calculation a path length of the ray through stratified medium, and determination of coordinates of true position of the point interest using the at least one path length and the direction of propagation of the ray. | 04-02-2015 |
20150092178 | UNDERWATER PLATFORM WITH LIDAR AND RELATED METHODS - Systems and methods for conducting autonomous underwater inspections of subsea and other underwater structures using a 3D laser mounted on an underwater platform such as AUV, an ROV or a tripod. The systems and methods described herein can be used for scanning underwater structures to gain a better understanding of the underwater structures, such as for example, for the purpose of avoiding collision of an underwater vehicle with the underwater structures and for directing inspection, repair, and manipulation of the underwater structures. | 04-02-2015 |
20150092179 | LIGHT RANGING WITH MOVING SENSOR ARRAY - A light ranging device is mounted on a moveable platform, for example an airplane. The light ranging device may include an illumination source for providing a pulse of light, beam shaping optics to form a beam of light directed at a target, and collection optics for providing reflected light of the beam to a light-sensitive sensor array. A processor may determine range to the target based on spatial displacement of received light on the sensor array compared to expected position of the light due to platform movement. | 04-02-2015 |
20150092180 | Measuring Method And Measuring Instrument - The invention provides a measuring method for performing monitoring measurement on two or more objects to be measured by a measuring instrument, which comprises a telescope unit for sighting an object to be measured, a distance measuring unit for projecting a distance measuring light through the telescope unit and for measuring a distance to the object to be measured, an image pickup unit for taking an image in sighting direction and for acquiring a digital image, an angle detecting unit for detecting a directional angle in the sighting direction of the telescope unit, and an automatic sighting unit for making the telescope unit perform an automatic sighting to the object to be measured, comprising a step of rotating the telescope unit in horizontal direction and in vertical direction and of scanning a predetermined range being set up so as to include two or more objects to be measured, a step of acquiring digital images at a predetermined time interval so that there are two or more images which include the same object to be measured while scanning, a step of detecting an image of the object to be measured in the digital image and of setting up a minimal rectangle surrounding the image of the object to be measured, a step of overlapping the minimal rectangles obtained in two or more digital images and of carrying out integrated processing to obtain positions of the objects to be measured in the image, a coarse measurement step of calculating a composite directional angle of each of the objects to be measured respectively based on a position in the image obtained by integrated processing and on a directional angle of a sighting axis, and a step of associating the composite directional angle obtained by the coarse measurement with each of the objects to be measured and of storing the composite directional angle as target values for automatic sighting. | 04-02-2015 |
20150092181 | Measuring Method And Measuring Instrument - The invention provides a measuring method for performing monitoring measurement on two or more objects to be measured by a measuring instrument, which comprises a telescope unit for sighting an object to be measured, a distance measuring unit for projecting a distance measuring light through the telescope unit and for measuring a distance to the object to be measured, an image pickup unit for taking an image by projecting a sighting light in sighting direction and for acquiring digital image, an angle detecting unit for detecting a directional angle in sighting direction of the telescope unit and an automatic sighting unit for carrying out automatic sighting on the object to be measured by the telescope unit, comprising a step of setting up a searching range, a light amount switch-over step of switching over a light amount of projected sighting light to a light amount for a short distance or for a long distance, a short distance searching step of searching the searching range as the light amount for short distance and of performing a coarse measurement on the objects to be measured as positioned at short distance, a long distance searching step of searching the searching range as the light amount for long distance and performing a coarse measurement on the objects to be measured as positioned at long distance and a precise measurement step of carrying out automatic sighting on all objects to be measured based on the result of coarse measurement of the short distance searching and on the result of coarse measurement of the long distance searching and of distance measurement and angle measurement on each of the objects to be measured. | 04-02-2015 |
20150092182 | ROTARY LASER EMITTING APPARATUS AND LASER MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A rotary laser emitting apparatus that rotates and emits a laser beam comprises an emission-side control unit that controls an entire operation of the apparatus, a laser emitting mechanism that emits the laser beam while rotating an irradiation optical axis that is an emission direction of the laser beam, and a rotating direction detecting unit that detects a rotating direction of the irradiation optical axis. The emission-side control unit generates a rotating posture signal showing the rotating direction of the irradiation optical axis detected by the rotating direction detecting unit and drives the laser emitting mechanism for superimposing the rotating posture signal on the laser beam. | 04-02-2015 |
20150098076 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECOGNIZING VEHICLE - An apparatus and method for recognizing a vehicle. The apparatus includes a sensor configured to provide point cloud data corresponding to a front object detected by using a LiDAR; a shape determiner configured to determines a shape corresponding to the front object by analyzing the point cloud data provided by the sensor; a receiving sensitivity analyzer configured to analyze a receiving sensitivity change corresponding to each point of the point cloud data provided by the sensor based on the shape of the vehicle; a decider configured to decide whether the front object is a vehicle according to the shape corresponding to the front object and the receiving sensitivity change corresponding to points of the point cloud; and a detector configured to recognize and detect the front object as the vehicle based on the result decided by the decider. | 04-09-2015 |
20150116691 | INDOOR SURVEYING APPARATUS AND METHOD - An indoor surveying apparatus comprises a light source, a color imaging system, a memory storing calibration coefficients, and a computing device for determining coordinates of 3D intersection points of the emitted light with objects using calibration coefficients and images captured by the imaging system. A method of using the surveying apparatus comprises the steps of capturing first image of a scene illuminated by the light source, capturing second image of the scene without the illumination by the light source, comparing the two images to identify locations of the 3D intersection points in the first image, using the set of calibration coefficients and the locations of the 3D intersection points in the first image to compute 3D coordinates of the intersection points, whereby surveying information collected by the apparatus comprises the coordinates of 3D intersection points and the color photographic images captured from known poses relative to the 3D intersection points. | 04-30-2015 |
20150116692 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SCAN RANGE GATING - A system for scanning light to define a range gated signal includes a pulsed coherent light source that directs light into the atmosphere, a light gathering instrument that receives the light modified by atmospheric backscatter and transfers the light onto an image plane, a scanner that scans collimated light from the image plane to form a range gated signal from the light modified by atmospheric backscatter, a control circuit that coordinates timing of a scan rate of the scanner and a pulse rate of the pulsed coherent light source so that the range gated signal is formed according to a desired range gate, an optical device onto which an image of the range gated signal is scanned, and an interferometer to which the image of the range gated signal is directed by the optical device. The interferometer is configured to modify the image according to a desired analysis. | 04-30-2015 |
20150116693 | Three-Dimensional Measuring Method And Surveying System - The invention provides a surveying system comprising a total station installed at a known point and having a tracking function, at least one movable measuring device having a prism for retro-reflecting a distance measuring light and a tracking light projected from the total station and capable of moving and of performing three-dimensional measurement on an object to be measured and an arithmetic control part, wherein the movable measuring device has an auxiliary measuring unit capable of measuring a distance and an angle of the object to be measured and an attitude detector capable of detecting a measuring direction, a tilting and a tilting direction of the movable measuring device, wherein the movable measuring device performs three-dimensional measurement on the object to be measured with reference to direction of the total station based on the measurement result of the auxiliary measuring unit and on the detection result of the attitude detector at an arbitrary measurement position as being sighted from the total station, wherein the total station performs three-dimensional measurement on the measurement position, and wherein the arithmetic control part performs three-dimensional measurement on the object to be measured with reference to the total station based on the result of three-dimensional measurement obtained by the movable measuring device and on the measurement result by the total station. | 04-30-2015 |
20150116694 | MOBILE MEASUREMENT DEVICES, INSTRUMENTS AND METHODS - A portable instrument or apparatus includes a portable device and a rangefinder module. The rangefinder module can be attached to the portable device, which may be any suitable smartphone, tablet or other consumer electronics device having a camera. By suitable alignment of the rangefinder and camera, the device is capable of capturing accurate data over significant ranges, including for example an image of a target together with position information concerning the target. A folded optical arrangement reduces the volume and thickness of the rangefinder module. | 04-30-2015 |
20150124237 | INSPECTION AND REPAIR MODULE - The invention relates to an inspection and repair module for an internal side wall of a vertically erected structure, with the module including a carrier for supporting at least one data recording mechanism and being securable to a hoist, and for an inspection and repair module for an internal wall of a conduit with the module including propulsion means comprising a set of driven tracked wheels controllable by a controller carried by the carrier and configured to provide, within a conduit, longitudinal forward and reverse motion. | 05-07-2015 |
20150124238 | OBJECT DETECTING APPARATUS - An object detecting apparatus includes: a light projection unit that is an array light source in which each of a plurality of light emission areas emits light, an optical scanning unit that performs scanning with the light, which is emitted from the light projection unit, in a first direction, and a light receiving unit that receives reflected light which is the light, with which the scanning is performed, being reflected by an object, and an object information acquiring unit that detects presence/absence of the object based on emission timing at which the light is emitted from the light projection unit and light receiving timing at which the light receiving unit receives the reflected light. | 05-07-2015 |
20150131079 | SYSTEM FOR MONITORING POWER LINES - Disclosed is a system for monitoring a power line. The system includes a ground unit and one or more airborne measurement devices for measuring distances between the power line and objects spatially located in proximities of the power line. Each of the one or more airborne measurement devices includes a computing hardware, one or more cameras for capturing images and a data memory for storing a pattern-recognition software that. The pattern-recognition software that is executed on the computing hardware to process the images to identify a unique identifier attached to the ground unit. The each of the one or more airborne measurement devices maintains a line-of-sight with the ground unit during flight by tracking with computer vision the unique identifier attached to the ground unit. | 05-14-2015 |
20150138527 | DEPTH ESTIMATING IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - This image capture device includes: a light-transmitting section | 05-21-2015 |
20150138528 | LASER TRACKER COMPRISING INTERFEROMETER AND ABSOLUTE DISTANCE MEASURING UNIT, AND CALIBRATION METHOD FOR A LASER TRACKER - Some embodiments described herein include a laser tracker for continuously tracking a reflective target and for determining the distance with respect to the target. The laser tracker may include beam directing unit for emitting a measurement radiation and for receiving at least part of the measurement radiation reflected at the target. The laser tracker additionally comprises an interferometer for determining a change in distance with respect to the target. A control and evaluation unit is designed in such a way that an interferometer wavelength of the measurement radiation is determined by defined sample measurements being carried out with variation of the distance with respect to the target, wherein the sample measurements are effected for at least two different distances with respect to the target, the measurement radiation is constantly oriented towards the target and with the interferometer wavelength being kept stable. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138529 | DISTANCE MEASURING METHOD USING DYNAMIC PULSE WIDTH ADAPTATION - A method for measuring a distance to an object with emitting pulsed laser light with defined measurement pulse width is disclosed. In some embodiments, the pulse width of the laser light is dynamically adjustable. The method may include receiving at least a part of the pulsed laser light with defined measurement pulse width reflected from the object, and precisely determining the distance to the object by means of the received laser light. Some embodiments may include pre-adjusting an actual pulse width of the emitted laser light in an automated and continuous manner for providing the defined measurement pulse width by performing a test measurement by emitting an amount of adjusting laser light with the actual pulse width. Some embodiment may include receiving at least a part of the adjusting laser light reflected from the object and determining a test distance to the object using the received adjusting laser light. | 05-21-2015 |
20150146189 | LIDAR SENSOR SYSTEM - Disclosed is a lidar sensor system, including: a transmission unit including one DV lens which emits laser light to a front area of a vehicle, and two SV lenses which emit laser light to left and right side areas of the vehicle; and a reception unit including one DV reception lens which receives light reflected from the front area of the vehicle, and two SV reception lenses which receive light reflected from the left and right side areas of the vehicle. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146190 | LASER RADAR APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THEREOF - Provided herein a laser radar apparatus including a plurality of light transmission and reception modules arranged concavely in an opposite direction to a scanning direction based on a surface vertical to the scanning direction, wherein each of the plurality of light transmission and reception modules comprises a transmitter configured to deflect a laser beam and to irradiate the deflected laser beam to a target; and a receiver configured to receive the laser beam reflected from the target. | 05-28-2015 |
20150292942 | RECEIVER OF A PULSED LIGHT SIGNAL WITH WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE - A receiver of a pulsed light signal comprises a photodiode adapted to generate an electric current in response to this light signal, having a parasitic capacitance C | 10-15-2015 |
20150293211 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING COMBINING COUPLERS WITH ASYMMETRIC SPLIT RATIOS IN A LIDAR SYSTEM - A laser radar, or “lidar” system, employs an asymmetric single-ended detector to detect received signals reflected back from targets. The asymmetric single-ended detector benefits from a reduced part count and fewer optical splices while nearly achieving a same gain as a symmetric differential detector. | 10-15-2015 |
20150293225 | AERIAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Aerial positioning systems and methods include a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) device mounted to a hub and one or more reflectors attached to a portion of an aircraft and configured to encode information scanable by the LIDAR device. The LIDAR device is configured to scan a field of view to identify the one or more reflectors and reflector encoded information to determine reflector position data. | 10-15-2015 |
20150309175 | DISTANCE MEASURING MODULE COMPRISING A VARIABLE OPTICAL ATTENUATION UNIT INCLUDING AN LC CELL - The invention relates to a surveying apparatus, in particular tachymeter, laser scanner, profiler or laser tracker, comprising an electronic laser distance measuring module, which comprises an optical transmission channel and an optical reception channel for laser measurement radiation, wherein a variable optical attenuation unit for the laser measurement radiation is provided in the optical transmission channel and/or optical reception channel. According to the invention, light impinging on the attenuation unit is attenuated by means of liquid crystals. The attenuation unit comprises at least one polarizer, in particular comprising a polarization sheet, a liquid crystal shutter, in particular comprising nematic liquid crystals, having a variable transmission, a first analyzer, in particular comprising a polarization sheet. | 10-29-2015 |
20150316375 | TARGET OBJECT FOR A LASER MEASURING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING THE TARGET OBJECT - A target object ( | 11-05-2015 |
20150316649 | AIRCRAFT ENHANCED REFERENCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method including placing first and second measurement devices proximate first and second aircraft doors, respectively, and determining a first position of the second measurement device relative to a second position of the first measurement device. The method includes placing first and second pluralities of reflective devices inside the aircraft proximate the first and second doors, respectively. The method includes measuring first and second distances from the first and second measurement devices to the first and second pluralities of reflective devices, respectively, and measuring second distances from the second measurement device to the second plurality of reflective devices. Based on a determined position of the second measurement device and further based on the first distances and second distances, third distances are determined between each of the first and second pluralities of reflective devices. The third distances provide a measurement baseline for points on a fuselage and wings. | 11-05-2015 |
20150316650 | OBJECT DETECTION DEVICE AND SENSING APPARATUS - An object detection device includes: a light deflector that scans a scanning area with light emitted from a light source; and a light-receiving unit that, when an object is present in the scanning area, receives reflected light from the object through an imaging forming optical system. The light emitted from the light source irradiates an area having a shape longer in a second direction orthogonal to a first direction than in the first direction. Wpds/Wpdm11-05-2015 | |
20150323713 | MEASURING DEVICE WITH A REDUCED SHARE OF STRAY LIGHT - A device for measurement by means of a light ray is equipped with a covering device for reducing stray light. The device comprises an array of lenses along an optical axis; a prism attached to one of the lenses with a slanted surface for coupling of the light ray incident from a light source placed lateral to the optical axis, onto the optical axis, so that the light ray can pass through the array of lenses along the optical axis; a receiver for receipt of a share of the light ray reflected by an object; and a covering device for at least one area of the prism that scatters a share of the light ray as stray light to the receiver. | 11-12-2015 |
20150330742 | RANGEFINDER FOR TARGETING DEVICE AND METHOD OF ALIGNING RANGEFINDER TO TARGETING DEVICE - Embodiments of the present concept are directed to a rangefinder that can be aligned to a fixed sight on a shooting device so that a range can be accurately taken that corresponds to a fixed sight that is used to align the shooting device to a target. Other embodiments of this concept provide methods of aligning the rangefinder to the fixed sight of the shooting device. | 11-19-2015 |
20150331105 | Computer-Implemented System And Method For Detecting Vehicle Occupancy - A computer-implemented system and method for detecting vehicle occupancy is provided. Light beam pulses emitted from a lidar system are applied to a passing vehicle. Scans of an object are generated from the light beam pulses. A signal is received from each of the beam pulses reflected at a point of reflection along a segment of the vehicle. A time is measured from when each beam pulse was emitted to receipt of the signal. A distance of the signal from the lidar system is calculated using the measured time. The points of reflection for that vehicle segment are positioned in relation to one another as a scan. The scans are compiled in a consecutive order according to the vehicle and a three-dimensional image of an interior of the vehicle is generated from the consecutive scans. A presence or absence of vehicle occupancy is determined based on the three-dimensional image. | 11-19-2015 |
20150331111 | Method For Localizing A Vehicle Equipped With Two Lidar Systems - A method of localising transportable apparatus ( | 11-19-2015 |
20150338518 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR REAL TIME TRACKING OF AN OBJECT - In one general aspect, a system for determining a motion of an object includes a laser system configured to generate range and velocity measurements of a plurality of points on the object and a processor. The processor is configured to determine, from the range and velocity measurements of the plurality of points on the object, a rotation of the object. In some aspects, the processor is also configured to determine, from the range and velocity measurements of the plurality of points on the object and the rotation of the object, a distance moved by the object between a first time and a second time. | 11-26-2015 |
20150355333 | PERIPHETAL OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM AND HAULAGE VEHICLE - Disclosed is a peripheral object detection system to be mounted on a vehicle. The peripheral object detection system includes a peripheral information acquisition device and a detecting range switching mechanism. The peripheral information acquisition device is configured to have, as a detected range, apart of a peripheral space of the vehicle and to acquire distance information to an object that exists in the detected range and is to be detected. The detecting range switching mechanism is configured to switch, toward an area forward or backward of the vehicle, a direction of a detecting range of the peripheral information acquisition device based on forward/backward information that indicates whether the vehicle is moving in a forward direction or in a reverse direction. | 12-10-2015 |
20150362310 | SHAPE EXAMINATION METHOD AND DEVICE THEREFOR - The purpose of the present invention is to provide a shape examination method and device that are capable of measuring, stably and with high precision, complicated three-dimensional shapes. In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a shape examination device comprising: a three-dimensional shape sensor that obtains shape data for an examination target, a path setting unit that uses reference data indicating the examination target shape data, and sets a path which passes through the relative position of the three-dimensional shape sensor relative to the examination target during examination; and a drive unit that controls the relative position of the three-dimensional shape sensor relative to the examination target. | 12-17-2015 |
20150369600 | TARGETING AUXILIARY SYSTEM FOR A RANGEFINDER - A targeting auxiliary system for a rangefinder comprises a range finding apparatus and an electronic device. The range finding apparatus has a first signal transmission unit. The electronic device is detachably connect with the range finding apparatus, and has a second signal transmission unit interconnected with the first signal transmission unit, a display electrically connected with the second signal transmission unit, and a lens connected with the display. The display has a focusing frame therein. For targeting an object, the focusing frame of the display is arranged to overlap a laser spot generated by the range finding apparatus and shown in the display such that the laser spot and the focusing frame are simultaneously aimed at the object. | 12-24-2015 |
20150369917 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL SCANNER WITH ENHANCED SPECTROSCOPIC ENERGY DETECTOR - A laser scanner that determines three-dimensional points in an environment further includes a spectrometer for determining the wavelength spectrum of chemical substances in the environment. | 12-24-2015 |
20150377604 | ZOOM CAMERA ASSEMBLY HAVING INTEGRATED ILLUMINATOR - A device including a zoom-camera assembly having a first lens group, a magnifier lens group, a beam splitter, an imaging sensor, a motor, and an illuminator, the illuminator generating a first beam of light and cooperating with the beam splitter to send the beam of light through the first lens group to a retroreflector, the first lens group receiving the second beam of light and cooperating with the beam splitter to pass the received second beam of light through the magnifier lens group onto the imaging sensor, the motor adjusting a spacing between the first lens group and the magnifier lens group. | 12-31-2015 |
20150377618 | COMPACT FOLDED SIGNAL TRANSMISSION AND IMAGE VIEWING PATHWAY DESIGN AND VISUAL DISPLAY TECHNIQUE FOR LASER RANGEFINDING INSTRUMENTS - A compact folded signal transmission and image viewing pathway design and visual display technique for laser rangefinding instruments incorporates a beam splitting cube in the eyepiece optical space and advantageously provides an objective image focal length substantially twice that of the physical length of the instrument optical components. Through the use of some of the same optical elements in both the image viewing pathway as well as the laser transmission pathway, a relatively long transmission focal length is provided which saves in both physical instrument space and component cost while also allowing for the use of reasonably sized photodiodes with improved power output over that of previous designs. | 12-31-2015 |
20150378011 | COMPRESSIVE SCANNING LIDAR - A method for increasing resolution of an image formed of received light from an illuminated spot includes measuring a y vector for measurement kernels A | 12-31-2015 |
20150378012 | SINGLE CHIP SCANNING LIDAR AND METHOD OF PRODUCING THE SAME - A chip-scale scanning lidar includes a two dimensional (2D) scanning micromirror for a transmit beam and a 2D scanning micromirror for a receive beam, a laser diode and a photodetector, a first waveguide and first grating outcoupler coupled to a front facet of the laser diode, a second waveguide and a second grating outcoupler coupled to a rear facet of the laser diode on a substrate. A first fixed micromirror, a second micromirror, a third micromirror, and a focusing component are in a dielectric layer bonded to the substrate over the laser diode and photodetector. The photodetector is optically coupled to the second fixed micromirror and the third fixed micromirror for coherent detection. | 12-31-2015 |
20160003610 | CONFOCAL SURFACE TOPOGRAPHY MEASUREMENT WITH FIXED FOCAL POSITIONS - An apparatus is described for measuring surface topography of a three-dimensional structure. In many embodiments, the apparatus is configured to focus each of a plurality of light beams to a respective fixed focal position relative to the apparatus. The apparatus measures a characteristic of each of a plurality of returned light beams that are generated by illuminating the three-dimensional structure with the light beams. The characteristic is measured for a plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure. Surface topography of the three-dimensional structure is determined based at least in part on the measured characteristic of the returned light beams for the plurality of different positions and/or orientations between the apparatus and the three-dimensional structure. | 01-07-2016 |
20160018521 | ACTIVE BLADE TRACKER AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Devices, methods and systems are provided for monitoring movement of an object, such as rotation of a blade or other airfoil. One exemplary tracking device includes a first emitter to emit first radiation along a first line of sight, a first detector proximate the first emitter to detect the first radiation, a second emitter to emit second radiation along a second line of sight, and a second detector proximate the second emitter to detect the second radiation. | 01-21-2016 |
20160018524 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FUSING RADAR/CAMERA OBJECT DATA AND LiDAR SCAN POINTS - A system and method for fusing the outputs from multiple LiDAR sensors on a vehicle that includes cueing the fusion process in response to an object being detected by a radar sensor and/or a vision system. The method includes providing object files for objects detected by the LiDAR sensors at a previous sample time, where the object files identify the position, orientation and velocity of the detected objects. The method projects object models in the object files from the previous sample time to provide predicted object models. The method also includes receiving a plurality of scan returns from objects detected in the field-of-view of the sensors at a current sample time and constructing a point cloud from the scan returns. The method then segments the scan points in the point cloud into predicted scan clusters, where each cluster identifies an object detected by the sensors. | 01-21-2016 |
20160025482 | Distance Measuring Device - A distance measuring device, in particular a hand-held laser distance meter, includes a housing, transmission unit, receiving unit, and first operating unit. The first operating unit is arranged on the housing and configured to trigger at least one distance measurement, and includes a disk element. The transmission unit is arranged in the housing and is configured to transmit a measuring radiation in a direction of an object to be measured. The receiving unit is configured to receive measuring radiation returning from the object. A method for operating the distance measuring device includes starting at least one first distance measurement by moving the first operating element from a first a second position at which the device is deactivated to a first position, in particular along a measurement axis, to trigger the measurement, or in particular a sequence of continuous distance measurements. | 01-28-2016 |
20160025488 | Enhanced Optical Detection and Ranging - In an embodiment, a method includes, for each field of view of a plurality of fields of view forming a field of regard, positioning a rotating disk in a first position corresponding to a first section of a plurality of sections. Each section of the plurality of sections may have a different focal length. The method further includes receiving a first image representing a first field of view, analyzing the first image, adjusting the plurality of mirrors based on the analysis, positioning the rotating disk in a second position corresponding to a second section, and receiving a second image representing the first field of view captured while the rotating disk was in the second position. The method further includes generating a range image of the field of view using at least the first image and the second image, and determining a range to a target using the range image. | 01-28-2016 |
20160025843 | LASER PHASE ESTIMATION AND CORRECTION - In one general aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be configured to store instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform a process. The process can include producing a segment of a laser signal where the segment of the laser signal has a duration, and producing a first reference signal based on the laser signal. The process can include calculating a first phase deviation corresponding with a first portion of the duration based on the first reference signal, and producing a second reference signal based on the laser signal. The process can include calculating a second phase deviation corresponding with a second portion of the duration based on the second reference signal, and calculating a phase deviation of the segment of the laser signal based on a combination of the first phase deviation and the second phase deviation. | 01-28-2016 |
20160026184 | CURB DETECTION USING LIDAR WITH SPARSE MEASUREMENTS - A method of detecting curb-like barriers along a route of travel using a lidar sensing system. Sparse measurement per each ray tracing is captured from a sensor using the lidar sensing system. Each ray tracing is analyzed separately by a processor. Curb candidates are identified for each respective beam. Curb candidates are combined to generate multiple curb representative hypotheses. A weighting factor is applied to each curb hypothesis. Curb hypothesis that represents the curb is selected. The curb detection is applied to an autonomous guidance system related to guiding a vehicle along the route of travel. | 01-28-2016 |
20160033258 | COORDINATE MEASURING DEVICE - Some embodiments of the invention include a coordinate measuring device, in particular a laser tracker, for capturing the position and alignment of a measuring aid, which is movable in space and comprises a retroreflector. In some embodiments, the coordinate measuring device may include at least a support fastened on a base so it is rotatable about a first axis of rotation; a beam deflection unit fastened on the support so it is rotatable about a second axis of rotation, which is essentially orthogonal to the first axis of rotation, a first bearing for the rotatable mounting of the beam deflection unit on the support, and a second bearing for the rotatable mounting of the support on the base. | 02-04-2016 |
20160033268 | APPARATUS FOR AUGMENTED REALITY FOR OPTICAL SYSTEMS - Accurate estimates of object location are established from an optical platform. Platform position is combined with dynamic data including target distance and target line of sight data to calculate target location. These target locations can be saved and shared with other users in real-time. Users may find these target locations based upon augmented reality cues provided by the system. | 02-04-2016 |
20160033272 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NORTHFINDING - An apparatus for target location is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, which includes a range sensor to generate range data, an image sensor to generate image data, an inertial sensor to generate inertia data, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive the image data from the image sensor and determine a first orientation of the housing and receive the inertia data from the inertial sensor and modify the first orientation based on the inertia data to produce a modified orientation of the housing. | 02-04-2016 |
20160033627 | NON-SATURATING RECEIVER DESIGN AND CLAMPING STRUCTURE FOR HIGH POWER LASER BASED RANGEFINDING INSTRUMENTS - A non-saturating receiver design and clamping structure for high power laser rangefinders of especial utility with respect to pumped, monoblock lasers. The receiver comprises a photodiode and a transimpedance amplifier having at least first and second stages. The first stage comprises a field effect transistor and the second stage comprises a non-saturating, non-inverting amplification stage including a differential pair of bipolar transistors having a feedback path coupling the second stage to the input of the first stage. A clamping structure for the receiver comprises a resistor coupling a cathode of the photodiode to a first voltage input and a clamping diode also coupling the cathode to a second lower voltage input. A capacitor having a capacitance C | 02-04-2016 |
20160038810 | LASER DISTANCE COMPARATOR FOR USE IN BALL GAMES UTILIZING A REFERENCE BALL - A laser distance comparator incorporates a case housing a laser controller for producing a laser beam. The case has a handle and a button for engagement of a positioning device over a reference ball. A switch control is present on the case for activating the laser controller and a central processing unit (CPU) receives an input from the switch control, providing outputs to the laser controller to obtain a distance measurement to at least one competition ball. | 02-11-2016 |
20160041263 | Cross Track Error Calculation From Active Light Sensors - Disclosed is apparatus for determining cross track error between a stored planted location and the actual physical location of plants. An array of active light sensors is mounted on a vehicle for travel above the plants. The array of active light sensors generate an electrical signal from each sensor corresponding to the reflected light from the sensor. A computer system generates a reflectance curve from the array of sensors to determine the location of a plant below the array of sensors and also generates the cross track error. | 02-11-2016 |
20160047895 | Method and System for Ladar Transmission with Closed Loop Feedback Control of Dynamic Scan Patterns - Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where closed loop feedback control is used to finely control mirror scan positions. | 02-18-2016 |
20160047896 | Method and System for Ladar Transmission with Spinning Polygon Mirror for Dynamic Scan Patterns - Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where the scanning ladar transmission system includes a spinning polygon mirror for targeting range points according to a dynamic scan pattern. | 02-18-2016 |
20160047897 | Method and System for Ladar Transmission with Interline Skipping for Dynamic Scan Patterns - Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where a dynamic scan pattern for a scanning ladar transmission system includes interline skipping and detouring. | 02-18-2016 |
20160047898 | Method and System for Ladar Transmission with Spiral Dynamic Scan Patterns - Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where a scanning ladar transmission system employs a spiral dynamic scan pattern. | 02-18-2016 |
20160047899 | Method and System for Ladar Transmission Employing Dynamic Scan Patterns with Macro Patterns and Base Patterns - Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where a dynamic scan pattern for a scanning ladar transmission system includes a macro pattern having a base pattern embedded therein. | 02-18-2016 |
20160047900 | Method and System for Scanning Ladar Transmission with Pulse Modulation - Various embodiments are disclosed for improved scanning ladar transmission, including but not limited to an example embodiment where a scanning ladar transmission system employs pulse modulation. | 02-18-2016 |
20160047902 | Scanning Optical System And Radar - The present invention provides a scanning optical system and radar that can suppress longitudinal distortion and spot rotation of a spot light radiated on an object. A light flux emitted from a light source is reflected on a first mirror surface of a mirror unit, then, proceeds to a second mirror surface, further is reflected on the second mirror surface, and is projected so as to scan on an object correspondingly to rotation of the mirror unit. The light flux emitted from the light projecting system is made longer in a sub scanning angle direction than in a scanning angle direction in a measurement range of the object and satisfies the following conditional expression, |·1−90|×|·|·255 . . . (1); in the expression, ˜1 is an intersection angle (°) between the first mirror surface and the second mirror surface, and · is a rotation angle (°). | 02-18-2016 |
20160054446 | Device for the Optical Measurement of the Distance from a Reflecting or Scattering Target Object - A device for the optical measurement of a distance from a reflecting or scattering target object is disclosed. The device has a distance measurement device and an adjusting device arranged outside of the distance measurement device having a second transmission optical unit adjustable between a first and second position for forming the laser light into a beam, where in the first position, the second transmission optical unit is arranged in the laser beam, and in the second position, it is arranged outside of the laser beam. | 02-25-2016 |
20160061939 | Laser Surveying Device - The invention provides a laser surveying device, which comprises a light emitting unit for emitting a pulsed distance measuring light, a photodetection unit for receiving a reflected pulsed distance measuring light and a control arithmetic unit for controlling the light emitting unit and for calculating a distance to an object to be measured based on a photodetection signal from the photodetection unit, wherein the light emitting unit has a pump laser source for emitting a pump laser beam, a spot diameter changing means for changing a spot diameter of the pump laser beam, and an optical cavity for emitting the pump laser beam entering via the spot diameter changing means as the pulsed distance measuring light. | 03-03-2016 |
20160061940 | RANGE DATA COMPRESSION - A laser imaging, detection, and ranging (LIDAR) system may include a scanner and a compression module. The scanner may be configured to generate a scan including multiple range values associated with multiple scan points of the scan. The compression module may be configured to map multiple range values to multiple integers. The multiple integers may represent multiple range intervals. The multiple range intervals may include multiple differently sized range intervals. The size of the range intervals may be a function of range according to an interval size function. | 03-03-2016 |
20160061955 | OPTICAL SCANNER, OBJECT DETECTOR, AND SENSING APPARATUS - An optical scanner is provided including a light source configured to emit light, a light source driving device configured to drive the light source, a light deflector having at least one rotating reflection plane and configured to deflect the light emitted from the light source to a scanning area, and a light detector configured to output a signal to control a timing at which scanning of the scanning area by the light deflected by the light deflector starts, where the light detector and the scanning area are sequentially scanned in a single scanning by one reflection plane of the light deflector, and the light source driving device drives the light source using a first driving method when the light scans the light detector, and drives the light source using a second driving method that is different from the first driving method when the light scans the scanning area. | 03-03-2016 |
20160074724 | THERMAL-ASSISTED GOLF RANGEFINDER SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Methods, apparatuses, and systems for determining a range on a golf course are disclosed. Methods may utilize infrared imaging to assist in determining a range. An infrared image (e.g., a thermal image) of a portion of a golf course that includes a flagstick is captured. The flagstick includes a thermal target. The thermal target of the flagstick is detected based on the infrared image. A light is emitted to the flagstick based on the detected thermal target. The light reflected from the flagstick is detected. A distance to the flagstick is calculated based on the detected light and the distance is provided. An apparatus for performing the methods may be a thermal-assisted rangefinder that includes an infrared imaging module, a light source, a light detector, a visible light optical device, and a processor. The visible light optical device may include a lens, a display, and/or a visible light camera. | 03-17-2016 |
20160077207 | TRACKING SUBJECTS USING RANGING SENSORS - Systems and methods for tracking subjects within a three-dimensional physical environment are presented herein. A ranging sensor is mounted at a sensor location in the environment. The ranging sensor generates sensor output. The sensor output includes detected ranges of surfaces present in the environment as a function of orientations of the ranging sensor. Characteristics of the surface are determined using the detected ranges and orientations as polar coordinates of the surfaces. | 03-17-2016 |
20160077208 | METHOD FOR OPTICALLY MEASURING DISTANCES IN THE NEAR AND FAR RANGE - In a method for optically measuring the properties of at least one measurement path (I | 03-17-2016 |
20160084650 | OPTICAL SENSOR AND OPTICAL SENSOR SYSTEM - An optical sensor includes at least two optical sensing pixels and at least two different grating elements. These grating elements are disposed above these optical sensing pixels correspondingly. | 03-24-2016 |
20160084651 | ELECTROOPTICAL DISTANCE MEASURING DEVICE AND DISTANCE MEASURING METHOD - Some embodiments of the invention relate to an electrooptical distance measuring device comprising light source, reception circuit comprising detector, in particular avalanche photodiode APD and control and evaluation component for deriving a distance to the target object. Some embodiments of the invention, the detector has at least two mutually independent reception segments for mutually independently generating a respective resultant electrical signal, wherein the reception segments are assigned to predefined or predefinable, in particular different, distance ranges to be measured. Furthermore, at least two independent amplifiers may be provided in the reception circuit. Some embodiments of the invention, therefore, for a reception segment which is assigned only to a lower distance range of comparatively near distances, an amplifier having a comparatively low gain factor can now be connected downstream, such that it is therefore possible as a result to avoid e.g. a rapid supersaturation even in the case of near distances. | 03-24-2016 |
20160084946 | PHASE ERROR CORRECTION IN SYNTHETIC APERTURE IMAGING - A method for phase error correction in a synthetic aperture (SA) imaging system is configured to image a target region of a scene from a platform in relative movement with respect to the scene. The method includes acquiring target SA data from the target region and reference SA data from a reference region of the scene, using a SA acquisition unit. One or more phase correction factors are determined from the reference SA data based on an assumption that the reference region has a known topography. The phase correction factors are representative of uncompensated optical-path-length fluctuations along the optical path between the reference region and the SA acquisition unit mounted on the platform. A phase correction is applied to the target SA data based on the phase correction factors so as to obtain phase-corrected target SA data. A SA imaging system implementing the method is also disclosed. | 03-24-2016 |
20160097842 | AUTOMATED MOBILE INVERTIBLE MEASUREMENT DEVICE - An apparatus is utilized for measuring a circumference. The apparatus includes a body section, and at least one wheel rotatably attached to the body section. Additionally, at least one vacuum generating device is disposed on the body section, and is configured to generate an effective amount of vacuum between the body section and an adjacent arcuate surface which is sufficient to retain the body section against the arcuate surface. At least one of a reflector and a gap detector may also be affixed to the body section. | 04-07-2016 |
20160102976 | SURVEYING DEVICE HAVING BALL-POINT BEARING - In a surveying device having a base for positioning the surveying device and a pitch component having an optical beam path for surveying a target, the pitch component is radially and axially mounted and is rotatable in relation to the yaw component in a yaw component, which is movable in relation to the base, on the basis of a rotation body chucked in a self-centering manner in two cavities. | 04-14-2016 |
20160109560 | MEASURING SYSTEM, AND PORTABLE RADIO TRANSCEIVER AND MEASUREMENT POLE USED IN MEASURING SYSTEM - To provide a measuring system for guiding a worker to a pile driving point by utilizing a measuring device for performing a distance measurement and an angle measurement by automatic guiding and a controller. The measuring system includes a measurement pole | 04-21-2016 |
20160116277 | DUAL-DIRECTIONAL LASER RANGEFINDER - A dual-directional laser rangefinder has a housing with two laser modules and one control module mounted therein. The laser modules emit laser beams toward both sides of the housing and receive the reflected laser beams. The control module computes respectively travel times or the phase differences for the two laser beams from the laser modules, and then computes two distances from the two ends of the housing to the two objects of interest. After adding the length of the housing, the invention obtains an actual total distance between the two objects of interest. | 04-28-2016 |
20160116278 | LASER SOURCE MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES FOR A LASER-BASED RANGEFINDING OR SPEED MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENT ENABLING INCREASED RANGE WITH IMPROVED ACCURACY - Laser source modification techniques for a laser-based rangefinding or speed measurement instrument enabling increased range, better defined beam pattern and improved accuracy through the use of diffusers and/or spatial filters while still remaining within applicable Class 1 eye-safety limits. | 04-28-2016 |
20160124074 | DETECTOR FOR OPTICALLY DETECTING AN ORIENTATION OF AT LEAST ONE OBJECT - A detector device ( | 05-05-2016 |
20160131745 | DISTANCE MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENT WITH SCANNING FUNCTION - A measurement instrument is disclosed. The measurement instrument comprises a distance measurement module, a splitter and a deflection module. The distance measurement module is configured to transmit optical radiation along a transmit path and receive optical radiation along a receive path. The transmit path and the receive path are merged in a measurement beam at the splitter. The deflection module is located optically between the distance measurement module and the splitter. The deflection module is configured to aim the transmit path and the receive path at the splitter and to deflect at least one of the transmit path and the receive path across an instrument optical axis. | 05-12-2016 |
20160138915 | GEODETIC SURVEYING SYSTEM - Some embodiments of the invention include a surveying system having a position determination unit such as, for example, a total station or a GNSS module, for determining a target position in a defined coordinate system, and having a mobile target unit for definition and/or position determination of target points in the coordinate system. In some embodiments, the surveying system may be adapted to capture and/or receive image data that is related to a task image. In some embodiments, the surveying system may include a control unit for allowing a user to control surveying tasks of the surveying system in order to acquire surveying task data that is related to the surveying tasks and comprises spatial coordinates of at least one target point, a data storage unit for storing the surveying task data, and an electronic graphical display for displaying a visualization of the surveying task data. | 05-19-2016 |
20160139269 | ELEVATOR SHAFT INTERNAL CONFIGURATION MEASURING DEVICE, ELEVATOR SHAFT INTERNAL CONFIGURATION MEASUREMENT METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY RECORDING MEDIUM - According to one embodiment, an elevator shaft internal configuration measuring device includes a position calculator and a calculating unit. The position calculator derives a positional information of a moving object moving through an interior of an elevator shaft having an inner side. The calculating unit calculates a configuration of the elevator shaft based on an operation information, a distance data, and the positional information. The operation information relates to an operation of a holder holding a laser rangefinder mounted to the moving object. The distance data is obtained from the laser rangefinder. The operation includes switching between a first state and a second state based on the positional information. The laser rangefinder irradiates the laser light onto a first region of the inner side in the first state. The laser rangefinder irradiates the laser light onto a second region of the inner side in the second state. | 05-19-2016 |
20160146941 | Vehicle Environment Scanning by a Phase-Controlled Laser - A driver assistance system ( | 05-26-2016 |
20160154094 | MONITORING APPARATUS AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM | 06-02-2016 |
20160170202 | BIAXIAL OPTICAL DEFLECTOR INCLUDING MULTIPLE MIRROR UNITS, RADAR SYSTEM AND ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD | 06-16-2016 |
20160178365 | SURVEYING APPARATUS WITH POSITIONING DEVICE | 06-23-2016 |
20160178736 | LIDAR SYSTEM | 06-23-2016 |
20160187131 | Binoculars Rangefinder - A binoculars rangefinder includes a central shaft, two eyepieces, two objective lenses, two prism modules, an optical transmitter, and an optical receiver. The eyepieces are disposed on two sides of the central shaft, allowing a first light beam reflected by an object to pass therethrough. The objective lenses are disposed on the two sides of the central shaft. The prism modules are disposed between the eyepieces and objective lenses. The optical transmitter is configured to emit a second light beam to the object. The optical receiver is configured to receive the second beam which is reflected by the object. | 06-30-2016 |
20160187468 | DISTANCE MEASURING METHOD AND APPARATUS - Disclosed are a distance measuring method and a distance measuring apparatus. During the distance measuring, an image is obtained. If the location of a center of gravity of the image is within a first segment, the calculating unit calculates a distance between the object and the distance measuring apparatus corresponding to the projection point, according to a first mapping relationship and the location of a center of gravity of the image. If the location of a center of gravity of the image is within a second segment, the calculating unit calculates a distance between the object and the distance measuring apparatus corresponding to the projection point according to a second mapping relationship and the location of a center of gravity of the image. | 06-30-2016 |
20160187487 | MEASURING SYSTEM, MEASURING PROCESS, AND NON-TRANSITORY RECORDING MEDIUM - A measuring system includes a first measuring unit which measures an object in front of a moving body in a first measuring area, a second measuring unit which measures the object in a second measuring area, the second measuring area being different from the first measuring area, a determining unit which determines whether a movement of the object satisfies a predetermined condition based on a measuring result of the first measuring unit, and a controller which causes the second measuring unit to start measuring the object in response to an event in which the determining unit determines that the object satisfies the predetermined condition and at least part of the object deviates from the first measuring area. | 06-30-2016 |
20160195609 | METHOD FOR MEASURING DISTANCE AND AREAS BY MOBILE DEVICES COMBINED WITH LIGHT BEAM PROJECTORS | 07-07-2016 |
20160377707 | LASER SCANNER CONTROLLING DEVICE, LASER SCANNER CONTROLLING METHOD, AND LASER SCANNER CONTROLLING PROGRAM - Detection of sunlight as noise is avoided in obtaining point clouds by using a laser scanner. A laser scanner controlling device includes a sun direction calculating unit | 12-29-2016 |
20160377723 | APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING SUPERIMPOSED DISTANCE AND INTENSITY IMAGES - An apparatus for capturing superimposed distance and intensity images includes a distance image measuring arrangement provided with a distance radiation source, an intensity radiation source, a distance detection unit and an intensity detection unit. Distance measurement radiation from the distance radiation source and intensity measurement radiation from the intensity radiation source are incident on an area of a surface of a test object via a jointly used radiation deflection unit. The optical components of the distance image measuring arrangement and the intensity image measuring arrangement are mounted on a support structure in a fixed spatial relationship with respect to each other. Distance and intensity images are thus superimposed in an optically positionally accurate manner to produce high-quality real-time images. | 12-29-2016 |
20180023944 | LASER REMOTE LENGTH MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENT | 01-25-2018 |
20180024245 | DETERMINING COORDINATES OF A POINT IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPACE | 01-25-2018 |
20190145767 | DISTANCE SENSOR, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING DISTANCE SENSOR | 05-16-2019 |
20190145769 | SURVEYING DEVICE, AND CALIBRATION CHECKING METHOD AND CALIBRATION CHECKING PROGRAM FOR SURVEYING DEVICE | 05-16-2019 |
20190146065 | COMPACT LASER SENSOR | 05-16-2019 |
20190146069 | OPTICAL SENSOR ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING AN OPTICAL SENSOR ARRANGEMENT | 05-16-2019 |
20190146087 | Foveal Patterned Optical Switches For Mems Lidar Beam Steering Unit | 05-16-2019 |
20190146088 | OPTICAL IMAGING TRANSMITTER WITH BRIGHTNESS ENHANCEMENT | 05-16-2019 |
20190146090 | AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL FOR LASER DETECTOR | 05-16-2019 |
20220137194 | LIGHT RECEIVING DEVICE AND RANGE-FINDING DEVICE - A light receiving device according to an embodiment includes: a light receiving element ( | 05-05-2022 |
20220137225 | THREE DIMENSIONAL MEASUREMENT DEVICE HAVING A CAMERA WITH A FISHEYE LENS - A 3D measurement system, a laser scanner and a measurement device are provided. The system includes a 3D measurement device and a 360 degree image acquisition system coupled in a fixed relationship to the 3D measurement device. The 360 degree image acquisition system includes a first photosensitive array operably coupled to a first lens, the first lens having a first optical axis in a first direction, the first lens being configured to provide a first field of view greater than 180 degrees. The image acquisition system further includes a second photosensitive array operably coupled to a second lens, the second lens having a second optical axis in a second direction, the second direction is opposite the first direction, the second lens being configured to provide a second field of view greater than 180 degrees. Wherein the first field of view at least partially overlaps with the second field of view. | 05-05-2022 |
20220137228 | MIRROR ASSEMBLY HAVING REINFORCEMENT STRUCTURE FOR LIGHT STEERING - In one example, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus is part of a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) module of a vehicle and comprising: a semiconductor integrated circuit comprising a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) and a substrate, the MEMS comprising an array of micro-mirror assemblies. Each micro-mirror assembly comprises: a micro-mirror having a pixelated pattern of reinforcement structures on a back-side surface, the pixelated pattern being defined based on dividing the back-side surface into an array of pixels and comprising protrusion structures that protrude from the back-side surface, the pixelated pattern of reinforcement structures comprising non-uniform sub-patterns having non-uniform geometric planar shapes, non-uniform planar sizes, and non-uniform planar orientations on the back-side surface; and an actuator to rotate the micro-mirror to reflect light emitted by a light source out of the LiDAR module or to reflect light received by the LiDAR module to a receiver. | 05-05-2022 |
20220137480 | OPTICAL SCANNING DEVICE THAT INCLUDES WAVEGUIDES - An optical scanning device includes: a first waveguide that propagates light by total reflection; and a second waveguide. The second waveguide includes: a first multilayer reflective film; a second multilayer reflective film that faces the first multilayer reflective film; and a first optical waveguide layer directly connected to the first waveguide and located between the first and second multilayer reflective films. The first optical waveguide layer has a variable thickness and/or a variable refractive index and propagates the light transmitted through the first waveguide. The first multilayer reflective film has a higher light transmittance than the second multilayer reflective film and allows part of the light propagating through the first optical waveguide layer to be emitted to the outside. By changing the thickness of the first optical waveguide layer and/or its refractive index, the direction of the part of the light emitted from the second waveguide is changed. | 05-05-2022 |