Abstract: Apparatus for projecting a pattern includes a laser source, a collimating lens and a diffractive optical element (DOE) to diffract the collimated laser beam into a specific dot pattern for sensing the depth of a three dimensional (3D) surface.

Abstract: A system and method for determination of origin displacement for a laser rangefinding instrument which comprises laser transmitting and receiving sections coupled to a processor section. The processor section is configured to calculate ranges from the instrument to first and second target coordinates and to compensate for displacement between disparate first and second origin points in order to determine a distance between these target coordinates.

Abstract: A laser-based speed gun includes a camera module and a folded optical system including an objective lens and an eyepiece lens. The folded optical system includes first and second image redirecting elements for redirecting an image pathway from the objective lens to the eyepiece lens adjacent the camera module.

Abstract: A system and method for a rangefinding instrument incorporating pulse and continuous wave signal generating and processing techniques for increased distance measurement accuracy. The use of the former technique effectively solves the ambiguity issues inherent in the latter while allowing for relatively simple circuit implementations. Thus, a potentially more accurate phase-based distance measurement technique can be utilized which is also completely independent of the maximum range to the target.

Abstract: A laser-based rangefinding instrument for, inter alia, golfing or hunting activities having an unique ergonomic design and an external multi-function switch for controlling display brightness, selectable display of differing distance units and a slope selection switch for enabling display of line of sight distance or angle of slope and “Compensated Golf Distance” angle corrected distance to a target.

Abstract: An improved and simplified laser safety screen and method utilizing a novel rotating mirrored polygon hub having mirrored surfaces with at least one of the surfaces in an orientation (or angle ?) other than parallel to the axis of rotation of the hub.

Abstract: A backlight system for a display device which comprises a light emitting diode comprising an encapsulating lens and an aspheric lens interposed between the light emitting diode and the display device. The backlight system provides a luminance of substantially 100K nits at a cone angle of substantially 12° and is of particular utility in conjunction with laser-based range and speed measurement instruments.

Abstract: A tail dock anti-collision system for augmenting positioning of an aircraft in a maintenance facility which comprises lateral alignment sensors disposed on opposing sides of the aircraft and a backup tracking sensor directed toward the tail section. A processor, for example a programmable logic controller, is coupled to, and operatively controls, the sensors to provide an indication to a principal guide of the aircraft docking procedure of the relative position of the aircraft with respect to a centerline and platform of the maintenance facility.

Abstract: Provided are active thermo electric cooling apparatus for self-contained portable cooling or heating of a single beverage container.

Abstract: Provided are active Thermoelectric Cooling (TEC) apparatuses for the purpose of providing emergency hypothermia therapy treatment to patients.

Abstract: Provided are active Thermoelectric Cooling (“TEC”) systems/apparatuses for the purpose of cooling a person's head with or without the person wearing a safety helmet or hard hat.

Abstract: A technique for a pulse/phase based laser rangefinding instrument utilizing a single photodiode in conjunction with separate pulse and phase receiver circuits. The photodiode receives phase and pulse ranging signals and a capacitor coupled to the photodiode and is operative to provide current through the photodiode to a transimpedance amplifier in a pulse mode of operation and from the photodiode through a tuned circuit to a narrow band amplifier in a phase mode of operation.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A laser sensor module array for vehicle identification, speed monitoring and traffic safety applications. Each of the laser sensor modules comprise a laser signal transmitting and receiving port with the array comprising a basic row of N laser sensor modules, wherein N is greater than 1 and wherein each of the N laser sensor modules in the basic row is displaced at an acute angle with respect to adjacent ones of the laser sensor modules. An additional row of N laser sensor modules may adjoin the basic row of N laser sensor modules in a parallel or acute angular relationship to corresponding ones in the basic row.

Abstract: A pseudo-stabilization technique for laser-based speed and rangefinding instruments utilizing a rate gyroscope to monitor the device pitch and yaw motion to operationally increase the effective range of the device by serving to obviate the emission of laser pulses off-target. In this manner, the pulse firing rate can be increased when the instrument is correctly aimed at the target as well enabling the concomitant emission of pulses with greater energy while remaining within the applicable Class 1 eye-safety constraints.

Abstract: Devices capable of capturing still and motion imagery are integrated with an accurate distance and speed measuring apparatus. By measuring the changing distance of the target over that time, a target's speed can be determined. At substantially the same time as the target's speed is determined, imagery of the target is captured in both a still and moving format. Using a queuing mechanism for both distance and imagery data along with time stamps associated with each, a target's image, both in motion and still, can be integrated with its speed. In situations in which a still image is unavailable, a target's speed can be associated with a portion of a continuous stream of motion imagery to a point where a positive identification can be captured with a still image.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicular traffic with a laser rangefinding and speed measurement device utilizing a shaped divergent laser beam pattern. In accordance with the present invention, a traffic monitoring device is disclosed which comprises a light emitting diode having a die element producing an asymmetric beam pattern, an aperture for at least partially precluding some portion of the beam pattern in a first direction while allowing the beam pattern in a second orthogonal direction to pass therethrough and a lens associated with the aperture for causing the laser beam exiting the aperture to diverge providing a cone-like beam of laser energy.

Abstract: 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 Cs couples the cathode of the photodiode to a reference voltage line, wherein the capacitance Cs is greater than the capacitance of the photodiode CD.

Abstract: A system and method for a rangefinding instrument incorporating pulse and continuous wave signal generating and processing techniques for increased distance measurement accuracy. The use of the former technique effectively solves the ambiguity issues inherent in the latter while allowing for relatively simple circuit implementations. Thus, a potentially more accurate phase-based distance measurement technique can be utilized which is also completely independent of the maximum range to the target.