Abstract: A system and method for controlling the navigation of surface based vehicle uses a route that is obtained by manually driving the vehicle over the route to collect data defining the absolute position of the vehicle at various positions along the route. The collected data is smoothed to provide a consistent route to be followed. The smoothed data is subsequently used to automatically guide the vehicle over the route.

Abstract: A system (400) for positioning and navigating an autonomous vehicle (310) allows the vehicle (310) to travel between locations. Position information (432) is derived from global positioning system satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) or other sources (624) when the satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) are not in the view of the vehicle (310). Navigation of the vehicle (310) is obtained using the position information (432), route information (414), obstacle detection and avoidance data (416), and on board vehicle data (908 and 910).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for navigating a vehicle along a predetermined route use route data and path data to define the predetermined route. The route data represents one or more contiguous path segments between adjacent nodes along the predetermined route. The path data includes postures of the vehicle along each of the path segments. The postures define the desired position, heading, curvature and speed of vehicle at various locations along the path segments. The apparatus and method use the posture information to generate and track a path thereby allowing the vehicle to navigate along the predetermined route.

Abstract: A system (400) for positioning and navigating an autonomous vehicle (310) allows the vehicle (310) to travel between locations. Position information (432) is derived from global positioning system satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) or other sources (624) when the satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) are not in the view of the vehicle (310). Navigation of the vehicle (310) is obtained using the position information (432), route information (414), obstacle detection and avoidance data (416), and on board vehicle data (908 and 910).

Abstract: A system (400) for positioning and navigating an autonomous vehicle (310) allows the vehicle (310) to travel between locations. Position information (432) is derived from global positioning system satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) or other sources (624) when the satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) are not in the view of the vehicle (310). Navigation of the vehicle (310) is obtained using the position information (432), route information (414), obstacle detection and avoidance data (416), and on board vehicle data (908 and 910).

Abstract: A system (400) for positioning and navigating an autonomous vehicle (310) allows the vehicle (310) to travel between locations. Position information (432) is derived from global positioning system satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) or other sources (624) when the satellites (200, 202, 204, and 206) are not in the view of the vehicle (310). Navigation of the vehicle (310) is obtained using the position information (432), route information (414), obstacle detection and avoidance data (416), and on board vehicle data (908 and 910).

Abstract: An image amplifying multi-mode laser with image forming elements in the cavity and with a saturable absorber film at the focal plane in the cavity. Radiation from each point of an image is focused on the saturable absorber film so as to enter a distinct mode of the multi-mode laser. Pump power and saturable absorber film density are jointly adjusted so that a mode of the laser oscillates if and only if the intensity of the radiation from the corresponding image point exceeds a given threshold value. The energy emitted from the bistable laser oscillations constitutes the output. The multi-mode threshold laser is useful for image contrast enhancement, applying a threshold operation in optical information processing, selection of the maximum point of optical matched filter output images and as a naturally formed collection of optical logic elements. Embodiments are disclosed in retro-reflector cavities having both traveling and standing wave modes.

Abstract: A holographic polynomial computer in which powers and products of the input variables are obtained by repeated diffraction at the input hologram. The information bearing beams are split, redirected, and combined by thick holograms acting as mirrors. Many real, complex or Boolean polynomials in many variables are evaluated simultaneously in parallel. Input variables and coefficients are represented by diffraction efficiencies of holograms. Final and intermediate results are represented by amplitudes of coherent optical beams. Multiplication is performed by diffracting a beam from a hologram and addition is performed by combining beams. The computer may be controlled to compute alternate functions of the input data by supplying alternate optical input beams.

Abstract: An optical parallel computing system in which modes of a multi-mode laser are coupled holographically. The bistable state of oscillation of individual modes is controlled by a saturable absorber placed in a part of the laser cavity which permits the control of each mode separately. A mode oscillates on the condition that the amount of optical energy coupled into that mode exceeds a threshold value. The amount of coupling between pairs of modes is dependent on the input data which is presented as a hologram. The output is read from the selection of modes which oscillate. The holographic part of the data processing system is a coherent optical computer which evaluates linear or nonlinear polynomial operators on the input data and can inject a proportional amount of energy into a mode, which then oscillates if the value of the operator exceeds a threshold. Holograms in the coherent optical computer store both data and program for the computing system.