Abstract: An object detecting system for a vehicle detects an object based on output data from a distance sensor mounted on the vehicle. The distance sensor is capable of detecting a distance between the subject vehicle and the object along longitudinal and lateral directions of the subject vehicle. The output data from the distance sensor is associated on XY coordinates having a Y axis indicative of the longitudinal direction of the subject vehicle and an X axis indicative of the lateral direction with the respect to the subject vehicle in a coordinate developing device. The number of output data from the distance sensor which are located in a plurality of cells, defined by dividing the XY coordinates at predetermined distances in the X-axis and Y-axis directions and the XY coordinates for every cell, are output as cell information from a cell dividing device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for performing remote control and viewing with a total station. The total station is operated remotely from a remote control and viewing unit (RCVU) by a single user. The total station has a measurement unit, a video camera aligned with the measurement unit for acquiring real-time images of a target, and a transceiver for transmitting video images to the RCVU and for receiving control data from the RCVU. The RCVU includes a transceiver for transmitting the control data to the total station and for receiving the video images from the total station. The RCVU also includes a display device for displaying real-time video images from the camera and includes controls for allowing the user to remotely align the total station with the target using the displayed video images. A fine-tuning focus control on the RCVU allows the user to remotely focus the camera.

Abstract: Spatial locations of individual points on an inaccessible object are determined by measuring two images acquired with one or more cameras which can be moved to a plurality of positions and orientations which are accurately determined relative to the instrument. Once points are located, distances are easily calculated. In distinction to prior art, which uses a fixed separation of camera viewpoints, this new system offers smaller errors, measurement over a larger range of object distances, and measurement of distances which cannot be contained in a single camera view. Random errors are minimized by use of an optimum measurement geometry. Systematic errors are minimized by use of a complete and robust set of calibration procedures. A standard measurement procedure automatically obtains the optimum measurement geometry. A least squares calculation uses all of the image location and calibration data to derive the true three dimensional positions of the selected object points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically determining the dimension of part surfaces. Particular embodiments describe optical triangulation based coordinate measurement machines capable of accurate measurement of complex surfaces, such as gear teeth and turbine blades. Other embodiments provide highly useful sensors for robot guidance and related purposes. Up to 5 axis sensing capability is provided on surfaces of widely varying form.

Abstract: A system (26) for stabilizing a video recording of a scene (20, 22, & 24) made with a video camera (34) is provided. The video recording may include video data (36) and audio (38) data. The system (26) may include source frame storage (64) for storing source video data (36) as a plurality of sequential frames. The system (26) may also include a processor (50) for detecting camera movement occurring during recording and for modifying the video data (36) to compensate for the camera movement. Additionally the system (26) may include destination frame storage (70) for storing the modified video data as plurality of sequential frames.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically determining the dimension of part surfaces. Particular embodiments describe optical triangulation based coordinate measurement machines capable of accurate measurement of complex surfaces, such as gear teeth and turbine blades. Other embodiments provide highly useful sensors for robot guidance and related purposes. Up to 5 axis sensing capability is provided on surfaces of widely varying form.

Abstract: An environment recognition device formed in such a manner that an image sensor is installed so that an image sensor mounting location recognition mark falls within an image pickup area, comparator for comparing mark locations the images of which are picked up sequentially by the image sensor with respect to the initial location of the recognition mark in the image pickup area is provided, and, when it is detected that the mark location recognized sequentially has changed with respect to the initial location, an indication signal for indicating that correction of the location of installing the image sensor is required is outputted, thereby to prevent erroneous decision in image processing when the mounting position changes by vibration, contact or the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically determining the dimension of part surfaces. Particular embodiments describe optical triangulation based coordinate measurement machines capable of accurate measurement of complex surfaces, such as gear teeth and turbine blades. Other embodiments provide highly useful sensors for robot guidance and related purposes. Up to 5 axis sensing capability is provided on surfaces of widely varying form.

Abstract: A device for optimizing antenna operation, a wireless control signal detector detects a wireless control signal generated by a remote control unit, and a microprocessor is operatively connected to the detector. The microprocessor is programmed to analyze the wireless control signal during a learning operation to determine a coding format of the wireless control signal and to analyze the wireless control signal during a normal use operation to determine a broadcast channel or station selected by a user. The device additionally comprises a plurality of tuning elements operatively connectable to an antenna for tuning the antenna, and a plurality of switching circuits operatively connected to the tuning elements and to the microprocessor. The switching circuits are operable to selectively couple the tuning elements to the antenna, in response to signals from the microprocessor, thereby optimizing signal reception by the antenna for a channel or station selection encoded in the wireless control signal.

Abstract: A visual monitoring system for an electric power substation includes at least one camera for obtaining the image of various operational indicators in the substation, either within the control house, outdoors or both. The indicators could be the status of various gauges, including current, voltage and temperature gauges, or other structural elements, such as the position of various switches, the level of oil in a transformer sight glass, or whether a transformer fan is running, among others. The image is then enhanced to accentuate the desired features, and the desired data is then image detected. The resulting information is then compared against a standard to determine whether or not the operational status of the indicator is abnormal.

Abstract: In a graphics processing and display system wherein the view point is controlled according to position and orientation of a view point reference with respect to a representation of the displayed graphics data determined by a view point reference coordinate sensing system comprising a source and a sensor, wherein the sensor has a fixed position and orientation with respect to said view point reference and the source has a fixed position and orientation with respect to the schematic representation, calibration of the system requires two ordered steps: view point reference-sensor calibration and source-representation calibration. View point reference-sensor calibration is performed by registering and processing four configurations of the sensor housing. Source-representation calibration is performed by storing and processing three positions of the sensor housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optically determining the dimension of part surfaces. Particular embodiments describe optical triangulation based coordinate measurement machines capable of accurate measurement of complex surfaces, such as gear teeth and turbine blades. Other embodiments provide highly useful sensors for robot guidance and related purposes. Up to 5 axis sensing capability is provided on surfaces of widely varying form.

Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for monitoring the periphery of a motor vehicle in which patterns painted on the surface of a road are eliminated to shorten a time required for calculation to determine a position of a subject by processing image data generated by two cameras, whereby image data of the object having a height is derived by subtracting image data generated one camera from image data generating by the other camera after transferring either of image data to the other image coordinate by assuming that the transferring image data have a height of zero (0) for canceling road surface images and sounding an alarm whenever it is determined that the position of the object causes an obstacle of the moving vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising an optical filter which resolves electromagnetic radiation into a sequence of resolved polarization components. The apparatus is also comprised of an imaging device having a storage device. The imaging device is disposed adjacent to the optical filter to receive the sequence of resolved polarization components from the optical filter and store them in the storage device for subsequent processing. The present invention pertains to an apparatus for viewing. The apparatus comprises a frame. The apparatus also is comprised of a first optical filter mounted on the frame to cover one eye of a viewer when the viewer wears the frame. The first optical filter resolves electromagnetic radiation into a sequence of resolved polarization components so the viewer can view the sequence of resolved polarization components. The present invention also pertains to an apparatus for viewing. The apparatus is comprised of a housing.

Abstract: A throttle valve of a motor vehicle is controlled by a control unit through an actuator. The control unit determines a desired magnitude of longitudinal acceleration in accordance with running conditions of the present vehicle and the front-running vehicle, a desired throttle opening degree in accordance with the desired magnitude of longitudinal acceleration, and a control variable in accordance with the desired throttle opening degree. The actuator is operated in accordance with the variable.

Abstract: An arrangement for high-resolution scanning of large image formats with exact geometrical correspondence is described. It is applied in photogrammetry and in optoelectronic scanners with high requirements regarding exact geometrical correspondence. Metric image contractions of large image formats are obtained without dimension-embodying auxiliary means by employing a CCD matrix which is exactly dimensioned to pixel sensitivity distribution. This CCD matrix is used as an absolute dimensional embodiment, from which only one active pixel area determined as a function of the memory area of the frame grabber is adopted into the frame grabber while ensuring an image contraction which is absolutely synchronous with the pixels.

Abstract: A number of items present in a substantially linear queue are counted by examining two images of a scene including the queue that are taken from vantage points offset relative to each other. Depth information for portions of the scene is obtained by correlating equal sized patches in the images at a predetermined number of offsets, since closer objects will require more of an offset to align one image relative to the other than objects further away from video cameras creating the two images. A match score is determined at each offset. The best offset and the number of offsets to achieve it are stored for each patch. A plot is then created for offsets versus the number of patches at each offset having the best match. Peaks in the plot indicate the number of objects in the queue.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a device for determining the location of a target (C) observed in the field of view of an optical detector.According to the invention, the process is notable in that:in a preliminary step, there are determined, at least one partial image (9, 10) of the background and one partial image (11) of the target (C); andnext:a picture (V1) is taken;at least one background search window (19) is isolated from said picture (V1);the partial image (9) of the background is searched for in said search window (19);the movement of the optical detector is determined from the position of this partial image (9);a target search window (26) is isolated;the partial image (11) of the target is searched for in said search window (26); andthe movement of the target (C) is determined from the position of this partial image (11).

Abstract: A method for measuring a position and an orientation of an object. A sequence of movement points which line up on an intersection line of a predetermined projection surface and a plane which contains a predetermined projection center corresponding to a position of a camera, is obtained by obtaining projected points respectively generated for a plurality of positions of the camera, onto a point on the predetermined projection surface where the camera position is deemed as the projection center. Then, a sequence of reference points which line up on an intersection line of a plane containing the center of projection and the predetermined projection surface, shares a point with the sequence of movement points, and has the same cross ratio (inharmonic ratio) as a cross ratio of the sequence of movement points, is generated.

Abstract: An image of the surface of a measuring object is picked up by a video camera while the distance to the measuring object is changed, and the in-focus state of the video camera is detected from the fact that the contrast, which is defined by the sum of the n-th (n: integer greater than 1) power of differences in brightness between adjoining pixels in the image, has reached its maximum. Further, the position of the surface of the measuring object is measured according to the position of the video camera in the in-focus state.

Abstract: A product gauge is disclosed for use in the optical inspection of products. The product gauge can be produced from the image of a model of the product. The product gauge can also be electronically constructed on a video screen by a computer line-drawing program. The product gauge aids in the alignment and the processing of information by the optical inspecting means including aiding an operator in determining whether a product is acceptable. The product gauge can be used to quickly and accurately tailor a generalized product inspection apparatus to specific products and thus ease the change from inspecting one product to another product.

Abstract: A digitizer is provided with a camera, a movable stage and a control device. The stage may be moved by first and second linear motors such that the digitizer can be used in non-stationary or vibrating environments. A bundle of fiber optics is used to constantly illuminate a patch of an image to be digitized. Also, a control device is provided between the camera and the first and second linear motors for controlling the camera and the positioning of the stage. Various sized images can easily be digitized while memory requirements are kept low and speed is kept high. This digitizer provides for an adaptive dynamic range as well as an improved contrast sensitivity. Also, a mechanism for correcting the effects of skew and keystoning is provided which enables collection of seamless mosaics.

Abstract: A method for measuring the flexibility of fibers, particularly cellulose fibres, in a flowing suspension. The fibre form of a large number of fibres is registered at two different pictures of suspension flow. A predefined fibre form is calculated for each flow picture, and a relationship, for example the quotient between two measurements of mean fibre form is determined and utilized to define fibre flexibility. The invention also relates to an arrangement for carrying out the inventive method, wherein the arrangement includes a flow-through container (20) through which the suspension flows, a transparent window (26) mounted in the container wall, a CCD-type camera (30) which functions to photograph fibres passing the window, a picture analysis unit (34) coupled to the camera (30), and a data processing unit (36) for processing information obtained from the picture analysis unit (34).

Abstract: A device is provided for measuring an angle between two intersecting surfaces of a work. The device includes a light emitting device for inducing a light pattern on the surfaces of the work, a camera for picking up the pattern, and an image processor for processing the picture of the pattern and obtaining the angle of the work.

Abstract: An automatic brake shoe measuring apparatus for rolling stock automatically measures the thickness of brake shoes of a vehicle and automatically detecting the presence or absence of damage during travel. The automatic measuring apparatus includes: a camera unit including a monitor camera for photographing brake shoes of a vehicle during travel and outputting an image signal, an image memory for storing the image signal, and a trigger detector for outputting a trigger signal to thereby store an image signal representing an image of a specific brake shoe of the vehicle; and an image processing unit including an extraction means for extracting the specific brake shoe in accordance with the image signal stored in the image memory and transferred from the camera unit, an arithmetic means for calculating the thickness of the specific brake shoe extracted by the extraction means, and a display means for displaying the thickness of the specific brake shoe calculated out by the arithmetic means.

Abstract: A moving body measuring device, having an image taking unit for taking an image of a moving body, a controller for controlling the image taking unit and a frame memory for memorizing an image data of the image of the image taking unit, which processes the image data, detects the moving body and obtains an information of the moving body which comprises an existence domain setting circuit for previously setting an existence domain of the moving body extended along a moving path of the moving body based on the image data, a sampling circuit for sampling a data showing the moving body based on the image data in the existence domain, and a timewise data accumulating circuit for timewisely and continuously accumulating at every constant period, the data showing the moving body sampled by the sampling circuit which detects a timewise change of the moving body moving in the previously set existence domain.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning, aligning and orienting fibers in flowing fluids, to permit fibers such as wood pulp fibers to be accurately imaged and rapidly measured with little operator involvement, utilizing a plugging resistant and fouling resistant sheath flow cell, is described. An embodiment is disclosed which simultaneously determines the distributions of shape (curl) and length of samples of wood pulp fibers. Fibers are transported in a dilute water suspension through a sheath flow cell that orients fibers normal to an imaging system that includes a two-dimensional CCD video camera. Images of fibers are analyzed rapidly by a processor, which calculates the shape and length of individual fibers. The data are displayed on a cathode ray tube screen while a pulp sample is being analyzed, and are stored in processor memory for further analysis.

Abstract: The relative concentration of opaque and translucent ore particles is determined by illuminating a falling stream of particles with a source of backlighting which provides a diffused background light source for detecting opaque particles and a relatively brighter light source for further illuminating translucent particles. Scanning a captured image of the falling particle stream for light and dark light images relative to the background light permits the relative concentration of opaque and translucent particles to be determined. The method is particularly useful for beneficiated composite phosphate ores containing desirable opaque phosphate particles and undesired translucent quartz particles.

Abstract: An inter-vehicle distance measuring device which can automatically set a tracing window for tracing an image of a fore-running vehicle to be measured for distance. A window setting unit sets plural numbers of windows at given locations on one of the images. An estimate member calculates a distance up to objects caught by those windows, detects the symmetry of the image, and estimates presence of a fore-running vehicle and its position on one of images, and the detected distance data as well. A tracing window is automatically set at the position.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process and an apparatus for the detection of obstacles. The apparatus includes a video camera (2) for the viewing of the scene, a range apparatus (3) to measure the distance d of obstacles, the range apparatus (3) being coupled to an assembly (6, 7) for the deflection of the pulsed radiation emitted by the telemetric apparatus (3), and signal conditioner (16) designed to produce, from the synchronization signals of the field (ST) and the line (SL) of a video signal of the camera (2), signals making it possible to cause, in the same uneven field, the emission of pulsed radiation and the horizontal scanning movement of a mirror. The conditioner (16) further makes possible the synchronous recording, on a standard video tape recorder, conventional video signals and digitally coded range signals.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for automatically inspecting three-dimensional objects or subjects. A detector and the object are moved relative to each other. In one form, a detector, such as a camera or radiation receiver, moves around an object, which is supported to be rotatable such that the detector may receive electromagnetic energy signals from the object from a variety of angles. The energy may be directed as a beam at and reflected from the object, as for visible light, or passed through the object, as for x-ray radiation. Alternatively, the detector passively receives energy from the object, as in an infrared detector. The detector generates analog image signals resulting from the detected radiation, and an electronic computing means process and analyzes the analog signals and generates digital codes, which may be stored or employed to control a display.