Abstract: A potentially small, gimballed, multi-sensor system employs a shared aperture for at least some of the image sensors. Applications include intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR), and guiding autonomous vehicles. The system can actively blend images from multiple spectral bands for clarity and interpretability, provide remote identification of objects and material, provide anomaly detection, control lasers and opto-mechanics for image quality, and use shared aperture using folded optics.

Abstract: In a vehicle control system, when an occupant visually recognizes a signboard and signboard course information is included in signboard information corresponding to the signboard, the signboard information is displayed on a display device. When the signboard course information out of the signboard information is visually recognized continuously, a control device generates course information based on the signboard course information. The generated course information is output to a vehicle control ECU, and course change processing based on the course information is performed by the vehicle control ECU.

Abstract: A human interface device (HID)-compatible portable gaming device includes a display; a position sensor; a joystick; and a processor in communication with the display, the joystick, and the position sensor. The processor has programmed instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to receive a first signal from the position sensor indicating a change in orientation of the portable gaming device, receive a second signal from the joystick indicating a change in position of the joystick, assign a first weight to the first signal and a second weight to the second signal; aggregate the first signal with the second signal based on a weighted sum of the weighted first signal and the weighted second signal to obtain a third signal, and update a user interface on the display according to the third signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for differentiating between background and foreground in images or films of scenery recorded by an electronic camera. The invention relates in addition to a method for replacing the background in recorded images or films of scenery whilst maintaining the foreground.

Abstract: A driving notification method and a driving notification system are provided. The driving notification system is disposed on a mobile vehicle, and the driving notification method includes following steps. A surrounding image is captured through an image capturing device. A target object detection is performed to the surrounding image to obtain a target position of an image detection object. A gaze position of a driver is detected through an eye tracking device. Whether the gaze position matches the target position is determined. An alarm device is controlled to activate an alarming operation if the gaze position does not match the target position.

Abstract: A recognized-region estimation device is provided with a visually-recognized-region calculating unit which calculates a visually-recognized region visually recognized by a driver of a mobile body in a mobile body coordinate system based on the mobile body on the basis of a line-of-sight direction of the driver, and a recognized-region calculating unit which calculates a recognized region recognized by the driver in the mobile body coordinate system on the basis of the visually-recognized region calculated by the visually-recognized-region calculating unit.

Abstract: A driving notification method and a driving notification system are provided. The driving notification system is disposed on a mobile vehicle, and the driving notification method includes following steps. A surrounding image is captured through an image capturing device. A target object detection is performed to the surrounding image to obtain a target position of an image detection object. A gaze position of a driver is detected through an eye tracking device. Whether the gaze position matches the target position is determined. An alarm device is controlled to activate an alarming operation if the gaze position does not match the target position.

Abstract: An improved algorithm for calculating multimode fiber system bandwidth which addresses both modal dispersion and chromatic dispersion effects is provided. The radial dependence of a laser transmitter emission spectrum is taken into account to assist in designing more effective optical transmission systems.

Abstract: A method for use in controlling a system includes tracking three-dimensional movements of a hand-held controller for the system, mapping the tracked three-dimensional movements of the handheld controller onto a two-dimensional image plane of a screen of a display for the system, and displaying one or more images on the two-dimensional image plane of the screen based on the mapping of the tracked three-dimensional movements of the handheld controller. Some embodiments may include one or more sensors configured to track three-dimensional movements of a hand-held controller for the system, and a processor configured to perform the above mentioned steps.

Abstract: Particles flowed through a micro-channel are imaged by imaging means. Particle speed measuring means determines the particle speed from the image data. Particle counting means counts the particles flowed for a predetermined time. Particle size measuring means measures the size of the particles. The measurements of the particles flowed at a predetermined timing are managed by data associating means. With this, the speed, number and size of particles flowed through a micro-channel can be determined at a time, and associated data can be obtained.

Abstract: A method for transitioning a target from a missile warning system to a fine tracking system in a directional countermeasures system includes capturing at least one image within a field of view of the missile warning system. The method further includes identifying a threat from the captured image or images and identifying features surrounding the threat. These features are registered with the threat and image within a field of view of the fine tracking system is captured. The registered features are used to identify a location of a threat within this captured image.

Abstract: An automatic tracking apparatus is provided, which is capable of solving a failure occurred in an automatic tracking operation in connection with a zooming operation, and capable of tracking an object in a stable manner, while a zooming-up operation, or a zooming-down operation is carried out in a high speed.

Abstract: A method for reducing handoff inaccuracies in a DIRCM countermeasures system comprising the step of adding a second on-axis camera to the DIRCM countermeasures system.

Abstract: The present invention includes a multifaceted imaging semi-active laser system (“I-SALS”). In one aspect, the I-SALS closes on a laser designation of a target until it starts imaging the target, whereupon the I-SALS then homes on the target from the image. Some embodiments employ a slightly defocused designation. Other embodiments use existential jitter in the designation and other embodiments intentionally induce a jitter in the designation called dither. One particular embodiments provides a dual field-of-view optics package that has no moving parts.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for transitioning a target from a missile warning system to a fine tracking system in a directional countermeasures system includes capturing at least one image within a field of view of the missile warning system. The method further includes identifying a threat from the captured image or images and identifying features surrounding the threat. These features are registered with the threat and image within a field of view of the fine tracking system is captured. The registered features are used to identify a location of a threat within this captured image.

Abstract: An information provision apparatus (1) comprises an observed-object detection apparatus (11) and an information output unit (41), and outputs from the information output unit (41) information on an observed object detected by the observed-object detection apparatus (11). The observed-object detection apparatus (11) comprises: a line-of-sight detector (21) for detecting a line of sight of a driver; an object detector (22) for detecting an object which is on a line of sight of a driver, based on the direction of the line of sight detected by the line-of-sight detector (21), on a current position of a vehicle, and on map information; and an observed-object calculator (23) for determining from objects detected by the object detector (22) an observed object observed by a driver, based on time for which the object is on a line of sight. This allows an object observed by a driver to be detected even if there is no trigger from the driver.

Abstract: A method and system for aligning a tracking beam and a high energy laser (HEL) beam includes a tracking beam and a HEL beam. A detector receives at least a portion of the tracking beam, wherein the tracking beam received at the detector has been reflected from the airborne target. The detector also receives a first portion and a second portion of the HEL beam prior to output through a housing. A processor processes the signals to determine a relationship between the tracking beam and the HEL beam; and generates a control signal to steer the HEL beam to the airborne target based upon the determined relationship.

Abstract: Apparatus, for detecting at least one object and preventing receiver burn-out, mounted on a vehicle, including a laser and at least one receiver, the receiver being coupled with the laser, the laser for transmitting a beam of light and the receiver for detecting reflections of the beam of light from the object, the laser including at least one signal diode, a commutator, a power supply signal diode driver, a circulator, an erbium doped fiber (EDF), a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM), a narrow band Bragg reflector, a first fiber pump diode, an output combiner and a second fiber pump diode, the commutator being coupled with each signal diode and the power supply signal diode drive, the circulator being optically coupled with each signal diode, the EDF and the output combiner, the WDM being optically coupled with the EDF, the narrow band Bragg reflector and the first fiber pump diode and the second fiber pump diode being optically coupled with the output combiner, each signal diode generating a beam of ligh

Abstract: A sight-line end estimation device includes a sight-line direction detection portion that detects a sight-line direction of a driver of a vehicle, a target object detection portion that detects the positions of target objects existing around the vehicle, a relative position acquisition portion that acquires relative positional information between the driver and the target object detection portion, and a sight-line end estimation portion that estimates the driver's sight-line end by detecting a target object whose position detected by the target object detection portion lies substantially in the driver's sight-line direction detected by the sight-line direction detection portion, factoring in the relative positional information acquired by the relative position acquisition portion.

Abstract: A method for transitioning a target from a missile warning system to a fine tracking system in a directional countermeasures system includes capturing at least one image within a field of view of the missile warning system. The method further includes identifying a threat from the captured image or images and identifying features surrounding the threat. These features are registered with the threat and image within a field of view of the fine tracking system is captured. The registered features are used to identify a location of a threat within this captured image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus image a target in a SAL system. The method includes receiving on-board a platform a target designation originating from a laser source off-board the platform; homing the platform on a target responsive to the received target designation; imaging the target from the target designation; and aiming the platform at a point on the target selected from the image. The apparatus includes a receiver capable of receiving and imaging a target designation originating from a laser source off-board the apparatus; at least one flight control mechanism; and a controller. The controller is capable of processing a received target designation and issuing navigation control guidance commands to the flight control mechanism to: home the apparatus on a target responsive to a received target designation; and aim the apparatus at a point on the target selected from the image of the target.

Abstract: A laser tracking processor is provided for integrating measured target-reflection signals used in directional control. The integration is performed to distinguish pulses reflected from the target against a noise background. The processor includes an optical detector, an accumulator, a correlator, a phase-lock loop and an integrator array. The optical detector receives the measured signals distributed among several guidance channels. The accumulator sums the measured signals as a combined signal for all the channels. The correlator temporally identifies an event that occurs to indicate a target-reflection pulse within the combined signal. The phase-lock loop synchronizes the event with a clock reference to produce a pulse window within which to search the combined signal for the pulses. The integrator array superimposes the measured signals within the pulse window for each channel to produce channel-specific integrated pulse signals.

Abstract: An optical tracking device, includes an azimuth sub-assembly providing a 360-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the azimuth position within this range of motion; and an elevation sub-assembly coupled to the azimuth sub-assembly and providing at least a ?30-degree to +100-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the elevation position. A cross-elevation sub-assembly is coupled to the elevation sub-assembly and provides at least a ±14-degree optical range of motion and a transducer sensing the cross-elevation position. An elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates an elevation rate signal; and a cross-elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates a cross-elevation rate signal. A controller receives the azimuth, elevation, and cross-elevation position signals, and the elevation and cross-elevation rate signals and sends command signals to the sub-assemblies to initiate movement to allow inertially stabilized tracking of an object.

Abstract: A sight-line end estimation device includes a sight-line direction detection portion that detects a sight-line direction of a driver of a vehicle, a target object detection portion that detects the positions of target objects existing around the vehicle, a relative position acquisition portion that acquires relative positional information between the driver and the target object detection portion, and a sight-line end estimation portion that estimates the driver's sight-line end by detecting a target object whose position detected by the target object detection portion lies substantially in the driver's sight-line direction detected by the sight-line direction detection portion, factoring in the relative positional information acquired by the relative position acquisition portion.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An eye tracking system includes an eye camera and a scene camera for supplying video data to interlace electronics indicative of an image of the user's eye and an image of the scene observed by the user. A frame grabber is provided for digitizing the video data and for separating the eye and scene data into two processing channels, and a spot location module determines the location of a reference spot formed on the user's eye. The module includes an adaptive threshold and spot identification sub-modules for indicating parts of the eye camera image which have higher brightness, and for selecting a valid reference spot. A pupil location module determines the user's line of gaze, and a display for indicating the user's point of regard from the user's line of gaze determined by the pupil and spot location modules.

Abstract: A method for use in controlling a system includes tracking three-dimensional movements of a hand-held controller for the system, mapping the tracked three-dimensional movements of the handheld controller onto a two-dimensional image plane of a screen of a display for the system, and displaying one or more images on the two-dimensional image plane of the screen based on the mapping of the tracked three-dimensional movements of the handheld controller. Some embodiments may include one or more sensors configured to track three-dimensional movements of a hand-held controller for the system, and a processor configured to perform the above mentioned steps.

Abstract: A system for measuring and controlling the concentration of a chemical agent in a solution has a reaction cell for receiving a sample, a titrant dropper for releasing one or more drops of titrant into the sample, a first photosensor for sensing disruptions of light for every drop of titrant released, and a controller that communicates with the photosensor and computes the concentration of the chemical agent based on the number of disruptions of light at the photosensor. The present invention also includes a method for sensing and controlling the concentration of a chemical agent in a solution. The method includes having a sample containing the chemical agent, triggering the release of a number of drops of titrant into the sample, detecting the number of drops released into the sample, and computing the concentration of the chemical agent in the sample based on the number of drops of titrant released into the sample.

Abstract: A human tracking apparatus and a human tracking method, a storing medium storing a program for executing the method, and a mobile electronic system including the apparatus. The human tracking apparatus includes: an upper body location detection module detecting at least one piece of upper body location for a human; a leg location detection module detecting at least one piece of leg location for a human; a tracking object selection module selecting a tracking object based on the at least one piece of upper body location and the at least one piece of leg location; a tracking speed and orientation calculator calculating tracking speed and orientation of the mobile electronic system for tracking the tracking object selected by the tracking object selection module; a module operating the mobile electronic system; and a motor controller controlling the motor based on the calculated tracking speed and orientation.

Abstract: An optical tracking device, includes an azimuth sub-assembly providing a 360-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the azimuth position within this range of motion; and an elevation sub-assembly coupled to the azimuth sub-assembly and providing at least a ?30-degree to +100-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the elevation position. A cross-elevation sub-assembly is coupled to the elevation sub-assembly and provides at least a ±14-degree optical range of motion and a transducer sensing the cross-elevation position. An elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates an elevation rate signal; and a cross-elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates a cross-elevation rate signal. A controller receives the azimuth, elevation, and cross-elevation position signals, and the elevation and cross-elevation rate signals and sends command signals to the sub-assemblies to initiate movement to allow inertially stabilized tracking of an object.

Abstract: A signal processor and method are provided for detecting movement of a surface relative to an optical sensor having an array of photosensitive elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns a laser pointing sighting system comprising a designator range finder (19) including means (E) for emitting a designating laser beam and reception means (R) for detecting and processing the reflection of a hot spot formed by said beam on a target, said reception means (R) are capable in the absence of designating beam emission by the range finder, of detecting the reflection of a hot spot formed on a target by a third designating device, the system comprising means capable, when the reception means detect such a hot spot, of being automatically oriented relative to the direction defined by said spot.

Abstract: A velocity such as wind velocity is measured based on a Doppler shift of a backscattered or returned laser signal. The Doppler shift of the backscattered beam is determined from a change in the polarization state or intensity shift of the received or backscattered signal after it has passed through a polarization-dispersive element (PD) and through a polarization analyzer (PA). The electrical signals (I1 and I2) generated from two partial beams provided by the polarization analyzer (PA) represent an the intensity shift. The signals are processed in a computer and the resulting information is displayed, for example.

Abstract: There is described a motion-to-sound apparatus which provides for musical scores and accompaniments, and lyrics and in response to a movement in three-dimensional space along more than one plane. Further disclosed is a motion-to-sound apparatus for producing sounds responsive both to the final position, or direction of movement, of the detector in space and the acceleration of the device towards that position or along that plane. Control of sound production is oriented such as to be intuitively familiar.

Abstract: A laser light tachometer for measuring the rotational speed of a selected rotating body without making physical contact with that body. The laser technology art is used to provide a beam of light, visible even under extremely bright ambient light conditions, to be used to measure the rotational speed of a rotating device from greater distances than previously possible. A diverging beam of laser light is collimated and transmitted to a rotating body the RPM of which is to be measured. The rotating body modulates the beam and reflects it back to the tachometer where it is focused onto a photodetector, which converts it into an electrical signal representative of the speed of the rotating body. Provisions are made for direct digital readout and for supplying the signal to other devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a laser beam that is automatically aligned with a substantially rigid, stabilized platform or frame that can be oriented over a wide angular range, such as by the gimbals of a laser pointing and tracking system. A single-transverse-mode master laser oscillator 12 is mounted on the stabilized platform 13 which is part of the inner gimbal, which can be rotated about an elevation axis 16, and a multipass laser amplifier 21 wiht a phase conjugation mirror 22 and an optional nonlinear frequency-conversion device 20 are located off the inner gimbal. An outer gimbal or pedestal mount permits rotation about an azimuthal axis 17. The laser oscillator 12 and laser amplifier 21 are coupled by means of a beamsplitter 15 and two reflecting elements 18 and 19. The laser media used for the oscillator 12 and amplifier 21 are either the same, or compatible media having the same wavelength.

Abstract: An integrated circuit comprising: a semiconductor die having an integrated circuit formed therein; a package for supporting the die and for providing electrical contact thereto, the radiation properties of the package having been characterized as follows: fabricating a detector using a semiconductor fabrication technique, the detector having substantially the same dimensions as an integrated circuit to be packaged in the packaging materia; packaging the detector using integrated circuit packaging techniques; and measuring the radiation environment of the detector.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a relative velocity sighting reference in an airborne gunsight system. A head-up display (HUD) frames the target in the pilot's line of sight and a computer-driven cathode ray tube (CRT) display projects an array of sighting indices or dots on the HUD. The computer receives air data and target tracking inputs and controls the CRT display so that the sighting array automatically overlays and follows the target and so that the indices thereof move in a direction and at a velocity to describe the motion of the line of sight of the target required for the target to intercept a bullet fired from the aircraft gun. The pilot maneuvers the aircraft to null the relative motion between the target and the sighting indices, whereby the gun is in position to fire.

Abstract: An aircraft gun sighting system and method for use in executing high angle-off attacks wherein a headup display unit employs a cathode ray tube for projecting sighting indicia on the pilot's sighting panel. The sighting indicia appear as a plurality of straight lines lying along a circular sector on the lower portion of the sighting panel. The circular sector is defined by a center point on the panel representing the muzzle aiming point such that the sighting indicia define a fixed lead angle. Each sighting line represents the position of a hypothetical target travelling in a path which will, one bullet flight time later, intersect the path of a bullet fired by the attacking aircraft. The sighting lines are periodically reset to the outer limits of the circular sector whereupon they move along the sector toward convergence at the line defining the turning plane of the attacking aircraft.

Abstract: A forward observer directs a pulsed neodymium laser illuminator in the direction of a target to be marked. A detector-receiver which is fixedly mounted to an attacking aircraft detects the reflected laser energy and determines its direction of incidence. Four indicator lights are projected onto a conventional gunsight combining plate together with a crosshair reticle. The lights provide the pilot with steering signals which will permit him to aline the crosshairs and the target.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for optical tracking and aiming from a movable system, such as a vehicle. The apparatus may comprise a viewing device having a sighting mark moveable responsive to the position of an aiming mechanism control. The sighting mark may be superimposed on a field of vision observable in the viewing device, by stroboscopic illumination.

Abstract: An aircraft weapon delivery system includes in combination with the usual computer for solving fire control equations and a display generator displaying a firing pipper, further circuitry for generating a reticle for viewing on the display such that command signals from the computer responsive to movement of the aircraft control stick are passed directly to the display to move the reticle without lag time to a registering position with a target viewed by the pilot. By providing the generated reticle in the form of a circle together with manual controls operable by the pilot for passing a variable reticle signal for varying the diameter of the circle, the pilot can adjust the circle size to match the visual target, the reticle signal then constituting a function of the range of the target and the rate that the pilot must vary the reticle signal to maintain a matching with the visual target constituting a function of the rate of change of range.