Abstract: Visual odometry is used for tracking an optical pattern outside a preview area of a camera. The optical pattern is detected in a first image, while the camera is at a first position. A second image is acquired while the camera is at a second position. A transformation is calculated that relates the first position to the second position. A location of the optical pattern in relation to the second image is calculated based on the transformation. Calculation of the transformation can be simplified by assuming that the camera is moved in a plane parallel to a plane having multiple optical patterns.

Abstract: A distance measurement camera 1 contains a first optical system OS1 for collecting light from a subject 100 to form a first subject image, a second optical system OS2 for collecting the light from the subject 100 to form a second subject image, an imaging part S for imaging the first subject image formed by the first optical system OS1 and the second subject image formed by the second optical system OS2, and a distance calculating unit 4 for calculating the distance to the subject 100 based on the first subject image and the second subject image imaged by the imaging part S. The distance calculating part 4 calculates the distance to the subject 100 based on an image magnification ratio between a magnification of the first subject image and a magnification of the second subject image.

Abstract: A user undertakes an event, such as adding, removing, or otherwise interacting with an item stowed at a fixture. Using successive samples of weight data that occur during an event, a plurality of vectors are generated that are indicative of a weight change and a location associated with the fixture. The vectors are processed to determine where within the fixture the event took place. Hypotheses are generated that describe predicted interactions involving predicted locations that correspond to those indicated by the vectors. The hypotheses are ranked and then one is selected as a solution. The predicted values associated with the selected hypothesis are then used to generate interaction data that indicates one or more types of item and quantities of the items that were added, removed, or otherwise handled by the user.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques to generate data for display to present visualizations of data acquired from sensors in a facility. The data visualizations may be used to develop, configure, administer, or otherwise support operation of the facility. In one implementation, the visualization may include a view incorporating aggregated images acquired from multiple cameras, depth data, tracking information about objects in the facility, and so forth. An analyst may use the data visualization to determine occurrence of an action in the facility such as a pick of an item, place of an item, what item was involved with an action, what user was involved with the action, and so forth. Based on the information presented by the data visualization, changes may be made to data processing parameters.

Abstract: A target intercept system for guiding an interceptor to a target using passive ranging includes an EO/IR sensor that provides target azimuth and elevation angles, target irradiance, target area and target length. A dual Kalman Filter architecture is implemented where, prior to a target image becoming resolved, i.e., prior to endgame, a first Kalman Filter provides guidance as a function of target azimuth and elevation angles and target irradiance measurements. After the target image becomes resolved, i.e., at endgame, a second Kalman Filter provides guidance as a function of target azimuth and elevation angles, target area and, optionally, target length, instead. The dual Kalman Filter approach improves the estimates of time-to-go by optimizing the on-board EO/IR sensor measurements at the optimal times.

Abstract: An occupant monitoring device includes: an acquisition unit that acquires a captured image obtained by imaging a region in which there is a probability that a face of an occupant is present in a vehicle; a determination unit that determines whether the captured image acquired by the acquisition unit corresponds to at least a first image not including a feature portion of the face of the occupant but including at least a part of a body of the occupant or a second image not including the body of the occupant; and a processing unit that monitors a state change of the face of the occupant based on the captured image, and switches whether or not an occupant parameter set for monitoring the state change of the face of the occupant is to be reset according to a determination result in the determination unit.

Abstract: A convoy management system and method determine determining an inter-vehicle spacing in a convoy formed from two or more vehicles traveling together along one or more routes. Controllers onboard the two or more vehicles are instructed to automatically change movement of at least one of the vehicles in the convoy to maintain the inter-vehicle spacing. The inter vehicle spacing is dynamically changed during movement of the convoy along the one or more routes.

Abstract: One variation of a method for tracking stock level within a store includes: at a robotic system, navigating along a first inventory structure in the store, broadcasting radio frequency interrogation signals according to a first set of wireless scan parameters, and recording a first set of wireless identification signals returned by radio frequency identification tags coupled to product units arranged on the first inventory structure; generating a first list of product units arranged on the first inventory structure based on the first set of wireless identification signals; detecting a first product quantity difference between the first list of product units and a first target stock list assigned to the first inventory structure by a planogram of the store; and generating a stock correction prompt for the first inventory structure in response to the first product quantity difference.

Abstract: Provided are a data access device which may retrieve at least a portion of a plurality of pieces of data from a module providing the pieces of data and an apparatus including the same. The data access device may include a data list storage configured to store a portion of a plurality of pieces of data generated by at least one sensor as an access list of data to be retrieved; and a processor configured to retrieve the portion of a plurality of pieces of data from an external source, based on the access list.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a distance measuring device includes emission circuitry, an optical mechanism system, and measurement circuitry. The emission circuitry emits pulse light having a predetermined pulse width. The optical mechanism system emits the pulse light emitted by the emission circuitry to an object to be measured and receives scattered light of the pulse light scattered by the object to be measured. The measurement circuitry measures, via the optical mechanism system, a distance to the object to be measured using a detection signal having magnitude corresponding to light intensity received within a time range corresponding to the pulse width.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods for predicting one or more characteristics of an individual, such as a human or non-human animal, by applying computational methods to image(s) of the individual to generate one or more metrics indicative of the characteristics. Embodiments determine predictors of characteristics by creating a sample library of individuals, determining facial measurements for each individual, determining relationships between facial measurements and additional library data, and selecting predictors from these relationships. Embodiments include methods for predicting characteristics of individuals not in the library. Embodiments include methods for predicting characteristics of groups using predicted characteristics of individuals. Embodiments determine suitability of a pair of individuals (from the same or different species) for a particular purpose, task, or relationship based on characteristics of individuals.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining the location of a device based on image of objects captured by the device. In one aspect, an interior space includes a plurality of objects having discernable visual characteristics disposed throughout the space. The device captures an image containing one or more of the objects and identifies the portions of the image associated with the objects based on the visual characteristics. The visual appearance of the objects may also be used to determine the distance of the object to other objects or relative to a reference point. Based on the foregoing and the size and shape of the image portion occupied by the object, such as the height of an edge or its surface area, relative to another object or a reference, the device may calculate its location.

Abstract: Methods and systems for planogram matching are described. The methods include capturing an image, processing the image to identify a product based on a symbolic identifier, receiving a planogram, identifying a region of a planogram based on a linear grouping, determining a geometrically consistent match between the product and a sample product included in the region of the planogram, and determining an alignment between the region of the planogram and a corresponding region of the image that includes the product. The methods may further include determining a location in the corresponding region that does not include an expected product based on the planogram.

Abstract: Image depth inference techniques and systems from semantic labels are described. In one or more implementations, a digital medium environment includes one or more computing devices to control a determination of depth within an image. Regions of the image are semantically labeled by the one or more computing devices. At least one of the semantically labeled regions is decomposed into a plurality of segments formed as planes generally perpendicular to a ground plane of the image. Depth of one or more of the plurality of segments is then inferred based on relationships of respective segments with respective locations of the ground plane of the image. A depth map is formed that describes depth for the at least one semantically labeled region based at least in part on the inferred depths for the one or more of the plurality of segments.

Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to object tracking using laser emitters and sensors. Light emitting devices may emit laser light that is received by sensor devices including photosensors. The sensor devices may determine a location of the respective sensor device based on the received laser light. The sensors devices may form a wireless mesh network that allows each sensor device to transmit the determined location to a base station.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining the location of a device based on image of objects captured by the device. In one aspect, an interior space includes a plurality of objects having discernable visual characteristics disposed throughout the space. The device captures an image containing one or more of the objects and identifies the portions of the image associated with the objects based on the visual characteristics. The visual appearance of the objects may also be used to determine the distance of the object to other objects or relative to a reference point. Based on the foregoing and the size and shape of the image portion occupied by the object, such as the height of an edge or its surface area, relative to another object or a reference, the device may calculate its location.

Abstract: A method of determining the distance of an object from an automated vehicle based on images taken by a monocular image acquiring device. The object is recognized with an object-class by means of an image processing system. Respective position data are determined from the images using a pinhole camera model based on the object-class. Position data indicating in world coordinates the position of a reference point of the object with respect to the plane of the road is used with a scaling factor of the pinhole camera model estimated by means of a Bayes estimator using the position data as observations and under the assumption that the reference point of the object is located on the plane of the road with a predefined probability. The distance of the object from the automated vehicle is calculated from the estimated scaling factor using the pinhole camera model.

Abstract: An entity detection method and system are provided for monitoring an area. The method comprises providing an illuminated band extending continuously along an extremity of the area; providing an optical detector having an image sensor adapted to capture an image, the illuminated band being viewable by the image sensor and being capturable in the image, a space between the band and the image sensor being part of the area; storing a detection threshold; analyzing the image to detect a discontinuity in the continuous illuminated band apparent on the image, comparing the detected discontinuity to the detection threshold; and indicating a status of the area to be one of a presence of an entity and an absence of the entity based on the comparing.

Abstract: According to the present invention, when restoration processing of a taken image by the use of a restoration filter corresponding to a subject distance is performed, by storing only a corresponding restoration filter in a subject distance range between the estimation variation close range and the infinity such that a restoration filter in a range on the nearer side than the estimation variation close range is not provided from the beginning, it is thereby possible to reduce the number of restoration filters held beforehand.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A device may obtain, from a camera associated with a reference object, depth image data including objects in a first frame and a second frame; identify features of the objects in the first frame and the second frame; and track movements of the features between the first frame and the second frame. The device may also identify independently moving features in the second frame, based on the tracking movements; remove the independently moving features from the depth image data to obtain a static feature set; and process the depth image data corresponding to the static feature set to detect changes in the relative position of objects in the first frame and the second frame. The processor may further translate the changes in relative position into corresponding movement data of the camera and provide the corresponding movement data to an inertial navigation system.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for determining the location of a device based on image of objects captured by the device. In one aspect, an interior space includes a plurality of objects having discernable visual characteristics disposed throughout the space. The device captures an image containing one or more of the objects and identifies the portions of the image associated with the objects based on the visual characteristics. The visual appearance of the objects may also be used to determine the distance of the object to other objects or relative to a reference point. Based on the foregoing and the size and shape of the image portion occupied by the object, such as the height of an edge or its surface area, relative to another object or a reference, the device may calculate its location.

Abstract: Capacitance sensing circuits, systems and method can include sample and hold (S/H) circuits that can retain analog values for one set of capacitance sensors, and sequentially convert such analog values into digital values while analog values for another set of capacitance sensors values are generated.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes a light source, an optical imaging unit, a photo-sensor and a focusing regulation unit. The optical imaging unit includes an object lens and a beam splitter. The beam splitter divides a reflecting beam into a first sub-beam and a second sub-beam. The optical imaging unit has a first imaging optical path and a second imaging optical path with different imaging precisions corresponding to the first sub-beam and the second sub-beam, respectively. The photo-sensor detects a defocus position of the object. The focusing regulation unit adjusts the distance between the object and the object lens and selects an imaging precision, so that the defocus position of the object is placed within the imaging precision of the first optical path and the imaging precision of the second optical path in sequence.

Abstract: An optical rangefinder having a photosensor adapted to transform the image projected thereon into an electronic image, an imaging system for projecting an image of an object on the photosensor, an optical arrangement to modulate the incoming light forming the image on the photosensor, means for providing the spatial spectrum of the image and means for deriving the distance from the object to the rangefinder on the degree of defocus of the image, wherein the optical arrangement is adapted to modulate the incoming light such that the degree of defocus of the image on the photosensor relative to the in-focus image plane results in displacement of the spatial spectrum of the image relative to a reference pattern and wherein the rangefinder has means for deriving the degree of defocus from the degree of displacement.

Abstract: A system for measurement of spatial coordinates and/or orientation of a probe, comprising a first spatial direction sensor associated with a pattern of targets with known positions relative to each other and to the first spatial direction sensor, a second spatial direction sensor, and processing means for the computation of the orientation and/or spatial coordinates of the pattern of targets relative to the second spatial direction sensor based on the known positions of the targets relative to each other and a determination of the spatial directions of the targets with respect to the second spatial direction sensor, wherein at least three of the targets are in the field of view (FOV2) of the second spatial direction sensor irrespective of the orientation of the pattern of targets and wherein the first spatial direction sensor determines the spatial coordinates and/or orientation of the probe.

Abstract: A system for measurement of spatial coordinates and/or orientation of a probe, comprising a first spatial direction sensor associated with a pattern of targets with known positions relative to each other and to the first spatial direction sensor, a second spatial direction sensor, and processing means for the computation of the orientation and/or spatial coordinates of the pattern of targets relative to the second spatial direction sensor based on the known positions of the targets relative to each other and a determination of the spatial directions of the targets with respect to the second spatial direction sensor, wherein at least three of the targets are in the field of view (FOV2) of the second spatial direction sensor irrespective of the orientation of the pattern of targets and wherein the first spatial direction sensor determines the spatial coordinates and/or orientation of the probe.

Abstract: A distance measuring laser pointer has: at least one laser source being capable of emitting a light ray; and two optical elements disposed in front of the at least one laser source, receiving and transferring the light ray into a first conic light beam and a set of multiple second conic light beams; wherein, the first conic light beam projects a first light pattern on a surface of a target, the set of the second conic light beams project a second light pattern on the surface of the target, an intersection between the first light pattern and the second light pattern changes position depending on variation of a distance between the distance measuring laser pointer and the target to indicate the distance. The distance measuring laser pointer simultaneously indicates a diameter or length of the target when indicating the distance.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Localization and tracking system. The system includes at least one laser mounted for pointing its beam at arbitrary locations within a three-dimensional space. An object within the three-dimensional space supports a screen at its top for receiving the laser beam to create a shaped image on the screen. The shaped image on the screen is observed by a camera and computing apparatus determines the location of the object in the three-dimensional space from pointing parameters of the laser and from shape and center points of the shaped image on the screen.

Abstract: A distance measuring device including a polarizing element disposed on a plane conjugate with a pupil of an objective lens, an optical rotatory plate rotating a polarizing axis of light which has passed through the polarizing element, a polarization separation element separating light which has passed through the optical rotatory plate into a first light beam and a second light beam, a first imaging element forming a first image by the first light beam, a second imaging element forming a second image by the second light beam, and a focus detector detecting a focus state based on relative deviation between the first image and the second image which correspond to a same region of a subject.

Abstract: There is provided an optical distance detection system which includes a light source and a detection device. The light source is configured to illuminate a surface of an object. The detection device is configured to receive a reflected light from the surface of the object and to output a distance of the object according to the reflected light. The detection device includes a sensing module and a calculation module. The sensing module is configured to receive the reflected light to accordingly generate an image. The calculation module is for outputting the distance according to a light spot position and a light spot size of the reflected light forming on the image.

Abstract: Imaging range finding device and method are disclosed. The range finding device can include an array of emitters and photodetectors in optical communication with an imaging lens. During the range finding method, the emitters in the array can emit light that is directed by the lens toward a target object. The photodetectors in the array can 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 device. Characteristics of the emitted light and/or the received light can be used to find the object's range.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a pool cleaner control system including a laser range finder with a first laser line generator, a second laser line generator, and a camera. The first laser line generator and the second laser line generator are positioned to emit parallel laser lines and the camera is positioned to capture an image of the laser lines projected on an object. The control system also includes a controller in communication with the laser range finder and configured to control operation of the laser line generators to emit the laser lines and to control the camera to capture the image. The controller is also configured to receive the image from the camera, calculate a pixel distance between the laser lines in the image, and calculate the physical distance between the camera and the object based on the pixel distance.

Abstract: A system for optical navigation includes a light source and an imaging system. The light source illuminates a navigation surface. The navigation surface reflects light from the light source. The imaging system is located approximately within a path of the reflected light. The imaging system includes a lens, a mask, and an image sensor. The lens receives reflected light from the navigation surface. The lens focuses a specular portion of the reflected light to a focus region. The mask is located at approximately the focus region. The mask filters out substantially all of the specular portion of the reflected light and passes at least some of a scatter portion of the reflected light outside of the focus region. The image sensor generates a navigation signal based on the scattered portion of the light that passes outside the focus region and is incident on the image sensor.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for determining vehicle attitude and position from image data detected by sensors in a vehicle. The invention uses calculated differences between the locations of selected features in an image plane and the location of corresponding features in a terrain map to determine the attitude of the vehicle carrying the sensors with respect to a ground frame of reference.

Abstract: A range finder adapted for finding the object distance of a subject having a specific height includes a shell unit, an objective lens assembly, a magnifying unit having multiple selectable magnification ratios, and a range finding unit. The range finding unit includes a scale, a pointer, and a mark. The object distance of the subject is known by comparing the scale and the pointer in an imaging plane when an end of an image of the specific height of the subject formed on the imaging plane is aligned with the mark.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed relates to a method for the detection of objects, wherein one transmitted light bundle is transmitted into a detection region, transmitted light reflected back from an object, when present, is detected by a receiver unit having reception elements arranged in an M×N matrix, wherein M>1 and N>1, and the distance of the object is determined by triangulation from the position of the light patch produced by the reflected light at the receiver unit. In addition to the position of the reflected light, the two-dimensional energy distribution of the received light patch within the light incident on the receiver unit is evaluated to determine further information on the object in addition to the distance of the object determined by triangulation, with a light patch quality value being determined which includes information on the homogeneity of the light reflected or remitted at the object.

Abstract: A contactless system and method for estimating the mass or weight of a target object is provided. The target object is imaged and a spatial representation of the target animal is derived from the images. A virtual spatial model is provided of a characteristic object of a class of object to which the target object belongs. The virtual spatial model is reshape to optimally fit the spatial representation of the individual animal. Finally, the mass or weight of the target object is estimated as a function of shape variables characterizing the reshaped virtual object.

Abstract: The reading apparatus is provided with: an optical image forming unit that forms an optical image on a recording medium by irradiating, with light, the recording medium on which an image is formed and which is transported in a slow scan direction; a reading unit that reads a position in a fast scan direction of the image formed on the recording medium transported in the slow scan direction and a position in a fast scan direction of the optical image, by using a minification optical system; and a registration correction unit that corrects a registration error in the fast scan direction of the image read by the reading unit, by using the position in the fast scan direction of the optical image read by the reading unit.

Abstract: A contactless system and method for estimating the volume, mass or weight of a target animal is provided. First, the target animal is imaged, preferably with a stereoscopic camera. A spatial representation of the target animal is derived from the stereoscopic images. Next, a virtual three-dimensional spatial model is provided, preferably having a shape resembling that of a characteristic of the animal to which the target animal belongs. A software module is provided to reshape the virtual spatial model, using a finite set of independently configurable shape variables, to approximately fit the spatial representation of the individual animal. Finally, the volume, mass or weight of the target animal is estimated as a function of shape variables characterizing the reshaped virtual model.

Abstract: Methods and systems for three-dimensional imaging include sampling one or more emissions which are reflected back from a target scene with one or more micro-channel plates. The one or more sampled emissions are processed in one or more frames. Within each frame a phase is extracted and a distance to the target scene and amplitude is determined on a pixel-by-pixel basis. A three dimensional image of the target scene is generated and provided based on the extracted phase and the determined distance and amplitude for the one or more frames.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying a main object in a digital image using range information includes receiving the digital image representing a scene; identifying range information associated with the digital image and including distances of pixels in the scene from a known reference location; identifying the main object in the digital image based at least upon an analysis of the range information and the digital image; and storing an indication of the identified main object in a processor-accessible memory system.

Abstract: There is provided an optical distance detection system which includes a light source and a detection device. The light source is configured to illuminate a surface of an object. The detection device is configured to receive a reflected light from the surface of the object and to output a distance of the object according to the reflected light. The detection device includes a sensing module and a calculation module. The sensing module is configured to receive the reflected light to accordingly generate an image. The calculation module is for outputting the distance according to a light spot position and a light spot size of the reflected light forming on the image.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Image analysis techniques, including object recognition analysis, are applied to images obtained by one or more image capture devices deployed within inventory environments. The object recognition analysis provides object recognition data (that may include one or more recognized product instances) based on stored product (training) images. In turn, a variety of functionalities may be enabled based on the object recognition data. For example, a planogram may be extracted and compared to a target planogram, or at least one product display parameter for a product can be determined and used to assess presence of the product within the inventory environment, or to determine compliance of display of the product with a promotional objective. In yet another embodiment, comparisons may be made within a single image or between multiple images over time to detect potential conditions requiring response. In this manner, efficiency and effectiveness of many previously manually-implemented tasks may be improved.

Abstract: Device and process for determining a distance to an object. The device includes a low coherence light source, at least one lens arranged to focus light from the low coherence light source onto the object and to collect light reflected and scattered from the object, and a window arranged between the lens and the object. An apertured element includes a circular aperture structured and arranged to form a circular light beam from the reflected and scattered light, and a detector system is structured and arranged to receive the circular light beam. The detector system is sensitive to light beam diameter. Further, a determining device is structured and arranged to determine a distance to the object based upon signals from the detector system.

Abstract: A distance measuring system includes a light source, an image capture apparatus, a light absorption member and a signal processing circuit. The image capture apparatus includes a first lens module, a second lens module and an image sensor. The lens modules respectively have a focus. The image sensor detects light from the light source at two optical spots of the two lens modules, respectively. The light absorption member is disposed generally between the two lens modules for absorbing light reflected from the lens modules and thereby reducing optical interference. The signal processing circuit is configured for calculating the ratios of the two distances to the focal lengths of the respective focuses. A perpendicular distance between the light source and a line passing through the centers of the first and second lens modules is obtained.