Of Degree Of Defocus Patents (Class 356/4.04)
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Patent number: 11333790Abstract: The invention relates to a method of setting a plurality of part regions of a desired protected zone, in which a) the positions of a plurality of monitoring units are detected, with each monitoring unit detecting a detection zone; b) a maximum size of each detection zone is determined; c) the desired protected zone is fixed in a graphical user interface; d) the part regions to be monitored by the respective monitoring units are fixed with reference to the positions of the monitoring units, to the maximum size of the detection zones and of the desired protected zone; and e) the part regions are assigned to the respective monitoring units.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: SICK AGInventors: Bernd Rothenberger, Jonas Rist, Manfred Haberer
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Patent number: 10194138Abstract: The present invention discloses a structured light encoding-based vertical depth perception apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a laser pattern projector, an infrared receiving camera, a RGB receiving camera, and a depth perception module; the laser pattern projector, the RGB receiving camera, and the infrared receiving camera are disposed along a straight line vertical to a horizontal plane; the laser pattern projector is for projecting a laser encoded pattern; the infrared receiving camera is for consecutively acquiring the encoded patterns and generating an input encoded image sequence; the RGB receiving camera is for acquiring RGB video stream; and the depth perception module is for generating a depth map sequence.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: RGBDSENSE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LTD.Inventors: Yanhui Zhou, Chenyang Ge
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Patent number: 10151837Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor for the distance measurement of objects (2) in a monitored zone (4) using a time of flight method, having a light receiver (5) for receiving light from the monitored zone (4) and for outputting received signals (10), and having an evaluation unit (12) for determining the time of flight from the received signals (10), wherein the light receiver (5) is an image sensor (6) having a plurality of light reception elements (8) which are arranged in a planar manner in a matrix, wherein a first optical element (14) is arranged in front of at least one light reception element (8), with the first optical element (14) having a filter element (18) of a filter array (24), wherein at least respective first filter elements (20) and at least respective second filter elements (22) have different optical attenuations and/or the first optical element (14) has a lens (28) of a fly's eye optics (26), with the fly's eye optics (26) having a plurality of lenses (28), with a respective lens (28) being associaType: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: Sick AGInventors: Jorg Sigmund, Markus Hammes
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Patent number: 9903757Abstract: A sensor includes a plurality of transmitter units, a photodetector, and an optical system coupled to the plurality of transmitter units and the photodetector. Each of the transmitter units simultaneously transmits a light beam having a plurality of wavelengths, the optical system directs the light beam from each of the transmitter units onto a same illuminated spot on a probed surface, and the optical system collects light from the same illuminated spot and directs the light to the photodetector.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLCInventors: Daniel Yap, Brian Neff
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Patent number: 9897698Abstract: A system for determining a depth image representing distances to points of a scene includes a light source for generating and directing a set of light pulses toward the scene and a set of sensors for detecting and integrating light reflected from the scene. Each sensor is associated with a point in the scene and generates a signal indicative of an amount of light reflected from the point in the scene and reaching the sensor during a period of time. The system includes at least one processor for coordinating operations of the light source and the set of sensors and for determining the depth image having intensity values representing the distances to the points in the scene. The processor commands the light source to generate the set of light pulses including a first pulse with a first intensity profile having portions of identical lengths with different integrated intensities.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.Inventors: Petros T Boufounos, Achuta Kadambi
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Patent number: 9858294Abstract: Provided are techniques for image search for a location. Street view data is extracted to identify a path for a region. Points of interest for the path are identified. Images for the points of interest for a direction of the path are identified. The images are used to create a sequence of images representing a view of the points of interest along the direction of the path. The sequence of images are displayed adjacent to a map that includes the path.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Billy W. Chang, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
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Patent number: 9753140Abstract: Systems and method for imaging through scattering media. One example of an imaging system includes an illuminator configured to produce a structured illumination pattern and to direct the structured illumination pattern into an imaging field through a scattering medium, a camera configured to receive reflections of the structured illumination pattern from an object in the imaging field and to provide corresponding image data, a master oscillator coupled to the illuminator and to the camera and configured to modulate the structured illumination pattern and to clock the camera so as to time gate the reflections of the structured illumination pattern and provide signal timing data, and a processor coupled to the camera and received to receive and process the image data and the signal timing data to produce an image of the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANYInventor: William Cottrell
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Patent number: 9644960Abstract: The invention relates to a laser beam horizontal trueness testing device for a laser beam projection device for construction and/or interior design work. The laser beam projection device is equipped with a beam self-leveling functionality. The laser beam horizontal trueness testing device has a telescope with an attenuating filter, a magnifying objective, and a flat image sensor for capturing an image of a laser beam incident on the objective. Components of the laser beam horizontal trueness testing device further include a natural inclination compensator and an analyzing unit which is designed to automatically ascertain an image position of the laser beam captured in the image by processing the image. According to the invention, the flat image sensor is arranged on an image plane of the objective, and the analyzing unit is additionally designed to quantify the laser beam horizontal trueness.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2013Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AGInventors: Charles Leopold Elisabeth Dumoulin, Marco Petermann
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Patent number: 9335220Abstract: Sensing apparatus includes a transmitter, which emits a beam comprising optical pulses toward a scene, and a receiver, which receives reflections of the optical pulses and outputs electrical pulses in response thereto. Processing circuitry is coupled to the receiver so as to receive, in response to each of at least some of the optical pulses emitted by the transmitter, a first electrical pulse output by the receiver at a first time due to stray reflection within the apparatus and a second electrical pulse output by the receiver at a second time due to the beam reflected from the scene, and to generate a measure of a time of flight of the optical pulses to and from points in the scene by taking a difference between the respective first and second times of output of the first and second electrical pulses.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Alexander Shpunt, Raviv Erlich
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Patent number: 9237263Abstract: The present invention relates to an annotating method including the steps of capturing (100) data representing a light field with a plenoptic image capture device (4); matching (101) the captured data with a corresponding reference data; retrieving an annotation associated with an element of the reference data (102); rendering (103) a view generated from the captured data and including at least one annotation.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Vidinoti SAInventors: Laurent Rime, Mathieu Monney, Serge Ayer, Martin Vetterli
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Patent number: 9020202Abstract: A method for determining a position using digital pixel data includes receiving pixel data from a position sensor device at a controller, sorting the received pixel data into pixel banks using the controller, identifying a maximum bank, a close bank, and a far bank using the controller, calculating a close to max ratio using a first equation and a max to far ratio using a second equation using the controller, and determining a position based on said close to max ratio and said far to max ratio.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Masco Canada LimitedInventor: Jeffrey John Belz
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Patent number: 8941818Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2010Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: ASMR Holding B.V.Inventors: Aleksey Nikolaevich Simonov, Michiel Christiaan Rombach
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Patent number: 8928874Abstract: A method for operating a chromatic range sensor (CRS) system to identify abnormal spectral profiles arising from light reflected from more than one portion of a workpiece surface is provided. The method comprises: providing a CRS system comprising: an optical element, a light source, and CRS electronics comprising a CRS wavelength detector; operating the CRS system to receive an output spectral profile from a measurement point on a workpiece surface and provide corresponding output spectral profile data; analyzing the output spectral profile data to provide a peak region asymmetry characterization; and providing a corresponding abnormality indicator if the peak region asymmetry characterization indicates that the peak region is abnormally asymmetric.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventor: Andrew Michael Patzwald
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Patent number: 8792006Abstract: Provided is a method and a system for detecting an error focus calibration, wherein a first DFOV value is measured in a state before the collimator lens is interposed between the resolution chart and the camera module, and a second DFOV value is measured in a state after the collimator lens is interposed between the resolution chart and the camera module, a determination is made whether a value obtained by subtracting the second DFOV value from the first DFOV value is smaller than a threshold value, and detecting as an error of auto calibration, in a case the subtracted value is greater than the threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: LG Innotek Co., Ltd.Inventor: In Jae Lee
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Patent number: 8773645Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2010Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Nikon CorporationInventor: Yasushi Ogino
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Patent number: 8717432Abstract: The present invention provides a geographical data collecting device, which comprises a distance measuring unit 5 for projecting a distance measuring light and for measuring a distance to an object to be measured, an image pickup unit 3 for taking an image in a measuring direction, a display unit 6 for displaying an image picked up, a touch panel installed to match a position of screen of the display unit, a tilt sensor 11 for detecting a tilting, an azimuth sensor 12 for detecting a horizontal angle in the measuring direction, and a control arithmetic unit 8, wherein the image pickup unit takes an image of a measurement range, acquires a reference image, is directed to a selected measuring point in the reference image, and acquires a measured image with the measuring point as a center, and wherein said control arithmetic unit calculates the measuring point in the reference image through an image matching of the reference image and the measured image and displays a measuring point on at least one of the referType: GrantFiled: February 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TOPCONInventors: Hitoshi Otani, Mitsutaka Nakamura
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Patent number: 8507834Abstract: A system and method of autofocusing an optical system uses transforms of images or portions of images formed by the optical system. A detector is used to capture images at different positions relative to the optical system. Transforms and blur spread parameters are calculated for the images for use in determining a position to which the detector should be moved to autofocus the system.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2010Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Intermec IP Corp.Inventors: Paul A. Maltseff, Jean-Louis Massieu, Ronald D. Payne
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Patent number: 8351120Abstract: A method for designing an optical device which includes a lens and a microlens array is disclosed. A point spread function (PSF) of the lens including rotationally symmetrical aberration coefficients is formulated, wherein the PSF presents various spherical spot sizes. A virtual phase mask having phase coefficients is provided and the phase coefficients are added to the PSF of the lens, such that the various spherical spot sizes are homogenized. The virtual phase mask is transformed into a polynomial function comprising high and low order aberration coefficients. A surface contour of the lens is determined according to the rotationally symmetrical aberration coefficients and the low order aberration coefficients, and a sag height of each microlens in the microlens array is determined according to the high order aberration coefficients. An optical device using the design method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignees: VisEra Technologies Company Limited, OmniVision Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Jau-Jan Deng, Yu-Shu Kao, Yun-Chiang Hsu
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Patent number: 8305485Abstract: Method of using an image capture device to identify range information for objects in a scene includes providing an image capture device at least one image sensor, a coded aperture, a first optical path including the coded aperture and a second optical path not including the coded aperture; storing in a memory a set of blur parameters derived from range calibration data for the coded aperture; capturing a first and second image of the scene, corresponding to the first and second optical paths, the second image having equal or higher resolution than the first; providing a set of deblurred images using the first capture image and each of the blur parameters from the stored set; using the set of deblurred images to determine the range information for the objects captured by the first optical path; and using the range information to control the image capture or processing of second image.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2010Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Eastman Kodak CompanyInventors: Paul J. Kane, Rodney L. Miller, Sen Wang
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Patent number: 8212997Abstract: A chromatic confocal point sensor optical pen comprises a multi-stage optical configuration providing an enhanced range-to-resolution ratio. The optical configuration comprises at least first and last axially dispersive focusing elements that combine to contribute to the overall axial chromatic dispersion of the optical pen. The first focusing element receives source radiation and focuses that radiation at a first focal region internal to the multi-stage optical configuration and the last focusing element receives radiation from a last focal region internal to the multi-stage optical configuration and outputs the measurement beam. Intermediate focusing elements may provide additional focal regions internal to the multi-stage optical configuration. This configuration provides an unprecedented combination of extended sensing range, compact lens diameter, and high numerical aperture. The focusing elements may comprise refractive lenses or diffractive optical elements.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2011Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventor: Yong Xie
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Publication number: 20120120383Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: NIKON CORPORATIONInventor: Yasushi Ogino
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Publication number: 20120069320Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: ASMR HOLDING B.V.Inventors: Aleksey Nikolaevich SImonov, Michiel Christiaan Rombach
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Patent number: 8134691Abstract: A chromatically dispersive lens configuration including thermal compensation may be utilized in chromatic confocal point sensor optical pens for chromatic range sensing. The lens configuration may include a negative power doublet lens and a positive power lens portion. The positive power lens portion comprises at least two lens elements which compensate for the overall thermal sensitivity of a chromatic confocal point sensor optical pen. The lens elements of the positive power lens portion which compensate for thermal sensitivity have an average coefficient of thermal defocus which is in a range that is at lowest 10 ppm per 10° C. The lens configuration can be implemented with dimensions which fit a standard commercial chromatic confocal point sensor optical pen, while maintaining a level of optical performance sufficient for chromatic range sensing.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Yong Xie, Bernadette T. Baqui, Benjamin K. Jones
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Publication number: 20110228250Abstract: A chromatically dispersive lens configuration including thermal compensation may be utilized in chromatic confocal point sensor optical pens for chromatic range sensing. The lens configuration may include a negative power doublet lens and a positive power lens portion. The positive power lens portion comprises at least two lens elements which compensate for the overall thermal sensitivity of a chromatic confocal point sensor optical pen. The lens elements of the positive power lens portion which compensate for thermal sensitivity have an average coefficient of thermal defocus which is in a range that is at lowest 10 ppm per 10° C. The lens configuration can be implemented with dimensions which fit a standard commercial chromatic confocal point sensor optical pen, while maintaining a level of optical performance sufficient for chromatic range sensing.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2010Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATIONInventors: Yong Xie, Bernadette T. Baqui, Benjamin K. Jones
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Patent number: 7990522Abstract: In a chromatic point sensor, distance measurements are based on a distance-indicating subset of intensity profile data, which is selected in a manner that varies with a determined peak position index coordinate (PPIC) of the profile data. The PPIC indexes the position a profile data peak. For profile data having a particular PPIC, the distance-indicating subset of the profile data is selected based on particular index-specific data-limiting parameters that are indexed with that same particular PPIC. In various embodiments, each set of index-specific data-limiting parameters indexed with a particular PPIC characterizes a distance-indicating subset of data that was used during distance calibration operations corresponding to profile data having that PPIC. Distance-indicating subsets of data may be compensated to be similar to a corresponding distance-indicating subset of data that was used during calibration operations, regardless of overall intensity variations and detector bias signal level variations.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Mitutoyo CorporationInventor: David William Sesko
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Publication number: 20110134249Abstract: An apparatus carried by an unmanned vehicle to provide passive sensing and facilitate avoiding airborne aerial obstacles is provided. The apparatus can include at least one, but typically multiple optical systems installed, for example, in the nose of the aerial vehicle to passively sense and determine a range, direction, and velocity of the airborne obstacles to allow the aerial vehicle to avoid the airborne obstacles. The typical optical system includes at least one focal plane array or other imaging device configured to receive a wide field of view and at least one focal plane array or other imaging device configured to receive a steerable narrow field of view within the wide field of view to allow concentrated determination of the range, direction, and/or velocity of obstacles detected by the wide field of view imaging devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATIONInventors: Rhande P. Wood, Michael I. Jones
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Publication number: 20100283989Abstract: In a chromatic point sensor, distance measurements are based on a distance-indicating subset of intensity profile data, which is selected in a manner that varies with a determined peak position index coordinate (PPIC) of the profile data. The PPIC indexes the position a profile data peak. For profile data having a particular PPIC, the distance-indicating subset of the profile data is selected based on particular index-specific data-limiting parameters that are indexed with that same particular PPIC. In various embodiments, each set of index-specific data-limiting parameters indexed with a particular PPIC characterizes a distance-indicating subset of data that was used during distance calibration operations corresponding to profile data having that PPIC. Distance-indicating subsets of data may be compensated to be similar to a corresponding distance-indicating subset of data that was used during calibration operations, regardless of overall intensity variations and detector bias signal level variations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2007Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATIONInventor: David William Sesko
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Patent number: 7813529Abstract: A system and method of reconstructing a three-dimensional image of an object is provided. The system includes a single camera including a pinhole lens and having a surface defining an image plane. The single camera can be arranged to move along a linear path relative to the object and is configured to capture images at predetermined locations along the linear path such that at least a portion of the captured adjacent images overlap. The system includes a processor that can be programmed with an image processing logic that enables the processor to create a three-dimensional image of the object.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Meir Gershenson
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Patent number: 7812932Abstract: A test station for testing a laser range finder is disclosed. The test station may be a mobile test station. The test station may include an optical system having a first portion which aligns an eyepiece of the test station to the laser range finder, a second portion which aligns the eyepiece to a first range target spaced apart from the test station, and a third portion which aligns the laser range finder to the first range target.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Larry G. Bedwell, Michael E. Zimmer
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Patent number: 7700903Abstract: The invention is directed at a method and apparatus for auto-focusing an infinity corrected microscope. Light beams are directed and then converged towards a specimen of interest and at least one image is formed from the reflected light. The image, or images, are then reviewed and calibration measurements are retrieved from the image. These calibration measurement are then used to determine focusing measurements which are used to auto-focus the microscope.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2007Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: WDI Wise Device Inc.Inventors: Adam Weiss, Alexandre Obotnine, Andrew Lasinski
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Patent number: 7589825Abstract: This invention relates to a ranging apparatus capable of ranging simultaneously to a three dimensional scene. An illumination means (22) illuminates a scene with a two dimensional array of spots (12). A detector (6) is located near to the illumination means (22) and arranged to look toward the scene. A processor (7) responds to the output from the detector (6) and, from the location of a spot in the image of the scene, determines the range to that spot. A variety of techniques are used to resolve ambiguity in determining which projected spot is being considered.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2003Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: QinetiQ LimitedInventors: David Arthur Orchard, Andrew Charles Lewin, Simon Christopher Woods
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Patent number: 7535554Abstract: A target having a reflective part for a laser beam is located at the measuring object position of a bridge girder in such a way that the reflective part includes with respect to the displacement measuring direction and a laser rangefinder is located at the pier. A laser beam projected from the laser rangefinder along the longitudinal direction of the bridge girder impinges on the reflective part and the reflected light of the laser beam returned from the reflective part in the direction generally parallel with the incident direction is received by the laser rangefinder so as to detect variation in the distance from the laser rangefinder to the laser beam reflecting position of the reflective part. Displacement of the bridge girder in the displacement measuring direction is measured utilizing correlation between the detected variation and the displacement of the measuring object position in the displacement measuring direction.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2005Date of Patent: May 19, 2009Assignee: Kyoto UniversityInventor: Yoshinobu Oshima
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Patent number: 7484854Abstract: An appropriate adjustment can be made on the basis of a gradation amplitude obtained from a photographing image even when the zoom position of a zoom lens is changed. According to exemplary embodiments a CPU obtains a zoom amount transmitted from a zoom lens position detecting section, and derives the width of a stripe element in a pattern image to be formed on a liquid crystal light valve on the basis of the obtained zoom amount by referring to a stripe element width table stored to a stripe element width table storing section. The CPU corrects the pattern image for an adjustment on the basis of the derived stripe element width and rewrites the contents of a pattern image memory and gives instructions of image projection to an image processing section, a liquid crystal light valve driving section, etc. Thus, the pattern image corrected with respect to the stripe element width is formed on the liquid crystal light valve.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2005Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Noriaki Miyasaka
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Patent number: 7477400Abstract: A range/speed finder can be incorporated into a personal electronic device. In one example, a personal electronic device includes an automatic focus system adapted to focus an image of an object and a processor in communication with the automatic focus system adapted to detect a distance of the object using the automatic focus system. The processor can be adapted to detect a speed of the object and/or a dimension of the object using the automatic focus system. Methods and systems for determining a distance, a dimension, and/or a speed of the object relative to the personal electronic device are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2005Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Siimpel CorporationInventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Tony K. Tang
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Publication number: 20090003815Abstract: An improved autofocus system and method that includes a controllable light source having at least two selectively activated substantially monochromatic output wavelengths adapted for illuminating an object; a camera receiving light from said light source reflected from a portion of said object and generating output signals responsive to said received light; a controller connected to said camera and said controllable light source for positioning said camera and sequentially illuminating a first portion of the object with at least two selectively activated substantially monochromatic output wavelengths, moving the camera to a second position and sequentially illuminating a second portion of the object with at least two selectively activated substantially monochromatic output wavelengths; and a data processor connected to said camera and receiving said output signals and for each portion, comparing the output signals associated with each wavelength and determining a focus parameter from said comparisonType: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Applicant: Quality Vision InternationalInventors: Edward T. Polidor, Robert L. Jackson
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Publication number: 20080285007Abstract: A measurement system that uses a laser triangulation device to measure the thickness of transparent and/or opaque layers of a multilayer film. The triangulation device has a laser device that projects a beam perpendicularly to a surface of the multilayer film and first and second detectors that image first and second reflected rays of the beam at first and second distances offset from first and second optical axes to produce first and second measurement signals. A controller processes the measurement signals using a triangulation procedure and a simultaneous equation procedure to provide a thickness of an outer transparent layer. For a multilayer film having an opaque layer sandwiched between outer transparent layers, first and second triangulation devices are disposed on opposed sides of the film to measure the thickness of each outer film. Knowing the distance between the two devices, the thickness of the opaque layer can be derived.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2008Publication date: November 20, 2008Inventor: Michael K. Hughes
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Patent number: 7421195Abstract: A storage unit is configured to store beforehand a table that shows a relation between spread parameters and command values supplied to a control unit to acquire a focused image of an object, and information that designates a command value corresponding to an inflection point on an approximated curve showing the relation that the spread parameters have with the command values, the control unit being configured to control a state of an optical system in accordance with an input command value. The luminance information about the object that lies at a distance falling within a range over which focusing should be detected is acquired, at the position of the optical system, which is obtained by the command value corresponding to the inflection point shown in the table.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Olympus CorporationInventor: Satoko Furuki
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Publication number: 20080137052Abstract: A measuring apparatus measures a substrate on which a registration mark is formed. The measuring apparatus includes an acquisition unit which acquires the edge interval information of an image of the registration mark sensed under a measurement condition which is changed to make the edge interval of the image of the registration mark have an extreme value corresponding to a different focus position of a projection exposure apparatus, and a calculation unit which calculates a defocus value on the basis of the edge interval information of the image of the registration mark sensed under each measurement condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Takahiro Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20080137061Abstract: A displacement measurement sensor using the confocal principle for measuring small changes in distance to a specular target surface comprises a monochromatic light source such as a laser diode 12, an aperture, 31 an objective lens system 44 possessing spherical aberration that separates the monochromatic light at different focal distances according to the magnitude of angular deviation from the optical axis. Each distance of the target surface from the objective lens will select specific angular rays able to retrace the path through the objective lens and aperture. Each angle then will correspond to specific distance. The angle measurement is determined by detecting the light impinging on a light sensitive electronic detector array 36.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2007Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventor: Christopher John Rush
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Patent number: 7327441Abstract: A distance measuring system, comprising a laser light source for projecting a pulsed laser beam to an object to be measured, a photodetection element for receiving an external light reflected by the object to be measured and an internal light which is a divided part of said laser beam, a photodetection element including said photodetection element, and a control arithmetic unit for calculating a distance based on photodetection of the external light and the internal light received by said photodetection element, wherein said photodetection circuit forms non-detecting condition, and the non-detecting condition is formed before or after photodetection timing of the internal light.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2005Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TopconInventor: Masaaki Yabe
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Patent number: 7307699Abstract: A light wave distance measuring method, using a light wave distance measuring system with a focusing function, comprising a step of comparing a reference distance to an object to be measured obtained based on a position of a focusing lens with a measuring distance obtained by light wave distance measurement, and a step of defining the measuring distance approximately equal to the reference distance as a result of measurement.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2005Date of Patent: December 11, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha TopconInventors: Fumio Ohtomo, Kaoru Kumagai
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Patent number: 7230685Abstract: First image data including a first pixel value according to the intensity of background light is obtained by means of only exposure. Second image data including a second pixel value according to the intensity of the light reflected or scattered by an object is obtained by so controlling light emission and exposure as to receive part of the reflected or scattered light over the whole exposure period. The part of the reflected or scattered light corresponds to the flat period of emitted pulsed light. Third image data including a third pixel value according to the distance to the object is obtained by so controlling light emission and exposure as to receive the part of the reflected or scattered light for a time according to the distance. The first pixel value is subtracted from each of the second and third pixel values so that the influence of the background light can be excluded.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventors: Yousuke Suzuki, Hitoshi Yamada, Ryoichi Sugawara, Naoki Sano
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Patent number: 7206062Abstract: Disclosed is a LADAR system and a method for operating same. The LADAR system includes circuitry for generating the electrical signal with an optical signal detector using N discrete samples; a bank of M parallel sample/hold circuit unit cells individual ones of which operate with an associated sample/hold clock, where each sample/hold clock is shifted in time by a fixed or programmable amount ?t relative to a sample/hold clock of an adjacent sample/hold circuit unit cell; and further includes circuitry for sequentially coupling a sampled value of the electrical signal from a first output of individual ones of at least some of the M parallel sample/hold circuit unit cells to an analog to digital converter circuit. Each of the M parallel sample/hold circuit unit cells has a second output for outputting a digital signal for indicating the state (low or high) during a time that the associated sample/hold clock allowing for time of arrival determination.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2005Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: James F. Asbrock, George W. Dietrich, Lloyd F. Linder
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Patent number: 7177013Abstract: A ranging apparatus which determines distances to objects by using planar positions of the objects in images which are obtained by cameras which take the images, plural distortion correction tables used to correct distortion of images taken by the cameras wherein the distortion correction are made for progressively determined ranging distances of a target object, a corrective computer which generates corrected images using the distortion correction tables, being corrected for eliminating distortion caused by optical systems of the cameras, corresponding to the progressively determined ranging distances in which the images are taken by the cameras, a selector which selects a most appropriately corrected image among the corrected images and a ranging computer which computes a distance to the object viewed in the selected corrected image.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2004Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chiaki Aoyama
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Patent number: 6937321Abstract: A distance measuring technology capable of stably and accurately performing distance measurement of an object without any highly accurate focus control mechanism is provided. A distance measuring apparatus has a mask for restricting light so as to pass through two or more different light passing positions; a lens system for focusing the light passed through the mask; an image taking-in means for taking in images from the light focused by the lens system; and a distance calculating means for calculating a distance from an imaging element to an object using the taken-in images. The mask restricts the light so as to pass through only specified positions.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2004Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Takanari Tanabata, Keisuke Nakashima, Yoshiharu Konishi, Takashi Matsuyama
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Patent number: 6738131Abstract: A distance measuring technology is capable of stably and accurately performing measurement of the distance to the distance to an object without use of a highly accurate focus control mechanism. The distance measurement is performed by an apparatus having a mask for restricting light so as to pass light through two or more different light passing positions; a lens system for focusing the light that has passed through the mask; an image taking-in means for taking in images from the light focused by the lens system; and a distance calculating unit for calculating a distance from an imaging element to an object using the taken-in images. The mask restricts the light so that the light is able to pass through only specified positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Takanari Tanabata, Keisuke Nakashima, Yoshiharu Konishi, Takashi Matsuyama
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Patent number: 6700651Abstract: A distance/defocus device has a plurality of areas in an observing frame, and time sequentially determines the distance to an object or an amount of defocus for each area by performing a correlation calculation while shifting images of the object with respect to each other. The calculation time can be reduced by determining a shift range of the correlation calculation for subsequent areas on the basis of the result of the correlation calculation for a previous, predetermined area.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Hideo Taka
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Patent number: 6677568Abstract: A surveying instrument includes a sighting telescope having an objective lens and an eyepiece; a Porro-prism erecting system; a semitransparent surface formed on a reflection surface of the Porro-prism erecting system; a beam splitting prism adhered to the semitransparent surface; and a focus detecting device which detects a focus state from a correlation between a pair of images respectively formed by two light bundles which are respectively passed through two different pupil areas of the objective lens and passed through two separate areas on the semitransparent surface. An area of a surface of the beam splitting prism which is adhered to the semitransparent surface is smaller than an effective area of the reflection surface of the Porro-prism erecting system. The semitransparent surface and the beam splitting prism are positioned so that the two light bundles are incident on the semitransparent surface at the same incident angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2001Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignees: Pentax Corporation, Pentax Precision Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masami Shirai, Homu Takayama, Kenji Kaneko
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Patent number: 6580385Abstract: An object detection system, in particular for a motor vehicle, is described where the object detection system is a combination of at least three object detectors, each having a different detection zone and/or a different detection range.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2001Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Hermann Winner, Werner Uhler
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Patent number: 6344893Abstract: A super-resolving imaging apparatus employs diffractive optical elements placed on the imaging lens. This element, and the use of a modified Scheimpflug arrangement allow the conversion of degrees of freedom in one axis of a field of view to a larger degree of freedom in another axis in order to obtain a high resolution image with a wide depth of focus and large field of view. Replicas created by the diffractive elements are mutually shifted by subpixel amounts, and are combined using a Gabor transform, which is facilitated by a spatial mask placed over the detector array. The apparatus is suitable for performing distance estimation on an object within the field of view.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2000Date of Patent: February 5, 2002Assignee: Ramot University Authority for Applied Research and Industrial Development Ltd.Inventors: David Mendlovic, Zeev Zalevsky, Naim Konforti, Emanuel Marom, Gal Shabtay, Uriel Levy, Sharon Karako