Abstract: The invention relates to a method for registering surfaces, using a scanner system comprising a radiation source for emitting electromagnetic radiation (ES), a scanning device for guiding the radiation over the surface in order to scan the latter and a receiver for receiving the radiation (RS) that is reflected by the surface. According to the invention, the radiation is spectrally separated to analyze the surface characteristics and a distance measuring unit is used to derive distance information in parallel from the received radiation.

Abstract: A spectrum measurement device that recognizes objects to be measured on the basis of spectral data of observed light that is detected by a spectrum sensor capable of measuring wavelength information and light intensity information. The spectrum measurement device comprises a lighting device capable of projecting light that includes a wavelength region with a high atmospheric absorption index and recognizes the distance from a vehicle to an object to be measured through a computation that uses spectral data of observed light that is obtained from the object to be measured whereupon light of at least the wavelength region with the high atmospheric absorption index is projected.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatuses, or articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that may be utilized, in whole or in part, to facilitate or support one or more operations or techniques for proximity sensor distance detection ambiguity removal.

Abstract: A laser scanner measuring system is disclosed, which has a laser scanner and a calibration target. The laser scanner comprises a light emitting element for emitting a pulsed laser beam, a rotary projecting unit for projecting the pulsed laser beam, a distance measuring unit, and a control unit for driving and controlling the light emitting element and the distance measuring unit. The calibration target has a reflection sector with a known shape and with high reflectance and is installed at a known position. In use, there is a step for judging a reflected pulsed laser beam from the reflection sector by detecting a level of light quantity, a step for determining a center position of the reflection sector based on the result of the judgment, and a step for calibrating the laser scanner measuring system based on the determined center position and on the known position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of correcting an image are provided. The apparatus includes a receiver to receive a depth value and a luminous intensity, the depth value and the luminous intensity being measured by at least one depth sensor, and a correction unit to read a correction depth value of a plurality of correction depth values mapped to different depth values and different luminous intensities from a first storage unit and to correct the measured depth value using the read correction depth value, the correction depth value being mapped to the measured depth value and the measured luminous intensity.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a laser scanner measuring system, which has a laser scanner and a calibration target, wherein the laser scanner comprises a light emitting element for emitting a pulsed laser beam, a rotary projecting unit for projecting the pulsed laser beam for scanning, a distance measuring unit, which has a distance measuring light receiving unit, for measuring a distance by receiving a reflection light from an object to be measured, and a control unit for driving and controlling the light emitting element and the distance measuring unit, and wherein the calibration target has a reflection sector with a known shape and with high reflectance and is installed at a known position, comprising a step for judging a reflected pulsed laser beam from the reflection sector as received by the distance measuring light receiving unit by detecting a level of light quantity, a step for determining a center position of the reflection sector based on the result of the judgment, and a step for calibratin

Abstract: An object recognition apparatus performs a sweep of a scanned region by transmitting scanning wave beams at respective scan angles and successive timings, derives a received-wave signal strength value and reflection location corresponding to each scan wave beam during the sweep, and assigns a set of mutually adjacent reflection locations as a segment. A corresponding range value of the segment is calculated, expressing an estimated distance of a detected object. A threshold value is derived in accordance with the segment range, a region of the segment in which the signal strength values exceed the threshold value is extracted, and the width of the extracted region is designated as the width of the detected object.

Abstract: The optical sensor according to an embodiment disclosed herein includes: a lighting unit; a color photographing element for obtaining a color image in the sensing region; a photographing control unit for controlling a light irradiating time; a memory unit for storing a color image and a resultant image; a measurement light image extracting unit for processing the color image or the resultant image; a distance calculating unit for calculating distance or location information of the object; and a color correcting unit for calculating corrected distance or location information of the object.

Abstract: A measurement device for the determination of the characteristics of the object's surface by means of the optical radiation, wherein a measurement device comprises an optical radiation source and a detector to receive the radiation reflected from the surface being measured. In addition, a measurement device comprises an emitted optical radiation processing unit, which is adjusted to split optical radiation emitted by an optical source into separate wavelengths and to direct said separate wavelengths to the object being measured in a direction, that differs from the normal of the surface being measured so, that at least the shortest and the longest wavelengths of said wavelengths are focused on different halves and different heights of the measured object's surface, in the direction of the normal of the surface being measured.

Abstract: A distance measuring method includes: emitting a pulse of measuring light towards an object; receiving a pulse measuring light from the object and generating a pulse signal corresponding to the pulse of measuring light received from the object; delaying a first portion of the generated pulse signal for a predetermined time; generating an intensity signal indicative of an intensity of the generated pulse signal, while delaying the first portion of the generated pulse signal; amplifying the delayed first portion of the generated pulse signal using a gain dependent on the generated intensity signal; and determining a value representing a distance based on the amplified delayed first portion of the generated pulse signal.

Abstract: An active imaging system includes a laser transmitter configured to emit light in a plurality of beamlets. A sensor is configured to receive light from the beamlets. A processor is communicably coupled to the sensor and configured to compute images of objects illuminated by the beamlets.

Abstract: Methods and systems for adaptively controlling the illumination of a scene are provided. In particular, a scene is illuminated, and light reflected from the scene is detected. Information regarding levels of light intensity received by different pixels of a multiple pixel detector, corresponding to different areas within a scene, and/or information regarding a range to an area within a scene, is received. That information is then used as a feedback signal to control levels of illumination within the scene. More particularly, different areas of the scene can be provided with different levels of illumination in response to the feedback signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of correcting an image are provided. The apparatus includes a receiver to receive a depth value and a luminous intensity, the depth value and the luminous intensity being measured by at least one depth sensor, and a correction unit to read a correction depth value of a plurality of correction depth values mapped to different depth values and different luminous intensities from a first storage unit and to correct the measured depth value using the read correction depth value, the correction depth value being mapped to the measured depth value and the measured luminous intensity.

Abstract: A security system using a laser range finder that can precisely determine an existence and a location of an intruder, and a method of detecting the intruder using the laser range finder are provided. The security system using a laser range finder, the security system includes: the laser range finder emitting laser beam, receiving the reflected laser beam, measuring a distance between the laser range finder and a target object, and detecting an existence and a location of an intruder; and at least one reflective means reflecting the emitted laser beam toward the laser beam finder, wherein at least one reflective means is spaced by a predetermined distance of the laser range finder and is installed a predetermined distance from the laser range finder.

Abstract: A light barrier comprising a semiconductor component (1) and a method for detecting objects with a carrier (2), a semiconductor chip (4) which detects an electromagnetic radiation, a semiconductor chip (4) which emits an electromagnetic radiation, and a direction-selective element (5, 8), which delimits an angle range of the radiation which can be received by the detecting semiconductor chip (4) and/or of the radiation to be emitted by the emitting semiconductor chip (3), wherein a main radiation axis (V) of the radiation which can be received is tilted relative to a main radiation axis (U) of the radiation to be emitted.

Abstract: A method allows analyzing and describing the reflective properties of a three-dimensionally structured original surface. The topology of the original surface is determined and the topological data are stored in the form of a depth map in a first data record and evaluated with respect to the influence of the data on the reflective properties. Each surface element is assigned a reflective value in accordance with the evaluation and the value is stored in a second data record and made available to other machining or inspection systems. There, the reflection values of the second data record are divided into classes and the depth values of the first data record, assigned to the classified reflection values, are varied in accordance with the classification. Finally, the changed depth values are employed as parameters for electronically controlling a tool in order to machine the artificially produced surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a range-finder comprising a laser pulse emission device and a device for detecting the pulses reflected by a distant object. The emission device is capable of emitting pulses of N distinct wavelengths, N being an integer greater than 1, with, for each wavelength, a pulse repetition frequency less than a predetermined threshold frequency. Thus, no given wavelength emission will be faced with the problem of distance ambiguity.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using spectrally separated light pulses to collect more LIDAR information are presented. In one embodiment, a monochromatic pulse is transmitted to collect range information and a white pulse is transmitted a short time afterwards to collect spectral responsivity information or color of the target. In another embodiment, the white light pulse is used to collect both range and spectral responsivity information of the target. In another embodiment, the spectral separated laser is spatially spread in order to collect range information over more than one point at a time.

Abstract: A distance-measuring device is utilized for measuring a measured distance between a measured object and the distance-measuring device. The distance-measuring device reduces the effect of a background light and a flicking light by removing the part corresponding to the background light and the flicking light from light-sensed signals generated by an image sensor of the distance-measuring device. In addition, the distance-measuring device calculates a calibrating parameter for calibrating an assemble-error angle of the distance-measuring device, according to an imaging location of a reflective light obtained by measuring a calibrating object with a predetermined distance. In this way, the distance-measuring device can correctly calculate out the measured distance.

Abstract: A method of detecting a light pulse reflected on an object, including steps of: emitting a light pulse of known intensity and duration towards the object; detecting a reflection signal of the light pulse on the object during a first integration time, wherein, the detecting is carried out with at least one gain sensor that amplifies the reflection signal; on detection during the first integration time, varying an amplification gain of the at least one sensor in a controlled manner so that the amplification gain at each instant of the first integration time is known; and determining a time of return of the reflection signal by evaluating the amplification gain of the reflection signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of deducing building floor plan information are disclosed. One method includes changing an intensity of light generated from a plurality of lights within a building. A plurality of light sensors senses an intensity of light received from at least one of the plurality of lights. A distance between at least one light sensor and at least one of the plurality of lights is estimated based on the sensed intensity of light.

Abstract: A distance measuring device using a multiple wave enables measurement of long distances with a high resolution and with a high precision by significantly reducing the circuit scale required for demultiplexing circuitry. A distance measuring device (1) includes an illumination unit (1) that illuminates using multiple modulated light having a plurality of frequencies satisfying a relationship in which one frequency is an even multiple of another frequency, a light receiving unit (20) that accumulates the charge of reflected light of the multiple modulated light into a plurality of accumulation units while switching an accumulation unit into which the charge is accumulated at a predetermined timing, and a distance calculation unit (30) that calculates a distance based on the charge.

Abstract: A light meter for measuring photometric quantities includes a telephotometer having a photo detector to receive light energy entering the telephotometer. A light metering valve, for the purpose of providing a variable field of view, is located in the body of the telephotometer generally at the focal plane of the objective lens of the telephotometer. A controller, which includes a digital processor in communication with the photo detector will process information from the photo detector and from a range finder included in the system to output light intensity of a target light source.

Abstract: A spatial information detecting device is provided, which is capable of reducing the possibility that a saturation phenomenon is caused by the influence of an environmental light. This device includes a photoelectric converting portion for receiving a signal light from a target space to generate electric charges, a charge separating portion for separating electric charges corresponding to a constant amount of a bias component as undesired electric charges from the electric charges generated by the photoelectric converting portion, a charge accumulating portion for accumulating the remaining electric charges as effective electric charges reflecting a fluctuation component of the signal light, a barrier control electrode for forming a potential barrier between the charge separating portion and the charge accumulating portion, and a charge take-out portion for outputting the effective electric charges as an received-light output.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a laser scanner measuring system, which has a laser scanner and a calibration target, wherein the laser scanner comprises a light emitting element for emitting a pulsed laser beam, a rotary projecting unit for projecting the pulsed laser beam for scanning, a distance measuring unit, which has a distance measuring light receiving unit, for measuring a distance by receiving a reflection light from an object to be measured, and a control unit for driving and controlling the light emitting element and the distance measuring unit, and wherein the calibration target has a reflection sector with a known shape and with high reflectance and is installed at a known position, comprising a step for judging a reflected pulsed laser beam from the reflection sector as received by the distance measuring light receiving unit by detecting a level of light quantity, a step for determining a center position of the reflection sector based on the result of the judgment, and a step for calibratin

Abstract: A distance-measuring apparatus is disclosed. The distance-measuring apparatus includes: an emitter, emitting a light to be measured toward a target, a receiver, receiving a reflected emitted light; a reflector, reflecting the emitted light to the receiver; a condensing lens, condensing the reflected emitted light, reflected by the target to the reflector; a driving module, adjusting the inclination angle of the reflector; and a control unit, controlling the driving module to rotate according to a result of comparing the intensity of the emitted light received by the receiver and a predetermined value.

Abstract: A laser spot tracker device comprising a laser tracker receiver using a quadrant detector incorporated into a pair of binoculars or optical telescope system with a crosshair or reticule. Directional information from the laser tracker receiver is displayed to an operator (JTAC) to allow the reticule to be manually steered on to the target illuminated by the laser, thus identifying the target to the spotter. The laser code may be pre-selected to track a particular designator, or, the tracker may read out the code or codes of laser spots within its field of view.

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: Systems and methods of utilizing a frequency modulation technique to determine an unknown distance between at least one source and at least one detector in an light scattering medium without knowing the optical properties of the medium are described. Modulated light is emitted from a light source to an optical scattering and absorbing medium and at least a portion of the modulated light is detected with a detector. A calibration factor is determined and then an unknown distance between at least one source and at least one detector can be determined, thereby providing a distance measurement.

Abstract: One embodiment includes: A laser range finder that obtains a distance to an object and a light-reception level of reflected light: a scanning mechanism that changes the measurement direction; a data acquiring portion that periodically performs measurement while changing the measurement direction; a data correcting portion that removes distance information of a portion corresponding to a discontinuous change and corrects light-reception level information of a portion that does not correspond to the discontinuous change after the obtained distance information and light-reception level information are compared with distance information and light-reception level information of preceding and succeeding measurement periods in each direction; a human body judging portion that extracts a portion that is presumed to correspond to a human body, and judges whether or not the extracted portion matches a human body based on a time-series moving status of the extracted portion; and an alert output control portion.

Abstract: In an apparatus using an intensity-modulated light for detection of spatial information based upon light intensity of light reflected from a target space, a timing synchronization circuit is provided to synchronize a phase of the intensity-modulated light from a light-emitting element with a timing of operating a light-receiving element receiving the intensity-modulated light. The light-receiving element is caused to operate for enabling the detection of intensity of the received light for each of a plurality of phase regions within one cycle of the intensity-modulated light. The timing synchronization circuit functions to compare a cyclic variation determining the operation of the light-receiving element with a cyclic variation associated with an output from a light-emitting element driving circuit in order to keep a constant phase difference between these two cyclic variations.

Abstract: A testing system measures central angles of filter segments of a color wheel. The color wheel includes a color filter, which includes three sector-shaped filter segments and a motor for driving the filter segments to rotate. The testing system includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor emits light toward the color filter and receives light reflected back by the color filter, and generates an impulse signal according to intensity changes of the light reflected back by the color filter. The impulse signal includes a plurality of boundary impulses corresponding to boundaries formed between adjacent filter segments. The processor calculates central angles of the filter segments according to relationships between the boundary impulses.

Abstract: A laser distance measuring apparatus and control method thereof includes an emitter, a first and second liquid crystal display module, a receiver, a condensing lens, and a control unit. The emitter emits measuring light. The control unit sets the first liquid crystal display module to a second state and the second liquid crystal display module to a first state to receive the reflected light. When the reflected light is larger than a predetermined value, the control unit adjusts a transmittance of the first liquid crystal display module until the reflected light is lower than the predetermined value, and calculates a distance value based on phase difference between the reference light and the reflected light.

Abstract: A distance-measuring apparatus is disclosed. The distance-measuring apparatus includes: an emitter, emitting a light to be measured toward a target, a receiver, receiving a reflected emitted light; a reflector, reflecting the emitted light to the receiver; a condensing lens, condensing the reflected emitted light, reflected by the target to the reflector; a driving module, adjusting the inclination angle of the reflector; and a control unit, controlling the driving module to rotate according to a result of comparing the intensity of the emitted light received by the receiver and a predetermined value.

Abstract: A movable-body-speed-detecting apparatus includes a movable body capable of moving linearly and/or circularly, a plate fixed to the movable body, the plate having a predetermined length in a direction in which the movable body moves, and light emission/reception means arranged such that light output from a light-emitting element enters a light-receiving element. The plate has a window section that passes between the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element in accordance with movement of the movable body and that blocks or allows passage of light to the light-receiving element. The apparatus further comprises speed calculation means for calculating the speed of the movable body by converting the amount of light received by the light-receiving element into a signal and measuring the signal.

Abstract: A light detecting circuit includes a power source circuit, an optoelectronic component, a switch and a Trans Impedance Amplifier (TIA) circuit. The power source circuit provides an electric signal. When the optoelectronic component is biased at a bias voltage, the optoelectronic component generates a corresponding current according to the received light density. The switch has a trigger receiver. After the trigger receiver receives a trigger signal, the switch turns on and the optoelectronic component is biased at the bias voltage. The TIA circuit transforms the corresponding current to a corresponding voltage and then calculates the corresponding voltage to obtain the light density.

Abstract: A range image generating apparatus capable of preventing or reducing generation of range images with interference, which contain e.g., pixels with erroneous distance values is provided. The range image generating apparatus includes: a light source radiating a light; an image pickup element; a range image generating unit; a frequency changing unit that changes a modulation frequency for each frame rate or charge storage time; and a control unit that controls the light source and the image pickup element in synchronization with the modulation frequency changed by the frequency changing unit.

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: Several devices for determining a distance of an object a user of an electro-active lens is looking at are presented. Once the distance is determined, the devices may alter the optical power of the electro-active lens to ensure that the object is correctly focused. Optical range finding is a possible means for carrying out this task. An active rangefinder may emit optical radiation from a transmitter directed at the object. The optical radiation may then be reflected off the object. The reflected optical radiation may then be received with an appropriate receiver. The received optical radiation may then be processed by appropriate circuitry to determine a distance to the object. A passive rangefinder works without a transmitter. Instead, an appropriate receiver receives ambient sources of light from the object. The received light may then be processed by appropriate circuitry to determine a distance to the object.

Abstract: A laser-designated target simulator for testing laser-guided munitions and in particular the laser-seeking heads thereof. In one embodiment, the simulator includes: (1) a laser light source configured to provide laser light, (2) a waveguide configured to receive the laser light via an end thereof, (3) a baffle structure having a plurality of cavities associated therewith and (4) an actuator coupled to the laser light source and the end and configured to establish a distance therebetween, an intensity of the laser light entering the end being a function of the distance and a number of cavities interposing the laser light source and the end.

Abstract: A spatial information detection device is provided, which is capable of, even under the condition that an environmental light having intensity fluctuations exists in a target space, projecting a light intensity-modulated with a predetermined modulation signal from a light emitting source into the target space, receiving light from the target space with a photodetector, and detecting spatial information of the target space from a change between the light projected from the light emitting source and the light received by the photodetector. This device has a smoothing unit configured to integrate, over a predetermined integration period, a fluctuation component in a prescribed phase zone of the modulation signal with respect to an electric charge amount generated by receiving the environmental light in the electric charge amount generated at the photodetector by receiving the light from the target space, thereby smoothing the fluctuation component.

Abstract: A surveying instrument performs tracking of a target by controlling an orientation of a measuring unit relative to the target in two different angular directions. The control in one angular direction is based on detected light intensities which are modulated according to a first time pattern, and control of the orientation in the other angular direction is based on detected light intensities modulated according to a second time pattern just different from the first time pattern.

Abstract: A laser radar sensor includes a light emitting circuit, a light receiving circuit, an object detection circuit, and a CPU. The object detection circuit has a summation block, a noise reference determination block, a noise reference storing block, and a differentiation block. The summation block sums up photoreception signals outputted from a photoreceptor also included in the radar sensor and produces a summation signal. The noise reference determination block determines the summation signal outputted in a condition that no object is present in a detection area as a noise reference signal. The noise reference storing block stores the noise reference signal. The differentiation block calculates a subtraction signal by subtracting the noise reference signal from the summation signal for removing a noise component from the summation signal. Object detection is performed based on the subtraction signal.

Abstract: A laser spot tracker device comprising a laser tracker receiver using a quadrant detector incorporated into a pair of binoculars or optical telescope system with a crosshair or reticule. Directional information from the laser tracker receiver is displayed to an operator (JTAC) to allow the reticule to be manually steered on to the target illuminated by the laser, thus identifying the target to the spotter. The laser code may be pre-selected to track a particular designator, or, the tracker may read out the code or codes of laser spots within its field of view.

Abstract: A method, operation position sensor device for an electronic musical, and musical instrument for detecting an operation position of an operation member in an electronic musical instrument. A determination is made of an amount of measured light resulting from the depression of the operation member has changed in excess of a predetermined difference value a number of times. A determination is made of a difference value of clock counts measured at a last two determinations that the measured light changed in excess of the predetermined difference value in response to determining that the amount of the measured light has changed in excess of the predetermined difference value the number of times. The difference value is converted to a key depression speed. A sound generation command is issued based on the key depression speed to a sound source.

Abstract: The radar apparatus includes a transmit/receive section having a function of emitting a transmission wave, receiving the transmission wave reflected from a reflecting object, and outputting a reception signal having a signal level depending on the intensity of the received transmission wave, a control section controlling the transmit/receive section to transmit the transmission wave a predetermined number of times in the same direction, an integrating section successively integrating the reception signal successively outputted from the transmit/receive section to thereby successively form an integrated signal while the transmit/receive section repeatedly emits the transmission wave in the same direction, and a detector section judging whether or not the integrated signal enables detection of the reflecting object.

Abstract: Distance measuring device comprising a first light emitting unit for projecting a pulsed laser beam, a second light emitting unit for emitting a correction pulsed laser beam, a distance measuring light optical path to guide the pulsed laser beam for distance measurement toward a first photodetection unit, an internal reference light optical path for splitting an internal reference pulsed light from the pulsed laser beam for distance measurement and for guiding to a second photodetection unit, a correction light optical path for splitting the correction pulsed laser beam and for guiding to the first photodetection unit and the second photodetection unit, light amount adjusting means for changing light intensity of the correction pulsed laser beam and the internal reference pulsed light, and control arithmetic unit for calculating a distance based on difference of photodetection time of the pulsed light from the first photodetection unit and the second photodetection unit.

Abstract: Technology is disclosed for measuring distances. A measurement device emits a beam that reflects on the surface of an object. The measurement device determines the distance to the object, based on the time of flight of the beam from transmission to capture by the measurement device. The measurement device derives feedback reference pulses from pulses in the emitted beam and injects them into the device's receive path—creating a receive waveform that includes one or more feedback reference pulses and corresponding pulses in the return beam. The device uses the pulses in the waveform to measure time of flight. The measurement device can attenuate the feedback reference pulses to intensities similar or equal to the intensities of the return pulses. The measurement device can include a histogram processor that collects waveform samples at varying comparison thresholds.

Abstract: An optical device to measure the distance between the device itself and an obstacle/object comprising a unit to emit radiation including an aligned series of sources of radiation coupled to a series of arrangements of lenses to guide the radiation emitted by the sources. An optical acquisition unit comprising a matrix of photodetectors has a field of view including the scene in front of the optical device and including the obstacle. The signals leaving the acquisition unit are sent to a control and processing unit for calculation of the distance from the obstacle. The unit for the emission and conformation of the radiation emits a beam having a transverse section of a form elongated along an axis that is progressively rotated for transverse sections of the beam progressively more distant from the emission unit. In this manner, the distance of the obstacle may be calculated on the basis of the angular position of the section of the beam intercepted by the obstacle, as acquired by said acquisition unit.

Abstract: An electric optical distance meter is provided that makes an input power level of a reference light entering a light receiving device via an internal optical path comparable between low and high reflectivity targets.