Abstract: A laser radar device that operates on an elapsed time basis and has a pulsating laser for emitting successive light pulses into a monitored region. A light receiver receives light impulses reflected by an object in the monitored region and generates electrical signals responsive to the received light impulses. The signals are forwarded to an evaluation unit adapted to generate a distance signal indicative of a distance between the object and the laser radar device on the basis of the speed of light and an elapsed time between the emission of the light pulses and the receipt of the reflected light pulses. A light diverter located between the laser and the monitored region continuously varies the directionality of the light impulses directed into the monitored region and includes a beam splitter that divides the energy of the emitted light pulses into a main beam and a sensing beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distance measuring device, which comprises a light projecting unit for projecting a distance measuring light (22) to an object to be measured, a reference reflection unit (55) provided relatively movable and arranged at a known position so as to traverse the projected distance measuring light, a photodetection unit (7) for receiving a reflection light from the object to be measured as a reflected distance measuring light (22?) and a reflection light from said reference reflection unit as an internal reference light (22?), and a control arithmetic unit (15) for calculating a distance to the object to be measured based on a photodetection signal relating to the reflected distance measuring light and based on a photodetection signal relating to the internal reference light.

Abstract: A method for producing a range data includes: irradiating a pulse light toward an object during a first time period; receiving a reflected pulse light during the first time period and a second time period; calculating a ratio between a first or second received light amount and a total received light amount, wherein the first received light amount is a light amount received during the first time period, wherein the second received light amount is a light amount received during the second time period, and wherein the total received light amount is a sum of the first and second received light amounts; and producing the range data based on the ratio.

Abstract: A laser radar sensor includes a photoreceptor, a dummy circuit, an amplifier, a selector, and the first and the second detection circuits. A photoreception signal outputted from the photoreceptor and an output signal of the dummy circuit are amplified by the amplifier, and inputted to the second detection circuit. A noise component included in the photoreception signal based on the output signal of the dummy circuit when distance detection is not performed. The distance detection is performed based on the reception signal from which the noise component is removed. As a result, a reduction in detectable distance of the laser radar sensor is less likely to occur. Furthermore, the noise component is detected using the dummy circuit and the selector. Thus, the consideration of the predetermined rotation angle is not required in optical system design and limiting factors in the optical system design can be reduced.

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.

Abstract: To transmit energy without direct mechanical or electrical contact, a transmitter unit emits a laser beam onto a radiation receiver of a receiver unit including a photovoltaic cell arrangement surrounded by a ring-shaped reflector. A portion of the laser beam is reflected from the reflector back to the transmitter unit, where the received reflected signal is evaluated to determine the position of the laser beam impinging on the radiation receiver. The transmitter unit deflects the laser beam as necessary to impinge directly on the photovoltaic cell arrangement and track any relative motion of the receiver unit. The receiver unit orients the radiation receiver to optimize the energy reception. The position of the laser beam is modulated and the resulting variation of the reflected signal is evaluated to determine therefrom the position of the laser beam on the radiation receiver.

Abstract: A dermatoglyph test system examines dermatoglyph of fingers, big toes and palms comprising at least an image capture device to capture images of testers' all fingers, big toes and palms dermatoglyph, a recognition unit to recognize the features of dermatoglyph and an output unit to output the features of the dermatoglyph in characters.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus for a vehicle has a light radiation unit and a light receiver unit disposed in a case for detecting an object or a distance to the object. When a vehicle is at a stop, the apparatus detects an output power of a laser light radiated from the light radiation unit by the light receiving unit and feedback-controls the output power of the laser light to a predetermined level based on the detected output power of the laser light. The feedback control is effected by an amplifier circuit, a pulse width detector circuit and a current regulator circuit. Thus, the output power of the laser light is reduced not to damage human eyes when the vehicle is at a stop.

Abstract: Performance of pixel detectors in a TOF imaging system is dynamically adjusted to improve dynamic range to maximize the number of pixel detectors that output valid data. The invention traverses the system-acquired z depth, the brightness, and the active brightness images, and assigns each pixel a quantized value. Quantization values encompass pixels receiving too little light, normal light, to too much light. Pixels are grouped into quantized category groups, whose populations are represented by a histogram. If the number of pixels in the normal category exceeds a threshold, no immediate corrective action is taken. If the number of pixel receiving too little (or too much) light exceeds those receiving too much (or too little) light, the invention commands at least one system parameter change to increase (or decrease) light reaching the pixels. Controllable TOF system parameters can include exposure time, common mode resets, video gain, among others.

Abstract: A position of a three-dimensional (3D) object relative to a display surface of an interactive display system is detected based upon the intensity of infrared (IR) light reflected from the object and received by an IR video camera disposed under the display surface. As the object approaches the display surface, a “hover” connected component is defined by pixels in the image produced by the IR video camera that have an intensity greater than a predefined hover threshold and are immediately adjacent to another pixel also having an intensity greater than the hover threshold. When the object contacts the display surface, a “touch” connected component is defined by pixels in the image having an intensity greater than a touch threshold, which is greater than the hover threshold. Connected components determined for an object at different heights above the surface are associated with a common label if their bounding areas overlap.

Abstract: Embodiments of a distance measurement system are provided, in which a light signal generator comprises a first emission unit outputting a light beam to a target according to a first frequency-modulation signal, and a light-mixing unit generating a light mixing signal according to a second frequency-modulated signal and a reflection light beam reflected from the target. An electrical mixing unit generates an electrical mixing signal according to the first and second frequency-modulation signals, and a processing unit performs a phase difference estimation to obtain an evaluated value between the target and the distance measurement system according to the light mixing signal and the electrical mixing signal, and obtains a corresponding distance compensation value to compensate for the distance evaluated value according to an amplitude of the reflection light beam.

Abstract: A range sensor using structured light intensity for determining displacement measurements. A micro-lens array or diffractive optical element inputs light from a light source and outputs a flattop intensity pattern in a diverging light stripe. By using a diverging light stripe, the response of the system to a change in position is made to vary approximately proportionally to the inverse of a distance from a reflecting surface to the source of the diverging light stripe. A dual detector approach may be utilized to eliminate the sensitivity of measurement signal with respect to variations in the optical power the light source, as well as other potential variations.

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: A range image sensor comprising a light source, a light detecting element, a sensor control stage and an image construction stage. The image construction stage calculates a distance value for each image element in a range image based on each electric charge picked up after a specific detection period of different detection periods by the sensor control stage, and then constructs the range image. The specific detection period is one of one or more detection periods during which the light detecting element does not reach saturation, and is one detection period during which a value related to the quantity of light received from the object space becomes maximum of that of the one or more detection periods.

Abstract: A method for improving the accuracy of estimating concentration path length of a target molecule using a differential absorption LIDAR (DIAL) system. In particular, this method allows improved detection of plumes containing the target molecule against inhomogeneous background, such as uncovered ground or ground with various types of cover. In an embodiment of the present invention, spectral surface reflectivity variations are systematically corrected based on interpolation of surface reflectivity measurements of multiple offline beams of different wavelengths, which are relatively close to the online wavelength. In another embodiment, the signal to noise ratio of the received online pulse energy is improved by using multiple laser beams having the online wavelength and the signal to noise ratio of the received pulse energies at an offline wavelength is improved by using multiple laser beams having that offline wavelength.

Abstract: At least one self-powered light source is mounted on the tail rod of a BOP to provide an indication of the position of the ram of the BOP. The light source moves back and forth with the ram actuating piston of the BOP. Opposite the light source is a light-receiving lens. The lens is coupled by optical fiber to a optical to electrical converter. As the BOP is actuated, the tail rod moves, thereby moving the light source to a position adjacent a different lens. The lens which is now positioned adjacent the light source sends a light signal to its respective converter, thereby indicating the position of the tail rod and thus to ram of the BOP.

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: The invention an optical system and a method for automatically controlling the gain of a receiver in an optical system. The optical system includes an optical receiver, a pulse capture unit, and an automatic gain control. The pulse capture unit includes a capture unit capable of capturing an optical signal received by the optical receiver; and, a process unit capable of processing the captured optical signal. The automatic gain control is capable of controlling the gain of the optical receiver responsive to the content of the processed optical signal. The method includes comparing the intensity of at least one returned pulse, and typically a plurality of returned pulses, to a predetermined value; and controlling the gain of an optical detector responsive to the comparison. In addition, the maximum gain is controlled by a noise limit in some implementations.

Abstract: In a position sensitive photoelectric sensor that calculates a distance to a target based on a triangular range finding using a light and outputs a result compared with a reference distance, first the reference distance Dref is set roughly by using a light receiving portion adjusting mechanism that changes an angle of a light receiving portion including a reception lens and a light receiving device. Then, the change adjustment of the reference distance is performed by teaching. In addition, the user performs a fine adjustment of the reference distance by a manual adjustment using an increase/decrease key if necessary.

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: A system and method for determining whether the distance between an electromagnetic-energy emitting source and a predetermined location increased, decreased or remained constant between first and second times relies upon the selection of first and second energy bands whose average wavelengths are disparately absorbed as a function of transmission distance. Energy values corresponding to the intensity of detectable energy within each of the first and second sub-ranges at each of the first and second times are assigned.

Abstract: In a laser detecting and ranging apparatus in which a light signal is intensity-modulated with a modulating frequency consisting of a frequency in the microwave band for thereby detecting a Doppler frequency relating to the modulating frequency, high reception sensitivity is realized.

Abstract: An integrator of a vehicular radar system has multiple switches and multiple capacitors, which are connected with the switches, for each one of photoreceptive elements. The integrator integrates light reception signals, which are output from the photoreceptive elements, by switching the switches to a connected state one after another in a predetermined order at a predetermined time interval until a predetermined time passes after every emission of the laser light and by switching the switches to the connected state one after another in a predetermined order at a predetermined time interval if the laser light is emitted predetermined times. Thus, the integrator can integrate the light reception signals, which are output from the multiple photoreceptive elements, in parallel.

Abstract: A method for producing a range data includes: irradiating a pulse light toward an object during a first time period; receiving a reflected pulse light during the first time period and a second time period; calculating a ratio between a first or second received light amount and a total received light amount, wherein the first received light amount is a light amount received during the first time period, wherein the second received light amount is a light amount received during the second time period, and wherein the total received light amount is a sum of the first and second received light amounts; and producing the range data based on the ratio.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring a distance to an object with light determines the distance by measuring the relative intensity of light reflected from the object and traveling over two or more paths of differing optical length. Light is emitted by one or more light sources; reflected from a surface of the object; and the reflected light is detected by one or more light detectors. The light detector(s) generate signals based on the intensity of reflected light detected and the signals are utilized to calculate the distance from the device to the object.

Abstract: A preceding vehicle recognition apparatus detects positions of two reflectors provided on a preceding vehicle from individual received signals each representing a signal reflected by the reflectors. The apparatus further detects position of an area of rear face of the preceding vehicle by integrating a plurality of received signals each representing a signal reflected by the body of the preceding vehicle. Thus, even when only one of the two reflectors is detected or both reflectors cannot be detected, the width of the preceding vehicle can be found. By using the width of the preceding vehicle, it is possible to keep track of the movement of the same preceding vehicle with a high degree of reliability.

Abstract: A laser scanner for optically scanning and measuring an environment comprises a light transmitter having a predetermined transmission power for emitting a light beam. The emitted light beam is reflected at a measurement point in the environment. The reflected light beam is received with a certain intensity by a receiver. The transmission power is adjustable as a function of the intensity of the reflected light beam. Furthermore, a gray-scale value of the measurement point is determined as a function of the transmission power adjusted.

Abstract: A vehicular radar device capable of accurately detecting rain or the like or a road surface by discriminating between the rain or the like or the road surface and others. The vehicular radar device has a control circuit which performs a detection operation in an up state in which the visual field of the radar is shifted comparatively upwardly in the vertical direction so that the road surface is not detected, and determines that, from among detection data obtained during the up state, detection data which does not vary in reception intensity nor in reception delay time (distance data) for a predefined time is detection data relative to rain or the like.

Abstract: In a vehicle radar device, a predetermined number of received light signals output based on a predetermined number of laser beams radiated from a radar sensor are integrated by an integrator to produce an integrated signal. Integration of the predetermined number of received light signals helps amplify the received light signal components corresponding to the waves reflected by reflecting objects, making it possible to improve the sensitivity for detecting the waves reflected by the reflecting object. There are set a plurality of ranges of the received light signals to be integrated, each being shifted by one received light signal. This minimizes a drop in the angular resolution based on the integrated signals.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring a distance to an object with light determines the distance by measuring the relative intensity of light reflected from the object and traveling over two or more paths of differing optical length or reflected from the object and traveling over two or more paths through the use of the offset angle effect. Light is emitted by one or more light sources; reflected from a surface of the object; and the reflected light is detected by one or more light detectors. The light detector(s) generate signals based on the intensity of reflected light detected and the signals are utilized to calculate the distance from the device to the object.

Abstract: A measuring device is provided with a signal generator and a signal receiver, which is located at a measurable distance from the signal generator. The signal generator is designed for the emission of at least two signal beams covering in given relationship to each other an area and the signal receiver is designed for the time-resolved reception of the signal beams in such a manner that the generator-receiver distance can be determined from the time signature of the signal beam reception.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented that use light sensors and computing devices to compute the depth of an object using shuttered light pulses. In one embodiment, depth is determined as follows: A light emitter emits a pulse of light that is directed toward an object. The pulse is reflected off the object and travels toward a beam splitter. The beam splitter splits the reflected pulse into multiple pulses, with each pulse directed to a shuttered sensor with a different shutter location. The shuttered sensors measure the integrated intensity of the light, and these values are used to determine the depth of the object. A method is presented which calibrates a system that has an arbitrary number of shutters and enables the system to determine the depth of an object, even in the presence of ambient illumination and scattered light.

Abstract: A method and a device to detect subsurface three-dimensional micro-structure in a sample by illuminating the sample with light of a given polarization and detecting light emanating from the sample that has a different direction of polarization by means of a confocal optical system.

Abstract: A laser receiver for detecting the position of incidence of a beam of laser light thereon includes a first photodetector and a second photodetector aligned in series with each other and spaced apart from each other by a gap. If the laser is evenly distributed between the two photodetectors, then the laser position will be set as the correct position and a corresponding signal will be displayed. However, if the first photodetector detects more light than the second photodetector, then a signal will also be displayed to inform the user that more laser is being projected onto the first photodetector. On the other hand, if the second photodetector detects more light than the first photodetector, then a signal will be displayed to inform the user that more laser being projected onto the second photodetector. These signals will assist users to adjust the laser receiver to accurately position the laser.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to realize a compact three-dimensional measurement device of high resolution. In the present invention, a pulse light is projected on an object, the light reflected from the object is received by a solid state area sensor having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, the area sensor is controlled with a timing synchronized with the projection of the pulse light, and the distance to each photoelectric conversion element is measured based on the output of the solid state area sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating charge from a light pulse. In one example, a light sensor includes an active region for generating an electric charge in response to a light pulse. A drift region is formed within a substrate and receives the electric charge from the light sensor. A spatial charge distribution is produced within the drift region in response to an electric field. The drift region includes an outer edge and an inner edge. The volume of the drift region decreases from the outer edge to the inner edge.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for obtaining information regarding a depth of a subject includes: an illumination unit operable to cast a first illumination light beam that mainly contains a first wavelength and has a first intensity distribution on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the first illumination light beam and a second illumination light beam mainly containing a second wavelength and a third wavelength and having a second intensity distribution on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the second illumination light beam onto the subject, the second and third wavelengths being different from the first wavelength, the second intensity distribution being different from the first intensity distribution; and a depth calculation unit operable to calculate a depth-direction distance to the subject based on outgoing light beams from the subject.

Abstract: A distance measuring system, which comprises a control arithmetic unit 1, a light emitting unit 2 for emitting a measuring light beam and a photodetection unit 3 for receiving a reflection light beam from an object to be measured, the system being used for measuring a distance by receiving the reflection light beam from the object to be measured, wherein the control arithmetic unit compares a signal based on the photodetection amount of the reflection light from the object to be measured as well as a result of the distance measurement with reference data prestored in the control arithmetic unit relating to the reflection of the object to be measured, and judges whether the object to be measured is a prism or a natural object based on a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A distance measuring device includes a light emitter, a light detector, a clamp that outputs long-range side signal or clamp signal, a calculator that calculates the ratio between the short-range side signal and the signal output from the clamp and outputs a ratio signal, a light meter measuring the luminance of outside light, a threshold setter that sets up an infinity determination threshold value such that a lower luminance of the outside light corresponds to the longer range side as a threshold value; a converter that, when the output ratio signal is the signal corresponding to the short range side and is shorter than the infinity determination threshold value, converts the output ratio signal into a distance signal, and, if not, converts the output ratio signal into a distance signal having a fixed value.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for exercising surveillance over a surface from an observation point above the surface utilizing three-dimensional map data pertaining to the surface. The method comprises the steps (1) intercepting the light rays from a surface in a field of view, (2) separating the intercepted light rays into a plurality of light-ray clusters, a light-ray cluster comprising a plurality of light-ray bundles, a light-ray bundle being the light rays from a point on the surface in the field of view, a light-ray cluster being the light-ray bundles from a region of contiguous points on the surface, (3) determining the map coordinates of each region from which a light-ray cluster comes, (4) obtaining a measure of the radiant power and/or color of each light-ray cluster at predetermined time intervals, and (5) identifying the map coordinates of a surface activity from measurements of the radiant power of the light-ray clusters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a position detection device having a function of an electronic shutter. The position detection device is devised to perform the following: a light sending means sends out emitted light, which comes from a light emitting means, to a target object; a two-dimensional light receiving means receives reflected light coming from the target object, and converts the reflected light into an electric charge; and an arithmetic processing means determines a position of the target object on the basis of a light receiving signal from the two-dimensional light receiving means. In addition, the two-dimensional light receiving means has a function of an electronic shutter for discharging an accumulated electric charge in order to adjust the quantity of received light. Moreover, the arithmetic processing means can drive the light emitting means within a period of time during which the electronic shutter is stopped and the two-dimensional light receiving means is accumulating an electric charge.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image capturing device comprises a light source for irradiating a distance measuring light beam to a subject. The light source has a plurality of light source rings, each of which is formed of a plurality of LEDs. The LEDs are annularly disposed along an outer periphery of a lens barrel. The ratio of the intensities of light beams irradiated by the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth light source rings is 1:2:4:8:16. The intensity of the distance measuring light beam irradiated by the light source rings is modulated by selecting the light source rings to be turned ON, so that the intensity of the distance measuring light beam changes in accordance with the time.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus for obtaining information regarding a depth of a subject includes: an illumination unit operable to cast a first illumination light beam that mainly contains a first wavelength and has a first intensity distribution on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the first illumination light beam and a second illumination light beam mainly containing a second wavelength and a third wavelength and having a second intensity distribution on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the second illumination light beam onto the subject, the second and third wavelengths being different from the first wavelength, the second intensity distribution being different from the first intensity distribution; and a depth calculation unit operable to calculate a depth-direction distance to the subject based on outgoing light beams from the subject.

Abstract: An inclination sensor includes a tubular chamber extending along a curved longitudinal axis. A mass is located within the chamber and moves by gravity to the lowest point of the chamber. A pair of location sensors are mounted on opposite ends of the chamber and determine the location of the mass along the chamber axis by emitting light toward the mass and measuring the intensity of the light reflected off the mass. The inclination of the inclination sensor is calculated from the axial location of the mass.

Abstract: The invention provides a microphone/sensor, including a housing defining a chamber and having an opening; at least one pair of optical waveguides, each having an input end portion and an output end portion, the input end portion of a first waveguide being optically coupled to a source of light and the output end portion of a second waveguide being optically coupled to a light intensity detector; a membrane having two opposite surfaces extending across the opening to form a sealed-off chamber inside the housing; a head, including the input end portion of the second optical waveguide and the output end portion of the first optical waveguide, affixedly located at least in proximity to each other, each of the output end portion of the first waveguide and input end portion of the second waveguide having an optical axis and an output face, the output face being cut at an angle &thgr; with respect to the axis, the axes forming an angle &agr; between them, wherein, upon operation, the light emerging from the output e

Abstract: This small, inexpensive, non-contact laser sensor can detect the location of a retroreflective target in a relatively large volume and up to six degrees of position. The tracker's laser beam is formed into a plane of light which is swept across the space of interest. When the beam illuminates the retroreflector, some of the light returns to the tracker. The intensity, angle, and time of the return beam is measured to calculate the three dimensional location of the target. With three retroreflectors on the target, the locations of three points on the target are measured, enabling the calculation of all six degrees of target position. Until now, devices for three-dimensional tracking of objects in a large volume have been heavy, large, and very expensive. Because of the simplicity and unique characteristics of this tracker, it is capable of three-dimensional tracking of one to several objects in a large volume, yet it is compact, light-weight, and relatively inexpensive.

Abstract: A distance measuring device is provided with regulating circuit for removing offset voltages. Before conducting distance measurement, the regulating circuit outputs a reference voltage on the basis of offset voltages of an amplifier and an integrating circuit used to amplify and integrated reflected light from an object. The regulating circuit comprises a D/A converter for outputting an analog voltage. A value representing the offset voltages is stored and, at the time of distance measurement, the reference voltage is set based on the stored value. The integrating circuit integrates two outputs of the amplifier based on near-side and far-side light receiving means, and uses a calculating device to find a distance to the object based on the integrated output voltages of the integrating circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining a distance of a target, the apparatus comprising a pulse transmitter, a gatable beam detector, and a comparator, the gatable beam detector being operable to obtain gated and calibration beam energy information of a pulse transmitted by the beam pulse transmitter for reflection from the target, and to pass the beam energy information to the comparator, thereby to obtain a ratio between the gated and the calibration beam energy, the ratio being inversely proportional to the distance. Also an array thereof for simultaneously obtaining distances of a multiplicity of points of a three-dimensional object in real time, in particular to obtain movement information of the target.

Abstract: The invention provides a small optical microphone/sensor (2) for measuring distances to, and/or physical properties of, a reflective surface, comprising a source of light (4) coupled to a light waveguide (6) for transmitting a light beam through the waveguide; the waveguide (6) having at one of its ends a pointed face (12) with an angle determined by Snell's Law of Refraction sin ⁢   ⁢ α 1 sin ⁢   ⁢ α 2 = n 2 n 1 wherein &agr;1 is the angle of travel of the light beam through the waveguide media; &agr;2 is the angle of travel of the light beam in a second media when exiting from the pointed face, and n1 and n2 are the light indices of the light waveguide media and the second media; the reflect