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: A camera is provided with through the lens lighting. An light source provides boresighted illumination by using a beamsplitter or mirror to illuminate a field of view which is congruent with the field of view of the image sensor of the camera. The light source can be an extended light source having a dimensions about equal to the image sensor. The surface of the image sensor, the light source or the beam splitter can be modulated such that light directly from the light source does not impinge the sensor.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting at least one target with strong reflectivity from a set of strong and weak reflectors by using an amplitude of a reflected signal to make such a selection. The pre-computed look-up table that relates an amplitude of the reflected signal from a target with a strong reflectivity to the distance at which such target is located is used in a real-time mode to separate weak reflectors from strong reflectors. In the post-processing mode the usage of normalizing function allows to further differentiate between strong reflectors (like windows) and very strong reflectors (like prisms).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and to arrangements for monitoring an object which emits a rotating or oscillating beam whose angular velocity is unknown. The time points at which the beam passes a predetermined number of measuring positions are determined. An angular velocity start value is generated and a predetermined number of object position determinations (at least two independent determinations) are made on the basis of the determined time points, the measuring positions and the start value. It is determined whether or not the position determinations can be considered to be sufficiently in agreement with one another. When agreement is considered sufficient, the start value is accepted as an approximate value, this value approximating the angular velocity of the beam with an acceptable degree of accuracy. If the position determinations are not found to be sufficiently in agreement, the start value is modified and new position determinations are made.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating three-dimensional range images of spatial objects, wherein a short-time illumination of the object is performed, for instance using laser diodes. An image sensor is used that has a high light sensitivity, pixel resolution and can be read out randomly, this sensor also having an integration time that can be adjusted for each pixel. By evaluating the backscattered laser pulses in two integration windows with different integration times and by averaging over several laser pulses, three-dimensional range images can be picked up with a high reliability in, for example, 5 ms at the most.

Abstract: A passive ranging system measured spectra of solar radiation off an adjacent spot and a distal target. Reflected solar radiation and differential attenuation are used to estimate target range. A comparison of absorption spectra from the solar illuminated distal target compared to the adjacent location is performed. Since the sun's position is always known, the increased absorption due to a distant target is derived from the differential between the adjacent spot and the distal target.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing part clearance data compares stored design clearance data and tolerance data with actual measured clearance values to determine whether any of the actual clearance values are out of tolerance. Clearance values are measured and input using a digital gauge or like apparatus. The data may be displayed in a spreadsheet along with the design clearance data, and any values that are out of tolerance that therefore require adjustment can be highlighted. Out of tolerance values can be corrected via a manual adjustment or a virtual adjustment.

Abstract: A measurement apparatus (10, 110) and methods to perform positional types of measurement with normalization respective to either or both of light beam (16, 116) intensity and measurement target (12, 112) reflectivity. A light source, such as a laser diode (14, 114), produces a light beam (16, 116) which is directed at the measurement target (12, 112). One or more beamsplitters (28, 120, 124) in the path of the light beam (16, 116) direct sample portions into one or more photodetectors (32, 36, 122, 128) to obtain either or both of illumination and reflectivity sample values. A portion of the light beam (16, 116) which is reflected by the measurement target (12, 112) is passed through and restricted by an aperture (26, 132) and then detected by a position sensitive detector (38, 134) to obtain a position value. The position value may then be normalized based on either or both of the illumination and reflectivity sample values.

Abstract: A passive ranging optical system is coupled to an active radar system. The passive ranging optical system provides range and rate information to the active radar system. After receiving the range and rate information, the active radar system uses fewer transmission pulses but achieves higher resolution of the range of the target because of improved range gate information.

Abstract: The invention provides a sensor for measuring the distances to a medium and/or the physical properties thereof, including a housing; at least one pair of optical fibers, each having an input end portion and an output end portion, the input end portion of a first fiber being connectable to a source of light and the output end portion of a second fiber being connectable to light intensity measuring means; a sensor head, including the input end portion of the second optical fiber and the output end portion of the first optical fiber affixedly located at least in proximity to each other; each of the output end portion of the first fiber and input end portion of the second fiber having an axis and a rim, the rims being cut at an angle &thgr; with respect to the axis and the axes forming an angle &agr; therebetween, and wherein, upon operation, the light emerging from the output end portion of the first fiber impinges on a surface of a medium at an angle of incidence &bgr;, and wherein &bgr;=ƒ(&agr;,&th

Abstract: A system and method of passive ranging for a luminous target which employs a prior knowledge of atmospheric attenuation of spectral frequencies to determine range by comparing the intensities of a frequency component, that is attenuated by propagation through the atmosphere, with a frequency component that is not.