Abstract: A self-aligned aiming system and technique for a laser rangefinder incorporating a retroreflector. In operation, a virtual dot perceived in the laser rangefinder viewing window is inherently aligned with a visible beam projected on the target and has zero parallax by design. Even if there is a slight offset in the visual pathway of the laser rangefinder, when the virtual dot in the viewing window is placed on a specific point on the target, the visual beam is located at that same specific point.

Abstract: A compact folded signal transmission and image viewing pathway design and visual display technique for laser rangefinding instruments incorporates a beam splitting cube in the eyepiece optical space and advantageously provides an objective image focal length substantially twice that of the physical length of the instrument optical components. Through the use of some of the same optical elements in both the image viewing pathway as well as the laser transmission pathway, a relatively long transmission focal length is provided which saves in both physical instrument space and component cost while also allowing for the use of reasonably sized photodiodes with improved power output over that of previous designs.

Abstract: A non-saturating receiver design and clamping structure for high power laser rangefinders of especial utility with respect to pumped, monoblock lasers. The receiver comprises a photodiode and a transimpedance amplifier having at least first and second stages. The first stage comprises a field effect transistor and the second stage comprises a non-saturating, non-inverting amplification stage including a differential pair of bipolar transistors having a feedback path coupling the second stage to the input of the first stage. A clamping structure for the receiver comprises a resistor coupling a cathode of the photodiode to a first voltage input and a clamping diode also coupling the cathode to a second lower voltage input. A capacitor having a capacitance Cs couples the cathode of the photodiode to a reference voltage line, wherein the capacitance Cs is greater than the capacitance of the photodiode CD.

Abstract: A non-saturating receiver design and clamping structure for high power laser rangefinders of especial utility with respect to pumped, monoblock lasers. The receiver comprises a photodiode and a transimpedance amplifier having at least first and second stages. The first stage comprises a field effect transistor and the second stage comprises a non-saturating, non-inverting amplification stage including a differential pair of bipolar transistors having a feedback path coupling the second stage to the input of the first stage. A clamping structure for the receiver comprises a resistor coupling a cathode of the photodiode to a first voltage input and a clamping diode also coupling the cathode to a second lower voltage input. A capacitor having a capacitance Cs couples the cathode of the photodiode to a reference voltage line, wherein the capacitance Cs is greater than the capacitance of the photodiode CD.

Abstract: An intelligent laser tracking system and method for mobile and fixed position traffic monitoring and enforcement applications. The system disclosed herein can autonomously track multiple target vehicles with a highly accurate laser based speed measurement system or, under manual control via a touch screen, select a particular target vehicle of interest. In a mobile application the police vehicle speed is determined through the OBD II CAN port and updated for accuracy though an onboard GPS subsystem. The system and method of the present invention simultaneously provides both narrow and wide images of a target vehicle for enhanced evidentiary purposes. A novel, low inertia pan/tilt mechanism provides extremely fast and accurate target vehicle tracking and can compensate for geometrical errors and the cosine effect.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: An in-line laser beam waist analyzer system includes an optical prism that picks off a portion of a second surface reflection from either a laser processing focus lens or a protective debris shield for the processing lens and directs that focused light to a pixelated detector. This provides real time monitoring of the focused laser beam while it is processing material by welding, cutting, drilling, scribing or marking, without disrupting the process.

Abstract: A self-aligned aiming system and technique for a laser rangefinder incorporating a retroreflector. In operation, a virtual dot perceived in the laser rangefinder viewing window is inherently aligned with a visible beam projected on the target and has zero parallax by design. Even if there is a slight offset in the visual pathway of the laser rangefinder, when the virtual dot in the viewing window is placed on a specific point on the target, the visual beam is located at that same specific point.

Abstract: A system and method for a rangefinding instrument incorporating pulse and continuous wave signal generating and processing techniques for increased distance measurement accuracy. The use of the former technique effectively solves the ambiguity issues inherent in the latter while allowing for relatively simple circuit implementations. Thus, a potentially more accurate phase-based distance measurement technique can be utilized which is also completely independent of the maximum range to the target.

Abstract: A system and method for superimposing a virtual aiming mechanism with a projected system beam in a compact laser-based rangefinding instrument such as a laser-based tape measure which employs a laser rangefinding system beam and visible light beam to enable a user to merely pick up the instrument and, if the visible beam can be seen, merely aim the device without sighting by placing the resultant visible light dot on the target itself. Alternatively, if the beam cannot be seen, the user can sight through the instrument viewing aperture and see a virtual visible dot and superimpose it upon his view of the target.

Abstract: A compact folded signal transmission and image viewing pathway design and visual display technique for laser rangefinding instruments incorporates a beam splitting cube in the eyepiece optical space and advantageously provides an objective image focal length substantially twice that of the physical length of the instrument optical components. Through the use of some of the same optical elements in both the image viewing pathway as well as the laser transmission pathway, a relatively long transmission focal length is provided which saves in both physical instrument space and component cost while also allowing for the use of reasonably sized photodiodes with improved power output over that of previous designs.

Abstract: An apparatus having a linear structure that enables real time measurement of the spatial profile, circularity, centroid, astigmatism and M2 values of a laser beam generated by a low power laser beam. A laser beam source transmits a laser beam through a focusing lens, a Fabry-Perot resonator, a pair of polarizers and a camera that detects spots of light that pass through the first and second mirrors and the polarizers. The resonator includes a pair of high reflecting mirror plates disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another at a common angle of incidence to the laser beam. The polarizers are disposed at an opposite angle of incidence and are rotationally adjustable to enable intensity adjustment of the camera.

Abstract: A laser rangefinding module for cable connected and/or wireless operative association with smartphones and tablet computers. In a particular embodiment of the present invention disclosed herein, the operation of the laser rangefinder module is controlled by the smartphone or tablet computer and functions through the smartphone touchscreen with the laser rangefinder results being displayed on the smartphone display.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicular traffic with a laser rangefinding and speed measurement device utilizing a shaped divergent laser beam pattern. In accordance with the present invention, a traffic monitoring device is disclosed which comprises a light emitting diode having a die element producing an asymmetric beam pattern, an aperture for at least partially precluding some portion of the beam pattern in a first direction while allowing the beam pattern in a second orthogonal direction to pass therethrough and a lens associated with the aperture for causing the laser beam exiting the aperture to diverge providing a cone-like beam of laser energy.

Abstract: An apparatus that enables real time measurement of the spatial profile, circularity, centroid, astigmatism and M2 values of a laser beam generated by a high power laser beam. The apparatus employs the optics used in a process application, including a focus lens and cover glass. An attenuation module includes a pair of high reflecting mirror plates disposed in parallel, spaced apart relation to one another at a common angle of incidence to the laser beam. A beam dump is positioned out of a path of travel of the laser beam and in receiving relation to light reflected by the first and second mirrors. A camera detects spots of light that pass through the first and second mirrors. A high power attenuator formed by a highly reflective mirror pair is positioned between the source and the attenuation module. A second embodiment includes a single mirror plate having highly reflective surfaces.