Patents Examined by Antoine J Bedard
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Patent number: 8144312Abstract: A telescope with internal scanner utilizing either a single optical wedge scanner or a dual optical wedge scanner and a controller arranged to control a synchronous rotation of the first and/or second optical wedges, the wedges constructed and arranged to scan light redirected by topological surfaces and/or volumetric scatterers. The telescope with internal scanner further incorporates a first converging optical element that receives the redirected light and transmits the redirected light to the scanner, and a second converging optical element within the light path between the first optical element and the scanner arranged to reduce an area of impact on the scanner of the beam collected by the first optical element.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Sigma Space CorporationInventors: John James Degnan, III, Yunhui Zheng
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Patent number: 8139204Abstract: A distance-measuring optoelectronic sensor for the monitoring of a working zone is provided which is located within a detection zone of the sensor and at a first distance from the sensor, wherein the sensor has a lighting unit having a light source to illuminate the working zone at least partly as well as an object detection unit by means of which unauthorized objects in the working zone can be detected. In this respect, an illumination control is designed, in a switching-on phase, first to activate the lighting unit with a lower power so that a provisional working zone at a second distance from the sensor less than the first distance is illuminated with at most a preset maximum power; to check by means of the object detection unit whether an unauthorized object intrusion is taking place into the provisional working zone; and if no unauthorized object intrusion is recognized, to activate the lighting unit at a higher power so that the working zone is illuminated with at most the preset maximum power.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Sick AGInventors: Ingolf Braune, Markus Hammes, Stefan Schmitz, Shane MacNamara
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Patent number: 8125622Abstract: A Lidar measurement device for vehicular traffic surveillance and method for use of same are disclosed. In one embodiment, video circuitry acquires video of a field of view having a target therein. A steerable laser progressively scans the field of view to identify targets. The steerable laser then progressively, repeatedly scans a sub-field of the field of view containing the target. A processing circuit portion determines target data of the target based upon range and time measurements associated with reflected laser range-finding signals from the scans of the sub-field. The processing circuit then integrates the target data into the video such that the video may displayed with an image of the target and target data, such as a speed measurement, associated therewith.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Applied Concepts, Inc.Inventor: Robert S. Gammenthaler
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Patent number: 8125621Abstract: A method and apparatus for wireless transmission of electrically complex or phase-critical signals includes a device for measuring the length of a transmission route to a moving platform, and a device for transmitting complex measuring or reference signals. According to the invention, components of the device for transmitting the signals are arranged adjacent components of the device for measuring the length of the transmission route, so that changes of the length of the transmission route are the same for both devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2009Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignee: Astrium GmbHInventors: Torsten Fritzel, Hans-Juergen Steiner
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Patent number: 8111383Abstract: A method for surveillance of a point on a target. A portable device is obtained, which includes: a laser range finder operable for measuring distances between the laser range finder and a target, an alarm operable for generating a perceptible signal, and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured and arranged to receive an initial distance value and subsequent distance measurements from the laser range finder and compare the values wherein an alarm is triggered id the change in the values is within a specified range. Subsequent steps include statically positioning and operating the device to measure the distance to an object comprising a moveable obstruction to an ingress or egress and monitoring the generation of any signal by the device indicative of movement of the object to permit ingress or egress.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Inventor: Robert Foley
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Patent number: 8111387Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a parameter of a vehicle wheel are provided. The vehicle wheel is mounted on a shaft having an axis of rotation. The method includes projecting a pattern onto the wheel wherein the pattern includes a plurality of discrete optically detectable elements and determining a dimensional parameter of the wheel utilizing at least two of the plurality of discrete elements.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2009Date of Patent: February 7, 2012Assignee: Hunter Engineering CompanyInventors: Michael W. Douglas, Leigh R. Burns, Jr.
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Patent number: 8107056Abstract: Methods and systems for a hybrid optical device for high dynamic range high resolution remote sensing of object distance, object motion displacement, object three dimensional structure, object spatial profile, and measurement of liquid levels, and different matter interface positions. The device uses a hybrid digital-analog controlled variable focal length lens system to target both specular and diffuse objects. The spatial processing methods and systems can include time-frequency processing optical distance measurement methods to enable a robust hybrid-technique sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2009Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventor: Nabeel A. Riza
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Patent number: 8098367Abstract: Tools and techniques for estimating elevations, including without limitation tools and techniques that employ mobile stations with laser detectors for receiving a beam emitted from a laser source and estimating an elevation of the mobile station based on the received beam. In some instances, a mobile station may be configured to identify, based on some or all of a variety of factors, a situation in which the elevation of the detector is likely to change to the extent that the slope of the emitter needs to be adjusted to account for this change in elevation. The mobile station may also be configured to inform the laser source that the slope of the emitted beam should be adjusted. In response, the laser source may adjust the slope of the emitted beam accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2009Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventors: Geoffrey Kirk, Nicholas Talbot
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Patent number: 8081301Abstract: A compact LADAR transmitting and receiving apparatus includes a pulse laser generating pulses of light; a transmitter collimating and directing the pulses of light toward a target; a receiver collecting reflected pulses of light, the reflected pulses of light having been reflected from the target, the receiver comprising a tapered fiber bundle; a sensor operatively connected to the tapered fiber bundle, where the sensor comprises a photosensitive region and outputs a photocurrent; an amplifier amplifying the photocurrent; and a power divider splitting the amplified photocurrent between a high gain channel and a low gain channel; a RF interface accepting the high gain channel, the low gain channel, and an undelayed sample of a pulse of light generated from the pulse laser as input; a processing unit accepting output from the RF interface; and a display unit displaying output from the processing unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Barry Lee Stann, Mark M. Giza, William B. Lawler
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Patent number: 8059263Abstract: An apparatus for the recognition an object in space in accordance with the pulsed time-of-flight principle. The apparatus has a pulsed laser and a photoreceiver arrangement which receives the light pulses reflected back from the object present in the space. The apparatus has a first light deflection apparatus which outputs a first angular position signal representative of its instantaneous angular position to the evaluation circuit, wherein the first light deflection apparatus is arranged rotatably or pivotably about a first axis of rotation and is made for the transmission of light pulses following one another at changing angles in a first plane, wherein a second light deflection apparatus is arranged between the first light deflection apparatus. The apparatus outputs a second angular position signal representative of its instantaneous angular position to the evaluation circuit which has a deflection plate which is arranged rotatably or pivotably about a second axis of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Sick AGInventors: Manfred Haberer, Bernd Rothenberger