Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus measure the distance to a target by measuring the time required for an emitted beam of light to go to and return from the target. The light receiving section of the apparatus converts the received light into an electric signal. The clamp/inversion section of the apparatus clamps and inverts the output of the light receiving section. The comparing section of the apparatus compares the output of the light receiving section and the output of the clamp/inversion section. The determining section of the apparatus identifies the time of receiving the light on the basis of the outcome of the operation of the comparing section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for distance measurement, comprising a housing (24) which is provided with an integrated emitting unit (32) for a measuring signal (34, 36) and a receiving unit (38) for the measuring signal (34, 36) returned from a target object (16), and an evaluation unit (46) for determining the distance (d) between at least one reference point (14) of the housing (24) and the target object (16, 18), a display device (50) which reproduces said distance (d), and at least one receiving element (28) which is connected to the housing (24) and receives a holding element (12, 13) of the device. According to the invention, means (66, 84, 86) are provided in or on the housing (24) of the device (10) for detecting an inserted holding element (12, 13) for the housing (24). Said means automatically transmit the reference point (14) of the distance measurement to the evaluation unit (46), said reference point being used for a measurement with the aid of said holding element (12, 13).

Abstract: A vehicle wheel alignment system utilizing one or more optical imaging sensors to acquire either images gradient brightness optical targets affixed to vehicle wheels, or direct images, of the vehicle wheels, from which three-dimensional information related to one or more vehicle wheel alignment angles can be obtained.

Abstract: A plurality of reflective points in front of one's vehicle in a traveling direction are detected by a radar device. The plurality of detected reflective points are grouped based on a predetermined standard, and the grouped reflective points are regarded as detection objects. Relative speeds of the detected detection objects are measured with respect to one's vehicle. Types of the detection objects are determined based on the measured relative speeds.

Abstract: An electrically heated resistance element disposed on axis within a gold coated reflector, which collects the radiated infrared energy from the resistance element and shapes it to a desired beam, provides a shaped high intensity source of infrared radiation which is modulated by a rotating modulator positioned in front of the reflector.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for suppressing external interference in radar data provided by a plurality of sensors from a main sensor array, the data being pre-processed. The noise suppression system includes a first processing module and a second processing module. The first processing module receives the radar data and produces matched radar data while the second processing module receives the radar data and produces mis-matched radar data. The system further includes a beamformer that is in communication with the first processing module and an adaptive beamformer that is in communication with the second processing module and the beamformer. The beamformer receives the matched radar data and produces beamformed matched radar data.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring distances, based on the phase measurement of an optical measuring beam that is reflected or scattered by an object, on which the beam is sighted. According to said method, the measurement object is exposed to an optical measuring beam of modulated intensity emitted by a measuring device and is converted into electrical measurement signals. The signals are then compared with a reference signal that is generated from the detection and conversion of a portion of measuring light that has been guided on a known reference trajectory, in order to determine the distance between the measuring device and the measurement objet, based on the phase difference that has been determined. The emitted measuring beam is modulated in bursts and the measurement signal of the receiver is only evaluated during the active burst period. The invention also relates to devices for carrying out said method.

Abstract: An aerial vehicle speed correlation method for two-dimensional visual reproduction of laser radar images of the present invention is capable of altering and controlling the output timing of the invention's laser radar system rated output lines based on the moving distance and the speed of an aerial vehicle. The speed error correlation method of the present invention is not limited to outputting one output line for every scanned line (N) for reducing the accumulation of geometric distortion error along the in-track direction of the scan frame. The speed correlation method of the present invention uses a set of generated fire table of equation to correct tangential error along the cross-track direction and to improve the reproduction quality of the laser radar images.

Abstract: A laser transponder for disabling a laser-based speed monitor which is transmitting a monitor laser beam at a moving vehicle by transmitting a jamming laser beam to the laser-based speed monitor. The monitor laser beam is in the shape of a monitor signal that includes monitor pulse trains emitted at a first frequency, while the jamming laser beam is in the shape of a jamming signal that includes jamming pulse trains emitted at a second frequency.

Abstract: A system for processing radar data from two or more areas of interest is provided, such as for simultaneously processing vehicle speeds in the opposite lane in front of the patrol vehicle and in the opposite lane behind the patrol vehicle. The system includes an antenna signal processor that receives radar data from one or more radar antennae and generates speed data for a first vehicle travelling in a first direction relative to a radar observation point and a second vehicle travelling in a second direction relative to the radar observation point. A display generator system receives the speed data and user-entered display control data, and generates user-readable display data based on the speed data and the user-entered display control data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an improved method and apparatus for sensing position and/or status of an object. For one embodiment, a method generally includes illuminating the object with an optical pulse source and supplying a first optical pulse to a photo-detector, causing a resonant circuit formed by the photo-detector and an inductor to generate a resonant signal. The method also includes supplying at least a second optical pulse to the photo-detector causing a change in the resonant signal, wherein the second optical pulse is reflected from the object, monitoring the change in the resonant signal, and determining a position of the object based on the monitored change in the resonant signal. A velocity, direction of travel and/or acceleration of the object may also be determined from successive position measurements.

Abstract: A system for tracking a projectile utilizing a laser beam modulated by an acousto-optic cell. Transponders distributed on hemispheres around the rear of the projectile detect the scanned beam and actively transmit a narrow optical beam back to a ground-based receiver in response to a detection of the scanned beam. IFF information can be modulated onto beam actively transmitted from the transponder. The system provides active two-way communications with comparatively simple components.

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: An array antenna comprising a plurality of antenna elements, multipliers for multiplying coefficients with transmission or reception signal and a calculator for calculating the coefficients for each multiplier. The calculator generates the coefficients in a proposed method such that the beampattern of the array antenna has a flat top mainlobe with an adjustable beamwidth and a predetermined sidelobe ratio.

Abstract: A device for aligning two machine shafts which are coupled to one another has: at least one laser light source for emitting laser light; at least one reflector for reflecting the laser light; at least one receiving device for receiving the laser light; a first arithmetic computing device for determining parallel and angular offset of the machine shafts; and an evaluation and arithmetic computing device for determining the distance of the machine mounting elements relative to the plane of symmetry which lies between the machine shafts. The plane of symmetry intersects the axes of the machine shafts essentially perpendicular to longitudinal axes of the shafts, i.e. with an angular error of less than 6°.

Abstract: A laser countermeasure system uses a fluence trigger along an optical path between an entrance and a detector at an output. The fluence trigger detects laser radiation and blocks the passage thereof beyond the trigger. A shutter at the front end can be operated in response to detection by the trigger. A threat analyzer also receives radiation and automatically breaks the radiation into spectral components for correlation to appropriate filters to remove the harmful coherent radiation. A tunable filter and/or a filter wheel is interposed along the optical path and is controlled by an adjustment system, illustratively servo controls. The adjustment system responds to the threat analyzer to select and interpose automatically the proper filter(s) to attenuate or block the coherent radiation. Thereafter, the fluence trigger and/or shutter operate to restore full operation along the optical path. The system and method provide look-through capability and mission continuity in the face of unknown laser threats.

Abstract: Methods for operating a laser scanning system are disclosed. The laser scanning system can be used in construction projects to generate a field survey. An architect or engineer can use the field survey to create construction drawings. In addition, relevant points from the construction drawings can be identified at the construction site with the scanning system. Further, earth moving equipment can be controlled using the same information. The laser scanning system can also be used to determine if two parts can be mated together by scanning and comparing the parts that are to be mated. The laser scanning system can further be used to determine if an object can be moved through an opening in a structure by comparing scan points of the structure with scan points from the object. The laser scanning system can additionally be used to identifying objects within the site, to build databases that have relevant information about the objects, and to guide reproducing machines.

Abstract: FIG 1 of the drawings has been amended to include arrows 12a and 12b. The word “laser”, the arrow symbol underneath the word “laser” and the partial sinusoidal symbol adjacent the word “laser”have all been deleted. In addition, the word “photodetector” deleted and a dashed line circumscribing the photodetector componants has been added along with reference numeral 25. Reference numeral 24 has been added to denote the photodiode. Finally, the photodiode symbol associated with oscillator apparatus 12 has been changed to simply indicate a “Gain Cavity” box. The attached “Replacement Sheet(s)”of drawings include changes to FIG. 1. The attached “Replacement Sheet(s),”which include(s) FIG(S.) 1 and 2, replace the original sheet(s) including FIG(S.) 1 and 2.

Abstract: An electro-optical distance measuring system (1, 1′) for large measurement ranges having a para-axial arrangement of a beam source (2) with a transmitting optics (3) and a beam receiver, configured as at least one small-area photodiode (4), with an associated receiving optics (5), which contains the processes for signal extension for the lower distance measurement range for distances (X). The beam source (2), the transmitting optics (3), the small-area photodiode (4) and the receiving optics (5) are each oriented with their optical axes (A1, A2) parallel to the measurement light beam (6). The measurement light beam (6) is directed from the transmitting optics (2) to the measurement object and continues to the receiving optics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securely restricting the viewing of television programs. When a television program has been received along with rating data associated with a rating of the television program; length data associated with a length of the program, a microcomputer determines whether the rating data are higher than a predetermined viewing restricting level. If the rating data have been found higher, a muting circuit mutes the television program until it ends with reference to the television program length data, and the program corresponding to the rating data is outputted from a tuner.