Abstract: A reflected laser pulse (23) is received by a detector (34) which is a single component of a detector array (30). The reflected laser pulse is then amplified by an amplifier (36) and sent through a matched filter (38) to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio. A data sampler (40) takes samples of the reflected laser pulse (23) and stores the data samples within a temporary data storage (42). A comparator (44) compares each data sample in the temporary data storage (42) to a predetermined threshold constant to determine if the threshold constant has been exceeded. When the threshold constant is exceeded, the data from the temporary data storage (42) is sent to a buffer (48) where it is held while an analog-to-digital converter (50) digitizes the samples for use by a computer (26) in identifying an object and determining the location of the detected object. The identity and location of the detected object are displayed on a display device (32).

Abstract: To determine the height of a surveying apparatus (1) above a point (15) on the ground, the surveying apparatus (1) has a distance measuring device and is provided with a front attachment (11) which is mounted on the telescope (8) and effects beam deflection and simultaneous beam divergence of an emitted infrared or laser beam towards the point (15) on the ground. The light beam is deflected around the surveying apparatus (1) and a stand (2) carrying the apparatus. Exact sighting of the point (15) on the ground is no longer necessary. The height is calculated as a function of the distance between the point on the ground and the rotary position of the telescope (8), which distance is in any case relatively accurately measurable in the apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing orientation dependent radiation, and orientation detection systems are disclosed. An orientation dependent radiation source directs radiation to an observation area and facilitates a determination of the orientation of the orientation dependent source from the observation area. In particular, the orientation dependent source produces a radiation pattern having one or more detectable centroids that vary in position across an observation surface of the orientation dependent source as observed from the observation area, based on a rotation of the orientation dependent source about one or more axes of rotation. According to various embodiments, the orientation dependent radiation source may include one or more primary radiation sources or secondary sources, such as reflectors.

Abstract: Two-photon absorption measurements are made at various points remote from monitoring apparatus by apparatus which includes two lasers that produce counter-propagating beams through the earth's atmosphere. The lasers are tuned such that the sum of the energies of the photons in each of the laser beams equals that associated with a predetermined transition of a gas in the earth's atmosphere. In one embodiment, a pulsed laser and a CW laser are used. The pulse from the pulsed laser propagates along the CW beam produced by the CW laser and overlaps the CW beam at positions determined by a range gating technique, which makes possible the measurement of the two photon absorption at the various positions of overlap or coincidence. In one embodiment, the subject apparatus is utilized for pollution monitoring, in which the frequencies of the lasers are tuned such that the energies of the photons from these lasers add up to a transition of a predetermined pollutant.

Abstract: The photosensitive device implements charge coupling and accumulation for analyzing a light signal. A sensor has an image zone M rows and N columns of photosensitive sites for receiving a light signal during successive acquisition periods, a transfer zone of P rows and N columns of non-photosensitive sites for receiving, in each site of a first row, the sum of the charges in a respective column of the image zone at the end of each successive sampling period. It also has a storage zone of P rows an N columns in which each column is adjacent to a respective column of the transfer zone and each site is arranged to receive charges contained in an adjacent site of the transfer zone and to accumulate it. The sensor is clocked for a sequence.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an optoelectronic mixer for demodulating a high-frequency light signal amplitude modulated at a signal frequency (fsig) The optoelectronic mixer includes a light sensor for receiving and converting the light signal into free charge carriers. The light sensor has at least two individually drivable sensor electrodes and a reference frequency generator supplies an alternating-current voltage at a reference frequency (fref). The reference frequency generator is connected to the sensor electrodes to alternately conduct the charge carriers to the one or the other of the sensor electrodes at the reference frequency (fref).

Abstract: A multiple spectral band opto-mechanical modulator for obtaining simultaneous but independent modulation of an extended IR source in two distinct wavelength bands comprises in one embodiment a first rotating filter wheel having alternating radial segments of transparent and short wavepass filter material, a second rotating filter wheel having alternating radial segments of transparent and long wavepass filter material, a stationary wheel having alternating radial transparent and opaque segments positioned intermediate the first and second rotating wheels and means for rotating said first and second filter wheels at predetermined frequencies.

Abstract: A missile tracking and deflection system for protecting a platform includes a missile warning system for detecting the presence of a missile and generating a warning signal. A countermeasure processor receives the warning signal and analyzes characteristics of the missile to prioritize a trajectory signal. A track processor receives the trajectory signal and generates a pointer signal. The system also includes a receiver, which is positioned by a pointer that receives the pointer signal, for receiving a passive and/or active signature of the missile to confirm the presence thereof. The countermeasure processor then directs a laser beam at the missile to determine its operational parameters and receives an active signature from the missile.

Abstract: The present invention provides a target illuminating and sighting apparatus for a bow. A frame for attachment to the bow supports two vertically spaced pivoting mounts, each of mounts supports a laser oriented to illuminate a target when the bow is aimed. Cams abut the pivotal mounts and allow for setting an angle of vertical convergence between the light beams so that the lasers intersect at ranges of between about 10 and 50 yards. An inclination cam, working synchronously with the convergence cam controls the inclination of the beams relative to the initial path of an arrow to be shot from the bow. The inclination cam may be calibrated to adjust for the particular bow and arrow combination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a very practical monitor for monitoring the periphery of a vehicle characterized in that: the dimension of the monitor in the vertical direction is small, so that the monitor can be incorporated into a small vehicle without putting any restrictions; and the performance and characteristic are excellent. The present invention discloses a specific mechanism to realize the monitor for monitoring the periphery of a vehicle. The present invention provides a monitor for monitoring the periphery of a vehicle comprising: a radiating means for radiating waves of light, having an optical system means for removing astigmatic difference of a light source; and an optical path changing means including a reflection mirror for reflecting a luminous flux radiated from the radiating means in a direction of the radiated light diffusing means. It is possible to change the optical path while astigmatic difference of the light source is being corrected.

Abstract: Method and device for thermal imaging and rangefinding. In one form the device comprises an optical system including a first aperture and first, second and third optical paths each passing through the first aperture. A polarizer positioned to segregate the first and second optical paths is capable of receiving polarized radiation reflected from the target and transmitted through all portions of the first aperture stop. A polarization modifier is positioned between the first aperture and said polarizer; and a beam splitter, sensitive to spectral differences between the polarized radiation and the thermal radiation, is positioned along the first optical path between the first aperture and said polarizer.

Abstract: A system and method for homing, docking and tracking of one object with respect to another provides a camera for acquring images and a machine vision processor inter-connected with the camera. The machine vision processor includes a sacale-invariant and rotation-invariant pattern recognition application that retrieves stored images representative of the object being viewed that includes data representative of a fiducial within the object image. The stored image and its fiducial are compared to the acquired image. The image is aligned within the processor based upon a detected fiducial and the relative orientation and position of the object is determined based upon the acquired image. Data representative of the relative position and orientation is used to manipulate one of the objects so as to bring at least one of the objects to a predetermined position with respect to the other of the objects. The predetermined position can be a docked position or a following, on-station position, among others.

Abstract: In a FLIR/laser based targeting and imaging system, the ability to recognize, detect, locate, and/or track targets in an area of interest is significantly improved by reducing the fixed and dynamic alignment errors between the IR LOS and the laser LOS. Fixed alignment errors are reduced with an improved internal boresight module and corresponding boresight method. Dynamic alignment errors are reduced with an opto-electric subsystem that employs a single pitch bearing and a common pitch/yaw afocal for both the laser energy and the IR energy. A segmented window in the system housing includes a circular EMI grid pattern which significantly reduces the amount of off-axis EMI entering the optical pathways, and improved signal processing techniques are employed to enhance the quality of the IR image after the image has been digitized.

Abstract: Means and method for jamming IR radiation-seeking threat missiles comprising means for generating wavetrains of randomized pulses of radiation of the same wavelengths at which the threat missiles are operating. The apparatus consists generally of radiation-generating means, means for pulse-modulating the radiation-generating means or the radiation itself with a wavetrain of random or pseudo-random pulses, and means for directing the modulated radiation at a target.

Abstract: A three-dimensional object measurement process and device are disclosed by means of optical image capture, projection of patterns and triangulation calculations. The pattern projection unit and the image capture unit are separately designed and can be independently positioned and guided during the measurement process. This is particularly advantageous for diagnosis, therapy and documentation in the field of invasive medicine.

Abstract: A fluid flow velocity measuring system for an internal combustion engine including a laser Doppler velocimeter having a probe for projecting a pair of coherent laser beams and beam guiding means for guiding the laser beams into a combustion chamber. The beam guiding means is installed in a spark plug mounting hole of an engine.

Abstract: The invention particularly relates to a mixing apparatus using an eccentric phase plate, and an optical rangefinder using the mixing apparatus. In the optical rangefinder, an external distance measurement optical path leads light from the light source to a light receiving part passing through an article to be measured, an internal distance measurement optical path leads the light from the light source to the light receiving part not passing through the article to be measured, and processing means calculates the distance to the article to be measured from the difference between the distance value obtained by the external distance measurement optical path and the distance value obtained by the internal distance measurement optical path. In the mixing apparatus, driving means drives the phase plate.

Abstract: A ground positioning system integrated with a distance measuring device that detects the distance from the device to a selected object for each pixel of the captured image of the selected object. The system, which also includes an azimuth sensor, calculates ground positioning coordinates of a selected object that correspond to a certain pixel of captured image using distance information, device ground positioning coordinates and device direction information.

Abstract: A laser head is placed roughly centrally in a hollow cylinder with the capacity to rotate. The pertinent rotation motion of the laser head takes place essentially around the lengthwise axis of the hollow cylinder, while the alignment of the laser beam agrees only approximately with the lengthwise axis of the hollow cylinder. When the laser head turns, a hyperboloid-shaped family of light beams is generated. These light beams produce an essentially circular projection pattern on a target attached outside of the hollow cylinder. The projection pattern with its center defines a point on an ideal axis (core) which is assigned to the hollow cylinder. The invention is suitable especially for measuring shaft tunnels of ships, but also for laying piping systems with large dimensions such as pipelines.

Abstract: New apparatus comprise a comprises an optical fiber based RF signal train generator for storing transient RF pulses and regenerating the identical replicas for analysis. The apparatus further comprise comprises an RF receivers receiver to process one stored pulse with a reference to other another stored pulse. The present invention drastically increases our abilities to investigate acoustical, electromagnetic, and optical transient phenomena.