Abstract: A graphical user interface is implemented as a human interface device which can directly sense where on a domed screen a user is pointing. The human interface device can be an optical pointing device which emits a beam of light, preferably produced using a laser, which can be tracked by a camera appropriately located inside the dome. As an alternative, the human interface device can be a hand held device capable of tracking position and orientation. Data produced by the human interface device is then detected and mapped to the location for a corresponding cursor.

Abstract: An identification system and method comprising a beacon unit using a highly collimated source of electromagnetic radiation, which emits towards a thermal imaging unit highly directional radiation. In this manner, improved visual identification of the beacon unit and the carrier associated therewith through the imaging unit can be achieved over both short and long distances. In particular, detection of the beacon unit is aided by emitting highly collimated radiation with high power density at great distances. When detected by the sensor array, an image of the emitted radiation is indeed displayed as a bright spot of light on the display, thus eliciting the attention of a viewer observing a scene through the imaging unit. Blooming of an array of sensing elements provided in the imaging unit may further be fostered by delivering a great amount of power to the imaging unit, thus improving detection of the beacon unit.

Abstract: A graphical user interface is implemented as a human interface device which can directly sense where on a domed screen a user is pointing. The human interface device can be an optical pointing device which emits a beam of light, preferably produced using a laser, which can be tracked by a camera appropriately located inside the dome. As an alternative, the human interface device can be a hand held device capable of tracking position and orientation. Data produced by the human interface device is then detected and mapped to the location for a corresponding cursor.

Abstract: An identification system and method comprising a beacon unit using a highly collimated source of electromagnetic radiation, which emits towards a thermal imaging unit highly directional radiation. In this manner, improved visual identification of the beacon unit and the carrier associated therewith through the imaging unit can be achieved over both short and long distances. In particular, detection of the beacon unit is aided by emitting highly collimated radiation with high power density at great distances. When detected by the sensor array, an image of the emitted radiation is indeed displayed as a bright spot of light on the display, thus eliciting the attention of a viewer observing a scene through the imaging unit. Blooming of an array of sensing elements provided in the imaging unit may further be fostered by delivering a great amount of power to the imaging unit, thus improving detection of the beacon unit.

Abstract: Ophthalmic system and method particularly suited to providing a laser probe beam for a Hartmann-Shack ophthalmic aberrometer. The laser probe beam produced by the system and method has a confined image spot at both the cornea and the retina. The probe beam can be generated with a laser beam passing through a moving holographic diffuser and two pinhole apertures. The holographic diffuser randomizes the spatial phase across the laser probe beam to substantially eliminate laser speckle from the Hartmann-Shack images. An imaging lens forms the probe beam and a first pinhole aperture image on the cornea, which eliminates beam size variation due to laser parameters and misalignment. A second-pinhole aperture is used to control the vergence of the probe beam and the probe beam spot size on the retina. The spot size on the retina is thus insensitive to the defocus power range of various subjects' eyes.