Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for assigning seats of passenger-transport vehicles to passengers. The passengers are subdivided into a plurality of groups. The passengers included in each group are connected by social-network relations and have less than a maximum number of social-network relations to other passengers outside of the group. Breaks of the social-network relations between the passengers are minimized when the passengers are subdivided into the groups. In response to one of the passengers being excluded from the groups, one of the groups is determined that includes at least one included passenger with at least one of the social-network relations to the excluded passenger to thereby increase the size of the group by adding the excluded passenger.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing position data of a light pattern created by a known light source on an object, comprising an optical system for collecting an incident light beam of the light pattern and transmitting the incident light beam to a beam splitter. The beam splitter has a known reflection/transmission ratio, such that the incident light beam from the light pattern received on the surface of the beam splitter results in a transmission channel, transmitted through the beam splitter, and a reflective channel, reflected from the beam splitter, with intensities of the transmission channel and the reflective channel varying as a function of a position of the incident light beam on the surface of the beam splitter. Detectors detect the intensities of the reflective channel and of the transmission channels. Dimensions of points of the light pattern on the object are calculable as a function of the intensity of the reflective channel and of the intensity of the transmission channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for sensing position data of a light pattern created by a known light source on an object, comprising an optical system for collecting an incident light beam of the light pattern and transmitting the incident light beam to a beam splitter. The beam splitter has a known reflection/transmission ratio, such that the incident light beam from the light pattern received on the surface of the beam splitter results in a transmission channel, transmitted through the beam splitter, and a reflective channel, reflected from the beam splitter, with intensities of the transmission channel and the reflective channel varying as a function of a position of the incident light beam on the surface of the beam splitter. Detectors detect the intensities of the reflective channel and of the transmission channels. Dimensions of points of the light pattern on the object are calculable as a function of the intensity of the reflective channel and of the intensity of the transmission channel.

Abstract: A sensor and method for taking range measurements of a target object using a TDI device as a detector are provided. The device is positioned to detect reflections of a structured light beam on the target object. To avoid losing the range information in the TDI process, the exposition of the device to the reflection of the light beam is restricted to the first integration period of the acquisition cycle of the TDI device, so that the output of the device provides line by line an image of the light beam on the target object during this first integration period.

Abstract: A sensor and method for taking range measurements of a target object using a TDI device as a detector are provided. The device is positioned to detect reflections of a structured light beam on the target object. To avoid losing the range information in the TDI process, the exposition of the device to the reflection of the light beam is restricted to the first integration period of the acquisition cycle of the TDI device, so that the output of the device provides line by line an image of the light beam on the target object during this first integration period.

Abstract: An RF switch for use e.g. in space has a pair of rotary switch contacts mounted for rotation into and out of a closed position in which a switch connection is established between the switch contacts. A dielectric material is located between the switch contacts, the dielectric material and the switch contacts constituting a capacitive RF connection between the switch contacts in the closed position to eliminate multipactor discharge and ionization and to improve heat dissipation.