Abstract: A LIDAR instrument and a method for operating a LIDAR instrument are disclosed. In an embodiment a LIDAR instrument includes a transmitter including a narrow band laser diode configured to emit light in a spectral envelope of 2 nm or less around a central wavelength, wherein the spectral envelope overlaps with an atmospheric molecular absorption band in which a solar radiation is attenuated by at least 3 dB compared to an adjacent non-spectrally-attenuated wavelength band, wherein molecular absorption in the atmospheric molecular absorption band is due to water vapor, carbon dioxide, oxygen, ozone methane, or nitrous oxide and wherein the atmospheric molecular absorption band is located between 700 nm and 10,000 nm, and a detector including a filter configured to receive a reflected light in a band of 5 nm or less around the central wavelength.

Abstract: A LIDAR instrument and a method for operating a LIDAR instrument are disclosed. In an embodiment a LIDAR instrument includes a transmitter including a narrow band laser diode configured to emit light in a spectral envelope of 2 nm or less around a central wavelength, wherein the spectral envelope overlaps with an atmospheric molecular absorption band in which a solar radiation is attenuated by at least 3 dB compared to an adjacent non-spectrally-attenuated wavelength band, wherein molecular absorption in the atmospheric molecular absorption band is due to water vapor, carbon dioxide, oxygen, ozone methane, or nitrous oxide and wherein the atmospheric molecular absorption band is located between 700 nm and 10,000 nm, and a detector including a filter configured to receive a reflected light in a band of 5 nm or less around the central wavelength.

Abstract: A system for adjusting at least one adjustable component (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) of a vehicle (10) is disclosed. The system may include an exterior sensor (44) configured to generate a signal indicative of an identity a user before the user enters the vehicle (10), and a controller (60) in communication with the exterior sensor (44) and an actuator (40) configured to adjust the at least one adjustable component (30, 32, 34, 36, 38). The controller (60) may be configured to automatically cause the actuator (40) to adjust the at least one adjustable component (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) responsive to the signal.

Abstract: A vehicle modular side view mirror assembly is disclosed. The mirror base has a first section capable of attachment to a vehicle and a second section capable of attachment to a mirror head, wherein the second section is movable relative to the first section. The mirror assembly can include a mirror head having a reflective surface and a motor for moving the mirror head relative to a mirror base, the mirror head detachably connectable to the mirror base. Lidar sensors can be mounted in addition to, or in place of, the side view mirrors. Interchangeable modular heads can allow a user to customize the vehicle to have mirror heads, sensors, both, or neither. Mirror bases can move, allowing the mirrors and/or sensors to be positioned at different angles. In some configurations, the position of the sensors can be dynamically adjusted according to the speed and/or direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A dimmable visor is disclosed. In one embodiment, the visor includes a first clear sheet having a first surface and an electro-opaque sheet having a first surface and a second surface and having adjustably variable transparency. The first surface of the electro-opaque sheet is in contact with the first surface of the first clear sheet. The visor also includes a pair of transparent electrodes disposed on two opposite edges of the electro-opaque sheet, each of the transparent electrodes having an area smaller than the electro-opaque sheet. The visor also includes a second clear sheet having a first surface in contact with the second surface of the electro-opaque sheet. The visor also includes a suspension hinge attached to one edge of the first clear sheet and is configured to rotate about the suspension hinge. The electro-opaque sheet changes its transparency in response to electrical energy being applied to the electro-opaque sheet.

Abstract: A system for adjusting at least one adjustable component (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) of a vehicle (10) is disclosed. The system may include an exterior sensor (44) configured to generate a signal indicative of an identity a user before the user enters the vehicle (10), and a controller (60) in communication with the exterior sensor (44) and an actuator (40) configured to adjust the at least one adjustable component (30, 32, 34, 36, 38). The controller (60) may be configured to automatically cause the actuator (40) to adjust the at least one adjustable component (30, 32, 34, 36, 38) responsive to the signal.

Abstract: Displays for a vehicle can be used to display a composite feed from one or more cameras. In some examples, the vehicle display can be a rear-view mirror replacement display. In some examples, the vehicle can include feeds from a rear-view camera and two side-view cameras. The composite feed for the display can be adapted according to monitored conditions. For example, when a vehicle is detected in a blind spot, the composite feed can be adapted to add a feed from the corresponding side view camera. In some examples, when a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, the composite feed can be adapted to increase the proportion of the display area allocated to the side-view camera feed from the corresponding side-view camera. In some examples, when a vehicle is detected in the blind spot, the corresponding side-view camera view can be visually distinguished.

Abstract: A vehicle modular side view mirror assembly is disclosed. The mirror base has a first section capable of attachment to a vehicle and a second section capable of attachment to a mirror head, wherein the second section is movable relative to the first section. The mirror assembly can include a mirror head having a reflective surface and a motor for moving the mirror head relative to a mirror base, the mirror head detachably connectable to the mirror base. Lidar sensors can be mounted in addition to, or in place of, the side view mirrors. Interchangeable modular heads can allow a user to customize the vehicle to have mirror heads, sensors, both, or neither. Mirror bases can move, allowing the mirrors and/or sensors to be positioned at different angles. In some configurations, the position of the sensors can be dynamically adjusted according to the speed and/or direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A dimmable visor is disclosed. In one embodiment, the visor includes a first clear sheet having a first surface and an electro-opaque sheet having a first surface and a second surface and having adjustably variable transparency. The first surface of the electro-opaque sheet is in contact with the first surface of the first clear sheet. The visor also includes a pair of transparent electrodes disposed on two opposite edges of the electro-opaque sheet, each of the transparent electrodes having an area smaller than the electro-opaque sheet. The visor also includes a second clear sheet having a first surface in contact with the second surface of the electro-opaque sheet. The visor also includes a suspension hinge attached to one edge of the first clear sheet and is configured to rotate about the suspension hinge. The electro-opaque sheet changes its transparency in response to electrical energy being applied to the electro-opaque sheet.

Abstract: An optical system includes an electrically pumped laser light source and an optically pumped laser light source. An optical switch is located in a light path of the electrically pumped laser light source such that when the optical switch is in a first position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed toward the optically pumped laser light source and when the optical switch is in a second position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed away from the optically pumped laser light source.

Abstract: A computer based system for pattern recognition and user interaction that assists users with extracting value from their data. The system for pattern recognition and user interaction converts text based queries into usable mathematical models and software code and provides hierarchical tracing of ongoing interrogation by way of text based queries and related answers while also providing suggestions for future queries to the user.

Abstract: An optical system includes an electrically pumped laser light source and an optically pumped laser light source. An optical switch is located in a light path of the electrically pumped laser light source such that when the optical switch is in a first position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed toward the optically pumped laser light source and when the optical switch is in a second position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed away from the optically pumped laser light source.

Abstract: A display system includes an optical light source and a display panel with an array of optically excitable pixels. Optics are positioned between the optical light source and the display panel so as to direct light from the optical light source toward the display panel to cause the optically excitable pixels to emit a visible image.

Abstract: An optical system includes an electrically pumped laser light source and an optically pumped laser light source. An optical switch is located in a light path of the electrically pumped laser light source such that when the optical switch is in a first position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed toward the optically pumped laser light source and when the optical switch is in a second position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed away from the optically pumped laser light source.

Abstract: A display system includes an optical light source and a display panel with an array of optically excitable pixels. Optics are positioned between the optical light source and the display panel so as to direct light from the optical light source toward the display panel to cause the optically excitable pixels to emit a visible image.

Abstract: An optical system includes an electrically pumped laser light source and an optically pumped laser light source. An optical switch is located in a light path of the electrically pumped laser light source such that when the optical switch is in a first position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed toward the optically pumped laser light source and when the optical switch is in a second position light from the electrically pumped laser light source is directed away from the optically pumped laser light source.

Abstract: A method, a data processing method, and a computer program product for the design of efficient second harmonic generation semiconductor lasers is disclosed. A method for determining an optimum laser configuration includes the determination of a conversion efficiency curve for each SHG configuration using a target conversion efficiency. Each curve, on a log10-log10 scale, comprises a first linear portion, a knee region, and a second linear portion. Upon selecting a target SHG-power value, an SHG laser system configuration, in which the target SHG-power value is within the knee region of the conversion efficiency curve, is determined. The SHG laser system configuration is then output.

Abstract: A system for returning residual liquid remaining in a loading line to a liquid cargo container after loading or unloading of the cargo container. This system includes a liquid return line extending between the loading line and the cargo container. A pump is positioned to move liquid from the loading line, through the liquid return line, and into the cargo container. A vapor line communicates between a vapor space in the cargo container and the loading line. The system may include an optical liquid level sensor. The level sensor includes a light tube having two substantially straight sections joined by a substantially continuous curvature bend. The bend has a rounded cross-section and the light pipe is formed of a light conducting material. An optical emitter is positioned at the end of one of the straight sections of the pipe and an optical detector is positioned at the other straight section of the pipe. A micro-controller activates the optical emitter and monitors the optical sensor.

Abstract: A networked system is provided for connecting a plurality of programmable logic controllers together in a manner which more efficiently uses available network bandwidth. The network includes a producer controller and at least one consumer controller. The producer controller shares a portion of its internal memory with other consumer controllers on the network. In this manner, a data sample is sent from the producer controller to one or more consumer controllers. The consumer controllers check to determine if data samples are lost during transmission over the network and initiate responsive corrective action.