Abstract: A tracking system generates a structured light pattern in a local area. The system includes an array of lasers that generate light. The array of lasers includes a plurality of lasers and an optical element. The plurality of lasers are grouped into at least two subsets of lasers, and each of the at least two subsets of lasers is independently switchable. The optical element includes a plurality of cells that are each aligned with a respective subset of the array of lasers. Each cell receives light from a corresponding laser of the array of lasers, and each cell individually applies a modulation to the received light passing through the cell to form a corresponding portion of the structured light pattern that is projected onto a local area.

Abstract: A method and system for generating light pattern using reflective polygons are provided herein. The method may include: rotating at least one polygon having a plurality of reflective facets along a rotation axis parallel to the facets; transmitting a light beam on the facets of the polygon; tilting the light beam relative to the polygon in parallel to the rotation axis so that the light beam hits each of the facets at a different tilt angle, thereby producing a light pattern comprising a plurality of lines; and controlling at least one of: the light intensity, the rotating, and the tilting, so as to produce an adjustable light pattern transmitted at a scene.

Abstract: Described embodiments include apparatus for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus includes a receiver, a transmitter, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, via the receiver, coordinates of a position sensor coupled to a portion of a crane, a configuration of the crane changing over time due at least to movement of the portion of the crane relative to a tower of the crane, to compute, in response to the received coordinates, a flight path that passes under a boom of the crane while circumventing the crane, and to cause the UAV to follow the computed flight path, by transmitting flight instructions, via the transmitter, to the UAV. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described, including apparatus for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes an imaging device. The apparatus includes a touch screen and a processor. The processor is configured to (i) receive a gesture that is performed on the touch screen with respect to an image captured by the imaging device, (ii) estimate a distance from the UAV to a given point represented in the image, (iii) compute a scale factor that is based on the estimated distance, and (iv) communicate a control signal that causes the UAV to execute a flying maneuver that is suggested by the gesture and is scaled by the scale factor. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes an imaging device is described. The apparatus includes a touch screen and a processor, configured to (i) receive a gesture that is performed, on the touch screen, with respect to a first image acquired by the imaging device, the gesture indicating a requested change with respect to the first image, (ii) communicate, to the UAV, a first control signal that causes the UAV to begin executing a flying maneuver that is suggested by the gesture, (iii) identify a plurality of features in a subsequent image acquired by the imaging device, (iv) ascertain that respective positions of the features indicate that the flying maneuver has effected the requested change, and (v) in response to the ascertaining, communicate, to the UAV, a subsequent control signal that causes the UAV to stop execution of the flying maneuver. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Apparatus for structured light scanning, the structured light comprising one or more projected lines or other patterns, comprises at least two independent emitters for each projected line or pattern, typically arranged in a row, and a pattern generator for causing light from respective emitters of a given row to overlap along the pattern axis to form the projected pattern. The independent emitters provide incoherent light along the pattern so that speckle noise is minimized despite the overlapping.

Abstract: A system and a method for producing an adjustable light pattern are provided herein. The system may include: a transmitter configured to illuminate a scene with a patterned light being adjusted based on predefined criteria; a receiver configured to receive reflections of the adjusted patterned light; and a computer processor configured to control the adjustment of the patterned light and further analyze the received reflections, to yield a depth map of objects within the scene, wherein the transmitter may include: a light source configured to produce a light beam; a first reflector tiltable approximately along a line on an x-y plane in a Cartesian x-y-z coordinate system; and a second reflector tiltable along a z-axis in said coordinate system, wherein the reflectors are tilted along their respective axes back and forth so as to divert the light beam for creating the adjusted patterned light.

Abstract: A method and system for generating light pattern using reflective polygons are provided herein. The method may include: rotating at least one polygon having a plurality of reflective facets along a rotation axis parallel to the facets; transmitting a light beam on the facets of the polygon; tilting the light beam relative to the polygon in parallel to the rotation axis so that the light beam hits each of the facets at a different tilt angle, thereby producing a light pattern comprising a plurality of lines; and controlling at least one of: the light intensity, the rotating, and the tilting, so as to produce an adjustable light pattern transmitted at a scene.

Abstract: A method for autonomously operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes one or more imaging devices is provided. The imaging devices are pointed away from a direction in which the UAV is flying, and subsequently, an upcoming portion of a current flight path of the UAV is imaged, using the imaging devices. In response to the imaging, an obstacle on the current flight path is detected, and an alternate flight path is planned in response thereto. The UAV is then flown along the alternate flight path, instead of the current flight path. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for generating light pattern using reflective polygons are provided herein. The method may include: rotating at least one polygon having a plurality of reflective facets along a rotation axis parallel to the facets; transmitting a light beam on the facets of the polygon; tilting the light beam relative to the polygon in parallel to the rotation axis so that the light beam hits each of the facets at a different tilt angle, thereby producing a light pattern comprising a plurality of lines; and controlling at least one of: the light intensity, the rotating, and the tilting, so as to produce an adjustable light pattern transmitted at a scene.

Abstract: A method for autonomously operating an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that includes one or more imaging devices is provided. The imaging devices are pointed away from a direction in which the UAV is flying, and subsequently, an upcoming portion of a current flight path of the UAV is imaged, using the imaging devices. In response to the imaging, an obstacle on the current flight path is detected, and an alternate flight path is planned in response thereto. The UAV is then flown along the alternate flight path, instead of the current flight path. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A skimming device configured to collect and store floating debris captured from the surface of a body of water. The skimming device includes a debris collector having an enclosed body defining an opening for receiving and storing captured debris therein; a skimming device movement member configured to move the skimming device in the body of water; a debris movement member configured to capture floating debris from the body of water and pass the captured debris into the debris collector; and a housing that surrounds the debris collector and skimming movement member such that the two endless belts of the skimming movement member extend above and below the housing. The debris includes at least one of liquid debris such as floating petrochemicals, semi-solid debris, and/or solid debris.

Abstract: A method and system for generating light pattern using reflective polygons are provided herein. The method may include: rotating at least one polygon having a plurality of reflective facets along a rotation axis parallel to the facets; transmitting a light beam on the facets of the polygon; tilting the light beam relative to the polygon in parallel to the rotation axis so that the light beam hits each of the facets at a different tilt angle, thereby producing a light pattern comprising a plurality of lines; and controlling at least one of: the light intensity, the rotating, and the tilting, so as to produce an adjustable light pattern transmitted at a scene.

Abstract: A tracking system generates a structured light pattern in a local area. The system includes an array of lasers that generate light. The array of lasers includes a plurality of lasers and an optical element. The plurality of lasers are grouped into at least two subsets of lasers, and each of the at least two subsets of lasers is independently switchable. The optical element includes a plurality of cells that are each aligned with a respective subset of the array of lasers. Each cell receives light from a corresponding laser of the array of lasers, and each cell individually applies a modulation to the received light passing through the cell to form a corresponding portion of the structured light pattern that is projected onto a local area.

Abstract: A method for remote object sensing on-board a vehicle includes employing compressive sensing to analyze a waveform originating from an on-vehicle low-resolution radar imaging system and reflected from a remote object. The compressive sensing includes generating a matrix including a temporal projection, a Fourier transform, and an integral term configured to analyze the reflected waveform. Leading and trailing edges of the remote object are identified by employing a norm minimization procedure to reconstruct a range profile based upon the reflected waveform analyzed by the compressive sensing.

Abstract: A linear motion device includes a rod extending along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of actuator units. Each of the plurality of actuator units includes at least one Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) element that is attached to a coupling mechanism. The at least one SMA element of each if the plurality of actuator units moves the coupling mechanism along the longitudinal axis, and into grasping engagement with the rod. Each actuator unit moves the rod a unit movement distance along the longitudinal axis in response to a control signal. The plurality of actuator units are actuated repeatedly in a cyclic order to move the rod in a continuous linear motion a distance greater than the unit movement distance of each of the plurality of actuator units.

Abstract: An augmented reality system includes a vision output device for displaying virtual images. A sensing device captures an image within a reference frame. The vision output device is captured within the image. A processing unit identifies the vision output device within the reference frame of the captured image and localizes the vision output device within the reference frame of the captured image for identifying an absolute position and orientation of the vision output device within the reference frame of the captured image. The vision output device generates virtual displays to a user at respective locations based on the absolute position and orientation of the vision output device within reference frame of the captured image. The sensing device captures a user's selection of a virtual control. The processing unit identifies the selection of the virtual control within the captured image and enables a control action of a controllable device.

Abstract: A system includes a radar antenna and a radar controller. The radar controller generates two narrowband radar signals, each narrowband radar signal having substantially constant frequency, the frequencies of the two narrowband radar signals differing from one another. The controller operates the radar antenna to transmit each of the generated narrowband radar signals as a transmitted signal, each transmitted signal being characterized by a transmitted power. The controller also measures a received power of received signals that are received by the radar antenna, each received signal including a portion of a corresponding one of the transmitted signals that was returned from an object or from a calibration surface at a known calibration range. A processor operating in accordance with programmed instructions calculates a range to the object on the basis of the transmitted and received powers.

Abstract: A directional horn may include at least one group of a plurality of speakers or audio emitters. The audio emitters may each emit and audio signal at a same frequency. A processor may control a relative phase difference and relative gain difference between each audio signal, based on a determined direction. The directional horn may be positioned on a vehicle. The determined direction may be based on a direction indicated by a driver controlling the vehicle, external environmental factors, vehicle dynamics, or other factors.