Abstract: A system and method for accurate measurement of distance and location of an object. The system comprises low-cost optical signal generators, aligned in a known configuration, to project a two-dimensional geometric figure on the object to be measured, or on a target attached to the object. The system captures an image of the projected figure, determines the exact geometry (e.g., area or circumference) of the figure, and calculates the exact distance to the object based on comparison of that geometry to the known configuration of the laser line generators. The invention simultaneously determines relative X and Y position of the object, thereby giving accurate X, Y, and Z coordinates.

Abstract: An imaging system employs a photoconductive material capable of bearing a latent photostatic image, a plurality of elongated parallel stripes adjacent the photoconductive material, selective scanning of the stripes to produce charge carriers within the photoconductive material, and time-ordered detection of the current created by the charge carriers with the plurality of elongated parallel stripes. Appropriate addressing of the stripes as they are scanned produces a pixellated representation of the latent image. The system has improved output signal strength and higher resolution than known systems.