Abstract: A lidar sensor system and method use the parallax phenomenon to determine one or more attributes of an object, such its distance, size, or shape. An optical element illuminates the object with a linear beam along a first plane. A photodetector is displaced from the optical element so that it detects the reflection of the linear beam from the object along a second plane, which is at an angle to the first plane. A computer-implemented line detection module determines a measure of deviation of the linear beam reflection from a vanishing point of the first plane. A computer-implemented analysis module determines the attribute based on the measure of deviation.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for examining the integrity of a structure having a visually repetitive pattern such as a fence, includes an imaging system having a light source and an optical element to produce a narrow substantially vertical light beam, and a photodetector to receive reflected light. The light beam is directed at the structure while moving laterally, producing a planar image of the structure which is continually refreshed. The system processes the images and identifies an anomalous feature from an anomaly in the repetitive pattern.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for examining the integrity of a structure having a visually repetitive pattern such as a fence, includes an imaging system having a light source and an optical element to produce a narrow substantially vertical light beam, and a photodetector to receive reflected light. The light beam is directed at the structure while moving laterally, producing a planar image of the structure which is continually refreshed. The system processes the images and identifies an anomalous feature from an anomaly in the repetitive pattern.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for measuring and characterizing ultrasound using thermoacoustic sensors are provided. Thermoacoustic sensors can include heat flux sensors for detecting a temperature difference (between the front and back of the heat flux sensor) and an absorber layer attached to the heat flux sensor for absorbing ultrasound, converting it to heat, and also acting as an acoustic impedance matching layer. An heat sink can also be used. In some embodiments, thermoacoustic sensors can be arranged into an acoustic integrating sphere and face inward to form a cavity. The sphere can have an opening to the cavity, wherein ultrasound emitted through the opening can cause a temperature difference that can be detected by the thermoacoustic sensors. These apparatuses and others can provide for methods of measuring ultrasound power and/or methods of determining an ultrasound profile as the angular distribution of emitted ultrasound power generated by an ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for measuring and characterizing ultrasound using thermoacoustic sensors are provided. Thermoacoustic sensors can include heat flux sensors for detecting a temperature difference (between the front and back of the heat flux sensor) and an absorber layer attached to the heat flux sensor for absorbing ultrasound, converting it to heat, and also acting as an acoustic impedance matching layer. An heat sink can also be used. In some embodiments, thermoacoustic sensors can be arranged into an acoustic integrating sphere and face inward to form a cavity. The sphere can have an opening to the cavity, wherein ultrasound emitted through the opening can cause a temperature difference that can be detected by the thermoacoustic sensors. These apparatuses and others can provide for methods of measuring ultrasound power and/or methods of determining an ultrasound profile as the angular distribution of emitted ultrasound power generated by an ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the quantity and optical parameters of a liquid in a container using the principle of optical low coherence reflectometry is provided, the apparatus having: a source arm with a low coherence light source; a reference arm including a reference lens, a mirror, means for adjusting the distance between the reference lens and the mirror and means for measuring the distance between the reference lens and the mirror; a test arm with a test lens; means for dividing the output of the source arm between the test arm and the reference arm; means for combining light reflected back into the reference arm and the test arm to create an interference signal; and means for detecting and analyzing the interference signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the quantity and optical parameters of a liquid in a container using the principle of optical low coherence reflectometry is provided, the apparatus having: a source arm with a low coherence light source; a reference arm including a reference lens, a mirror, means for adjusting the distance between the reference lens and the mirror and means for measuring the distance between the reference lens and the mirror; a test arm with a test lens; means for dividing the output of the source arm between the test arm and the reference arm; means for combining light reflected back into the reference arm and the test arm to create an interference signal; and means for detecting and analyzing the interference signal.