Abstract: An apparatus, system, and computer-implemented method that correct for thermal drift in one or more optical elements in an optical device and maintain high precision accuracy of the optical device during extreme temperature changes. The apparatus includes an optical device having an optical element configured to direct or reflect a light beam, a pivot support configured to hold a portion of the optical element and facilitate motion of the optical element in multidimensional space, a controller configured to determine a displacement of the optical element due to thermal drift and generate an actuator drive signal based on the amount of the displacement, and an actuator configured to receive the actuator drive signal and counteract the thermal drift by moving, in cooperation with the pivot support and in response to the actuator drive signal, the optical element by an inverse amount and direction of the displacement of the optical element.

Abstract: A dynamic concentrator system having a concentrator lens, a tracker platform and a receiver. In an embodiment, the concentrator lens is configured to receive an incoming light at an entrance angle a and concentrate the light beam on a focus spot. The tracker platform has a detector optical aperture and one or more actuators. The detector optical aperture can be configured to receive the concentrated light beam. The actuators can move the detector optical aperture in a spatial plane to a location of the focus spot. The receiver has a detector optically coupled to the detector optical aperture to receive the concentrated light beam from the detector optical aperture.

Abstract: A tracker laser rangefinder for detecting, targeting, locating or tracking an object in real time in a field of view. In an embodiment, the tracker laser rangefinder includes a laser source arranged to generate and emit a laser pulse at a first time in response to a laser trigger signal; a fast-scan mirror arranged to deflect and steer the laser pulse to an object in a scan plane; a sensor arranged to receive a reflection of the laser pulse from the object at a second time and output a return pulse detection signal; and a controller arranged to receive the return pulse detection signal and determine a first angle, a second angle and a range to the object. The first angle and the second angle can be based on a position of the fast-scan mirror. The range of the object can be calculated based on a period of time comprising the first time as a start time and the second time as a stop time.

Abstract: Apparatus for radiography is disclosed, which includes a flat panel scintillator having a first surface for being exposed to radiation and a second surface for emitting visible light in response, and an associated imaging system. The imaging system includes a plurality of scanning MEM mirrors, each associated with a respective sub-region of the scintillator second surface, each scanning MEM mirror being mounted and controlled so as to re-direct light from along a predetermined scan path within the respective sub-region towards a respective optical channel. A photodetector is associated with each scanning MEM mirror and optical channel for receiving the re-directed light and generating an electrical signal representing light intensity. A processor receives the electrical signal from each photodetector and the corresponding position of each scanning MEM mirror to generate therefrom a reconstructed two-dimensional image.

Abstract: An apparatus for position-detection of an object within a region is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second target elements mounted on an object and having a known separation distance between the two. A scanning light source is configured to issue a beam of light along a substantially one-dimensional scanning path, which illuminates a point that moves over the first and second target elements. A detector is provided for detecting light reflected from, or received by, the first and second target elements. A processing system is configured to determine the position of the object within the region based on first and second points in the scanning path at which the detector detects light returned from, or received by, the first and second target elements and the known separation distance between the two reflective elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for position-detection of an object within a region is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second target elements mounted on an object and having a known separation distance between the two. A scanning light source is configured to issue a beam of light along a substantially one-dimensional scanning path, which illuminates a point that moves over the first and second target elements. A detector is provided for detecting light reflected from, or received by, the first and second target elements. A processing system is configured to determine the position of the object within the region based on first and second points in the scanning path at which the detector detects light returned from, or received by, the first and second target elements and the known separation distance between the two reflective elements.

Abstract: Apparatus for radiography is disclosed, which includes a scintillator having a first surface for being exposed to radiation and a second surface for emitting visible light in response, and an associated imaging system. The imaging system includes a plurality of scanning mirrors, each associated with a respective sub-region of the scintillator second surface, each scanning mirror being mounted and controlled so as to re-direct light from along a predetermined scan path within the respective sub-region towards a respective optical channel. A photodetector is associated with each scanning mirror and optical channel for receiving the re-directed light and generating an electrical signal representing light intensity. A processor receives the electrical signal from each photodetector and the corresponding position of each mirror to generate therefrom a reconstructed two-dimensional image.

Abstract: Apparatus for location-detection of an object within a region comprising a reflective element mountable on the object, a scanning light source adapted to issue a beam of light in a scanning pattern illuminating a point that moves over the region, a detector for light reflected from the reflective element and a control unit adapted to report the position of an object based on the point in the scanning pattern at which the detector detects light returned from the reflective element relative to at least one point in the scanning pattern at which the detector detects light returned from a reflective object.

Abstract: Apparatus for location-detection of an object within a region comprising a reflective element mountable on the object, a scanning light source adapted to issue a beam of light in a scanning pattern illuminating a point that moves over the region, a detector for light reflected from the reflective element and a control unit adapted to report the position of an object based on the point in the scanning pattern at which the detector detects light returned from the reflective element relative to at least one point in the scanning pattern at which the detector detects light returned from a reflective object.

Abstract: A method may include receiving an input from an optimization control that indicates a value along a scale, wherein the value is indicative of a design tradeoff between at least optimization for a first parameter of an electrical design and an optimization for a second parameter of the electrical design, wherein the value places an emphasis on the first parameter and an emphasis on the second parameter such that when the value on the scale is closer to the first parameter a larger emphasis is placed on the first parameter of the electrical design and when the value on the scale is closer to the second parameter a larger emphasis is placed on the second parameter of the electrical design. The method may further include choosing components for the electrical design based on the value indicated using the optimization control, the emphases affecting the components selected for the electrical design.

Abstract: There is provided a sensor array, comprising a pair of transducers, a first transducer, configured to transmit pressure waves; and a second transducer, acoustically coupled to the first transducer, configured to detect pressure waves incident upon the sensor array from the environment. The array further comprises control circuitry, coupled to the first and second transducers, configured to: control the first transducer to transmit pressure waves; simultaneously control the second transducer to monitor the transmission of said pressure waves; and verify correct operation of the array in the event that said pressure waves are detected. The invention therefore provides a sensor array with a failsafe mechanism.

Abstract: A method may include receiving an input from an optimization control that indicates a value along a scale, wherein the value is indicative of a design tradeoff between at least optimization for a first parameter of an electrical design and an optimization for a second parameter of the electrical design, wherein the value places an emphasis on the first parameter and an emphasis on the second parameter such that when the value on the scale is closer to the first parameter a larger emphasis is placed on the first parameter of the electrical design and when the value on the scale is closer to the second parameter a larger emphasis is placed on the second parameter of the electrical design. The method may further include choosing components for the electrical design based on the value indicated using the optimization control, the emphases affecting the components selected for the electrical design.

Abstract: A user may optimize a circuit design using a control presented within an Internet browser. The user can change the optimization value of the circuit that in turn places more or less emphasis on a parameter (e.g. foot print vs. efficiency). Once optimized for the values, the list of components matching the design as well as the optimization operating values are presented to the user.