Abstract: A device for capturing an image includes an image sensor having a plurality of sensing elements and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to receive a first group of image signals from a first portion of the plurality of sensing elements using at least a first binned read mode; receive a second group of image signals from a second portion of the plurality of sensing elements using a non-binned read mode; generate a first image based on at least the first group of image signals and the second group of image signals; and generate a second image based on the second group of image signals.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve projecting an interactive scene onto a surface from a projecting object. In one particular embodiment, the interactive scene is projected from a vehicle and may be utilized by the vehicle to provide a scene or image that a user may interact with through various gestures detected by the system. In addition, the interactive scene may be customized to one or more preferences determined by the system, such as user preferences, system preferences, or preferences obtained through feedback from similar systems. Based on one or more user inputs (such as user gestures received at the system), the projected scene may be altered or new scenes may be projected. In addition, control over some aspects of the vehicle (such as unlocking of doors, starting of the motor, etc.) may be controlled through the interactive scene and the detected gestures of the users.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to be autonomously navigated in a peloton along a roadway, wherein the peloton comprises at least the vehicle at least one additional vehicle, is configured to determine a position of the vehicle in the peloton which reduces differences in relative driving ranges among the vehicles included in the peloton. The vehicles can dynamically adjust peloton positions while navigating to reduce driving range differences among the vehicles. The vehicle can include a power management system which enables the vehicle to be electrically coupled to a battery included in another vehicle in the peloton, so that driving range differences between the vehicles can be reduced via load sharing via the electrical connection. The vehicle can include a power connector arm which extends a power connector to couple with an interface of another vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle may have optical structures such as windows and mirrors that have the potential to allow glare from external objects to shine into the eyes of a driver or other vehicle occupant. A control circuit may gather information on where the eyes of the driver are located using a camera mounted in the vehicle and may gather information on where the sun or other source of glare are located outside of the vehicle. Based on this information, the control circuit may direct a light modulator on a window or mirror to selectively darken an area that prevents the glare from reaching the eyes of the driver. The light modulator may have a photochromic layer that is adjusted by shining light onto the photochromic layer, may be a liquid crystal modulator, an electrochromic modulator, or other light modulator layer.

Abstract: A vehicle configured to be autonomously navigated in a peloton along a roadway, wherein the peloton comprises at least the vehicle at least one additional vehicle, is configured to determine a position of the vehicle in the peloton which reduces differences in relative driving ranges among the vehicles included in the peloton. The vehicles can dynamically adjust peloton positions while navigating to reduce driving range differences among the vehicles. The vehicle can include a power management system which enables the vehicle to be electrically coupled to a battery included in another vehicle in the peloton, so that driving range differences between the vehicles can be reduced via load sharing via the electrical connection. The vehicle can include a power connector arm which extends a power connector to couple with an interface of another vehicle.

Abstract: A method for capturing an image from an image sensor having a plurality of sensing elements includes receiving a first group of image signals from a first portion of the plurality of sensing elements using at least a first binned read mode; receiving a second group of image signals from a second portion of the plurality of sensing elements using a non-binned read mode; generating a first image based on at least the first group of image signals and the second group of image signals; and generating a second image based on the second group of image signals.

Abstract: A retroreflector system including an outer body panel coupled to a vehicle, wherein the outer body panel is configured to allow a radar signal originating from an external radar device to pass through the outer body panel. The retroreflector system also includes a plurality of retroreflectors embedded in the vehicle, where the plurality of retroreflectors is configured to reflect the signal to the external signal source as a reflected signal, and where the plurality of retroreflectors is configured to have a peak reflectivity for a radar wavelength range or a light detection and ranging (lidar) wavelength range.

Abstract: A system for optically stabilizing the projection light from a vehicle. The system includes a light source for generating and emitting light, an aperture, and a spatial light modulator for altering an illumination pattern of the light. The spatial light modulator disposed along an optical path extending from the light source to the aperture, wherein the light projects from the aperture. The system also includes an inertial-sensing. The inertial-sensing unit generates signals representing a position of the vehicle, an orientation of the vehicle, or both. The system further includes a control unit. The control unit receives signals from the inertial-sensing unit to determine changes in position and/or orientation of the vehicle relative to the road and sends signals to the spatial light modulator adjust an illumination pattern of the light to steer the light to a nominal value, defined by a vehicle in a level plane relative to a road system.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system which includes a layered transparent surface which includes a UV absorption layer configured to be located between a user environment and an external environment and a phosphor layer configured to be located between the user environment and the UV absorption layer. An image projection system can project an ultraviolet image upon the phosphor layer, which can generate a visual image based on a fluorescent reaction of the phosphor layer to the ultraviolet image which can be perceived by a user in the user environment. The image projection system can include a plurality of image projection systems which can project separate images on separate projection fields, which can result in the phosphor layer generating an image which can be perceived by a user, in the user environment, as a stereoscopic image.

Abstract: A low cost, high reliability system for correcting aberrations in optical signals is disclosed. A foreoptic assembly, such as a telescope, receives an incoming optical signal and directs it to an active optical element, such as a fast steering mirror. The incoming optical signal is diffracted by a diffractive optical element to shape the image that is formed at a wavefront sensor, such as a quad-cell. The wavefront sensor measures a tip-tilt aberration of the incoming optical signal and the active optical element is adjusted to correct the measured aberration. An outgoing optical signal can be transmitted along substantially the same optical path as the incoming optical signal, but in the opposite direction. Thus, the aberration measured from the incoming optical signal can be automatically accounted for in the outgoing optical signal.

Abstract: A Cassegrain telescope uses a pivoted corrector plate to reduce back-reflections. A converging lens is added to the optical path inside a housing of the telescope to focus the light within the telescope. The modified Cassegrain design may be used a hybrid radio frequency and free-space optical commercial communications network.

Abstract: A stabilized ultra-high bandwidth capacity transceiver system that combines an E-band (71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz) millimeter wave RF transceiver with an eye-safe adaptive optics Free Space Optical (FSO) transceiver as a combined apparatus for simultaneous point-to-point commercial communications. The apparatus has a high degree of assured carrier availability under stressing environmental conditions. The apparatus establishes and maintains pointing and stabilization of mmW RF and FSO optical beams between adjacent line of sight apparatuses. The apparatus can rapidly acquire and reacquire the FSO optical carrier link in the event the optical carrier link is impaired due to adverse weather.

Abstract: A dual purpose iris and color camera system is described provides good iris and color image capture in either IR or visible bands depending upon which type of image is being captured at that moment. For iris imaging the iris camera is capable of imaging in the 700 to 900 nm wavelength range where the iris structure becomes visible. The iris camera is able to perform iris imaging outside with full sunlight. The iris camera requires only a low level of cooperation from the user, in that they must be within a range of distances away from the iris camera, must hold relatively still for a short period of time, and must face towards the camera. The iris capture process is fully automated once activated.

Abstract: A stabilized ultra-high bandwidth capacity transceiver system that combines an E-band (71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz) millimeter wave RF transceiver with an eye-safe adaptive optics Free Space Optical (FSO) transceiver as a combined apparatus for simultaneous point-to-point commercial communications. The apparatus has a high degree of assured carrier availability under stressing environmental conditions. The apparatus establishes and maintains pointing and stabilization of mmW RF and FSO optical beams between adjacent line of sight apparatuses. The apparatus can rapidly acquire and reacquire the FSO optical carrier link in the event the optical carrier link is impaired due to adverse weather.

Abstract: A low cost, high reliability system for correcting aberrations in optical signals is disclosed. A foreoptic assembly, such as a telescope, receives an incoming optical signal and directs it to an active optical element, such as a fast steering mirror. The incoming optical signal is diffracted by a diffractive optical element to shape the image that is formed at a wavefront sensor, such as a quad-cell. The wavefront sensor measures a tip-tilt aberration of the incoming optical signal and the active optical element is adjusted to correct the measured aberration. An outgoing optical signal can be transmitted along substantially the same optical path as the incoming optical signal, but in the opposite direction. Thus, the aberration measured from the incoming optical signal can be automatically accounted for in the outgoing optical signal.

Abstract: A portable, hand held iris imaging system captures iris images that may be used in biometric identification. The system includes an illumination source for illuminating a subject's eye and a camera to capture light reflected from the subject's eye. An optical element positioned between the illumination source and the camera focuses light reflected from the subject's eye onto the camera. A controller receives the captured image and provides it to a display. If the system is not correctly positioned for iris image capture, the display may also provide visual feedback regarding how the system can be properly repositioned. The system includes a housing with a portable form factor so that it may be easily operated.

Abstract: A portable, hand held iris imaging system captures iris images that may be used in biometric identification. The system is constructed using two separate but coupled subsystems. A first subsystem augments the underlying functionality of the second subsystem. The first subsystem uses an iris camera to capture iris images. A tunable optical element positioned between the subject and the iris camera focuses light reflected from the subject's eye onto the iris camera. A controller coordinates the capture of the iris image with the second subsystem. The second subsystem captures face images of the subject, which are provided to a display through a computer. The user interface is overlaid over the face images to provide visual feedback regarding how the system can be properly repositioned to capture iris images. The system has a portable form factor so that it may be easily operated.

Abstract: An optical system includes an active focus element that maintains an image in focus over a range of object distances. The active focus element and aperture stop are positioned such that the image scale and the image spatial resolution are also invariant (or at least have a reduced sensitivity) with respect to object distance.

Abstract: A rapid iris acquisition, tracking, and imaging system can be used at longer standoff distances and over larger capture volumes, without the active cooperation of subjects. Eye reflections from the subjects' eyes are used to steer a high resolution camera to the eyes in order to capture images of the irises. A circular deformable minor driven by one or more annular forces can be used to focus the camera. A circular mirror substrate is mounted by its circumference onto a minor mount and driven by an annular drive element that contacts the minor substrate along a ring. If the annular drive element has a certain diameter relative to the circumference of the mirror substrate, the mirror substrate will be deformed in the shape of a sphere.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rapid, high quality iris imaging system. In one embodiment, on-axis illumination is used. A single steering mechanism steers both the camera and the illumination, without parallax issues. The illumination beam can be combined along the camera's optical axis before or after the fine steering and focus correction mechanism. In a pre-correction configuration, the iris illumination spot can be reduced in size to be only slightly larger than the iris. In both the pre and post-correction configuration, the eye safety limits will be most critical at the subject, which allows for maximization of the illumination flux.