Abstract: Systems and methods for correlating wireless communication performance with vehicle system configurations determine wireless message characteristics of wireless messages communicated with vehicles in vehicle systems and locations along a route where the wireless message characteristics were determined. The wireless message characteristics and the locations can be determined during movement of the vehicle systems along a route. Relative positions of the vehicles in the vehicle systems is obtained, and a signal propagation profile is determined based on the wireless message characteristics, the locations where the wireless message characteristics were determined, and the relative positions of the vehicles. The signal propagation profile can represent relationships between the wireless message characteristics, the relative positions of the vehicles, and the locations along the route.

Abstract: A method includes wirelessly receiving, at a lead remote control (RC) communication device onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system, a request signal from an operator control unit (OCU). The method also includes communicating a reconfiguration signal from a lead communication device of the lead vehicle to a remote communication device disposed onboard a first displaced vehicle responsive to receipt of the request signal. Further, the method includes, responsive to receiving the reconfiguration signal, reconfiguring an RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle to switch from a first state where the RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle receives a control signal from the OCU for remotely controlling operation of the first displaced vehicle to a different, second state where the RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle repeats the control signal to the lead RC communication device of the lead vehicle.

Abstract: A method includes wirelessly receiving, at a lead remote control (RC) communication device onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system, a request signal from an operator control unit (OCU). The method also includes communicating a reconfiguration signal from a lead communication device of the lead vehicle to a remote communication device disposed onboard a first displaced vehicle responsive to receipt of the request signal. Further, the method includes, responsive to receiving the reconfiguration signal, reconfiguring an RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle to switch from a first state where the RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle receives a control signal from the OCU for remotely controlling operation of the first displaced vehicle to a different, second state where the RC communication device onboard the first displaced vehicle repeats the control signal to the lead RC communication device of the lead vehicle.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first communication device disposed onboard a displaced vehicle. The first communication device communicates with a second communication device onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system for the lead vehicle to remotely control operation of the vehicle system. The first communication device receives a reconfiguration signal from the second communication device. A remote control (RC) communication device is disposed onboard the first displaced vehicle. The RC communication device wirelessly receives a control signal from an operator control unit (OCU) for the OCU to remotely control the first displaced vehicle. A communication controller reconfigures the RC communication device to repeat the control signal from the OCU responsive to the first communication device of the first displaced vehicle receiving the reconfiguration signal from the second communication device of the lead vehicle or another reconfiguration signal from an off-board or on-board location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for correlating wireless communication performance with vehicle system configurations determine wireless message characteristics of wireless messages communicated with vehicles in vehicle systems and locations along a route where the wireless message characteristics were determined. The wireless message characteristics and the locations can be determined during movement of the vehicle systems along a route. Relative positions of the vehicles in the vehicle systems is obtained, and a signal propagation profile is determined based on the wireless message characteristics, the locations where the wireless message characteristics were determined, and the relative positions of the vehicles. The signal propagation profile can represent relationships between the wireless message characteristics, the relative positions of the vehicles, and the locations along the route.

Abstract: A communication system includes a first communication device disposed onboard a displaced vehicle. The first communication device communicates with a second communication device onboard a lead vehicle of a vehicle system for the lead vehicle to remotely control operation of the vehicle system. The first communication device receives a reconfiguration signal from the second communication device. A remote control (RC) communication device is disposed onboard the first displaced vehicle. The RC communication device wirelessly receives a control signal from an operator control unit (OCU) for the OCU to remotely control the first displaced vehicle. A communication controller reconfigure the RC communication device to repeat the control signal from the OCU responsive to the first communication device of the first displaced vehicle receiving the reconfiguration signal from the second communication device of the lead vehicle or another reconfiguration signal from an off-board or on-board location.

Abstract: A system and method communicate a command message from a lead vehicle in a vehicle consist having remote vehicles and the lead vehicle. The command message includes a directive for controlling operations of the remote vehicles. The command message is received at the remote vehicles and reply messages are communicated in response thereto. The reply messages include statuses of the remote vehicles. Responsive to determining that the lead vehicle does not receive the reply message from one or more of the remote vehicles, the statuses of the one or more remote vehicles from which the reply messages are not received at the lead vehicle are sent and/or combined into an individual or concatenated relayed message. The individual or concatenated relayed messages are communicated to the lead vehicle such that the lead vehicle receives the statuses of the one or more remote vehicles.

Abstract: A system and method communicate a command message from a lead vehicle in a vehicle consist having remote vehicles and the lead vehicle. The command message includes a directive for controlling operations of the remote vehicles. The command message is received at the remote vehicles and reply messages are communicated in response thereto. The reply messages include statuses of the remote vehicles. Responsive to determining that the lead vehicle does not receive the reply message from one or more of the remote vehicles, the statuses of the one or more remote vehicles from which the reply messages are not received at the lead vehicle are sent and/or combined into an individual or concatenated relayed message. The individual or concatenated relayed messages are communicated to the lead vehicle such that the lead vehicle receives the statuses of the one or more remote vehicles.

Abstract: A holographic imaging system includes an electrical addressable spatial light modulator (EASLM) and an optically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM). A read light is configured to illuminate the OASLM, and a controller is configured to address the EASLM with both positive and negative sub-images and transmit the positive and negative sub-images to the OASLM. The controller is further configured to address the OASLM with an operating voltage, wherein the read light generates a holographic image comprised of diffraction patterns from the positive and negative sub-images.

Abstract: A structured light generator for illuminating a scene comprising a light source and a light guide comprising a tube having a longitudinal axis and having substantially reflective sides arranged to project an array of distinct images of the light source towards the scene in the manner of a kaleidoscope, wherein including a light deflection element to redirect light so that the projection axis and the light guide axis are angled with respect to one another. In this way the light guide, which is typically an elongate structure, can be ‘folded’ away from the direction of light projection, which offers advantages in terms of packaging of the light generator where thickness in the direction of projection is desirably minimised.

Abstract: Ranging apparatus capable of projecting patterns of structured light tailored for use at particular ranges or depth regimes. Detected light points in a scene can be compared to pre-determined pattern templates to provide a simple and low cost gesture recognition system, for example as an interface to a smartphone or PDA. A structured light generator can be adapted to switch back and forth between said first and second structured patterns, either automatically according to a timing control, or adaptively in response to sensed information from the illuminated scene. Alternatively the structured light generator can be adapted to project the first and second patterns simultaneously. Separate light generators may be employed for the different patterns, or alternatively components can be shared.

Abstract: A holographic imaging system includes an electrical addressable spatial light modulator (EASLM) and an optically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM). A read light is configured to illuminate the OASLM, and a controller is configured to address the EASLM with both positive and negative sub-images and transmit the positive and negative sub-images to the OASLM. The controller is further configured to address the OASLM with an operating voltage, wherein the read light generates a holographic image comprised of diffraction patterns from the positive and negative sub-images.

Abstract: A holographic imaging system includes an electrical addressable spatial light modulator (EASLM) and an optically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM). A read light is configured to illuminate the OASLM, and a controller is configured to address the EASLM with both positive and negative sub-images and transmit the positive and negative sub-images to the OASLM. The controller is further configured to address the OASLM with an operating voltage, wherein the read light generates a holographic image comprised of diffraction patterns from the positive and negative sub-images.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator system includes an optically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM) and an electrical addressable spatial light modulator (EASLM) arranged to transmit light onto the OASLM. A first controller is configured to address the EASLM with both a positive image and a negative image. A second controller is configured to apply a first bipolar voltage pulse to the OASLM associated with reception of the positive image and apply a second bipolar voltage pulse to the OASLM associated with reception of the negative image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method of providing customers with indications of whether certain articles, for instance footwear or clothing, will fit that customer and to making recommendations for articles that will fit. The method takes body size data regarding the size/shape of the appropriate body part of the customer and compares the data against a reference body size/shape associated with an article. The reference body size is obtained from the recorded body sizes of previous customers who are known to fit the particular article. A match between the current customer's body size and the reference body size for an article is an indication that such article will fit that customer. The present invention thus avoids any need to obtain any size information about the article itself and can generate the reference body size data through normal retail practices. The invention is particularly applicable to the fitting of shoes.

Abstract: A holographic imaging system includes an electrical addressable spatial light modulator (EASLM) and an optically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM). A read light is configured to illuminate the OASLM, and a controller is configured to address the EASLM with both positive and negative sub-images and transmit the positive and negative sub-images to the OASLM. The controller is further configured to address the OASLM with an operating voltage, wherein the read light generates a holographic image comprised of diffraction patterns from the positive and negative sub-images.

Abstract: A system includes a driving apparatus configured to operate on an optically addressed spatial light modulator (OASLM) including a modulation layer notionally divided into a plurality of separately addressable segments. A pulse generator is configured to provide one or more voltage patterns and an optical pattern generator configured to provide one or more optical patterns of light. For each segment of the OASLM, the driving apparatus is further configured to write, over a predetermined number of write operations, a predetermined amount of light associated with the one or more optical patterns. The driving apparatus is configured to apply a reset pulse associated with the one or more voltage patterns, such that a resulting net charge on the modulation layer is zero.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator system includes an optically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM) and an electrical addressable spatial light modulator (EASLM) arranged to transmit light onto the OASLM. A first controller is configured to address the EASLM with both a positive image and a negative image. A second controller is configured to apply a first bipolar voltage pulse to the OASLM associated with reception of the positive image and apply a second bipolar voltage pulse to the OASLM associated with reception of the negative image.

Abstract: A human-computer interface includes a plurality of transducers comprising of emitters ad transducers arranged to detect patterns relating to movement of an object such as a gesture or a user's hand within a detection volume in the vicinity of the transducers, and to provide an input to computer equipment depending on the pattern detected. The interface may perform a simple analysis of the date received by the transducer to detect basic gestures, or it may perform a more complex analysis to detect a greater range of gestures, or more complex gestures. The transducers are preferably infra-red or ultrasonic transducers, although others may be suitable. The transducers may be arranged in a linear, a two-dimensional, or a three-dimensional pattern. Signals emitted by emitters may be modulated to aid gesture identification. The computer equipment may be a standard computer, or may be a game machine, security device, domestic appliance, or any other suitable apparatus incorporating a computer.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in one aspect to an image replication system comprising a light guide (2), a light source (8) arranged to direct emitted light into the first end (2a) of a light guide (2), a reflective spatial light modulator (6) and focussing means (16). In a preferred embodiment, the light guide (2) is in the form of an elongate glass rod having first and second parallel polygonal end faces (2a, 2b) which are parallel to the long axis of the rod, the rod having a uniform polygonal cross section along its length. The spatial light modulator (6) is optically coupled to the second end face (2b) of the light guide (2) and the focussing means (16) is arranged to receive light reflected back through the rod from the spatial light modulator (6), whereby to form multiple images of said spatial light modulator in an image plane (18).