Abstract: A (meta-material) acoustic lens is presented. The lens is based on multiple acoustic channels (waveguides) that are helixes arranged radially with angle that is a function of the helix radius. This changes the effective thickness of the lens as a function of it s distance from the center of the lens. This create phase shift gradient across the lens, which in turn changes the wavefront from one side of the lens to the other. This results with either a focusing lens, when the effecting thickness decreases from center to edge of the lens, or a or diverging lens when the effecting thickness decreases from center to edge of the lens.

Abstract: A phase array acoustic device using array of horns and optional faceplates is presented. Said horn phased-array acoustic device can be used as a passive sensor, a sound projector, or both (sonar). It is shown that by correct selection of the fill-factor and apodization faceplate, grating-lobes and side-lobes cab be greatly reduced. An optional use of acoustic valves as phase-shifter in the wave domain to improve Signal to Noise Ratio is presented. An optional aperiodic tiling of the horns' mouth to reduces aliasing is presented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scalable and fast deployment of drones are presented. The method is based on packing multiple drones within a cell structure that provides means for changing, communication and fast deployment of drones as well as environmental protection. Multiple cells can be combined the further scale up the number and rate of drones being deployed. In a preferable arrangement, individual drones are equipped with special contacts that allow them to connect to the cell and optionally with other drones for power supply, diagnostic and communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scalable and fast deployment of drones are presented. The method is based on packing multiple drones within a cell structure that provides means for changing, communication and fast deployment of drones as well as environmental protection. Multiple cells can be combined the further scale up the number and rate of drones being deployed. In a preferable arrangement, individual drones are equipped with special contacts that allow them to connect to the cell and optionally with other drones for power supply, diagnostic and communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to suppress stray light refection in enclosures of optical trains are presented. Unlike prior-art that relies on absorption to suppress stray light the presented invention relies on reflections in a tapered enclosure to prevent stray light from reaching the sensor. The presented invention also provides a method to reshape the tapered enclosure into more convenient shapes using Fresnel Design. The presented invention can be realized in different ways including but not limited to (1) a monolithic enclosure, (2) a modular enclosure that can adapt to different lenses and or sensors, (3) a sleeve to be inserted into existing enclosure to enhance their performance.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a hardware system for inverse graphics capture. An inverse graphics capture system (IGCS) captures data regarding a physical space that can be used to generate a photorealistic graphical model of that physical space. In certain approaches, the system includes hardware and accompanying software used to create a photorealistic six degree of freedom (6DOF) graphical model of the physical space. In certain approaches, the system includes hardware and accompanying software used for projection mapping onto the physical space. In certain approaches, the model produced by the IGCS is built using data regarding the geometry, lighting, surfaces, and environment of the physical space. In certain approaches, the model produced by the IGCS is both photorealistic and fully modifiable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scalable and fast deployment of drones are presented. The method is based on packing multiple drones within a cell structure that provides means for changing, communication and fast deployment of drones as well as environmental protection. Multiple cells can be combined the further scale up the number and rate of drones being deployed. In a preferable arrangement, individual drones are equipped with special contacts that allow them to connect to the cell and optionally with other drones for power supply, diagnostic and communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to suppress stray light refection in enclosures of optical trains are presented. Unlike prior-art that relies on absorption to suppress stray light the presented invention relies on reflections in a tapered enclosure to prevent stray light from reaching the sensor. The presented invention also provides a method to reshape the tapered enclosure into more convenient shapes using Fresnel Design. The presented invention can be realized in different ways including but not limited to (1) a monolithic enclosure, (2) a modular enclosure that can adapt to different lenses and or sensors, (3) a sleeve to be inserted into existing enclosure to enhance their performance.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a hardware system for inverse graphics capture. An inverse graphics capture system (IGCS) captures data regarding a physical space that can be used to generate a photorealistic graphical model of that physical space. In certain approaches, the system includes hardware and accompanying software used to create a photorealistic six degree of freedom (6DOF) graphical model of the physical space. In certain approaches, the system includes hardware and accompanying software used for projection mapping onto the physical space. In certain approaches, the model produced by the IGCS is built using data regarding the geometry, lighting, surfaces, and environment of the physical space. In certain approaches, the model produced by the IGCS is both photorealistic and fully modifiable.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a hardware system for inverse graphics capture. An inverse graphics capture system (IGCS) captures data regarding a physical space that can be used to generate a photorealistic graphical model of that physical space. In certain approaches, the system includes hardware and accompanying software used to create a photorealistic six degree of freedom (6DOF) graphical model of the physical space. In certain approaches, the system includes hardware and accompanying software used for projection mapping onto the physical space. In certain approaches, the model produced by the IGCS is built using data regarding the geometry, lighting, surfaces, and environment of the physical space. In certain approaches, the model produced by the IGCS is both photorealistic and fully modifiable.

Abstract: Samples of a scene are acquired in synchronization with finely interleaved varying conditions such as lighting, aperture, focal length, and so forth. A time-varying sample at each pixel for each condition is reconstructed. Time multiplexed interleaving allows for real-time, live applications, while handling motion blur naturally. Effects such as real-time video relighting of a scene is possible. Time interleaved exposures also allow segmentation of a scene, and allows for constrained special effects such as triangulation matting using a multi-color interleaved chroma key.

Abstract: Multi-spectral imaging technique embodiments are presented which involve an active imaging approach that uses wide band illumination of known spectral distributions to obtain multi-spectral reflectance information in the presence of unknown ambient illumination. In general, a reflectance spectral distribution of a captured scene is computed by selecting a number of different illumination spectra and capturing multiple images of the scene. Each of these images is captured when the scene is illuminated by a different one of the selected illumination spectra in addition to the ambient light. The reflectance spectral distribution of the scene is computed for each pixel location based on the relative response between pairs of the radiometric responses of the corresponding pixels in the captured images, given a set of parameters including the added illumination spectra used to capture each of the images and the response function and spectral sensitivity of the camera used to capture the images.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for capturing reflected rays from a surface. A first and second lens aligned along a same optical center axis are configured so that a beam of light collimated parallel to the lens center axis directed to a first side, is converged toward the lens center axis on a second side. A first light beam source between the first and second lenses directs a light beam toward the first lens parallel to the optical center axis. Second light beam source(s) on the second side of the first lens, direct a light beam toward a focal plane of the first lens at a desired angle. An image capturing component, at the second side of the second lens, has an image capture surface directed toward the second lens to capture images of the light reflected from a sample capture surface at the focal plane of the first lens.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for capturing reflected rays from a surface. A first and second lens aligned along a same optical center axis are configured so that a beam of light collimated parallel to the lens center axis directed to a first side, is converged toward the lens center axis on a second side. A first light beam source between the first and second lenses directs a light beam toward the first lens parallel to the optical center axis. Second light beam source(s) on the second side of the first lens, direct a light beam toward a focal plane of the first lens at a desired angle. An image capturing component, at the second side of the second lens, has an image capture surface directed toward the second lens to capture images of the light reflected from a sample capture surface at the focal plane of the first lens.

Abstract: Multi-spectral imaging technique embodiments are presented which involve an active imaging approach that uses wide band illumination of known spectral distributions to obtain multi-spectral reflectance information in the presence of unknown ambient illumination. In general, a reflectance spectral distribution of a captured scene is computed by selecting a number of different illumination spectra and capturing multiple images of the scene. Each of these images is captured when the scene is illuminated by a different one of the selected illumination spectra in addition to the ambient light.

Abstract: Multi-spectral imaging technique embodiments are presented which involve an active imaging approach that uses wide band illumination of known spectral distributions to obtain multi-spectral reflectance information in the presence of unknown ambient illumination. In general, a reflectance spectral distribution of a captured scene is computed by selecting a number of different illumination spectra and capturing multiple images of the scene. Each of these images is captured when the scene is illuminated by a different one of the selected illumination spectra in addition to the ambient light. The reflectance spectral distribution of the scene is computed for each pixel location based on the relative response between pairs of the radiometric responses of the corresponding pixels in the captured images, given a set of parameters including the added illumination spectra used to capture each of the images and the response function and spectral sensitivity of the camera used to capture the images.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for capturing reflected rays from a surface. A first and second lens aligned along a same optical center axis are configured so that a beam of light collimated parallel to the lens center axis directed to a first side, is converged toward the lens center axis on a second side. A first light beam source between the first and second lenses directs a light beam toward the first lens parallel to the optical center axis. Second light beam source(s) on the second side of the first lens, direct a light beam toward a focal plane of the first lens at a desired angle. An image capturing component, at the second side of the second lens, has an image capture surface directed toward the second lens to capture images of the light reflected from a sample capture surface at the focal plane of the first lens.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for capturing reflected rays from a surface. A first and second lens aligned along a same optical center axis are configured so that a beam of light collimated parallel to the lens center axis directed to a first side, is converged toward the lens center axis on a second side. A first light beam source between the first and second lenses directs a light beam toward the first lens parallel to the optical center axis. Second light beam source(s) on the second side of the first lens, direct a light beam toward a focal plane of the first lens at a desired angle. An image capturing component, at the second side of the second lens, has an image capture surface directed toward the second lens to capture images of the light reflected from a sample capture surface at the focal plane of the first lens.

Abstract: Samples of a scene are acquired in synchronization with finely interleaved varying conditions such as lighting, aperture, focal length, and so forth. A time-varying sample at each pixel for each condition is reconstructed. Time multiplexed interleaving allows for real-time, live applications, while handling motion blur naturally. Effects such as real-time video relighting of a scene is possible. Time interleaved exposures also allow segmentation of a scene, and allows for constrained special effects such as triangulation matting using a multi-color interleaved chroma key.

Abstract: Multi-spectral imaging technique embodiments are presented which involve an active imaging approach that uses wide band illumination of known spectral distributions to obtain multi-spectral reflectance information in the presence of unknown ambient illumination. In general, a reflectance spectral distribution of a captured scene is computed by selecting a number of different illumination spectra and capturing multiple images of the scene. Each of these images is captured when the scene is illuminated by a different one of the selected illumination spectra in addition to the ambient light.