Abstract: An aid for a blind person (1), includes a distance sensor (3), which creates a distance image of an object (2). The distance information that is generated by the distance sensor (3) is transmitted to a tactile matrix (10), which is integrated into a guide stick (11). The blind person (1) obtains information about his or her environment by touching the tactile matrix (10).

Abstract: A recording device for distance images becomes multi-target-enabled by means of the arrival of light pulses reflected at object regions at different distances being temporally resolved. This is done using extrema of the gradient of a correlation function between the received light pulses and a time window during which sensor elements of a camera are activated.

Abstract: A monitoring device for spatial areas comprises a receiver, to which an anamorphotic optical system, is assigned. The monitoring device also has a transmitter which scans a field of view assigned to the receiver using radiation pulse beams. A distance image of an object in the field of view can be produced by way of a radiation transit time determination with short-term integration carried out in an evaluation unit.

Abstract: A recording device for distance images becomes multi-target-enabled by means of the arrival of light pulses reflected at object regions at different distances being temporally resolved. This is done using extrema of the gradient of a correlation function between the received light pulses and a time window during which sensor elements of a camera are activated.

Abstract: A monitoring device is provided with a detector, by means of which both intensity images and distance images can be recorded. The resolution of the distance image can be increased with the aid of the intensity image. Conversely, the intensity image can be segmented in object-oriented fashion on the basis of the distance image.

Abstract: An aid for a blind person (1), includes a distance sensor (3), which creates a distance image of an object (2). The distance information that is generated by the distance sensor (3) is transmitted to a tactile matrix (10), which is integrated into a guide stick (11). The blind person (1) obtains information about his or her environment by touching the tactile matrix (10).

Abstract: A monitoring device (1) for spatial areas (2) includes emitters (3) that emit radiation pulses that are reflected by objects located within the spatial areas (2) toward receivers (4). The receivers (4) are connected to a run time determining unit (9) with whose aid a distance image of an object within the spatial areas (2) can be generated. A selection unit (10) evaluates the distance images and generates a detection signal at an output (11) when predetermined distance values occur in the distance images.

Abstract: A monitoring device for spatial areas comprises a receiver, to which an anamorphotic optical system, is assigned. The monitoring device also has a transmitter which scans a field of view assigned to the receiver using radiation pulse beams. A distance image of an object in the field of view can be produced by way of a radiation transit time determination with short-term integration carried out in an evaluation unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for recording three-dimensional distance-measuring images of an object surface by measuring light propagation time using a short-term integrated photodetector. For starting a light-induced pulse on the transmission side, a trigger signal is produced that is at the same time used on the receiving side for opening at least one integration window for receiving back-scattered light-induced pulses with a predetermined time delay. A predetermined event such as a maximum or a zero crossing is detected which, by its interval relative to the integration windows, determines a trigger delay. The trigger delay is correlated with the light propagation time and allows calculation of the object point distance d.

Abstract: The laser grid (1) permits a single-sided installation in order to record a person or object in the monitoring area. The grid operates using punctiform sensor units (3), each including at least one laser diode and two photosensitive pixels. The sensor units are arranged in a line in a housing (2).

Abstract: A monitoring device (1) for spatial areas (2) includes emitters (3) that emit radiation pulses that are reflected by objects located within the spatial areas (2) toward receivers (4). The receivers (4) are connected to a run time determining unit (9) with whose aid a distance image of an object within the spatial areas (2) can be generated. A selection unit (10) evaluates the distance images and generates a detection signal at an output (11) when predetermined distance values occur in the distance images.

Abstract: The laser grid (1) permits a single-sided installation in order to record a person or object in the monitoring area. The grid operates using punctiform sensor units (3), each including at least one laser diode and two photosensitive pixels. The sensor units are arranged in a line in a housing (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and devices for recording three-dimensional distance-measuring images of an object surface by measuring light propagation time using a short-term integrated photodetector. For starting a light-induced pulse (1) on the transmission side, a trigger signal is produced that is at the same time used on the receiving side for opening at least one integration window (2, 21, 22) for receiving back-scattered light-induced pulses (3) with a predetermined time delay (&Dgr;TV). A predetermined event such as a maximum or a zero crossing is detected which, by its interval relative to the integration windows, determines a trigger delay. Said trigger delay is correlated with the light propagation time and allows calculation of the object point distance d.

Abstract: In a spatially resolving range-finding system, an object is illuminated in a pixelwise fashion by illuminating beams emanating from an array of light sources with returned imaging beams striking a corresponding array of solid state receiving elements. The particular arrangement of the light sources and the receiving elements may be varied. The laser light sources and receiving elements may be selectively operated such that one light source may illuminate one or more receiving elements or several light sources may illuminate a single receiving element. The light sources are driven serially, allowing limits of laser protection regulations to be reliably complied with. An advantage is a substantially better signal quality at the receiving elements.

Abstract: In order to trigger an airbag in a differentiated way, the position of a vehicle occupant is determined in a way that is as immune to interference as possible. This is achieved by a distance measurement in which the seatbelt that is in contact with the vehicle occupant serves as an active reference position. The distance between the seatbelt and known points within the vehicle permits the position of the seatbelt and the vehicle occupant to be determined. The distance measurement is performed using magnetic field transmitter units and receiver units. The transmitter unit is preferably integrated into the belt.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating three-dimensional range images of spatial objects, wherein a short-time illumination of the object is performed, for instance using laser diodes. An image sensor is used that has a high light sensitivity, pixel resolution and can be read out randomly, this sensor also having an integration time that can be adjusted for each pixel. By evaluating the backscattered laser pulses in two integration windows with different integration times and by averaging over several laser pulses, three-dimensional range images can be picked up with a high reliability in, for example, 5 ms at the most.

Abstract: The principle of the invention is based on the combination of the following elements: an object 7 is illuminated in a pixelwise fashion by illuminating beams 5 emanating from light sources 1, imaging beams 6 striking receiving elements 2. The arrangement of the light sources 1 and the receiving elements 2 is corresponding, and the pixel access in the solid state image sensor is optional. The light sources 1 are driven serially, limits of laser protection regulations thereby being reliably complied with. An advantage is a substantially better signal quality at the receiving elements 2.

Abstract: In order to trigger an airbag in a differentiated way, the position of a vehicle occupant is determined in a way that is as immune to interference as possible. This is achieved by a distance measurement in which the seatbelt that is in contact with the vehicle occupant serves as an active reference position. The distance between the seatbelt and known points within the vehicle permits the position of the seatbelt and the vehicle occupant to be determined. The distance measurement is performed using magnetic field transmitter units and receiver units. The transmitter unit is preferably integrated into the belt.

Abstract: A solder testing apparatus comprising image processing means for performing image processing on an image of an appearance of a soldered portion to identify shape characterizing amounts for the soldered portion; and defect determining means for performing good/bad determination on the soldered portion from data derived by the image processing means and data from test parameter storing means for storing shape characterizing amounts at design time, wherein tested-object standard shape estimating means is included for extracting shape characterizing amounts of a non-defective soldered portion by statistically processing shape characterizing amounts for soldered portions identified by the image processing means, and defect determining parameters stored in the test parameter storing means are updated based on standard shape values from the tested-object standard shape estimating means, so that a highly reliable test is realized by setting defect determining parameters based on actual shapes and dimensions of leads

Abstract: Apparatus for the flexible recognition of subject structures in color and picture half-tone images incorporates a recognition system that can recognize general subject structures in a video image given arbitrary orientation. The signal of an opto-electronic image converter is supplied via an analog-to-digital converter to a digital hardware image pre-processor in which the momentary brightness value of the image scanning is processed with a preceeding logic result with the assistance of control information, and the new result is again stored. The reduced image data read out from the result memory at the end of an image pass can be interpreted in a job-specific way in an image processor.