Abstract: A visual guidance system for a vehicle includes an imaging system for producing a digital image of an environment, a three-dimensional scanning system for producing a digital point cloud of the environment, and a memory storing instructions executable by a processor to: process the digital image to detect an object and classify the object; process the point cloud to group points into a grouping representing the object; fuse the point cloud grouping with the digital image object to produce a fused data set frame, and determine the object location from the fused data set frame; determine an object velocity relative to the vehicle by comparing the fused data set frame to a previous data set frame; determine whether the object is an obstacle based on the object location and relative velocity; determine a threat level of the obstacle; and report a threat if the threat level exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modelling pipeline construction, include or implement steps of (a) obtaining ranging data of a pipeline construction location including a pipe; (b) processing the ranging data to produce a spatially organized point cloud; and (c) processing the point cloud to identify at least one geometric feature comprising a point or a two-dimensional feature representative of a pipe centreline, and associating the at least one geometric feature with the pipeline construction location. The ranging data may be data obtained from a lidar device. The pipeline construction may be underground construction, where pipe is laid in a ditch. Relevant information, such as depth-of-cover may be calculated from identified geometric features. Relevant information may be determined in real-time or near-real-time and displayed, communicated or recorded as desired.

Abstract: A lidar sensor system and method use the parallax phenomenon to determine one or more attributes of an object, such its distance, size, or shape. An optical element illuminates the object with a linear beam along a first plane. A photodetector is displaced from the optical element so that it detects the reflection of the linear beam from the object along a second plane, which is at an angle to the first plane. A computer-implemented line detection module determines a measure of deviation of the linear beam reflection from a vanishing point of the first plane. A computer-implemented analysis module determines the attribute based on the measure of deviation.

Abstract: Audio-derived information is provided to a vehicle control system of a vehicle by attaching a microphone externally to a vehicle to generate an analog signal in response to sound waves external to the vehicle. An enclosure containing sound-attenuating material mechanically filters low frequency sounds from reaching the microphone transducer. An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal to a digital signal. A vehicle data bus transfers the digital signal to the vehicle control system.

Abstract: Audio-derived information is provided to a vehicle control system of a vehicle by attaching a microphone externally to a vehicle to generate an analog signal in response to sound waves external to the vehicle. An enclosure containing sound-attenuating material mechanically filters low frequency sounds from reaching the microphone transducer. An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal to a digital signal. A vehicle data bus transfers the digital signal to the vehicle control system.

Abstract: A visual guidance system for a vehicle includes an imaging system for producing a digital image of an environment, a three-dimensional scanning system for producing a digital point cloud of the environment, and a memory storing instructions executable by a processor to: process the digital image to detect an object and classify the object; process the point cloud to group points into a grouping representing the object; fuse the point cloud grouping with the digital image object to produce a fused data set frame, and determine the object location from the fused data set frame; determine an object velocity relative to the vehicle by comparing the fused data set frame to a previous data set frame; determine whether the object is an obstacle based on the object location and relative velocity; determine a threat level of the obstacle; and report a threat if the threat level exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for examining the integrity of a structure having a visually repetitive pattern such as a fence, includes an imaging system having a light source and an optical element to produce a narrow substantially vertical light beam, and a photodetector to receive reflected light. The light beam is directed at the structure while moving laterally, producing a planar image of the structure which is continually refreshed. The system processes the images and identifies an anomalous feature from an anomaly in the repetitive pattern.

Abstract: A system for detection of a target sound in an environment of a vehicle, includes an audio sensor, a computer processor, and a memory storing a digital target sound template produced by converting a sample of the target sound in accordance with conversion parameters. The computer processor receives a sound signal from the audio sensor, digitizes the sound signal in accordance with the conversion parameters, and determines a degree of similarity between the digitized signal and the digital target sound template. The sound signal may be logarithmically amplified before being digitized. The sound signal may be received from two audio sensors, and the direction of the target sound may be determined based on a difference between time indices for detection of the target sound for each audio sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for modelling pipeline construction, include or implement steps of (a) obtaining ranging data of a pipeline construction location including a pipe; (b) processing the ranging data to produce a spatially organized point cloud; and (c) processing the point cloud to identify at least one geometric feature comprising a point or a two-dimensional feature representative of a pipe centreline, and associating the at least one geometric feature with the pipeline construction location. The ranging data may be data obtained from a lidar device. The pipeline construction may be underground construction, where pipe is laid in a ditch. Relevant information, such as depth-of-cover may be calculated from identified geometric features. Relevant information may be determined in real-time or near-real-time and displayed, communicated or recorded as desired.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for examining the integrity of a structure having a visually repetitive pattern such as a fence, includes an imaging system having a light source and an optical element to produce a narrow substantially vertical light beam, and a photodetector to receive reflected light. The light beam is directed at the structure while moving laterally, producing a planar image of the structure which is continually refreshed. The system processes the images and identifies an anomalous feature from an anomaly in the repetitive pattern.

Abstract: A lidar sensor system and method use the parallax phenomenon to determine one or more attributes of an object, such its distance, size, or shape. An optical element illuminates the object with a linear beam along a first plane. A photodetector is displaced from the optical element so that it detects the reflection of the linear beam from the object along a second plane, which is at an angle to the first plane. A computer-implemented line detection module determines a measure of deviation of the linear beam reflection from a vanishing point of the first plane. A computer-implemented analysis module determines the attribute based on the measure of deviation.

Abstract: A system for detection of a target sound in an environment of a vehicle, includes an audio sensor, a computer processor, and a memory storing a digital target sound template produced by converting a sample of the target sound in accordance with conversion parameters. The computer processor receives a sound signal from the audio sensor, digitizes the sound signal in accordance with the conversion parameters, and determines a degree of similarity between the digitized signal and the digital target sound template. The sound signal may be logarithmically amplified before being digitized. The sound signal may be received from two audio sensors, and the direction of the target sound may be determined based on a difference between time indices for detection of the target sound for each audio sensor.

Abstract: A system for detection of a target sound in an environment of a vehicle, includes an audio sensor, a computer processor, and a memory storing digital target sound templates produced by converting samples of the target sound in accordance with conversion parameters. The computer processor receives the sample sound signal from the audio sensor, converts the sample sound signal to a digital sample vector in accordance with the conversion parameters, compares the vector to each of the templates to determine if a degree of similarity of the vector to any one of the templates exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and notifies a user or a vehicle control system if the threshold value is exceeded.

Abstract: Audio-derived information is provided to a vehicle control system of a vehicle by attaching a microphone externally to a vehicle to generate an analog signal in response to sound waves external to the vehicle. An enclosure containing sound-attenuating material mechanically filters low frequency sounds from reaching the microphone transducer. An analog-to-digital converter converts the analog signal to a digital signal. A vehicle data bus transfers the digital signal to the vehicle control system.

Abstract: A system for detection of a target sound in an environment of a vehicle, includes an audio sensor, a computer processor, and a memory storing digital target sound templates produced by converting samples of the target sound in accordance with conversion parameters. The computer processor receives the sample sound signal from the audio sensor, converts the sample sound signal to a digital sample vector in accordance with the conversion parameters, compares the vector to each of the templates to determine if a degree of similarity of the vector to any one of the templates exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and notifies a user or a vehicle control system if the threshold value is exceeded.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating semiconductor sensor devices include steps of fabricating a hermetically sealed MEMS cavity enclosing a MEMS sensor, while forming conductive vias through the device. The devices include a first semi-conductor layer defining at least one conductive via lined with an insulator and having a lower insulating surface; a central dielectric layer above the first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer in contact with the at least one conductive via, and which defines a MEMS cavity; a third semiconductor layer disposed above the second semiconductor layer, and which includes a sensor element aligned with the MEMS cavity; a cap bonded to the third semiconductor to enclose and hermetically seal the MEMS cavity; wherein the third semiconductor layer separates the cap and the second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating semiconductor sensor devices include steps of fabricating a hermetically sealed MEMS cavity enclosing a MEMS sensor, while forming conductive vias through the device. The devices include a first semi-conductor layer defining at least one conductive via lined with an insulator and having a lower insulating surface; a central dielectric layer above the first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer in contact with the at least one conductive via, and which defines a MEMS cavity; a third semiconductor layer disposed above the second semiconductor layer, and which includes a sensor element aligned with the MEMS cavity; a cap bonded to the third semiconductor to enclose and hermetically seal the MEMS cavity; wherein the third semiconductor layer separates the cap and the second semiconductor layer.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating semiconductor sensor devices include steps of fabricating a hermetically sealed MEMS cavity enclosing a MEMS sensor, while forming conductive vias through the device. The devices include a first semi-conductor layer defining at least one conductive via lined with an insulator and having a lower insulating surface; a central dielectric layer above the first semiconductor layer; a second semiconductor layer in contact with the at least one conductive via, and which defines a MEMS cavity; a third semiconductor layer disposed above the second semiconductor layer, and which includes a sensor element aligned with the MEMS cavity; a cap bonded to the third semiconductor to enclose and hermetically seal the MEMS cavity; wherein the third semiconductor layer separates the cap and the second semiconductor layer.