Abstract: A method for determining reference elements of an environment, the method comprising at least the steps of: providing a ceiling value and a floor value; measuring, using a distance-measuring sensor, a set of environment point positions, each position comprising at least a first coordinate along a first direction and a second coordinate along a second direction non collinear with the first direction; determining reference elements of the environment comprising position of the set of environment point positions whose second coordinate is strictly smaller than the ceiling value and strictly higher than the floor value, and whose distance to the distance-measuring sensor, taken along the first direction, is a highest distance in a set of distances of environment points to the distance-measuring sensor, said distances being taken along the first direction.

Abstract: In a method for detecting a position of a substrate transfer device including a substrate supporting unit, the light-transmitting optical sensor is moved with respect to a detection target provided at a predetermined relative position with respect to a position where a substrate is to be transferred by the substrate transfer device, and a vertical dimension of the detection target that blocks the optical axis is measured by setting the substrate supporting unit in a first orientation and relatively moving up or down the optical sensor with respect to the detection target. A vertical dimension of the detection target that blocks the optical axis is measured by setting the substrate supporting unit in a second orientation and relatively moving the optical sensor with respect to the detection target. Horizontal coordinates of a reference position of the detection target are obtained based on the measured vertical dimensions in the respective orientations.

Abstract: A method operational on a receiver device for decoding a codeword is provided. At least a portion of a composite code mask is obtained, via a receiver sensor, and projected on the surface of a target object. The composite code mask may be defined by a code layer and a carrier layer. A code layer of uniquely identifiable spatially-coded codewords may be defined by a plurality of symbols. A carrier layer may be independently ascertainable and distinct from the code layer and may include a plurality of reference objects that are robust to distortion upon projection. At least one of the code layer and carrier layer may have been pre-shaped by a synthetic point spread function prior to projection. The code layer may be adjusted, at a processing circuit, for distortion based on the reference objects within the portion of the composite code mask.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes determining a position of a first semiconductor chip having a plurality of first electrodes, using one or more first alignment marks formed on the first semiconductor chip, determining a position of a second semiconductor chip having a plurality of second electrodes, using one or more second alignment marks formed on the second semiconductor chip, moving the second semiconductor chip relative to the first semiconductor chip, based on the determined positions of the first and second semiconductor chips, such that the second electrodes are aligned with the first electrodes, after said moving, stacking the second semiconductor chip on the first semiconductor chip, such that the first electrodes are electrically connected to the second electrodes, and calculating a misalignment amount between the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip stacked thereon.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a jammable structure functions as an HCI interface. A user provides input by changing the shape of a flexible layer of the jammable structure (e.g., by pressing against it or stretching, twisting or bending it) and receives haptic feedback (e.g., varying stiffness). Sensors are used to determine the shape of the flexible layer. The sensors output data that is indicative of electromagnetic waves that have traveled through the jammable media or of electrical or magnetic phenomena that are produced by the waves. For example, visible or infrared light may be shone through a transparent jammable media to the flexible layer and reflect back to a camera. The media may comprise granular particles (e.g., glass beads) and a liquid (e.g., oil) with matching indices of refraction. Or capacitive sensing may be used to detect the shape of the flexible layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for photographing a moving subject by means of multiple cameras, and acquiring the actual movement trajectory of the subject on the basis of the photographed image. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for acquiring the movement trajectory of a subject, the method comprising: a step for photographing a moving subject by means of multiple cameras; a step for collecting, from each of the cameras, information on multiple images of the subject and the positions of the images on the relevant camera image frames; and a step for acquiring the movement trajectory of the subject on the basis of the information collected.

Abstract: A placing member is configured to be supported from an outside by a terminal electrically connected to a terminal electrode, and an X-axis-direction extended portion, a Y-axis-direction extended portion, and a Z-axis-direction extended portion are provided in the terminal. This configuration provides an angular velocity sensor, in which a problem such that Y-axis-direction and Z-axis-direction vibrations applied from the outside cannot be damped is eliminated, and all the vibrations in three axis directions can be damped.

Abstract: Micromachined gyroscopes, such as those based upon microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have the potential to dominate the rate-sensor market mainly due to their small size, low power and low cost. As MEMS gyroscopes are resonant devices requiring active excitation it would be beneficial to improve the resonator Q-factor reducing the electrical drive power requirements for the excitation circuitry. Further, many prior art MEMS gyroscope designs have multiple resonances arising from design and manufacturing considerations which require additional frequency tuning and control circuitry together with the excitation/sense circuitry. It would therefore be beneficial to enhance the bandwidth of the resonators to remove the requirement for such circuitry. Further, to address the relatively large dimensions of MEMS gyroscopes it would be beneficial for the MEMS gyroscopes to be fabricated directly above the CMOS electronics thereby reducing the die dimensions and lowering per die cost.

Abstract: Gyrometer including a substrate and an inertial mass suspended above the substrate, the inertial mass including an excitation part and a detection part, means of moving the excitation part is movable in at least one direction contained in the plane of the inertial mass, and capacitive detection device detecting movement of the detection part outside the plane of the mass. The capacitive detection device includes comprising at least one suspended electrode, located above the detection part located facing the substrate so as to form a variable capacitor with the detection part, the electrode being held above the detection part by at least one pillar passing through the inertial mass.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device includes: a body; a movable mass, elastically coupled to the body and oscillatable with respect to the body according to a degree of freedom; a frequency detector, configured to detect a current oscillation frequency of the movable mass; and a forcing stage, capacitively coupled to the movable mass and configured to provide energy to the movable mass through forcing signals having a forcing frequency equal to the current oscillation frequency detected by the frequency detector, at least in a first transient operating condition.

Abstract: A system and method for locating, tracking, and/or monitoring the status of personnel and/or assets (collectively “trackees”), both indoors and outdoors, is provided. Tracking data obtained from any number of sources utilizing any number of tracking methods (e.g., inertial navigation and signal-based methods) may be provided as input to a mapping application. The mapping application may generate position estimates for trackees using a suite of mapping tools to make corrections to the tracking data. The mapping application may further use information from building data, when available, to enhance position estimates. Indoor tracking methods including, for example, sensor fusion methods, map matching methods, and map building methods may be implemented to take tracking data from one or more trackees and compute a more accurate tracking estimate for each trackee.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for assessing road quality using data collected from a mobile device is disclosed. The method may include obtaining travel data associated with a mobile device traversal. The travel data may include acceleration data associated with the mobile device during the mobile device traversal. The method may also include analyzing the travel data according to one or more heuristics. Each heuristic may provide a heuristic metric indicative of whether the mobile device traversal is a human-carried mobile device traversal. In addition, the method may include determining a confidence score for the travel data based on the heuristic metric provided by each of the one or more heuristics and processing the travel data based at least in part on the confidence score, wherein the processed travel data is configured to be used to assess road quality.

Abstract: A curve modeling device includes a curvature calculation unit, a curvature correction unit, and a node information generation unit. The curvature calculation unit calculates a curvature of each sampling point on a route based on location information of each sampling point. The curvature correction unit corrects the curvature at each sampling point and approximates the route by a straight line interval, an arc interval, or a smooth curve interval. The node information generation unit builds a shape model of a curve included in the route by generating node information indicative of a node location on a road corresponding to the route based on the corrected curvature of the sampling point. The curvature correction unit corrects the curvature under a condition that an orientation difference defined by the calculated curvatures maintains a constant value.

Abstract: A method and a terminal for acquiring road condition information are provided, wherein, the method includes: forming an Ad Hoc network with other terminals; acquiring own position information through positioning; exchanging position information with other terminals in a network through the Ad Hoc network; and acquiring the road condition information according to the exchanged position information. The present method realizes a technical effect of acquiring the road condition information without an operator.

Abstract: Navigation systems, methods, and programs receive, with a signal receiver, a first signal and a second signal that is different from the first signal. The systems, methods, and programs estimate a region in which a current location is present on the basis of a combination of a status of reception of the first signal and a status of reception of the second signal.

Abstract: A route search system according to one embodiment includes a receiving unit, a first search unit, a determination unit, a second search unit, and an output unit. The receiving unit receives search criteria. The first search unit searches for a first route and time required based on the search criteria by referring to a storage unit that stores route information. The determination unit determines whether a difference between user's time and the time required is equal to or more than a specified value. When the difference is the specified value or more, the second search unit searches for a second route that takes a longer time than the first route. The output unit outputs the second route.

Abstract: A center is provided with an information selecting section for selecting posted pieces of information including a prescribed term from among a plurality of pieces of information posted by users, and a route searching section for searching for a route for a mobile object based on the selected posted pieces of information. The center delivers pieces of information indicating the route searched for by the route search section to a navigation system that has made a request.

Abstract: An approach is provided for connecting at least one first device with at least one second device proximate to at least one destination for navigation guidance. The approach involves determining at least one destination associated with at least one first device, at least one first user associated with the at least one first device, or a combination thereof. The approach also involves determining at least one second device, at least one second user associated with the at least one second device, or a combination thereof within at least one proximity threshold of the at least one destination.

Abstract: Provided are a navigation system, an information providing method and a mobile communication terminal wherein the merits of wide-area information delivery using broadcast waves are sufficiently utilized and further delivery data are selected or discarded at each of a plurality of terminals according to the position or traveling path thereof, whereby information in accordance with the position of each mobile communication terminal can be provided. A broadcast station of a navigation system digital-broadcasts, to a plurality of mobile communication terminals, a plurality of data files including a plurality of types of content files and at least one guide file. Each mobile communication terminal uses associated information of the guide file to determine and use a content file corresponding to the current position or to a guide path that leads to the destination.

Abstract: A system and method for computing routing on a road network are described. One embodiment includes pre-processing routing data for one or more environmental profiles integrated into a hierarchy, dynamically adding links to the hierarchy in response to real-time data on traffic conditions, and cluster-routing to approximate routing travel costs based on realtime traffic data A further embodiment includes a) identifying one or more portions of a road network as being more preferable than normal based on real-time data, b) expressing the one or more portions of the road network as a sequence of locations comprising a uniquely identifiable path, c) using the sequence of locations comprising a uniquely identifiable path to add one or more links to an already constructed hierarchical network of roads, and d) enabling a pathfinding algorithm to adjust to the real-time data.

Abstract: A method operates a hybrid drive operable selectively in a first operating mode powered by only an internal combustion engine or in a second operating mode powered by only an electric motor. Prior to starting a trip, for which a route that leads from a start to a destination is determined, the entire route to be traveled is segmented, according to pre-defined logic, into a plurality of route sections. These route sections are used to select certain route sections that are ever taken into consideration, based on certain route section criteria, for driving in the second mode. From, the selected certain route sections, those are used to identify and to drive on the route in the second mode in which route travel in the second mode yields a total maximum fuel economy advantage compared to driving the route in the first or any other mode.

Abstract: A system includes a processor configured to discover charging station locations within a predefined proximity to a route for which vehicle-charging is required to complete. The processor is also configured to determine a charging cost at each discovered station, including at least battery-damage resulting from a charge. The processor is further configured to present a plurality of charging stations, including the charging costs and an estimated total route time for each station. Also, the processor is configured to receive a station selection and present a route including a stop at the selected station.

Abstract: Systems and methods may provide for implementing a dynamic navigation service. In one example, the method may include generating user behavior data for a user, generating community user behavior data, generating a user suggested route, and generating a community user suggested route.

Abstract: A live dynamic map that provides for increased convenience for a user at a venue is disclosed. The live dynamic map may be branded for a venue, shows points of interest and paths between locations, includes a messaging capability, and allows users to be social with one another as well as venue management. Live branded mapping may allow for similar engagement on a region-by-region, neighborhood-by-neighborhood, or even brand-by-brand basis. By engaging on a hyper-local level, the present mapping platform can better target user and payload delivering and improve upon business to consumer brand engagement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for analyzing the electricity consumption of a site provided with a plurality of electrical devices of different types, wherein the method comprises: periodically measuring the current and the voltage over at least one of the electrical phases upstream from the power supply network of the site; and processing a combination of digitized signals in order to determine the distribution of the consumption on the basis of at least some of the devices in accordance with a signature of each of the devices. The processing involves comparing the waveform of the measured current with a library of pre-saved signatures for each of the electrical devices. The signatures comprising at least one parameter based on the waveform of the supply voltage.

Abstract: In a position sensor, two field sensors are placed along a line parallel to the movement to be detected. Two magnets are placed at an angle to each other to generate a magnetic field such that their position is a linear or approximately linear function of the difference between the outputs of the sensors.

Abstract: A magnetic rotary encoder for the fine resolution of the rotational angle of a shaft (1) includes an exciter unit which images the rotation to be monitored and rotates about an axis of rotation (20), a stationary fine resolution sensor unit (2) for fine resolution of each revolution, and an electronic processing means. It is characterized in that the exciter unit includes two first permanent magnets (7, 7) which are disposed symmetrically with respect to the axis of rotation at a mutual spacing such that their magnetization vectors (21, 21) which extend through their respective center of gravity extend in the same direction in relation to the common field lines and form a central field space (9) which directly connects the permanent magnets, and at least the fine resolution sensor unit is so arranged that it can use the field (10) of the central field space for measurement.

Abstract: An optical encoder, comprising a plurality of light receiving elements 1-12, receiving light that has passed through or been reflected by a scale having a lattice of pitch P, and outputting four-phase signals that have been respectively offset in phase by an integer number of times 90° (1/4P). 12 light receiving elements being are in the lateral direction (scale longitudinal direction) with gaps between them of P/60 or 2P/60, four arbitrary light receiving elements arranged next to each other in a row all output signals of different phases, and light receiving elements respectively outputting signals of same phase have three lateral widths of 7OP/60, 13P/60 or 20P/60.

Abstract: There is provided a meter for measuring the mass flow rate of a gas, the meter comprising a conduit through which the gas flows in use, the conduit having a flow restriction orifice through which choked flow occurs in use, the flow restriction orifice dividing the conduit into an upstream portion upstream of said orifice and a downstream portion downstream of said orifice, the meter further comprising a sensor assembly including a first piezoelectric crystal oscillator in said upstream portion such that said first piezoelectric oscillator is in contact with said gas when the meter in use, a second piezoelectric crystal oscillator in said downstream portion such that said second piezoelectric oscillator is in contact with said gas when the meter in use, said sensor assembly being arranged: to drive the first and second piezoelectric crystal oscillators such that each of the first and second piezoelectric crystal oscillators resonate at respective resonant frequencies; to measure the resonant frequency of the f

Abstract: A venturi flow meter for an EGR apparatus includes an inner wall defining an interior space including a converging inlet section, a throat section, and a diverging outlet section and an outer wall surrounding the inner wall and attached to the inner wall, the outer wall being spaced from the inner wall to define an insulating space between the inner wall and the outer wall.

Abstract: The clamp-on ultrasonic fluid flow meter system is an apparatus that includes structures that filter out a pipe structure-borne ultrasonic wave component. The clamp-on ultrasonic fluid flow meter system provides pipes that are modified to rely on Bragg resonance to attenuate the pipe structure-borne ultrasonic wave component. In a first embodiment, the fluid flow pipe is modified with corrugations so that the periodicity of the corrugations defines a pipe wall corrugation wavelength that is one-half the wavelength of the structure-borne ultrasonic wave component, satisfying Bragg's condition and preventing propagation of structure-borne noise that might interfere with the ultrasonic fluid flow meter. In a second embodiment, a pipe clad material having periodic corrugations as described above is adhesively or magnetically attached to the fluid flow pipe. In a third embodiment, alternating materials at a periodic rate satisfying Bragg's condition are attached to the exterior of the fluid flow pipe.

Abstract: A method of determining rheological properties of a fluid. The method includes: providing an open-bore tube and defining within the bore a three dimensional grid (3DG) of voxels; defining at least an inlet cross section (ICS) and an outlet cross section (OCS); defining a volume of interest within the bore between the ICS and the OCS; obtaining rheological properties of the fluid; applying a pressure gradient to the bore between the ICS and the OCS; and nuclear magnetic resonance imaging the fluid within the volume of interest to determine various aspects of the fluid.

Abstract: There is provided a meter (200; 350) for measuring the mass flow rate of a gas. The meter comprises a conduit (206) through which the gas flows in use. The conduit has a flow restriction orifice (212) through which choked flow occurs in use. The flow restriction orifice divides the conduit into an upstream portion (214) upstream of said orifice and a downstream portion (216) downstream of said orifice. The meter further comprises a sensor assembly (204), the sensor assembly including a piezoelectric crystal oscillator (218) in said upstream portion such that said piezoelectric oscillator is in contact with said gas when the meter in use. The sensor assembly is arranged: to drive the piezoelectric crystal oscillator such that the piezoelectric crystal oscillator resonates at a resonant frequency; to measure said resonant frequency of said piezoelectric crystal oscillator; and to determine, from the resonant frequency, the mass flow rate through the orifice.

Abstract: A volume metering dispenser comprises a body having a fluid cavity therein. The body further has a body wall, at least a portion of which is transparent or translucent, thereby permitting the operator to see the level of fluid within at least a portion of the fluid cavity. A valve is disposed within the body portion, the valve comprises a seal. The seal is selectively engaged to the body in order to selectively dispense fluid. The volume metering dispenser further comprises a resilient member. The resilient member is elastically deformable and the valve is attached to the resilient member.

Abstract: In an apparatus for measuring and dispensing pourable material, a removable cap includes a body, a cylindrical sleeve member sheathing an outer circumference of the body, and a biasing spring engageable between the body and the cylindrical sleeve member for biasing the cylindrical sleeve member toward a predetermined home position. The body can include chambers separated longitudinally from one another by a radial panel defining an arcuate aperture allowing passage of the pourable material between the chambers. The cylindrical sleeve member is rotatable with respect to the body for aligning at least one of a plurality of measuring compartments defined by the cylindrical sleeve member with the arcuate aperture for allowing pourable material flow therethrough. The biasing spring can close access to the plurality of measuring compartments during dispensing of a predetermined amount of the pourable material.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium in a container which comprises a mechanically oscillatable structure, which has at least one oscillation characteristic dependent on the process variable, an electromechanical transducer having at least one piezoelectric element, which excites the structure, by means of an excitation signal supplied to the transducer, to execute mechanical oscillations, and which converts the resulting oscillations of the structure into a received signal, which corresponds to a superpositioning of the excitation signal and a wanted signal representing the oscillation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for inferring a fuel level in a fuel tank based on temperature changes in a carbon canister are disclosed. In one example approach a method comprises, indicating a fuel level in a fuel tank based on a temperature change of adsorbent in a carbon canister during refueling.

Abstract: A weighing case includes a trolley, a case body, a vertical handle, a horizontal handle, and wheels, where four weight sensing apparatuses are arranged on one side of the case body, and a display screen is arranged on the other side of the case body. The weighing case in the present utility model can conveniently display the weight of goods in the case body because four weight sensing apparatuses are arranged on one side of the case body and a display screen is arranged on the other side of the case body. The present utility model has a simple structure and a strong practicability.

Abstract: Provided is a signal processing apparatus including: a transducer that performs scanning through the interior of an object and acquires received waveform data of a plurality of scanlines; an intensity screening unit that outputs a high intensity position at which signal intensity calculated from the received waveform data is higher than a first predetermined value; a correlation calculation unit that calculates a correlation value in a constant-width division for received waveform data of a first scanline and of a second scanline having a predetermined correlation with the first scanline; a position extraction unit that extracts, as a candidate position of a singular region, a position which corresponds to a high intensity position and for which the correlation value is lower than a second predetermined value; and an image processor that performs signal processing of generating image data of the object on the basis of the received waveform data.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement device includes an ultrasonic transducer device, a flexible substrate and an integrated circuit device. The ultrasonic transducer device has a substrate, an ultrasonic element array, a plurality of signal electrode lines formed on the substrate and electrically connected to the ultrasonic element array, and a plurality of signal terminals arranged on the substrate. In the flexible substrate, a plurality of signal lines are formed along a first direction. Each of the signal electrode lines has an electrode layer in which at least one signal electrode among some of the ultrasonic elements extends on the substrate. A long side direction of the integrated circuit device extends along a second direction which intersects with the first direction, and each of terminals of the integrated circuit device is connected to a corresponding one of the signal lines of the flexible substrate.

Abstract: A photoreception device includes: a substrate; a photoreceptor element including a photoreceptor portion upon an upper surface thereof and a lower surface thereof is mounted upon the substrate; and an insulating resin mass that contains a flat upper surface and an opening that exposes the photoreceptor portion of the photoreceptor element, that is formed upon the substrate to be thicker than thickness of the photoreceptor element, and that adheres closely against side surfaces of the photoreceptor element, the side surfaces surrounding the photoreceptor element. The insulating resin mass contains a step portion that is provided to a height between the flat upper surface thereof and the upper surface of the photoreceptor portion; and the step portion extends parallel to at least one pair of mutually opposed side surfaces of the photoreceptor element, at a periphery of the opening.

Abstract: A luminescence detection system may include an excitation light source, a single element achromat, and a detector. The single element achromat may be configured to regulate the excitation light from the light source and direct the regulated light to a target, and the detector may be configured to detect luminescence generated by the target. The single element achromat may be configured to regulate the emission light from the target and direct the regulated light to a detector, and the excitation light source may be configured to direct the excitation light to the target. The single element achromat may be configured to regulate both the excitation light from the light source and the emission light from the target and direct the regulated light to, respectively, the target and a detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical devices for imaging and spectroscopic applications where optical field curvature is a predominant characteristic. In particular, the invention relates to imaging optics and an optical device for mapping a curved image field. The optical device for mapping a curved image field comprises a focal plane array 20 having a plurality of light processing elements 21 and a focal plane adapter 110 mounted in front of the focal plane array 20 configured to transmit the curved image field to the light processing elements 21 of the focal plane array 20.

Abstract: An optical sensor is disclosed for measuring pressure and/or temperature. The optical sensor is adapted for use in high temperature environments, such as gas turbines and other engines. The optical sensor comprises an optical assembly having a sensor element, a spacer and a lens arranged along the optical axis. The sensor element is spaced from the lens by the spacer. An optical fiber is coupled to the optical assembly for illuminating the sensor element. The optical assembly is resiliently mounted in a housing such that the optical assembly is insulated from shock to the housing. There is also disclosed a method of assembling the optical sensor.

Abstract: To provide an optical sensor that can ensure accuracy of positions of a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit in a case. The optical sensor includes a case, an integrated light projecting module that includes a light emitting unit and a light projecting lens, a light receiving unit configured to receive reflected light of light projected from the light projecting module, and a light receiving lens unit configured to form an image of the reflected light on the light receiving unit. The light projecting module, the light receiving unit, and the light receiving lens unit are each independently and directly fixed to the case.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of detecting laser in a laser warning receiver is disclosed. A panoramic lens assembly utilized in cameras is combined with a laser detection focal plane. Incident laser light is refracted in the panoramic lens and made to illuminate a multiplicity of individual sensor elements. By determining the corresponding intensity of the laser light on the sensors, the angle of arrival resolutions superior to the element angular resolutions can be achieved. The combination of a panoramic lens with a laser detection focal plane provides a low cost laser warning for wrap around ground based situational awareness.

Abstract: A measuring and adjusting system and method on uniformity of light intensity of a light source. The measuring and adjusting system on uniformity of light intensity of a light source includes: a light intensity measuring plate; a light source, irradiating light to the light intensity measuring plate; an image acquisition module, acquiring color difference variation image on the light intensity measuring plate; a microprocessor, connected with the image acquisition module and connected with the light source through a control module, wherein the microprocessor compares the color difference variation image with colorimetric criterion internally stored, and obtains the light intensity distribution on the whole surface of the light intensity measuring plate, so as to judge the uniformity situation, and performs adjustment on the light intensity of the light source.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital conversion circuit includes: a plurality of comparators comparing an analog signal with a reference signal; a counter generating a count signal having a plurality of bits in Gray code; a plurality of first signal wirings each transmitting one of bits of the count signal from the counter to the plurality of memories each having a plurality of bit memories; and a plurality of second signal wirings, each connecting between the bit memories of the plurality of memories. Each of the second signal wirings is connected to one of the plurality of first signal wirings, and the first signal wirings and/or the second signal wirings include a signal wiring transmitting a signal of least significant bit in the count signal arranged between the plurality of other signal wirings each transmitting a signal of a bit different from the least significant bit in the count signal.

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional hyperspectral imaging includes an illumination source configured to illuminate a target object; a dispersive element configured to spectrally separate light received from the target object into different colors; and a light detection and ranging focal plane array (FPA) configured to receive the light from the dispersive element, configured to acquire spatial information regarding the target object in one dimension in the plane of the FPA, configured to acquire spectral information in a second dimension in the plane of the FPA, wherein the second dimension is perpendicular to the first dimension, and configured to obtain information regarding the distance from the FPA to the target object by obtaining times of flight of at least two wavelengths, thereby imaging the target object in three dimensions and acquiring spectral information on at least one 3D point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spectral detection device (100) for detecting spectral components of received light, wherein the spectral detection device (100) comprises a filtering structure (110) arranged to filter the received light and output light with a wavelength within a predetermined wavelength range; and a light sensor (120) arranged to detect the light output by the filtering structure (110), wherein the filtering structure (110) is variable to allow a variation of the predetermined wavelength range over time. The arrangement enables a compact spectral detection device that may be provided at a low cost.