Abstract: A gage apparatus includes a probe, a processor, and a memory. The probe includes a plurality of transmitters and a plurality of receivers both aligned in an axial direction along the probe. The processor is in electronic communication with the plurality of transmitters and the plurality of receivers. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor. The memory includes programming code for execution by the processor. The programming code is configured to determine a length of a structure disposed adjacent to the probe based on which of the plurality of receivers receive signals transmitted by the plurality of transmitters and reflected off the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for profiling the depth of a surface of a target object (30), having a two-dimensional array of lasers (5), an optical device (15) for projecting a two-dimensional illumination pattern (31) onto an area of the surface of the target object, an image capture device (10) arranged to capture an image of the two-dimensional illumination pattern projected onto the area of the surface of the target object and a processor (25) configured to process the captured image in order to reconstruct a depth profile of the two-dimensional area of the surface of the target object from the image captured by the image capture device.

Abstract: Method of measuring the thickness of a layer by a light source irradiating the layer with a light beam, which light source is controlled by a sinusoidal control signal having a modulation frequency fm so that the light beam presents optical power that is sinusoidally modulated at the modulation frequency, the measurement method consisting in: using detector elements to determine a calibration phase shift (??cal) between the optical power and the control signal; heating the layer with the light beam; using the detector elements to detect a sinusoidal component of a heat flux radiated by the layer; calculating a phase shift (??th/opt) between the sinusoidal component of the radiated heat flux and the optical power of the light beam while taking account of the calibration phase shift; and determining the thickness of the layer of material as a function of the phase shift (??th/opt).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for establishing a geometry of a container for packaging a flowable medium, wherein a radiation apparatus for generating and emitting at least electromagnetic radiation from a radiation source of the radiation apparatus to a radiation sink of the radiation apparatus along a detection region is activated in order subsequently to rotate and/or swivel the container about an axis of rotation by means of a movement apparatus, wherein, at least from time to time during a rotational movement of the container, at least one container region is moved through at least one portion of the detection region. Then, a detection apparatus is used to detect a passage time of the container region through the detection region, which passage time is evaluated by means of an evaluation apparatus for establishing an external geometry of the container.

Abstract: A signal processing device of a scanning-type distance measurement device includes: a distance calculation unit for, on the basis of a predetermined correlation relationship between measured light and reflection light, calculating, for each predetermined scan angle, the distance from the scanning-type distance measurement device to an object; a to-be-monitored object determination unit for performing a to-be-monitored object determination process, in which, when the distance calculation unit calculates a distance within a to-be-monitored region for N number of scans (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) consecutively in a specific scan angle direction, it is determined that there is an object to be monitored in the specific scan angle direction; and a signal output unit which, when it is determined by the to-be-monitored object determination unit that there is an object to be monitored, outputs a to-be-monitored object detection signal.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of at least one edge of an object, in particular a strand, comprises illuminating the object using light from at least one coherent light source, wherein diffraction borders are generated on both geometric boundaries of the shadow caused by the object. The method also includes recording the spatial intensity profile of at least one diffraction border using at least one single or multi line optical sensor, differentiating the at least one recorded intensity profile with respect to location and plotting it using a squared location axis, and comparing the at least one recorded intensity profile, differentiated with respect to location and plotted using a squared location axis, to at least one periodic reference intensity profile. The position of at least one edge of the object is determined on the basis of the completed comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an improved horizontal beam optical comparator that includes a probe to follow the surface of a work-piece, moreover, providing a method for gathering changes in height and depth to measure, plot and delineate surface contours of work-pieces relative to a movable “X” axis stage, and depth along a moveable “Y” axis stage without presence in the objective lenses depth of field.

Abstract: A clearance detection system for a railway vehicle includes a cross beam, an upright column connected to two ends of the cross beam through an adjusting block, an inclined support connected to the upright column and the cross beam for supporting the upright column and the cross beam, an electric cylinder arranged on the upright column and the cross beam, a telescopic guide rod being provided on a guide rail of the electric cylinder, a connecting plate fixed at an end of the telescopic guide rod, and a PC connected to a controller of the electric-cylinder. The telescopic guide rod is movable along the guide rail of the electric-cylinder under movement of the electric-cylinder, adjusts the position of the industrial camera, and detects the contours of different types of rail vehicles.

Abstract: A method of verifying the roundness of a clutch hub includes placing the clutch hub adjacent a non-contact measuring device. The method includes rotating one of the clutch hub and non-contact measuring device about a central axis that is stationary relative to the non-contact measuring device. Distance measurements are measured between the non-contact measuring device and a surface of the clutch hub at discrete points along splines and slopes between the splines of the clutch hub as the clutch hub is rotated about the central axis. The method includes identifying some of the distance measurements as spline measurements associated with splines of the clutch hub. The roundness of the clutch hub is calculated based on the spline measurements.

Abstract: A plenoptic camera captures a plenoptic image of an object illuminated by a point source (preferably, collimated illumination). The plenoptic image is a sampling of the four-dimensional light field reflected from the object. The plenoptic image is made up of superpixels, each of which is made up of subpixels. Each superpixel captures light from a certain region of the object (i.e., a range of x,y spatial locations) and the subpixels within a superpixel capture light propagating within a certain range of directions (i.e., a range of u,v spatial directions). Accordingly, optical properties estimation, surface normal reconstruction, depth estimation, and three-dimensional rendering can be provided by processing only a single plenoptic image. In one approach, the plenoptic image is used to estimate the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of the object surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a measuring apparatus for measuring a shape of an object to be measured, comprising an emitting unit configured to emit pattern light, an optical system configured to guide the pattern light emitted from the emitting unit to the object, a deflection unit arranged between the optical system and the object and configured to deflect the pattern light emitted from the optical system, an image sensing unit configured to capture the object via the optical system and the deflection unit, and a processing unit configured to determine the shape of the object based on an image of the object captured by the image sensing unit, wherein the deflection unit comprises a diffraction grating configured to diffract the pattern light emitted from the optical system.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor including a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element formed on a semiconductor. The solid-state image sensor includes a distance measurement pixel including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements configured to acquire signals for distance measurement and included in at least a part of the plurality of pixels, and a control electrode disposed on the semiconductor via an insulating film, wherein the control electrode is configured to control positions or shapes of the photoelectric conversion elements by applied voltages, while the distance measurement pixel maintains the number of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements.

Abstract: The invention provides a measuring method for performing monitoring measurement on two or more objects to be measured by a measuring instrument, which comprises a telescope unit for sighting an object to be measured, a distance measuring unit for projecting a distance measuring light through the telescope unit and for measuring a distance to the object to be measured, an image pickup unit for taking an image by projecting a sighting light in sighting direction and for acquiring digital image, an angle detecting unit for detecting a directional angle in sighting direction of the telescope unit and an automatic sighting unit for carrying out automatic sighting on the object to be measured by the telescope unit, comprising a step of setting up a searching range, a light amount switch-over step of switching over a light amount of projected sighting light to a light amount for a short distance or for a long distance, a short distance searching step of searching the searching range as the light amount for short dis

Abstract: A three-axis digital compass comprising two X-axis magnetic sensors, two Y-axis magnetic sensors, a flux concentrator, a signal sampling unit, a signal processing unit, and a signal output unit is disclosed. The X-axis and Y-axis magnetic sensors are arranged along a periphery of the flux concentrator. An external magnetic field is distorted when passing through the flux concentrator. An Z axis component of the external magnetic field is converted into X-axis or Y-axis magnetic field components when passing through the flux concentrator, and the so converted components of the external magnetic field act on the X-axis and Y-axis magnetic sensitive sensors. An output signal of the X-axis and Y-axis magnetic sensitive sensors is sent to the signal processing unit through the signal sampling unit, and it is used to calculate the three orthogonal components of the external magnetic field. These calculated external magnetic field components are output in a digital format through the signal output unit.

Abstract: The Mini 3D orientation sensor device has convex spherical body structure in a mechanical sensor coupled to logic to manage the reverse touchscreen component, alarm and other functions for the sensor. The spherical housing sensor is comprises a plurality of layers analogous to a touchscreen complete with conducting probes, an unconstrained surface compressing ball dynamic inside the spherical grid position structure that closes a electric circuit upon depressing the inside surface of the sphere housing. The sphere depressed coordinates are mapped to its 3D orientation upon output.

Abstract: A dual opposing rotation gyroscope stabilization system preferably includes a first rotor, a second rotor, a first motor, a second motor and a frame. The first rotor includes a rotor bore formed in one end and a first outer bearing pressed on to an opposing end. At least one bore bearing is pressed into the rotor bore. The second rotor includes a first outer diameter and a second outer diameter. The second diameter is rotatably retained by the at least one bore bearing. A second outer bearing is pressed on to an end of the first outer diameter. The frame preferably includes a first end plate, a second end plate and at least one lengthwise member. The first end plate retains the first motor and the first outer bearing. The second end plate retains the second motor and the second outer bearing. A second embodiment is submersible.

Abstract: Provided is a capsize risk level calculation system which can calculate a capsize risk level providing an index of the capsize risk on an oscillation of hull without using hull information. This system includes an acceleration sensor detecting a reciprocating motion in an up-down direction of a vessel as an oscillation in an up-down direction of a virtual oscillation center axis; an angular velocity sensor detecting a simple pendulum motion in a rolling direction around the vessel center axis as a simple pendulum motion of the vessel COG around the oscillation center axis; and an arithmetic part calculating a capsize risk level from an oscillation radius connecting between the oscillation center axis and the vessel COG, and a capsize limit oscillation radius connecting between the oscillation center axis and the vessel metacenter, which are obtained on the results of detection by the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for altering the nature of a magnetic field at a location is presented, consisting of a placement of one or more static magnets, electromagnets or other magnetic field altering apparatus at strategic positions, in order to ensure that no two paths through the location present the same fluctuations and patterns in magnetic field intensity and heading. In a further embodiment a magnetic field in a location is modulated in a predetermined manner through the use of one or more electromagnets supplied with an equivalent modulated current or voltage. This prevents identical magnetic field patterns and provides a magnetic field measuring device with the possibility of determining an approximate location while stationary, and detecting whether materials capable of altering the magnetic field of the location have been added or removed from the location since magnetic mapping was conducted.

Abstract: A reduced-order fail-safe inertial measurement unit system. A first inertial measurement unit device includes a plurality of accelerometers measuring linear accelerations and gyroscopes measuring angular velocities. A second inertial measurement unit device includes a reduced number of accelerometers and gyroscopes relative to the first inertial measurement unit device measuring at least two linear accelerations and at least one angular velocity. A processor receives acceleration data from the first and second inertial measurement units. The processor detects faulty data measurements from the first inertial measurement unit. The processor supplements the faulty data measurements of the first inertial measurement unit with transformed data generated as a function of the measurement data from the second inertial measurement unit. The processor applies predetermined transformation solutions to transform the measurement data from the second inertial measurement unit into the transformed data.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for determining the misalignment between a device and a platform (such as for example a vessel or vehicle) using acceleration and/or deceleration of the platform, wherein the device can be strapped or non-strapped to the platform, wherein in case of non-strapped the mobility of the device may be constrained or unconstrained within the platform. In case of non-strapped, the device may be moved or tilted to any orientation within the platform and still provide a seamless navigation solution without degrading the performance of this navigation solution. When the device is in a holder in the platform, it is still considered non-strapped, as it may move with respect to the platform. The present method can utilize measurements (readings) from sensors (such as for example, accelerometers, odometer/wheel encoders, gyroscopes, etc.

Abstract: A vertical-view camera (16) delivers an image signal (ScamV) of the ground overflown by the drone. Gyrometric sensors (102) measure the Euler angles (?, ?, ?) characterizing the attitude of the drone and delivering a gyrometric signal (Sgyro) representative of the instantaneous rotations. Rotation compensation means (136) receive the image signal and the gyrometric signal and deliver retimed image data, compensated for the rotations, then used to estimate the horizontal speeds of the drone. The camera and the inertial unit are piloted by a common clock (160), and it is provided a circuit (170) for determining the value of the phase-shift between the gyrometric signal and the image signal, and to apply this phase-shift value at the input of the rotation compensation means (136) to resynchronize the image signal onto the gyrometric signal before computation of the retimed image data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic adjustment of a wearable device are provided. One embodiment of a method includes determining whether a navigation sensor is in a desired position and, in response to determining that the navigation sensor is not in a desired position, determining a desired modification to the navigation sensor for achieving the desired position. Some embodiments include determining a change of a repositioning device for achieving the desired modification to the navigation sensor and actuating the repositioning device to implement the change.

Abstract: A mobile navigation system may include a navigation computer, an arrival detection system, and an information delivery system. The navigation computer may be configured to receive a destination to which a user of the mobile navigation system wishes to travel and to provide guidance to the user about how to navigate to the destination. The arrival detection system may be configured to automatically detect when the mobile navigation system has arrived at the destination. The information delivery system may be configured to provide local information to the user that is tailored to the specific destination in response to detection by the arrival detection system of the arrival of the mobile navigation system at the destination. The local information may not be merely an announcement that the user has arrived at the destination.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for consolidating and transforming object-descriptive input data to distributed rendered location data. The systems and methods are configured to receive object-descriptive input data from a plurality of input devices, consolidate the object-descriptive input data and correlate it with a plurality of physical objects, determine first and second subsets of the plurality of physical objects based on a proximity of each of the physical objects to each of a plurality of user devices, construct user device-specific graphical maps each indicating a route to each object in a subset, and instruct each user device to display a graphical map constructed therefor.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to enhancing the navigation solution of a portable device using map information. Sensor data for the portable device may be used to derive a navigation solution. Position information for the device may be estimated using the navigation solution. Map information for an area encompassing a current location of the user may also be obtained. Multiple hypotheses regarding possible positions of the portable device may be generated using the estimated position information and the map information. By managing and processing the hypotheses, updated estimated position information may be provided. The updated estimated position information may be provided as output or feedback to enhance the navigation solution.

Abstract: Navigation system and method of determining a vehicle position A navigation system comprises an image sensor configured to capture image data. A map database comprises street lighting data which includes, for a plurality of street lights (41), position data indicating a position (31) at which a street light (41) is installed and height data indicating a height (34) at which a light source (42) of the street light (41) is located. A processing device is configured to refine a position estimate by analyzing the image data using the street lighting data.

Abstract: A sameness judgment unit of an object recognition apparatus sets a threshold value for a relative distance between the first object and the second object, for judging whether or not the first object and the second object are the same. If at least a portion of the first object exists on a travel path of a vehicle, and the second object exists outside of the travel path, the sameness judgment unit judges that the first object and the second object are different objects, even if the relative distance is less than or equal to the threshold value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a feature for a vehicle that enables taking precautionary actions in response to conditions on the road network around or ahead of the vehicle, in particular, a blind intersection along a section of road. A database that represents the road network is used to determine locations where a blind intersection is located along a section of road. Then, precautionary action data is added to the database to indicate a location at which a precautionary action is to be taken about the blind intersection located along the section of road. A precautionary action system installed in a vehicle uses this database, or a database derived therefrom, in combination with a positioning system to determine when the vehicle is at a location that corresponds to the location of a precautionary action. When the vehicle is at such a location, a precautionary action is taken by a vehicle system as the vehicle is approaching a blind intersection.

Abstract: Drive assist systems, methods, and programs acquire a stored guide location where guidance associated with a guide event as a guide target will be provided, acquire event information indicating whether the guide event was detected from a vehicle that can selectively provide or not provide guidance associated with the guide event and which is set to provide guidance, and which detected the guide event at the guide location. The systems, methods, and programs determine whether to stop providing guidance for the guide event at the guide location based on the event information, correct stored information to stop providing guidance for the guide event at the guide location when it is determined to stop providing guidance, and acquire and transmit to the vehicle information indicating the guide location for which provision of guidance associated with the guide event has not been stopped and the guide event from the storage medium.

Abstract: Provided are a computer system and methods related to a map display. A method includes but is not limited to receiving a request for the map, the map illustrating one or more locations; determining a status associated with at least one of the one or more locations on the map, the status being a function of one or more location interaction rules associated with the at least one of the one or more locations on the map; and generating a signal related to indicating on the map the status associated with the at least one of the one or more locations.

Abstract: A navigation system and method are described. A destination may be determined for a user. A starting location may be determined for the user using data obtained via a mobile device of the user. The user may be enabled to establish a route from the starting location to the destination using the mobile device. Route information that details the established route may be stored in a database for subsequent display to other users. In some embodiments, a value total for each user may be stored, and value may be added to the user's value total in response to the user establishing the route from the starting location to the destination.

Abstract: Disclosed is technology for providing guidance in a manner that facilitates travel along a guidance route when there is a road which has a carpool lane. A navigation device (100) is provided with: a current-location calculation means for calculating the current location of a moving body; a recommended route search means for searching for a recommended route to a destination; a guidance-point setting means for setting a guidance point in the recommended route; and a guidance information notification means for notifying predetermined guidance information when a moving body reaches a set guidance point. When predetermined conditions are fulfilled, the guidance-point setting means sets in a road which has a carpool lane a guidance point for notifying information for guidance from said road to a branch road, before the guidance point that would be set in a road that does not have a carpool lane.

Abstract: A method of determining trajectories (1810-1813) through at least one junction of a transportation network for display on a visual representation of a digital map, the digital map comprising data that is a digital representation of the transportation network. The method comprises obtaining positional information relating to the movement of a plurality of mobile devices with respect to time on the transportation network through an area (1801) comprising the at least one junction, the border of the area being divided into a plurality of segments. The positional information is used to create an entry histogram (1802) by determining a count of positional information that enters the area at each segment of the border and an exit histogram (1804) by determining a count of positional information that exits the area at each segment of the border; the histograms subsequently being used to define one or more entry (1806) and exits (1808) gates into and out of the area (1801).

Abstract: The present invention has an object to provide a technique capable of appropriately determining whether a vehicle has entered a facility range. A navigation apparatus includes a storage, a position detector, and an entry determining unit. The storage stores map information including a facility range. The position detector detects a position of an own vehicle. The entry determining unit determines that, in a case where the position of the own vehicle detected by the position detector has entered an entry determination range associated with the facility range, the own vehicle has entered the facility range.

Abstract: A method of operation of a navigation system includes: calculating a speed difference value based on a sensor speed measurement and a location speed measurement; generating a speed probability distribution with the speed difference value and the sensor speed measurement calculating a density regression based on a speed density peak of the speed probability distribution; determining a speed adjustment factor from the density regression; and calculating an adjusted sensor speed from the sensor speed measurement with the speed adjustment factor.

Abstract: A filter processes acceleration magnitude signals from an accelerometer device to output spectral content related to walking and running. A device containing the accelerometer determines steps by qualitatively analyzing the processed acceleration signals to determine whether increased acceleration magnitude results from a step impact from running or walking activity. The device may analyze the acceleration signals to determine crossings of an axis at zero magnitude, which crossings typically correspond to a person's foot impacting the ground, and may analyze the period between the zero crossings. The step count can indicate whether the device, in a height determination mode, is moving in a vehicle; if analysis of accelerometer signals indicates no stepping or running, but another circuit of the device indicates rapid movement, the device assumes it is moving in a vehicle, and resets a height above ground value to zero upon determining resumption of walking or running activity.

Abstract: An electronic display instrument configured to secure in a desired position over multiple pre-existing instrument holes in a dashboard of an aircraft in place of multiple conventional display instruments, each conventional instrument having a conventional readout. The instrument comprises a display screen having a plurality of readouts corresponding to the conventional readouts of the multiple conventional instruments that the electronic display instrument replaces. The instrument further includes a body having a front and a back opposite the front and a top and a bottom opposite the top. The body is positioned adjacent and connected to the display screen. The instrument also includes an electronics module protruding from the back of the body to position in one of the pre-existing instrument holes in the dashboard panel of the aircraft.

Abstract: An inductive drawing or feeding device for inductively drawing off or feeding in electrical energy/electricity by electric vehicles is connected to a power grid. The inductive drawing or feeding device includes a measuring device configured to measure at least one physical parameter representing the electrical energy inductively transmitted through the associated drawing or feeding device. The inductive drawing or feeding device also includes an identifier for identifying the owner of the connection of the inductive drawing or feeding device. The inductive drawing of feeding device further includes a comparing device configured to compare the at least one physical parameter measured at a connecting side with at least one physical parameter measured at a drawing off or feeding side.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a magnetic target include a plurality of magnetic field sensing elements arranged about a central point. Each one of the plurality of magnetic field sensing elements is configured to measure a magnetic field produced by a magnetic target and provide a respective output signal that represents a respective measurement of a strength of the magnetic field. A processor circuit is coupled to receive the output signal from each one of the plurality of magnetic field sensing elements and determine a barycenter of the measurements of the magnetic field based on a position of the magnetic field sensing elements.

Abstract: A rotation detection sensor is disposed to face an outer peripheral part of a signal rotor, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to a position of the outer peripheral part with the rotation of the signal rotor. The rotation detection sensor detects a rotation reference position with the detection of switching from projections to a missing tooth part on the basis of a gap to the signal rotor, and detects switching from the missing tooth part to the projections to output a rotation reference position signal indicative of position information on the rotation reference position at timing of the detection. An ECU receives the detection signal and the rotation reference position signal from the rotation detection sensor, and acquires the rotation reference position on the basis of the rotation reference position signal.

Abstract: An inductive gear sensing system suitable for sensing gear (gear tooth) movement, such as some combination of speed, direction and position, based on differential sensor response waveforms. Example embodiments of inductive gear sensing with differential sensor response for different gear configurations include generating differential pulsed/phased sensor response signals from dual differential sensors based on axial (proximity-type) sensing for offset differential sensors (FIG. 1B, 102, 102; FIG. 2B, 201, 202), and generating asymmetrical response signals from a single sensor based on lateral and axial sensing with either asymmetrical gear teeth (FIG. 3A, 30A; FIG. 3B, 30B) or an asymmetrical sensor (FIG. 4B, 401) or a combination of both.

Abstract: A resolver has a lead wire that can be slack even in a structure in which it is impossible to maintain the distance between an end of wound wire and a terminal pin without using a special jig. A lead wire of a stator coil 500 is entwined on a plurality of terminal pins 603 in a slack condition, and the entwined parts are fixed by soldering or welding. Terminal base 600 is then moved to a stator core 200 side, and the lead wire is made slack by contacting the lower surface of a terminal base body 601 to the upper surface of the stator core 200. Next, end part of the pins 306 of a primary insulator 300 are melted so as to fix the terminal base 600.

Abstract: An area varying capacitive sensor for substantially reducing a drift and an offset without performing a complicated process by linearizing a signal while automatically compensating the offset and the drift by additionally disposing an electrode and performing a simple signal process without applying complicated signal processing to an area varying capacitive sensor having a periodic electrode, a self compensation and signal linearization method of the area varying capacitive sensor are provided.

Abstract: A readhead is provided for reading an absolute scale, optionally a passive magnetic scale, that encodes a series of data bits. The readhead includes a plurality of sensors, such as an array of Hall sensors, for producing a plurality of sensor signals. A plurality of signal combiners are also provided to receive at least two of the sensor signals and produce therefrom a combined sensor signal. A plurality of data bit extractors are arranged to receive at least two combined sensor signals and to determine the value of a data bit encoded in an associated absolute scale. The readhead also comprises an incremental signal generator for generating at least one incremental signal from the combined sensor signals produced by a plurality of the signal combiners. In this manner, both absolute and incremental position is measured.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder comprises an elongated shaft and a plurality of markings axially disposed around a circumference of the elongated shaft. The optical encoder also includes an optical sensor. In embodiments, the optical sensor includes an emitter and an array of photodiodes. The emitter and the array of photodiodes may be radially aligned with respect to the elongated shaft or axially aligned with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: Rotary encoders suitable for inclusion within small form factor devices (e.g., as input devices to small form factor electronic devices) are disclosed. In one aspect, a light source can illuminate a pattern on a rotatable shaft in order to reflect the pattern onto an array of optical sensors. Each optical sensor from the array of optical sensors can be polled at the same time to yield a snapshot vector. The snapshot vector can be projected onto a subspace spanned by two vectors selected in part on the pattern of the rotatable shaft and the distance separating the shaft and array. The resulting projection can be used to determine error and phase of the reflected pattern across the array of optical sensors. The phase of the reflected pattern can correlate to rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: An optical encoder for which improved robustness is sought comprises: a movable part bearing a scattering zone and an absorbing zone, a light emitter that is positioned to emit light radiation in the direction of the movable part, a sensor that is sensitive to the light emitted by the emitter, the sensor being positioned to detect light radiation that is reflected by the scattering zone, the movement of the movable part making it possible to place either the scattering zone or the absorbing zone on an optical path between the emitter and the sensor, and an optical waveguide that is transparent to the light radiation and that is passed through by the optical path.

Abstract: A fiber optic sensor is provided. The fiber optic sensor includes: a fixed portion configured to be secured to a body of interest; a moveable portion; a spring member positioned at least partially between the fixed portion and the moveable portion; an optical fiber wound in contact with the fixed portion and the moveable portion such that the optical fiber spans at least a portion of the spring; and an elastomeric material provided in contact with at least one of the fixed portion, the moveable portion, the spring member, the body of interest, and the optical fiber.

Abstract: Tools used to detect underlying structures, such as behind the surface of a wall, can include a first sensor, such as an electromagnetic sensor, configured to generate data indicative of the location of the underlying structure. Tools can include an indicator that provides an indication to a user based on the data. Tools can additionally or alternatively include an infrared imaging device for generating infrared image data indicative of the heat pattern of a scene. A display can display the generated infrared image data. Underlying structures may be visible in the heat pattern of the scene. The tool can indicate the presence of an underlying structure feature to an operator via one or both of the display and the indicator.

Abstract: A sensor is placed on a plate lowered into the hollow of the shaft and guided by taut wires between a lower attachment device and an upper motorized winder. The deformations, responsible for measurement errors and caused either by static deformations, produced by the weight or poor construction of the apparatus, or by vibrations, are to a large extent eliminated.