Abstract: System and method for measuring an aerial image are provided. The system may include a lighting unit for providing illuminating light to pass through a mask to form initial light. An imaging unit is configured for imaging the initial light to form imaging light. A beam splitting unit is for splitting the imaging light into projection light and reference light. A projection light is projected to a substrate to form a mask image in the substrate, and the substrate reflects the projection light to form first reflected light onto the beam splitting unit. A reflecting unit is for receiving the reference light to form second reflected light, and for projecting the second reflected light onto the beam splitting unit, the second reflected light and the first reflected light interfering with each other to form interference light. A measuring unit is for measuring an aerial image formed from the interference light.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for applying spatial filtering the optical beam of a free space optical coherence tomography (OCT) system substantially without problematic reflections back to the optical source. The invention teaches spatially filtering the reference beam of the OCT system which is typically designed to provide isolation of the optical source from undesirable optical feed-back, thereby achieving spatial filtering without generating undesirable reflections back to the optical source. Various embodiments are taught.

Abstract: A optical target assembly is disclosed herein. The optical target assembly is movable about orthogonal pitch, yaw and roll axes and includes a reflector, a pitch and yaw angular sensor assembly, and a roll sensor assembly. The reflector is configured to engage a source of laser light. The pitch and yaw angular sensor includes a laser light sensor and an angle detection sensor. The pitch and yaw angular sensor assembly is configured to measure 360 degrees of motion about the pitch and the yaw axes. The roll sensor assembly is configured to measure 360 degrees of motion about the roll axis. The reflector can include an aperture configured to permit a portion of laser light incident on the reflector to pass through the reflector and onto the laser light sensor. The roll sensor assembly can include a roll angle sensor and a roll level sensor coupled to a two-dimensional pendulum.

Abstract: A method for optically scanning and measuring a scene by a laser scanner includes generating multiple scans; tracking scanner positions with a position-tracking device for the multiple scans and providing tracked scanner positions in response; registering sequentially scans selected from the multiple scans into clusters using registration points or targets and confirming registration of the scans into the clusters according to specified quality criteria being fulfilled; selecting scans from the clusters and forming pairs of scans; forming an intersection of the selected pairs and comparing a size of the intersection with a threshold value obtained based at least in part on the tracked scanner positions; and attempting to register the pairs of scans if the size of the intersection exceeds the threshold value and accepting the registered pairs of scans if the registration is successful.

Abstract: An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a camera comprising a beam splitter to impose different optical paths for visible light and infra red light received by the camera. The camera also includes an infra red light detector to detect the infra red light and a visible light detector to detect the visible light, wherein, the different optical paths include an optical path having more than one internal reflection within the beam splitter.

Abstract: An optical interferometric system for measurement of a full-field thickness of a plate-like object in real time includes two light sources, two screens, two image capturing devices, and an image processing module. The light sources radiate incident lights toward a reference point on the plate-like object in respective directions to produce respective interference fringe patterns (IFPs). The image capturing devices capture light intensity distribution images respectively of the IFPS imaged respectively on the screens. The image processing module calculates a fringe order at the reference point according to the light intensity distribution images, and obtains a full-field thickness distribution of the plate-like object according to the fringe order.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes multiple optical waveguides configured in the fiber. An interferometric measurement system mitigates or compensates for the errors imposed by differences in a shape sensing optical fiber's response to temperature and strain. A 3-D shape and/or position are calculated from a set of distributed strain measurements acquired for a multi-core optical shape sensing fiber that compensates for these non-linear errors using one or more additional cores in the multicore fiber that react differently to temperature changes than the existing cores.

Abstract: A multi-core fiber includes multiple optical cores, and for each different core of a set of different cores of the multiple optical cores, a total change in optical length is detected. The total change in optical length represents an accumulation of all changes in optical length for multiple segments of that different core up to a point on the multi-core fiber. A difference is determined between the total changes in optical length for cores of the set of different cores. A twist parameter and/or a bend angle associated with the multi-core fiber at the point on the multi-core fiber is/are determined based on the difference.

Abstract: Provided is a measuring device that can easily and accurately measure a shape at a desired point of a measuring object. A stage is held on an installation part. A head unit including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit and the installation part are fixedly coupled together by a stand. An effective region is set to a space on the stage. Point cloud data corresponding to the effective region is obtained as measurement data from the generated point cloud data. Designation of a point to be measured in the measuring object is received, and a measurement value at the designated point is calculated based on the obtained measurement data.

Abstract: Provided is a measuring device that can easily perform high-accuracy measurement at low cost. A stage is held on an installation part. A head unit including a light projecting unit and a light receiving unit, and the installation part are fixedly coupled together by a stand. A light shielding mechanism is attached to the stand in order to block ambient light. The light shielding mechanism includes a front cover member that covers a space on the stage from above. Point cloud data representing the three-dimensional shape of the measuring object is generated based on the light reception signal. Designation of a point to be measured in the measuring object is received, and a measurement value at the designated point is calculated based on the obtained point cloud data.

Abstract: Provided is a measuring device having improved operability. A head unit is fixedly coupled to an installation part with a stand. A measuring object is placed on a stage held by the installation part. The measuring object is irradiated obliquely downward with the measurement light having the pattern from the light projecting unit. The measurement light reflected obliquely upward by the measuring object is received by a selected one of first and second light receiving units, and a light reception signal representing a light reception amount is output. A second imaging visual field of the second light receiving unit is smaller than a first imaging visual field of the first light receiving unit, and included in the first imaging visual field. A second optical axis of the second light receiving unit is located below a first optical axis of the first light receiving unit.

Abstract: An imaging system for a biological sample includes a sample container having at least one biological cell that is in contact with an interface surface of a container interface. The imaging system also includes illuminating optics that output a light beam aligned with a sample plane, the light beam being oriented horizontally along a transverse (XY) plane and illuminating the biological cell vertically along an axial (XZ) plane. The imaging system further includes imaging optics aligned horizontally along the transverse (XY) plane with the interface in the sample container, the imaging optics being configured to detect along the axial (XZ) plane a magnified image of a measurable contact angle between the biological cell and the interface surface. The measurable contact angle changes over time and is indicative of biological adhesion between the biological cell and another biological cell.

Abstract: Simultaneous 2-D room shape reconstruction and self-localization is accomplished using no pre-established infrastructure. A mobile device with co-located microphone and loudspeaker is used to collect echoes reflected by the walls. The system uniquely recovers arbitrary 2-D convex room shape as well as the position of mobile device 10 by collecting and processing distances between three consecutive measurement points as well as acoustic echoes from the device. A practical algorithm for room shape reconstruction and self-localization in the presence of noise and higher order echoes is proposed. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.

Abstract: A thickness detection device for sheet-type medium includes a fixing frame, a reference shaft and a detection assembly shaft. A reference roller is fixedly sleeved on the reference shaft. At least one detection roller is provided on the detection assembly shaft, and the detection roller is in an elastic contact with the reference roller. The detection roller is sleeved on the detection assembly shaft by a bracket, the bracket has an elongated hole through which the bracket is sleeved on the detection assembly shaft, an elastic element is provided between an end of the elongated hole and the detection assembly shaft, and the elastic element enables the detection assembly shaft to elastically maintain a certain distance from the end of the elongated hole. Thus, thickness signal obtained is not interfered by banknote displacements in other directions, and thickness detection of the full banknote can be achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting a relative position of a mobile terminal device with respect to a vehicle. It is provided for the method to include the following steps: generating reference measurement values relating to a predefined relative position of a calibration device with respect to a calibration vehicle, generating position measurement values which relate to the current relative position of the mobile terminal device with respect to the vehicle, evaluating the reference measurement values and the position measurement values for detecting the current relative position of the mobile terminal device with respect to the vehicle, and storing the generated reference measurement values in a database, wherein the database is a database outside the vehicle which the vehicle may access by means of a communication connection.

Abstract: In an example, there is disclosed an apparatus, having a geometry detector; an ambient environment sensor to detect an ambient environment variable; a network interface; and one or more logic elements, including at least one hardware logic element, providing a data engine to: identify a neighbor apparatus via the geometry detector; build an individual positional profile based at least in part on the identifying; and report the ambient environment variable.

Abstract: A shape evaluation method according to the present invention comprises: a shape error calculation step that calculates a shape error, which is an error between a designed shape and a shape to be evaluated; and a visible error detection step that detects visible shape errors on the basis of the shape error and predetermined visual characteristic data.

Abstract: An expandable level includes a pair of extension bodies, with at least one of the extension bodies carrying a level indicator. Each extension body includes a carriage with a carriage cavity, the carriage cavities aligned with each other and having a pair of exterior top surfaces separated by the carriage cavity. A rail is slidably received in both carriage cavities and has a body surface that remains substantially flush with the exterior top surfaces when the pair of extension bodies are adjacent one another and when the pair of extension bodies are spaced apart from one another.

Abstract: A tool, such as a level, including one or more polymer/plastic body segment, protective cover and/or seal is provided. The covers discussed herein may limit or prevent dirt or construction materials, such as concrete, from entering into the level body. The cover may also be a non-stick material, such as a polymer outer sleeve, that limits the ability of dirt and construction material to adhere to the level. The level may also include scratch resistant vial windows.

Abstract: The invention is related to gages to measure incline angles of moving and immobile objects and can be used in incline angle gages in such transportation vehicles as airplanes and ships (if a phosphorus scale can be applied to a closed loop clear tube) as a standby device to display pitch and roll angles (FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8). The purpose of this invention is an effective measurement of incline angles in stationary and dynamic objects in a wide range (0°-180°, 0°-360°). Faster measurement is required to improve stated parameters of the general purpose liquid angle indicator. It is achieved because liquid, an air bubble or indicating ball within the semicircular and round clear tube, subjected to gravitational forces, can display measured angles relative to the scale on the graduated clear tube without being in a horizontal position.

Abstract: A level and level-straightedge system is provided. The level may include one or more slip-resistant structure. The slip-resistant structure may be a collar formed from a high friction polymer material that at least partially surrounds a level vial. The collar may be co-molded with the material of the vial surround. The level may be a relatively small level having a length less than 14 inches and may include a groove for receiving a straightedge. The groove design alone or in combination with the collar may allow for a relatively short level to support a relatively long straightedge.

Abstract: A method for transmitting objects onto a boundary surface by a system comprising a marking device having a print field, a locator device, and a control device is provided. The method includes selecting a first object to be marked having a first starting position and first target coordinates. The dimensions of the first object are bigger than the dimensions of the print field. The method also includes determining by the locator device a current position of the marking device, and determining by the control device a current print field of the marking device based on the current position of the marking device. The method also includes comparing by the control device the first starting position of the first object to the current print field of the marking device.

Abstract: A method for detecting a measurement region in a substrate, using an arrangement that includes a detector device having a detection field, a localization device, and a control device, is provided. The method includes selecting a measurement region to be detected, which has a start position and coordinates. The dimension of the measurement region to be detected is greater than the detection field of the detector device. The method also includes determining using the localization device an actual position of the detector device, and further determining by the control device an actual detection field from the actual position of the detector device. Moreover, the method includes comparing by the control device the start position of the measurement region to be detected with the actual detection field.

Abstract: A method for examining object properties of an object in a substrate, using an arrangement that comprises a detector device, a localization device, and a control device is provided. The method includes selecting a first object having first object properties to be examined and first target coordinates and also includes determining an actual position of the detector device using the localization device. Moreover, the method includes determining by the control device an actual detection field from the actual position of the detector device, and comparing by the control device the first target coordinates with the actual detection field of the detector device.

Abstract: A method for computing a correction to a compass heading for a portable device worn or carried by a user is described. The method involves determining a heading for the device based on a compass reading, collecting data from one or more sensors, determining if the device is indoors or outdoors based on the collected data, and correcting the heading based on the determination of whether the device is indoors or outdoors.

Abstract: A Y-branch dual electro-optical phase modulator (YBDPM) has a stitched-in zinc oxide diffused waveguide. It is more vacuum stable and has higher resistance to photorefractive damage than currently used Ti-diffused waveguides. The YBDPM is useful in Fiber Optic Gyroscopes (FOG), especially in low frequencies applications.

Abstract: A touch screen may be utilized by a marine electronic device to easily enter a route in relation to a chart. The marine electronic device may automatically determine and join geographic points associated with the chart to generate a route based on a touch pattern. The marine electronic device may be configured to complete the route to form a route loop in instances in which the start and end of the touch pattern are within a predetermined distance. The completion of the route may be accomplished by connecting the end point to the start point or by “snapping” the end point to the start point, e.g. shifting the end point to the start point. Additionally or alternatively, a user may use pre-determined route snippets to quickly and easily alter a route.

Abstract: The invention relates to a daytime and nighttime stellar sensor (1), comprising: at least one video camera (2) suitable for taking images of stars (3) in the sky; and a control unit (4), characterized in that it furthermore comprises: a polarizer (5), the control unit (4) being configured: to obtain an estimation of a direction of polarization of the polarized light received from the sky by the video camera (2); and to control the orientation of the polarizer (5) so that said polarizer (5) filters polarized light from the sky directed toward the video camera (2) and having said polarization direction.

Abstract: A system for skydiving trajectory and coordination feedback for a user. The system includes a controller coupled to a plurality of sensor inputs. The controller determines a user drag through air based on input data from the plurality of sensor inputs. The controller also receives a user flightpath and determines a projected user trajectory based on the user drag. The controller also determines user drag adjustments to align the projected user trajectory with the received user flightpath. At least one of an aural, haptic, or visual feedback device is coupled to the controller to provide feedback to the user in response to the user drag adjustments.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for identifying a paddle region. One of these method includes generating a map of a paddle region for a paddler of an aquatic device based on weather, nautical conditions, experience level of the paddler, and the duration of the trip; and presenting the map to the user on a computer device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides techniques for the creation of maps of indoor spaces. In these techniques, an individual or a team with no mapping or cartography expertise can contribute to the creation of maps of buildings, campuses or cities. An indoor location system can track the location of contributors in the building. As they walk through indoor spaces, an application may automatically create a map based on data from motion sensors by both tracking the location of the contributors and also inferring building features such as hallways, stairways, and elevators based on the tracked contributors' motions as they move through a structure. With these techniques, the process of mapping buildings can be crowd sourced to a large number of contributors, making the indoor mapping process efficient and easy to scale up.

Abstract: A navigation system suitable for use by an automated vehicle includes a first sensor, a second sensor, a digital-map, and a controller. The digital-map includes a first data-group of navigation-features preferentially detected by the first sensor-technology, and a second data-group of navigation-features preferentially detected by the second sensor-technology. The controller determines, on the digital-map, first and second locations of the host-vehicle using the first and second sensors, respectively. The controller selects one of the first and second locations to navigate the host-vehicle based on a comparison of the first data-density and the second data-density. Alternatively, the controller determines a first feature-density and a second feature-density of navigation-features detected by the first and second sensors respectively, and selects one of the first location and the second location to navigate the host-vehicle based on a comparison of the first feature-density and the second feature-density.

Abstract: A method for providing an item of localization information for the localization of a further vehicle at a localization location. An item of precision information is read in that represents a degree of localization precision achieved in the localization of another vehicle at the localization location. In a further step, the item of localization information is outputted to an interface at the further vehicle, using the item of precision information.

Abstract: Navigation devices, systems, and methods for transmitting notifications to and/or receiving notifications from electronic devices associated with passengers of connectable vehicles are described herein. In one example, a method is provided for sending a notification regarding a planned detachment of a designated vehicle from a plurality of connected vehicles. The method includes receiving a navigation destination for a passenger of an initial vehicle, calculating a detachment time or detachment location of the designated vehicle from the plurality of connected vehicles based on the received navigation destination, and transmitting a personalized notification to an electronic device associated with the passenger regarding the detachment time or detachment location of the designated vehicle from the plurality of connected vehicles.

Abstract: One or more processors identify an occupant of a passenger vehicle, and then receive biometric sensor readings from a biometric sensor that is monitoring the occupant in real time, where the biometric sensor readings indicate a real-time emotional state of the occupant. The processor(s) generate a personal profile for the occupant of the passenger vehicle based on the biometric sensor readings. The processor(s) receive a desired destination and travel schedule for the occupant of the passenger vehicle, as well as environmental sensor readings indicating a real-time environmental state of the passenger vehicle. The processor(s) then create a travel route for the passenger vehicle based on the biometric sensor readings, the personal profile of the vehicle occupant, the desired destination and travel schedule, and the real-time environmental state of the passenger vehicle. One or more processors then transmit, to the passenger vehicle, directions for the travel route.

Abstract: A method of geospatial guidance for sight impaired users includes receiving, by a computer system, a user selection of a geospatial area. The computer system further receives a user selection of a point of interest criteria. The method includes finding, by the computer system, in a database that includes geospatial points of interest, those geospatial points of interest that match the user selected criteria and that are in the user selected geospatial area. The computer system determines a reference location in the user selected geospatial area and distance and direction from each of the found points of interest to the reference location. The computer system presents sets of information, to the user, wherein each set includes a description of one of the found points of interest together with distance and direction between the reference location and the one of the found points of interest.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide systems and methods for providing suggested locations for pick up and destination locations. Pick up locations may include locations where an autonomous vehicle can pick up a passenger, while destination locations may include locations where the vehicle can wait for an additional passenger, stop and wait for a passenger to perform some task and return to the vehicle, or for the vehicle to drop off a passenger. As such, a request for a vehicle may be received from a client computing device. The request may identify a first location. A set of one or more suggested locations may be selected by comparing the predetermined locations to the first location. The set may be provided to the client computing device.

Abstract: A mobile computing device is provided that includes a processor configured to determine a recommended route for a user of the mobile computing device to travel from a first location to a second location, the recommended route including at least a public transportation segment. The processor is further configured to detect position information for the user of the mobile computing device, detect an off-route condition during the public transportation segment based on the position information, the off-route condition indicating that the user has deviated from the recommended route during the public transportation segment by a predetermined threshold, and based on at least detecting the off-route condition during the public transportation segment, programmatically determine a new route to the second location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for improved navigation assistance by providing overview directions focusing on points where other users tend to make mistakes or display emotional responses, such as stress, that indicate that they feel they may make mistakes. In an exemplary method, a navigation process receives information about a present user's navigation route, the present user's status, and the user history. The navigation service compiles the received information and determines an enhanced navigation route.

Abstract: A method and system for correlating a route with an external Wi-Fi network connection is disclosed herein. The aspects disclosed herein include generating information about the correlation, and employing the correlation for network operations, such as, communicating a file (or files), allowing communication from a vehicle, and/or performing routine updates via a vehicle.

Abstract: An electric vehicle route guide system includes: a location sensor that measures a current location of an electric vehicle; a roadmap storage having link information and node information for providing a running route; a route calculator that searches for a route having a smallest total value of a compensation link cost that is generated by adding a time link cost in consideration of a running time to an energy-based link cost on each link basis from a departure point to a destination as an optimal energy route; a display that displays information for route guide of the optimal energy route; and a controller that controls operations of the location sensor, the roadmap storage, the route calculator, and the display for the search and route guide through a navigation program.

Abstract: A computer generates a navigation profile corresponding to a user by identifying one or more user preferences within an associated social media network. The computer receives a user input identifying a starting location and a destination, from which the computer identifies one or more potential routes between the starting location and destination. The computer generates one or more route profiles corresponding to the one or more potential routes detailing one or more characteristics associated with each of the potential routes. The computer then compares the navigation profile associated with the user to the route profiles associated with the one or more potential routes and, based on the comparison, determines an optimal route of the one or more potential routes.

Abstract: A navigation system is described for a vehicle equipped with an autonomous driving system. The navigation system includes a human-machine interface with a display and a user control, and an electronic controller. The controller is configured to calculate a plurality of travel routes from a determined starting point to a defined destination point. The controller determines which portions of each travel route will utilized automated driving operation and which portions will utilized manual driving operation. Based on an input received from the user control, the controller defines an automatic-manual driving preference ratio indicating a driver preference for an amount of manual driving operation relative to an amount of automatic driving operation. The controller automatically selects a route from the plurality of travel routes that most closely matches the defined automatic-manual driving preference ratio and outputs the selected route on the display.

Abstract: A system and method for recommending one or more relevant tasks based on the two or more relevant information associated to the user and traffic. The proposed system and method retrieves all the possible information associated to the traffic and the user and consolidates the information to determine the relevant tasks based on the one or more criteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transmitting route data to a motor vehicle, wherein the route data describe an area lying ahead. A control device of the motor vehicle carries out the following steps: a) Determining a route section extending between a current position of the motor vehicle and the area; b) Determining a transmission bandwidth, which is expected to be available along the route section; and c) Determining a speed profile of the travel speed which is expected to be achieved along the route section. This results in a start time at which transmission has to be started so that the route data will have been completely transmitted when the area is reached. A trigger location is determined, which corresponds to the start time (23) according to the speed profile.

Abstract: Hubs for social interaction via electronic devices are described. In one aspect, a data processing device includes a display screen displaying a social interaction hub, the social interaction hub including a collection of records. Each record includes a counterparty identifier identifying a counterparty of a past social interaction event, a mode indicium identifying a mode by which the past social interaction event with the counterparty occurred, and a collection of mode indicia each identifying a mode by which a future, outgoing social interaction event with the counterparty can occur. The counterparty identifier, the mode indicium, and the collection of mode indicia are associated with one another in the records of the social interaction hub.

Abstract: [Object] To provide an information processing system and a control method which are capable of generating more optimal guidance information in view of a relationship of a plurality of users. [Solution] Provided is an information processing system, including: a user specifying unit configured to specify a plurality of users who are performing an action together; an estimating unit configured to estimate a relationship of the plurality of specified users; and a generating unit configured to generate guidance information for the plurality of users in accordance with the estimated relationship of the plurality of users.

Abstract: A navigation system provides lane guidance for a navigation route. The navigation route specifies actions for a user to navigate a route from an originating point to a destination along a set of road segments. The lane guidance at a position along the navigation route scores the lanes and provides the lane scoring for the user. To score the lanes, the navigation system determines a lane distance for each lane indicating how far along the navigation route a user may continue to use this lane, without shifting to another lane. The lane distance may be measured up to a look-ahead distance. The lane distance includes distance along subsequent road segments of the route, such that when a lane turns onto a lane on another road segment according to the navigation route, the distance along the other road may be included in the lane distance.

Abstract: A method is provided for updating parking area information in a navigation system for a vehicle. The method includes the following steps: detecting a parking area by way of data received at least one device on at least one vehicle; determining information relating to the parking area which at least partially relates to characterizing characteristics of the parking area; analyzing the determined information in relation to an adequate characterization of the parking area; comparing the determined information with data of at least one database; and updating the database in the event of a deviation between the determined information and the data of the database.

Abstract: An angle sensor includes a first to a fourth detection unit and an angle detection unit. Each of the first to the fourth detection unit generates two detection signals. The first to the fourth detection unit are arranged in a positional relationship that establishes predetermined phase relationships among the detection signals they generate. The angle detection unit performs operations using the detection signals to generate a first and a second signal in which an error component corresponding to a fifth or higher-order harmonic and an error component corresponding to a harmonic of the order other than the fifth order are lower than those in the detection signals. The angle detection unit then calculates a detected angle value on the basis of the first and the second signal.