Abstract: A heat pipe includes an inlet through which a working fluid is injected. The inlet includes a non-sealed portion and a sealed portion connected to the non-sealed portion. The non-sealed portion and the sealed portion each include two outermost metal layers and a plurality of intermediate metal layers stacked between the outermost metal layers. The heat pipe further includes a porous body arranged in the inlet.

Abstract: The invention provides a heat-pipe for a rotational molding apparatus.

Abstract: A loop type heat pipe includes: an evaporator configured to vaporize a liquid working fluid; a condenser configured to condense the vaporized working fluid into the liquid working fluid; a vapor pipe provided between the evaporator and the condenser; and a liquid pipe provided between the evaporator and the condenser. Each of the vapor pipe and the liquid pipe includes: a lower-side metal layer; an intermediate metal layer that is disposed on the lower-side metal layer; an upper-side metal layer that is disposed on the intermediate metal layer; and a conduit that is formed by the lower-side metal layer, the intermediate metal layer, and the upper-side metal layer, and at least one of the upper-side metal layer and the lower-side metal layer warps outward in a first portion of the vapor pipe.

Abstract: A phase change cell includes a housing enclosing a phase change chamber that holds a phase change material and a gas pocket. The housing includes a side wall extending between first and second end walls. A capillary is disposed in an interior surface of the side wall. In response to heating of the phase change cell, the capillary is configured to draw the phase change material in a liquid phase towards the periphery of the phase change chamber. A temperature sensor is coupled to the housing in a vicinity of the capillary to measure the phase change temperature. According to another aspect, the housing includes a moveable surface that bounds a portion of the phase change chamber. The phase change temperature of the phase change material changes based on the position of the moveable wall.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a heat transfer tube and a racking furnace using the heat transfer tube. The heat transfer tube comprises a twisted baffle arranged in an inner wall of the tube, said twisted baffle extending spirally along an axial direction of the heat transfer tube. The twisted baffle is provided with a non-through gap extending along an axial direction of the heat transfer tube from an end to the other end of the twisted baffle. The heat transfer tube and cracking furnace according to the present disclosure have good heat transfer effects and small pressure loss.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes plate-shaped fins and a plurality of heat transfer pipes attached to the fins so as to intersect the fins. The heat transfer pipes are disposed at intervals in a long-edge direction of the fins. The fins have a wave shape at at least a portion thereof and are capable of expanding and contracting in the long-edge direction.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described that provide for enhanced gain and radiation characteristics of antennas. The systems and techniques employ layers or cards of fractal plasmonic surfaces to provide gain to the antennas. The fractal plasmonic surfaces each include a close-packed arrangements of resonators having self-similar or fractal shapes, which may be referred to as “fractal cells.” The cards can be held by a frame adapted to fit an antenna. The FPS cards can provide benefits for gain, field emission, directivity, increased bandwidth, power delivery, and/or heat management. One or more dielectric layers or cards may be used to enhance gain and/or directivity characteristics.

Abstract: A delayed rotary blowback mechanism integrated into a firearm bolt and carrier subassembly. A plurality of lugs are configured at a rear of the bolt and seat within a mating profile of a barrel extension of the firearm in a fully chambered position. Chamfered locations are configured between the lugs and a receiving profile in the barrel extension for influencing linear to rotational motion of the bolt. A cam pin extends upwardly from the bolt and seats through a circumferentially directed slot configured within the bolt carrier. Upon initiating of the discharge cycle of a fired round traveling out the end of the barrel, the chamfered configuration results in the bolt and cam pin rotating within the carrier and the lugs subsequently separating from the barrel extension. The bolt and carrier retain sufficient inertia to cycle through the discharge cycle concurrent with reloading a subsequent cartridge.

Abstract: Gun (1) comprising a gun frame (2); a barrel (4), supported by the gun frame (2), proximally delimiting a firing chamber (6) extending along a longitudinal axis (X); a slide (8), translatable longitudinally in relation to the barrel (4) between a forward configuration wherein the slide closes the firing chamber (6), and a rearward configuration wherein it is distanced from a proximal mouth (12) of the firing chamber (6), to open the latter; wherein orientation of said chamber (6) is substantially parallel to said axis (X) in the forward configuration and in the rearward configuration; and a locking device (10) mechanically locking barrel (4) and slide (8) to each other in the forward configuration, and that in the rearward configuration is guided transversally in relation to the barrel (4) for unlocking the slide (8).

Abstract: A bolt catch device is disclosed. The bolt catch includes a movable surface configured to be positioned within a weapon so as to conditionally engage a bolt so as to prevent the bolt from rechambering a next round from a magazine, a tip configured to, in response to a received force, cause the movable surface to move so as to release the bolt, and a spring engagement feature configured to be positioned within the weapon so as to receive a spring within the weapon, wherein the spring within the weapon is configured to bias the movable surface toward a position which prevents the bolt from rechambering a next round.

Abstract: Examples of a self-releasing magazine and a magazine follower assembly thereof for firearms are described. The magazine follower assembly includes a casing and a self-releasing actuator received in the casing. When in use, the magazine follower assembly generally moves along a first axis with respect to the casing between a first position in the magazine when the magazine is fully loaded and a second position in the magazine when the magazine contains no ammunition cartridge. When the magazine follower assembly is at the second position in the magazine, the self-releasing actuator is configured to actuate a magazine release mechanism of the firearm to disengage the magazine from the firearm so that the magazine is detachable from the firearm.

Abstract: A sliding trigger enclosure system for a long gun includes a frame that is removably secured to the receiver of a firearm by factory-supplied hardware, and a hollow shoulder stock having a pair of side surfaces that extend outward from the front end. The shoulder stock is slidingly engaged over the frame and transitions between a FIRE position where the trigger assembly of the long gun is accessible, and a SAFE position where the pair of side surfaces are locked in a parallel orientation to the trigger assembly to prevent access to the same. A locking mechanism is disposed along the frame and secures the shoulder stock in the SAFE position. The locking mechanism including a pair of spring-loaded locking pins that are engaged by an actuator, and a user authentication device.

Abstract: A safety selector assembly for a firearm includes a cylinder sized and shaped to be rotatably received within a lower receiver. The cylinder includes a cylinder end having a recess defined therein, and a plunger disposed at least partially within the recess. The plunger is moveably secured within the recess. The safety selector assembly also includes a lever detachably coupled to the cylinder end by the plunger.

Abstract: A monolithic barrel for a weapon has an integral suppressor. The barrel and integral suppressor can be machined from a single piece of material, which can eliminate the need to attach separate components to the barrel. The monolithic barrel has a barrel bore for firing a projectile that produces discharge gas. To suppress the discharge, the barrel defines one or more baffles separating expansion chambers toward a distal end of the barrel. The barrel further defines one or more channels along the length of the barrel that provide extend flow paths for the discharge gas from the barrel's bore. Greater reductions in sound can be achieved relative to the overall barrel length due to the integral suppressor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a silencer for a firearm, in particular a handgun, comprising a silencer housing having a rear end wall and a front end wall lying opposite the rear end wall, wherein a shot channel is formed between the two end walls, and at least one silencer insert, wherein at least one gas expansion chamber is formed within the silencer housing, which gas expansion chamber is connected to the shot channel, wherein the at least one silencer insert is arranged in at least one of the at least one gas expansion chamber, and wherein the at least one silencer insert has a stable material having a high open porosity.

Abstract: The present invention is of a muzzle device that is either permanently fixed or releasably attached to the end of the barrel of a firearm. The muzzle device may have a configuration that reduces the loss of pressure and flow rate of the propellant gas by employing a central bore having approximately the same diameter as the bore of the barrel. The muzzle device may further have apertures with inserted adjustable screws with hollow interior portions for tuning the degree of propellant gases in various directions away from the muzzle device. The external diameter of the muzzle device may also have substantially the same diameter as the external diameter of the barrel to allow for access to firearm components without having to remove the muzzle device from the end of the barrel.

Abstract: A barrel bushing and retained bias assembly are provided for engaging a barrel of a firearm to accommodate relative longitudinal movement of the barrel bushing and the barrel. The barrel bushing includes a retaining channel for retaining the bias assembly, such that a portion of the bias assembly extends into a bore of the barrel bushing to contact and be partly compressed by the outside diameter of the barrel.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a limb assembly comprises a limb cup, a first limb member and a second limb member. The first limb member supports a rotatable member. The first limb member is supported by the limb cup at a first location and is supported by the second limb member at a second location. The second limb member is supported by the limb cup. The second limb member applies a supporting force to the first limb member.

Abstract: An archery bow with a riser including a mount in a centerline plane of the riser above a lower wall of a sight window of the riser may allow for a novel manner of mounting an archery accessory. Placement of the mount within a centerline plane of the riser may maintain the weight of the archery accessory along a center of the bow, thereby reducing or eliminating asymmetrically weighted bows or the need for an additional stabilizer to balance the weight of the archery accessory. Positioning the mount above the lower wall of the sight window additionally allows for coordination of the position of a secondary accessory, such as a sight, a light, or a camera, in addition to mounting an arrow rest, such as in a lower wall of the sight window, while maintaining the centralized weight advantages noted above.

Abstract: A tensioning device for a crossbow or the like, such as a harpoon, a line throwing device, a toy crossbow, a pistol crossbow, a spear thrower, or a ballista, includes a shaft and limbs connected thereto. A connection element designed to connect to the shaft of the crossbow has securing devices for rotatably or pivotally securing the limbs. The connection element is connected to at least one drive device which can be connected to the limbs and by which the limbs can be converted rotatably or pivotally from a first position, in which the limbs form a first angle together with the shaft, into a second position, in which the limbs form a second angle together with the shaft, wherein the second angle is larger than the first angle, in order to convert the limbs and a bowstring connected thereto from a non-tensioned position into a tensioned shoot-ready position.

Abstract: Provided is a semi-automatic air gun that is capable of allowing a hammer to be loaded at the same time when pellets are fired, with a portion of the compressed air discharged from a compressed air tank so as to fire the bullets, so that the hammer and a pellet loading unit move horizontally together to permit the loading and firing of the pellets to be carried out in a semi-automatic manner, thereby making it simple in configuration and obtaining a remarkably excellent compressed air use efficiency.

Abstract: An adjustable stock for a firearm includes a longitudinally-extending chassis supporting a receiver, a butt pad assembly adjustable in longitudinal position for varying the length of pull, and a cheek rest. The cheek rest is adjustable in longitudinal and vertical positions. A triple-acting locking mechanism having locked and unlocked positions is operable to simultaneously lock the butt pad assembly in longitudinal position and the cheek rest in both longitudinal and vertical positions. The locking mechanism may be a cam lever assembly in non-limiting examples having a pivotable cam lever operable to simultaneously unlock or lock the butt pad assembly and cheek rest, thereby providing a single point of operation for making all the foregoing stock adjustments.

Abstract: Disclosed are assemblies and components of an adjustable holster. The holster includes a holster body that defines a cavity to receive a firearm. One or more clips can be hingedly attached to the holster body. In some embodiments, each clip can be removably attached to a hinge pin on the holster body. Based on the configuration and location of the clip(s), the disclosed assemblies can be configured as either a right-hand or left-hand holster assembly, as an inside-the-waist-band holster or an outside-the-waist-band holster, and/or as a holster with a canted or non-canted orientation. The holster can be reconfigured without tools in some embodiments.

Abstract: Reflex type sights for firearms engineered to possess advanced tactical abilities as well as various accessories including rotatable smart device mounts that provide the user with the abilities to view target image in the screen of the smart device from any position user could position himself in relation to firearm, as well as, other accessories that provide abilities such as rotatable camera sights that provide the user with their target image at a full 360 degree radius as well, that lock back into their perfectly sighted-in position when locked back into their parallel position to weapon's rail, as well as other accessories providing additional tactical abilities, such as becoming integral to other accessories that include additional cameras and viewing screens that provide the user with a surveilled image, behind the user at the same time. This, as well as, other types of reflex type camera sights with multiple secondary abilities and advanced sighting abilities.

Abstract: Rifle scopes with zero locks or stops have a body having an internal movable optical adjustor adapted to shift an image generated by the riflescope, a knob connected to the body for rotation about a knob axis and operably connected to the optical adjustor to position the optical adjustor based on a rotational position of the knob, an indicator skirt rotatably engaged to the body and threadedly engaged to the knob, the indicator skirt being operable to move axially with respect to the knob such that the axial position of the indicator skirt is based on the rotational position of the knob, and the knob including a knob stop surface and the indicator skirt including a skirt stop surface, wherein the knob stop surface and the skirt stop surface are configured to positively contact each other to establish a limit of rotational travel of the knob.

Abstract: A reticle for an aiming device includes a number of holdover indicators on the reticle that may be individually selected; an input for receiving ballistics data; and a processor configured to, based at least in part on the received ballistics data, select one or more of the holdover indicators; and cause the selected holdover indicator or indicators to visibly change state on the reticle. Methods of operating a digital reticle are also described. Further disclosed is a system that includes the reticle above, as well as a rangefinder for providing range data and a ballistics calculator for providing ballistics data.

Abstract: A sight includes an adjusting mechanism including a fixing unit, a cover and an switching unit. The cover includes a groove. The switching unit is disposed on the fixing unit and includes a guiding member and a rotatable disc, wherein the guiding member includes a first end and a second end, the rotatable disc includes a surface, the surface has a first portion and a second portion, the first end faces the groove, and the second end faces the surface. The first end is outside the groove when the second end is placed against the second portion. The first end is inside the groove when the second end is placed against the first portion so that rotation of the cover is constrained.

Abstract: A measurement system according the current application facilitates the positioning of scope relative to a rifle or other firearm and the subsequent measurements needed to procure a ring or set of rings with which to mount the scope to the rifle. A base is attached to a rail of the rifle and the scope is placed in a holding ring. Spacers are placed between the base and the holding ring to locate the scope. The base, spacers and holding ring are removably attached to each other.

Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one transmitter configured to transmit wireless signals that heat objects in a scene and cause the objects to radiate thermal energy and create a pattern of thermal radiation in the scene. The apparatus also includes at least one controller configured to control the at least one transmitter in order to control the creation of the pattern of thermal radiation in the scene. The pattern of thermal radiation in the scene could include a camouflage pattern that increases clutter in an infrared image of the scene, at least one temporary infrared marker, or at least one false shape in an infrared image of the scene. The pattern of thermal radiation in the scene could reduce a contrast between a cold infrared background in the scene and one or more targets in the scene.

Abstract: A ballistic resistant vest comprises a plurality of resin coated fabrics wherein (i) the fabric further comprises continuous filament yarns having a tenacity of 900 mPa and having a linear density of 444-1111 dtex, (ii) the resin coating is a blend of 10-90% of an ionomer and 90-10% of polyvinyl alcohol and has a viscosity of from 80 to 1700 centipoise, and (iii) the resin comprises from 3 to 13 weight percent of the weight of the resin coated fabric.

Abstract: This technology relates materials that are stab, spike and ballistic resistant and to stab, spike and ballistic resistant composite articles incorporating uniaxially oriented, non-woven fabrics. A fabric layer having a non-uniform areal density is formed having thick areas and thin areas, the thick areas having a greater filament/tape concentration compared to the thin areas. In said thick areas, agglomerated tapes/filaments will protrude from the fabric layer surface. Additional layers are then adjoined with the non-uniform layer to form a panel that has stab, spike and ballistic resistance, with protrusions at least partially spacing the additional layers from full, direct contact with the surface of the non-uniform fabric layer to thereby enhance flexibility and stab, spike and ballistic resistance of the whole.

Abstract: A testing apparatus includes a housing having a port for receiving a discharge end of an electrical discharge device. A discharge-receiving circuit is operatively connected to the port, and is configured to receive a discharge from the electrical discharge device. The discharge-receiving circuit includes a default resistor and at least one supplemental resistor. When in a first setting, the discharge-receiving circuit is configured so as to pass the discharge automatically through at least the default resistor. When in a second setting, the discharge-receiving circuit is configurable so as to selectively pass the discharge through at least one of the plurality of resistors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a smart electroshock device. The smart electroshock device includes: a main body provided therein with electronic components to launch a projectile, the projectile being adapted to be stuck in a target and apply an electric shock to the target; a cylinder body coupled to one side of the main body via a hinge and comprising a cylinder; and a plurality of cartridges mounted in the cylinder and each comprising the projectile, wherein the projectile is launched from the cylinder through manipulation of the main body, and the cylinder is rotatably coupled to the cylinder body. The smart electroshock device according to the present invention can launch a plurality of projectiles consecutively using a revolving cylinder. In addition, the smart electroshock device can be used as a stun gun without removing a projectile in the cartridge which is in a state to be launched.

Abstract: A modular firing range includes a first subset of modular containers that form a first end of the firing range. The first subset includes outer walls that define the first end of the firing range and side walls that define a portion of a side of the firing range. A second subset of modular containers form a second end of the firing range. The second subset includes outer walls that define the second end of the firing range and side walls that define a portion of the side of the firing range. A third subset of modular containers is coupleable between the first subset and the second subset to form a medial portion of the firing range. The third subset includes outer walls that define a portion of the side of the firing range. The firing range includes an armored outer perimeter that provides complete ballistic containment in all directions.

Abstract: A bore cleaning device is configured to clean a bore of a firearm. The device includes a propellant providing a force to push the projectile down the bore of the firearm, a cup comprising at least one hole in a bottom surface of the cup, a dense material within the cup, wherein the dense material is configured to deform and press radially outwardly against the cup as the propellant provides propelling force to the dense material. The device further includes a bore rearward charge cap and a frame. The frame includes a bore forward plate located within the cup, a frame leg connecting the bore rearward charge cap and the bore forward plate and passing through the hole in the bottom surface of the cup.

Abstract: An explosive separation joint system having an expandable tube containing a mild detonating fuse (MDF) in separable portions of the joint. The MDF extends into a detonation manifold at a first port, an end of the MDF having booster bonded thereto. An external initiating ordnance transfer line enters the manifold at an initiating ordnance (IO) port, has an IO end tip and provides a detonation impulse train where each detonating component is axially aligned within a passageway with the next detonating component. In embodiments, particular detonating components of the detonation train are fixed in place where other detonating components are movable. Each detonating component that is not in direct contact with a preceding detonating component in the detonation train is in direct linear access.

Abstract: An assembly process is described for producing an ordnance projectile wherein the projectile maintains a compressive force on an explosive body carried therein throughout an anticipated operational temperature range. The process includes raising the temperature of the hollow projectile body to an elevated temperature, cooling the explosive body to a temperature below a lowest anticipated operating temperature of the projectile, nesting the cooled explosive body within the hollow projectile body while the projectile is at the elevated temperature, securing the explosive body and the hollow projectile body together, and normalizing the temperature of the nested bodies by allowing them to come to a common temperature, typically room temperature. Different thermal expansion characteristics of the inner and outer bodies will result in the projectile maintaining a compressive force on the explosive body at normal temperatures.

Abstract: A trimmer gauge for a case trimmer. The trimmer gauge may include a fixed-length shaft that is a threshold length of a case and sized to precisely set a blade extension distance for a case trimmer. A first end of the fixed-length shaft may be flat and a second end of the fixed-length shaft may be tapered. At least a portion of an outer surface of the fixed-length shaft includes a first groove located a threshold distance from the first end. The groove may be shaped to receive arms of a collet of the case trimmer.

Abstract: A cup for a primer facilitates the use of deposited ignitable material, for example, a layered thermite material, within a cup that fits within a standard primer pocket within a firearm cartridge casing or other location designed for a presently available primer. The primer cup includes a tube and a disk. The ignitable material can be deposited on one surface of the disk. The disk can then be inserted within the tube, wherein it is retained within the tube by an inwardly projecting ledge at one end of the tube.

Abstract: A downhole setting tool having a first housing, a second housing having a chamber connected to the first housing, a power charge positioned within the chamber, an igniter connected to a portion of the power charge, and an ignition device connected to the igniter. The ignition device is configured to actuate upon receipt of an electrical signal. The ignition device is configured to ignite the igniter. The ignition device may rapidly heat up or apply a voltage or current to the igniter. The igniter is configured to cause the detonation of the power charge to set a device within a wellbore. The igniter may be embedded into the power charge with the ignition device positioned within a cavity in the igniter. The igniter may be a pyrotechnic material or may release high energy heat upon application of voltage or current.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a curvature measurement apparatus. The apparatus includes a first curvature measurement unit configured to, upon a curvature of an object to be measured being relatively greater than a first curvature, measure the curvature of the object to be measured; and a second curvature measurement unit configured to, upon the curvature of the object to be measured being relatively smaller than a second curvature, measure the curvature of the object to be measured, the second curvature being relatively greater than or equal to the first curvature. The curvature measurement apparatus can improve an accuracy of a curvature of an object to be measured.

Abstract: Techniques and apparatus for producing sampled Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) interference signals without aliasing, based on a swept-source OCT interference signal. An example apparatus comprises a k-clock circuit configured to selectively output a k-clock signal at any of a plurality of k-clock frequencies ranging from a minimum k-clock frequency to a maximum k-clock frequency, and an anti-aliasing filter configured to filter a swept-source OCT interference signal, to produce a filtered OCT interference signal, where the anti-aliasing filter has a cut-off frequency greater than one-half the minimum k-clock frequency but less than the minimum k-clock frequency. The apparatus further comprises an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter circuit configured to sample the filtered OCT interference signal at twice the k-clock frequency, to produce a sampled OCT interference signal.

Abstract: In an example, distance determination can utilize an electronic device including an infrared sensor to detect a thermal signature of a subject at a first location and a thermal signature of the subject at a second location, a distance sensor to determine a distance of the subject at the first location from the electronic device, and a controller to determine a physical size based on the determined distance and the thermal signature of the subject at the first location, and determine a distance of the subject at a second location based on the physical size and a thermal signature of the subject at the second location.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a method for aligning a radiation head of a terahertz sensor system with a target surface. The method includes: scanning a selected area of the target surface with a terahertz radiation beam emitted by the radiation head; sensing a peak amplitude for each reflected radiation signal from a plurality of reflected radiation signals received by the radiation head during the scanning of the selected area; and identifying a normal position of the radiation head with respect to the target surface based on a maximum peak amplitude from among the peak amplitudes of the reflected radiation signals.

Abstract: In a debonding detecting method, debonding of an adhering portion at which a stringer adheres to a skin is detected. An optical fiber sensor is provided on the skin so as to be adjacent to the stringer. The optical fiber sensor is provided so that a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber sensor is along a longitudinal direction of the stringer. Reference strain data of a strain in a reference state in which debonding of the adhering portion does not occur is prepared in advance. The debonding detecting method includes a load applying step in which a load is applied to the skin, a strain measuring step in which the optical fiber sensor measures a strain of the skin, and a debonding determining step in which presence or absence of debonding is determined based on a comparison result obtained by comparing measured strain data measured in the strain measuring step and the reference strain data.

Abstract: Around a crankshaft (S) supported by a support device (10), a first shape measuring device (31) to a fourth shape measuring device (34) are disposed, and the crankshaft (S) and the first shape measuring device (31) to the fourth shape measuring device (34) are relatively movable in an axial direction (X direction) of the crankshaft (S). The first shape measuring device (31) and the third shape measuring device (33) are disposed so as to face to one X direction and acquire partial shape information (including the other side surfaces in the X direction of counterweights (S2)) of the crankshaft S, and further, the second shape measuring device (32) and the fourth shape measuring device (34) are disposed so as to face to the other X direction and acquire partial shape information (including one side surfaces in the X direction of the counterweights (S2)) of the crankshaft S. This makes it possible to accurately inspect a shape of the crankshaft (S) in a short time.

Abstract: A system includes a light source, a detector, and a processor. The light source is configured to emit light onto a target. The detector is configured to receive light interaction between the emitted light and the target. The processor is configured to receive the light interaction between the emitted light and the target and further configured to process the light interaction to determine an edge profile associated with the target.

Abstract: A 3D measurement method including; projecting a pattern sequence onto a moving object; capturing a first image sequence with a first camera and a second image sequence synchronously to the first image sequence with a second camera; determining corresponding image points in the two sequences; computing a trajectory of a potential object point from imaging parameters and from known movement data for each pair of image points that is to be checked for correspondence, The potential object point is imaged by both image points in case they correspond. Imaging object positions derived therefrom at each of the capture points in time into image planes respectively of the two cameras.

Abstract: A system is provided for gathering information and data on the surface characteristics of an object includes a projector, a table, a first camera and a second camera. The projector is suspended above the table and arranged to project a random pattern of optical indicators onto the table. The optical indicators can be dots, lines, or other such indicators. The table is arranged to hold the object to be inspected. The first camera is positioned above and to one side of the table and angled toward the table. The second camera is positioned above and to opposite side of the table and angled toward the table. The first and second cameras are arranged to capture images of the optical indicators projected onto the object. The system is further arranged to gather information and data from the captured images and determine the surface characteristics of the object from said gathered information and data.

Abstract: An object monitoring apparatus including sensors. The apparatus includes first and second sensors that measure mutually corresponding spatial areas; a first judging unit that judges whether an object is present in a predetermined monitored area, based on measurement data of the first sensor; a second judging unit that judges whether an object is present in an extended area extending toward an outside of the monitored area, based on measurement data of the second sensor; a first signal-output unit that outputs a first object-sensing signal, when the first judging unit judges that an object is present in the monitored area; and a second signal-output unit that outputs a second object-sensing signal, when the first judging unit judges that an object is present in the monitored area and in a case where the second judging unit judges that an object is present in the extended area.