Abstract: A pair of acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) is used to steer a pair of laser beams to address individual atoms of an array of atoms so that the beams can conditionally induce a 2-photon transition between the atom's quantum energy levels. The first beam is deflected into a +1 diffraction order, resulting in an AOD output beam with a frequency greater than that of the respective AOD input beam. The second beam is deflected into a ?1 diffraction order so that the AOD output beam has a frequency less than that of the respective AOD input beam. The equal and opposite frequency changes compensate it other so that the sum of the output frequencies remains resonant with the transition of interest. Thus, AODs can be used to steer laser beams to address individual atoms of an atom array.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a body, a stage coupled to the body, and a focal plane array including one or more detectors and coupled to the stage. The imaging system also includes a lens assembly including an objective lens and a rear lens group. The lens assembly is coupled to the body and optically coupled to the focal plane. The imaging system further includes a transparent plate coupled to the body and optically coupled to the objective lens and the focal plane array. The transparent plate is disposed between the objective lens and the focal plane array. Additionally, the imaging system includes an actuator coupled to the transparent plate and configured to rotate the transparent plate relative to an optical axis of the imaging system.

Abstract: An imaging control apparatus according to the present disclosure includes an imaging controller that synchronizes an exposure timing of a first imaging device that performs exposure by a rolling shutter system and an exposure timing of a second imaging device that performs exposure by a rolling shutter system with imaging conditions different from imaging conditions of the first imaging device, on a basis of the imaging conditions.

Abstract: An airborne scanning instrument may include a scanning mirror configured to be carried by an airborne platform and having a major reflective surface to define a scanning path directed toward Earth. The airborne scanning instrument may include a shaft configured to rotate the scanning mirror about a shaft axis. The major reflective surface of the scanning mirror may be tilted at a first angle from the shaft axis, and the shaft axis may be tilted at a second angle relative to horizontal. The airborne scanning instrument may include a detector aligned with the scanning mirror to define a detector path therewith.

Abstract: A zoom lens system with a large zoom ratio is disclosed, which operates in a broad spectral range, including visible and infrared spectra. The zoom lens system comprises, in order from the object side to the image side, a positive first lens group, a negative second lens group, a positive third lens group, a positive fourth lens group, and a detection system, wherein zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end is performed by axially moving the second and third lens groups. The system has a relatively long back focal length, and satisfies the following conditions: 0.2<|f2|/(fW*fT)½<2, 1<f4/|f2|<8, 0.3<|f2|/f3<1.5, where fW is the system focal length at the wide-angle end, fT is the system focal length at the telephoto end, (fW*fT)1/2 is the geometric mean of the two focal lengths, and fi is the focal length of the i-th lens group.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a robotic surgical system are provided. The system comprises a surgical tool for interacting with a surgical target, a manipulator comprising a plurality of links and supporting the tool, a navigation system comprising a manipulator tracker coupled to the manipulator and a patient tracker coupled to the surgical target and a localizer for monitoring states of the trackers. A controller determines commanded states for moving the tool relative to the surgical target using data (filtered according to a first filter length) from the manipulator and/or navigation system. The controller determines actual states of the tool while commanding the tool relative to the surgical target using data (filtered according to a second filter length being shorter than the first filter length) from the manipulator and/or navigation system. The controller compares the commanded and actual states and modifies tool operation based on an outcome of the comparison.

Abstract: A wearable apparatus, an anti-peeping display system and an anti-peeping display method are disclosed. The anti-peeping display system includes a display apparatus and a wearable apparatus, the display apparatus is configured to display infrared images, the wearable apparatus acquires the infrared images and converts the infrared images to original images, and the original images are visible images.

Abstract: An adaptive approach to image bracket determination and a more memory-efficient approach to image fusion, which are designed to generate low noise and high dynamic range (HDR) images in a wide variety of capturing conditions, are described. An incoming preview image stream may be obtained from an image capture device. When a capture request is received, an analysis may be performed on an image from the preview image stream that has a predetermined temporal relationship to the image capture request. Based on the analysis, a set of images (and their respective capture parameters, e.g., exposure time) may be determined for the image capture device to capture. As the determined set of images are captured, they may be registered and fused in a memory-efficient manner that, e.g., places an upper limit on the overall memory footprint of the registration and fusion operations—regardless of how many images are captured in total.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a frame configured to suspend an article of clothing and a plurality of terahertz sensors coupled to the frame. The terahertz sensors are configured to image an article of clothing suspended from the frame from different vantage points from within an interior of the article of clothing. Another apparatus includes a frame configured to suspend an article of clothing and a terahertz sensor coupled to the frame and configured to image an article of clothing suspended from the frame from within an interior of the article of clothing. The terahertz sensor is selectively positionable along the frame thereby enabling imaging from different vantage points.

Abstract: A photo acoustic non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a food snack is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an acoustic capturing device, and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool directs a laser towards a food snack placed on a surface and creates pressure waves that propagate through the air and produce an acoustic signal. The acoustic capturing device records and forwards the signal to a data processing unit. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Texture of food snacks are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.

Abstract: Surface sensing methods for imaging a scanned surface of a sample via sum-frequency vibrational spectroscopy are disclosed herein. The methods include exposing a sampled location of the scanned surface to a visible light beam and exposing the sampled location to a tunable infrared beam such that the tunable infrared beam is at least partially coincident with the visible light beam. The methods also include varying a frequency of the tunable infrared beam an inducing optical resonance within an imaged structure that extends at least partially within the sampled location. The methods further include receiving at least a portion of an emitted light beam from the sampled location and scanning the visible light beam and the runnable infrared beam across the scanned portion of the scanned surface. The methods also include generating an image of the scanned portion of the scanned surface based upon the receiving and the scanning.

Abstract: Method (18, 19, 20, 21) for the quality control of a component (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, i, j, k), wherein the component (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, i, j, k) is heated (19) by an energy source (5, 5c, 5d), the intensity of which is periodically modulated (18) at at least one frequency ?, and wherein the amplitude A and/or the phase ? of a heat wave (81) which is modulated at the same frequency ? and is emitted by the component (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, i, j, k) is/are recorded (20), wherein the particle sized of the material, from which the component (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, i, j, k) is constructed, and/or the adhesion properties F of a functional layer (42) applied to the component (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, i, j, k) are evaluated (21) from the amplitude A and/or from the phase ?. Apparatus (100) for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of determining underground liquid content (e.g., water, sewage, etc.). Embodiments may include: receiving, from a radiofrequency radiation sensor, a main scan of an area, the main scan may include reflections from the area at RF range, and receiving typical roughness values of one or more types of water sources. Embodiments may further include: filtering from the main scan undesired water source types according to their typical roughness values, identifying a desired type of water source in the filtered main scan and receiving from the RF radiation sensor a set of scans of the area, each scan of the area includes reflections in the RF range taken prior to the receiving of the main scan. Embodiments may include calculating the underground water content at locations in the area based on the identified first type of water source and the received set of scans.

Abstract: A scanning camera for capturing a set of oblique images along a curved scan path on an object plane within an area of interest, each image of the set of images associated with a viewing angle and a viewing direction relative to the object plane, the scanning camera comprising an image sensor; a lens; a scanning mirror; and a drive coupled to the scanning mirror; wherein the drive is operative to rotate the scanning mirror about a spin axis according to a spin angle; the spin axis is tilted relative to a camera optical axis; the scanning mirror is tilted relative to both the camera optical axis and the spin axis and positioned to reflect an imaging beam into the lens, a viewing angle and a viewing direction of the imaging beam relative to the object plane varying with the spin angle; the camera optical axis is tilted at an oblique angle relative to the object plane; the lens is positioned to focus the imaging beam onto the image sensor; and the image sensor is operative to capture each image by sampling the im

Abstract: An encoder of a terahertz (THz)-based absolute positioning system used for decoding patterns from THz-band measurements. The encoder includes a scale with a multi-layer reflective/transmissive structure having a matrix with rows. Each row of the matrix corresponds to a plurality of patterns, such that each pattern is used to form a measurement. An emitter emits a THz waveform to the scale. A receiver is used to measure amplitudes of the THz waveform reflected from the scale. A memory stores data including predetermined positions of the emitter based on the patterns of the layers from the scale. Wherein one or more processors can determine a position of the emitter from the measurements of the amplitudes received by the receiver, based on the stored data. An output interface can be used to render the position of the emitter.

Abstract: An interference fringe generating optical system generates an interference fringe, and a magnifying optical system magnifies the interference fringe and projects the interference fringe on an object surface. The magnifying optical system includes an incident-side lens group on the side where a light beam forming the interference fringe is incident and an exit-side lens group on the side where the light beam is emitted and the interference fringe is projected towards the object surface. The expression f1/f2>3 holds, where f1 is the focal length of the incident-side lens group, and f2 is the focal length of the exit-side lens group. The incident-side and exit-side lens groups each have a positive refractive power. The expression xd/(f1+f2)<2 is satisfied, where xd is the distance from the exit-side principal point of the incident-side lens group to the incident-side principal point of the exit-side lens group.

Abstract: Welding quality of a welding section W welded by laser welding is determined by acquiring an image of the welding section W and its surrounding region by means of a high-speed camera 11, analyzing, as parameters, the number of spatters P per unit length and the area of a high-luminance region in the acquired image by means of an analyzer 12, and comparing the analyzed parameters with respective comparison tables created beforehand, to determine the welding quality of the welding section Wa. Information on the welding quality of the welding section W is displayed on a monitor 13. Not only the laser welding quality of the welding section can be determined but also in-process shearing strength prediction as well as in-process fracture mode prediction can be performed, thus enabling quality control matching high-speed and high-precision laser welding.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring a temperature of an object over time using a thermal imaging camera. The methods and apparatus may gather infrared temperature data from a selected source of temperature data within a scene at a selected time interval and display a graphical plot of the gathered temperature data on a digital display.

Abstract: The present invitation relates to an optical radiation measurement method based on light filter units, comprising the steps of: 1) providing characteristic filter units and correction light filter units in front of detection units to obtain multiple measured response values of an object to be detected; and, 2) selecting one or more sampling regions within a waveband to be detected, and calculating, according to a corresponding simultaneous expression/equation system of the measured response values, a spectral power distribution within the waveband to be detected. In this method, by introducing a small number of correction light filter units, the spectral power distribution within the entire waveband to be detected can be obtained without using a large number of narrow waveband color filters. In addition, a light radiation measurement apparatus is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for nondestructive vibrothermography inspection of a component, the method includes generating ultrasonic excitations in a component over a range of frequencies; determining a thermal signature in the component from the excitations; registering a model with the thermal signature; determining damage based on the thermal signal and model; and classifying the component based on the determining.

Abstract: A nondestructive system and method for high resolution thermal imaging in metal casting applications is provided to detect defects and starts with the article under test being subjected to a thermal gradient, followed by infrared images taken thereof. The creation of the thermal gradient results in any defects reacting differently to the thermal gradient application to accentuate the defect in the infrared image. The apparatus for conducting the tests in one embodiment includes a single channel sensor, remote cable, and a laptop controller with real time image processing software. This hardware provides high resolution, real-time viewable infrared (IR) images with a variable focus distance adjustable from six inches to infinity. The apparatus enables crisp, clear imagery of various metal casting defects.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a detection device for discriminating between different materials, and a method for doing so. The device comprises an optical system having at least one optical focussing element and a receiving element. The receiving element is sensitive to electromagnetic radiation, typically in the millimeter wave band, and the optical system being arranged to focus incident energy from a scene onto the receiving element. The optical system comprises a prism element having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being opposite the second surface. At least a portion of the first surface is positioned at an angle ? to the second surface. The angle ? varies between a minimum at a first position on the first surface and a maximum at a second position on the first surface.

Abstract: A thermal monitoring system includes at least one of an infrared sensor and a plurality of infrared sensors arranged in an array. Each infrared sensor has a resolution including a plurality of pixels. A controller is configured to create a thermal image of an area to be monitored based at least in part on the plurality of pixels of each infrared sensor. A thermal monitoring assembly includes an electrical panel including a plurality of electrical components located within the electrical panel. The at least one of an infrared sensor and the plurality of infrared sensors arranged in an array, either alone or in combination with additional sensors, are located inside the electrical panel. Methods of monitoring various parameters including a temperature of the plurality of electrical components located inside the electrical panel are also provided.

Abstract: An antenna alignment tool and method for use by a user to align a near end antenna to a far end antenna. Embodiments of the tool include an interface, instrumentation, display, control and hands-free attachment structure. The interface receives location information representative of a location of the far end antenna with respect to the near end antenna. The instrumentation provides information representative of the location and orientation of the tool. The control is coupled to the interface, instrumentation and display, and causes the display of orientation information representative of the orientation of the tool with respect to the far end antenna. The hands-free attachment structure attaches the tool to the user's body and within the user's field of view. The user can move his or her body and the alignment tool attached thereto while viewing the orientation information on the display during antenna alignment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting the cracks in illuminated electronic device screens are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an image of an electronic device screen and retrieving a plurality of kernels, each having values corresponding to a line region and a non-line region, with the orientation of the line region and the non-line region differing for each kernel. At least some of the kernels are applied to the image to obtain, at various locations of the image, values corresponding to the line regions and the non-line regions. Based on the values corresponding to the line regions and the non-line regions, cracks are automatically identified in the electronic device screen.

Abstract: Mapping apparatus includes a transmitter, which is configured to emit at least one beam including a sequence of pulses of light toward a plurality of points in a scene. A receiver is configured to receive the light reflected from the scene and to generate an output indicative of a time of flight of the pulses to and from the points in the scene. A processor is coupled to process the output of the receiver so as to generate a 3D map of the scene, while controlling a power level of the pulses emitted by the transmitter responsively to a level of the output from the receiver in response to one or more previous pulses.

Abstract: Disclosed are an emergency vehicle supporting device and system using a drone that resolve forward traffic congestion on a road on which an emergency vehicle is driving via the drone and supports securing of a driving path for the emergency vehicle. According to the present invention, an emergency vehicle supporting device mounted on the emergency vehicle generates drone control information and transmits the generated drone control information to the drone. Further, the drone flies according to the drone control information and a location change of the emergency vehicle and broadcasts an avoidance warning to surrounding vehicles around the flying drone, so that the surrounding vehicles may help the emergency vehicle secure a driving path and thus the emergency vehicle may arrive at a destination within a desired time.

Abstract: Assemblies for creating graphic displays and art are disclosed. The assemblies include at least one vehicle that is capable of flight; a series of light emitting elements independently affixed to the vehicle or mounted to one or more radially extending elements; an axis around which the radially extending elements are configured to rotate; and at least one motor that is configured to cause the axis and the radially extending elements to rotate. Rotation of the radially extending elements generates a graphic display produced by the light emitting elements (through a “persistence of vision” optical illusion). Methods of using such assemblies are also disclosed, such as methods for producing a graphic display (including aggregated graphic displays), methods for creating three-dimensional structures, and methods for camouflaging aerial vehicles and other objects.

Abstract: The system enables one to securely recycle an electronic device in a publicly accessible location. In particular, the embodiment described may be used by a mobile phone owner to submit his/her mobile phone for recycling via an electronic kiosk and receive compensation in some form. The compensation might be dispersed via cash, voucher, credit or debit card, or other magnetic or electronic transaction methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1), comprising at least one optoelectronic semiconductor component (2) and a substrate (5), on which the semiconductor component is arranged, wherein an insulating layer (4) is adjacent to a lateral surface (25) that bounds the semiconductor component; a contact track (6) is arranged on a radiation passage surface of the semiconductor component and is connected to an electrically conductive manner to the semiconductor component; the contact track extends beyond the lateral surface of the semiconductor component and is arranged on the insulating layer; and the contact track is relieved with respect to a thermomechanical load occurring perpendicularly to the lateral surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting and identifying a leak from a container or building. Acoustic pressure and velocity are measured. Acoustic properties are acquired from the measured values. The acoustic properties are converted to infiltration/leakage information. Nearfield Acoustic Holography (NAH) may be one method to detect the leakages from a container by locating the noise sources.

Abstract: A display driver includes a symbology generator having an electronic architecture optimized for symbology display, along with an interface to a microdisplay. The interface is configured to operatively couple the symbology generator to the microdisplay, to support a display of symbol objects on the microdisplay. The symbology generator may be a one-bit symbology generator configured to provide bi-level pixel data representing symbology to the microdisplay. The symbology generator may be configured to provide video information to the microdisplay in addition to the bi-level pixel data. The symbology generator may be further configured to coordinate the bi-level pixel data with the video information. The coordination may include various types of blending of the symbology data and the video data, or a hybrid mode where symbology data is applied to one set of pixels of the microdisplay, and video data is applied to another set of pixels of the microdisplay.

Abstract: A weak target detection-oriented multi-modal infrared imaging system includes an infrared optical window, a large-field of view (FOV) two-dimensional scanning mirror, a Cassegrain reflector group, a broadband spectrum relay mirror, a first lens group, a space-adjustable and transmittance-variable lens, a second lens group, a focal plane array (FPA) module, a data processing module and a space addressable transmittance modulation module. The data processing module generates a transmittance modulation control signal and an imaging integration time modulation signal according to an image data signal output by the FPA module, and the space-adjustable and transmittance-variable lens dynamically adjust an optical field transmittance under the effect of the transmittance modulation control signal. The FPA module adaptively adjusts an imaging integration time under the effect of the imaging integration time modulation signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for acquiring image and location information includes an antenna comprising an element configured to receive signals for determining the location information, and an imaging device coupled to the antenna and configured to acquire the image information. A virtual perspective center of the imaging device is coincident with the element of the antenna.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for thermal detection. A thermal detection device includes a visual camera, a thermal detector, a controller, a user interface, a display, and a removable and rechargeable battery pack. The thermal detection device also includes a plurality of additional software and hardware modules configured to perform or execute various functions and operations of the thermal detection device. An output from the visual camera and an output from the thermal detector are combined by the controller or the plurality of additional modules to generate a combined image for display on the display.

Abstract: System and techniques for optical flow sensing applications in agricultural vehicles are described herein. A plurality of digital images of an agricultural environment can be obtained from a sensor affixed to agricultural equipment. The plurality of digital images can include a first image and a second image, the second image being captured subsequent to the first image. A transformation of a landmark between the first image and the second image can be identified. A degree of motion for the agricultural equipment relative to an environmental target can be calculated based on the transformation of the landmark.

Abstract: A battery system including a plurality of battery cells and at least one electronic unit having a circuit board and a temperature measuring device with at least two infrared temperature sensors arranged on and operatively connected to the circuit board and configured to measure a temperature of a predetermined measurement region on a surface of the battery cells.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a logistics manager that includes a processor. The logistics manager is communicably coupled to at least one of a first wireless communication module onboard a first vehicle and a second wireless communication module onboard a second vehicle. The logistics manager is configured to: receive, via the first wireless communication module, first data regarding the first vehicle, where the first data is provided by a first sensor module onboard the first vehicle; receive, via the second wireless communication module, second data regarding the second vehicle, where the second data is provided by a second sensor module onboard the second vehicle; and provide navigational commands to at least one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle based on a cost and benefit analysis in response to at least one the first data and the second data.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a transceiver including a transmitting interface and a receiving interface; a wireless network processor for transmitting or receiving wireless local area network signal; an antenna for transmitting or receiving the radio-frequency signal and transmitting or receiving the wireless local area network signal; an amplifier for amplifying the signal from the transmitting interface of the transceiver, the radio-frequency signal received from the antenna by the transceiver and the wireless local area network signal transmitted or received through the transmission interface by the wireless network processor; and a controller for controlling the amplifier to amplify the radio-frequency signal, or amplify the wireless local area network signal according to detection signals from the transceiver and the wireless network processor. The electronic device can reduce manufacturing costs and improve the connection performance of the wireless local area network.

Abstract: A target marking system includes a light source emitting a thermal beam having a predetermined temporal modulation, and an optics assembly directing the thermal beam to impact a target, the target directing radiation to the optics assembly in response to the impact. A portion of the radiation having the predetermined temporal modulation. The target marking system further includes a detector configured to distinguish the portion of the radiation having the predetermined temporal modulation from a remainder of the radiation, the portion of the radiation passing to the director through the optics assembly. The system also includes a readout integrated circuit, the detector directing an input signal to the readout integrated circuit, and the readout integrated circuit producing a digitally enhanced output signal in response to receipt of the input signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method for line-scan imaging can include a 2D array of light-sensitive detector elements that detect light from a target scene. The 2D array can be divided into a plurality of sub-arrays and supported by an analog amplification and signal conditioning module portion of a read-out integrated circuit (ROIC), the analog module having one or more replicated amplification and signal conditioning circuits in communication with the 2D array detector elements. An analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion electrical circuit module and one or more digital time-delay and integration (TDI) modules can be situated in a portion of the ROIC not supporting the 2D array. The TDI modules can perform TDI of the detector sub-arrays. Embodiments enable hyperspectral images to be obtained with greater imaging range and higher signal-to-noise ratios.

Abstract: A method of removing a potential false positive result in a stained sample. The method includes the steps of: acquiring a spectral image set of a stained sample; performing linear spectral unmixing of the spectral image set to obtain a plurality of rule images; calculating an error image for the stained sample; thresholding at least one of the plurality of rule images, wherein thresholding is based on the error image; and removing a potential false positive result from the at least one of the plurality of rule images based on thresholding.

Abstract: A target marking system includes a light source emitting a thermal beam having a predetermined temporal modulation, and an optics assembly directing the thermal beam to impact a target, the target directing radiation to the optics assembly in response to the impact. A portion of the radiation having the predetermined temporal modulation. The target marking system further includes a detector configured to distinguish the portion of the radiation having the predetermined temporal modulation from a remainder of the radiation, the portion of the radiation passing to the director through the optics assembly. The system also includes a readout integrated circuit, the detector directing an input signal to the readout integrated circuit, and the readout integrated circuit producing a digitally enhanced output signal in response to receipt of the input signal.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the health of plants in a field. The method and system acquire a thermal image indicative of thermal energy emitted by the plants and process the thermal image to assess variations in the temperatures among the plants.

Abstract: An offset aperture two-axis gimbaled optical system comprises a two-axis gimbal and an optics assembly that is mounted on the inner gimbal and offset radially from the rotation axis of the outer gimbal. The optics assembly is suitably offset so that its optical aperture does not overlap the rotation axis of the outer gimbal and its optical aperture is symmetric about the rotation axis of the inner gimbal. In different applications, the offset aperture provides for reduced optical aberrations and improved utilization of the available packaging volume to accommodate multiple offset aperture optics assemblies.

Abstract: A camera at a fixed vertical height positioned above a reference plane, with an axis of a camera lens at an acute angle with respect to a perpendicular of the reference plane. One or more processors receive images of different people. The vertical measurement values of the images of different people are determined. The one or more processors determine a first statistical measure associated with a statistical distribution of the vertical measurement values. The known heights of people from a known statistical distribution of heights of people are transformed to normalized measurements, based in part on a focal length of the camera lens, the angle of the camera, and a division operator in an objective function of differences between the normalized measurements and the vertical measurement values. The fixed vertical height of the camera is determined, based at least on minimizing the objective function.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting an article comprising: a controller configured to generate a drive signal having a periodic amplitude variation; a source, the source being operable by the controller to emit a source beam thereby to irradiate an article, the source beam comprising a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a periodic amplitude variation corresponding to that of the drive signal; and a detector, the detector being configured to detect a portion of the source beam that has been transmitted through at least a portion of the article, and to generate a detector signal having an amplitude variation corresponding to the amplitude variation of said portion of the source beam, the controller being further configured to generate a difference value corresponding to a difference between the amplitude of the detector signal and the amplitude of a reference signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting an article comprising: a controller configured to generate a drive signal having a periodic amplitude variation; a source, the source being operable by the controller to emit a source beam thereby to irradiate an article, the source beam comprising a beam of electromagnetic radiation having a periodic amplitude variation corresponding to that of the drive signal; and a detector, the detector being configured to detect a portion of the source beam that has been transmitted through at least a portion of the article, and to generate a detector signal having an amplitude variation corresponding to the amplitude variation of said portion of the source beam, the controller being further configured to generate a difference value corresponding to a difference between the amplitude of the detector signal and the amplitude of a reference signal.

Abstract: A three-dimensional data processing and recognizing method including scanning and re-constructing objects to be detected so as to obtain three-dimensional data for recognition of the objects to be detected; extracting data matching to features from the three-dimensional data, so that the extracted data constitutes an interested target; with respect to the data matching to features, merging and classifying adjacent data points as one group, to form an image of the merged interested target; recognizing a cross section of the interested target; cutting the interested targets by a perpendicular plane which passes through a central point of the cross section and is perpendicular to it, in order to obtain a graph; and recognizing shape of the interested targets based on a property of the graph.

Abstract: A laser scanner for optically scanning and measuring an environment is provided. The laser scanner includes a light transmitter for emitting a light beam to measure a plurality of points in the environment, the light transmitter coupled to the rotating unit. A receiver is provided for receiving a reflected light beam reflected from the plurality of measurement points, the receiver being coupled to the rotating unit. A first image acquisition unit is configured to record a visible image of an area of the environment that includes the plurality of points. A sensing device is configured to record data of the area. A processor is operably coupled to the receiver, the first image acquisition unit and the sensing device, the processor is configured to associate a color value from the visible image and a recorded data value from the sensing device with each of the plurality of points.