Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly for calibrating a camera (31) to be calibrated, said assembly comprising: a first positioning base (43) for accommodating a reference camera adapter (40) or for accommodating an adapter (34) for the camera (31) to be calibrated; an auxiliary target (21); the reference camera adapter (40) for accommodating a reference camera housing (11) or the auxiliary target (21); the adapter (34) for accommodating the camera (31) to be calibrated; a second positioning base (41) for accommodating the reference camera housing (11); at least one calibration target (51, 52, 53) arranged such that it can be captured by the reference camera (11) accommodated by the first positioning base (43) or can be captured by the camera (31) to be calibrated; and the reference camera housing (11) for accommodating the reference camera (12, 13); wherein the first positioning base (43) is arranged (position 54) such that a first image captured by the reference camera (12, 13) accommodated in the first p

Abstract: This disclosure presents an apparatus to improve the position sensing of a moving mechanism, such as a fluid valve located within a borehole. The apparatus can utilize a light beam or an optical fiber to measure changes in the position sensor. The smaller and lighter apparatus can improve the accuracy of the sensing mechanism. In addition, three systems are presented. The first system utilizes a vibration sensor, such as a MEMS, and an accelerometer to calculate changes in the mechanism position of the moving mechanism. The second system utilizes a radiation source and detector combination, along with a moving radiation shield to provide more accurate position sensing than conventional techniques. In addition, a lens-based system is presented, that when combined with a radiation source, can calculate position information by detecting the diffusion or dispersal of the radiation against a radiation detector.

Abstract: In one example, a chip-scale emitter includes a resonator formed in a waveguide, wherein the resonator includes a first grating formed in the waveguide and a second grating formed in the waveguide that is separate from the first grating; and a scattering element consisting of a single defect in the waveguide, wherein the scattering element is positioned between the first grating and the second grating in the waveguide.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a dental surgical guide. The method includes the steps of producing a dental cast dental cast from an edentulous patient jaw; drilling the dental cast model for inserting a radiopaque rod therein; molding a base plate thereon to produce a radiopaque marker appliance; scanning the resulting appliance in a patient's mouth using computed tomography; calculating angles from the computed tomography for adjusting protractors of a dental model laser aligner; and molding a base-plate that incorporates a telescopic drilling tube that results into the dental surgical guide.

Abstract: In the component position measurement method, the position B of the component 1 when the laser beam is blocked (the laser beam blocking position) is measured with respect to the chuck position A of the component 1. Since the component 1 generates a large vibration (inclination) during the chuck is used, the position of the leading end (front end) C of the component 1 is computed using the inclination angle ? with respect to the measurement value of the deviation amount H of the laser beam blocking position B of the component 1 based on a similarity relationship of a triangle.

Abstract: A method for measuring the roundness profiles moved forward in longitudinal direction inside a rolling mill, using two laser scanners, respectively provided with a light-sensitive sensor and a laser. At least three shadow edges that fit against the round profile to be measured and enclose the round profile to form a polygon are generated and measured and the corresponding tangents are computed.

Abstract: A cylindrical mirror or lens is used to focus an input collimated beam of light onto a line on the surface to be inspected, where the line is substantially in the plane of incidence of the focused beam. An image of the beam is projected onto an array of charge-coupled devices parallel to the line for detecting anomalies and/or features of the surface, where the array is outside the plane of incidence of the focused beam.

Abstract: According to the method for characterizing fancy yarn, at least one characteristic of the fancy yarn is scanned along the longitudinal direction of the fancy yarn. Values of the scanning are evaluated and the results of the evaluation are outputted. The results of the evaluation are the fancy yarn parameters such as base yarn mass, base yarn diameter, slub distance, mass increase (?M) of a slub, slub diameter increase, slub diameter, slub length (LE) and/or slub total mass. The evaluation includes a smoothing or idealization of the scanning values, e.g. an idealization of the webs (91, 91?) as horizontal stretches and of the slubs (92, 92?) as trapeziums. the idealized course of the curve may be subtracted from the original course of the curve in order to obtain information on the slubs on the one hand, and on the virtual base yarn on the other hand. The occurring data quantity may be reduced by specifying parameters of the idealized course of the curve.

Abstract: A system and the like capable of stably displaying image information according to an object shot by infrared cameras by offsetting disadvantages of two-dimensional image processing and three-dimensional image processing. According to an image information processing system 100 of the present invention, a weighting factor calculation unit 140 calculates a first weighting factor C1 (0?C1?1) and a second weighting factor C2 (=1?C1), on the basis of a measured value of a variable according to a distance between infrared cameras 210 and an object.

Abstract: An optical translation technique for moving the interrogation spot at which a triangulation system measures the displacement of a target is disclosed. In normal operation of the laser triangulation sensor, an incident laser beam is projected from a sensor head onto a surface of a web that is facing the sensor head. Radiation is reflected from the surface and detected by the sensor. The distance from the sensor head to the web surface is calculated by triangulation. With optical translation, both the incident ray path and the captured ray path are translated with a plurality of high refractive index geometries such that the nominal functioning of the triangulation sensor remains undisturbed. The optimal position on the sheet wherein the interrogation spot will be located can be ascertained.

Abstract: Apparatus for optically measuring a remote object comprises at least one source for projecting a plurality of discrete zones of electromagnetic radiation (for example laser spots) along a projection plane. Imaging apparatus images a plurality of reflections from the remote object. By spatially offsetting the imaging apparatus from the projection plane, crosstalk between opposing cameras imaging the same object is more easily avoided. The same effect as spatially offsetting the imager can be achieved by rotating the light source to provide a reflection axis that is not perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for optically measuring a remote object comprises at least one source for projecting a plurality of discrete zones of electromagnetic radiation (for example laser spots) along a projection plane. Imaging apparatus images a plurality of reflections from the remote object. By spatially offsetting the imaging apparatus from the projection plane, easier discrimination and identification of the reflections is made possible.

Abstract: A transmitter formed of two or more light-emitting sections such as LEDs, which are physically arranged in a predetermined manner, is disposed in the real world object, and each light-emitting section transmits data by flashing at a flashing pattern representing the transmission data of a predetermined bit length. A receiver, on the other hand, includes a photoreceiving section formed from a two-dimensional photoreceiving surface, decodes the transmission data on the basis of the photoreceived flashing pattern, and recognizes the spatial information of an object on the basis of the flashing position on the two-dimensional photoreceiving surface. Therefore, information, such as an ID, can be obtained from the object in the real world, and also, the spatial position of the object can be recognized at the same time.

Abstract: A polarizing multiplexer includes a first arm with a first beam splitter to receive a first unpolarized light from an object and a first retarder coupled to the first beam splitter to generate a first right-hand circularly polarized (RHCP) beam. A normal incident beam splitter is used to receive the first RHCP beam. The multiplexer also includes a second arm with a second beam splitter to receive a second unpolarized light from an object; and a second retarder coupled to the second beam splitter to generate a left-hand circularly polarized (LHCP) beam, wherein the LHCP beam is reflected off the normal incident beam splitter and converted to a second RHCP beam. Light from both arms pass through the second retarder and are converted to p-polarized light before transmitting through the second beam splitter to an image sensor.

Abstract: A measurement sensor comprising a PSD (30) as an optoelectronic receiver, a transmitter (10, 12) for generating spots (22, 26), optics (14, 32) for reproducing the spots (22?, 26?) on the PSD (30) and means (44, 46, 48, 50, 52) for processing output signals (I1, I2) generated by said PSD (30) and for controlling the transmitter (10, 12) depending on the processed output signals (I1, I2) in order to measure the distance between the target (24) and the sensor by a triangulation technique is disclose closed. The transmitter comprises at least two optoelectronic signal sources (10, 12) for projecting at least two spots (22, 26) independent from each other on a target (24), the means (44, 46, 48, 50, 52) comprising a digitally controlled potentiometer (48) for balancing the output signals (I1, I2) and a digital processor (52) adapted for controlling the potentiometer (48).

Abstract: The start of the displacement movement is initiated by a software instruction when measuring surface topologies with microscopic resolution. Trigger pulses which serve to trigger the recording of measured values on the sensor are generated in discrete local intervals by a position transmitter. The measured values obtained are stored and then asynchronously transmitted to the controller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a position system and method for correcting the position of a workpiece during a manufacturing process. The system includes a light generating means for projecting a light beam onto the top surface of the workpiece at a predetermined angle and a video capturing means for detecting the light received by the workpiece. The light projected on the workpiece is scanned to determine the deviation direction and the deviation amount from a predetermined reference point, then the position of the work piece is adjusted based on a positional relationship between a digital image of the projected light on the surface of said workpiece and the predetermined reference image.

Abstract: In a displacement sensor (10) comprising a sensor head (1) and a controller (2) either integrally or separately, the sensor head comprises a measurement light emitting optical system (113), an image acquiring optical system (127a, 127b) and a two dimensional imaging device (122). The controller can control the imaging condition associated with the brightness of the image in the form of a video signal both under a measurement mode and an observation mode. Under the measurement mode, with a light source (112) for measurement turned on, the imaging condition is adjusted in such a manner that a measurement light radiated light image (83) can be imaged at an appropriate brightness but a surrounding part (71) of the measurement object is substantially darker than the appropriate brightness, and a desired displacement is computed according the video signal obtained by the two dimensional imaging device (122).

Abstract: A method is provided for the optical detection of a contrast line in which the area or spatial coordinates of the contrast line are detected, with the detection being performed by a scanner, preferably a laser scanner, which scans the contrast line in a linear manner. An apparatus is also provided for the optical detection of a contrast line having a laser diode, a deflection apparatus for the deflection of the laser beam emitted from the laser diode and having a detector for the detection of the reflected beams, with the deflection apparatus being designed movably such that the laser beam emitted from the laser diode can be shifted in parallel by an amount depending upon position of the deflection apparatus and where the spatial coordinates of the contrast line can be detected by analyzing the beams detected by the detector.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting foreign particle and defect on an object in detection by means of a laser beam, in which the laser beams of different wavelengths are irradiated onto the surface of the object in detection from different angles and the state of foreign particle and defect is separately detected according to the output level of the scattered light reflected from that surface. Further, it is arranged such that the scattered light reflected from the object onto which the laser beam is irradiated from the sole source or the plurality of sources is detected in plural directions, which detecting result is compared for the detection of the directivity of said scattered light in reflection.

Abstract: A coordinate input and detection device includes a touch panel, light emitting units, a reflective member, intensity distribution detection units, a coordinate detection unit, and filters. Each of light beams projected from the light emitting units travels and has a sector shape in a direction parallel to a surface of the touch panel. The light beams are reflected by the reflective member and received by the intensity distribution detection units. A coordinate detection unit detects a coordinate value of a position where the light beams are interrupted based on intensity distributions detected by the intensity distribution detection units. The filters are disposed in optical paths in directions perpendicular to directions in which the light beams travel, and have transmission rates varying with respect to positions within the filters.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for identifying a feature of a railway and deploying equipment for servicing same by image processing range data pertaining to the railway feature. The method includes identifying a feature of a railway, wherein the identifying involves processing an image corresponding to ranges to the feature. The apparatus includes a vision system for determining a range to a feature of the railway and means for positioning equipment relative to, for servicing, the feature, based on the range.

Abstract: An optical distance sensor is provided with a substrate on which a light emitting element and a light detecting element are disposed, and a single optical structure including a first converging mechanism for converging a light beam emitted from the light emitting element, a second converging mechanism for converging a light beam reflected by an object at a distance to be measured, and a reflecting mechanism for deflecting the light beam reflected by the object twice.

Abstract: The acquisition of 3-D scenes by a single hand-held camera is disclosed. The camera is preferably mounted on a lens attachment with four mirrors, enabling stereo capturing of the scene. The signal processing tasks involved, camera calibration and correspondence estimation, are each disclosed. Both fixed and self-calibration methods benefit from the use of the lens attachment to acquire a scene. Specifically, full self-calibration of the camera is enabled, without loss of absolute scale as seen in prior art stereo self-calibration methods. Accurate 3-D models are obtained with the method of the invention.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus is disclosed, which measures the entire image of a target object by employing a light-section method within a short time, without assigning any specific feature to light beams having a beam form obtained by passing through slits. The apparatus comprises a device for simultaneously emitting such light beams; first and second image taking devices for taking an image obtained by light reflected by the target object, where the distance between the first image taking device and the beam emitting device is relatively short while the distance between the first image taking device and the beam emitting device is relatively long; a section for estimating the distance to the target object based on the image taken by the first image taking device; and a section for determining the distance based on the estimated result and on the image taken by the second image taking device.

Abstract: An optical sensor for measuring the volume of an object, the object having a top and a side. The optical sensor comprises a source of light and a light sensor adapted to measure the amount of light reflected off the side and off the top of the object, wherein the measured amount of the light reflected off the side and the top of the object correlates to a height and a diameter of the object. At least one optical device is adapted to direct light reflected off the side of the object to the light sensor, and at least one optical device is adapted to direct light reflected off the top of the object to the light sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the distance to a reflective surface. A first light source transmits a first light onto the reflective surface, the first light source being located on a first side of an axis. The reflective surface reflects at least a portion of the light onto a first light-detecting device having a first region operable to receive the reflected first light from the reflective surface. The first light-detecting device transmits a first and second signals as a function of the location of the received first light within the first region. A second light source transmits a second light onto the reflective surface, the second light source being located on a second side of the axis. The reflective surface reflects at least a portion of the second light onto a second light-detecting device having a second region operable to receive the reflected second light from the reflective surface.

Abstract: A digital range sensor comprises a light source, an optical element to focus the light from the source down to a small spot on a target, a second optical element that is mounted obliquely from the source axis, and a prism mounted on a multi-element detector, which in turn is mounted at the focus of the light returning from the target. The purpose of the prism on the detector is to direct the light onto the active surface of the detector at an angle closer to normal incidence than would otherwise be possible. The detector produces digital data which is transferred to a control module for processing and to produce a numerical range measurement.

Abstract: The opto-electronic sensor (1) for the measurement of the distance (d) to an object (9), resp., for the identification of an object (9) within a monitoring zone (90) is based on triangulation measurement. A light source (21) emits light onto the object (9) or into the monitoring zone (90). The light (35) scattered by the object (9) impinges on a receiving element (31) at an angle (&agr;), which is dependent on distance (d) to the object (9). The latter has tappings (34.1-34.5) distributed over its length, in order to by means of a corresponding selection of these bring the measuring range of the sensor (1) to the value required by a control circuit (4) and as a result of this to increase the measuring resolution correspondingly. In variable amplifiers (6.1, 6.2), two or more detector signals (I1′, I2′) are multiplied with a variable factor respectively determined by the control circuit (4) and subsequently added, resp., subtracted in an adding- or subtracting stage (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-contact distance measuring apparatus, comprising a casing, a distance measuring means located within the casing for measuring the distance between the distance measuring means and an object using electromagnetic radiation, and the casing being substantially transparent to the electromagnetic radiation used by the distance measuring means.

Abstract: A system including confocal and triangulation-based scanners or subsystems provides data which is both acquired and processed under the control of a control algorithm to obtain information such as dimensional information about microscopic targets which may be “non-cooperative.” The “non-cooperative” targets are illuminated with a scanning beam of electromagnetic radiation such as laser light incident from a first direction. A confocal detector of the electromagnetic radiation is placed at a first location for receiving reflected radiation which is substantially optically collinear with the incident beam of electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a spatial filter for attenuating background energy. The triangulation-based subsystem also includes a detector of electromagnetic radiation which is placed at a second location which is non-collinear with respect to the incident beam. This detector has a position sensitive axis.

Abstract: A system including confocal and triangulation-based scanners or subsystems provides data which is both acquired and processed under the control of a control algorithm to obtain information such as dimensional information about microscopic targets which may be “non-cooperative.” The “non-cooperative” targets are illuminated with a scanning beam of electromagnetic radiation such as laser light incident from a first direction. A confocal detector of the electromagnetic radiation is placed at a first location for receiving reflected radiation which is substantially optically collinear with the incident beam of electromagnetic radiation. The system includes a spatial filter for attenuating background energy. The triangulation-based subsystem also includes a detector of electromagnetic radiation which is placed at a second location which is non-collinear with respect to the incident beam. This detector has a position sensitive axis.