Abstract: A method for testing defocus of a camera includes providing a vehicular camera and providing a defocus tester that includes a first target disposed behind an optic and a second target that is not disposed behind the optic. The first target has a simulated image distance relative to the vehicular camera that is different than an actual image distance. The method includes positioning the defocus tester relative to the vehicular camera such that the vehicular camera views the defocus tester and images (i) light that has reflected off the first target and passed through the optic and (ii) light that has reflected off the second target and not passed through the optic. The method includes capturing image data with the vehicular camera that is representative of the first target and the second target and estimating a defocus of the vehicular camera responsive to processing the image data.

Abstract: In a time-of-flight distance measurement device, a light receiving device is driven by a sequence having a matrix of a phase number n, a value sampled on the basis of the n rank matrix with respect to the phase number n is linearly calculated, and a waveform equivalent to the waveform sampled in a 1/n step is detected. A linear operation is performed on a sampled value based on the matrix with the rank n with respect to the phase number n, thereby being capable of restoring the waveform equivalent to the waveform sampled in the 1/n steps, and determining whether the shape of the light emission waveform is normal, or not. As a result, the shape of the light emission waveform can be monitored without interrupting a distance measurement.

Abstract: A prism and light transmitter module includes a prism holder, a light transmitter, a prism module, a drive circuit board, a shield, and a fixing assembly. The light transmitter is configured to emit or receive a light beam along a light axis. The prism module includes an inclined plane and is disposed within the prism holder with the inclined plane exposed. The drive circuit board is disposed above the inclined plane, and intersects with the light axis at a first angle. The shield is disposed on the drive circuit board. The fixing assembly connects to the prism holder, is configured to fix the drive circuit board, and includes a hole through which the light transmitter is exposed. A binocular capable of measuring distance includes a first optical system and a second optical system. The first optical system or/and the second optical system include the prism and light transmitter module.

Abstract: A distance-measuring imaging device includes: a drive controller that outputs a light emission signal and an exposure signal; a light source; a solid-state imager that performs exposure to reflected light; and a TOF calculator that calculates a distance to an object using an imaging signal. The drive controller: cyclically outputs a first exposure signal group in which, before an exposure period of one exposure signal ends, an exposure period of at least one other exposure signal starts; and outputs a second exposure signal group having a dead zone period during which all exposure signals are in a non-exposure period. The TOF calculator calculates a first distance value using a first imaging signal obtained according to the first exposure signal group, calculates a second distance value using a second imaging signal obtained according to the second exposure signal group, and calculates the distance based on the first and second distance values.

Abstract: A prism module includes a first prism including a first surface, a second surface and a third surface, a roof prism including a roof surface and a fourth surface, a second prism including a fifth surface, a sixth surface and a seventh surface, and a third prism including a light access surface, a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface. A light source is disposed above the second prism and adjacent to the first and the roof prisms. A light beam emitted by the light source enters and is reflected by the third prism, enters the second prism through the seventh surface, passes through the sixth surface, enters the first prism through the third surface, and is reflected by the second surface to leave the prism module. The light beam leaving the prism module is parallel to a baseline passing through the first, the second and the fourth surfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing depth imaging using a CCD image sensor. In a method for visual imaging and depth imaging, steps include providing a CCD image sensor device arranged to receive light from an optical lens and having an array of pixels and corresponding pixel charge storage elements; providing a light source for transmitting light pulses responsive to a pulse control signal; providing timing signals to configure the CCD image sensor to collect and store charge from the pixel storage elements; and performing a depth calculation using a background charge, a reflected charge, and a depth charge collected in three frame periods for each pixel in the CCD image sensor. A system including a CCD image sensor for use with the embodiments is disclosed. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A motion-based authentication method is operative in a mobile computing device having a display interface and that includes an accelerometer. Normally, the device software includes a locking mechanism that automatically locks the display interface after a configurable timeout. The authentication method operates to un-lock the display interface (and thus allow the user access to the device) by movement of the device in a predetermined series of physical movements and without display-based entry of a password or other access code on the display itself. In this manner, the user can un-lock the device without display-based entry of a password (on the display itself) by simply holding the device and performing the necessary movement(s) to generate the unique code.

Abstract: An image representing reflected light of structured light is acquired, distance information is calculated, from the image, and a measurement line map storing the distance information is generated. The structured light forms a plurality of measurement lines at discrete positions, and the measurement line map is formed as a two-dimensional array in which one dimension includes elements in a number corresponding to a number of the measurement lines, and another dimension includes elements in a number corresponding to a number of pixels of the image in a lengthwise direction of the measurement lines.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a wireless sensor network system. The wireless sensor network system is adapted for a medication information security environment, and the wireless sensor network system comprising a first sensor node, a second sensor node and a central node. The first sensor node sends a request for registration and a user identification. The central node generates and stores a first set of random number and a second set of random number when receiving the request for registration and the user identification. The central node sends the first set of random number and the second set of random number to the first sensor node and the second sensor node respectively.

Abstract: Mapping apparatus includes a transmitter, which is configured to emit, in alternation, at least two beams comprising pulses of light along respective beam axes that are mutually offset transversely relative to a scan line direction of a raster pattern. A scanner is configured to scan the two or more beams in the raster pattern over 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 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.

Abstract: The present invention tracks or locates small moving objects, or generates a 3-D frame of data by using 3-D focal plane arrays with low laser energy and few mechanically moving parts. The invention may be used to determine the direction of a laser designating a target, for target tracking, used as a 3-D movie/video camera or used to provide data for autonomous navigation.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a wireless sensor network system. The wireless sensor network system is adapted for a medication information security environment, and the wireless sensor network system comprising a first sensor node, a second sensor node and a central node. The first sensor node sends a request for registration and a user identification. The central node generates and stores a first set of random number and a second set of random number when receiving the request for registration and the user identification. The central node sends the first set of random number and the second set of random number to the first sensor node and the second sensor node respectively.

Abstract: A method for controlling an amplitude of an incoming light is provided. The method includes attenuating a portion of the incoming light within a first band having a tunable peak attenuation wavelength using a tunable filter; passing a portion of the incoming light from the tunable filter within a second band using a fixed filter; and controlling the amplitude of the incoming light by tuning the peak attenuation wavelength of the tunable filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining the annual ring center of a wood block are disclosed. A plurality of lines of path is figured out and generated. Each line of path is composed of a plurality of lines each extending normal to a line that is tangential to an annual ring in an image of the wood block end. The normal line may be figured out, for example, by calculating the variance of values of pixels lying on each of a plurality of straight lines of a filter and the sum of the variances for the plurality of straight lines at a plurality of different angular positions of the filter. The annual ring center in the image of the wood block end is determined through calculation based on the points of intersection of the generated lines of path.

Abstract: An optical keyless entry sensor system and method includes an optical sensor in association with a mirror that reflects light transmitted from the optical sensor, wherein reflected light is detectable by the optical sensor. An attenuation filter can be located between the mirror and the optical sensor, wherein the attenuation filter is configured to simulate a contamination of the optical sensor in order to determine an exact level of attenuation representative of contamination that causes a performance failure of the optical sensor, thereby providing data which is indicative of a dynamic range of the optical sensor, such that the dynamic range is utilized to enhance the performance of the optical keyless entry sensor system.

Abstract: Land-based vehicle including an arrangement for monitoring objects in or about a vehicle which includes a source from which illumination is emitted into an area in or about the vehicle, a receiver arranged to receive illumination reflected from an object in the path of the illumination, a light-regulating component arranged in front of the receiver to regulate reception of illumination by the receiver, and circuitry coupled to the source, the receiver and the light-regulating component. The light-regulating component is modulated to enable a determination of a distance between an object from which the illumination has been reflected and the receiver. The circuitry obtains information about objects from which the received illumination has been reflected other than distance information and associates with the objects distances between the objects and the receiver. This improves the ability to control vehicular systems based on the presence of objects in or about the vehicle.

Abstract: An imaging system scans a light source output over an object to be imaged, and receives the reflected signal in a multi-region light detector, wherein different regions of the object to be imaged are imaged onto different regions of the detector by the receiving optics, and wherein different regions of the light detector can be actuated separately. The light source scanning is synchronized with the actuation of the light detector so that a region of the detector imaging the region of object being illuminated by the light source is actuated. The time of flight of light signals from the light source to the actuated portion of the detector is calculated for all scanning directions, to enable a three dimensional image of the object to be constructed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an active system for detection and localization of early stage forest fires using lidar. In the simplest configuration the system includes a lidar and a control computer that operates the beam-scanning system and performs automatic recognition of the smoke signature in the lidar signal on the basis of a neural-network algorithm. The scanning procedure is optimized for the given topography and other characteristics of the area under surveillance. The neural network is simulated or implemented as a co-processor. To cover wider areas, several lidar stations may be linked together in a network, which allows simultaneous scanning of the suspicious areas by several neighboring lidars in order to guarantee maximum efficiency and false alarm reduction. The system allows the detection and localization of fires earlier and farther than passive systems, whose sensitivity is lower.

Abstract: The laser range finding apparatus includes an optical relaxation oscillator assembly, outcoupling optics, a photodetector and a controller. The optical relaxation oscillator assembly produces relaxation oscillations. The relaxation oscillations are a series of optical pulses having a controllable repetition rate. The outcoupling optics receives the series of optical pulses and redirects a minor portion of the energy of the series of optical pulses. A major portion of the energy of the series of optical pulses is adjusted in accordance with first desired beam propagation parameters. A photodetector receives the minor portion and converts the minor portion to an electrical signal representative of the series of optical pulses. A controller receives the electrical signal and determines the repetition period between the optical pulses.

Abstract: In order to measure an actual distance from a vehicle to a target, the target is detected from a picture signal generated by a camera mounted on a vehicle, a horizontally estimated distance of the target is calculated, variables including a vertical angle of the target on a circumference and a curvature radius of the circumference are calculated, and then the actual distance is calculated based on the vertical angle and the curvature radius.

Abstract: A method and system for determining and compensating for phase and time errors in an optical receiver. The method and system includes use of a measurement and reference signal; deriving phase and time errors; and providing compensation values to the optical receiver. The operating frequency and/or other operating parameters associated with phase and time errors are determined and recorded to allow for proper compensation to the optical receiver.

Abstract: A remote inspection device for the inspection of the tubesheet in-bundle region of a steam generator. The device includes a rail system that is easily and quickly mounted to the end of tube at an in-bundle region of a steam generator, a carriage movable on the rail system for feeding at flexible, tape-like wand into the tube, and a probe mounted on an end of the flexible, tape-like wand for performing the inspection operation. The flexible, tape-like wand, which is composed of a flexible metal alloy, has a non-circular center section forming a channel for receiving cabling for the probe and opposed flat, wings on either side of the non-circular center section. Each wing has a row of feed holes positioned remote from the center section that provide engagement with a feed wheel of the carriage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mixtures prepared from (A) at least one linear, branched, or cyclic monomeric organosilane having at least two silicon atoms with hydrolyzable and/or condensation-crosslinking groups in which the silicon atoms are bonded to one another through at least one carbon atom in a linking unit, and (B) at least one boron- and/or aluminum-containing compound having the formula (I) RxM(OR′)3-x  (I)  wherein M is Al or B, x is 0, 1, or 2, R is C1-C6-alkyl, C6-C12-aryl, or (O)1/2, with the proviso that if R is (O)1/2, then the compound of the formula (I) is a chain when x is 1 and a cyclic or cage-form compound when x is 2, and each R′ is independently H, C1-C10-alkyl, or C6-C12-aryl. The invention further relates to hybrid materials prepared from such mixtures and to coatings produced therefrom.

Abstract: A method for determining the fine structure of materials by means of a nonlinear scanning laser microscope, including the steps of forming an image of a specimen by scanning selected points thereof with a focusable laser beam of a predetermined fundamental frequency w, thereby exciting the points to generate signals constituting the third harmonic 3w of said fundamental frequency w, collecting the signals by collecting means, substantially filtering out from the collected 3w signals, signals of a frequency other than the third harmonic 3w, feeding the filtered 3w signals to a detector, and storing the output of the detector for processing and display. A nonlinear scanning laser microscope adapted to form an image of a specimen by scanning it point by point with a focusable laser beam of a predetermined fundamental frequency, is also provided.

Abstract: A laser range finder that is modular so that it can mounted on different weapon platforms. A pulsed infrared laser beam is reflected off the target. The timed return signal is then used to measure the distance. Another laser, either a visible laser or another infrared laser of differing frequency, is used to place a spot on the intended target. Notch pass optical filters serve to eliminate ambient light interference from the second laser. The range finder using projectile information stored in the unit processes the calculated distance to raise or lower the finder on the weapon. A plurality of weapon platforms and projectile is selected by pressing the desired rubberized keypad. The range finder can-be used with a laser detonated projectile that can be detonated when the projectile is over the target. The projectile is fitted with a detector that is sensitive to the frequency of a wide angle laser beam that is attached to the weapon.

Abstract: An arrangement for checking the dimensional accuracy and/or measuring the dimensions of large objects (1), such as car bodies or the like, where the object is provided with checking points such as bolt heads, suspended measuring rods (2-7). At least one movement path is erected beside the object. Provided on each movement path is at least one transmission unit arranged to move along the path which emits a narrow light beam at an angle to the path. At least two light beams are emitted simultaneously from different starting points towards each checking point. In order to make it possible to clearly detect that both light beams impinge on precisely the same point, the light beams are modulated in different phase positions with a modulation frequency which causes the light upon impingement on one point with only one light beam to be interpreted by the eye as flashing. On the other hand, light at the point of impingement is interpreted as steady if light from both light beams impinge on the point.

Abstract: An improved optical measuring instrument having an image combining mirror which reflects part of the light from one source and transmits part of the light from another source and superimposes such reflected and transmitted light over the entire surface of the mirror is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment an improved sextant is disclosed using the image combining mirror. Sextants are double reflecting optical devices which are generally used to measure the angle between a celestial object, such as the sun, the moon, or a star, and the horizon. This measurement is used primarily in navigation for determining the user's location at sea. Prior sextants split the viewing area of the horizon mirror into two fields of view: one-half horizon and one-half celestial object. The improved sextant uses a horizon mirror which combines and overlaps (superimposes) the horizon and celestial images over the entire viewing area.