Abstract: A method of augmenting a mobile radio positioning system (Mobile_RADPS) by using a stationary fan laser transmitter. A rover comprises the mobile radio positioning system (Mobile_RADPS) integrated with a mobile laser detector. The stationary fan laser transmitter is integrated with a stationary radio positioning system (Stationary_RADPS). The method comprises the following steps: (A)generating a single sloping fan beam by the stationary fan laser transmitter; (B) detecting the single sloping fan beam generated by the stationary fan laser transmitter by using the mobile laser detector; and (C) timing the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location and using the timing of the fan laser beam strike at the rover's location to improve an accuracy in determination of position coordinates of the rover.

Abstract: A celestial object locating device according to the present disclosure enables a user to unambiguously identify one or more stars or other celestial objects. The celestial object locating device may also direct a user to a desired celestial object or objects. The device may be useful for locating or identifying stars, constellations, and deep sky objects without knowing a users location or time of day. The celestial object locating device determines the angle between selected visible stars and compares these angles to angles between known stars to determine the location of all other stars. The device includes a 3-axis magnetic field sensor and a 3-axis gravitational field sensor that operate with a processor and an electronic database to perform the required calculations. The device's database may be updated using any suitable method such as flash drives, network connections or other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surveying system, comprising at least one total station unit (210, 220), and at least one target (201, 203), said targets having wireless communication means, each unit provided with a unique wireless communication address for wireless communication, the wireless communication to be used to activate a selected total station (210, 220) to identify and measure the location of a chosen target (201, 203) in relation to a relative reference system, each target having identification means to be used by the total station for identification of the chosen target, each total station having identifying means used for identification of the chosen target to be measured. The invention also relates to a target and a method for surveying using the total stations and the targets according to the system.

Abstract: A laser distance-measuring device includes a laser-transmitting portion, a laser-receiving portion, a coupling portion, an inclination-measuring portion, a signal-processing portion, and a display. The laser-transmitting portion emits a laser beam, and the laser-receiving portion receives the laser beam. The coupling portion interconnects the laser-receiving portion and the signal-processing portion. The inclination-measuring portion detects an inclination angle of the laser beam. The signal-processing portion processes the signals received from the laser-receiving portion and the inclination-measuring portion and sends the result to the display. The display receives and displays the result of processing by the signal-processing portion.

Abstract: In preferred forms of the invention an array of MEMS mirrors or small mirrors inside an optical system operates closed-loop. These mirrors direct external source light, or internally generated light, onto an object—and detect light reflected from it onto a detector that senses the source. Local sensors measure mirror angles relative to the system. Sensor and detector outputs yield source location relative to the system. One preferred mode drives the MEMS mirrors, and field of view seen by the detector, in a raster, collecting a 2-D or 3-D image of the scanned region. Energy reaching the detector can be utilized to analyze object characteristics, or with an optional active distance-detecting module create 2- or 3-D images, based on the object's reflection of light back to the system. In some applications, a response can be generated. The invention can detect sources and locations for various applications.

Abstract: A portable target locator for use by a ground observer to accurately determine the location of a target and transmit location information and firing instructions to an unmanned vehicle so the unmanned vehicle can locate the target and perform an operation based on the firing instructions. The apparatus comprises optics for permitting a user to see a magnified view of the target; a location determining component for determining a location of the apparatus; rangefinder for determining a range from the apparatus to the target; an Azimuth sensor for determining an Azimuth from the apparatus to the target; a processor for determining the location of the target based on the location of the apparatus, the range to the target, and the Azimuth from the apparatus to the targets, a transmitter for transmitting the location information and the firing instructions to the unmanned vehicle, and a portable handheld housing.

Abstract: The present invention features a system to determine relative spatial parameters between two coordinate systems, which may be a mold and a region of a substrate in which mold is employed to generate a pattern. The system senses relative alignment between the two coordinate systems at multiple points and determines relative spatial parameters therebetween. The relative spatial parameters include a relative area and a relative shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the current position (A, B, C, D) of a head (9) of an occupant (8) in the passenger compartment (2) of a motor vehicle (1), said head moving toward an automatic dynamic disabling zone (6) in front of an airbag module (5). To this end, the invention makes use of the idea that the best position for a measurement with regard thereto is the point in space where the ideal direction of movement (14) of the head (9) is perpendicular to an ideal line of sight (17) of the camera (160. The measurement is then preferably carried out when the geometric center (10) of the head (9) crosses this point. In a preferred embodiment, the calculation of the actual movement vector of the head (9) is taken as a basis, said head being preferably perpendicular in a current line of sight (18) of the camera (16). The invention advantageously increases the potential for protecting an occupant (8) in a motor vehicle (1).

Abstract: A fast and accurate non-contacting angle sensor. According to one aspect of the described sensor and method of operation thereof, the angular orientation of an inner payload relative to an outer structure is monitored with a 2 axis optical angle sensor for azimuth and elevation angles. The sensor operates on the same principle as an autocollimator, thus it measures both azimuth and elevation angles simultaneously. The angle sensor measurements are highly accurate in the angles of interest, while having low sensitivity to translation in three axes and low sensitivity to roll angle between the inner payload and the outer structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to ground-based surveying on a site (2) which comprises an unstable zone (60) and at least one control point (FCP1, FCP2, FCP6, FCP7; CP1–CP3) placed outside the unstable zone, in which method at least one surveying device (TS8, TS9; ST1–ST3) is used to acquire positional data by sighting least one control point (FCP1, FCP2, FCP6, FCP7; CP1–CP3). The approach comprises: providing at least one sighting point (UP3–UP5; A–C) within the unstable zone (60; 20), using the surveying device(s) (TS8, TS9; ST1–ST3) to acquire positional data by sighting the at least one sighting point (UP3–UP5; A–C) that is located within the unstable zone (60; 20), and combining the positional data acquired from: i) the at least one control point (FCP1, FCP2, FCP6, FCP7; CP1–CP3) placed outside the unstable zone and ii) at least one sighting point (UP3–UP5; A–C) within the unstable zone (60; 20), to produce a positional reference for the surveying device(s).

Abstract: A laser beam transmitter and a method of calibrating such a transmitter result in a beam of laser light that is projected in a desired direction with respect to a transmitter body. The transmitter and a beam target are positioned such that a properly calibrated beam will illuminate a desired point on the target, such as for example the target center. The transmitter is activated and the offset of the point illuminated on the target from the target center measured. A plurality of optical wedge correction elements having varying wedge angles is provided, and the appropriate one of these optical wedge correction elements that will correct for the measured offset is selected. The selected optical wedge correction element is positioned in the transmitter body in the path of the beam. The optical wedge correction element is rotated until the beam is substantially aligned to illuminate the target center. The optical wedge element is then affixed in place in the transmitter body.

Abstract: A radiation intensity directional sensor includes a housing having an opening covered by a transparent or translucent lens element, an array of sensor elements sensitive to radiation, preferably to electromagnetic radiation in the visible and/or infrared range, and a shading element separating at least two of the sensor elements. The shading element at least partly blocks light from impinging directly on one of two sensing elements separated by the shading element. The array of sensor elements is thereby arranged for producing output signals from the at least two separated sensor elements having different amplitudes whereby the difference in amplitude is used for estimating the position of a light source in relation to the sensor housing.

Abstract: From a plurality of pictures 1-1 through 1-3 captured at successive time intervals, pictures 2-1 through 2-3 of regions determined in accordance with the movement of the celestial object are cut out. By deriving median values in regard to the same pixels in each of the cut-out pictures 2-1 through 2-3, a median value picture 3-1 is created. By deriving median values, the influence of large numbers of fixed starts that hinder the detection of the moving celestial object that moves in the cut-out pictures is eliminated, and only the moving celestial object is permitted to remain. When deriving median value, pixel values indicating singular values are eliminated in advance, so that the effects of the images of large bright light sources and the lost pixels that output no pixel values are effectively reduced.

Abstract: An optical position measuring arrangement that includes an incremental measuring graduation and a scanning unit, which can be moved in relation to the incremental measuring graduation along a measuring direction and by which position-dependent incremental signals are generated from scanning the measuring graduation. The scanning unit includes a transparent support substrate and two incremental signal scanning arrangements arranged in the measuring direction. Each of the incremental scanning arrangements includes a light source and several incremental signal detector elements, wherein the incremental signal scanning arrangements are arranged on a side of the support substrate facing away from the incremental measuring graduation.

Abstract: A method is described that measures the angular orientation of a rotational axis to a reference line. The reference line is defined by the position of a string. The alignment device includes a collimated light source that is projected approximately perpendicular to a rotating axis. The distance between the projected collimated light beam and the reference line is observed at two or more points. The distances between the reference line and light beam are then used to compute the non-perpendicular alignment angle of the rotational axis relative to the reference line. Other objects, advantages, and contributions are set forth in the disclosing embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A method to determine the alignment of the transmitter and receiver fields of view of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system. This method can be employed to determine the far-field intensity distribution of the transmitter beam, as well as the variations in transmitted laser beam pointing as a function of time, temperature, or other environmental variables that may affect the co-alignment of the LIDAR system components. In order to achieve proper alignment of the transmitter and receiver optical systems when a LIDAR system is being used in the field, this method employs a laser-beam-position-sensing detector as an integral part of the receiver optics of the LIDAR system.

Abstract: An astrometry system comprises an astrometry first telescope having first and second sightlines respectively corresponding to first and second fields of view and a first star detector system in a first focal plane. A first optical system combines first and second light beams from stars in the first and second fields of view and substantially parallel to the first and second sightlines and delivers them to the first star detector system. A second telescope has a third sightline substantially parallel to one of the first and second sightlines. There is a second star detector in at least one second focal plane. A second optical system collects a third light beam from the stars substantially parallel to the third sightline and delivers it to the second star detector. A processor determines the source field of view of each star detected as a function of whether it is detected either by only the first detector or conjointly by the first and second detectors.

Abstract: A solar sensor comprises a housing, a pair of optical devices, an optical lens and a lens member. The optical devices are disposed in the right side and the left side on the top side of the housing, respectively, of the axis parallel to the direction of travel of a vehicle. The optical lens is disposed above the optical devices and guides incident light toward the optical devices. The lens member comprising solid projections is disposed between the optical devices and the optical lens. The top surface of the lens member is coated with a screen film except the areas under the projections. The lens member makes total quantity of solar irradiation to the optical devices constant in collaboration with the optical lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a position detection device having a function of an electronic shutter. The position detection device is devised to perform the following: a light sending means sends out emitted light, which comes from a light emitting means, to a target object; a two-dimensional light receiving means receives reflected light coming from the target object, and converts the reflected light into an electric charge; and an arithmetic processing means determines a position of the target object on the basis of a light receiving signal from the two-dimensional light receiving means. In addition, the two-dimensional light receiving means has a function of an electronic shutter for discharging an accumulated electric charge in order to adjust the quantity of received light. Moreover, the arithmetic processing means can drive the light emitting means within a period of time during which the electronic shutter is stopped and the two-dimensional light receiving means is accumulating an electric charge.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, control system and computer program product are provided for controllably positioning the solar concentrator. The method, apparatus, control system and computer program product determine the respective errors generated by more and different error sources than prior techniques, including error sources selected from the group consisting of a gravitational residue error, an elevation transfer function error and an error attributable to atmospheric refraction. Based upon the respective errors, the method, apparatus, control system and computer program product determine an elevation command and an azimuth command to compensate for the vertical error and the horizontal error between the centerline of the solar concentrator and the sun reference vector such that the solar concentrator can be more precisely positioned, thereby improving the efficiency with which the solar concentrator collects solar energy.

Abstract: A fault detection pseudo gyro emulates mechanical gyros by processing space system appendage measurement data and reaction wheel tachometer data within reference and control systems of a satellite to compute the vehicular bus angular velocity rate data by accounting for external torques, the momentum transfer between the satellite, the bus, and the appendages for providing accurate relative vehicular position and angular velocity rate data in an attitude reference and control systems now having accurate vehicular angular velocity rate data while enabling fault detection of hardware gyros and momentum sensors.

Abstract: Plural photodetectors for receiving light and generating detection signals. A light amount controlling portion is arranged above the photodetectors for controlling an amount of the light to the photodetectors according to an incident angle. A weighting portion for weighting sensitivities of the photodetectors respectively. The sensitivities are weighted to provide a total output characteristic of the weighted detection signals of which magnitude varies according to the incident angle. Weighting is provided by a signal processing circuit by controlling gains, or a translucent film on the photodetectors for controlling transparencies portions above respective photodetectors, or opaque films on the photodetectors for controlling amounts of the light to respective photodetectors. A first function signal may be obtained from a part of photodetectors for an air conditioner and a second function signal may be obtained from all of photodetectors for head lamp on/off controlling.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a mechanism for positioning video cameras for use in measuring vehicle wheel alignment includes optical targets for mounting to the wheels of a vehicle, at least one video camera for viewing said optical targets and producing at least one image thereof, a computer system for measuring said at least one image and for using said measurements to compute vehicle wheel alignment information, a positioning system for positioning said at least one video camera such that said optical targets are visible to said at least one video camera and such that said at least one video camera can produce said at least one image of said targets, and a controller for controlling said positioning system such that a user of said apparatus can cause said at least one video camera to be positioned in at least one desired position and such that said user can further cause said controller to remember said at least one desired position so that any user can, at a later time, cause said controller to

Abstract: A process for determining an attitude measurement of a spacecraft is provided. The process employs a Horizon-Crossing Indicator (HCI) sensor 108. The process uses three time tagged crossings of the earth circle 104 to provide sufficient HCI data to determine the earth center 106. Since these observations may be infrequent, the relative attitude of the spacecraft 100 changes for each observation time. Therefore, once the integrated angular rate data, and thus the attitude relative to some reference, for the first, second and third horizon crossings is obtained, the sensor bore-sight data for each of these observations is transformed back to a known reference time. In one example, the integrated angular rate data from the third and second horizon crossings is transformed back to first horizon crossing time T1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary laser irradiating apparatus, which comprises a laser source, a rotator for forming a laser reference plane by rotary irradiation of laser beam from said laser source, scanning gear for deflecting the laser beam from said laser source, and a controller for controlling said scanning gear, whereby a plurality of laser reference planes are formed within a predetermined range as desired during one turn of rotary irradiation of the laser beam, and different levels can be set at a plurality of points.

Abstract: The present invention provides a rotary laser irradiating apparatus, which comprises a laser source, a rotator for forming a laser reference plane by rotary irradiation of a laser beam from the laser source, scanning gear for deflecting the laser beam from the laser source, and a controller for controlling the scanning gear, whereby a plurality of laser reference planes are formed within a predetermined range as desired during one turn of rotary irradiation of the laser beam, and different levels can be set at a plurality of points.

Abstract: An imaging instrument includes plural spaced-apart photon collectors, whose sampled outputs are correlated in pairs to yield brightness line integrals across a remote object being imaged. These integrals can be subject to matrix decomposition to yield a 2D array of image data corresponding to the object. Another imaging instrument includes plural spaced-apart reflectors, each having an optical fiber end at its focal point. The precise positions of the optical fiber ends are controlled by a control system (e.g., including piezo-electric positioners) that can be operated to counter-act the effect of atmospheric turbulence. The other ends of the fibers terminate at an image plane and serve to provide an output image.

Abstract: A pseudo gyro emulates mechanical gyros by software processes by processing space system appendage measurement data and reaction wheel tachometer data within reference and control systems of a satellite using principals of conservation of momentum to compute the vehicular bus angular velocity rate data by accounting for external torque, the momentum transfer between the satellite, the bus, and the appendages for providing accurate relative vehicular position and angular velocity rate data as an integral part of attitude reference and control systems now having higher reliability, longer life times, lower power consumption, and more accurate vehicular angular velocity rate data generated within high bandwidth operations. A specific improvement is the use of a bias torque estimator for accounting for uncertainties in external torque estimations for accurate total system momentum computations.