Abstract: A system and methodologies for neuromorphic vision simulate conventional analog NM system functionality and generate digital NM image data that facilitate improved object detection, classification, and tracking.

Abstract: A LIDAR system is provided. The LIDAR system comprises at least one processor configured to: access an optical budget stored in memory, the optical budget being associated with at least one light source and defining an amount of light that is emittable in a predetermined time period by the at least one light source; receive information indicative of a platform condition for the LIDAR system; based on the received information, dynamically apportion the optical budget to a field of view of the LIDAR system based on at least two of: scanning rates, scanning patterns, scanning angles, spatial light distribution, and temporal light distribution; and output signals for controlling the at least one light source in a manner enabling light flux to vary over scanning of the field of view in accordance with the dynamically apportioned optical budget.

Abstract: An online multiphase measuring method of concentration and diameter distribution of dispersed phase particles in a multiphase reactor is provided in the present invention. The method is based on an online multiphase measuring instrument. The method described herein includes the following steps: (1) the online multiphase measuring instrument is placed in a multiphase system, and an image of the particles in the multiphase system is obtained; (2) valid particles are determined as: the particle that its Grad(?) is greater than or equal to Grad(?l/2) is labeled as a valid one; (3) the particle diameter is calculated by di=10×ni/N10; according to the equation ? = V c V = ? i n ? 1 6 ? ? ? ? d i 3 S × l , the concentration of the valid particles is calculated. The concentration and diameter of bubbles, droplets or solid particles can be obtained in real time and online measurement. The accuracy of this method is high.

Abstract: To increase the effective pulse rate of a light source in a lidar system, a controller provides control signals to the light source to transmit a light pulse once the previous light pulse has been received. The controller may communicate with a receiver in the lidar system that detects received light signals. In response to detecting a received light signal, the receiver may provide an indication of the received light signal to the controller which may in turn provide a control signal to the light source to transmit the next light pulse. The receiver may also provide characteristics of the received light signal to the controller, such as the peak power for the received light signal, the average power for the received light signal, the pulse duration of the received light signal, etc. Then the controller may analyze the characteristics to determine whether to transmit another light pulse.

Abstract: A device for a vehicle, in particular a tractor, with a hydraulic actuating unit for regulating the operation of a towing unit on the vehicle comprises at least one speed detecting unit with two distance determining sensors positioned one after the other in the direction of travel of the vehicle and directed toward the ground and an analysis unit as well as data communications connections to a vehicle operating system and a hydraulic operating system associated with the hydraulic actuating unit.

Abstract: An interface for transferring power and data between a non-rotating body and a rotating body may include a power transfer device coupled to the non-rotating body, and a power receiver coupled to the rotating body and configured to receive electrical power from the power transfer device. The interface may further include a first data transmitter coupled to the rotating body, and a first data receiver coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to receive data signals from the first data transmitter. The interface may also include a second data transmitter coupled to the non-rotating body, and a second data receiver coupled to the rotating body and configured to receive data signals from the second data transmitter. The wireless coupling between the power transfer device and the power receiver may include an inductive coupling, and the first data transmitter and the first data receiver may each include an optical communication device.

Abstract: An optical link including an optical computing device having an integrated computational element (ICE), and a method for using the device to perform a remote measurement of a characteristic of a sample with the optical computing device are provided. The optical computing device provides an optical computing signal proportional to a characteristic of a sample from an interacted light provided to the ICE. The device includes an optical transducer to provide a modulating signal based on the optical computing signal and a modulator to modulate a first portion of a transmission light in an optical waveguide based on the modulating signal.

Abstract: An interface for transferring data between a non-rotating body and a rotating body of a sensor assembly using a bidirectional communication link. For instance, the interface may include a first data transmitter coupled to the rotating body and configured to transmit first data signals representing sensor signals generated by the sensor assembly. A first data receiver is coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to receive the first data signals via a first wireless coupling. The interface further includes a second data transmitter coupled to the non-rotating body and configured to transmit second data signals. A second data receiver is coupled to the rotating body and configured to receive the second data signals via a second wireless coupling. In some instances, the first data signals may be transmitted using a first wavelength and the second data signals may be transmitted using a second, different wavelength.

Abstract: The invention relates to the measurement of the speed of an aircraft by Doppler laser anemometry, the aircraft being equipped with a LiDAR using coherent detection.

Abstract: A method is provided, including: receiving inertial data from an input device, the inertial data being generated from one or more inertial sensors of the input device; receiving captured image data from an image capture device configured to capture images of an interactive environment in which the input device is disposed, the input device having a light emitting diode (LED) array that generates infrared light; processing the inertial data and the captured image data to determine a movement of the input device in the interactive environment; establishing a gearing that adjusts an amount by which the movement of the input device is mapped to movement of an image that is rendered to a display; changing the gearing to different settings during the movement of the image as the movement of the image is rendered to the display.

Abstract: An object detection device includes an optical scanning system, a detection system, and a processing device. The optical scanning system includes a light source, a light source drive unit, and a deflector, and causes the deflector to scan a scan area with light from light source at scan positions. The detection system detects the light emitted from the optical scanning system and reflected by an object. The processing device calculates distance information indicating a distance to the object based on a light emission timing and a light detection timing. In a plurality of scans, the optical scanning system causes the light source to emit light at a different scan position in each scan. The processing device includes a correction system to correct the distance information at at least one scan position at which the light source is caused to emit light in at least one scan of the scans.

Abstract: Approaches for determining the delivery success of a particle, such as a drug particle, are disclosed. A system for monitoring delivery of particles to biological tissue includes a volume, an optical component, a detector, and an analyzer. The volume comprises a space through which a particle can pass in a desired direction. The optical component is configured to provide a measurement light. The detector is positioned to detect light emanating from the particle in response to the measurement light. The detected light is modulated as the particle moves along a detection axis. The detector is configured to generate a time-varying signal in response to the detected light. The analyzer is configured to receive the time-varying signal and determine a delivery success of the particle into a biological tissue based upon characteristics of the time-varying signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface identification device for the movement of a vehicle at a distance from that surface, the device comprising a detection head, the head including at least one sensor of a property depending on the distance of the center of the head from the surface, each sensor covering a detection zone centered on a line of sight, an orientation system for the detection zone of each sensor, and a controller processing the signals from each sensor and controlling the system based on said signals. The controller estimates the direction of the perpendicular to the surface, and uses said system to rotate the line of sight of each sensor in a separate direction by a reorientation angle of the direction of said perpendicular.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating accurate 3-dimensional images of objects immersed in liquids including optically opaque liquids which may also have significant sound attenuation, is described. Sound pulses are caused to impinge on the object, and the time-of-flight of the reflected sound is used to create a 3-dimensional image of the object in almost real-time. The apparatus is capable of creating images of objects immersed in fluids that are optically opaque and have high sound attenuation at resolutions less than about 1 mm. The apparatus may include a piezoelectric transducer for generating the acoustic pulses; a high-density polyethylene compound acoustic lens, a 2-dimensional segmented piezoelectric detecting array positioned behind the lens for receiving acoustic pulses reflected by the object, the electric output of which is directed to digital signal processing electronics for generating the image.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method of estimating a position of a rotor in a motor. The method includes determining a first estimated position of the rotor using a first algorithm, determining a second estimated position of the rotor using a second algorithm, the second algorithm being different than the first algorithm, determining a first error based on the first estimated position and the second estimated position, and determining a third estimated position of the rotor based on the first error.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recording a scene (3) using at least two time-of-flight cameras (1, 2), which respectively comprise a light source (5) and an image sensor (6), wherein image recording operations which comprise a measuring operation for determining depth information are carried out using each of the at least two time-of-flight cameras (1, 2), wherein the measuring operation comprises the emission of modulated light (11) by the light source (5), the detection of modulated light (12) after the reflection on objects (4) of the scene (3) using the image sensor (6), and the calculation of depth information from the propagation time of the modulated light between the emission and the detection.

Abstract: For determining positions and orientations of mirrors, the mirrors are illuminated with parallel light rays. A first camera is arranged in an image plane onto which an objective images the mirrors. A second camera is arranged in a focal plane of the objective, and a third camera is arranged in an intermediate plane located at distances to both the image and the focal plane. At a same point in time, a first, a second and a third picture are taken with the first, the second and the third camera, respectively. The positions and the orientations of the mirrors are determined from light spots in the first and the second picture, respectively; and which of the orientations belongs to which of the positions is determined by correlating light spots in the third picture with both the light spots in the first and in the second picture.

Abstract: A velocity deviation measuring device includes: a laser driver that causes a semiconductor laser to oscillate; a counting portion that counts run lengths of binary signals wherein interference waveforms included in the output of a photodiode that converts the output of the semiconductor laser into an electric signal have been binarized; and a calculating portion that calculates the deviation in the surface velocity of a web from the counting result by the counting portion. The counting portion binarizes the interference waveform synchronized to a sampling clock, measures the respective run lengths of the binary signal during a reference interval and a comparison interval, creates respective frequency distributions of the run lengths for the reference interval and the comparison interval, and calculates, respectively, for the reference interval and the comparison interval, the total numbers of run lengths that are at or above a threshold value Th, from the frequency distribution.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting the flow of blood or other fluids in biological tissue by illuminating the biological tissue with two or more beams of coherent light and detecting responsively emitted light. A difference in wavelength, coherence length, beam divergence, or some other property of the beams of illumination causes the beams to preferentially scatter from, be absorbed by, or otherwise interact with respective elements of the biological tissue. Flow properties in one or more regions of the biological tissue (e.g., a region with which both beams of light preferentially interact, a region with which only one of the beams preferentially interacts) could be determined based on detected responsively emitted light from the biological tissue. Variations in speckle patterns over time and/or space, Doppler shifts, or some other properties of the detected light could be used to determine the flow properties.

Abstract: System and method for remotely sensing the cross-flow orientation of a fluid (including a gaseous fluid) over an extended range. A Fourier transform of beam wander of a single beam can be used to determine the orientation of the flow field. Many applications depend upon accurate flow orientation data to provide correct information such as, for example, citing of turbines on wind farms and atmospheric/ocean weather prediction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a system for determining a velocity of a relative movement between a system for determining the velocity and a fluidal medium. The method includes directing at least two light beams through at least a portion of the fluidal medium using the system such that a portion of light of each light beam is absorbed by the fluidal medium. Further, the method includes detecting first and second spectral intensity profiles of at least two light beams to detect the light absorption. The method also includes determining a difference profile associated with spectral intensity differences between a first and a second spectral intensity profile; and integrating an absolute value function of the difference profile to determine the velocity. The at least two light beams are directed such that the first and second spectral intensity profiles each have a different spectral position. The system has components that are arranged to allow operation of the above-described method.

Abstract: The invention is related to a laser diode based multiple beam laser spot imaging system for characterization of vehicle dynamics. A laser diode based, preferably VCSEL based laser imaging system is utilized to characterize the vehicle dynamics. One or more laser beams are directed to the road surface. A compact imaging system including an imaging matrix sensor such as a CCD or CMOS camera measures locations or separations of individual laser spots. Loading status of vehicles and vehicles' pitch and roll angle can be characterized by analyzing the change of laser spot locations or separations.

Abstract: An apparatus for the imaging of gaseous fluid motion is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sub-nanosecond pulsed laser. The sub-nanosecond pulsed laser is configured to cause a particle species to fragment and for the recombining fragments subsequently to fluoresce. The apparatus also includes a gaseous fluid comprised of particle species. The apparatus also includes a time gated camera. The time gated camera configured to capture at least one image of the fluorescence from the recombining particle fragment species displaced after a specific time lapse following the laser pulse. Additionally, a fluid velocity can be calculated from a comparison of the image of the displaced particle species to an initial reference position and the time lapse. A Femtosecond Laser Electronic Excitation Tagging (FLEET) method of using the disclosed apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A particle sensor apparatus having an optical emitter device that is configured to emit an optical radiation so that a volume having at least one particle possibly present therein is at least partly illuminatable; an optical detector device having at least one detection surface that is struck by at least a portion of the optical radiation scattered at the at least one particle, at least one information signal regarding an intensity and/or an intensity distribution of the optical radiation striking the at least one detection surface being outputtable; and an evaluation device with which an information item regarding a presence of particles, a number of particles, a particle density, and/or at least one property of particles is identifiable and outputtable, the particle sensor apparatus also encompassing at least one lens element that is disposed so that the emitted optical radiation is focusable onto a focus region inside the volume.

Abstract: An imaging method and corresponding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention enables measurement and visualization of fluid flow. An embodiment method includes obtaining video captured by a video camera with an imaging plane. Representations of motions in the video are correlated. A textured background of the scene can be modeled as stationary, with a refractive field translating between background and video camera. This approach offers multiple advantages over conventional fluid flow visualization, including an ability to use ordinary video equipment outside a laboratory without particle injection. Even natural backgrounds can be used, and fluid motion can be distinguished from refraction changes. Depth and three-dimensional information can be recovered using stereo video, and uncertainty methods can enhance measurement robustness where backgrounds are less textured. Example applications can include avionics and hydrocarbon leak detection.

Abstract: An imaging and lighting apparatus includes plural imaging modules and a lighting module related with at least one of the plural imaging module. The plural imaging modules have zooming functions. The lighting module also has a zooming function or has multiple functions. The plural zooming function and the multiple functions are controlled according to related control signals. Consequently, the joint movement of the corresponding imaging modules and the lighting module can achieve the purpose of optimizing the energy utilization as well as improving the overall performance.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a processing method for laser heterodyne interferometric signal based on locking edge with high frequency digital signal. A reference signal and a measurement signal of heterodyne interferometer, after being processed by photodetector, signal amplifier, filtering circuit, voltage comparator and high frequency digital edge locking module, are transferred to pulse counting synchronized latching processing module, to obtain entire cycle interference fringe numbers and filling pulse numbers in one interference fringe cycle, of the reference signal and the measurement signal; the numbers are transferred to a computer to obtain displacement and speed of a measured object; usage of a high frequency digital pulse signal to lock the rising edge of laser heterodyne interferometric signal can improve the gradient of the rising edge of interference signal and eliminate wrong pulse caused by noises, and improve the accuracy and stability of the processing for the following signals.

Abstract: While a light sheet is generated at a designated region, images of fluid flowing through the designated region are formed at different times. For an inspection region of the plurality of inspection regions defined in the images that has a degree of difference exceeding a threshold between the local flow velocity vector v(a, b, T) at a certain time T and a reference flow velocity vector v(a, b, T±) at times T± that are different from the certain time T, the flow velocity vector v(a, b, T) at the reference time T is corrected with the reference flow velocity vector v(a, b, T±).

Abstract: Systems and corresponding methods for use in measuring rotation characteristics (e.g., rotation magnitude and direction) of remote targets are provided. A laser light of a known frequency is incident upon the target and reflected. A portion of the reflected laser light is directed to detector field of view, where it is measured and analyzed. The detector field of view is divided into multiple segments, each capable of independently measuring the intensity and frequency of laser light incident thereon. The rotation magnitude of the target may be correlated with the width of the total Doppler spread of reflected light incident upon the detector. The rotation direction of the target may be correlated to a difference in the Doppler spreads measured for corresponding halves of the detector.

Abstract: A pointing axis estimation apparatus capable of removing pointing axis variations caused by factors other than pointing axis variations of a telescope, thereby estimating true pointing axis variations of the telescope. The pointing axis estimation apparatus includes: a laser light source-unit attitude detector for calculating translational and rotational displacements of a laser light source unit; an optical axis detection-unit attitude detector for calculating translational and rotational displacements of an optical axis detection unit; a pointing axis calculator for calculating a pointing axis based on information from an optical axis variation detector; and a pointing axis variation estimator for calculating a true pointing axis variation of a telescope based on displacement data output from the detectors and the calculator.

Abstract: An imaging method and corresponding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention enables measurement and visualization of fluid flow. An embodiment method includes obtaining video captured by a video camera with an imaging plane. Representations of motions in the video are correlated. A textured background of the scene can be modeled as stationary, with a refractive field translating between background and video camera. This approach offers multiple advantages over conventional fluid flow visualization, including an ability to use ordinary video equipment outside a laboratory without particle injection. Even natural backgrounds can be used, and fluid motion can be distinguished from refraction changes. Depth and three-dimensional information can be recovered using stereo video, and uncertainty methods can enhance measurement robustness where backgrounds are less textured. Example applications can include avionics and hydrocarbon leak detection.

Abstract: Devices capable of capturing still and motion imagery are integrated with an accurate distance and speed measuring apparatus. By measuring the changing distance of the target over that time, a target's speed can be determined. At substantially the same time as the target's speed is determined, imagery of the target is captured in both a still and moving format. Using a queuing mechanism for both distance and imagery data along with time stamps associated with each, a target's image, both in motion and still, can be integrated with its speed. In situations in which a still image is unavailable, a target's speed can be associated with a portion of a continuous stream of motion imagery to a point where a positive identification can be captured with a still image.

Abstract: A computer-controlled micro-instrumentation biochemical reaction environment system includes an electrically-controllable microfludic routing system, at least one microreaction chamber, at least one micro-instrumentation device, and at least one electronic microprocessor. The microreaction chamber supports at least one chemical reaction associated with a biological signaling pathway. The micro-instrumentation device measures at least one physical quantity associated with the signaling pathway. The microprocessor transmits electrical control signals, receives electrical measurement signals, and executes at least one software algorithm.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method for determining a change in distance to a moving and reflective target. Embodiments of the invention can be performed by means of interferometry and may include the generation of laser radiation, the emission of the measurement radiation to the target, and the detection of at least part of the measurement radiation reflected at the target. In some embodiments, a superposition of the reflected measurement radiation with the reference radiation is generated and detected, an interferometer output variable is derived on the basis of the detected superposition, and/or a time-resolved output variable curve is produced from the derived interferometer output variable. In some embodiments, the output variable curve is continually checked in that the output variable curve is continually read out in a time-resolved manner.

Abstract: A system related to synthetic colorization of real-time immersive environments is disclosed. The system discloses converting real-time camera data on-board a machine into signatures which describe the real-time camera data. The signatures are based on image properties, such as color, intensity, and illumination. The signatures, which require much less bandwidth than the real-time camera data to transmit, are transmitted to a remote operator station. The remote operator station utilizes the signatures to synthetically color and texture the environment surrounding the machine to provide an immersive environment to a user at the remote operator station.

Abstract: Systems and methods for software-reconfigurable chemical process systems useful in a wide range of applications. Embodiments may include software control of internal processes, automated provisions for cleaning internal elements with solvents, provisions for clearing and drying gasses, and multitasking operation. In one family of embodiments, a flexible software-reconfigurable multipurpose reusable “Lab-on-a-Chip” or “embedded chemical processor” is realized that can facilitate a wide range of applications, instruments, and appliances. Through use of a general architecture, a single design can be economically manufactured in large scale and readily adapted to diverse specialized applications. Clearing and cleaning provisions may be used to facilitate reuse of the device, or may be used for decontamination prior to recycling or non-reclaimed disposal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the position determination of objects (62, 707,84, 96) by means of communication signals, in which a transceiver capable of wireless communication transmits communication signals, the transceiver (51) being capable of simultaneous transmission and reception, and wherein the communication signals are at least partially reflected as reflection signals on at least one object (62, 707, 84, 96) in a signal propagation zone and the transceiver (51) receives the reflection signals. The method is characterized in that phase information of the reflection signals or communication signals are determined. The invention further relates to a corresponding device and to a use of the device.

Abstract: A noise spectral differential unit records a noise spectrum in a state without any received signal, and subtracts the noise spectrum from a received signal spectrum. An offset corrector performs offset correction of the signal spectrum obtained by subtracting the noise spectrum by the noise spectral differential unit with respect to the noise level at a frequency separated from the frequency peak position of the received signal by a prescribed value. A frequency shift analyzer executes signal processing of the signal spectrum resulting after the offset correction and measures a frequency shift. A wind velocity converter makes wind velocity detection from the frequency shift measured by the frequency shift analyzer.

Abstract: An analyzer 10 for identifying or verifying or otherwise characterizing a liquid based drug sample 16 comprising: an electromagnetic radiation source 11 for emitting electromagnetic radiation 14a in at least one beam at a sample 16, the electromagnetic radiation comprising at least two different wavelengths, a sample detector 17 that detects affected electromagnetic radiation resulting from the emitted electromagnetic radiation affected by the sample, and a processor 18 for identifying or verifying the sample from the detected affected electromagnetic radiation, wherein each wavelength or at least two of the wavelengths is between substantially 1300 nm and 2000 nm, and each wavelength or at least two of the wavelengths is in the vicinity of the wavelength(s) of (or within a region spanning) a spectral characteristic in the liquid spectrum between substantially 1300 nm and 2000 nm.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring vehicular traffic with a laser rangefinding and speed measurement device utilizing a shaped divergent laser beam pattern. In accordance with the present invention, a traffic monitoring device is disclosed which comprises a light emitting diode having a die element producing an asymmetric beam pattern, an aperture for at least partially precluding some portion of the beam pattern in a first direction while allowing the beam pattern in a second orthogonal direction to pass therethrough and a lens associated with the aperture for causing the laser beam exiting the aperture to diverge providing a cone-like beam of laser energy.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a flag signal generating circuit, a reference voltage generating circuit, and a first buffer. The flag signal generating circuit generates a flag signal based on an internal command and a training control code which are extracted from an external signal. The reference voltage generating circuit receives a set code based on the flag signal, an input control code and an output control code, and generates a reference voltage whose level is set based on the set code. The first buffer buffers the external signal based on the reference voltage to generate an internal signal, and generates a calibration code from the internal signal based on the flag signal to output the calibration code.

Abstract: A target recognition apparatus includes a detecting unit and an estimating unit. The detecting unit detects an object that is present in a traveling direction of a vehicle, and acquires information for estimation that is used to perform an object type estimation to presume whether or not the detected object is an object to be used in control for enabling the vehicle to perform a predetermined operation. The estimating unit performs the object type estimation based on the information for estimation. When a predetermined first condition is met, the control for enabling the vehicle to perform a predetermined operation is prohibited or suppressed. The predetermined first condition indicates that erroneous estimation may occur in the object type estimation.

Abstract: A probe including a multiple lens array is disclosed to measure velocity distribution of a moving surface along many lines of sight. Laser light, directed to the moving surface is reflected back from the surface and is Doppler shifted, collected into the array, and then directed to detection equipment through optic fibers. The received light is mixed with reference laser light and using photonic Doppler velocimetry, a continuous time record of the surface movement is obtained. An array of single-mode optical fibers provides an optic signal to the multiple lens array. Numerous fibers in a fiber array project numerous rays to establish many measurement points at numerous different locations. One or more lens groups may be replaced with imaging lenses so a stereo image of the moving surface can be recorded. Imaging a portion of the surface during initial travel can determine whether the surface is breaking up.

Abstract: A position measurement device that measures three-dimensional coordinates of an object using ultrasound. The position measurement device includes a transmitter that emits an ultrasonic wave; three receivers that receive an ultrasonic wave; a time determination unit that determines an arrival time candidate for each of the receivers wherein the arrival time candidate is a time period from emission to arrival of the ultrasonic wave after being reflected from an object, and determines a plurality of the arrival time candidates for at least one of the receivers; a coordinate calculation unit that calculates a plurality of candidates of three-dimensional coordinates indicative of positions of the object based on the arrival time candidates determined by the time determination unit and relative positions of the transmitter and the receivers; and a coordinate determination unit that determines the three-dimensional coordinates of the object based on the plurality of candidates of three-dimensional coordinates.

Abstract: Presented is method and system for processing a gesture performed by a user of an input device. The method comprises detecting the gesture and determining a distance of the input device from a predetermined location. A user command is then determined based on the detected gesture and the determined distance.

Abstract: An anemometry system comprising a laser source supplying an incident beam that is backscattered by passing through the incident beam mixing means for mixing the backscattered beam and a reference beam, creating an interferometry wave conversion means, converting the interferometry wave into an electrical signal proportional to the power of said wave first determination means, for determining a time-frequency diagram of said electrical signal. The system also comprises second determination means for determining spots of said diagram, each spot being a set of connected points of said diagram, having exceeded a detection threshold computation means for computing an average of the frequency, a duration and a slope characterizing the trend of the frequency as a function of time in the time-frequency diagram, and determination means 107 for determining the air speed from all or part of said averages of the frequency, said durations and said slopes.

Abstract: An autonomous vehicle may be configured to use environmental information for image processing. The vehicle may be configured to operate in an autonomous mode in an environment and may be operating substantially in a lane of travel of the environment. The vehicle may include a sensor configured to receive image data indicative of the environment. The vehicle may also include a computer system configured to compare environmental information indicative of the lane of travel to the image data so as to determine a portion of the image data that corresponds to the lane of travel of the environment. Based on the portion of the image data that corresponds to the lane of travel of the environment and by disregarding a remaining portion of the image data, the vehicle may determine whether an object is present in the lane, and based on the determination, provide instructions to control the vehicle in the autonomous mode in the environment.

Abstract: A method of generating light is disclosed. The method comprises: directing an optical pulse to a semiconductor optical amplifier being at a temperature above 0° C. The optical pulse is preferably characterized by a wavelength within an emission spectrum of the semiconductor optical amplifier and by a pulse area selected to induce Rabi oscillations in the semiconductor optical amplifier, and to emit light at a frequency of at least 1 THz.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a lead distance between a user vehicle and a target vehicle includes first and second position sensitive devices (PSD) arranged in the user vehicle orthogonal to the distance and each having first and second light receivers configured to receive light emitted from the target vehicle, in which the first and second PSDs output voltage corresponding intensity of light received by the first and second light receivers, and a controller configured to receive voltages output from the first and second PSDs and calculate the distance using Equation 1: L=(KD/d)/(v1?v2).

Abstract: Apparatus for sorting and orienting sperm cells has a pair or walls in confronting relationship forming a flow chamber having inlet, a downstream outlet, and intermediate detector region. The inlet receives first and second spaced apart streams of input fluid and a third stream of sample fluid containing the cells to be sorted. The first and second streams have respective flow rates relative to third stream, such that the third stream is constricted forming a relatively narrow sample stream, so that the cells are oriented parallel to the walls. A detector detects desired cells and a sorter downstream of the detector for sorting the desired cells from the stream.