Abstract: The present invention provides a wheel measurement method and system to measure an attribute of a wheel. Light illumination devices and light sensing devices provide wheel data. A computer then performs a calculation on the wheel data to measure the attribute of the wheel.

Abstract: A three-dimensional shape and color detecting apparatus that detects a three-dimensional shape of an object and a color thereof is provided with an illuminating system that emits light to illuminate the object, and a light receiving device that receives a reflected component of the light from the object. In this structure, the illuminating system is configured to emit the light from a surface having a predetermined area to the object.

Abstract: A device for the medical treatment of the eye with laser radiation uses auxiliary radiation for determining the eye position. With the aid of the auxiliary radiation, pictures are taken by means of a solid state image camera for determining eye movements and for causing the laser treatment radiation to follow accordingly. Infrared radiation sources, which are arranged in a triangle above the eye to be treated, are used for the auxiliary radiation.

Abstract: The optical distance detecting or measuring device comprises a light source with an emitting optic for projecting a light beam according to the axis of the emitting optic onto a target to be measured and a first detector defining the receiving axis contained in the same reference plane as the emitting axis. The device comprises at least a second detector that is aligned with the first detector on an axis contained in a plane that is inclined at an angle &agr; with respect to the reference plane, said angle being comprised between 10° and 170°. Alternatively, two emitters may be arranged in an inclined plane and one receiver in the reference plane. This arrangement allows a significant improvement of the performance of such a device.

Abstract: A control circuit computes relative horizontal and vertical inclination angles between a screen and a projector by a line-type passive range-finding device. A display driving section adjusts a projection optical system including a condensing lens on the basis of the vertical and horizontal inclination angles computed by the control circuit, thereby correcting for a keystone distortion in an image projected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a distance measuring device for measuring athlete throws in a throwing event at a track and field meet. The device is setup in a position outside a throwing circle and a landing area for the event being measured and is aimed at a target placed at a landing position of a thrown object. The present invention also relates to a method of using a distance measuring device to measure athlete throws in a throwing event at a track and field meet from a position outside of a throwing area and a landing area for a event being measured by aiming the device at a target placed at the landing position of a thrown object. The present invention further relates to a method of using a laser distance measuring device to determine the height of a cross bar in a leaping event at a track and field meet.

Abstract: An optical range finder is provided with a projection unit for projecting luminous flux to an object located in an optical axis direction, a detection unit for receiving the luminous flux returned from the object, a holding frame housing the projection unit and the detection unit, and a support substrate on which the holding frame is supported. The holding frame has a partition wall for separating the detection unit and the projection unit from each other. An end of the partition wall is provided with a tip protruding from a bottom of the holding frame. In the support substrate, a groove is formed in a surface side which comes in contact with the bottom of the holding frame to be engaged with the tip of the partition wall. Light leaked from the projection unit through a thickness of the support substrate to the detection unit is shut off by a combination of the tip and the groove.

Abstract: Pattern projection apparatuses are placed on each other in a stack manner in a stripe pattern direction for projecting the same patterns. An image pickup apparatus (camera 1) is placed between the pattern projection apparatuses. The optical axes of the pattern projection apparatuses and the image pickup apparatus are aligned on the same plane parallel with the stripe pattern direction. On the plane, the principal points also become the same. An image of a stripe pattern is picked up directly by the image pickup apparatus without the intervention of a half mirror, etc., and is recoded. An image of the recoded stripe pattern is picked up by an image pickup apparatus (camera 2) and is decoded and the range of an object is measured by triangulation based on image correspondence points.

Abstract: The invention provides a range finder capable of carrying out three-dimensional measurement stably for a long period of time. A light pattern is projected on a subject by using a light source array unit in which a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs, are arranged. Even when each LED has a small light quantity, a sufficiently large quantity of light can be projected on the subject by the entire light source array unit, and hence, the three-dimensional measurement can be stably carried out. Also, a plurality of light patterns can be generated by electrically controlling a light emitting state of each LED of the light source array unit.

Abstract: A method and system allows conversion of three-dimensional data from a default coordinate frame to an arbitrary user-selected coordinate frame. The method includes obtaining position data in a default coordinate frame and transforming the data into an alternate coordinate frame defined by the user. The alternate coordinate frame can be defined by allowing the user to select a plane, an origin, and an axis, using any desired coordinate system and in any desired orientation. The transformed data allows presentation of position measurements in a form that is relevant to the user's specific application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring ground height in front of a vehicle, such as a vehicle for clearing buried land mines, in which a scanning pulsed laser to used to scan along one or more lines in front of the vehicle, with such scanning being executed more slowly in certain regions where data is collected and more quickly in intermediate regions where data is not collected. The time of flight along those lines is measured, and using that measurement, the ground height calculated and stored, with the higher elevations being discarded as the representing the tops of vegetation and the lower elevations being representative of the ground height or elevation in front of blade. A dozer blade on the vehicle is then adjusted in response to the calculated height to position the blade for the proper depth of cut in order to effectively uncover and remove the buried mines.

Abstract: An optical detection and measurement system for selectively detecting the plane of the reflective surfaces of a workpiece. A laser source provides a low power, single wavelength collimated beam of light which is directed onto a workpiece. The beam is passed through a converging lens to a reflected focus on a quad detector. The light beams reflected from the workpiece pass through a diverging lens to the quad detector. The non-diverging optical axis center of the diverging lens is aligned with the center of the quad detector so that a reflected beam passing through the non-diverging optical axis center of the diverging lens creates equal photocurrent outputs from each of the four photosensitive elements of the quad detector to produce a null condition. Where the workpiece is made up of translucent or transparent layers which produce multiple reflected beams, reflected beams from surfaces other than the surface of interest are deflected away from the active surface of the quad detector by the diverging lens.

Abstract: A subject-state detecting apparatus has an active distance measuring sensor including projectors for targeting measurement regions independently, and a photodetector for detecting reflection light reflected from a subject that receives light projected by the light projectors. A measurement parameter decision section decides in advance a body parameter to be measured. In response to the parameter, a distance measuring sensor setting section sets a measurement region of the active distance measuring sensor and an additional distance measuring sensor. A state decision section decides state of the subject from the outputs of these sensors.

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: An optoelectronic laser distance-measuring instrument (1) with preselectable or sensitive reference points (3a, 3b, 3c) arranged on the outer edge of a portable housing (2) and having a radiation source (4), an associated radiation receiver (5) for a laser beam (6), a microcontroller (9), keypad (10), a display (11), which can be read off from the handling distance, for the depiction of a measured result (14), a camera lens (7) that is aimed in the direction of the laser beam (6) and has a image sensor (8), whose detected target area (12) can be graphically depicted on the display (11) at least partially together with a virtual measuring spot (13) calculated by the microcontroller (9) as well as with the measured result (14).

Abstract: A method for targeting includes illuminating an object, receiving reflected energy of a first wavelength, converting the reflected energy into an energy of a second wavelength, and detecting the energy of a second wavelength. A system for targeting includes a convertor having a first side and a second side, the convertor constructed to convert energy incident upon the first side at a first wavelength to energy passing through the second side at a second wavelength, and a sensor detecting the energy of the second wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention disclosed herein provides a three-dimensional mapping apparatus that has a signal emitter to deliver a signal to a target having at least one attribute. The attribute may be a vertical face, a fissure, an overhang or outcrop. The mapping apparatus may also have a signal receiver to receive the signal reflected by the attribute. A signal processor may calculate a coordinate of the attribute relative to a global coordinate.

Abstract: A range finder includes a light source for emitting a light beam to an object to be measured, a detector for detecting a reflected light from the object, a measuring part for calculating the distance to the object on the basis of the reflected light detected by the detector, a display capable of displaying two objects to be measured as well as the distance to the object measured by the measuring part, a finder for observing the two objects shown on the display, at least one index set on the display for indicating the positions regarding the two objects shown on the display, a field angle setting portion, equipped with a moving part for moving the index to the position of the object, for setting a field angle between the two objects on the basis of the positions indicated by the index, and a calculating part for calculating the separation between the two objects on the basis of the distance to the object measured by the measuring part and the field angle set by the field angle setting portion.

Abstract: A camera is disclosed which is provided with a sensor device that includes: a substrate having formed thereon which first and second line sensors that are arranged a fixed baseline length apart from each other and a third sensor for receiving light from a field which is arranged on a line in arrangement direction of the first and second line sensors, a first light receiving optical unit for condensing light from the field onto the first line sensor, a second light receiving optical unit for condensing light from the field onto the second line sensor, a third light receiving optical unit for condensing light from the field onto the third sensor, wherein, when focal lengths of the first, second, and third light receiving optical units are assumed to be f1, f2, and f3, respectively, the following condition is satisfied: f1=f2≧f3.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a set of measurements for making a position determination. Laser ranging measurements are made from at least two spaced apart stations with respect to a common distant moving object. The ranging measurements utilise respective signals transmitted from the stations so as to impact the moving object at substantially the same time. By making ranging measurements for a plurality of positions of the moving object the position determination can be made by triangulation techniques.

Abstract: A casing is provided for a reflection measurement device emitting a scanning beam and receiving an echo beam caused by reflection of the scanning beam at an object, and detecting a distance to the object in response to the received echo beam. The casing has a window for conducting a beam, and a protective member being transparent to the beam and covering the window from an inside. A predetermined range through which the beam passes is provided in the window. An interval between a lower edge of the beam pass range and a lower edge of the window is greater than an interval between opposing edges of the beam pass range and the window which differ from the lower edges thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in locating the eyes of a vehicle driver or passenger in a vehicle for controlling vehicle systems including the positioning of vehicle sideview mirrors in relation to the driver's eyes to maximize the view of traffic on either side of the vehicle or the characteristics of vehicle airbag deployment. The location of a driver's or passenger's eyes is derived from the adjustment by the driver (or passenger, if capable of doing so) of adjustable light beam(s) emanating from light source(s) or illuminated indicia, until it (or they) intersect the driver's or passenger's eyes. From the angles of adjustment of the light beam(s) and other known coordinates of the vehicle, the location of the driver's or passenger's eyes or the target may be computationally derived as a set of Cartesian coordinates.

Abstract: A closed loop selective deposition modeling apparatus having a surface scanning system for actively monitoring the surface height of a layer of a three-dimensional object as it is being built by selectively dispensing a build material. The surface scanning system directs a beam of energy on the surface of the object that establishes an illumination zone which emits scattered light, and has a detector which senses the scattered light and produces a response indicative of the surface condition of the object. The response is processed to establish a plurality of height data signals that are further processed to produce feedback data. The feedback data is then utilized to selectively dispense the build material to desired locations on the surface of the object to therein dimensionally normalize the layer of the object being formed.

Abstract: There is provided a measuring device whose measuring accuracy is prevented from lowering when a plurality of lenses for guiding light rays to each of a plurality of photoelectric converters are integrated for the purpose of reduction in size. The measuring device is comprised of a composite optical part and a holding member. The composite optical parts is comprised of at least first and second photoelectric converters, and integrated first and second optical functional members that guide light rays to the first and second photoelectric converters. The holding member holds the first and second photoelectric converters and the composite optical part.

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: The invention provides a small optical microphone/sensor (2) for measuring distances to, and/or physical properties of, a reflective surface, comprising a source of light (4) coupled to a light waveguide (6) for transmitting a light beam through the waveguide; the waveguide (6) having at one of its ends a pointed face (12) with an angle determined by Snell's Law of Refraction sin ⁢   ⁢ α 1 sin ⁢   ⁢ α 2 = n 2 n 1 wherein &agr;1 is the angle of travel of the light beam through the waveguide media; &agr;2 is the angle of travel of the light beam in a second media when exiting from the pointed face, and n1 and n2 are the light indices of the light waveguide media and the second media; the reflect

Abstract: Disclosed herewith is an optical triangulation displacement sensor using a diffraction grating. The optical triangulation displacement sensor includes a light source element, a condenser, a light-receiving element, an image formation lens, a transmission grating and a light-receiving element. The light source element generates light of certain intensity. The condenser receives the light from the light source element and transmits the light to the surface of measurement. The image formation lens receives the light reflected by the surface of measurement. The transmission grating converts the reflected light having passed through the image formation lens into a plurality of diffracted light rays. In the light-receiving element, an image is formed by the diffracted light rays incident from the transmission grating.

Abstract: An autofocusing apparatus of a telescope for automatically focusing on an object viewed within a field of view of the telescope through a distance-measuring zone arranged in the field of view, includes: a multi-point distance measuring device which divides the distance-measuring zone into at least three distance-measuring zones to detect an object distance on each of the distance-measuring zones; a lens driver which drives a focusing lens group of the telescope along an optical axis thereof; and a controller which controls the lens driver wherein the focusing lens group is moved to perform an autofocusing operation in accordance with a result of the each object distance detected by the multi-point distance measuring zones. The controller compares the each object distance detected by the multi-point distance measuring device with each other.

Abstract: In a method, the light beams of two separated optical radar units (each of which are capable of emitting light pulses in a direction and receiving light pulses from the same direction) are directed to a point. The first optical radar unit emits a light pulse to the point and the second optical radar unit detects the light pulse reflected from the object at the point. After a time interval, the second optical radar unit emits a light pulse to the point and the first optical radar unit detects the light pulse reflected from the object at the point. If there is an object at the point, the time difference of the two detected signals from the two optical radar units is the switching time interval. By comparing the two detected signals from the two optical radar units, one can determine whether an object is at the point.

Abstract: A three-dimensional information measuring apparatus is provided, which uses a distance measuring sensor provided externally to an imaging lens. The apparatus enables three-dimensional data input of a small object and makes the influence of a misregistration between the imaging lens and a distance measuring sensor uniform. The apparatus includes a light irradiation device for irradiating a reference light beam to the object, a light reception device for receiving the reference light beam reflected by the object, so as to generate data that determine the position of the object. The apparatus also includes a distance measuring sensor for measuring the distance to the object and a lens controller for adjusting the focal point of an imaging lens in accordance with the output of the distance measuring sensor. The distance measuring sensor is arranged so that the measurement axis crosses the light reception axis of the imaging lens within the measurable distance range.

Abstract: A system and method for accurate measurement of distance and location of an object. The system comprises low-cost optical signal generators, aligned in a known configuration, to project a two-dimensional geometric figure on the object to be measured, or on a target attached to the object. The system captures an image of the projected figure, determines the exact geometry (e.g., area or circumference) of the figure, and calculates the exact distance to the object based on comparison of that geometry to the known configuration of the laser line generators. The invention simultaneously determines relative X and Y position of the object, thereby giving accurate X, Y, and Z coordinates.

Abstract: The invention provides a range finder capable of carrying out three-dimensional measurement stably for a long period of time. A light pattern is projected on a subject by using a light source array unit in which a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs, are arranged. Even when each LED has a small light quantity, a sufficiently large quantity of light can be projected on the subject by the entire light source array unit, and hence, the three-dimensional measurement can be stably carried out. Also, a plurality of light patterns can be generated by electrically controlling a light emitting state of each LED of the light source array unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herewith is an optical triangulation displacement sensor using a diffraction grating. The optical triangulation displacement sensor includes a light source element, a condenser, a light-receiving element, an image formation lens, a transmission grating and a light-receiving element. The light source element generates light of certain intensity. The condenser receives the light from the light source element and transmits the light to the surface of measurement. The image formation lens receives the light reflected by the surface of measurement. The transmission grating converts the reflected light having passed through the image formation lens into a plurality of diffracted light rays. In the light-receiving element, an image is formed by the diffracted light rays incident from the transmission grating.

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: A system and method for accurate measurement of distance and location of an object. The system comprises low-cost optical signal generators, aligned in a known configuration, to project a two-dimensional geometric figure on the object to be measured, or on a target attached to the object. The system captures an image of the projected figure, determines the exact geometry (e.g., area or circumference) of the figure, and calculates the exact distance to the object based on comparison of that geometry to the known configuration of the laser line generators. The invention simultaneously determines relative X and Y position of the object, thereby giving accurate X, Y, and Z coordinates.

Abstract: To determine the height of a surveying apparatus (1) above a point (15) on the ground, the surveying apparatus (1) has a distance measuring device and is provided with a front attachment (11) which is mounted on the telescope (8) and effects beam deflection and simultaneous beam divergence of an emitted infrared or laser beam towards the point (15) on the ground. The light beam is deflected around the surveying apparatus (1) and a stand (2) carrying the apparatus. Exact sighting of the point (15) on the ground is no longer necessary. The height is calculated as a function of the distance between the point on the ground and the rotary position of the telescope (8), which distance is in any case relatively accurately measurable in the apparatus.

Abstract: A simplified method and related apparatus are described for determining the location of points on the surface of an object by varying, in accordance with a unique sequence, the intensity of each illuminated pixel directed to the object surface, and detecting at known detector pixel locations the intensity sequence of reflected illumination from the surface of the object whereby the identity and location of the originating illuminated pixel can be determined. The coordinates of points on the surface of the object are then determined by conventional triangulation methods.

Abstract: A method, and a system responsive thereto, is disclosed for determining the height and range of targets, particularly low altitude targets. The method depends upon the occurrence of a sub-refractive atmosphere causing an inferior mirage image which is utilized along with the real image in a ray tracing technique with the cross-over points yielded therefrom being indicative of the height and range of the target being detected.

Abstract: A rangefinder apparatus, which projects light toward a range-finding object, detects light reflected from the range-finding object, and measures the distance to the range-finding object according to a position where the light is detected, includes a step-up regulator for raising the power source voltage of a battery; a step-down regulator for receiving the raised voltage outputted from the step-up regulator and outputs a depressed voltage lower than the raised voltage; an autofocus integrated circuit actuated upon receiving the depressed voltage, for outputting a signal corresponding to the distance to the range-finding object according to the signal from a light-detector; and a stabilizing capacitor, connected between a location near a power terminal of the integrated circuit receiving the depressed voltage and a location near a grounding terminal of the integrated circuit, for stabilizing the depressed voltage.