Abstract: Some embodiments include a laser tracker having: a base defining a standing axis; a beam steering unit for emitting a measurement radiation; a distance measuring unit for determining the distance to the target; and angle measurement functionality for determining an alignment of the beam steering unit. The beam steering unit can swivel around the standing axis and a tilt axis relative to the base. A measurement axis is defined by an emission direction of the measurement radiation. The laser tracker may include a target-seeking unit having lighting means and at least one target-seeking camera having a position-sensitive detector. The one target-seeking field can be illuminated by means of the lighting means. A search image for the position dependent identification of the target can be detected with the target-seeking camera and at least part of the lighting beam reflected on the target can be determined as a search image position.

Abstract: An object detector includes a projector including a light source having a two-dimensionally arranged plurality of light emitter groups, each of the light emitter groups having a plurality of light emitters, a light receiver which receives light emitted from the projector, and reflected by an object, and a light source driver which lights on and lights off each of the light emitter groups of the light source.

Abstract: A line scanner measures 3D coordinates of an object surface and includes a projector with a light source that projects a line of light at the object surface. The line scanner also has a camera with a 2D array of light sensors and electronics that controls the exposure and readout times of each light sensor, the exposure time being controlled in either rows or columns of the array in a non-sequential manner, the readout time being controlled in either rows or columns that are the same as the rows or columns whose exposure time is being controlled, each of the light sensors converts an amount of captured optical energy into a digital signal value, the captured optical energy being from a reflected line of light from the object surface. Further includes a processor that receives the digital signal values and calculates the 3D coordinates of the object surface.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of performing 3-D object profile inter-planar estimation and/or range inter-planar estimation of objects within a scene, including: providing a predefined finite set of distinct types of features, resulting in feature types, each feature type being distinguishable according to a unique bi-dimensional formation; providing a coded light pattern having multiple appearances of the feature types; projecting the coded light pattern, having axially varying intensity, on objects within a scene, the scene having at least two planes, resulting in a first plane and a second plane; capturing a 2-D image of the objects having the projected coded light pattern projected thereupon, resulting in a captured 2-D image, the captured 2-D image including reflected feature types; determining intensity values of the 2-D captured image; and performing 3-D object profile inter-planar estimation and/or range inter-planar estimation of objects within the scene based on determined intensity values.

Abstract: A number of roadway sensing systems are described herein. An example of such is an apparatus to detect and/or track objects at a roadway with a plurality of sensors. The plurality of sensors can include a first sensor that is a radar sensor having a first field of view that is positionable at the roadway and a second sensor that is a machine vision sensor having a second field of view that is positionable at the roadway, where the first and second fields of view at least partially overlap in a common field of view over a portion of the roadway. The example system includes a controller configured to combine sensor data streams for at least a portion of the common field of view from the first and second sensors to detect and/or track the objects.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a multi-frequency ToF camera mitigates the effect of multi-path interference (MPI), and can calculate an accurate depth map despite MPI. A light source in the multi-frequency camera emits light in a temporal sequence of different frequencies. For example, the light source can emit a sequence of ten equidistant frequencies f=10 MHz, 20 MHz, 30 MHz, . . . , 100 MHz. At each frequency, a lock-in sensor within the ToF camera captures 4 frames. From these 4 frames, one or more processors compute, for each pixel in the sensor, a single complex number. The processors stack all of such complex quantities (one such complex number per pixel per frequency) and solve for the depth and intensity, using a spectral estimation technique.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a rotation laser and a method for operating a rotation laser. The rotation laser may be provided with a laser light source for generating a laser beam, a deflection means rotatable about a rotation axis and serving for the directional emission of the laser beam, and an optical system comprising one or more lenses for manipulating the laser beam. In some embodiments, at least one of the lenses is a lens which is deformable in a targeted manner by actuators. In some embodiments, a control unit is included for manipulating the at least one lens. In some embodiments, the at least one lens has at least four actuators which are drivable by the control unit and/or which are arranged in a manner distributed along a circumference of the lens.

Abstract: A TOF distance sensor is proposed, for measuring a distance from an object, comprising an electronics apparatus for generating a modulation signal and for generating four correlation signals, which are phase shifted with respect to one another and which have the same period as the modulation signal; a radiation source for emitting radiation, which is modulated by the modulation signal; a reception apparatus, which has a predetermined spatial relationship with respect to the radiation source, for receiving radiation reflected by the object; a correlation apparatus for correlating the received radiation or a corresponding variable with respectively one of the four correlation signals in order to form four corresponding correlation values; a difference-forming apparatus for forming two difference correlation values from the difference between respectively two of the correlation values; a calculation apparatus embodied to calculate the distance with a predetermined linear dependence on the two difference correlat

Abstract: An optoelectronic module includes a beam transmitter, which emits at least one beam of light along a beam axis, and a receiver, which senses the light received by the module along a collection axis of the receiver, which is parallel to the beam axis within the module. Beam-combining optics direct the beam and the received light so that the beam axis is aligned with the collection axis outside the module. The beam-combining optics include multiple faces, including at least a first face configured for internal reflection and a second face comprising a beamsplitter, which is intercepted by both the beam axis and the collection axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) and method (100) for resolution enhancement which enables the depth resolution to be enhanced without using gimbal, performs depth description independent from lighting conditions and camera parameters in high resolution.

Abstract: External depth map transformation method for conversion of two-dimensional images to stereoscopic images that provides increased artistic and technical flexibility and rapid conversion of movies for stereoscopic viewing. Embodiments of the invention convert a large set of highly granular depth information inherent in a depth map associated with a two-dimensional image to a smaller set of rotated planes associated with masked areas in the image. This enables the planes to be manipulated independently or as part of a group and eliminates many problems associated with importing external depth maps including minimization of errors that frequently exist in external depth maps.

Abstract: A noncontact optical three-dimensional measuring device that includes a projector, a first camera, and a second camera; a processor electrically coupled to the projector, the first camera and the second camera; and computer readable media which, when executed by the processor, causes the first digital signal to be collected at a first time and the second digital signal to be collected at a second time different than the first time and determines three-dimensional coordinates of a first point on the surface based at least in part on the first digital signal and the first distance and determines three-dimensional coordinates of a second point on the surface based at least in part on the second digital signal and the second distance.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to systems and methods for the capture of information regarding scenes using single or multiple three-dimensional LADAR systems. Where multiple systems are included, those systems can be placed in different positions about the imaged scene such that each LADAR system provides different viewing perspectives and/or angles. In accordance with further embodiments, the single or multiple LADAR systems can include two-dimensional focal plane arrays, in addition to three-dimensional focal plane arrays, and associated light sources for obtaining three-dimensional information about a scene, including information regarding the contours of the objects within the scene. Processing of captured image information can be performed in real time, and processed scene information can include data frames that comprise three-dimensional and two-dimensional image data.

Abstract: A distance measurement method is provided that includes the steps of transmitting a laser signal to a target, receiving outside signals reflected by the target, converting the outside signals into an analog voltage signal, sampling the analogy voltage signal to obtain digital signals, storing the digital signals at storage addresses in a one-to-one relationship, repeating the above steps, accumulating numeral values at each storage addresses to obtain an accumulated value, outputting the accumulating value which exceeds a constant and corresponds to a time point, and calculating the distance between a laser range finding device and the target according to the time point corresponding to the output accumulated value.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting weather conditions including sunlight using onboard vehicle sensors are described. In one example, a method is provided that includes receiving laser data collected for an environment of a vehicle. The method also includes associating laser data points with one or more objects in the environment, and determining given laser data points that are unassociated with the one or more objects in the environment as being representative of an untracked object at a given position with respect to the vehicle. The method also includes determining that the untracked object remains at a substantially same relative position with respect to the vehicle as the vehicle moves, and identifying by the computing device an indication that a weather condition of the environment of the vehicle is sunny.

Abstract: A laser scanner comprises a light projecting optical system for projecting a distance measuring light, a deflecting optical member for deflecting and projecting the distance measuring light to a measurement area, a distance measuring unit for carrying out measurement based on a reflection light and for acquiring distance data of the measurement area, a second image pickup unit capable of continuously acquiring image data including the measurement area, and a control unit. The control unit has a first image processing unit for acquiring a three-dimensional image based on the image data and on the distance data, and also has a second image processing unit for detecting a mobile object by comparing image data being adjacent to each other in terms of time. The control unit controls the distance measuring unit so that measurement of the mobile object detected in the measurement area is restricted by the second image processing unit.

Abstract: A distance detecting induction device includes a casing, a circuit board within the casing, and a pair of focusing lenses provided at respective openings in the casing. The distance detecting induction device further includes an emitting device including an infrared light emitting diode for emitting infrared light rays to the emitting lens and a receiving device including a distance detection induction module for inducing reflected light rays focused by the receiving lens. The distance detecting induction device further includes an emitting light ray guiding device arranged between the emitting lens and the emitting device. The guiding device includes a small circular hole provided at a position of the emitting device and a big circular hole provided at a position of the emitting lens.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a surveying apparatus in the form of a scanner comprising a beam deflection unit, such a beam deflection unit and a measuring method to be carried out with said surveying apparatus. The surveying apparatus comprises a radiation source for generating measurement radiation and a detector for receiving reflected measurement radiation, called reflection radiation for short, which was reflected at an object of interest, wherein measurement radiation and reflection radiation have substantially the same optical path.

Abstract: Techniques for using small parallax angles in remote sensing to determine cloud feature height include exploiting two identical medium-resolution SWIR bands with parallax to estimate cloud edge feature heights well enough to enable assessments of the impacts of shadows and proximate cloud scattering on ground illumination, and hence, on reflectance calculations. The bands are intentionally designed to have a suitable parallax angle, in one embodiment approximately 1.5 degrees. With this parallax, one band will see more ground pixels than the other band as they encounter a leading edge of a cloud and the other band will see more ground pixels than the one band as they encounter the lagging edge of the cloud. From these numbers of pixels, the height of the leading and lagging edges of the cloud can be determined.

Abstract: A laser radar device includes: a pulse laser that outputs transmission light to a target; an transmission optical system that makes the transmission light at a predetermined beam spread angle; a light-receiving element array that receives scattered light from the target and converts the light to an electric signal; an electric circuit array that detects a reception intensity and a reception time from the electric signal; a range/three-dimensional shape output unit that measures a range to the target or a three-dimensional shape of the target on the basis of the reception time; a determination unit that determines whether the beam spread angle is changed or not on the basis of the reception intensity and the reception time; and a control unit that changes the beam spread angle on the basis of a determination result.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for controlling a surveying device. In one embodiment, a method includes displaying a control screen including image data captured by a surveying device, detecting an input associated with the control screen, and determining a control command for the surveying device based on the input associated with the control screen. The method may further include controlling operation of the surveying device based on the control command, wherein the surveying device is configured to rotate in one more of a horizontal and vertical direction based on the control command. The device and methods may advantageously allow for precise pointing of a surveying device and translation of input position to surveying device commands.

Abstract: Optical range finders are configured to transmit optical bursts toward a target and detect a corresponding received burst. DC offset in the received burst due to square law detection can be offset based on a difference between high pass and low pass filtered portions of the received burst. Edge records associated with bursts can be obtained, and correlated with a reference signal or waveform to obtain a range estimate.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a driver, light detector and echo canceller. The driver is adapted to selectively drive a light source. The light detector is adapted to produce a detection signal indicative of an intensity of light detected by the light detector. The echo canceller is adapted to produce an echo cancellation signal that is combined with the detection signal produced by the light detector to produce an echo cancelled detection signal having a predetermined target magnitude (e.g., zero). The echo canceller includes a coefficient generator that is adapted to produce echo cancellation coefficients indicative of distance(s) to one or more objects, if any, within the sense region of the optical sensor. The optical sensor can also include a proximity detector adapted to detect distance(s) to one or more objects within the sense region of the optical sensor based on the echo cancellation coefficients generated by the coefficient generator.

Abstract: A laser radar device mounted on a vehicle includes a first laser emission part configured to generate a measuring laser beam by using a laser beam emitted from a laser source and to illuminate a predetermined area in a front traveling direction and a second laser emission part configured to generate a measuring laser beam by using the laser beam emitted from the laser source. A beam spread angle, viewed from a side of the vehicle, of the measuring laser beam generated by the second laser emission part is larger than a beam spread angle, viewed from a side of the vehicle, of the measuring laser beam generated by the first laser emission part.

Abstract: A measuring device for the measurement of a distance to a target object has a beam source which is designed as an electrical-optical component and which emits a transmission beam. A detector, which is designed as a further electrical-optical component, receives a reception beam that is reflected and/or scattered by the target object. A beam splitting lens is configured to deflect the transmission and/or reception beam. Alternatively or additionally, the measuring device includes a beam shaping lens is configured for shaping the transmission and/or reception beam. A lens support is configured to accommodate the electrical-optical components. The lens support also accommodates the beam splitting lens and/or the beam shaping lens. The lens support has a first wafer for accommodating the electrical-optical components and a second wafer for accommodating the beam splitting lens, and/or the beam shaping lens.

Abstract: Using a hand-held range finding device to range an object in a field of view is difficult due to user-induced jitter. In particular, user-induced jitter introduces uncertainty as to which object in a field of view is actually ranged. Current approaches attempt to mitigate user-induced jitter by requiring a user to mount the hand-held range finding device onto a stabilizing device (e.g., a tripod). However, such approaches require the user to carry additional equipment. Embodiments of the present disclosure enable the user to visually confirm which object in a field of view is actually ranged during a range finding event by generating a composite image that includes a visual representation of a laser pulse emitted by the range finding device reflecting off an object in the field of view. Advantageously, disclosed embodiments provide true hand-held range finding capabilities without requiring the use of stabilization assistance techniques.

Abstract: Phase-based TOF systems operate with reduced depth error due to motion blur, and/or spatial blur, and/or pixel offset by intelligently determining how best to combine pixel values, and how best to compensate for individual pixel offsets. Such determination(s) may be carried out on a per pixel basis, dynamically, in real-time during TOF operation, or on archived TOF data. Offsets for individual pixels may be dynamically calculated and subtracted from the values acquired by those pixels Individual pixel offsets may be calculated for example by combining data acquired by the same pixel at two acquisitions, 180° out of phase with respect to each other. Calculated offsets may be averaged, or on a per pixel basis, and if target object motion is detected, one or more offset calculations can be discarded rather than averaged to reduce motion blur. Offsets acquired a priori during a TOF system calibration procedure may be used.

Abstract: Disclosed is a distance measuring device configured to irradiate an object with light and receive reflected light therefrom to measure a distance from the object, including a light source device having at least one light-emitting part, a deflection part being provided rotatably around a predetermined axis line and having plural deflection faces configured to reflect light from the light source device toward the object, a reflection part being provided rotatably around the axis line and integrally with the deflection part and having plural reflection faces being provided to correspond to the plural deflection faces individually and reflecting a portion of light reflected from a corresponding deflection face and reflected from the object, and a light-receiving part having at least one light-receiving element configured to receive light reflected from the reflection part, wherein respective inclination angles of the plural deflection faces with respect to the axis line are mutually different.

Abstract: In some embodiments, distances associated with a surface may be calculated using time-of-flight (ToF) of a plurality of pulses of light occurring at a predetermined frequency. Reflected light from a light emitter may be captured by two or more light sensors. At least one light sensor may be located in a sensor pod that is separate from the light emitter, which may be housed in an emitter pod with or without a light sensor. The sensor pod may be synchronized with the emitter pod to enable ToF of light distance calculations. The calculated distance may be used to determine movement of a surface and/or one or more pixels of a surface. In some instances, the calculated distance may be used to identify a profile of a surface, which may then be used associate the profile with an object, a command, or another association.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting and mapping three-dimensional information pertaining to one or more target objects. More particularly, the invention consists of selecting one or more target objects, illuminating the one or more target objects using a first light source and capturing an image of the one or more target objects, then, illuminating the same one or more target objects using a second light source and capturing an image of the one or more target objects and lastly calculating the distance at the midpoint between the two light sources and the one or more target objects based on the decay of intensities of light over distance by analyzing the ratio of the image intensities on a pixel by pixel basis.

Abstract: A photogate electrode has a planar shape of a rectangular shape having first and second long sides opposed to each other and first and second short sides opposed to each other. First and second semiconductor regions are arranged opposite to each other with the photogate electrode in between in a direction in which the first and second long sides are opposed. Third semiconductor regions are arranged opposite to each other with the photogate electrode in between in a direction in which the first and second short sides are opposed. The third semiconductor regions make a potential on the sides of the first and second short sides higher than a potential in a region located between the first and second semiconductor regions in a region immediately below the photogate electrode.

Abstract: A system for determining the speed and position of objects comprises a beam source, a transmit reflection device, a beam receiver, a receive reflection device, and a controller. The beam source may generate a beam. The transmit reflection device may reflect the beam at the objects and may include a plurality of transmit faces with each transmit face oriented at a different angle and operable to reflect the beam at a different height. The beam receiver may detect the beam. The receive reflection device may include a plurality of receive faces with each receive face oriented at a different angle and operable to focus the beam reflected from objects at different heights onto the beam receiver. The controller may determine the position of the objects over time and calculate the speed of the objects based on a change in the position of the objects.

Abstract: An optoelectric control apparatus for a satellite laser ranging system comprises a communication controller for externally receiving optoelectric control data. Memory is connected to the communication controller and stores a round trip distance to a satellite. A laser generation control unit is connected to the communication controller and outputs a laser fire signal. A signal measurement unit receives a laser start time. A real-time conversion unit is connected to the signal measurement unit and the communication controller, and converts a predicted laser arrival time into real time. A Lagrange interpolation processor is connected to the real-time conversion unit and the memory, and calculates a time at which laser light fired by a laser transmission unit returns back to a laser reception unit (laser arrival time). The clock unit is connected to a time measurement unit, the real-time conversion unit, a register unit, and a delay unit, and outputs time information.

Abstract: A fast spatial light modulator based on a linear MEMS ribbon array enables a depth capture system to operate in structured light and time-of-flight modes. Time-of-flight depth information may be used to phase unwrap structured light depth information. Combined structured light and time-of-flight systems offer precise depth resolution over a wide range of distances.

Abstract: A rangefinder for measuring a distance of an object includes a case, in which a refractor, a measuring light source, a light receiver, a receiving lens, a reference light source, and a reflector are provided. The measuring light source emits measuring light to the refractor, and the refractor refracts the measuring light to the object. The measuring light reflected by the object emits to the light receiver through the receiving lens. The reference light emits reference light to the reflector, and the reflector reflects the reference light to the light receiver. The refractor and the reflector may be turned for calibration.

Abstract: A detection system for detecting an object includes a transmitter including a light source configured to emit a first light beam having a first frequency towards the object. The detection system also includes a receiver configured to receive a second light beam reflected from the object, and a detector positioned within the receiver. The second light beam has a second frequency as a result of a non-linear optical response of a surface of the object to the first light beam. The detector is configured to detect the object based on the second frequency of the second light beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to the topographic technique field, and provides a ranging method and a system, wherein the ranging method comprises the following steps: modulating measured beam, by a modulated signal of which the frequency is continuously changed over time; emitting the modulated measured beam to a measured object; receiving the reflected measured beam and converting the beam into the measured signals; and comparing the frequency of the modulated signal generated when the measured beam is received with the frequency of the measured signals, thus determining the measured distance.

Abstract: Separate reception/transmission apertures enhance pointing: reception is more efficient than transmission (kept smaller for MEMS steering). Apparatus aspects of the invention include lidar transmitters emitting laser beams, and scan mirrors (or assemblies) angularly adjustable to deflect the beams in orthogonal directions. In one aspect, afocal optics magnify deflection; a transmitter aperture transmits the beam; a lidar receiver doesn't share the transmitter aperture. In another aspect, auxiliary optics calibrate the deflection. A method aspect of the invention notices and responds to a remote source—using a similar local laser, adjustable scan mirror or assembly, afocal deflection magnifier, transmission aperture and separate receiver. Method steps include operating the receiver to notice and determine location of the remote source; and controlling the transmitter to direct laser light back toward that location.

Abstract: A triangulation light sensor includes at least one light transmitter for transmitting a light signal into a detection zone, a light receiver having a plurality of receiver elements for receiving light from the detection zone reflected diffusely and/or specularly, and a reception optics arranged between the detection zone and the light receiver in the beam path, with the position of a light spot produced on the light receiver in a triangulation direction by the reflected light resulting in dependence on the distance of the object. The reception optics includes at least one multisegmented lens element having a plurality of lens segments with mutually spaced apart optical axes in the triangulation direction and at least one freeform lens element or one diffractive-optical element having a multisegmented lens element having a plurality of lens segments with optical axes spaced apart from one another in the triangulation direction.

Abstract: A laser based coordinate measuring device measures a position of a remote target. The laser based coordinate measuring device includes a stationary portion, a rotatable portion, and at least a first optical fiber. The stationary portion has at least a first laser radiation source and at least a first optical detector, and the rotatable portion is rotatable with respect to the stationary portion. The first optical fiber system, which optically interconnects the first laser radiation source and the first optical detector with an emission end of the first optical fiber system, has the emission end disposed on the rotatable portion. The emission end emits laser radiation to the remote target and receives laser radiation reflected from the remote target with the emission direction of the laser radiation being controlled according to the rotation of the rotatable portion.

Abstract: A CMOS detector with pairs of interdigitated elongated finger-like collection gates includes p+ implanted regions that create charge barrier regions that can intentionally be overcome. These regions steer charge to a desired collection gate pair for collection. The p+ implanted regions may be formed before and/or after formation of the collection gates. These regions form charge barrier regions when an associated collection gate is biased low. The barriers are overcome when an associated collection gate is high. These barrier regions steer substantially all charge to collection gates that are biased high, enhancing modulation contrast. Advantageously, the resultant structure has reduced power requirements in that inter-gate capacitance is reduced in that inter-gate spacing can be increased over prior art gate spacing and lower swing voltages may be used. Also higher modulation contrast is achieved in that the charge collection area of the low gate(s) is significantly reduced.

Abstract: According to at least one example embodiment, a depth information error compensation method includes outputting modulated light to a target object, detecting a plurality of first pixel signals at different detection time points in a first time interval, the first pixel signals representing light reflected from the target object during the first time interval, detecting a plurality of second pixel signals at different detection time points in a second time interval, the second pixel signals representing light reflected from the target object during the second time interval, comparing each of the plurality of first pixel signals with each of the plurality of second pixel signals and calculating depth information to the target object according to the comparing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a binocular observation device, in particular binoculars, having two visual beam paths and a laser range finder with a laser transmitter and a laser receiver and with an opto-electronic display element. A part of one of the beam paths of the laser transmitter is integrated into a first visual beam path, wherein a part of one beam path of the laser receiver is furthermore also integrated into the first visual beam path.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a tone waveform from a laser detection and ranging (LADAR) sensor, detecting a target using an echo of the tone waveform reflected from the target, determining a radial velocity of the target using the echo of the monotone waveform from the target, transmitting, from the LADAR sensor, linear frequency modulation (FM) chirp signals and determining a range to target using echoes from the linear FM chirp signals.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing a multi-zone sensing array configured for use in a dual-mode active/passive sensor system. In some embodiments, the techniques can be used to minimize or otherwise reduce power dissipation in sensor arrays, while further providing the ability to readout the active returns rapidly. The techniques can be implemented, for example, by using the full N×M array format for target acquisition in a passive imaging mode, and then, with the aid of a gimbal for instance, place the region-of-interest in a subset of the array configured with dual-mode active/passive pixel receivers to provide three-dimensional imaging. Such techniques are capable of, for example, supporting both active and passive operating modes of a countermeasure system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for non-contacting measuring of a distance and/or a profile of a measured object (9), a light source (2) generating an illuminating light beam for illuminating the measured object (9), and a detector (11) being provided for detecting the reflected portion of the illuminating light beam at the measured object (9), characterized with regard to a potentially robust and nevertheless compact sensor construction in that a first optic (13) and a second optic are disposed in the beam path of the illuminating light beam, wherein the illuminating light beam can first be expanded in an expansion plane parallel to the diffusion direction by means of the first optic (13), and then made nearly parallel by means of the second optic. In a particularly preferable embodiment, the second optic is formed by a Fresnel lens (5). A corresponding method is disclosed.

Abstract: A detection apparatus and method for FMCW LIDAR employ signals whose frequencies are modified so that low-cost and low-speed photodetector arrays can be employed for range detection. The LIDAR includes a single mode swept frequency laser (SFL), whose optical frequency is varied with time, as a result of which, a target beam reflected back by the target is shifted in frequency from a reference beam by an amount that is proportional to the relative range z to the target. The reflected target beam is combined with the reference beam and detected by the photodetector array. The difference between the frequencies of the reflected target beam and the reference beam is reduced to a level that is within the bandwidth of the photodetector array by first modulating the target and/or reference beam.

Abstract: Considerable damage to rails, wheels, and trucks can result from geometric anomalies in the wheelsets, rails, and truck hardware. A solution for identifying and quantifying geometric anomalies known to influence the service life of the rolling stock or the ride comfort for the case of passenger service is described. The solution comprises an optical system, which can be configured to accurately perform measurements at mainline speeds (e.g., greater than 100 mph). The optical system includes laser line projectors and imaging cameras and can utilize structured light triangulation.

Abstract: A method of establishing the location of a pair construction points for a stud in a building interior at a construction site and for determining the length of the stud needed to extend between the pair of construction points uses a robotic total station. The points are defined by x and y coordinates and anticipated z coordinates on upper and lower surfaces. The robotic total station establishes the points by directing a beam of laser light toward anticipated points and, through an iterative process, determining the actual location of the points on upper and lower surfaces that have the same x and y coordinates.

Abstract: The invention describes an electronic travel aid (ETA) for blind and visually impaired persons implemented in a detachable handle of a white cane. The device enhances the functionality of the white cane giving the user more detailed information about the environment within a defined corridor of interest in front of the user with an extended range of a few meters up to 10 m. It provides a reliable warning if there is a risk of collision with obstacles including those at trunk or head height, which are not recognized by a conventional white cane. Additional sensors are integrated to delimit the defined corridor during the cane sweeping thereby reducing the amount of information that is transmitted to the user via the tactile interface. Alternatively, the device can be used independently from the cane as an object recognition and orientation aid.