Abstract: A method and system determines object orientation using a light source to create a shadow line extending from the light source. A camera captures an image including the shadow line on an object surface. An orientation module determines the surface orientation from the shadow line. In some examples a transparency imperfection in a window through which a camera receives light can be detected and a message sent to a user as to the presence of a light-blocking or light-distorting substance or particle. A system can control illumination while imaging an object in space using a light source mounted to a support structure so a camera captures an image of the illuminated object. Direct illumination of the camera by light from the light source can be prevented such as by blocking the light or using a light-transmissive window adjacent the camera to reject light transmitted directly from the light source.

Abstract: A method includes providing a fixture including a target in a field of view of a sensor mounted to a vehicle. The target is detectable by the sensor. The fixture includes a first rangefinding device and a second rangefinding device spaced from the first rangefinding device. The method includes measuring a first angle and first distance from the first rangefinding device to a first known point on the vehicle; measuring a second angle and second distance from the second rangefinding device to a second known point on the vehicle; determining a position and orientation of the target in a coordinate system relative to the vehicle based on the first angle, the first distance, the second angle, and the second distance; and calibrating the sensor based on the position and orientation of the target.

Abstract: A ground environment detection method and apparatus are disclosed, where the method includes: scanning a ground environment by using laser sounding signals having different operating wavelengths, receiving a reflected signal that is reflected back by the ground environment, determining scanning spot information of each scanning spot of the ground environment based on the reflected signal, determining space coordinate information and a laser reflection feature of each scanning spot based on each piece of scanning spot information, partitioning the ground environment into sub-regions having different laser reflection features, and determining a ground environment type of each sub-region.

Abstract: Example range estimation apparatus disclosed herein include a first signal processor to estimate a signal power parameter and a noise power parameter of a LIDAR system based on first data to be output from a light capturing device of the LIDAR system. Disclosed example range estimation apparatus also include a second signal processor to generate templates corresponding to different possible propagation delays associated with second data to be output from the light capturing device, the second data associated with a modulated light beam projected by the LIDAR system, the templates generated based on the signal power parameter and the noise power parameter, and the second data to have a higher sampling rate and a lower quantization resolution than the first data. In some examples, the second signal processor is also to determine, based on the templates, an estimated propagation delay associated with the second data.

Abstract: A method and system determines object orientation using a light source to create a shadow line extending from the light source. A camera captures an image including the shadow line on an object surface. An orientation module determines the surface orientation from the shadow line. In some examples a transparency imperfection in a window through which a camera receives light can be detected and a message sent to a user as to the presence of a light-blocking or light-distorting substance or particle. A system can control illumination while imaging an object in space using a light source mounted to a support structure so a camera captures an image of the illuminated object. Direct illumination of the camera by light from the light source can be prevented such as by blocking the light or using a light-transmissive window adjacent the camera to reject light transmitted directly from the light source.

Abstract: Example range estimation apparatus disclosed herein include a first signal processor to process first data output from a light capturing device of a LIDAR system to estimate signal and noise power parameters of the LIDAR system. Disclosed example range estimation apparatus also include a second signal processor to generate templates corresponding to different possible propagation delays associated with second data output from the light capturing device while a modulated light beam is projected by the LIDAR system, the templates generated based on the signal and noise power parameters, and the second data having a higher sampling rate and a lower quantization resolution than the first data. In some examples, the second signal processor also cross-correlates the templates with the second data to determine an estimated propagation delay associated with the second data, the estimated propagation delay convertible to an estimated range to an object that reflected the modulated light beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-position sensing apparatus capable of sensing a position and an angle of a target, the apparatus including: a light emitting element that irradiates detection light to a first or second target; a first light receiving part having a first light receiving area in a first light receiving range angle with respect to a first light receiving axis to receive a first or second reflective light reflected from the first or second target; and a second light receiving receiving range angle with respect to a second light receiving axis in parallel to the first light receiving axis to receive the second or first reflective light reflected from the second or first target.

Abstract: A method and system determines object orientation using a light source to create a shadow line extending from the light source. A camera captures an image including the shadow line on an object surface. An orientation module determines the surface orientation from the shadow line. In some examples a transparency imperfection in a window through which a camera receives light can be detected and a message sent to a user as to the presence of a light-blocking or light-distorting substance or particle. A system can control illumination while imaging an object in space using a light source mounted to a support structure so a camera captures an image of the illuminated object. Direct illumination of the camera by light from the light source can be prevented such as by blocking the light or using a light-transmissive window adjacent the camera to reject light transmitted directly from the light source.

Abstract: A street lighting and traffic control system and method employing sensor technologies. Conventional sensors and processors are linked together by a wireless mesh communications architecture that may also be interfaced through one or more gateways into one or more monitoring and control centers. Traffic flow reporting, control and forecasting using a street lighting and traffic control network that includes a series of street lighting fixtures.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the lighting range of a headlamp in a motor vehicle, is performed with the following steps. A first coordinateis acquired that corresponds to a position of the motor vehicle. At least one image of a camera connected with the motor vehicle is evaluated so as to acquire a second coordinate that corresponds to the position of an object on a roadway in the zone ahead of the motor vehicle. A reference angle is calculated for the motor vehicle from the first coordinate, the second coordinate and a height of the camera over the roadway. The lighting range of the headlamp is adjusted based on the reference angle.

Abstract: A method of determining a surface condition of a road of travel. A light beam directed at a surface in the road of travel is transmitted utilizing a lidar system. A response is analyzed at a photodetector of the lidar system after transmitting the light beam. A determination is made whether a form of precipitation is present on the road of travel in response to analyzing the response at the photodetector. A precipitation indicating signal is generated in response to the determination that the ground surface includes a form of precipitation on the road of travel.

Abstract: A texture automatic monitoring system for measuring surface texture of a road surface compacted by a road roller is measured by texture measurement equipment mounted on the road roller. The road surface texture measurement equipment comprises a height measurement instrument disposed on the compaction roller that measures height from the road surface, a moving distance detecting instrument that generates a signal corresponding to the moving distance of the road roller, a data processing unit that calculates the moving distance of the road roller based on the moving distance detecting signal, and calculates one or more road surface property values indicating the road surface texture by using the measured value of the height acquired from the height measurement instrument and the calculated moving distance, and a displaying unit which displays the calculated road surface property value.

Abstract: A system for optical navigation includes a light source and an imaging system. The light source illuminates a navigation surface. The navigation surface reflects light from the light source. The imaging system is located approximately within a path of the reflected light. The imaging system includes a lens, a mask, and an image sensor. The lens receives reflected light from the navigation surface. The lens focuses a specular portion of the reflected light to a focus region. The mask is located at approximately the focus region. The mask filters out substantially all of the specular portion of the reflected light and passes at least some of a scatter portion of the reflected light outside of the focus region. The image sensor generates a navigation signal based on the scattered portion of the light that passes outside the focus region and is incident on the image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates an optical three-dimensional coordinate sensor system and method thereof. A plurality of light-emitting modules produce a plurality of light signals, and then a plurality of reflected light signals reflected by an object are received by a plurality of photodetectors. After receiving the reflected light signals, the photodetectors generate a plurality of photocurrents. A plurality of active pixel circuits receive the photocurrents and transform the photocurrents to a plurality of reflective optical voltages. A plurality of differential amplifier circuits (DAC) compare the reflective optical voltages and the background voltages, and then output a plurality of DAC output voltages of the reflected light signals. Afterward, a processing module detects the DAC output voltages and uses an algorithm to calculate the top three of the DAC output voltages to determine the three-dimensional coordinate of the object.

Abstract: An improved method for surveying actual measurement data of a component, which originate from an optical scan, is characterized in that the actual measurement data (2) of the component (1) are surveyed by means of a measurement program (24) for a tactile coordinate measuring instrument, wherein the measurement program (24) generates a virtual measuring stylus of a virtual coordinate measuring instrument, which surveys the actual measurement data of the component.

Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to ensure high-quality coatings of medical implants using a new data evaluation and process control approach. Information on spray errors, such as areas with high and low droplet distribution, can be easily and reproducibly obtained by analyzing the axial and/or longitudinal cross-section of the spray using the apparatus and method of the present invention.

Abstract: A method for the automatic parameterization of measuring systems for the measurement of objects transported by means of a transport device, in particular volume measurement systems, wherein at least one image, which is at least one-dimensional and comprises picture elements, of a test object known at least in part to the measuring system with respect to its dimensions and located in the measuring zone of the measuring system is detected by at least one sensor for electromagnetic radiation, in particular a laser scanner, and the system parameters required for the measurement of the objects are determined from the image and the known dimensions of the test object.

Abstract: To provide a displacement sensor device capable of fast data read-out processing. A sensor device includes: a light-emitting element for irradiating an object to be measured with light at a prescribed angle; an image pickup element for shooting the light-irradiated object to be measured at another angle; a normal measurement area setting device capable of setting a normal measurement area in the visual field of the image pickup element; a receiving-light signal detecting device for detecting a receiving-light signal distribution area of the object to be measured from the set normal measurement area; a following-type measurement area setting device for setting at least one following-type measurement area which includes the detected receiving-light signal distribution area and is narrower than the normal measurement area; a displacement measuring device for measuring a target displacement by measuring the following-type measurement area; and an output device for outputting the measured displacement.

Abstract: A monitor for intrusion detection features a detecting arrangement for detecting an intruding object in a 3-dimensional area and outputting corresponding detection information, a setting arrangement for setting information necessary for monitoring the position or actions of the intruding object in the 3-dimensional area, a monitoring information generating arrangement for generating monitoring information concerning the position or actions of the intruding object in the 3-dimensional area, on the basis of the detection information generated by the detecting arrangement and the setting information by the setting arrangement, and an external output arrangement for outputting an control output or a display output according to the monitoring information concerning the position or actions of the intruding object generated by the monitoring information generating means.

Abstract: A method routes a plurality of entities (200) through a predetermined area. The method includes the steps of: providing a plan; providing a deterministic method for computing the plan for the plurality of entities (200), the plan including a plurality of routes and sets of scan points for each of the entities (200); and performing the method by each of the plurality of entities (200) independently from the other of the plurality of entities (200).

Abstract: A sensor and method for taking range measurements of a target object using a TDI device as a detector are provided. The device is positioned to detect reflections of a structured light beam on the target object. To avoid losing the range information in the TDI process, the exposition of the device to the reflection of the light beam is restricted to the first integration period of the acquisition cycle of the TDI device, so that the output of the device provides line by line an image of the light beam on the target object during this first integration period.

Abstract: A sensor and method for taking range measurements of a target object using a TDI device as a detector are provided. The device is positioned to detect reflections of a structured light beam on the target object. To avoid losing the range information in the TDI process, the exposition of the device to the reflection of the light beam is restricted to the first integration period of the acquisition cycle of the TDI device, so that the output of the device provides line by line an image of the light beam on the target object during this first integration period.

Abstract: A rangefinder device and a camera are provided, which, in measuring a distance by the active method, are capable of properly measuring the distance even if the object to be measured is located at a short distance, while in measuring a distance by the passive method, are capable of measuring the distance without causing the conflict between far and near objects. A projecting section projects spot-shaped light on a range-finding object. A light receiving section comprises a plurality of photoelectric converting elements. A first calculating section calculates distance measurement information based on an output from the light receiving section receiving reflected light from the range-finding object, by driving the projecting section to project the light, and a second calculating section calculates distance measurement information based on an output from the light receiving section receiving extraneous light reflected from the range-finding object, without driving the projecting section.

Abstract: Device for determining a desired contour of a ground surface, for instance a road surface, relative to the actual contour of that ground surface, at least comprising measuring unit for generating along a determined distance from a ground surface actual values for the height and position of a number of points of that ground surface relative to a determined reference point, wherein the measuring unit comprise a laser light source which can be placed at a measuring point above the ground surface and which is adapted to generate a laser beam moving over the determined distance from the ground surface, sensor for detecting the laser beam reflected by the ground surface to the measuring point, time-measuring unit for determining the transit time of said laser beam between the laser light source and the sensor, and processing system for generating from signals from the laser light source, the sensor and the time-measuring unit of actual values for the height and the position of a number of points of this ground