Abstract: A vehicle control apparatus includes an electric control unit that performs a preceding vehicle trailing control which makes an own vehicle trail a preceding vehicle as an adaptive cruise control, and performs a first brake control which automatically applies a first braking control to the own vehicle when a time-to-collision to a target object is less than a first threshold. In a case where a performing condition for the first brake control has been determined to be satisfied during a performance of the adaptive cruise control, the electric control unit continues performing the adaptive cruise control without performing the first brake control when a deceleration control by the adaptive cruise control is being performed, whereas stops performing the adaptive cruise control when the deceleration control by the adaptive cruise control is not being performed.

Abstract: A surveying instrument includes: a survey system; an image sensing system, including first and second image sensing units, the second having an angle of view wider than that of the first; horizontal and vertical angle drivers to rotate the survey and image sensing systems around a surveying instrument vertical and horizontal axes, respectively; a data storage part; an angle detecting part; and a control unit to cause an image, based on image data the first or second generates after imaging, a design data object for showing the design data portion locations included in the image, and coordinate measurement point objects for showing the coordinate measurement points locations, to be surveyed, corresponding to the design data portion included in the image, to appear on a representation device in response to the design data stored in the data storage part and the detected angle.

Abstract: A system includes a cellular transceiver to communicate with a predetermined target; one or more antennas coupled to the 5G or 6G transceiver each electrically or mechanically steerable to the predetermined target; a processor to control a directionality of the one or more antennas in communication with the predetermined target; and an edge processing module coupled to the processor and the one or more antennas to provide low-latency computation for the predetermined target.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing optical caliper measurements remotely, including an unmanned aerial vehicle, a camera attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle, and an optical caliper measurement tool attached to the unmanned aerial vehicle, where the optical caliper measurement tool includes a mount, a laser source attached to the mount, and a beam splitter attached to the mount, where the laser source is configured to direct a laser beam through the beam splitter to split the laser beam into two parallel laser beams separated by a fixed distance.

Abstract: A system includes a cellular transceiver to communicate with a predetermined target; one or more antennas coupled to the 5G transceiver each electrically or mechanically steerable to the predetermined target; a processor to control a directionality of the one or more antennas in communication with the predetermined target; and an edge processing module coupled to the processor and the one or more antennas to provide low-latency computation for the predetermined target.

Abstract: The invention discloses a positioning light beam emission system, a method and an indoor positioning system. A positioning space includes a plurality of positioning sub-spaces. A plurality of positioning light beam emission devices are fixed at predetermined positions in the plurality of positioning sub-spaces, respectively, and the positioning light beam emission devices are used for sweeping positioning light beams toward the respective positioning sub-spaces in which they are located with a predetermined sweeping cycle and at a predetermined angular velocity. The positioning light beam has a linear cross section and is rotated about a sweeping rotation axis, and the sweeping rotation axis is not perpendicular to an extending direction of the linear cross section.

Abstract: A system includes a cellular transceiver to communicate with a predetermined target; one or more antennas coupled to the 5G transceiver each electrically or mechanically steerable to the predetermined target; a processor to control a directionality of the one or more antennas in communication with the predetermined target; and an edge processing module coupled to the processor and the one or more antennas to provide low-latency computation for the predetermined target.

Abstract: A levelness measuring system can be applied to a levelness measuring device, the device including an rail, a distance detector, and an angle detector. Both the distance detector and the angle detector are installed on the rail. The system includes a coordinate system establishing module, a distance measurement controlling module, a data fitting module, a plane equation calculating module, a first angle calculating module, an angle measurement controlling module, a second angle calculating module, and a display controlling module. A coordinate system in three dimensions is applied to an inaccessible or difficult surface such that direct contact is not required. A processor of a computer performs instructions to provide the functions of the levelness measuring system including a display.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reflection-reduced contrast imaging method and to a device for generating a reflection-reduced contrast image, preferably from microscopic images, in particular in order to read height progression information of a condition of an object.

Abstract: Embodiments herein provide for improved range response in lidar systems. In one embodiment, a lidar system includes a laser, and a detector. First optics direct light from the laser on a beam path along a first optical axis of the first optics. Second optics image the light from the beam path onto a second plane that is substantially normal to the first plane. The second optics have a second optical axis that differs from the first optical axis. The first and the second optical axes lie in a same first plane. A first line in the first plane intersects a second line in the second plane at an acute angle. The first line is perpendicular to the first optical axis. A spatial filter configured in or near the second plane filters the light from the second optics onto the detector.

Abstract: An adaptive control system for a machine implement is provided. The adaptive control system includes a machine implement of a machine and an adaptive controller operatively coupled to the machine implement. The adaptive controller includes a processor configured to receive a position of the machine implement relative to a terrain from at least one position detection system, receive data regarding operating conditions of the terrain, compare the position with a target position stored in a memory, compare the data regarding the operating conditions with data stored in a reference model of the terrain stored in the memory, and adjust the position of the machine implement based upon the comparisons and based upon an updated reference model of the operating conditions of the terrain.

Abstract: Calibration of devices may be performed to determine a relative location of the devices. The devices may be used to determine distances of surfaces within an environment. The calibration may be performed at different times and/or in response to triggering events to determine a relative location of each of the devices in an environment. After the relative location of the devices is known, the devices may be used to determine a distance of a surface within the environment. In various embodiments, a light sensor may identify a light emitter based on characteristics of the light emitted by the light emitter.

Abstract: Point-ahead laser pointer-tracker systems with stabilization and wavefront correction in both transmit and receive directions provide arrangements for sensing the wavefront correction required in two different directions, one in the received target image direction for good image quality in the tracker and the other in the point-ahead direction for good beam quality on the target. In the several embodiments, a marker beam is aligned with the target image. Wavefront aberration correction signals are produced by an output wave sensor that senses the wavefront of the marker beam in the received target image direction and the wavefront of the source laser beam in the point-ahead transmit direction. The alignment is maintained by use of the output wave sensor signals together with signals from the tracker of the target and current aimpoint positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to positioning for geophysical sensing and provide a method, system and apparatus for rotary laser positioning in geophysical sensing. In an embodiment of the invention, a geophysical sensing data processing system can be provided to include multiple laser energy sources disposed about a target scene, and a mobile sensor unit. The mobile sensor unit can include at least one laser energy source sensor coupled to a laser positioning system, and one or multiple geophysical sensor communicatively linked to the laser positioning system. In one aspect of the invention, the laser positioning system can be a Rotary Laser Positioning System (RLPS). Complementary positioning sensors further can be provided.

Abstract: Determination of a sensor device location in a sensor network is described. A system can include rotating optical beams having a known location. Detectors can be located with each of the rotating optical beams. The system can include a sensor device placeable as part of the sensor network. A reflector can be near the sensor device and can reflect at least two optical beams back to the detectors associated with each of the respective optical beams. A triangulation module can triangulate a position of the reflector, and thus the sensor, based on the reflected optical beams.

Abstract: In the method for geo-referencing of optical remote sensing images of an area of the earth's surface, the geo-referencing is corrected based on an SAR image which is geo-referenced.

Abstract: A measuring device for measuring a distance between a reference mark and a target object is disclosed. The device includes a beam source, which is embodied as an electro-optical component and emits a laser beam along an optical axis, a detector, which is embodied as an additional electro-optical component and receives a reception beam reflected and/or scattered by the target object along an optical axis, a beam forming optics, which forms the laser beam and the reception beam along an optical axis, and a beam splitting optics, which deflects the laser beam or the reception beam. An optics carrier is provided with a first receptacle for mounting a first of the electro-optical components and a second receptacle for mounting the beam forming optics. The optics carrier is monolithic.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive range image sensor and etc. A range image sensor comprises diffractive optical elements and on which are formed diffractive gratings that change a traveling direction of incident parallel light so that in a coordinate space defined by a xyz-axis, the incident parallel light is split into split beams, and angles formed by the x-axis and line segments determined by projected light spots formed by the split beams on a predetermined projection plane intersecting the z-axis become predetermined angles. Furthermore, the range image sensor is provided with a distance determining unit for determining distances to the projected light spots on the basis of the tilting with respect to the x-axis of the line segments determined by the projected light spots formed on the object by the split beams.

Abstract: Systems and methods for advanced monitoring and control using an LED driver in an optical processor are described. In an embodiment, a monitoring and control circuit may include a light-emitting diode (LED) driver including a control input, an output, and a node, wherein the output is coupled to an LED. The circuit may also include a multiplexer coupled to the node of the LED driver, an analog-to-digital converter coupled to the multiplexer, and a controller coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and to the control input of the LED driver, wherein the LED driver is coupled to drive the output with a first voltage supply that is independent from a second voltage supply that is coupled to drive the controller.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a proximity sensor, a control module and an adjustment module. The proximity sensor is configured to emit light and to detect reflection of the emitted light. The control module is configured to control an operation of the electronic apparatus, based on an output signal of the proximity sensor. The adjustment module is configured to adjust an intensity of the emitted light by monitoring the output signal of the proximity sensor while varying the intensity of the emitted light, when an event indicating that a detection distance of the proximity sensor is to be adjusted has occurred.

Abstract: The system includes a rotary turret platform for aiming of a high power laser beam. The system further includes a turret payload device coupled to the rotary turret platform. The system further includes an off-axis telescope coupled to the turret payload, having an articulated secondary mirror for correcting optical aberrations, and configured to reflect the high power laser beam to a target through a first of at least two conformal windows. The system further includes an illuminator beam device configured to actively illuminating the target to generate a return aberrated wavefront through the first of the at least two conformal windows. The system further includes a coarse tracker coupled to the turret payload, positioned parallel to and on an axis of revolution of the off-axis telescope, and configured to detect, acquire, and track the target through the second of the at least two conformal windows.

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: A method of image-based positioning is provided. The method comprises: (A) providing an image-capturing device integrated with a focused-radiation source and a processor; the image-capturing device further comprises an image sensor; (B) capturing an image of an object located in a field of view (FOV) of the image-capturing device by using the image sensor; (C) directing a focused ray of radiation generated by the focused-radiation source to the object located in the (FOV) of the image-capturing device; (D) detecting at least one return signal generated by reflection of the focused ray of radiation from the object located in FOV of the image-capturing device by using the image sensor; (E) characterizing the object located in a field of view (FOV) of the image-capturing device by using each return signal; and (F) processing each return signal in order to determine a distance from the object located in the FOV to the image-capturing device.

Abstract: A bistatic laser radar (lidar) device is described that comprises a transmit channel (60) for forming a focused transmit beam, and a receive channel (62) for forming a focused receive beam. The device is arranged such that the focus of the transmit beam and the focus of the receive beam fall on a common axis when focused to a distance within the operable distance range of the device. The device may be used for vibrometry, wind speed measurements and the like. Implementation of such a device using optical fiber based components is described.

Abstract: Determination of a sensor device location in a sensor network is described. A system can include rotating optical beams having a known location. Detectors can be located with each of the rotating optical beams. The system can include a sensor device placeable as part of the sensor network. A reflector can be near the sensor device and can reflect at least two optical beams back to the detectors associated with each of the respective optical beams. A triangulation module can triangulate a position of the reflector, and thus the sensor, based on the reflected optical beams.

Abstract: Detection and tracking of an object by exploiting its unique reflectance signature. This is done by examining every image pixel and computing how closely that pixel's spectrum matches a known object spectral signature. The measured radiance spectra of the object can be used to estimate its intrinsic reflectance properties that are invariant to a wide range of illumination effects. This is achieved by incorporating radiative transfer theory to compute the mapping between the observed radiance spectra to the object's reflectance spectra. The consistency of the reflectance spectra allows for object tracking through spatial and temporal gaps in coverage. Tracking an object then uses a prediction process followed by a correction process.

Abstract: Methods and devices for calculating the position of a movable device are disclosed. The device may include multiple optical detectors (ODs) and the movable device may include light sources. Optics may be above the ODs. A controller may calculate the position of the light source based on data from the ODs and properties of the optics. The device may be a game console, and the light source may be a game controller. The roles of the OD and light sources may be interchanged. The rotation of the movable device may be determined using multiple light sources and/or multiple ODs on the movable device. The movable device may calculate its position and transmit it to a console. The light sources may be modulated by time or frequency to distinguish between the light sources. There may be two or more movable devices. There may be two or more consoles.

Abstract: There is provided a system for detecting distant seaborne objects by an airborne vehicle, including a seeker head having an axis in the direction of flight, a sensor mounted on the seeker's head, the sensor being operative to transmit towards the sea surface a laser radiation beam of selected wavelength and to receive from the sea water surface radiation reflected from the sea water surface and from a seaborne object, and a computing unit for differentiating between the reflection received from the sea water surface and from the seaborne object. A method for detecting distant seaborne objects by an airborne vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A rangefinder includes: a lens system (3) including multiple lenses (3a, 3b) arranged so that their optical axes are parallel to each other and integrated together; an imager (4) having image capturing areas (4a, 4b) that face the lenses (3a, 3b) and transforming light incident on the image capturing areas into an electrical signal; a transparent plate (6) arranged between the imager and the lens system and having substantially the same thermal expansion coefficient as the lenses (3a, 3b); markers (11a, 11b) provided on the transparent plate for the lenses (3a, 3b) and each casting its shadow on an associated image capturing area (4a, 4b); a signal receiving section (21) receiving the electrical signal from the imager; and an image processing section (22) correcting the positions of the optical axes of the lenses by reference to information about the locations of the markers (11a, 11b) on the respective images, thereby determining the distance to an object by performing a triangulation based on the corrected

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a person's presence without requiring the person to provide auditory or tactile input. The invention may be incorporated into an electronic device, such as a desktop computer or notebook computer. The embodiment may employ a variety of radiation emissions to determine when a person enters the embodiment's field of detection and, in response to the person entering, activate the electronic device. This may prove particularly useful where, for example, the electronic device consumes significant power and/or may suffer deleterious effects if left active for too long.

Abstract: An apparatus for tracking an object or measuring the range of an object comprises a beam generator for generating first and second beams of energy and projecting the first and second beams towards a target surface whose distance from the apparatus is to be measured, a receiver for receiving energy from the first and second beams reflected from the target surface and for projecting beam energy reflected from the first beam onto a detector for detecting the position of the first beam energy. The position is dependent on the angle between the incident first beam and reflected first beam energy at the target surface, and thereby on the distance between the apparatus and the position from which the first beam is reflected from the surface. A second detector is provided for receiving second beam energy reflected from the target surface for measuring the range of the target by time of flight.

Abstract: The most difficult problem in the creation of a range image with stereo cameras (4, 5) is the establishing of the correspondence of the points. For this, the scene (3) is illuminated twice; thereof at least once with a random or pseudo random pattern. For both cameras (4, 5), an image is taken for each of the illuminations and the quotient of brightnesses is calculated pixelwise. The correspondence is established on the basis of a comparison of the quotient of pixels on epipolar lines of different cameras (4, 5). The illumination pattern is preferably highly modulated along the epipolar line; transversally or diagonally to it, it is not or only slightly modulated.

Abstract: Apparatus for optically measuring a remote object comprises at least one source for projecting a plurality of discrete zones of electromagnetic radiation (for example laser spots) along a projection plane. Imaging apparatus images a plurality of reflections from the remote object. By spatially offsetting the imaging apparatus from the projection plane, easier discrimination and identification of the reflections is made possible.

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 pair of rotary laser devices are vertically arranged while aligning their respective axes into a single axis and keeping said rotary laser devices away from each other in an axial direction thereof by a predetermined interval, and a light-receiving sensor is kept radially away from the single axis. A plurality of fan-shaped laser beams are emitted from each of the rotary laser devices, while rotating the laser beams. The laser beams include at least one fan-shaped laser beam in a plane inclined to a plane containing said single axis. The laser beams are received and detected with the light-receiving sensor. Inclinations of the rotary laser devices are determined relative to the light-receiving sensor, respectively, based on time intervals of said detection of the laser beams, and the position of the sensor are determined relative to said pair of the rotary laser devices in the axial direction.

Abstract: A range finder device, for measuring, when a plurality of projected lights having radiation patterns whose light intensity differs three-dimensional space-wise are irradiated onto an object from a light source on a time-sharing basis to image-pick up reflected light of the projected light from the object with a camera, a distance using the light intensity of an image picked up, characterized in that, with respect to each of a plurality of surfaces including the center of the light source and the center of a lens, there is obtained, in advance, relation between an angle of each projected light from the light source and light intensity ratio in each surface, characterized in that, at the time of actual distance measurement, light intensity of each pixel of the camera is measured, and on the basis of the light intensity thus measured, and relation between the angle and the light intensity ratio on a predetermined surface corresponding to a coordinate position of the pixel measured, there is obtained the angle co

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: 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.