Abstract: A switched capacitor circuit includes a first charge-to-voltage converter including a first capacitor to operate in a first period to convert a first charge into a first output voltage. The switched capacitor circuit includes a second charge-to-voltage converter including a second capacitor to operate in a second period to convert a second charge into a second output voltage, the second period being different from the first period. The switched capacitor circuit includes a shield interconnect disposed between the first capacitor and the second capacitor, the shield interconnect having a constant potential.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting construction site defects and hazards using artificial intelligence (AI) is provided. The system includes a movable base unit, a coordinate measurement scanner, a vision based sensor, and one or more processors. The one or more processors perform operations that include generating a two-dimensional (2D) map of the environment based at least in part on output from the coordinate measurement scanner, applying image recognition to the video stream data to identify and label a defect or hazard in the video data stream, correlating a location of the defect or hazard in the video stream data with the location in the 2D map, and recording the location of the defect or hazard in the 2D map.

Abstract: A method for the simultaneous localization and mapping in 2D using a 3D scanner. An environment is scanned with the aid of the 3D scanner in order to generate a three-dimensional representation of the environment in the form of a 3D pixel cloud made up of a multitude of scanned pixels. A two-dimensional representation of the environment in the form of a 2D pixel cloud is subsequently generated from the 3D pixel cloud. The 2D pixel cloud is conveyed to a 2D SLAM algorithm for the generation of a map of the environment and for the simultaneous ascertainment of the current position of the 3D scanner within the map.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for determining the position of a vehicle, wherein the method comprises: determining at least one scan comprising a plurality of detection points, wherein each detection point is evaluated from a signal received at the at least one sensor and representing a location in the vehicle environment; determining, from a database, a predefined map, wherein the map comprises a plurality of elements in a map environment, each of the elements representing a respective one of a plurality of static landmarks in the vehicle environment, and the map environment representing the vehicle environment; matching the plurality of detection points and the plurality of elements of the map; determining the position of the vehicle based on the matching; wherein the predefined map further comprises a spatial assignment of a plurality of parts of the map environment to the plurality of elements, and wherein the spatial assignment is used for the matching.

Abstract: A projector controlling method including projecting a pattern image, capturing an image of the pattern image with an image sensor to acquire captured pattern image data, determining based on the captured pattern image data a flat surface range where a flat surface is present within the range over which the pattern image is projected, generating an on-screen-display superimposed image in such a way that the superimposed image is selectively projected within the flat surface range, and projecting the superimposed image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning objects in underwater environments are provided. The geolocation of a target for an object is determined, and a light source provided as part of a positioning system is operated to project a visible target at that location. The determination of the target location relative to the positioning system can include determining a location of the positioning system using information obtained from a laser system included in the positioning system. The light source used to project the visible target can be the same as a light source included in the laser system. A location of an object relative to the target location can be tracked by the laser system as the object is being moved towards the target location. The described methods and systems utilize one or more non-touch subsea optical systems, including but not limited to laser systems, for underwater infrastructure installation, measurements and monitoring.

Abstract: Embodiment of the present invention provides various types of optical measurement scaleplates, optical measurement apparatus and method using the optical measurement scaleplates for position measurements. In one embodiment, an optical measurement scaleplate has a substrate and a plurality of marking units each being borne on the substrate at a predetermined position. Each marking unit includes a plurality of optically detectable marking elements. Each of said marking elements has an element value defined a permutation of the element value of each of the marking elements in said marking unit, and each unit value corresponds to a physical quantity. On the substrate there is defined a first direction. The physical quantity includes a first distance between a reference position and said predetermined position along the first direction.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a laser tracker for continuously pursuing a reflective target and for determining the position of the target. The method may include a base which defines a vertical axis, a beam guiding unit for emitting a measurement beam, the beam guiding unit being pivotable by motor relative to the base about the vertical axis and an inclination axis, and a measurement axis being defined by an emission direction of the measurement beam. The laser tracker may include a precision distance measurement unit and an angle measurement function. The target search unit may have illumination source for illuminating the target, a first camera with a first position-sensitive detector and at least one part of the illumination beam reflected on the target being determinable as a first target position, and a control and evaluation unit.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for detecting open flames in an outdoor environment. Structurally, the outdoor flame detector includes both an ultra-violet (UV) detector and a Radio Frequency (RF) detector. While operating within predetermined parameters, these detectors respectively create an event signal(s) and a cancel signal(s). In detail, the UV detector will output an event signal whenever UV radiation with a fluence above a predetermined value is incident on the UV detector. On the other hand, the RF detector will output a cancel signal whenever it receives an RF component transmitted in an electrical arc discharge having an intensity above a predetermined threshold. The event signal and the cancel signal are then individually and collectively evaluated by a computer to distinguish between an actual open flame and a non-flame event, such as an electric arc discharge (e.g. lightening, electric motors and arc welding).

Abstract: The range image sensor is a range image sensor which is provided on a semiconductor substrate with an imaging region composed of a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged units (pixel P), thereby obtaining a range image on the basis of charge quantities QL, QR output from the units. One of the units is provided with a charge generating region (region outside a transfer electrode 5) where charges are generated in response to incident light, at least two semiconductor regions 3 which are arranged spatially apart to collect charges from the charge generating region, and a transfer electrode 5 which is installed at each periphery of the semiconductor region 3, given a charge transfer signal different in phase, and surrounding the semiconductor region 3.

Abstract: A method for determining a distance to a target point located approximately at ground level includes aiming a measurement device at the target point, determining a tilt of the measurement device using tilt sensors, and determining a height of the measurement device above the ground. A position of the target point may be determined using the tilt and height of the measurement device, a position of the measurement device, and a bearing to the target point.

Abstract: Systems and methods improve the accuracy of spatial coordinate measurements by optical digitizers by obtaining a separate distance measurement, which may be via direct ranging rather than triangulation, and combining the distance measurement with the spatial coordinate measurements to improve the accuracy of the three-dimensional spatial coordinate measurement.

Abstract: The ranging apparatus of the present invention measures the distance to an object to be imaged by an imaging apparatus using the principle of triangulation ranging, and has a measurement unit in which a maximum distance that can be ranged to an object is not less than ½ of a maximum value of the hyper focal length of the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A method of filtering noise in a three-dimensional position measurement system comprising receiving distance data representative of the respective distances between at least four spatially dispersed known points and an unknown point, performing triangulation calculations to determine at least two solutions to the three dimensional position of the unknown point relative to the known points, calculating a symmetrical bounding surface such as a sphere or cube which just encloses the said solutions, comparing the maximum dimension of the bounding surface with a first predetermined error threshold, and if the maximum dimension is less than the first error threshold, determining the center position of the bounding surface and outputting the center position as a noise-filtered position for the unknown point.

Abstract: The range image sensor is a range image sensor which is provided on a semiconductor substrate with an imaging region composed of a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged units (pixel P), thereby obtaining a range image on the basis of charge quantities QL, QR output from the units. One of the units is provided with a charge generating region (region outside a transfer electrode 5) where charges are generated in response to incident light, at least two semiconductor regions 3 which are arranged spatially apart to collect charges from the charge generating region, and a transfer electrode 5 which is installed at each periphery of the semiconductor region 3, given a charge transfer signal different in phase, and surrounding the semiconductor region 3.

Abstract: An indoor surveying apparatus comprises a 2D range finder, means for automatically aligning 2D range finder data and computing a 2D map of the environment, a calibrated optical imaging system for capturing images of environment, and means for establishing positions and extents of walls, doors, and windows and for drawing floor plans using the computed 2D map and calibrated images where 2D range finder data is missing. It is further contemplated that the imaging system can also be part of the range finder, that the range finder can be a scanning laser range finder, that the imaging system can include a panoramic lens with 180 degree field of view, that the apparatus can further include an IMU, an electronic compass, a panoramic rotator, and means for measuring positions of points on the floor using the image data.

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 for defining a following path for a following vehicle to autonomously follow a leader, the method including acquiring waypoints associated with a path that the leader traverses; filtering the acquired waypoints, wherein the filtering removes waypoints located outside an area of interest; generating intermediate waypoints by interpolating between adjacent pairs of the filtered waypoints if the adjacent pairs of the filtered waypoints are separated by a distance that exceeds a threshold distance; and defining a following path through the filtered waypoints and the intermediate waypoints using a least-squares spline fit to calculate the following path.

Abstract: Systems and methods improve the accuracy of spatial coordinate measurements by optical digitizers by obtaining a separate distance measurement, which may be via direct ranging rather than triangulation, and combining the distance measurement with the spatial coordinate measurements to improve the accuracy of the three-dimensional spatial coordinate measurement.

Abstract: A distance measuring apparatus includes: a reference object; a plurality of optical systems; imaging sections for converting images of an object for distance measurement and the reference object formed in the respective imaging regions into picture data; and a calculation section. The calculation section generates a plurality of picture data of the reference object by light of a first wavelength band and a plurality of picture data of the object for distance measurement by light of a second wavelength band, the second wavelength band being longer in wavelength than is the first wavelength band. From the plurality of picture data, parallax amounts of the reference object and the object for distance measurement are calculated. A distance to the object for distance measurement is calculated based on a corrected parallax amount of the object for distance measurement.

Abstract: A method for determining a distance to a target point located approximately at ground level includes aiming a measurement device at the target point, determining a tilt of the measurement device using tilt sensors, and determining a height of the measurement device above the ground. A position of the target point may be determined using the tilt and height of the measurement device, a position of the measurement device, and a bearing to the target point.

Abstract: The ranging apparatus of the present invention measures the distance to an object to be imaged by an imaging apparatus using the principle of triangulation ranging, and has a measurement unit in which a maximum distance that can be ranged to an object is not less than ½ of a maximum value of the hyper focal length of the imaging apparatus.

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: A distance measuring apparatus according to the present invention for measuring a distance to an object based on a parallax of images obtained with a plurality of optical systems includes: a reference object (12); a plurality of optical systems (14a, 14b); imaging sections (17a, 17b) for converting images of the object for distance measurement and the reference object formed in the respective imaging regions by the plurality of optical systems into electrical signals; and a calculation section. From the electrical signals, the calculation section generates a plurality of picture data of the reference object by light of a first wavelength band of the reference object in the plurality of imaging regions and a plurality of picture data of the object for distance measurement by light of a second wavelength band of the object for distance measurement in the plurality of imaging regions, the second wavelength band being longer in wavelength than is the first wavelength band.

Abstract: A single-aperture passive rangefinder and a method of determining a range. In one embodiment, the single-aperture passive rangefinder includes: (1) an imaging system configured to form a first image that includes a point of interest at a first position and a second image at a second position that includes the point of interest and (2) a processor associated with the imaging system and configured to acquire and store the first image and the second image and determine a range to the point of interest based on a separation between the first position and the second position and a position of the point of interest relative to virtual axes of the imaging system at the first position and at the second position.

Abstract: Described is a method and apparatus for obtaining additional information from an object and a method for surface imaging and three-dimensional imaging. Single lens, single aperture, single sensor system and stereo optic systems are enhanced via selective filtering, use of defocusing information, use of an addressable pattern, image matching, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Determining instantaneously three-dimensional coordinates of large sets of points in space using apertures associated with cameras or camera parts. An embodiment associates information from the apertures with different portions of the imager, so that portions on the imager do not overlap.

Abstract: A system and method for determining instantaneously the three-dimensional coordinates of large sets of points in space is disclosed. This system uses two or more CCD cameras (or any other type of camera), each with its own lens and pinhole. The CCD's are all arranged so that the pixel arrays are within the same plane. The CCD's are also arranged in a predefined pattern. The combination of the multiple images acquired from the CCD's onto one single image forms a pattern, which is dictated by the predefined arrangement of the CCD's. The size and centroid on the combined image are a direct measure of the depth location Z and in-plane position (X,Y), respectively. The use of a predefined pattern enables high speed computation through simple algorithmic procedures. Moreover, the use of CCD cameras allows for the recording of such datasets at the corresponding image frame rate, thus opening the use of the invention to the mapping of dynamical systems.

Abstract: An embodiment may comprise a camera based target coordinate measuring system or apparatus for use in measuring the position of objects in manner that preserves a high level of accuracy. This high level of measurement accuracy is usually only associated with more expensive laser based devices. Many different arrangements are possible. Other embodiments may comprise related methods of using a camera based target coordinate measuring method for use in measuring the position of objects. Many variations on the methods are possible.

Abstract: A liquid measurement apparatus is configured to measure an amount of liquid flowing from a measured object. The apparatus includes a passage member having a measurement passage being connected to the measured object at one end. The measurement passage is filled with liquid. The apparatus further includes a closed vessel, which is connected to an other end of the measurement passage and filled with saturated vapor of the liquid. The apparatus further includes an analyzer. The liquid filled in the measurement passage contains a bubble, which is movable in accordance with change in amount of the liquid in the measurement passage. The analyzer is configured to calculate a travel distance of the bubble and configured to measure the amount of the liquid flowing from the measured object based on the calculated travel distance.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes: an observation image capturing unit that captures an observation image of an object; a distance measuring unit that calculates an object distance from a distance measuring point, the calculation being made based on the observation image; and a display unit that displays the observation image and a set of information, the set of information being related to whether or not the object distance is within a measurable range.

Abstract: Processor of an inter-tail-light distance measurement apparatus of a succeeding vehicle extracts images of left and right tail lights of a preceding vehicle from an image taken by an image sensor, calculates a distance, in the image taken by the image sensor, between the extracted images of the left and right tail lights, and detects a time difference between respective intensity variations over time of the extracted images of the left and right tail lights. Further, the processor calculates a distance between the left and right tail lights of the preceding vehicle on the basis of the time difference between the intensity variations, and calculates a distance to the preceding vehicle on the basis of the distance between the images of the tail lights and the distance between the tail lights.

Abstract: In a rangefinder, if sensor data initially received by a sensor data storage part from an A/D converter includes data with low contrast, the sensor data storage part receives the sensor data at least one additional time, adds additionally received sensor data to the initially received sensor data, and stores their sum. In accordance with the sum of sensor data stored in the sensor data storage part, a correlation calculation and a rangefinding calculation are carried out, which enables rangefinding with respect to an object having low contrast; Also, the time required for A/D-converting the sensor data again and adding the resulting data to those initially obtained is much shorter than the integration time required for integrating output signals of a pair of line sensors a second time for a region with low luminance and low contrast.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented that use light sensors and computing devices to compute the depth of an object using shuttered light pulses. In one embodiment, depth is determined as follows: A light emitter emits a pulse of light that is directed toward an object. The pulse is reflected off the object and travels toward a beam splitter. The beam splitter splits the reflected pulse into multiple pulses, with each pulse directed to a shuttered sensor with a different shutter location. The shuttered sensors measure the integrated intensity of the light, and these values are used to determine the depth of the object. A method is presented which calibrates a system that has an arbitrary number of shutters and enables the system to determine the depth of an object, even in the presence of ambient illumination and scattered light.

Abstract: An image signal output device for use in a passive range finder. The device can correct the sensitivities of sensor arrays according to the amount of incident light. The output device has line sensor portions that produce pixel outputs. An A/D converter portion A/D converts these pixel outputs. At this time, the A/D conversion range of the A/D converter portion is modified according to the difference in sensitivity between the line sensor portions.

Abstract: A distance measuring technology capable of stably and accurately performing distance measurement of an object without any highly accurate focus control mechanism is provided. A distance measuring apparatus has a mask for restricting light so as to pass through two or more different light passing positions; a lens system for focusing the light passed through the mask; an image taking-in means for taking in images from the light focused by the lens system; and a distance calculating means for calculating a distance from an imaging element to an object using the taken-in images. The mask restricts the light so as to pass through only specified positions.

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: When a projection optical axis of a projector does not impinge on a plane of a screen vertically, a trapezoidal distortion occurs in an image on the screen. In order to correct the trapezoidal distortion, there is provided an angle detection apparatus for automatically accurately detecting a relative inclination angle between the projector and the screen.

Abstract: The present invention is for a precision grid surveyor having a stationary unit and a roving unit. The stationary unit has a light source unit that emits a light beam and a rotator to project the light beam toward detectors on a roving unit. The roving unit moves over an area to be surveyed. Further the invention is for a method of mapping details of hidden underground iron pipelines, and more particularly the location of bell joints.

Abstract: A range finder includes an improved module structure, that facilitates injecting a transparent filler uniformly into the entire light guide spaces neither leaving any unfilled region nor impairing the characteristics thereof. A channel of flow (or U-groove) is formed across a partition wall, connecting light guide spaces arranged side by side. This feature allows smooth flow of transparent filler into the range finder module without an unfilled region and consequently no overflow of the transparent filler onto outer wall of the plastic module and onto terminal portion of the lead frame. Another feature of this invention is the presence of shield walls along the channel of flow protruding from the side walls of the channel of flow in an inter-digitated fashion, to prevent the stray light from one light guide space entering the other light guide space through the channel of flow.

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 distance measuring device is provided with regulating circuit for removing offset voltages. Before conducting distance measurement, the regulating circuit outputs a reference voltage on the basis of offset voltages of an amplifier and an integrating circuit used to amplify and integrated reflected light from an object. The regulating circuit comprises a D/A converter for outputting an analog voltage. A value representing the offset voltages is stored and, at the time of distance measurement, the reference voltage is set based on the stored value. The integrating circuit integrates two outputs of the amplifier based on near-side and far-side light receiving means, and uses a calculating device to find a distance to the object based on the integrated output voltages of the integrating circuit.

Abstract: A distance measuring technology capable of stably and accurately performing distance measurement of an object without any highly accurate focus control mechanism is provided. A distance measuring apparatus has a mask for restricting light so as to pass through two or more different light passing positions; a lens system for focusing the light passed through the mask; an image taking-in means for taking in images from the light focused by the lens system; and a distance calculating means for calculating a distance from an imaging element to an object using the taken-in images. The mask restricts the light so as to pass through only specified positions.

Abstract: A reticle adapter (100) for judging distance from an object (12) is used with a viewing apparatus (A) to detect relative positions of signals from at least two spaced apart marker devices (10) formed on a first object (12). An image of the relative positions of the markers is created within a field of view (16). A reticle projecting member (110) is removably mounted on the viewer (A). The reticle projector (110) forms a reticle signal (112) superimposed on the field of view at the scene input end (118) of the viewer (A). The reticle is selected to form a control area within which simultaneous appearance of at least two images of the spaced apart markers indicates that the first object (12) is at a distance at least as great as a desired distance from the viewer.

Abstract: A distance judging system (S) includes at least two spaced apart marker devices (10) formed on a first object (12) and providing a signal (14). A viewer (A) is adapted to detect relative position of the signals (14) from the markers (10), and create an image (22) of the relative positions of the markers (10) within a field of view (16). A reticle (18) is superimposed on the field of view (16) of the viewer (A). The reticle (18) is selected to form a control area (20) within which simultaneous appearance of at least two images (22) of the markers (10) indicates that the first object (12) is at a distance (24) at least as great as a desired distance from the viewing apparatus (A); whereas, simultaneous appearance of less than two images (22) of the markers (10) within the control area (20) indicates that the first object (12) is at a distance (24) less than the desired distance.