Abstract: A passive range measurement device and method are described which device includes a camera, onboard motion sensors, image digitizers and memories and a digital processor. The device creates a digitized image stream from successive images taken by the camera. The digital processor operates on the image stream in conjunction with information obtained from the onboard motion sensors to determine the location of a median plane through the scene, and the position of terrain detail located on that plane. By evaluating in like fashion hypothetical slices through the scene parallel to the median plane, a topographic range map of the scene may be created. This map is referenced to the position of the camera and platform, and may, therefore, be used to provide a terrain following capability.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the attitude of an object with respect to a fixed based without any material connection to the object, comprising imaging apparatus mounted on the base so that a surface of the object is in the field of view, targets on the surface of such spaced sites, remote from the imaging apparatus that the apparatus images the targets in relative positions determined by the locations of the sites, and computing apparatus determining from changes in the relative positions of the images the causative changes in the attitude of the object with respect to the base.

Abstract: An instrument for measuring the distance of a body in relative motion away from a datum point measures the optical attenuation of an optical fibre that has an end secured to that datum and extends to the body where the remainder of the fibre is coiled. As the body moves away, so progressively more fibre is uncoiled, and the contribution of bending losses to the total loss is reduced and hence the resulting reduction in attenuation provides a measure of distance travelled.

Abstract: A spatial imaging system includes a variable focus lens for scanning a visual field. The depth of field of the lens system is narrow relative to the range of the field to be scanned so that visual in-focus image planes of the entire field can be obtained as the focal plane is scanned in range. Detection of in-focus objects may be accomplished by converting the scanned image of each plane into electrical signals which can be filtered or otherwise discriminated to identify in-focus areas. The individual image planes may be stored in memory and processed to provide information of interest regarding the objects within the field of view. Such information may include identification, detection, color, shape, etc. and it exists in machine-usable form.

Abstract: A survey of an airport runway or other large structure includes statistical correction of error caused by atmospheric turbulence. Visible grid markers are placed, e.g., at twenty foot centers, in rows and columns on the runway. Absolute vertical reference points are established, favorably by using floats in tubes joined to a common trough pipe, for each row of the grid markers. A holographic reference grid is reconstructed, preferably at a safe distance from the runway, so that the reconstructed reference grid is disposed in the vertical plane of a particular row of grid markers. Then the locations of the grid markers, the absolute reference points, and the reference grid are recorded a plurality of times, for example, by multiple-exposing photographic film. The statistical mean locations of the images of the grid markers and absolute reference points are determined, relative to the reconstructed reference grid.

Abstract: Active manual designation system combining the inertial stability of velocity loop systems with the use of the reflex movement of the operator for control purposes. It comprises a control member fixed to a support of the sight unit parallel to the aiming line and whose output signals are the nominal information values for the loops for regulating the rotation velocities about the azimuth and elevation axes. The operator holds the member in his right hand, places his right eye on the aiming line and keeps himself against the turret by means of a handle on which there is a correct sighting button.

Abstract: A sighting device attachment for a chain saw allows an operator to measure desired lengths to be cut which are substantially greater than the size of the attachment, and allows adjustment to provide a wide variety of lengths.

Abstract: A distance measuring instrument is provided for simple fieldwise mapping of an area. The instrument comprises an electronic distance meter, a unit for determining a vertical angle for aligning the instrument with a measuring point, and a unit for obtaining a horizontal angle for the alignment of the instrument with a measuring point. The horizontal angle unit comprises a terrestrial magnetic-field detector which comprises at least two detector units fixedly mounted in the instrument. The units are directed in mutually different directions so that at least two components of the magnetic flux in an instrument-based coordinate system are obtained by the units. A calculating unit is arranged to convert the coordinates of the components of the terrestrial magnetic field from the instrument-based coordinate system to an earth-based coordinate system. The vertical angle obtained from the vertical angle unit is used for this conversion.

Abstract: Motor vehicle back-up limit gauging methods and apparatus are disclosed which include a pair of line-of-sight indicators affixed to the left side of the vehicle in such positions that the driver of the vehicle when seated in the driving position may establish a line-of-sight by aligning these indicators through the existing rear view mirror, and may then back his vehicle to a safe distance from a building wall or other marker by halting the backward progress of the vehicle when the aligned indicators coincide with the ground line of the wall, or with the marker.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the alignment of the image plane of an imaging system with the interception plane of the image utilizing a measuring mark reproduced by at least two partial pupils of the imaging system. The two imaging beams associated with the partial pupils are distinguishable from one another and at least one partial pupil is moved over the full pupil of the imaging system. A minimum movement of the image of the measuring mark corresponds to alignment of the image and interception planes.

Abstract: A method and a device for making the distance between a human eye and an eye-examining instrument coincide with a preset distance. A miniature light source disposed on the image end of an objective lens of the instrument illuminates the eye. The light specularly reflected by the surface of a cornea is converged. The miniature light source is positioned to have the converging point lie on the surface of an image of the fundus formed by the objective lens. Accordingly if the distance between the human eye and the instrument coincides with a preset distance, the image of the light source on the image surface of the objective lens becomes sharp. An operator looking into a view finder correctly adjusts the position of the instrument by moving the latter until the image of the light source becomes sharp.

Abstract: An optical alignment system having a movable portion which contains a centering reticle and range finder, the movable portion is optically coupled to a stationary portion including a field lens to permit the precise positioning of a member relative to an object observed at the field lens. A zone parallel light and an image on the field lens permit adjustment of the member and movable portion without corresponding movement of the operator's head. The system is readily combined with an optometer to provide precision positioning of an optometer eyepiece relative to a patient's eye.

Abstract: The gap between a component and its associated substrate is measured by casting an edge line shadow in a spot of light directly below an edge of the component. A viewing means is fixed at a predetermined angle with the vertical from the board. The viewing means is adjusted tangent to either the edge shadow of the component in the light spot or the bottom edge of the component. The distance that the viewing means is moved horizontally from either the edge shadow in the light spot or the bottom edge of the component to the other is measured. This measured horizontal distance forms one side of a right triangle and the other side which is the vertical distance between the edge shadow in the light spot on the board and the bottom edge of the component, can be calculated from the measured side length and the opposite angle which is the fixed angle the viewing means makes with the vertical from the board.

Abstract: An optical viewing tube having an eyepiece at one end and a viewing prism at an optical tip at the other end is provided with an optical system therebetween which will provide a focus for an object being viewed. A distance indicating disk or device on said tube is movable by a focusing mechanism to indicate the distance from the optical tip of the viewing tube to a viewed object. A camera is provided to be attached to the viewing tube to take a picture of the viewed object, and an eyepiece with a properly marked reticle is placed on the photograph taken, to indicate proper distances between spaced points on the object as seen in the photographs. The viewing tube is calibrated along its length so that tube penetration can be accurately known and a retention adapter is used with the tube to rigidly fix it in place. The retention adapter includes a compass rose which indicates the position of the viewing prism.

Abstract: An automatic focusing system is provided to process amplitude and phase signals of image motion in an image plane. The camera includes a focusable objective lens, optical means, oscillating means, sensing means, and a servo. Light rays reflected from an object to be focused upon are received and refracted by the objective lens to the optical means which has a rear nodal point. The optical means receives and refracts the light rays to form an image of the object in an image plane. The optical means is oscillated about the rear nodal point by the oscillating means. While the optical means is being oscillated the image remains stationary in the image plane when the objective lens is focused upon the object, but is transversely displaced and oscillates in the image plane when the objective lens is not focused upon the object. The sensing means detects and processes amplitude and phase signals generated by image motion in the image plane and directs the servo to drive the objective lens into focus.

Abstract: A system for measuring the surface contour of an object by tracking the image of a spot of radiation focused on the surface is disclosed. The radiation spot is imaged on a plurality of suitable detectors which are remote to the surface and connected electrically in parallel. Continuous data on the contour of the surface is provided even though irregularities on the surface interfere with the scattered radiation propagating along the line of sight to one of the detectors. This highly accurate system is servocontrolled and can be automated for recording, storing or displaying data.

Abstract: The invention describes a vehicle safety device which gives a visual indication to a driver of one vehicle when the distance between his vehicle and another vehicle is safe, unsafe, or where caution must be used for the speed at which he is driving. The device utilizes a plurality of different sized warning areas, each of which is assigned to a particular speed at which a warning is to be provided. The size of the area is larger for faster speeds and is smaller for slower speeds. In a first embodiment, the areas are illuminated windows which are assigned to particular speeds. If a particular window can be seen then at the assigned speed, the distance is too close. At a safe distance the window will merge with the windows assigned to slower speeds. In a second embodiment, the warning areas are darkened areas and for a particular speed, if the corresponding dark area can be seen, the distance is too close. At a safe distance, the darkened area will tend to disappear into the background.

Abstract: A system for visually determining the distance to an object includes a lens that is adapted to be sighted upon an object, said lens being divided equally in a first direction with each half covered by polarizing masks arranged at right angles to each other, a flat light transmission analyzer positioned in the vicinity of the focal plane of the lens and dividing the field of view thereof in a second direction displaced 90.degree. with respect to said first direction, each half of the analyzer being covered by polarizing elements arranged at right angles to each other, and calibrated means to indicate the relative position of adjustment of the lens and analyzer when the observed images at the opposite sides of the divided field of view are in coincidence.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field Of The InventionThis invention relates to an improvement in an optical apparatus for visually determining the distance of an object.2.