Abstract: Optical systems and methods for collecting distance information are disclosed. An example optical system includes a first transmitting optic, a plurality of illumination sources, a pixel array comprising at least a first column of pixels and a second column of pixels, each pixel in the first column of pixels being offset from an adjacent pixel in the first column of pixels by a first pixel pitch, the second column of pixels being horizontally offset from the first column of pixels by the first pixel pitch, the second column of pixels being vertically offset from the first column of pixels by a first vertical pitch; and a set of input channels interposed between the first transmitting optic and the pixel array.

Abstract: An assembly includes a housing arranged to house a sensor. The assembly includes a ring-shaped first shield supported by the housing. The assembly includes a second shield supported by the housing above the first shield and defining an outer perimeter greater than an inner perimeter, and less than an outer perimeter, of the first shield.

Abstract: A number of etalons together are used to extract the velocity, density and temperature of a scattering medium, such as the atmosphere. An optical air data sensor system incorporates the structure and operation for outputting laser light at a volume of air so as to be scattered by molecules and aerosols in the air volume being scanned; receiving the scattered laser light via a collecting optics assembly; splitting the received scattered laser light from the input optical fiber into a plurality of scattered light emissions; collimating each of the plurality of scattered light emissions; inputting the plurality of collimated light emissions into corresponding ones of a plurality of Fabry-Perot etalons; and imaging each of the plurality of collimated light emissions from the plurality of Fabry-Perot onto corresponding ones of a plurality of non-imaging detectors.

Abstract: A collision mitigation system makes use of ladar sensors to identify obstacles and to predict unavoidable collisions therewith, and a duplex radio link in communication with secondary vehicles, and a number of external airbags deployable under the control of an airbag control unit, to reduce the forces of impact on the host vehicle, secondary vehicles, and bipeds and quadrupeds wandering into the roadway. A suspension modification system makes use of ladar sensors to identify road hazards, and make adaptations to a number of active suspension components, each with the ability to absorb shock, elevate or lower the vehicle, and adjust the spring rate of the individual wheel suspensions.

Abstract: A light detection and ranging system modulates laser light pulses with a channel signature to encode transmitted pulses with channel information. The modulated laser light pulses may be scanned into a field of view. Received reflections not modulated with the same channel signature are rejected. Multiple light pulses of different wavelengths may be similarly or differently modulated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a distance measurement device including a control section. The control section executes control so that an operating voltage for operating a light-receiving section is applied to the light-receiving section at a second time point. The second time point is later than a first time point by a predetermined time. The first time point is a time point at which a light-emitting section operates.

Abstract: Provided is a sensing system that performs set control with high sensing accuracy. The sensing system that outputs an object signal includes a solid-state imaging device that senses a first physical target from an object and a second physical target different from the first physical target, and an arithmetic operation unit that calculates an object signal using a first signal from the first physical target and a second signal from the second physical target. The arithmetic operation unit calculates an object signal using a reference signal from a device mounted with the sensing system.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, circuits, components, apparatus, devices, assemblies and systems for imaging. According to some embodiments, there may be provided a sight for a firearm to assist in aiming the firearm towards a target in a field of view of the sight. A target view optical assembly introduces additional light information to light passing from an objective-side aperture to a viewing-side aperture. A display array assembly renders and collimates the additional light information coupled into the passing light. And a controller causes a display array of the display array assembly to dynamically render a targeting reticle, wherein a location of the dynamically rendered targeting reticle on the display is a function of a distance to an intended target.

Abstract: A system includes a Lidar sensor and a processor. The processor is programmed to detect, using Lidar sensor data, a low-density area comprising a plurality of Lidar beam reflections less than a threshold, to determine dimensions of the area, and to determine that the area represents a physical object based on the detection and determination.

Abstract: A head-up display that comprises a light source, a display element, at least one mirror, a photodiode and a mirror element. The at least one mirror has a mirror surface that has a hole in at least one location, and the photodiode is arranged in the beam path of the light that passes through the hole.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically capturing visual data of a seed placed by a seed planting machine (e.g., a crop row planter). An electronic controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of a seed being dispensed by the seed planting machine and to trigger a camera to capture an image of the dispensed seed in response to a determination, based on the signal, that the seed has been dispensed by the seed planting machine. In some implementations, the system includes a seed sensor configured to detect a seed moving through a seed tube that dispensed seeds from the seed planting machine. In other implementations, the system is configured to detect a new seed being dispensed by the seed planting machine by analyzing image data captured by a camera.

Abstract: An example laser assembly for a laser printer may include a plurality of lasers to emit respective photons; a prism to redirect the respective laser beams emitted from the plurality of lasers toward a collimator lens of the laser printer to generate a photon beam; and one or more processors to: determine a timing schedule for individually activating the plurality of lasers based on a resolution setting of the laser printer, and when printing at a resolution corresponding to the resolution setting, control activation of each of the plurality of lasers to emit the respective photons according to the timing schedule to form the photon beam.

Abstract: The chip includes multiple component assemblies that are each configured to generate and steer a direction of a LIDAR output signal that exits from the chip. The LIDAR output signals generated by different components assemblies have different wavelengths.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for verifying respective positions of Nodes based upon ultrawideband wireless communications between nodes included in an array. Values for variables derived from multiple wireless transmissions between the nodes are aggregated, and a position of a particular node may be determined based upon multiple data sets generated by multiple communications of disparate Nodes. Data is transmitted to a smart device based upon a position of a particular node and a direction of interest. In addition, the presence of an obstacle to wireless communication between some nodes may be derived from the data sets. A user interface may provide a pictorial view of positions of all or some Nodes in an array, as well as a perceived obstruction.

Abstract: A light wave distance meter according to the present invention includes: a light-emitting element that emits a distance measurement light; a light-receiving element that outputs a light-receiving signal; a frequency conversion unit that includes a bandpass filter; an arithmetic control unit that computes a distance value to a measurement object; a signal generator that generates a signal having a predetermined frequency; a waveform conversion unit that generates a waveform conversion signal; pulse generators that generate pulse signals by pulsating the signal having a predetermined frequency so as to have a waveform profile of a signal constituted of desired frequency components on the basis of the signal output from the signal generator and the waveform conversion signal output from the waveform conversion unit; and a drive unit that emits the distance measurement light based on the pulse signals.

Abstract: A system, device and method of generating high resolution and high accuracy point cloud. In one aspect, a computer vision system receives a camera point cloud from a camera system and a LiDAR point cloud from a LiDAR system. An error of the camera point cloud is determined using the LiDAR point cloud as a reference. A correction function is determined based on the determined error. A corrected point cloud is generated from the camera point cloud using the correction function. A training error of the corrected point cloud is determined using the first LiDAR point cloud as a reference. The correction function is updated based on the determined training error. When training is completed, the correction function can be used by the computer vision system to generate a generating high resolution and high accuracy point cloud from the camera point cloud provided by the camera system.

Abstract: Provided is a scanning range setting method using a surveying instrument configured to measure a distance to a measurement point by using a distance measuring light and measure an angle to the measurement point, and a scanner configured to scan with a scanning light around a rotation axis to acquire three-dimensional point group data. The method includes steps of: (A) measuring a distance to one or more measurement points by the surveying instrument, (B) storing coordinates and angles of the measurement points, (C) automatically setting an area including all of the measurement points as a scanning range by the scanner, and (D) scanning the scanning range by the scanner, wherein a coordinate system of the scanner and a coordinate system of the surveying instrument match each other.

Abstract: A surveying instrument comprises a monopod installed on a reference point, a surveying instrument main body provided at a known distance from a lower end of the monopod and at a known angle with respect to an axis of the monopod and having a reference optical axis, wherein the surveying instrument main body performs an image pickup of an object to be measured and scans the object to be measured by a closed loop scan pattern respectively at a pre-rotation and a post-rotation of the surveying instrument main body, obtains cross points of a locus of a scan pattern of the pre-rotation and the post-rotation, obtains deflection angles of the cross point with respect to the reference optical axis of the pre-rotation and the post-rotation, and calculates a rotation angle of the surveying instrument main body based on a deviation between both of the deflection angles.

Abstract: Among other things, a method includes receiving first LiDAR point cloud information from a first LiDAR device and second LiDAR point cloud information from a second LiDAR device, generating third point cloud information according to merging the first and second LiDAR point cloud information, and operating the vehicle based upon the third LiDAR point cloud information.

Abstract: A system and method for estimating dimensions of an approximately cuboidal object from a 3D image of the object acquired by an image sensor of the vision system processor is provided. An identification module, associated with the vision system processor, automatically identifies a 3D region in the 3D image that contains the cuboidal object. A selection module, associated with the vision system processor, automatically selects 3D image data from the 3D image that corresponds to approximate faces or boundaries of the cuboidal object. An analysis module statistically analyzes, and generates statistics for, the selected 3D image data that correspond to approximate cuboidal object faces or boundaries. A refinement module chooses statistics that correspond to improved cuboidal dimensions from among cuboidal object length, width and height. The improved cuboidal dimensions are provided as dimensions for the object. A user interface displays a plurality of interface screens for setup and runtime operation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that facilitate light detection and ranging operations. An example transmit block includes at least one substrate with a plurality of angled facets. The plurality of angled facets provides a corresponding plurality of elevation angles. A set of angle differences between adjacent elevation angles includes at least two different angle difference values. A plurality of light-emitter devices is configured to emit light into an environment along the plurality of elevation angles toward respective target locations so as to provide a desired resolution and/or a respective elevation angle. The present disclosure also relates to adjusting shot power and a shot schedule based on the desired resolution and/or a respective elevation angle.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a laser range finder for two-color switching display, comprising a monocular telescope, a laser light emitting system, a laser receiver and an OLED liquid crystal display (LCD) imaging system, wherein the monocular telescope comprises an objective lens, a roof half penta prism, a cemented prism, an eyepiece and an LCD unit; laser light emitted by the laser light emitting system is emitted onto an object to be measured, and the reflected back laser light is received by the laser receiver after passing through the objective lens, the roof half penta prism and the cemented prism; and light emitted by the OLED LCD imaging system is imaged on the focal plane of the eyepiece through the cemented prism. The present invention can achieve two-color display of the laser range finder, meeting the requirements for use in a variety of conditions.

Abstract: Provided is a distance measuring method and device for selecting an optimum peak detection signal from among a plurality of peak detection signals, based on a level of at least one of a plurality of amplified electrical signals, and measuring a distance to an object by using the selected optimum peak detection signal.

Abstract: An optical system is described, in particular for a LIDAR device, encompassing a lens and an objective for deflecting beams out of a scanning area or into the scanning area, the lens being designed as a lens array and the objective being situated in the beam path between the scanning area and the lens, the optical system encompassing at least one optical element situated ahead of the lens in the radiation direction or connected to the lens for adjusting an incidence direction of the radiation onto the lens array. Moreover, a LIDAR device is described.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a road segment includes determining a geographic position of a vehicle in context of a digitized roadway map. A perceived point cloud and a mapped point cloud associated with the road segment are determined. An error vector is determined based upon a transformation between the mapped point cloud and the perceived point cloud. A first confidence interval is derived from a Gaussian process that is composed from past observations. A second confidence interval associated with a longitudinal dimension and a third confidence interval associated with a lateral dimension are determined based upon the mapped point cloud and the perceived point cloud. A Kalman filter analysis is executed to dynamically determine a position of the vehicle relative to the roadway map based upon the error vector, the first confidence interval, the second confidence interval, and the third confidence interval.

Abstract: Stereo ranging systems having pairs of imaging devices may be calibrated by projecting beams of light into the fields of view of the imaging devices and comparing the appearances of reflections of the beams depicted within images captured thereby. Where the reflections appear consistently within the images, the stereo ranging systems may be determined to be calibrated and operating properly. Where the reflections do not appear consistently within the images, the stereo ranging systems may be determined to be not calibrated or not operating properly. The light sources may be light-emitting structures such as diodes or reflective objects. A vector generated based on inconsistencies in appearances of reflections within images may be used to adjust the images. Images adjusted based on such vectors may be used to determine ranges to objects depicted therein or for any other purpose.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a distance measuring apparatus includes a processing circuit and a memory. The processing circuit generates a distance image by measuring distances to an obstacle by using the time until the emitted light is reflected from the obstacle and returned as reflected light. The processing circuit generates an intensity image by measuring the intensity of the reflected light or the intensity of the environmental light. The memory stores a learned model for generating a denoise image, in which noise of the distance image is reduced, based on the distance image and the intensity image.

Abstract: A LiDAR system includes an optical source for generating a continuous wave (CW) optical signal. A control processor generates a pulse-position modulation (PPM) signal, and an amplitude modulation (AM) modulator generates a pulse-position amplitude-modulated optical signal, which is transmitted through a transmit optical element into a region. A receive optical element receives reflected versions of the pulse-position amplitude-modulated optical signal reflected from at least one target object in the region. An optical detector generates a first baseband signal. A signal processor receives the first baseband signal and processes the first baseband signal to generate an indication related to a target object in the region.

Abstract: A technique is provided to enable check of a calibrated condition of a total station (TS) having a laser scanner in a surveying site. The TS includes an optical system for sighting an object, a laser positioning part that irradiates the object with laser light via the optical system to position the object, and a plane crossing location identifying part that identifies a crossing location of multiple planes constituting a three-dimensional structure as a first location, on the basis of the positioning result from the laser positioning part. The TS also includes a laser scanner that performs laser scanning in an area containing the crossing location, a plane crossing location calculator that calculates the crossing location as a second location on the basis of laser scanning data from the laser scanner, and a comparing part that compares the first location and the second location with each other.

Abstract: An artificial intelligence (AI) system for generating a digital surface model (DSM) may include a memory and a processor cooperating therewith to determine an estimated height map from electro-optic (EO) imagery of a geographic area using artificial intelligence. The processor may further generate cost coefficients for a three-dimensional (3D) cost cube based upon stereo-geographic image data and height value seeding using the estimated height map, and generate a DSM for the geographic area based upon the 3D cost cube and outputting the DSM to a display.

Abstract: This application discloses an image coding method comprising: obtaining a plurality of groups of human skeleton data associated with performing an action by a human body, wherein each group of the human skeleton data comprises joint data associated with a joint for performing the action; extracting, based on joint data in the plurality of groups of human skeleton data, a motion feature matrix corresponding to the plurality of groups of human skeleton data; and encoding the motion feature matrix to obtain a motion feature image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for aligning a vehicle with a trailer. One system includes an image sensor configured to collect a plurality of images. The system also includes an electronic processor configured to receive the plurality of images from the image sensor. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a three-dimensional model of an area surrounding the vehicle using the plurality of images. The electronic processor is also configured to control the vehicle to automatically perform a vehicle maneuver to align the vehicle with the trailer based on the three-dimensional model of the area surrounding the vehicle. The electronic processor is also configured to determine when the vehicle is aligned with the trailer and stop the vehicle from automatically performing the vehicle maneuver when the vehicle is aligned with the trailer.

Abstract: A depth imaging system includes an optical image sensor, an optical beam steering system, an object identification system, and a depth measurement system. The object identification system is coupled to the optical image sensor. The object identification system is configured to identify an object in an image captured by the optical image sensor. The depth measurement system is coupled to the optical beam steering device. The depth measurement system is configured to, responsive to identification of the object by the object identification system: direct an optical signal, via the optical beam steering device, to the object, and to determine a distance to the object based on a time-of-flight of the optical signal.

Abstract: The present application discloses a positioning method for a movable platform, including: detecting, by a laser positioning system (LPS) mounted on the movable platform, a plurality of reflectors mounted on a target object, wherein the movable platform is moving; calculating in real-time, by the LPS, according to the current position information relative positions of the plurality of reflectors with respect to the LPS; and obtaining, by the LPS, a relative position of the movable platform with respect to the target object based on the relative positions of the plurality of reflectors with respect to the LPS. The present application also discloses positioning system that performs the positioning method.

Abstract: An object detecting apparatus is provided with: a collimating assembly that converts laser light emitted by plural light-emitting points to a laser beam having a divergence angle in an arrangement direction of plural light-emitting points; and an optical assembly that projects the laser beam outward along an optical axis and guides an incident light toward a light-receiving element along the optical axis. The optical assembly is provided with a collective optics that forms an image of the incident light on a focal plane and an aperture located on the focal plane. The aperture satisfies ???, where ? is the divergence angle along the arrangement direction of plural light-emitting points, D is a size of a light passing region of the aperture in a direction corresponding to the divergence angle, d is an effective focal distance of the collective optics, and ?=arctan(D/d).

Abstract: Provided are a light-receiving device and lidar comprising the light-receiving device. The light-receiving device comprises: a first lens comprising a first lens surface for receiving light from an outside and a second lens surface for changing the path of the light received by the first lens surface and outputting the light to the outside; and a sensor on which light transmitted through the second lens surface is incident, wherein the first lens surface is a spherical surface, the second lens surface is an aspherical surface, and the focus of the first lens deviates from the sensor surface of the sensor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring underwater structures are provided. First and second sets of point cloud data that are obtained at different times are compared to determine whether the location of the underwater structure has changed. For detecting vibration, a series of range measurements taken along a line intersecting the underwater structure are compared to one another to determine an amplitude and frequency of any vibration present in the underwater structure. For detecting temperature, the ratio of different components of return signals obtained from a point in the water surrounding the underwater structure is measured to derive the temperature of the water. Leak detection can be performed by scanning areas around the underwater structure. Monitoring systems can include a primary receiver for range measurements, and first and second temperature channel receivers for temperature measurements.

Abstract: A system may include a first device and a second device communicatively coupled to the first device via a communications bus, wherein the communications bus comprises a single clock line for transmission of a clock signal from the first device to the second device, a single frame line for transmission of a frame alignment signal from the first device to the second device, and at least one communications channel for serialized communication of payloads of data between the first device and the second device, wherein the payloads of data have at least two different latencies.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures—including LiDAR—that employ multiple detectors that may determine multiple incident angles of multiple received radiation beams and advantageously do not require or employ phase shifters in illustrative embodiments and may instead—employ optical Fourier transform structures.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for Laser Detection and Ranging (Lidar). In one embodiment, a Lidar system includes a laser operable to propagate continuous wave (CW) laser light and a scanner operable as a transmitter and a receiver for the CW laser light. The Lidar system also includes a detector for determining a range to a target based on displacement of the CW laser light received by the receiver. The displacement of the CW laser light is proportional to an angular velocity of the scanner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of an input object is provided. The apparatus may include one or more capacitive sensor electrodes, a speaker, a microphone, and a processor. The one or more capacitive sensor electrodes may detect a change in capacitance. The processor may cause the speaker to generate a first audio signal. The microphone may receive a first audio signal having the first frequency and a reflected first audio signal. The processor may determine a first phase difference between the first audio signal and the reflected first audio signal. The apparatus may detect the presence of the input object based on the determined first phase difference and the determined change in capacitance.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor having an array of pixel elements arranged in columns is provided. Each pixel element including: an active area including at least one photodiode being configured to detect light pulses having a predefined time duration; a first and second floating diffusion region coupled to the active area and being configured for readout of charges accumulating in the active area; a controller configured to independently control the readout of the first and the second floating diffusion regions, and to conduct a first readout of the active area by the first floating diffusion region and a second readout of the active area by the first floating diffusion region; wherein the first readout is conducted at a first timepoint with respect to the time duration and the second readout is conducted at a second timepoint with respect to the time duration.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to isolation methods for full-duplex communication. In one example, a full-duplex antenna system includes a Tx (transmit) signal path including one or more elements each, means a power amplifier, one or more filters, and a Tx port of a Tx patch antenna operating at a Tx frequency band to transmit an outgoing signal to a satellite, the one or more elements each further including an Rx (receive) signal path including a low noise amplifier driven by an Rx port of an Rx patch antenna operating at an Rx frequency band to receive an incoming signal from the satellite, the Rx frequency band being separated by a guard band from the Tx frequency band, wherein the filters together with a physical separation between the Tx and Rx signal paths provide sufficient isolation to reduce coupling between the Tx signal path and the Rx signal path, allowing the full-duplex antenna system to operate in full-duplex.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a distance measurement apparatus includes a light emitter that intermittently emits a light beam, and a meter that measures a distance to an object from a length of time from an emission of the light beam from the light emitter to a return of reflected light by the object. The light emitter emits the light beam in a certain cycle with delay corresponding to randomly set offset time. The meter generates an integrated detection signal by shifting a plurality of detection signals of the light beam emitted in the certain cycle by the respective offset times and time-divisionally integrating the detection signals, and determines based on the integrated detection signal whether or not the light indicated by the detection signals is reflected light by the object, emitted from the light emitter.

Abstract: A LIDAR scanning system. The LIDAR system comprises a laser configured to transmit laser light. An optical switch is optically coupled to the laser to receive laser light via an input port. The optical switch includes a plurality of output ports for transmitting received laser light to an environment to be scanned. Each of the plurality of output ports is oriented in a different direction. A detector subsystem is positioned to receive reflected laser light. A processor is coupled to the detector subsystem. The processor is configured to receive data signals from the detector subsystem. The processor is also configured to determine a distance from the LIDAR scanning system to one or more objects in an environment of the LIDAR scanning system based on a time between a transmission of beams of laser light and a reception of a reflection of the beams of laser light.

Abstract: Embodiments describe a solid state electronic scanning LIDAR system that includes a scanning focal plane transmitting element and a scanning focal plane receiving element whose operations are synchronized so that the firing sequence of an emitter array in the transmitting element corresponds to a capturing sequence of a photosensor array in the receiving element. During operation, the emitter array can sequentially fire one or more light emitters into a scene and the reflected light can be received by a corresponding set of one or more photosensors through an aperture layer positioned in front of the photosensors. Each light emitter can correspond with an aperture in the aperture layer, and each aperture can correspond to a photosensor in the receiving element such that each light emitter corresponds with a specific photosensor in the receiving element.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining a location of a vehicle or other device are disclosed. A method includes receiving sensor data from a sensor and determining a prior map comprising LIDAR intensity values. The method includes extracting a sub-region of the prior map around a hypothesis position of the sensor. The method includes extracting a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) distribution of intensity values for a region of the sensor data by expectation-maximization and calculating a log-likelihood for the sub-region of the prior map based on the GMM distribution of intensity values for the sensor data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring agricultural products. In particular, the present invention relates to monitoring fruit production, plant growth, and plant vitality. According to embodiments of the invention, a plant analysis system is configured determine a spectral signature of a plant based on spectral data, and plant color based on photographic data. The spectral signatures and plant color are associated with assembled point cloud data. Morphological data of the plant can be generated based on the assembled point cloud data. A record of the plant can be created that associates the plant with the spectral signature, plant color, spectral data, assembled point cloud data, and morphological data, and stored in a library.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a light source emitting light based on a first pulse; a solid-state imaging element including pixel units and exposing the light based on a second pulse; and a signal processor. Each pixel unit includes a photoelectric converter and charge accumulating units, and generates first to third signal charges by first to third exposure processes in this order to be accumulated in the charge accumulating units. Each of the first and third exposure processes is based on the second pulse delayed from the first pulse by a first period, and the second exposure process is based on the second pulse delayed from the first pulse by a second period. A total period of the first and third exposure processes is equal to that of the second exposure process. The signal processor calculates a distance signal for each pixel unit by using the first to third signal charges.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes one or more wheels positioned at a bottom side of the vehicle. The vehicle also includes a first light detection and ranging device (LIDAR) positioned at a top side of the vehicle opposite to the bottom side. The first LIDAR is configured to scan an environment around the vehicle based on rotation of the first LIDAR about an axis. The first LIDAR has a first resolution. The vehicle also includes a second LIDAR configured to scan a field-of-view of the environment that extends away from the vehicle along a viewing direction of the second LIDAR. The second LIDAR has a second resolution. The vehicle also includes a controller configured to operate the vehicle based on the scans of the environment by the first LIDAR and the second LIDAR.