Abstract: A method and system for rate sensitive blanking in a path length control circuit of a gyroscope is provided. The method comprises determining an angular rate of the gyroscope, detecting a zero rate of the gyroscope where one or more single beam signals occur, and determining one or more blanker positions based on the zero rate. A blanker pulse is generated at the blanker positions such that the path length control circuit suspends operation when the one or more single beam signals occur.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a temperature of an object without contacting the object. An etalon filter may be used to receive spectral radiation of the object over a plurality of wavelengths and to generate a spectral output signal. A linear array detector may be used that is responsive to the spectral output signal from the etalon filter and adapted to generate an output indicative of the spectral radiation at each of one of the plurality of wavelengths. An actuator may be used that controls movement of one element of the etalon filter to assist in generating the output. A processor may be used which is responsive to the output of the linear array detector and which analyzes a known characteristic of a black body at a plurality of test temperatures, against the output of the linear array detector, to determine a specific temperature of the object.

Abstract: An image acquisition device capable of accomplishing special-effect processing on real-time motion of the image data in a preview mode is disclosed. The device includes a lens, an optical sensor, an image signal processor, a special-effect processor, a storage unit, and an image display unit. The optical sensor receives an optical signal representing an image through the lens and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the image. The image signal processor couples to the optical sensor for processing the electric signal with a first processing mode and then outputting a raw image data. The special-effect processor couples to the image signal processor for processing the raw image data with a second processing mode and then outputting a processed image data. The storage unit saves the processed image data. The image display unit displays the image based on the processed image data.

Abstract: A least-mean-squares based algorithm is used to adaptively update dither stripper gains, in a dither stripper of a ring laser gyro. The algorithm is used in conjunction with a dither estimator of the dither stripper. The dither stripper substantially reduces effects of dithering a ring laser gyro, during operation of the ring laser gyro.

Abstract: A fast scan axis for a high speed flat bed scanner has an elongated reciprocating table for securing the material to be scanned. The table is narrower than the material and portions of the material overhang the table. The overhanging portions are supported by stationary support surfaces with a plurality of air ports in the surface thereof for providing an air bearing support for the overhanging portions. The moving mass of the scanner is thus kept small enabling fast scanning of the material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correction of laser gyro dither pickoff signals. Dither pickoff signals are sampled during the dither input signal cycle at points where error is more prevalent in the dither pickoff signal. The samples are then used to modify correction factors used in the calculation of a corrected dither pickoff signal.

Abstract: An actuating motion detection device for a mechanically actuated gyrolaser including at least one fastening ring coaxial with an actuation axis of the gyrolaser. The fastening ring includes a hub held at a center of a rim by radial flexible strips distributed about the hub, and the radial flexible strips are configured to act as springs and to vibrate under an actuating motion. The motion detecting device includes torsion detectors having a pair of piezoelectric plates disposed at a radial position along one radial flexible strip. The piezoelectric plates have respective remanent magnetic fields aligned in opposite directions, and each piezoelectric plate has two electrodes positioned on opposite sides of the piezoelectric plate with one of the two electrodes contacting the radial flexible strip. The electrodes are connected to a common output.

Abstract: Single beam signal (SBS) components of the laser intensity monitor (LIM) signal are blanked from the path length control circuit (PLC). The AC component of the LIM signal, less the SBS components, is then integrated to produce a transducer mirror drive signal. SBS component blanking is synchronized to the dither pick-off signal. Peak power operation of the PLC is enhanced through the removal of the SBS components from the LIM signal.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus capable of locating a scanning starting point. The scanning apparatus includes a housing, a carriage, and a calibration paper. The housing includes a scanning platen for supporting a document to be scanned. The calibration paper is mounted on the scanning platen, adjoins one of the shorter sides of the scanning platen, and has a marked area. The marked area is defined by a set of functions and includes the scanning starting point for indicating users to locate the document to be scanned on the scanning platen according to the scanning starting point. When the carriage is moved to a scanning line, the carriage locates the scanning starting point according to the intersections of the marked area being scanned and the scanning line, and the set of functions defining the marked area.