Abstract: A headlight control device which recognizes an oncoming vehicle using a camera without dazzling the driver of the oncoming vehicle includes a sequence control section that generates a headlight control signal from an image captured by the camera mounted on the vehicle, and a control value calculation section that calculates a control value for a light distribution pattern in the headlight control signal. An image recognition program includes a license plate recognition section that detects a license plate of the preceding vehicle from the image, and a cut-off line recognition section that detects a cut-off line of the headlight from the image. The control value calculation section calculates the control value for the light distribution pattern such that the cut-off line detected by the cut-off line recognition section is positioned higher by a predetermined height than an upper end of the license plate detected by the license plate recognition section.

Abstract: Airborne LiDAR bathymetry systems and methods of use are provided. The airborne LiDAR bathymetry system can collect topographic data and bathymetric data at high altitudes. The airborne LiDAR bathymetry system has a receiver system, a detector system, and a laser transmission system.

Abstract: Various implementations disclosed herein include a method for operating a LIDAR sensor, comprising repeatedly performing measurements in a respective measurement time window (M), at the beginning of which at least one measurement light pulse (A) having at least one predefined wavelength is emitted by the LIDAR sensor, and determining whether a light pulse (A?) having the at least one predefined wavelength is detected by the LIDAR sensor within the measurement time window (M), wherein a time interval (D1, D2, D3) between two consecutive measurement time windows (M) is varied.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a vessel checker, an image generator, an appearance determining unit, and an information transmitter. The vessel checker identifies a suspicious vessel candidate by comparing a marine vessel detected by a marine search radar with a marine vessel transmitting data with an automatic identification system. The image generator generates an image by photographing the suspicious vessel candidate after the aircraft approaches the suspicious vessel candidate in accordance with a route for approaching the suspicious vessel candidate. The appearance determining unit determines whether the suspicious vessel candidate in the image has an appearance characteristic of a suspicious vessel. The information transmitter transmits, to an external apparatus, information indicating that the suspicious vessel candidate has the appearance characteristic of the suspicious vessel if the suspicious vessel candidate has the appearance characteristic of the suspicious vessel.

Abstract: A direct enhanced view optic (DEVO) provides a user with enhanced target acquisition information, such as real time ballistic solutions, fused thermal imaging, extended zoom, and automatic target recognition. The direct view optic may include an optical device having a front objective, a rear ocular exit, and a waveguide. The front objective and the rear ocular exit may be separated by the waveguide, and the optical device provides a distant image onto a display. A diffractive based holographic display system is coupled to the optical device, and the holographic display system provides a see-through information overlay on the display.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to LiDAR systems that accurately observe objects that are relatively close and objects that are relatively far using systems and methods that employ a variable time interval between successive laser pulses and one or more filters.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to ranging of objects in a scene based on difference images indicative of only objects in the scene that have ranges within a subrange. The difference images are calculated by taking differences of two images, each of which captures light reflected by objects in the scene that have ranges within range domains that are different from one another. Thus, each of the difference images includes light reflected by only those objects located at ranges that are included in one of the range domains but not the other. These range domains are controlled by the timing of operation of a fast shutter. In some embodiments, the fast shutter includes an electro-optical modulator between two polarizing filters. The electro-optical modulator can rapidly change the polarization of the light transmitted therethrough such that the second polarizing filter either transmits or blocks the light.

Abstract: A method comprising acquiring a first image of a scene inside a medium, under illumination from a first location or orientation. The method comprises an action of acquiring a second image of the scene inside the medium, under illumination from a second, different location or orientation. The method comprises an action of computing attenuation coefficients, one per color channel, based on backscatter in the first and second images.

Abstract: A system and method for performing robust depth calculations with time of flight (ToF) sensors using multiple exposure times is disclosed. A three-dimensional (3D) depth sensor assembly captures a first array of n point values, where each point value of the first array has a respective first-array depth component and a respective first-array quality component. The 3D depth sensor assembly then captures a second array of n point values, where each point value of the second array has a respective second-array depth component and a respective second-array quality component. A processor then renders a 3D point cloud comprising a third array of n point values, where each point value of the third array has a respective third-array depth component. The respective third-array depth component for each point value of the third array is based on either the corresponding respective first-array depth component or the corresponding respective second-array depth component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a night image output apparatus, comprising: a photographing unit comprising an optical pulse output unit for outputting optical pulses and an image sensor for forming a plurality of images using optical pulses reflected by an external object; a display unit for outputting a final image made by synthesizing the plurality of images; and a control unit for calculating object distance information displayed in each pixel of the final image, by using data of a light quantity ratio of the plurality of images to each pixel of the final image and a light quantity ratio related to distance.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for measuring distance from an instrument origin to each of a plurality of points in an environment. Laser pulses are emitted along a measurement axis at successive displacements about the origin. The emission time of each pulse is time-shifted relative to a fixed rate. The time shift corresponds to an index of a repetitive sequential pattern. Received pulses are detected at respective arrival times. For each received pulse: a current apparent distance is determined, a measured delta distance is calculated, a range interval is assigned by comparing measured delta distance with an expected delta distance synchronized with the index of the latest emitted pulse, the current apparent distance is defined to be a true measured distance for any received pulse assigned to a first time interval, otherwise the current apparent distance is defined to be a false measured distance.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) includes a depth camera assembly (DCA) to capture images of various depth zones of scenes of a local area. The DCA can focus on specific ranges in a scene, important aspects, and/or regions of interest. The DCA generates image data of the local area such that the image includes information pertaining to a single depth zone. The captured image is specific to the single depth zone and is representative of objects within the single depth zone. The DCA uses the generated image data for the depth zones to generate augmented or partially-augmented images that include depth information for the objects in the local area.

Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments are directed to methods and imaging systems. The imaging systems can be configured to sense, by an light sensor of the imaging system, light received during a time period, process the light received by the light sensor, identify an available measurement period for the imaging system within the time period based on the processed light, and transmit and receive light during a corresponding measurement period in one or more subsequent time periods.

Abstract: A system for three dimensional imaging includes: a light source; a modulator connected with the light source and configured to modulate output of the light source with a frequency sweep signal; an optical circuitry connected to the light source; a light sensor circuitry connected with the optical circuitry and configured to sense optical output of the optical circuitry and convert the optical output into a plurality of electrical signals; and a signal processing circuit connected with the light sensor circuitry and configured to extract 3D information of the object from the electrical signals. A mobile phone having the system and a method for three dimensional imaging are also provided.

Abstract: A light source is used for emitting an invisible light toward an object. The object reflects the invisible light and reflected light is formed, and a sensor is used for receiving the reflected light. A processor is coupled to the sensor for recording a time interval of the invisible light traveling from the light source to the object and reflected from the object to the sensor. Then, the processor estimates a measurement distance of the object according to the time interval, and adjusts an emission period of the light source, an exposure period of the sensor, intensity of the invisible light, and/or main sensing range of the sensor according to the measurement distance.

Abstract: Method for detecting pulsed laser radiation having two-dimensional resolution of the direction of incidence with a CCD sensor having an imaging optic. Method includes generating, in signal processing having sampling frequency of at least 5 kHz, single images by comparing each pixel of CCD sensor to respective threshold values and by storing a pixel value exceeding the respective threshold value for an image processing, ascertaining, in the signal processing, a mean or peak value of stored pixel values of the single image pixel-by-pixel over at least 10 samples, forwarding a signal image obtained in signal processing for image processing at image frequency of 10 Hz to 500 Hz, and identifying from signal image, in an image processing, at least one signal pixel representing incident laser radiation. Method further includes determining direction of incidence of laser radiation from position of signal pixels on signal image.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional (3D) image acquisition apparatus and a method of calculating depth information in the 3D image acquisition apparatus, the 3D image acquisition apparatus including: an optical modulator for modulating light reflected from a subject by sequentially projected N (N is 3 or a larger natural number) light beams; an image sensor for generating N sub-images by capturing the light modulated by the optical modulator; and a signal processor for calculating depth information regarding a distance to the subject by using the N sub-images.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes at least one detector configured to provide an output based on a detected input. A plurality of input control elements control the input detected by the detector. A processor is configured to determine at least one point spread function based on a condition of the detector, a condition of the input control elements and a selected distance associated with the output.

Abstract: An optical system including integrated illumination and imaging optical systems, and a 3-dimensional (3D) image acquisition apparatus including the optical system. In the optical system of the 3D image acquisition apparatus, the illumination optical system and the imaging optical system are integrated to have a coaxial optical path. Accordingly, there is no parallax between the illumination optical system and the imaging optical system, so that depth information about an object acquired using illumination light may reflect actual distances between the object and the 3D image acquisition apparatus. Consequently, the depth information about the object may be more precise. The zero parallax between the illumination optical system and the imaging optical system may improve utilization efficiency of the illumination light. As a result, a greater amount of light may be incident on the 3D image acquisition apparatus, which ensures to acquire further precise depth information about the object.

Abstract: A method and device for viewing objects situated in fog is disclosed. An optical system directs light from a scene onto a detector array through one or more optical waveband limiting filters. The detector array transfers a succession of captured scene images to an electronic device for processing. These processed images are transferred to a display device. A method and device for demonstrating the inventive optical system is presented.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus includes: laser sources; and a control unit for outputting an excitation start signal that instructs the laser light sources to start excitation, and outputting an oscillation start signal to instruct the laser light sources to start oscillation after a predetermined time has elapsed from the output of the excitation start signal, so as to generate pulsed light from the laser light sources. The laser sources include a first laser source and a second laser source of which preparation time from the start of the excitation to the generation of the pulsed light is longer than that of the first laser source. The control unit sets timing to output the excitation start signal to the first laser source to follow timing to output the excitation start signal to the second laser source according to a difference of the preparation time between the first and second laser sources.

Abstract: A manual distance measuring apparatus includes at least one computing unit, an image acquisition means and a laser measuring device, which determines a distance of a measurement point on a measurement object in a measurement direction during a measuring process. The computing unit is configured to control, at least by open-loop control, the measurement direction depending at least on an output characteristic variable of the image acquisition means.

Abstract: A multiple-field-of-view scannerless optical rangefinder operating in pulsed Time-Of-Flight operation for use in high ambient background light is described.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging system comprising an impulsion light source for an input light beam oriented toward an observed area and an optoelectronic sensor having a photosensitive surface with a visibility capable of substantially covering the observed area. An impulsion of the incident light beam is backscattered by only by a portion of the observed area into a backscattered spot on the photosensitive surface. A deflection device deflects the impulsions of the incident light beam onto the respective portions of the observed area. A device acquires the thumbnail images corresponding to the backscattered spots resulting in impulsions of the incident light beam. The system combines said thumbnail images to produce an image having a sufficiently high signal-to-noise ratio for portions of interest of the observed area, a high spatial resolution, and a greater insensitivity to motion blurs.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging and display system is provided in which user input is optically detected in an imaging volume by measuring the path length of an amplitude modulated scanning beam as a function of the phase shift thereof. Visual image user feedback concerning the detected user input is presented.

Abstract: An optical device is disclosed that may be employed in distance measuring devices. In at least one embodiment, the optical device includes a control unit that is adapted to cause at least one control signal generator unit to generate at least one control signal according to a predetermined temporal function on the basis of an elapsed time from a predetermined point in time. On the basis of the generated at least one control signal, at least one parameter of a receiver unit may be adjusted during the travel time of the optical pulse, wherein the at least one parameter affects the dynamic range of the receiver unit. In this way, the dynamic range of the receiver unit may be increased. A method is further disclosed for operating such an optical device, along with a distance measuring device including such an optical device and a surveying instrument including such a distance measuring device.

Abstract: A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar system and images from a video system to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory of a target. The system estimates this trajectory in two stages: a first stage in which the range and Doppler measurements from the lidar system along with various feature measurements obtained from the images from the video system are used to estimate first stage motion aspects of the target (i.e., the trajectory of the target); and a second stage in which the images from the video system and the first stage motion aspects of the target are used to estimate second stage motion aspects of the target. Once the second stage motion aspects of the target are estimated, a three-dimensional image of the target may be generated.

Abstract: A system for three-dimensional hyperspectral imaging includes an illumination source configured to illuminate a target object; a dispersive element configured to spectrally separate light received from the target object into different colors; and a light detection and ranging focal plane array (FPA) configured to receive the light from the dispersive element, configured to acquire spatial information regarding the target object in one dimension in the plane of the FPA, configured to acquire spectral information in a second dimension in the plane of the FPA, wherein the second dimension is perpendicular to the first dimension, and configured to obtain information regarding the distance from the FPA to the target object by obtaining times of flight of at least two wavelengths, thereby imaging the target object in three dimensions and acquiring spectral information on at least one 3D point.

Abstract: A method for ranging or targets may include transmitting a pulse of electromagnetic energy at a target. The method may also include generating a time-varying signal in response to receiving a first signal indicating transmission of the pulse of electromagnetic energy. Additionally, the method may include detecting a reflection of the pulse from the target. Moreover, the method may include generating a second signal indicating detection of the reflection. The method may further include generating a third signal substantially equivalent to the second signal delayed by predetermined delay. The method may also include sampling the time-varying signal in response to receiving the third signal.

Abstract: Externally deployed airbag system for a vehicle including one or more inflatable airbags deployable outside of the vehicle, an anticipatory sensor system for assessing the probable severity of an impact involving the vehicle based on data obtained prior to the impact and initiating inflation of the airbag(s) in the event an impact above a threshold severity is assessed, and an inflator coupled to the anticipatory sensor system and the airbag for inflating the airbag when initiated by the anticipatory sensor system. The airbag may be housed in a module mounted along a side of the vehicle, in a side door of the vehicle (both for side impact protection), at a front of the vehicle (for frontal impact protection) or at a rear of the vehicle (for rear impact protection). Also, the externally deployed airbag can be deployed to cushion a pedestrian's impact against the vehicle.

Abstract: Described herein is an improved sensing system (30) and its method of operation. The system (30) includes a camera (16) for viewing an external scene, the camera comprising one or more detector(s) and has a field of view (40) which overlaps with the path (32) of a pulsed laser (12). The laser path (32) and radiation from the scene viewed (40) share a beamsplitter (36) and a window (38). In order to substantially reduce back-scattered radiation from the laser path (32) affecting operation of the detector(s) of the camera (16), the detector(s) is (are) switched in accordance with the operation of the laser (12) to be “off” or non-receiving when the laser (12) is “on” or firing.

Abstract: An apparatus in a motor vehicle for spatial detection of a scene inside and/or outside the motor vehicle has a LIDAR sensor, which is coupled to an electronic detection device, and an image sensor, which is connected to an image processing device for recording and evaluation of images of the scene. The detection device and the image processing device are coupled to a computer in order to determine spatial data of the scene.

Abstract: A geographic data collecting system, comprising a distance measuring unit for projecting a distance measuring light and for measuring a distance to an object to be measured, a camera for taking an image in measuring direction, a display unit for displaying the pickup image, a touch panel provided to correspond to a screen position of the display unit, a tilt sensor for detecting a tilting of the measuring direction, and an arithmetic unit for calculating a distance to the object to be measured by giving consideration on the tilting in the measuring direction and a point-to-point distance as specified on the image by specifying two or more points of the object to be measured on a displayed image via the touch panel.

Abstract: A system and method for registering 3D data sets is disclosed based on manual fiducial selection. The technique is useful in imaging obscured targets with 3-D imaging laser radars. For such an exemplary method, which defines a three-dimensional linear shift vector for each data voxel, four fiducials are required to completely define the mapping for a 3D space. An exemplary registration algorithm as disclosed provides an approach to automatically make fine adjustments to the 3D data registration. The tedious technique of shifting data sets relative to each other, in many degrees of freedom, is eliminated. Instead, a fine adjust is applied to the digital mapping function, through fiducial perturbation.

Abstract: A system and method for viewing an object in a visually obscured environment includes a laser for generating a beam of light which is directed at the object. A pulse generator generates a reference pulse which triggers the laser and also a triggers a range generator which generates a range window positioned at a desired range. A gated optical detector (1) receives reflected light from the object, (2) receives the range window from the range generator, and (3) produces a gated optical output which contains reflections from ranges corresponding with the range window. A display is connected to the gated optical detector for displaying the gated optical output. In one embodiment, the transmitted light beam is polarized, and the received light beam passes through a selectable polarizing filter. In another embodiment, a plurality of received reflected light returns are integrated into a combined image.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device has a single plate structure and is capable of imaging of visible light and infrared light. While imaging of the visible light and the infrared light is performed by the imaging device every one-frame scanning period, an IR pulse is emitted, every other one-frame scanning period, to a space to be shot. A visible-light image is produced every one-frame scanning period. A range image from which influence to be caused by infrared component of the ambient light is removed is produced every other one-frame scanning period by subtracting an IR pixel image (S2IR), which is obtained by imaging of non-emission time of the IR pulse, from an IR pixel signal (S1IR), which is obtained by imaging of emission time of the IR pulse.

Abstract: An RGB-Z sensor is implementable on a single IC chip. A beam splitter such as a hot mirror receives and separates incoming first and second spectral band optical energy from a target object into preferably RGB image components and preferably NIR Z components. The RGB image and Z components are detected by respective RGB and NIR pixel detector array regions, which output respective image data and Z data. The pixel size and array resolutions of these regions need not be equal, and both array regions may be formed on a common IC chip. A display using the image data can be augmented with Z data to help recognize a target object. The resultant structure combines optical efficiency of beam splitting with the simplicity of a single IC chip implementation. A method of using the single chip red, green, blue, distance (RGB-Z) sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: RGB-Z imaging systems acquire RGB data typically with a high X-Y resolution RGB pixel array, and acquire Z-depth data with an array of physically larger Z pixels having additive signal properties. In each acquired frame, RGB pixels are mapped to a corresponding Z pixel. Z image resolution is enhanced by identifying Z discontinuities and identifying corresponding RGB pixels where the Z discontinuities occur. Thus segmented data enables RGB background substitution, which preferably blends foreground pixel color and substitute background color. The segmented data also enables up-sampling in which a higher XY resolution Z image with accurate Z values is obtained. Up-sampling uses an equation set enabling assignment of accurate Z values to RGB pixels. Fixed acquisition frame rates are enabled by carefully culling bad Z data. Segmenting and up-sampling enhanced video effects and enable low cost, low Z resolution arrays to function comparably to higher quality, higher resolution Z arrays.

Abstract: An imaging system substantially simultaneously acquires z-depth and brightness data from first sensors, and acquires higher resolution RGB data from second sensors, and fuses data from the first and second sensors to model an RGBZ image whose resolution can be as high as resolution of the second sensors. Time correlation of captured data from first and second sensors is associated with captured image data, which permits arbitrary mapping between the two data sources, ranging from 1:many to many:1. Preferably pixels from each set of sensors that image the same target point are mapped. Many z-depth sensor settings may be used to create a static environmental model. Non-correlative and correlative filtering is carried out, and up-sampling to increase z-resolution occurs, from which a three-dimensional model is constructed using registration and calibration data.

Abstract: A scannerless 3-D imaging apparatus is disclosed which utilizes an amplitude modulated cw light source to illuminate a field of view containing a target of interest. Backscattered light from the target is passed through one or more loss modulators which are modulated at the same frequency as the light source, but with a phase delay ? which can be fixed or variable. The backscattered light is demodulated by the loss modulator and detected with a CCD, CMOS or focal plane array (FPA) detector to construct a 3-D image of the target. The scannerless 3-D imaging apparatus, which can operate in the eye-safe wavelength region 1.4-1.7 ?m and which can be constructed as a flash LADAR, has applications for vehicle collision avoidance, autonomous rendezvous and docking, robotic vision, industrial inspection and measurement, 3-D cameras, and facial recognition.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a camera comprising a photosurface that is electronically turned on and off to respectively initiate and terminate an exposure period of the camera at a frequency sufficiently high so that the camera can be used to determine distances to a scene that it images without use of an external fast shutter. In an embodiment, the photosurface comprises pixels formed on a substrate and the photosurface is turned on and turned off by controlling voltage to the substrate. In an embodiment, the substrate pixels comprise light sensitive pixels, also referred to as “photopixels”, in which light incident on the photosurface generates photocharge, and storage pixels that are insensitive to light that generates photocharge in the photopixels. In an embodiment, the photosurface is controlled so that the storage pixels accumulate and store photocharge substantially upon its generation during an exposure period of the photosurface.

Abstract: A sensitivity modulated light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system and related methods. Implementations of sensitivity modulated LIDAR systems may include a pulsed laser and a light detection system coupled with the pulsed laser through a timing system. The light detection system may include a high-bandwidth detector coupled with the timing system, at least one imaging detector coupled with the timing system, and at least one sensitivity modulator coupled with the at least one imaging detector and with the timing system.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a detection device which does not cause the false detection by receiving laser light from an oncoming car. The pulse laser light modulated with a modulation pattern set every target position is irradiated at the target position from a laser irradiation portion. DSP (Digital Signal Processor) decides that there is an obstacle at the target position only when the modulation pattern of the pulse laser light emitted from the laser emitting portion matches with the modulation pattern of the pulse laser light received by the laser receiving portion. It is suppressed that the detection device misdetects the conditions of the target position when receiving laser light from an oncoming car or the like because modulation pattern of laser light from own does not match with modulation pattern of laser light from the oncoming car or the like.

Abstract: A method for providing an observer with an intuitive awareness of a tactical environment is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, the method displays a 360° panoramic view of the environment surrounding a warship, wherein the view is augmented by radar data, infrared imagery, visible imagery, and tactical information about targets within the field-of-view.

Abstract: A system and method for viewing objects at a fire scene allows fire fighters to view objects, including persons, in a smoke and fire filled environment. The present invention utilizes two different techniques to discriminate reflections from an object from scattered reflections from smoke and fire. In one embodiment of the invention, the coherent nature of laser light is employed to pick out objects. Another embodiment of the invention utilizes a time-gated approach to select reflections from objects which are located a specific distance from the laser transmitter.

Abstract: An electro optic distance measurement apparatus using time of flight measurements and a method therefore are provided for determining a distance to a target of two or more targets located along a common line of sight from the distance measurement apparatus. Approximate distances to the two or more targets are determined by means of the distance measurement apparatus, one of the two or more targets is selected, and an accurate distance to the selected target is determined by means of the distance measurement apparatus.

Abstract: A light-sensing module and arrays of two or more light-sensing modules are described. Each light-sensing module comprises a mounting support structure that may include an air vehicle guidance section and an optical element adapted to direct incident light to a detector array that comprises an array of photodiodes and is attached to the mounting support structure. The detector array is adapted to receive the directed light and convert the received light to a set of electrical pulses via a plurality of photodetectors each of which is operatively coupled to an amplifier and a threshold circuit adapted to output a detection to a memory store adapted to associate a detection with a time-of-arrival. The light-sensing module may be adapted to output the associated detection and time-of-arrival. Air vehicles including the light-sensing modules are also disclosed.

Abstract: A gated camera imaging system and method, utilizing a laser device for generating a beam of long duration laser pulses toward a target. A camera receives the energy of light reflexes of the pulses reflected from the target. The camera gating is synchronized to be set OFF for at least the duration of time it takes the laser device to produce a laser pulse in its substantial entirety, including an end of the laser pulse, in addition to the time it takes the laser pulse to complete traversing a zone proximate to the system and back to the camera, and set ON for an ON time duration thereafter until the laser pulse reflects back from the target and is received in the camera. The laser pulse width substantially corresponds to at least the ON time duration. Preferably, the laser device includes a Diode Laser Array (DLA).

Abstract: An apparatus for image taking includes a range image sensor, in which a range image is produced in which a distance is represented with a pixel value by image taking of a principal object from an image taking position. An image pickup device receives light reflected by the principal object, to output an image signal for respective pixels. A light reception control unit changes over a reception sequence and reception time, and causes the image pickup device to output image signals associated with first and second distance ranges. The second distance range is a distance range where the principal object exists and is over the first distance range. A first range image and second range image, are formed according to the image signals. Blank portions are designated within the second range image by comparison of the first range image and second range image, to compensate for the blank portions.

Abstract: A laser scanning system can be used in construction projects to generate a field survey. An architect or engineer can use the field survey to create construction drawings. In addition, relevant points from the construction drawings can be identified at the construction site with the scanning system. Further, earth moving equipment can be controlled using the same information. The laser scanning system can be used to determine if two parts can be mated together by scanning and comparing the parts that are to be mated. The laser scanning system can further be used to determine if an object can be moved through an opening in a structure by comparing scan points of the structure with scan points from the object. The laser scanning system can be used to identify objects within the site, to build databases that have relevant information about the objects, and to guide reproducing machines.