With Photodetection Remote From Measured Angle Patents (Class 356/152.1)
  • Patent number: 11960070
    Abstract: A method for capturing a relative alignment of a surface (2.1), extending substantially in one plane, of an object (2), in which a focus (f) of a light beam is guided along a scanning path (1). Components of the light beam that are reflected by the surface (2.1) are captured. The scanning path (1) extends substantially parallel to an x-y-plane that extends orthogonally to an optical axis (oA) of a detection objective (5). A relative position and alignment of the surface (2.1) are ascertained on the basis of the reflected components. A normal (N) of the surface (2.1) and the relative alignment thereof are virtually ascertained and/or the focus (F) is moved in the direction of the optical axis (oA) during the scanning of the scanning path (1, 1ax) such that an axial scan trajectory or an axial scanning path (1ax) are brought about.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss Microscopy GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Klemm, Thomas Egloff
  • Patent number: 11802764
    Abstract: A laser controller having an electronic distance measuring instrument and a laser light transmitter creating a vertical laser plane is used with a remote controller and a movable target for point layout tasks. The electronic distance measurer and laser transmitter are mounted on the same vertical pivot axis. Once the system is set-up for a particular jobsite, the laser plane can be aimed at a specific point of interest on the jobsite floor, and a visible laser light line will then appear on the floor, from the laser controller, all the way to that point of interest. The distance measuring instrument is aimed along the same heading as the laser plane, and it gives the distance to the movable target, which is moved along the visible laser light line, until reaching the specified distance, and thereby find the point of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited
    Inventors: Eric Keith Unger, James N. Hayes, Chris W. Snyder
  • Patent number: 11555695
    Abstract: An angle detecting device for detecting a bending angle of an element. The element comprises a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion bent relative to the second connecting portion. The angle detecting device comprises a fixing member, a non-contact range finder and a base. The fixing member comprises a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion. The fixing member and the non-contact range finder is mounted on the base. The first fixing portion cooperates with the second fixing portion to fix the first connecting portion. The non-contact range finder faces the second connecting portion to detect a distance between the second connecting portion and the non-contact range finder, and determine whether the distance is within a preset range. An angle detecting method using the above angle detecting device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: TRIPLE WIN TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Jun-Hui Yu
  • Patent number: 11240961
    Abstract: A georeferenced probability distribution is generated indicating a probability that a harvester will reach its full capacity at different locations in a field. A control signal is generated to control the harvester based upon the georeferenced probability distribution. The control signal is used to control one of a plurality of different controllable subsystems, such as the propulsion system (to control harvester speed), a steering subsystem (to control the harvester's path), or other controllable subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Benjamin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11211763
    Abstract: A system includes a master oscillator configured to generate a first optical beam and a beam controller configured to modify the first optical beam. The system also includes a PWG amplifier configured to receive the modified first optical beam and generate a second optical beam having a higher power than the first optical beam. The second optical beam has a power of at least about ten kilowatts. The PWG amplifier includes a single laser gain medium configured to generate the second optical beam. The system further includes a feedback loop configured to control the master oscillator, PWG amplifier, and beam controller. The feedback loop includes a laser controller. The laser controller may be configured to process wavefront information or power in bucket information associated with the second optical beam to control an adaptive optic or perform a back-propagation algorithm to provide wavefront correction at an output of the PWG amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen H. McGanty, David M. Filgas
  • Patent number: 11165217
    Abstract: A bandpass filter allows a light ray of a predetermined band including a wavelength band of a color of a laser beam, which is a target of detection, among light rays from a subject to pass therethrough. An imaging unit of a video camera captures the light ray passing through the bandpass filter. The controller analyzes a frequency for each brightness level of a video signal generated based on an imaging signal output from the imaging unit and detects a peak at which the frequency protrudes at a specific brightness level. The controller detects a trajectory of a straight light ray in a frame of the video signal. The controller detects that the laser beam is irradiated when the peak exists at a specific brightness level and the trajectory of the light ray exists in the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: JVCKENWOOD CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shuta Yufune, Takuya Hirata, Takeshi Igarashi
  • Patent number: 11006505
    Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a lighting design for a venue. A lighting visual is selected. The lighting visual may be based on a different venue or a generated image. An electronic processor converts the lighting visual into lighting visual parameters. The processor receives mounting locations for lighting fixtures at the venue. A database of candidate lighting fixtures is accessed and a lighting design is generated that includes an arrangement of lighting fixtures and indicates which of the lighting fixtures is to be mounted in which location to produce a lighting effect at the venue that approximates the lighting visual. The lighting design may be based on multiple lighting visuals and corresponding visual parameters to produce multiple lighting effects at the venue that approximate the multiple visuals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Electronic Theatre Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Mizerak, Dennis Varian, Koen Buys
  • Patent number: 10866182
    Abstract: A method of configuring an optical system to reduce variations in measured properties of an analyte includes selecting a number of beams into which radiation from a source of radiation is to be split, wherein, upon irradiating the analyte from a plurality of directions by the number of beams, a variation of a resulting measurement of the analyte is at or below a threshold. The method further includes aligning the source of radiation and a plurality of optical elements optically coupled to the source of radiation such that the selected number of beams irradiate the analyte upon emission of radiation by the source of radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: MICROBIX BIOSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Randall Marks, Mark Luscher, Edward Lao, John Patrick Myers
  • Patent number: 10655952
    Abstract: A state visualizer according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an optical member including a fixed part that has a fixed relative positional relationship with an object to be measured and a movable part that is movably supported by the fixed part and keeps a constant angle with respect to a gravity direction, the optical member retroreflecting a light or an electromagnetic wave in a case where the fixed part and the movable part are in a predetermined positional relationship. The optical member changes an intensity of the light or the electromagnetic wave reflected in a retroreflection direction in accordance with a change of a relative positional relationship between the fixed part and the movable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Naohide Wakita
  • Patent number: 9927524
    Abstract: A lidar imager for acquiring a range image of a scene comprises a light source for emitting a light beam, a scanning device for scanning the light beam across the scene and a light sensor for receiving light reflected from the scene. The scanning device comprises a spatial light modulator (SLM) configured to display holograms that deflect the light beam into different directions within the scene to be imaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Luc Kaiser
  • Patent number: 9591448
    Abstract: A method for generating a track file that contains notification information includes obtaining a raw track file and a road network data, determining whether each of consecutive two of recorded locations of the track file is on or off road segments of the road network data, generating a notification of change in road status when the consecutive two of the recorded locations are determined to be respectively on and off the road segments, calculating an included angle between two line segments which connect in sequence consecutive three of the recorded locations, determining whether the included angle is greater than a threshold value, and generating a notification of turning when the included angle is determined to be greater than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: MITAC INTERNATIONAL CORP.
    Inventor: Chung-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 9555885
    Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to an automotive drone deployment system that includes at least a vehicle and a deployable drone that is configured to attach and detach from the vehicle. More specifically, the disclosure describes the vehicle and drone remaining in communication with each other to exchange information while the vehicle is being operated in an autonomous driving mode so that the vehicle's performance under the autonomous driving mode is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph F. Stanek, John A. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 9395175
    Abstract: A device for determining the position of a first mechanical element relative to a second mechanical element, having a first measurement unit for attachment to the first mechanical element, a second measurement unit for attachment to the second mechanical element, and an evaluation unit. The first measurement unit emits spectrally differing first and second light beams in essentially the same direction and a position-sensitive optical detector. The second measurement unit has a reflector arrangement facing the first measurement unit, in order to reflect the first and second light beams onto the detector. Surfaces facing the first measurement unit being color splitters having different reflectivity/transmissibility for the first light beam and the second light beam. The evaluation unit determines the location of the first and second mechanical elements relative to one another from the incidence positions of the reflected first and second light beams on the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Prüftechnik Dieter Busch AG
    Inventor: Heinrich Lysen
  • Patent number: 9217643
    Abstract: An angles only navigation system. The system includes an IMU coupled with a passive optical sensor. The optical sensor provides periodic updates to the IMU in order to correct for accelerometer and gyro drifts. The IMU computes the air vehicle's instantaneous position, velocity, and attitude using gyro and accelerometer measurements. The optical sensor images stars and satellites. The navigation filter combines optical sensor measurements with IMU inputs, and determines those corrections needed to compensate for the IMU drifts. By applying periodic corrections to the IMU using satellite angular measurements, the navigation filter maintains an accurate position estimate during an entire flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Trex Enterprises Corp.
    Inventors: Mikhail S. Belenkii, Timothy Brinkley
  • Patent number: 9074883
    Abstract: With a device for optically scanning and measuring an environment which is designed as a laser scanner, with a light emitter, which emits an emission light beam, with a light receiver which receives a reception light beam which is reflected by an object in the surroundings of the laser scanner or scattered otherwise, with a control and evaluation unit which determines the distance to the object for a multitude of measuring points, wherein the emission light beam is a superposition of three laser beams having different wave lengths, which define the three-dimensional color space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Philipp Schumann, Reinhard Becker, Martin Ossig, Jürgen Gittinger
  • Publication number: 20150036144
    Abstract: A rotation angle measurement device includes: relative angle detection means including a reference support whose rotation is regulated in a fixed range in an arbitrary direction of a rotation axis, and a driving rotating body which is coupled to the reference support and is axially supported so as to be all-round rotatable with respect to the reference support, the relative angle detection means which detects a relative rotation angle of the rotating body with respect to the reference support; and non-contact angle detection means which detects a rotation angle of the reference support with reference to a position that does not contact with the rotating body and the reference support. This provides improved accuracy in indexing the rotation angle of a rotating moving shaft and easy installation onto the rotating moving shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Tokyo Seimitsu Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Shimizu, Nobuyuki Osawa, Takashi Fujita
  • Patent number: 8934088
    Abstract: A sound-creation interface is used to create a sound-creation instrument such as a musical instrument. The musical instrument includes a mechanical-human interface such as a set of keys, strings or breathing pipe for user actuation and control of the system, a mechanical-electrical interface receiving inputs from the mechanical-human interface and for converting those inputs to a machine comprehensible signal and an electrical/processor interface receiving signals from the mechanical electrical interface and converting those signals into a processor comprehensible form. A processor receives processor comprehensible signals from the electrical-processor interface and includes a processor component and a memory component. The system allows simplified interaction between the user using the mechanical interface and the processor providing an improved sound-creation interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Eigenlabs Limited
    Inventors: John Henry Lambert, Mark Justin Rigamonti, James Stephen Chapman
  • Publication number: 20150002840
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method for measuring an angle between two spatially separated elements having the steps: preparing a multiplex hologram having a plurality of interference patterns, at least two having different angles of incidence of an object light wave onto a hologram plane; arranging the multiplex hologram in a first element plane on a first element; lighting the multiplex hologram with a reference light wave; arranging a light detector in a second element plane on a second element; detecting a reference light wave refracted on an interference pattern with a light detector; creating an intensity pattern from the detected refracted reference light wave; assigning the angle of incidence stored as machine readable data to the intensity pattern; and/or calculating an angle between the first element plane and the second element plane from the assigned angle of incidence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Bo Pettersson, Frank Przygodda, Knut Siercks
  • Patent number: 8892331
    Abstract: A drive assist system includes: wireless communication devices on first and second vehicles. The wireless communication device on the first vehicle includes: a distance calculation device for calculating a satellite positioning distance between the first and second vehicles; and a difference calculation device for calculating a distance difference between the satellite positioning distance and a distance to the second vehicle obtained by a ranging sensor in the first vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Seigou Kumabe, Takahisa Yamashiro
  • Patent number: 8836931
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a detection system for acquiring the SPR angle, including a modulatable SPR sensor to be detected; an incident light source apparatus; a photoelectric detector; a narrowband filter system; a modulated signal source for generating an alternating current signal that is used to modulate said modulatable SPR sensor; and a data processing system for recording the corresponding relationship between the incident angle and the intensity of the filtered reflected light and further obtaining the resonance angle of said modulatable SPR sensor. The present disclosure also provides a corresponding detection method for acquiring the SPR angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignees: National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, China, Beihang University
    Inventors: Kun Wang, Jinsong Zhu, Zheng Zheng, Jiangfeng Fan
  • Patent number: 8797521
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for measuring the rotation angle of two objects rotating in relation to each other, with a transmitter assigned to one of the objects, and with an element which influences the direction of polarization, where the transmitter and the element rotate relative to each other, and where the luminous intensity passing through, or reflected by, the element is measured by a receiver and then evaluated as a signal dependent on the rotation angle, and where the receiver groups of receiver elements sensitive to polarization, and where the polarization planes of the receiver elements in each group are rotated in relation to each other, and where the reception signals of at least two of the receiver elements are evaluated independent of each other in a monitoring mode. The disclosure also relates to an apparatus for implementing the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Sick Stegmann GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhold Mutschler
  • Patent number: 8717553
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for positioning a first device in relation to a second device. An optical signal from a first device is sent to a second device. A reflection of the optical signal from the second device is received. A position of one of the devices relative to the other device is adjusted based upon the reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Gabriel G. Marcu
  • Patent number: 8665427
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for testing the boresight of a gimbaled camera and laser system, such as an infrared countermeasures (IRCM) system, in extreme environments. Light simulating a target is reflected through an optics system to the camera, with a portion of the light reflected back from a corner cube reflector through the optics system as a reference. A laser beam from the laser is received through the same optics system, and a position of the corner cube reflected reference and laser beam are compared in order to determine whether the camera and laser are properly aligned. A spherical shell adapted to position the camera at its geometric center keeps misaligned laser pulses from reflecting back into the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: DRS RSTA, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Young, Dharmesh G. Panchal, Alan A. Rakes
  • Publication number: 20130194567
    Abstract: A system for inspection of a blade of a wind turbine in operation is provided. The system comprises a light projection unit, an imaging unit and a processing unit. The light projection unit generates and projects a light pattern towards a blade of a wind turbine in operation. The imaging unit captures a plurality of scanning light patterns on the blade of the wind turbine during rotation of the blade. The processing unit is configured to process the plurality of the captured d light patterns from the imaging unit for inspection of deflection of the blade. A method for inspection of a blade of a wind turbine in operation is also presented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20130083645
    Abstract: An optical pickup, an inclination angle detection method, an optical information device, and an information processing device capable of reliably and accurately detecting a relative inclination angle between an end face of a solid immersion lens and a surface of an optical recording medium are provided. A convergence position modifying unit modifies convergence states of a first beam and a second beam according to layers of an optical recording medium, a first optical detector includes a first light receiving section which receives the converged first beam and a second light receiving section which receives the converged second beam, and the first optical detector detects a relative inclination angle between an end face of a solid immersion lens and a surface of the optical recording medium based on a difference in quantities of received light between the first light receiving section and the second light receiving section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Hidenori Wada, Kousei Sano, Keiichi Matsuzaki, Sadao Mizuno
  • Patent number: 8400625
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for testing the boresight of a gimbaled camera and laser system, such as an infrared countermeasures (IRCM) system, in extreme environments. Light simulating a target is reflected through an optics system to the camera, with a portion of the light reflected back from a corner cube reflector through the optics system as a reference. A laser beam from the laser is received through the same optics system, and a position of the corner cube reflected reference and laser beam are compared in order to determine whether the camera and laser are properly aligned. A spherical shell adapted to position the camera at its geometric center keeps misaligned laser pulses from reflecting back into the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: DRS RSTA, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Young, Dharmesh G. Panchal, Alan A. Rakes
  • Patent number: 8390802
    Abstract: A system is provided for semi-active laser designation, the system comprising: a guidance and control system having a plurality of wings disposed at an aerodynamically advantageous angle; a plurality of linear sensor arrays configured to measure location of a target, each the sensor array being disposed on a wing of the plurality of wings; and each the linear sensor array providing independent data to the guidance and control system as to the location of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Intergration Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D Frey, Jr., Stephen F Sagan
  • Publication number: 20130044332
    Abstract: A surface profile measurement apparatus, which measures a surface profile of an object, includes a wavefront measurement unit, a driving unit and a rotation unit. The wavefront measurement unit has an image sensor and emits a detecting light. The driving unit has a plurality of stages for moving the object or the wavefront measurement unit. The rotation unit has a rotation axis, is disposed on one of the stages of the driving unit, and holds the object. When measuring the object, the rotation unit rotates the object and the image sensor simultaneously exposes and acquires a measurement data, formed by the detecting light reflected from the object. An alignment method of the surface profile measurement apparatus and an improved sub-aperture measurement data acquisition method are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventor: Chao-Wen LIANG
  • Patent number: 8281995
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments, as well as features and aspects thereof, are directed towards providing a system, device and method for calculating comprehensive ballistic solutions, or portions thereof, via a varying magnification optical range determining and ballistic trajectory calculating apparatus referred to as a ballistic solutions device. Advantageously, embodiments of a ballistic solutions device may drastically reduce marksman error in milling targets by employing a measurement component configured to measure angular movement of a projectile launching device, such as a rifle, thus delivering consistently accurate distance to target estimations. Additionally, embodiments of a ballistic solutions device may also comprise features and aspects that enable a user to leverage available real-time field data such that error associated with the measurement of those variables is minimized prior to calculating and rendering a comprehensive ballistic solution derived from stored DOPE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Inventor: Laurence Andrew Bay
  • Patent number: 8237095
    Abstract: A laser lead designator for guiding a laser guided weapon (LGW) to strike a moving target includes a laser source for providing a laser beam and a controller coupled to receive a position and a velocity of the moving target. The controller provides a control signal for pointing the laser beam a specified lead distance ahead of the position of the moving target to position a laser spot on a ground location ahead of the moving target. The lead distance compensates for an impact shortfall value that is a function of at least one shortfall parameter including a speed of the moving target so that the LGW shortfalls the laser spot on the moving target. The laser designator is separate from the LGW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Louis N. Glaros, William B. Eddins, Charles Gaylord, Michael Kincheloe
  • Publication number: 20110285986
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a detection system for acquiring the SPR angle, including a modulatable SPR sensor to be detected; an incident light source apparatus; a photoelectric detector; a narrowband filter system; a modulated signal source for generating an alternating current signal that is used to modulate said modulatable SPR sensor; and a data processing system for recording the corresponding relationship between the incident angle and the intensity of the filtered reflected light and further obtaining the resonance angle of said modulatable SPR sensor. The present disclosure also provides a corresponding detection method for acquiring the SPR angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicants: Beihang University, National Center for Nanosccience and Technology, China
    Inventors: Kun Wang, Jinsong Zhu, Zheng Zheng, Jiangfeng Fan
  • Patent number: 8059267
    Abstract: Improvements to the art of orientation measurement are disclosed whereby the phase angle of each of the plurality of orientation dependent radiation patterns is measured at a single common and unique point of measurement on the observation surface and correspondingly in the image of the observation surface, and whereby a central landmark is located at the point of measurement without loss of accuracy in the determination of the plurality of phase angles of orientation dependent radiation so that the precise point of measurement can be determined in the image without errors introduced by an offset between the positions of landmarks and the position of phase angle measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Go Sensors, LLC
    Inventor: Brian Stewart Randall Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20110267604
    Abstract: A system and method for performing flow cytometry is disclosed wherein the alignment of the light source with respect to the sensing region of the fluid stream is continuously controlled using a feedback control loop. An imaging apparatus is provided that images the system along the optical axis, between the field stop and the sensing region. In an embodiment, the cytometer includes a field stop having an H-shaped aperture and light diverters over the ends of the aperture that divert a portion of the light to peripheral detectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Applicant: University of Washington
    Inventor: Jarred E. Swalwell
  • Patent number: 8009283
    Abstract: Wavefront control techniques are provided for the alignment and performance optimization of optical devices. A Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor can be used to measure the wavefront distortion and a control system generates feedback error signal to optics inside the device to correct the wavefront. The system can be calibrated with a low-average-power probe laser. An optical element is provided to couple the optical device to a diagnostic/control package in a way that optimizes both the output power of the optical device and the coupling of the probe light into the diagnostics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Kai N LaFortune, Randall Hurd, Scott N Fochs, Mark D Rotter, Lloyd Hackel
  • Patent number: 7978322
    Abstract: Systems and methods to calibrate aircraft surfaces are provided. A particular method includes installing a set of laser targets. The set of laser targets includes at least first laser target and a second laser target. The first laser target is installed on a first side of a first aircraft surface and the second laser target is installed on a second side of the first aircraft surface at a known location relative to the first laser target. The method also includes determining a first position of the first laser target with a first laser device. The method further includes determining a second position of the second laser target with a second laser device. The method includes determining a position of the first aircraft surface based on the first position of the first laser target and the second position of the second laser target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bobby J. Marsh, Michael A. Lazar
  • Patent number: 7964831
    Abstract: The invention relates to a remote control device from an attack module flying over a target, module of the projectile or sub-projectile, missile or attack drone type, for a target designator positioned on a terrain of operations, comprising means to emit a remote control signal that are arranged in the attack module and at least one receiver means for the remote control signal that are integral with the designator and are associated with means to activate the start-up of the designator, wherein the emitter means incorporate at least one light source oriented so as to illuminate the terrain and in that the receiver means incorporate a detector for the radiation emitted by the light source or sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Nexter Munitions
    Inventor: Michel Jean Hurty
  • Patent number: 7961306
    Abstract: Provided is a method of optimizing sensitivity of measurements of an optical metrology tool using two or more illumination beams directed to a structure on a workpiece comprising selecting target structures for measurement, obtaining diffraction signals off the selected structures as a function of angle of incidence for each illumination beam, determining a selected angle of incidence for each of the two or more illumination beams, setting sensitivity objectives for optical metrology measurements, developing a design for the optical metrology tool to achieve the corresponding selected angle of incidence of the two or more illumination beams, obtaining sensitivity data using the optical metrology tool, and if the sensitivity objectives are not met, adjusting the selection of target structures, the selected angle of incidence of the two or more illumination beams, the sensitivity objectives, and/or the design of the optical metrology tool, and iterating the developing of the design, obtaining sensitivity data,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Shifang Li, Adam Norton, Manuel Madriaga
  • Patent number: 7933008
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for positioning a first device in relation to a second device. An optical signal from a first device is sent to a second device. A reflection of the optical signal from the second device is received. A position of one of the devices relative to the other device is adjusted based upon the reflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Gabriel G. Marcu
  • Publication number: 20110090487
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for providing feedback to a subject in connection with a performance of a task, such as a movement task. The movement task may involve an operation or movement of an object by the subject, such as a body part or a sporting implement. During the movement task, the object has an expected motion path that is associated with one or more target areas. Behavior control feedback may be provided to the subject based on one or more of a position of the object, a motion of the object and an orientation of the object relative to one or more target areas as the subject performs the movement task. One example of an apparatus for providing behavior control feedback includes one or more radiation sources, one or more radiation detectors, and one or more indicators, any of which may be coupled to or otherwise integrated with the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Karl B. Schmidt, Paul E. Glenn, Steven H. Mersch
  • Patent number: 7929127
    Abstract: There is provided a laser energy measuring unit whose laser energy measuring range is widened. The laser energy measuring unit has a filter provided within an optical path of a laser to attenuate energy of the laser, a calculating section for measuring the energy of the laser passing through the filter, and a condenser lens provided on one side of the filter for condensing the laser. The filter has a shading portion for blocking a center part of the laser beam from being transmitted through the filter at a position coincident with the center of the laser. The center part of the laser where its energy is large is cut by the shading portion, and the calculating section measures the part where its energy is not so large. Thereby, it is possible to widen the laser energy measuring range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Via Mechanics
    Inventors: Fumio Watanabe, Katsurou Bukawa
  • Publication number: 20110007322
    Abstract: A method and apparatus operable for displacing an image, which is transmitted by electromagnetic radiation, perpendicular to the direction of radiation by use of a rotatably disposed radiation-refracting body, located in the path of an imaging beam, having a refractive index that differs from the surrounding medium with regard to the radiation used. The method allows for precise image displacement. The rotation of the radiation-refracting body causing the displacement is measured, and the change of the optical path length caused by the angular change in a further electromagnetic beam utilized for the measurement is determined by evaluating the superimposition of the radiation reflected by a planar reflecting surface with the incident electromagnetic radiation. Part of the electromagnetic measurement beam, which is reflected on the surface of the radiation-refracting body, strikes a measurement unit, which supplies an electrical signal as a function of the incident position of the electromagnetic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: Heidelberg Instruments Mikrotecknik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Fangerau, Alexander Mangold, Roland Kaplan
  • Publication number: 20100290038
    Abstract: A system is provided for semi-active laser designation, the system comprising: a guidance and control system having a plurality of wings disposed at an aerodynamically advantageous angle; a plurality of linear sensor arrays configured to measure location of a target, each the sensor array being disposed on a wing of the plurality of wings; and each the linear sensor array providing independent data to the guidance and control system as to the location of the target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INTEGRATION INC.
    Inventors: Robert D. Frey, JR., Stephen F. Sagan
  • Publication number: 20100292954
    Abstract: A device for detecting a rotating angle of a reflector includes a light emitting module, a photosensitive element, a microprocessor and a timer; the photosensitive element is used to sense time at which a beam emitted directly from the light emitting module is reflected by the rotatable reflector, and time at which a beam emitted from the light module is reflected to a target by the reflector, reflected to the reflector by the target and then reflected by the reflector, a rotating angle of the reflector is calculated by a time difference between these two times. Whereby, the accuracy of the detection of the reflector's rotating angle can be increased and the production cost of the device can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventor: CHIH-HSIUNG LIN
  • Publication number: 20100245807
    Abstract: Provided is a method of optimizing sensitivity of measurements of an optical metrology tool using two or more illumination beams directed to a structure on a workpiece comprising selecting target structures for measurement, obtaining diffraction signals off the selected structures as a function of angle of incidence for each illumination beam, determining a selected angle of incidence for each of the two or more illumination beams, setting sensitivity objectives for optical metrology measurements, developing a design for the optical metrology tool to achieve the corresponding selected angle of incidence of the two or more illumination beams, obtaining sensitivity data using the optical metrology tool, and if the sensitivity objectives are not met, adjusting the selection of target structures, the selected angle of incidence of the two or more illumination beams, the sensitivity objectives, and/or the design of the optical metrology tool, and iterating the developing of the design, obtaining sensitivity data,
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: TOKYO ELECTRON LIMITED
    Inventors: SHIFANG LI, ADAM NORTON, MANUEL MADRIAGA
  • Publication number: 20100201972
    Abstract: Systems and methods to calibrate aircraft surfaces are provided. A particular method includes installing a set of laser targets. The set of laser targets includes at least first laser target and a second laser target. The first laser target is installed on a first side of a first aircraft surface and the second laser target is installed on a second side of the first aircraft surface at a known location relative to the first laser target. The method also includes determining a first position of the first laser target with a first laser device. The method further includes determining a second position of the second laser target with a second laser device. The method includes determining a position of the first aircraft surface based on the first position of the first laser target and the second position of the second laser target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bobby J. Marsh, Michael A. Lazar
  • Patent number: 7728963
    Abstract: A separation from at least one and an image of at least three reflective regions on the orientation indicator are recorded by a separation measurement sensor and an image sensor in a measuring device, for the purpose of determining the orientation of an orientation indicator. The separation measurement and image recording are achieved by means of a directed emission of a collimated first beam and a divergent second beam with differing wavelengths and/or polarization in the direction of the orientation indicator and a simultaneous recording of the reflected and/or scattered first and second beams. The reflective regions on the orientation indicator are embodied and arranged such as to be positioned at a target point with a detectable geometric relationship to each other and to be simultaneously resolved by the image recorder. By means of the orientation determination, amongst other things, separations from target points, even not directly visible, can be precisely determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Leica Geosystems AG
    Inventor: Holger Kirschner
  • Publication number: 20100097602
    Abstract: Wavefront control techniques are provided for the alignment and performance optimization of optical devices. A Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor can be used to measure the wavefront distortion and a control system generates feedback error signal to optics inside the device to correct the wavefront. The system can be calibrated with a low-average-power probe laser. An optical element is provided to couple the optical device to a diagnostic/control package in a way that optimizes both the output power of the optical device and the coupling of the probe light into the diagnostics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Kai N. LaFortune, Randall Hurd, Scott N. Fochs, Mark D. Rotter, Lloyd Hackel
  • Publication number: 20100033713
    Abstract: An object, such as a robotically controlled television camera undergoes alignment with a reflective target by directing a coherent beam of radiation, e.g., a laser beam, into an opening in an enclosure having a reflective interior such that the radiation strikes a reflector in axial alignment with the enclosure opening. Upon striking the target, the beam undergoes reflection through the enclosure opening back to the object for detection. Alignment between the object and the target occurs when substantially all of the radiation undergoes reflection from the target to the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: THOMSON LICENSING
    Inventor: Scott Raymond Matics
  • Patent number: 7652753
    Abstract: A laser-designated target simulator for testing laser-guided munitions and in particular the laser-seeking heads thereof. In one embodiment, the simulator includes: (1) a laser light source configured to provide laser light, (2) a waveguide configured to receive the laser light via an end thereof, (3) a baffle structure having a plurality of cavities associated therewith and (4) an actuator coupled to the laser light source and the end and configured to establish a distance therebetween, an intensity of the laser light entering the end being a function of the distance and a number of cavities interposing the laser light source and the end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Stephens-Hinson & Associates
    Inventors: Robert D. Stephens, Louis A. Hinson
  • Patent number: 7639346
    Abstract: A handheld device is adapted to perform non-contact measurements to determine distances, angles, arc lengths and radii between select points on physical structures. The device is assembled and contained within a handheld, portable housing and includes various control and input keys, a visual display and three laser components. Each laser component includes a laser emitter including a laser emitter diode with an associated emitter lens. The laser emitters of the three laser components are set at fixed, predetermined angles relative to one another at the front end of the housing. Each laser component also includes a laser receiver with an associated detector lens correspondingly positioned in alignment with the emitter lens. The laser components are adapted to emit and receive light signals to collect image data representative of a straight line distance between a predetermined set point within the device and a point on the surface of the measured structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Inventor: Reginald Earl Booker, Jr.