5918results about "Height/levelling measurement" patented technology

A hands-free wireless wearable GPS enabled video camera and audio-video communications headset, mobile phone and personal media player, capable of real-time two-way and multi-feed wireless voice, data and audio-video streaming, telecommunications, and teleconferencing, coordinated applications, and shared functionality between one or more wirelessly networked headsets or other paired or networked wired or wireless devices and optimized device and data management over multiple wired and wireless network connections. The headset can operate in concert with one or more wired or wireless devices as a paired accessory, as an autonomous hands-free wide area, metro or local area and personal area wireless audio-video communications and multimedia device and / or as a wearable docking station, hot spot and wireless router supporting direct connect multi-device ad-hoc virtual private networking (VPN). The headset has built-in intelligence to choose amongst available network protocols while supporting a variety of onboard, and remote operational controls including a retractable monocular viewfinder display for real time hands-free viewing of captured or received video feed and a duplex data-streaming platform supporting multi-channel communications and optimized data management within the device, within a managed or autonomous federation of devices or other peer-to-peer network configuration.

The invention is generally related to the estimation of position and orientation of an object with respect to a local or a global coordinate system using reflected light sources. A typical application of the method and apparatus includes estimation and tracking of the position of a mobile autonomous robot. Other applications include estimation and tracking of an object for position-aware, ubiquitous devices. Additional applications include tracking of the positions of people or pets in an indoor environment. The methods and apparatus comprise one or more optical emitters, one or more optical sensors, signal processing circuitry, and signal processing methods to determine the position and orientation of at least one of the optical sensors based at least in part on the detection of the signal of one or more emitted light sources reflected from a surface.

Arrangement (10) for measuring the distance to an object, comprising: a photonic source for illuminating said object using a continuous modulated photonic wave, a solid-state image sensor, comprising an array of avalanche photodiodes and a plurality of circuits for processing signals output by said avalanche photodiodes to yield data depending on the photonic wave reflected by said object onto said photodiodes. The circuit may comprise a multiplexer at the pixel level arranged so as to accumulate the signal output by the avalanche photodiode during different sub-periods in different storage devices.

A method and apparatus are provided to acquire direct thermal measurements, for example, from a LiDAR collecting vehicle or air vessel, of an overhead electrical conductor substantially simultaneous with collection of 3-dimensional location data of the conductor, and utilize temperature information derived from the direct thermal measurements in line modeling, line rating, thermal line analysis, clearance analysis, and / or vegetation management.

A system and method for acquiring spatial mapping information of surface data points defining a region unable to receive effective GPS signals, such as the interior of a building, includes an IMU for dynamically determining geographical positions relative to at least one fixed reference point, a LIDAR or camera for determining range of the IMU to each surface data point, and a processor to determine position data for each surface data point relative to the at least one reference point. A digital camera obtains characteristic image data, including color data, of the surface data points, and the processor correlates the position data and image data for the surface data points to create an image of the region.

A method and system analyzes data acquired by image systems to more rapidly identify objects of interest in the data. In one embodiment, z-depth data are segmented such that neighboring image pixels having similar z-depths are given a common label. Blobs, or groups of pixels with a same label, may be defined to correspond to different objects. Blobs preferably are modeled as primitives to more rapidly identify objects in the acquired image. In some embodiments, a modified connected component analysis is carried out where image pixels are pre-grouped into regions of different depth values preferably using a depth value histogram. The histogram is divided into regions and image cluster centers are determined. A depth group value image containing blobs is obtained, with each pixel being assigned to one of the depth groups.

A microprocessor circuit that is used to monitor and control a firearm. The microprocessor circuit accomplishes this by monitoring various sensor & control inputs, and acting on these inputs to execute user defined functions. The microprocessor circuit can use the sensory input to determine firearm statistics. These statistics can include the number of times the firearm has been shot, the efficiency of the firearm automatic action, range-to-target, and et cetera. The firearm system can also use a combination of sensors to fabricate a bullet chronograph whereby the muzzle velocity of a cartridge can be determined. These statistics can be date-stamped and recorded into memory. Statistics from Law Enforcement firearms can be used for courtroom evidence and police reporting. These statistics can also be used for firearm maintenance and warranty repair. The microprocessor circuit can display the statistical data to the user via simple light emitting diodes, or sophisticated liquid crystal displays. Data can also be downloaded to a computer docking station as well. The microprocessor circuit can also display the information within the optics of a riflescope. When used in conjunction with a laser range finder sensor, the microprocessor circuit can adjust the electronic cross-hairs (reticle) to compensate for the bullet trajectory.

Embodiments of the invention comprise an apparatus for use with a laser range finder configured to direct a laser beam toward a scene to measure the distance to a target in the scene and having a range finder display for displaying data, including data that is indicative of the distance to a target, wherein the apparatus comprises a protective housing, a camera module in the housing, the camera module including a lens mounted in a front end portion of the housing, and a light path through the lens to image sensor, an image sensor operatively connected to the camera module for receiving images acquired by the camera module, electronic memory for selectively storing data of images from the image sensor, circuitry for controlling the operation of the image sensor and the memory, a camera display in the housing operatively connected to the image sensor for receiving the image data and providing a visual display of the image, and a switch for storing image data in the memory. Other embodiments include a projector in the housing for projecting the data displayed by the second display onto the image sensor to thereby capture the image data of the scene and displayed distance data together.

An antenna includes a radiator and a reflector and has a radiation pattern that is based at least in part on a separation distance between the radiator and the reflector. The antenna includes a linkage configured to adjust the separation distance based at least in part on the altitude of the antenna. The resulting radiation pattern can be dynamically adjusted based on altitude of the antenna such that, while the antenna is aloft and the antenna is ground-facing, variations in geographic boundaries and intensity of the radiation received at ground level are at least partially compensated for by the dynamic adjustments to the radiation pattern.

Methods and apparatuses for estimating a user's altitude with respect to the mean sea level are provided. According to some aspects, the present invention is able to estimate altitude in both open sky as well as in degraded GPS signal environments such as dense urban canyon environments where GPS performance is affected by fewer available satellites and / or multipath error. According to other aspects, the present invention uses data from a pressure sensor to estimate altitude, either with or without the use of GPS aiding data. According to further aspects, estimated altitude is integrated with other types of dead reckoning data to provide user context detection pertaining to changes of altitude.

The present invention relates to a scanning system optimized for lidar that includes a nodding mirror, a rotary electromagnetic drive, a rotary optical encoder, and control circuitry. The rotary electromagnetic drive includes a yoke incorporating a permanent magnet, and an arm having a coil at one end of the arm. The coil is enclosed within the yoke, and an opposite end of the arm is coupled to the nodding mirror, such that movement of the coil within the yoke in response to a current causes the nodding mirror to rotate. The rotary optical encoder produces an output signal in response to rotation of the nodding mirror, which serves as feedback to the control circuitry. The control circuitry adjusts the current provided to the rotary electromagnetic drive in response to the output signal, such that the nodding mirror rotates in a reference scan pattern.

The invention relates to remote control of an unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, (100) from a control station (110) by means of a wireless command link (115). The UAV (100) may be controlled in an autonomous mode wherein it flies according to a primary route (R1, R1') defined by a first set of predefined waypoints (WP1-WP8, IP). The UAV (100) may also be controlled in a manual mode wherein it flies according to an alternative primary route (R1') defined in real-time by control commands received via the wireless command link (115). Flight control parameters are monitored in both modes, and in case a major alarm condition occurs, the UAV (100) is controlled to follow an emergency route (R2') defined by a second set of predefined waypoints (HP1-HP7, TP1-TP9, IP). Particularly, a major alarm condition is activated if an engine failure is detected. Then, the emergency route (R2') involves flying the UAV (100) to an air space above a termination waypoint (TP9) on the ground at which it is estimated that the vehicle's (100) flight may be ended without injuring any personnel or causing uncontrolled material damages.

The invention is generally related to the estimation of position and orientation of an object with respect to a local or a global coordinate system using reflected light sources. A typical application of the method and apparatus includes estimation and tracking of the position of a mobile autonomous robot. Other applications include estimation and tracking of an object for position-aware, ubiquitous devices. Additional applications include tracking of the positions of people or pets in an indoor environment. The methods and apparatus comprise one or more optical emitters, one or more optical sensors, signal processing circuitry, and signal processing methods to determine the position and orientation of at least one of the optical sensors based at least in part on the detection of the signal of one or more emitted light sources reflected from a surface.

The invention relates to a device, system, and method for providing a multi-mode navigation device. In a first mode of operation, the navigation device provides position information based on a radio frequency navigation signals. If radio signals become unavailable, the navigation device enters a second mode of operation. In the second mode of operation the navigation device stores the most recent elevation and associates it with a reference elevation, the reference elevation is associated with an entry floor. The difference between a current elevation and the reference elevation is determined and this difference is divided by a floor height to obtain a floor number. The navigation device provides the floor number while reliable global position information is unavailable.

A photoluminescent capsule illuminator for a sighting device. The photoluminescent illuminator includes an elongated phosphor housing having sidewalls and a base. The photoluminescent illuminator includes phosphors in a granular form disposed inside the phosphor housing. The photoluminescent illuminator includes a cap sealing the phosphors in the phosphor housing. The phosphor housing is disposed in relation to a body of the sighting device such that photoluminescent light emitted from the phosphors exits the phosphor housing and identifies a location of a sight on the sighting device.

A computerized system for displaying, geolocating, and taking measurements from captured oblique images includes a data file accessible by the computer system. The data file includes a plurality of image files corresponding to a plurality of captured oblique images, and positional data corresponding to the images. Image display and analysis software is executed by the system for reading the data file and displaying at least a portion of the captured oblique images. The software retrieves the positional data for one or more user-selected points on the displayed image, and calculates a separation distance between any two or more selected points. The separation distance calculation is user-selectable to determine various parameters including linear distance between, area encompassed within, relative elevation of, and height difference between selected points.

The present invention relates to a scanning system optimized for lidar that includes a nodding mirror, a rotary electromagnetic drive, a rotary optical encoder, and control circuitry. The rotary electromagnetic drive includes a yoke incorporating a permanent magnet, and an arm having a coil at one end of the arm. The coil is enclosed within the yoke, and an opposite end of the arm is coupled to the nodding mirror, such that movement of the coil within the yoke in response to a current causes the nodding mirror to rotate. The rotary optical encoder produces an output signal in response to rotation of the nodding mirror, which serves as feedback to the control circuitry. The control circuitry adjusts the current provided to the rotary electromagnetic drive in response to the output signal, such that the nodding mirror rotates in a reference scan pattern.

A cockpit display system has a display, such as a multi-function display (MFD) for displaying a graphical representation of an input device when a sensor senses that an aviator's finger is proximate to the input device. The display graphically depicts in real-time the position of the aviator's finger relative to the buttons of the input device. The aviator's finger can be depicted by an icon, shading or highlighting. When the aviator lightly touches a button, the graphical representation of that button can for example be highlighted, shaded or colored. Furthermore, when the button is firmly depressed, the graphical representation of that button can change color or shading. The aviator can thus operate any awkwardly located input device by simply reaching toward the input device and then guiding his finger to the correct button by looking at the graphical representation of the input device.

A system for determining the shape of an object and / or a distance of the object from the system includes a first plurality of light source, a second plurality of light sources, and a detector or detector array. The first plurality of light sources are disposed about a central axis and are separated from the central axis by radial distances defining an aperture in the first plurality of light sources. The system also includes an optical system adapted to provide light from the second plurality of light sources through the aperture to the object. The system may further include a computer configured to determine the shape of the object and / or the distance of the object from the system using light from the first and second plurality of light sources that is reflected from the object and received by the detector.

A vehicle burglar alarm system includes a global position system installed in a vehicle for receiving a satellite signal, and an on-vehicle main unit installed in the vehicle and electrically connected with the global position system, the on-vehicle main unit having a first flag, the first flag having a first status without satellite signal and a second status with satellite signal for indicating satellite receiving status of the global position system, the on-vehicle main unit being to output a relocation signal immediately after changing of the first flag from the first status without satellite signal to the second status with satellite signal during burglar alarming mode.

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.

A flight guidance system providing perspective flight guidance symbology using positioning and terrain information provides increased pilot situational awareness of the pilot's aircraft. The guidance system uses a positioning system and a detailed mapping system to provide a perspective display for use in an aircraft. A precision pathway flight guidance (PFG) symbology set is thereby displayed on a pilot display. The PFG symbology set includes broken line symbols representing an open tunnel and providing flow field data, a half-bracket symbol to indicate that the aircraft is no longer in the open tunnel represented by the broken line symbols and a quickened flight path vector (QFPV) symbol to provide the pilot with predictive flight path information. A flight director system and tunnel generator component provide for updating the displayed PDFG symbology set based upon current aircraft conditions (e.g., aircraft position) and stored flight path information.

A parcel dimension measurement system includes image sensors oriented to image a parcel, an imaging subsystem configured to stitch together outputs of the image sensors to produce at least one two-dimensional image comprised of a plurality of pixels, and a general dimension subsystem including general parcel dimension information. A fine dimensioning subsystem is configured to determine dimension measurements of the parcel using the at least one two-dimensional image and the general parcel dimension information.

The present invention relates to target acquisition and related devices, and more particularly to telescopic gunsights and associated equipment used to achieve shooting accuracy at, for example, close ranges, medium ranges and extreme ranges at stationary and moving targets.

In order to measure an actual distance from a vehicle to a target, the target is detected from a picture signal generated by a camera mounted on a vehicle, a horizontally estimated distance of the target is calculated, variables including a vertical angle of the target on a circumference and a curvature radius of the circumference are calculated, and then the actual distance is calculated based on the vertical angle and the curvature radius.

An aircraft control system for operations close to the ground includes a camera having a rangefinder for measuring the azimuth, elevation and slant range from a fixed point on the aircraft relative to a selected target point on a surface below the aircraft, a navigation system for measuring the latitude and longitude of the aircraft on the surface, a computer for computing the position of the fixed point on the aircraft relative to the target point from the respective measurements of the camera and the navigation system, and a controller for controlling the movement of the aircraft such that the fixed point is positioned at a selected position above the selected target point on the surface. The controller may also include an automatic tracking mechanism for maintaining the position of the fixed point on the aircraft at the selected position above a moving object.

A localization device display method and apparatus for displaying different views, e.g., of different magnification, based on the proximity of the tip of a pointer tracked by the localization device to a reference location identified by the localization device. The display method and apparatus may be incorporated into a surgical navigation system for use in identifying a location for drilling a femoral tunnel in an ACL repair procedure.

Systems, methods, and devices are provided for providing flight response to flight-restricted altitudes. The altitude of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may be compared with an altitude restriction. If needed a flight-response measure may be taken by the UAV to prevent the UAV from flying in a restricted altitude. The altitude measurement of the UAV and / or altitude restriction of the UAV may be modified for improved performance. Different flight-response measures may be taken depending on preference and the rules of a jurisdiction within which the UAV falls.