Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.

Atsuyuki Hirono

Takayasu Ito

Yuji Takada

Satoshi Furukawa

Yoshihiko Okuda

Akira Nagaoka

Yoshiaki Kambe

Motoo Ikari

Kenichi Hagio

Takeshi Hashimoto

Keisuke Yoshikawa

Eiji Nakamoto

Hideo Mori

An object recognition system utilizes a mask locator for extracting a mask area (M) from within a subject image in order to recognize the mask area (M) with a subject image. The mask locator () refers to density gradient directional images respectively converted from an image size template and the subject image, and analyzes these density gradient directional images particularly with respect to the density gradient directional values (&#x3b8;T, &#x3b8;S) assigned to each pixel in each directional images to obtain parameters linking the image size template to the mask area (M) to be registered with the image size template. The mask locator has a vote module () which gives candidates for the center of the mask by varying the parameters and votes on the candidates. Based upon the number of votes for the candidates, a detection module () designate one of the candidates having a maximum vote number as the center of the mask area (M), thereby determining the mask area (M) around thus designated candidate within the subject image for exact recognition of the object in the subject image.

Object recognition system

A capacitance type moisture sensor having the capability of accurately detecting amounts of water is provided. This sensor has a sensor housing having an electrically-insulating wall, a pair of electrodes disposed on the sensor housing, and a circuit unit. An outer surface of the electrically-insulating wall faces a space where the amounts of water should be detected. On an inner surface of the electrically-insulating wall, at least one of the electrodes is formed. An electric field developed between the electrodes is defined as a moisture detecting region. The circuit unit includes a capacitance detecting circuit for detecting a capacitance value between the electrodes, which changes in response to the amounts of water in the moisture detecting region, and an output circuit for providing an electrical signal corresponding toe the amounts of water according the capacitance value detected by the capacitance detecting circuit.

Capacitance type moisture sensor and method of producing the same

Disclosed is a distance measuring apparatus for measuring a distance to a target object also its shape precisely without influence of noise, which is applied to a invader monitoring system. This apparatus comprises a clock signal generator unit, a modulated light projector unit, a light receiver unit, and a demodulator unit, and obtains a range image presenting signal levels changing according to the distances to the objects including the target object by irradiating light onto the objects and receiving reflected light. In the demodulator unit, the range image is processed for evaluating and removing noise components, for interpolating and averaging noise removed region, and for selecting the target object region. Those processes are carried out from the following point of view, the variation of the distance signal levels, the received quantity of light, and the variation of the received quantity of light. Thus a range image without no noise and including substantially only the target object data is obtained, and therefore it is possible to measure a distance to the target object and its shape precisely without influence of noise.

Distance measuring apparatus

In an optically scanning displacement detector for determination of an object's profile, the detector comprises a light projecting unit for radiating a light beam on the object, a light receiving unit for receiving a reflected light beam from the object to output an object position signal, and a distance determining unit for determining a distance between the projecting unit and the object in accordance with the object position signal. The light projecting and receiving units are mounted in a carrier which is movably supported to a frame. The carrier can be moved in a scanning direction to scan the light beam across the object by the use of an electric motor such as a voice-coil linear motor. Since the present detector does not use a scanning mirror for deviating the light beam, the object's profile can be determined with improved accuracy of measurement, while preventing a formation of dead space in which the light beam can not be radiated during the scanning operation. The detector also comprises a carrier position sensor for determining a position of the carrier in the scanning direction, and a safeguard unit for sensing unusual operation of the motor to generate a stop signal, and stopping a supply of electric current to the motor in response to the stop signal.

Optical displacement detector for determining an object profile

An optical sensor discriminating the presence of an object or detecting distance to an object which includes a light projecting element for projecting light to a detection area, a light receiving element for receiving light reflected from an object present in the detection area and an anamorphic light receiving lens for expanding a condensed light spot received on the light receiving element in a direction perpendicular to a direction of movement of the light spot on the light receiving element. The light receiving element outputs a detection signal which discriminates the presence of the object in the detection area. The light receiving element can be rectangular in shape and comprise two or more triangular shaped photodiodes which output detection signals that can be processed to determine a distance between the object and the light receiving element. A movable prism can also be provided to compensate for movement of the object other than towards or away from the light receiving element to avoid erroneous distance measurement which might otherwise occur.

Optical sensor for detecting distance to an object including anamorphic

An optical sensor comprises a sensor circuit having parts which are optically interconnected with each other through an optical interconnection board interposed therebetween. The interconnection between the sensor circuit parts is thereby simplified remarkably, so that the mass-producibility of the sensor can be increased to lower its manufacturing costs.

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Kobe, Japan

Atsuyuki Hirono