Garmin Switzerland Gmbh

Toolz, Ltd.

Robert Bosch Co., Ltd.

Pulsedlight, Inc.

Honeybee Robotics, Ltd.

Robert Alden Lewis

George R Varian

Chad Thompson

Dennis O Corey

Brian F Ruff

Joe Ryan Dejmal

Jonathan E Reberry

Christopher G Perra

Eric W Heling

Chad A VanCamp

Lawrence Parrington

Michael Rutberg

Joseph P Durand, Iii

Techniques are provided for implementing a system for determining the range to a target object. In implementations, a system for determining a range estimate to a target includes a rangefinder, a camera, a display and at least one processor. A processor may acquire an image from the camera, identify a target flagstick within the image acquired from the camera and modify pixels proximate to the identified target flagstick of the image to generate a modified image contrasting the target flagstick from objects in the background. The processor may calculate a range estimate to the target flagstick using the rangefinder and present, on the display, the modified image and a representation of the range estimate of the target flagstick.

Position-based laser range finder

Techniques are disclosed to enable an electronic system for use in connection with navigating a marine vessel to a desired position with respect to a waterline boundary. The system has one or potentially more light detection ranging (LIDAR) sensors for detecting structures across a region by vertically scanning the region using the LIDAR sensors. The system also includes a memory element configured to store characteristics of the detected structure. Additionally, the system includes a processing element that can identify a primary reference point associated with navigation of the marine vessel to the desired position based on the characteristics of the detected structure and display information about a current position of the marine vessel in relation to the desired position.

Marine vessel LIDAR system

Techniques are provided for implementing a system for determining the range to a target object and orienting a map. In implementations, GPS data is used to determine the location of the system and an approximate distance from that location to the target. Based on the approximate distance, one or more parameters of operation of the system may be set. Modes of operation may be entered to further adjust parameters of operation. An optical pulse may then be projected at the target and its reflections collected and analyzed to calculate a distance measurement. A visual display may be adjusted based on the calculated distance estimate to the target.

Techniques are disclosed to enable a system for wide-range scanning of objects in three-dimensions. A broad-beam, laser-based transmitter is provided that is adapted to generate a scanning signal to be transmitted in a scanning direction toward an object to be scanned, a portion of the scanning signal being reflected by the object to be scanned. Additionally, a scanning signal collection lens is provided that is adapted to receive the portion of reflected scanning signal and to direct the reflected scanning signal to a mirror array, the mirror array adapted to selectively direct a directed portion of the reflected scanning signal as well as a detector lens adapted to receive the directed scanning signal, the collection lens adapted to focus the directed scanning signal resulting in a focused directed signal and a photoelectric detector adapted to convert the focused directed scanning signal into at least one electronic representation of a two-dimensional image. A rotational motor is provided that is adapted to rotate the system with respect to the area being scanned.

Three-dimensional scanning LIDAR system comprising a receiver channel primary collection lens and an electronically-controllable mirror array selectively direct a directed portion of reflected scanning signal

A targeting system operable to be used with a bow to assist an operator with striking a target with an arrow. The targeting system comprising a processor, a target sighting window, a ranging module and a projector. The processor is operable to determine a range (distance) to the target and determine an orientation of the bow to strike the target. The processor is configured to present a first sighting element on the target sighting window and project a second sighting element onto the target sighting window. The projected second sighting element appears to be closer to the target than the first sighting element, which may be aligned with the second sighting element to aim the bow. The projector is also operable to present a variable compensated sighting mark onto the target sighting window that is indicative of a compensated targeting axis.

Targeting system

Techniques are provided for implementing a system that can perform a range estimation of a target object at power levels both below and above an pre-defined power threshold. In embodiments, the system first performs a lower-power measurement, which may be sufficient to estimate the range to the object. If the low-power measurement is unsuccessful, the system then performs a fault check to ensure proper operation of the device. If the fault check is passed, the system may then perform a high-power measurement of the range to the object. Results may be provided to a user by a visual display.

Dual laser range finder

An optical scanner system comprises a housing, a detector contained within the housing configured to produce at least two resolvable azimuth fields-of-view relative to a center-axis of the housing, and an external scanner rotating relative to the center-axis of the housing, and switching between at least two elevations relative to a nominal optical axis of a receiver. Motion of the housing azimuthally results in the receiver producing a continuous coverage pattern at multiple elevations produced by the external scanner.

LIDAR optical scanner system

Optical range finders are configured to transmit optical bursts toward a target and detect a corresponding received burst. DC offset in the received burst due to square law detection can be offset based on a difference between high pass and low pass filtered portions of the received burst. Edge records associated with bursts can be obtained, and correlated with a reference signal or waveform to obtain a range estimate.

Optical distance measurement device

A sensing device comprises a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter repetitively emits a modulated electro-magnetic signal and the emitted signal interacts with an object producing a counter propagating return signal. The return signal is detected and converted into digital signals by the receiver via a reception channel through the use of edge transitions rather than logic levels from one or more comparator outputs to reconstruct the return signal waveform. Waveform acquisition and reconstruction are based on edge sampling. Methods of providing optical feedback using a moving waveguide in time-of-flight distance measurements are also disclosed.

A miniature rotating transmissive optical scanner system employs a drum of small size having an interior defined by a circumferential wall rotatable on a drum axis, an optical element positioned within the interior of the drum, and a light-transmissive lens aperture provided at an angular position in the circumferential wall of the drum for scanning a light beam to or from the optical element in the drum along a beam azimuth angle as the drum is rotated. The miniature optical drum scanner configuration obtains a wide scanning field-of-view (FOV) and large effective aperture is achieved within a physically small size.

Miniature rotating transmissive optical drum scanner

A method and apparatus for the acquisition of repetitive signals in a sensing device comprising a transmitter, a receiver and an object. The transmitter repetitively emits a modulated electro-magnetic signal into a transmission medium, with the emitted signal interacting with the object producing a counter propagating return signal. The return signal may contain properties that reflect all, or a portion, of the initial signal or may be correlated with said signal through a process of absorption and reemission, in which reflected signal characteristics are governed by the object's physical material characteristic. The return signal is detected and converted into digital signals by a receiver via a reception channel through the use of edge transitions rather than logic levels from one or more comparator outputs to reconstruct the return signal waveform. A several waveform acquisition and reconstruction methods are disclosed for use with an edge sampling detection apparatus. When directed towards the time-of-flight distance measurement the invention also discloses a useful method to provide optical feedback using a moving waveguide.

Optical sensor device

Technology is disclosed for measuring distances. A measurement device emits a beam that reflects on the surface of an object. The measurement device determines the distance to the object, based on the time of flight of the beam from transmission to capture by the measurement device. The device includes a light source adapted to provide an outgoing reference beam. A detector is aligned to receive a return beam, wherein said return beam results from a reflection of said outgoing reference beam from an object outside of said distance measurement device. A diffuser is provided adjacent to the detector aligned to receive said return beam.

Distance measurement device with short range optics

Technology is disclosed for measuring distances. A measurement device emits a beam that reflects on the surface of an object. The measurement device determines the distance to the object, based on the time of flight of the beam from transmission to capture by the measurement device. The measurement device derives feedback reference pulses from pulses in the emitted beam and injects them into the device's receive path&#x2014;creating a receive waveform that includes one or more feedback reference pulses and corresponding pulses in the return beam. The device uses the pulses in the waveform to measure time of flight. The measurement device can attenuate the feedback reference pulses to intensities similar or equal to the intensities of the return pulses. The measurement device can include a histogram processor that collects waveform samples at varying comparison thresholds. The device employs the most accurate information at each threshold to create a digitized composite waveform that corresponds to the analog waveform received by the measurement device. In some instances the measurement device can process the digitized waveform&#x2014;removing noise, scaling reference pulses, and removing distortions caused by pulse trailing edges running into subsequent pulses.

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Bend, OR, United States of America

Robert Alden Lewis