Methods and systems are provided for detecting objects within a vehicle. A sensor monitors an interior of the vehicle and generates sensor data. A detection module detects objects in the interior of the vehicle based on the sensor data. An action module takes an action based on the objects detected in the interior.

An object detection apparatus measures a distance to a detected object at each irradiation angle, based on reflected waves of electromagnetic waves irradiated from a laser light irradiating unit at each irradiation angle. The apparatus determines whether the measured distance remains unchanged for prescribed period of time, for each irradiation angle, and stores the determined distance in a storage unit as a stationary object distance in association with the irradiation angle. The apparatus compares the current measured distance and the stored distances, and determines whether a stationary object distance matching the current distance is present among the stored distances. The apparatus initially compares the shortest stationary object distance among the stored distances with the current distance, and upon determining that a stationary object distance matching the current distance is present, stops the comparison of the current distance and the stored distances that have not been compared with the current distance.

Driver-detection technology includes various systems, methods, and apparatuses. For example, an active infrared (IR) sensor might be affixed in the driver's footwell of a motor vehicle and detect the driver's entry into the vehicle. The detection of the driver by the IR sensor is usable to personalize motor-vehicle features, such as seat position, steering-wheel position, interior lighting, radio controls, mirror angles, and touch-screen configuration, among others.

A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device is provided with features for correcting distance measurement offset errors caused by such factors as temperature, dynamic reflectivity ranges of objects in the viewing space, or other factors. In various embodiments, the TOF sensor device generates corrected distance values based on comparison of two different distance values measured for an object by two different measurement techniques, including but not limited to phase shift measurement, pulsed TOF measurement, distance measurement based on the focal length of the TOF sensor's lens, and comparison of distance variations with light intensity variations. In addition, some embodiments of the TOF sensor device perform self-calibration using internal waveguides or parasitic reflections as distance references.

Provided is a scanning device including a transmission module configured to divide a scan target into a plurality of scan areas and alternately irradiate a first laser light and a second laser light to the scan areas that are sequentially arranged, a reception module configured to receive laser lights reflected from each of the scan areas, and an image generation module configured to generate divided images of each of the scan areas by using the reflected laser lights and generate a whole image of the scan target based on the divided images and an edge component of the reflected laser lights, wherein the transmission module is configured to trigger a rising edge of a trigger signal to generate the first laser light and trigger a falling edge of the trigger signal to generate the second laser light.

Provided herein is a method for generating a road surface. The method for generating a road surface includes: obtaining a view height of a laser scanner used in an operation process through a mobile mapping system (MMS); determining a reference height on the basis of the obtained view height and a height measured by a global positioning system (GPS); extracting point cloud data positioned in a predetermined height range from the determined reference height among point cloud data obtained in the mobile mapping system; and generating the road surface on the basis of the extracted point cloud data.

A system is provided for maneuvering a payload in an air space constrained by one or more obstacles, and may include first and second aerial vehicles coupled by a tether to a ground station. Sensor systems and processors in the ground station and aerial vehicles may track obstacles and the tether's and the vehicles' positions and attitude to maneuver the payload and the tether to carry out a mission. The sensor system may include airborne cameras providing data for a scene reconstruction process and simultaneous mapping of obstacles and localization of aerial vehicles relative to the obstacles. The aerial vehicles may include a frame formed substantially of a composite material for preventing contact of the rotors with the tether segments.

A pseudo-stabilization technique for laser-based speed and rangefinding instruments utilizing a rate gyroscope to monitor the device pitch and yaw motion to operationally increase the effective range of the device by serving to obviate the emission of laser pulses off-target. In this manner, the pulse firing rate can be increased when the instrument is correctly aimed at the target as well enabling the concomitant emission of pulses with greater energy while remaining within the applicable Class 1 eye-safety constraints.

The present disclosure relates to a fiber encapsulation mechanism for energy dissipation in a fiber amplifying system. One example embodiment includes an optical fiber amplifier. The optical fiber amplifier includes an optical fiber that includes a gain medium, as well as a polymer layer that at least partially surrounds the optical fiber. The polymer layer is optically transparent. In addition, the optical fiber amplifier includes a pump source. Optical pumping by the pump source amplifies optical signals in the optical fiber and generates excess heat and excess photons. The optical fiber amplifier additionally includes a heatsink layer disposed adjacent to the polymer layer. The heatsink layer conducts the excess heat away from the optical fiber. Further, the optical fiber amplifier includes an optically transparent layer disposed adjacent to the polymer layer. The optically transparent layer transmits the excess photons away from the optical fiber.

The present disclosure relates to a fiber encapsulation mechanism for energy dissipation in a fiber amplifying system. One example embodiment includes an optical fiber amplifier. The optical fiber amplifier includes an optical fiber that includes a gain medium, as well as a polymer layer that at least partially surrounds the optical fiber. The polymer layer is optically transparent. In addition, the optical fiber amplifier includes a pump source. Optical pumping by the pump source amplifies optical signals in the optical fiber and generates excess heat and excess photons. The optical fiber amplifier additionally includes a heatsink layer disposed adjacent to the polymer layer. The heatsink layer conducts the excess heat away from the optical fiber. Further, the optical fiber amplifier includes an optically transparent layer disposed adjacent to the polymer layer. The optically transparent layer transmits the excess photons away from the optical fiber.