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.

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.

In an embodiment, an optical sensor includes (i) a first lens array including a plurality of first lenses, (ii) a photodetector array including a plurality of photodetectors each aligned with a respective one of the plurality of first lenses, and (iii) a plurality of signal-modifying elements each aligned with a respective one of the plurality of first lenses. The plurality of signal-modifying elements includes (a) a first signal-modifying optical element having a first spatially-dependent transmission function, and (b) a second signal-modifying optical element having a second spatially-dependent transmission function differing from the first spatially-dependent transmission function.

In an embodiment, an optical sensor includes (i) a first lens array including a plurality of first lenses, (ii) a photodetector array including a plurality of photodetectors each aligned with a respective one of the plurality of first lenses, and (iii) a plurality of signal-modifying elements each aligned with a respective one of the plurality of first lenses. The plurality of signal-modifying elements includes (a) a first signal-modifying optical element having a first spatially-dependent transmission function, and (b) a second signal-modifying optical element having a second spatially-dependent transmission function differing from the first spatially-dependent transmission function.

A system and method enabling precise range estimation and time synchronization between a first object such as a vehicle having a primary communications mechanism and an interconnected first controller, and a second object having a secondary communications mechanism and an interconnected second controller. The primary sends communications into the environment and the secondary receives them; the secondary then sends replies to the primary. The communications have information for determining range between the two objects and for comparing the second object's internal clock with a more accurate clock of the first object. Repeated exchanges of communications between the two objects enables additional precision of range as well as time synchronization information.

Described herein are methods and devices for improved location of any and all underwater structures or equipment installed underwater. In particular, systems are disclosed that combine optical and acoustic metrology for locating objects in underwater environments. The systems allow for relative positions of objects to be determined with great accuracy using optical techniques, and support enhanced location of devices that utilize acoustic location techniques. In addition, location information can be provided by the system even in conditions that make optical metrology techniques impossible or impractical.

Described herein are methods and devices for improved location of any and all underwater structures or equipment installed underwater. In particular, systems are disclosed that combine optical and acoustic metrology for locating objects in underwater environments. The systems allow for relative positions of objects to be determined with great accuracy using optical techniques, and support enhanced location of devices that utilize acoustic location techniques. In addition, location information can be provided by the system even in conditions that make optical metrology techniques impossible or impractical.

A method of synchronizing flashing between a plurality of marker system components mounted on a helmet includes receiving a signal from at least one global positioning satellite receiver, the signal comprising a time value. When the time value indicates illumination is needed, initiating illumination of at least one light emitting device of each the marker system components, thereby, synchronizing of the initiating of illumination to the time value for all marker system components.

A method of synchronizing flashing between a plurality of marker system components mounted on a helmet includes receiving a signal from at least one global positioning satellite receiver, the signal comprising a time value. When the time value indicates illumination is needed, initiating illumination of at least one light emitting device of each the marker system components, thereby, synchronizing of the initiating of illumination to the time value for all marker system components.

Encoded information means located on an infrastructure to be decoded by sensors located on mobiles, in such a way that these means encode the position they occupy in the infrastructure and allow for a mobile travelling along the same trajectory, provided with the adequate sensor, to read, decode and transform it immediately into information on its exact position in the infrastructure and being characterised by the fact that along the same trajectory described by a mobile it is possible to encode information in the infrastructure by means of different objects presenting dielectric change boundaries or dielectric/metal boundaries at different heights or distances regarding the origin of the onboard sensor, these boundaries being interrogated by a sensor on board the mobile by means of pressure or electromagnetic waves and by measuring the time the waves take to return to the sensor, making it possible to determine the distance at which the reflections occur and in this way to extract the information.