A surface estimation method includes a region-setting step and an estimation step. In the region-setting step, a reference region that is one of a three-dimensional region and a two-dimensional region is set. The three-dimensional region includes three or more points and is set in a three-dimensional space. The three-dimensional space includes three-dimensional coordinates of three or more points on a subject calculated on the basis of a two-dimensional image of the subject. The three-dimensional coordinates of the three or more points are included in three-dimensional image data. The two-dimensional region includes three or more points and is set in the two-dimensional image. In the estimation step, a reference surface that approximates a surface of the subject is estimated on the basis of three or more points of the three-dimensional image data corresponding to the three or more points included in the reference region.

An apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus includes an imaging device; a stage movable relative to the imaging device; an isolation plate provided between the imaging device and the stage, including a horizontal glass plate; and a plurality of interferometers in electronic communication with a processor. The plurality of interferometers include three interferometers disposed on the imaging device, configured to direct a first beam set in a first direction toward the horizontal glass plate; and three interferometers disposed on the stage, configured to direct a second beam set in a second direction toward the horizontal glass plate, the second direction being opposite to the first direction. The processor is configured to measure distances between the imaging device and the isolation plate and distances between the stage and the isolation plate based on the first beam set and the second beam set reflected from the horizontal glass plate.

A system for the automated validation of a semi-anechoic chamber (SAC) is disclosed. The system includes a receive assembly and a transmit assembly, each configured to autonomously relocate within the SAC. The system also includes a local client communicatively coupled to the transmit assembly. The local client is configured to send a validation arrangement to the transmit assembly describing a validation location and a distance. The transmit assembly is configured to receive the validation arrangement, move the transmit assembly to the validation location and send an instruction to the receive assembly, the instruction describing the distance. The receive assembly is communicatively coupled to the transmit assembly and configured to receive the instruction and move the receive assembly such that a separation between the transmit and receive assemblies is restored to the distance. Each validation arrangement corresponds to a validation point. A plurality of validation points defines a test volume.

A displacement meter that measures displacement of an object includes a calculation circuit which calculates a displacement amount of the object using a cross-correlation function of plural images detected at different timings by a photoelectric conversion element array. The calculation circuit performs a Fourier transform on the images, applies a band-pass filter to the images having undergone the Fourier transform, and calculates the cross-correlation function using the images to which the band-pass filter has been applied. Assuming that a magnification of a light-receiving optical assembly is M, the number of pixels in the photoelectric conversion element array is N, and a pixel pitch is P (um), a low cut-off frequency HPF of the band-pass filter and a high cut-off frequency LPF of the band-pass filter satisfy: 3M/(N×P)≤HPF≤10M/(N×P), 40M/(N×P)≤LPF≤60M/(N×P).

Methods, devices and systems provide improved detection, sensing and identification of objects using modulated polarized beams. An example polarization sensitive device includes an illumination source, and a modulator coupled to the illumination source to produce output beams in which polarization states or polarization parameters of the output beams are modulated to produce a plurality of modulated polarized beams. The device further includes a polarization sensitive detector positioned to receive a reflected portion of modulated polarized beams after reflection from an object and to produce information that is indicative of modulation and polarization states of the received beams. The information can be used to enable a determination of a distance between the polarization sensitive device and the object, or a determination of a polarization-specific characteristic of the object.

Systems, devices, and methods for providing a sheet product dispenser with automated product level tracking functionality are provided herein. Various product level sensors are disclosed herein including a product level sensor configured to emit a signal toward an outer circumference of a sheet product roll on a spindle extending along a longitudinal axis and to receive a reflected signal. The product level sensor is positioned a radial distance away from the spindle and aimed to emit the signal in a direction that is not parallel and not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The product level sensor detects a parameter of the reflected signal corresponding to the distance between the product level sensor and the sheet product roll. Other example embodiments include mechanical product level sensors. Various communication protocols may be employed to limit transmission of data to conserve battery life while still maintaining desired communication functionality.

The present technology relates to an information processing device and an information processing method capable of implementing video projection using a plurality of projection devices more reliably. There is provided an information processing device including a control unit configured to detect a manipulation of a user on a designator projected to a projection area of each of a plurality of projection devices and generate relative position information regarding relative positions of the plurality of projection areas based on a detection result. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a device controlling a plurality of projectors.

An optical proximity sensor system to detect a distance to a target object is provided. The optical proximity sensor system includes a laser that generates an emitted optical beam at a linear polarization and an optical cavity system that includes an optical cavity defined by a distance between the laser and the target object. The target object reflects the emitted optical beam to generate a reflected optical beam. A partially reflective mirror diverts a portion of the emitted optical beam and/or the reflected optical beam. A photodetector receives the diverted optical beam and generates a proximity signal that has a frequency that is indicative of the distance to the target object based on the diverted portion of the at least one of the emitted optical beam and the reflected optical beam. A proximity processor calculates the distance to the target object based on the frequency of the proximity signal.

A method for calibrating an elongated metallurgical tool based on a laser distance sensor (6). A temperature measurement/sampling tool (3) is driven by an industrial robot (1) so that a standard temperature measurement/sampling gun (4) enters a calibration area, the standard temperature measurement/sampling gun (4) reciprocates at the vicinity of a laser distance sensor (6), the standard axis is obtained by using a vector on a generatrix of the standard temperature measurement/sampling gun (4) based on the laser distance sensor (6), the position and orientation of the temperature measurement/sampling tool (3) is adjusted so that the axis of the standard temperature measurement/sampling gun (4) is parallel to the set standard axis, and moreover, positioning and identification is performed on an end TCP point of the temperature measurement/sampling tool (3) to obtain a tool coordinate system corresponding to the temperature measurement/sampling tool (3), and deformation of the standard temperature measurement/sampling gun (4) can be detected in the calibration process, to ensure the accuracy and stability of system operation of the industrial robot (1). In addition, also provided is a device for calibrating an elongated metallurgical tool based on a laser distance sensor (6).

An angle detecting device for detecting a bending angle of an element. The element comprises a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion bent relative to the second connecting portion. The angle detecting device comprises a fixing member, a non-contact range finder and a base. The fixing member comprises a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion. The fixing member and the non-contact range finder is mounted on the base. The first fixing portion cooperates with the second fixing portion to fix the first connecting portion. The non-contact range finder faces the second connecting portion to detect a distance between the second connecting portion and the non-contact range finder, and determine whether the distance is within a preset range. An angle detecting method using the above angle detecting device is also provided.