A method for determining an elevation of a laser detector assembly includes calculating an estimated elevation of a laser detector assembly based on data from an inertial measurement unit and a detected laser strike. The estimated elevation is then output. A detected elevation of the laser detector assembly is calculated based on the detected laser strike and the detected elevation is output in response to the detected laser strike. The estimated elevation is calculated and output between outputs of detected elevations.

The present disclosure relates to a ranging method and a ranging system, the ranging method includes using a first laser emitting portion of a laser emitting device to emit a vertical laser beam rotating in a vertical plane at a first rotation speed; calculating a time difference between the vertical laser beam passing through a first optical detection component and a second optical detection component by using the first optical detection component and the second optical detection component on a laser receiving device at least partially on the same vertical plane, wherein a distance between the two optical detection components is a first spacing; and calculating a first distance between the laser emitting device and the laser receiving device based on the first rotation speed, the first spacing, and the time difference. The method of the present disclosure can ensure that the first and second optical detection components provided on the laser receiving device can be set horizontally, thereby ensuring that the distance between the specific positions on the first and second optical detection components that the vertical laser beam passes is exactly the first spacing, thereby ensuring that the measured or calculated first distance is accurate.

A sensor and a 3-D position detection system are disclosed. In an embodiment a sensor includes at least one sensor chip configured to detect radiation, at least one carrier on which the sensor chip is mounted and a cast body that is transmissive for the radiation and that completely covers the sensor chip, wherein a centroid shift of the sensor chip amounts to at most 0.04 mrad at an angle of incidence of up to at least 60, wherein the cast body comprises a light inlet side that faces away from the sensor chip, and the light inlet side comprises side walls bounding it on all sides, wherein the side walls are smooth, planar and transmissive for the radiation, wherein a free field-of-view on the light inlet side has an aperture angle of at least 140, and wherein the cast body protrudes in a direction away from the sensor chip beyond a bond wire.

Deployable navigation beacons can be deployed from a vehicle, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), in an event of a loss of position or orientation of the vehicle. After deployment of the navigation beacons, the vehicle may detect locations of the navigation beacon, which may define a surface that may include surface features. The vehicle may then perform control operations based on the resolved locations. For example, UAV may maneuver to land proximate to the navigation beacons after resolving locations of the navigation beacons as a continuous surface. The navigation beacons may output a visual signal (e.g., a light), a auditory signal (e.g., a sound), and/or a radio signal. In some embodiments, each navigation beacon may include a different or unique signal.

The present invention relates to an optical detecting assembly, the optical detecting assembly comprises: a photosensitive element configured to receive an optical signal and convert it into an electrical signal; and a light guide member comprising a first portion for receiving a light beam and guiding the light beam to the photosensitive element and a second portion for receiving a light beam and guiding the light beam to the photosensitive element. The present invention utilizes the optical characteristics of the light guide member, that is, the light guide member can guide the received light beam to the photosensitive element associated therewith, such that the photosensitive element can convert the optical signal into an electrical signal for subsequent processing. The optical detecting assembly in accordance with the present invention can implement the process of optical signals at different positions using only one set of photosensitive members by providing the light guide member, thereby simplifying the structure of the optical detecting assembly in the prior art, and correspondingly reducing the manufacturing cost of the optical detecting assembly in the prior art.

Described herein are devices and techniques for managing power consumption of a position tracking device. The position tracking device may be a virtual reality (VR) controller having multiple optical sensors oriented to receive optical signals from different directions. A stationary optical emitter projects a laser line into a space and repeatedly scans the laser line through the space. For any given scan, some of the sensors may detect the laser line and some of the sensors may not detect the laser line because they are oriented away from the emitter or because of a blocking object. When an individual sensor fails to detect a laser scan, that sensor is disabled for one or more subsequent laser scans in order to reduce power consumption of the VR controller.

Described herein are devices and techniques for managing power consumption of a position tracking device. The position tracking device may be a virtual reality (VR) controller having multiple optical sensors oriented to receive optical signals from different directions. A stationary optical emitter projects a laser line into a space and repeatedly scans the laser line through the space. For any given scan, some of the sensors may detect the laser line and some of the sensors may not detect the laser line because they are oriented away from the emitter or because of a blocking object. When an individual sensor fails to detect a laser scan, that sensor is disabled for one or more subsequent laser scans in order to reduce power consumption of the VR controller.

A system and method for maintaining a laser impinging on a laser detector assembly includes determining a location of the laser from a rotating laser transmitter impinging on a laser sensor. A current position of the laser sensor along a mast of the laser detector assembly is determined and a new position for the laser sensor along the mast is determined based on the location of the laser impinging on the laser sensor and a current position of the laser sensor. The laser sensor is then moved to the new position. The system and method provide an effectively long working range of the laser detector assembly by moving the laser sensor along the mast of the laser detector assembly. An inertial measurement unit is used to calculate position information in the period between laser strikes.

According to one embodiment, a mobile body position estimation system includes an energy source, a mobile body, a plurality of physical quantity, and a processor. The energy source generates energy whose physical quantity changes. The mobile body is a position estimation target. The plurality of physical quantity detectors are provided in the mobile body. The plurality of physical quantity detectors detect the physical quantity of the energy generated from the energy source. The processor estimates a position of the mobile body based on a position of the energy source, an attitude angle of the energy source, and a plurality of physical quantity values respectively detected by the plurality of physical quantity detectors.

A work machine includes: detection devices that acquire attitude information about movable parts by means of sensors and output the same; a body device that acquires the attitude information from the detection devices so as to transmit the same by means of data communication using wireless communication, and that receives and displays support information for supporting operation by an operator by means of data communication using wireless communication; and a light receiver that is held by the movable part, receives laser light, and notifies the operator. As a result of instruction by the operator, a portable information terminal device detects a measurement reference location of the movable part by using the attitude information with the light reception position of the laser light on the light receiver as a reference, sets support information, and updates the support information by using the attitude information.