Abstract:
A device for facilitating a controlled descent of a body, the device comprising a rotatable reel around which at least a portion of a cable is wound, a first end of the cable secured to the reel and a second end of the cable free; a friction drum mounted coaxially around the reel, the cable, upon leaving the reel wound at least partially around the drum; a carrier on which the reel and the drum are mounted; wherein the reel is provided with braking means for braking rotational motion of the reel and for balancing descending speed of the body.
Abstract:
The invention is a system that is integrated with an existing robotic system in order to extend its observation, surveillance, and navigational capabilities. The system comprises: a sensor module comprising imaging and other types of sensors that is attached to the robotic device of the robotic system and a system control station comprising a communication link to the robot control station of the existing robotic system. Both the system control station and the sensor module comprise processing units that are configured to work in complete harmony. These processing units are each supplied with software that enables using information supplied by the sensors and other components in the sensor module to provide the robotic systems with many advanced capabilities that could not be achieves prior to attachment of the sensor module to the robot.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a compact mobile reconnaissance device that is designed to be deployed in hostile, dangerous, or difficult to access environments, to absorb shocks, to be resistant to adverse environmental conditions, and to transmit video and audio streams related to events at which it has been deployed to a remote receiver and display unit.
Abstract:
A portable detection and warning system (100) that can be deployed in the field uses an array of compact sensor units (200(1 )-200(7)) that can be quickly and easily dispersed along the perimeter (102) or within an area of interest. Also located in the area of interest is a hub (300), which is in wireless communication with each of the sensor units in the field, and a control station (400) located remotely from the area under observation. Each sensor unit (200(1 )-200(7)) acts independently to detect specific phenomenon that might occur in the sector surveyed by it. When an event is detected that meets certain predetermined criterion, the sensor unit is awakened and wirelessly transmits a warning and other information to the hub (300). The hub (300) is able to gather more information related to the alarm and wirelessly transmits this information to the control station (400).
Abstract:
An operator-controllable observation system including an observation assembly including a housing having a generally ellipsoidal configuration with a flat base surface, an imaging subassembly including at least one lens coupled to at least one imaging sensor, control and processing circuitry operative to process outputs of the imaging subassembly and an observation assembly transceiver operative to receive outputs from the control and processing circuitry and to transmit the outputs from the control and processing circuitry.
Abstract:
The invention is a medical imaging device designed for insertion into the vagina for medical examination, imaging, image analysis and treatment of the interior of the vagina. The device comprises a front assembly, optimally shaped to match the shape of the vaginal canal; imaging and illumination assemblies; a handle; and an optimally shaped cover designed to fit tightly over and hermetically isolate at least that part of the front assembly that is inserted into the vaginal canal from the surrounding tissue and body fluids. The cover of the device of the invention can comprise one or more passages extending through it from its proximal end to its distal end enabling passage of one or more surgical tools and/or liquids and/or gases, from outside of the vaginal canal to the location of the scene imaged by the imaging assembly. The invention is also a medical imaging system comprising a medical imaging device of the invention, a computer and/or display station, and communication components. The medical imaging system may comprise operation software and image processing software.
Abstract:
The present invention describes a self-contained omni-directional imaging device(fig8). The device is designed to contain within it all mechanic, electronic, optic and electro-optic components required for its operation (48), namely: omni-directional optics (50,51 and 52), image capture device, power source(55) illumination sources, transmitters (53) receivers and additional optional elements for enhanced capabilities.(54 and 56 ) A preferred embodiment of the invention describes such a device housed inside a durable spherical structure, designed for deployment to potentially hazardous environments, enabling omni-directional view to those environments without endangering the viewer. The device is capable of acquiring and transmitting still or video images and audio streams to a remote, control and display unit located near the operator. Among the typical uses for such a device are: security and surveillance, search and rescue operations, anti-terrorism and situation assessment in hostage situations and a variety of civilian and domestic uses, such as remote baby monitoring.
Abstract:
The invention is a medical imaging device that enables observation within the abdominal and pelvic cavity at a wide field of view and enables medical procedures to be carried out within the wide field of view. The medical imaging device of the invention comprises a central assembly and a sterile disposable cover, which is slipped over the central assembly. The central assembly comprises a proximal portion, which remains outside of the abdominal cavity of the patient, and a distal portion, which is inserted into the abdominal cavity through a slit made in the abdominal wall by the surgeon. A first plurality of light emitting diodes is circumferentially distributed around the outer surface of the central assembly near the top of the distal portion and a reversibly inflatable balloon is circumferentially attached to the cover at the location of the first plurality of diodes. When the balloon is inflated and the first array of light emitting diodes is activated to produce light, then the light enters the interior of the balloon, is repeatedly reflected from the inner walls of the balloon until it eventually passes through the wall of the balloon at random angles thereby illuminating the entire interior of the abdominal and pelvic cavities. The invention is also a system comprising the medical imaging device, an observation unit comprising control means, processing means, and display means; and means for communicating between the medical imaging device and the observation unit.
Abstract:
In a first aspect, the present invention provides an omni-directional imaging assembly. In the preferred embodiment the assembly of the invention comprises a solid omni-directional lens comprising a vertical axis of symmetry; an upper surface, at least part of which is capable of reflecting rays that arrive from the inner side of the omni-directional lens; a transparent perimeter surface; a lower convex surface, at least part of which is capable of reflecting rays that arrive from the direction of the perimeter surface; and a transparent circular surface maintained in the lower convex surface around the vertical axis of symmetry. The light rays from a first 360 degrees, panoramic, scene are refracted by the transparent perimeter surface, are then reflected by the lower convex surface towards the upper surface, and then reflected by the upper surface towards the transparent circular surface, where they are refracted and exit the omni-directional lens. In a second aspect the omni-directional imaging assembly of the invention can be combined with an illumination source to simultaneously provide both omni-directional imaging and omni-directional illumination. Also described are embodiments of the invention that comprise image capturing devices, embodiments that enable simultaneous imaging of the first scene and a second scene, and embodiments that are adapted to the requirements of endoscopic imaging.
Abstract:
The present invention describes several embodiments of electro-optical assemblies capable of capturing full or nearly full spherical field of view. The present invention uses an reflective surface (1) to reflect light to a first image capture device (2) that represents a scene and a second image capture device (5) captures light from second scene that may represent a portion of the scene captured by the first image capture device. The present invention utilizes the concept of reflective surfaces and combining two images to achieve an even larger field of view.