Patents by Inventor Zhenghan Zhu
Zhenghan Zhu has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11892573Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system for analyzing noise data for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). The system includes a communication interface configured to sequentially receive noise data of the LiDAR in time windows, at least one storage device configured to store instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. Exemplary operations include determining an estimated noise value of a first time window using the noise data received in the first time window and determining an instant noise value of a second time window using the noise data received in the second time window. The second time window is immediately subsequent to the first time window. The operations also include determining an estimated noise value of the second time window by aggregating the estimated noise value of the first time window and the instant noise value of the second time window.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: GUANGZHOU WOYA LAIDELING TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, Lingkai Kong, John Wu
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Patent number: 11782157Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an optical sensing system, a range estimation system for the optical sensing system, and a method for the optical sensing system. The exemplary optical sensing system includes a transmitter configured to emit a laser pulse towards an object. The optical sensing system further includes a range estimation system configured to estimate a range between the object and the optical sensing system. The range estimation system includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to generate a plurality of pulse samples based on the laser pulse returned from the object. The returned laser pulse has a substantially triangular waveform including a rising edge and a falling edge. The range estimation system further includes a processor. The processor is configured to generate synthesized pulse samples on the substantially triangular waveform based on the pulse samples.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: GUANGZHOU WOYA LAIDELING TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, Yu-Ching Yeh, Lingkai Kong
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Patent number: 11715930Abstract: A system for controlling a pulsed laser diode includes a power source configured to supply power to the pulsed laser diode and at least one driving branch between the power source and the pulsed laser diode. The at least one driving branch is configured to control power delivery from the power source to the pulsed laser diode. The at least one driving branch is connected to a cathode of the pulsed laser diode.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2020Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: BEIJING VOYAGER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Yibo Yu, Yue Lu, Vipul Chawla, Zhenghan Zhu, Lingkai Kong
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Patent number: 11500074Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide receivers for a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanner. The receiver includes a photodetector configured to receive a laser beam, and convert the received laser beam to an electrical signal including a plurality of pulses. The receiver also includes an amplifier configured to amplify the electrical signal. The receiver further includes a pulse equalizer configured to sharpen the plurality of pulses in the amplified electrical signal. Each pulse is sharpened to have a narrower width and an increased amplitude.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2018Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: BEIJING VOYAGER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Yue Lu, Zhenghan Zhu, Tao Chu, John Wu
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Patent number: 11448738Abstract: A system and method for correcting a Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) return signal is disclosed. The LiDAR return signal is digitized by a converter. An exemplary signal correction system includes a signal processor configured to identify saturated samples from the LiDAR return signal, determine a correction parameter based on non-saturated samples in the LiDAR return signal and corresponding samples in a reference signal, and correct the saturated samples in the LiDAR return signal using the correction parameter.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: BEIJING VOYAGER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, John Wu
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Patent number: 11402477Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing a ranging operation are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, a controller, and a code storage. The controller can obtain a first code from the code storage, determine, from the first code, first timing information and first amplitude information of a corresponding first group of one or more signals, and control the transmitter circuit to transmit the first group of one or more signals based on the first timing information and the first amplitude information. The controller can configure a matched filter based on the first timing information and the first amplitude information, identify return signals of the first group of one or more signals based on processing received signals using the configured matched filter, and perform a ranging operation based on the identified return signals and the first group of one or more signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Beijing Voyager Technology Co., LtdInventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, Yibo Yu, Vipul Chawla, John K. Wu
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Patent number: 11385335Abstract: A method for operating a LiDAR system in an automobile that can include receiving noise data corresponding to an ambient noise level, receiving false positive data corresponding to a rate of false positive object detection occurrences; determining an object detection range spanning a distance defined by a minimum range of object detection and a maximum range of object detection for the LiDAR system; generating an object detection threshold value for detecting objects based on the noise data and the rate of false positive data; applying the object detection threshold value to each of a plurality of range values within the object detection range; and applying a gain sensitivity profile to the object detection threshold value at each of a plurality of range values.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2018Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Beijing Voyager Technology Co., LtdInventors: John K. Wu, Lingkai Kong, Zhenghan Zhu
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Publication number: 20220057511Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an optical sensing system, a range estimation system for the optical sensing system, and a method for the optical sensing system. The exemplary optical sensing system includes a transmitter configured to emit a laser pulse towards an object. The optical sensing system further includes a range estimation system configured to estimate a range between the object and the optical sensing system. The range estimation system includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) configured to generate a plurality of pulse samples based on the laser pulse returned from the object. The returned laser pulse has a substantially triangular waveform including a rising edge and a falling edge. The range estimation system further includes a processor. The processor is configured to generate synthesized pulse samples on the substantially triangular waveform based on the pulse samples.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2020Publication date: February 24, 2022Applicant: BEIJING VOYAGER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, Yu-Ching Yeh, Lingkai Kong
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Publication number: 20220035035Abstract: A range detection system is disclosed. The range detection system includes an optical source configured to emit an optical pulse toward an object, where the emitted optical pulse includes a peak intensity occurring at a first time, and where the emitted optical pulse is reflected from the object, whereby a reflected optical pulse is generated. The range detection system also includes an optical detector configured to receive the reflected optical pulse and to generate an electronic signal encoding the received reflected optical pulse, and a processor, configured to receive the electronic signal and to detect a leading edge occurring at a second time, detect a trailing edge occurring at a third time, and calculate an estimated time of a peak intensity of the reflected optical pulse based at least in part on a difference between the second time and the third time.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2020Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, John Wu, Youmin Wang
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Publication number: 20210405167Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system for analyzing noise data for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). The system includes a communication interface configured to sequentially receive noise data of the LiDAR in time windows, at least one storage device configured to store instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. Exemplary operations include determining an estimated noise value of a first time window using the noise data received in the first time window and determining an instant noise value of a second time window using the noise data received in the second time window. The second time window is immediately subsequent to the first time window. The operations also include determining an estimated noise value of the second time window by aggregating the estimated noise value of the first time window and the instant noise value of the second time window.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, Lingkai Kong, John Wu
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Patent number: 11175390Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system for analyzing noise data for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). The system includes a communication interface configured to sequentially receive noise data of the LiDAR in time windows, at least one storage device configured to store instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. Exemplary operations include determining an estimated noise value of a first time window using the noise data received in the first time window and determining an instant noise value of a second time window using the noise data received in the second time window. The second time window is immediately subsequent to the first time window. The operations also include determining an estimated noise value of the second time window by aggregating the estimated noise value of the first time window and the instant noise value of the second time window.Type: GrantFiled: December 24, 2018Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: BEIJING VOYAGER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, Lingkai Kong, John Wu
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Patent number: 11041944Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for improving the probability of detection and the probability of false alarm of a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. A receiver of the LiDAR system is configured to obtain a noise signal vector for an operation condition and determine the coefficients of a matched filter based on the noise signal vector. The matched filter is used to filter a returned signal vector corresponding to returned light detected by the receiver. The receiver detects an object in the field of view of the LiDAR system based on identifying, in the returned signal vector filtered by the matched filter, a pulse having a peak higher than a threshold value. In some embodiments, the receiver is configured to determine the threshold value based on the noise signal vector, energy of the transmitted signal, and a desired false alarm rate.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: Beijing Voyager Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, John K. Wu, Lingkai Kong
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Publication number: 20210050708Abstract: A system for controlling a pulsed laser diode includes a power source configured to supply power to the pulsed laser diode and at least one driving branch between the power source and the pulsed laser diode. The at least one driving branch is configured to control power delivery from the power source to the pulsed laser diode. The at least one driving branch is connected to a cathode of the pulsed laser diode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2020Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: BEIJING VOYAGER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Yibo Yu, Yue Lu, Vipul Chawla, Zhenghan Zhu, Lingkai Kong
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Patent number: 10826269Abstract: A system for controlling a pulsed laser diode includes a power source configured to supply power to the pulsed laser diode and at least one driving branch between the power source and the pulsed laser diode. The at least one driving branch is configured to control power delivery from the power source to the pulsed laser diode. The at least one driving branch is connected to a cathode of the pulsed laser diode.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: BEIJING VOYAGER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.Inventors: Yibo Yu, Yue Lu, Vipul Chawla, Zhenghan Zhu, Lingkai Kong
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Publication number: 20200278430Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing a ranging operation are provided. In one example, an apparatus comprises a transmitter circuit, a receiver circuit, a controller, and a code storage. The controller can obtain a first code from the code storage, determine, from the first code, first timing information and first amplitude information of a corresponding first group of one or more signals, and control the transmitter circuit to transmit the first group of one or more signals based on the first timing information and the first amplitude information. The controller can configure a matched filter based on the first timing information and the first amplitude information, identify return signals of the first group of one or more signals based on processing received signals using the configured matched filter, and perform a ranging operation based on the identified return signals and the first group of one or more signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, Yibo Yu, Vipul Chawla, John K. Wu
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Publication number: 20200278431Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for improving the probability of detection and the probability of false alarm of a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. A receiver of the LiDAR system is configured to obtain a noise signal vector for an operation condition and determine the coefficients of a matched filter based on the noise signal vector. The matched filter is used to filter a returned signal vector corresponding to returned light detected by the receiver. The receiver detects an object in the field of view of the LiDAR system based on identifying, in the returned signal vector filtered by the matched filter, a pulse having a peak higher than a threshold value. In some embodiments, the receiver is configured to determine the threshold value based on the noise signal vector, energy of the transmitted signal, and a desired false alarm rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2019Publication date: September 3, 2020Inventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, John K. Wu, Lingkai Kong
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Publication number: 20200271763Abstract: A system and method for correcting a Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) return signal is disclosed. The LiDAR return signal is digitized by a converter. An exemplary signal correction system includes a signal processor configured to identify saturated samples from the LiDAR return signal, determine a correction parameter based on non-saturated samples in the LiDAR return signal and corresponding samples in a reference signal, and correct the saturated samples in the LiDAR return signal using the correction parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2019Publication date: August 27, 2020Applicant: DiDi Research America, LLCInventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, John Wu
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Publication number: 20200200884Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide a system for analyzing noise data for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). The system includes a communication interface configured to sequentially receive noise data of the LiDAR in time windows, at least one storage device configured to store instructions, and at least one processor configured to execute the instructions to perform operations. Exemplary operations include determining an estimated noise value of a first time window using the noise data received in the first time window and determining an instant noise value of a second time window using the noise data received in the second time window. The second time window is immediately subsequent to the first time window. The operations also include determining an estimated noise value of the second time window by aggregating the estimated noise value of the first time window and the instant noise value of the second time window.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2018Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicant: DiDi Research America, LLCInventors: Zhenghan Zhu, Yue Lu, Lingkai Kong, John Wu
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Publication number: 20200203923Abstract: A system for controlling a pulsed laser diode includes a power source configured to supply power to the pulsed laser diode and at least one driving branch between the power source and the pulsed laser diode. The at least one driving branch is configured to control power delivery from the power source to the pulsed laser diode. The at least one driving branch is connected to a cathode of the pulsed laser diode.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2019Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicant: DiDi Research America, LLCInventors: Yibo Yu, Yue Lu, Vipul Chawla, Zhenghan Zhu, Lingkai Kong
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Publication number: 20200191924Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide receivers for a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) scanner. The receiver includes a photodetector configured to receive a laser beam, and convert the received laser beam to an electrical signal including a plurality of pulses. The receiver also includes an amplifier configured to amplify the electrical signal. The receiver further includes a pulse equalizer configured to sharpen the plurality of pulses in the amplified electrical signal. Each pulse is sharpened to have a narrower width and an increased amplitude.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: DiDi Research America, LLCInventors: Yue Lu, Zhenghan Zhu, Tao Chu, John Wu