Abstract: An optical scanner includes at least one light source configured to emit light, a steering unit configured to perform scanning in a first direction based on the light emitted from the at least one light source, and a polygon mirror configured to perform, by using the light output from the steering unit, scanning in a second direction different than the first direction based on a rotation of the polygon mirror. The steering unit includes a plurality of first prisms, and each of the plurality of first prisms includes an incident facet configured to pass the light emitted from the at least one light source, and an output facet configured to refract and output the light. The polygon mirror includes a plurality of reflective facets, and each of the plurality of reflective facets is configured to that reflect the light output from the steering unit.

Abstract: A scanner has a rotational axis and reflection surfaces. The scanner rotates the reflection surfaces about the rotational axis. The reflection surfaces are parallel to a direction of the rotational axis. The scanner changes a direction of each of the light beams transmitted from the phototransmitter and incident on the scanner to thereby output changed light beams in a main scanning direction that is orthogonal to the direction of the rotational axis. The scanner reflects light beams arriving from a target object based on reflection of the changed light beams to thereby cause the light beams to be directed toward the receiver. The first and second light sources are arranged such that the optical axis of at least one of the light beams transmitted from the first and second light sources is obliquely inclined with respect to a reference plane that is orthogonal to the rotational axis.

Abstract: A Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) system may include: a transmitter configured to output pulse laser; a reflecting mirror comprising two or more reflecting surfaces to reflect the pulse laser; a driver configured to rotate the reflecting mirror; a path control mirror configured to reflect the pulse laser to the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting mirror to form an optical path of the pulse laser; and a receiver configured to receive the light reflected through the reflecting mirror, and convert the received light into an electrical signal, wherein the reflecting mirror comprises: a first reflecting surface; and a second reflecting surface, wherein the first and second reflecting surfaces are connected to each other at one point, the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface have different tilt angles from each other, and the first reflecting surface is tilted in the opposite direction of the second reflecting surface.

Abstract: A technology is described for mapping a physical environment. An example method may include receiving laser point data for laser light reflected from the physical environment and detected by a laser sensor. Points included in the laser point data can be correlated to grid cells in an environment map that represents the physical environment. Error ranges for the points correlated to the grid cells can be determined based in part on an error distribution. Occupation probabilities can then be calculated for the grid cells in the environment map using an interpolation technique and grid cell occupation probabilities for adjacent error grid cells selected based in part on the error ranges of the points, and the grid cells in the environment map can be updated with the occupation probabilities.

Abstract: One example method involves a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device focusing light from a target region in a scene for receipt by a detector. The method also involves emitting a primary light pulse. The method also involves directing, via one or more optical elements, the primary light pulse toward the target region. The primary light pulse illuminates the target region according to a primary light intensity of the primary light pulse. The method also involves emitting a secondary light pulse. At least a portion of the secondary light pulse illuminates the target region according to a secondary light intensity of the secondary light pulse. The secondary light intensity is less than the primary light intensity.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein are directed to high speed remote imaging systems, such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) systems. Example embodiments describe systems that are configured to mitigate a walk-off effect that may limit a speed of operation of the imaging system. The walk-off effect may be characterized by a failure to steer returning signals to a designated input facet of the imaging system due to continuous rotation of mirrors associated with the steering mechanisms. The walk-off effect may be mitigating by configuring more than one input waveguide to receiving returning signals associated with an output signal. The input waveguides may be spaced apart and configured to sequentially receive the input signals. In some embodiments, walk-off mitigation may extend a range of operation of the imaging systems.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a technology in flash LiDAR applicable to a wide incidence-angle range. [Solution] An optical radar device (100) includes a light emitting unit (110) that diffusively radiates a laser beam, an arrayed light receiving unit (120) that receives the laser beam emitted from the light emitting unit (110) and reflected off an object whose range is to be determined (10), the arrayed light receiving unit (120) including light receiving elements arrayed two-dimensionally, and a telecentric lens (140) disposed between the object whose range is to be determined and the light receiving element.

Abstract: LIDAR measurement system with a LIDAR transmitting unit and a LIDAR receiving unit, which is configured in a focal-plane-array arrangement, wherein the LIDAR receiving unit has a plurality of sensor elements and wherein the LIDAR transmitting unit has a plurality of emitter elements, wherein a plurality of sensor elements form a macrocell, wherein the macrocell is associated with a single emitter element, wherein the distance between two adjacent emitter elements is unequal to an integer multiple of the distance between two adjacent sensor elements.