Patents Examined by Daniel L Murphy
  • Patent number: 11698443
    Abstract: Methods and systems for performing multiple pulse LIDAR measurements are presented herein. In one aspect, each LIDAR measurement beam illuminates a location in a three dimensional environment with a sequence of multiple pulses of illumination light. Light reflected from the location is detected by a photosensitive detector of the LIDAR system during a measurement window having a duration that is greater than or equal to the time of flight of light from the LIDAR system out to the programmed range of the LIDAR system, and back. The pulses in a measurement pulse sequence can vary in magnitude and duration. Furthermore, the delay between pulses and the number of pulses in each measurement pulse sequence can also be varied. In some embodiments, the multi-pulse illumination beam is encoded and the return measurement pulse sequence is decoded to distinguish the measurement pulse sequence from exogenous signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: VELODYNE LIDAR USA, INC.
    Inventors: David S. Hall, Pieter J. Kerstens
  • Patent number: 11698456
    Abstract: An object detection system includes: a transmission unit configured to sequentially transmit a plurality of transmission waves to which identification information different from one another is applied; a reception unit configured to sequentially receive a plurality of reception waves respectively corresponding to the plurality of transmission waves returned in response to reflection by an object after all the plurality of transmission waves are transmitted by the transmission unit; and a detection processing unit configured to detect information related to the object based on a relationship between the plurality of transmission waves and the plurality of reception waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: AISIN CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ippei Sugae, Koichi Sassa
  • Patent number: 11698450
    Abstract: A device and method for reducing noise of an external measurement sensor of mobility, including a storage unit that stores measurement values of an external measurement sensor of mobility including an ultrasonic sensor measuring distance values between the mobility and an object outside the mobility; and an operation unit that generates a plurality of functions capable of being derived from the measurement values stored in the storage unit, derives a final function having the most measurement values within a first range, among the plurality of functions, derives an estimated value that is an expected value of the measurement value through the final function, and selects a candidate final value that is the closest to the estimated value within a second range, among actual measurement values at a time point corresponding to the estimated value, as a final value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yeon Joo Shim
  • Patent number: 11693098
    Abstract: A LIDAR device includes an input node, an output node, and a sample-and-convert circuit. The input node receives a photodetector signal, and the output node generates an output signal indicating a light intensity value of the photodetector signal. The sample-and-convert circuit includes a number of detection channels coupled in parallel between the input node and the output node. In some aspects, each of the detection channels may be configured to sample a value of the photodetector signal during the sample mode and to hold the sampled value during the convert mode using a single capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Vadim Gutnik, Andrew Abo
  • Patent number: 11693148
    Abstract: A satellite includes a fast tracking mirror (“mirror”) placed at or near center of mass (CoM) of the satellite along a line of sight between the CoMs of two satellites. The satellite also includes a detector at a distance away from the mirror. The mirror is adjusted to maintain the distance between the mirror and the detector, when a location of the detector changes due to pitch and yaw of the satellite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of NASA
    Inventors: Guangning Yang, Jeffrey Chen
  • Patent number: 11694667
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a mounting device for a fish finding apparatus and, more particularly, to a motorized mounting device which includes an adjustable length pole used to mount a sonar transducer or other device an angler may be interested in mounting to the end of the pole that enters the water. The pole is used to spin the transducer or other apparatus in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction with a switch that is adapted to be operated by the angler's foot or a wireless remote. The mounting device is configured to be secured to a boat or mounted on a boat troll motor whereby the adjustable pole is secured and spins independent of the troll motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventor: Terry Vance
  • Patent number: 11693099
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of an adaptive ladar receiver and associated method whereby the active pixels in a photodetector array used for reception of ladar pulse returns can be adaptively controlled based at least in part on where the ladar pulses were targeted. Additional embodiments disclose improved imaging optics for use by the receiver and further adaptive control techniques for selecting which pixels of the photodetector array are used for sensing incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: AEYE, Inc.
    Inventors: Luis Carlos Dussan, Allan Steinhardt, David Cook
  • Patent number: 11695484
    Abstract: In one example, an accessory device establishes a connection with a first collaboration device. An acoustic signal encoded with a token and transmitted by a second collaboration device is received at the accessory device. The acoustic signal is decoded at the accessory device to obtain the token. The token is transmitted from the accessory device to the first collaboration device for verification and pairing of the first collaboration device with the second collaboration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Catelyn G. Orsini, Vikas Vashisht, Alberto J. Montilla Bravo
  • Patent number: 11686804
    Abstract: A method, system and computer readable medium for Ultrasound contact tracing comprising receiving one or more advertise messages determining a base station from the one or more advertise messages wherein the base station generates a broadcast order from at least the one or more advertise messages. A broadcast order is determined and an ultrasound message is sent according to the broadcast order. A detection period for ultrasound messages is initiated according to the broadcast order and a user may be notified of a detected ultrasound message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Przybyla, Sebastien Riccardi, Benoît Lachal
  • Patent number: 11686842
    Abstract: A sonar unit includes: a circuit substrate on which a transducer, electronic components constituting a circuit configured to drive the transducer, and an input-output terminal for the circuit are mounted; and a shield unit. The shield unit includes a plate portion at a position where the plate portion overlaps at least a part of the electronic components when the shield unit is viewed in a thickness direction of the rectangular circuit substrate. The shield unit includes a window portion provided as a through-hole or a notch. The window portion is placed at a position close to the input-output terminal in a longitudinal direction of the rectangular circuit substrate when the window portion is viewed in the thickness direction of the rectangular circuit substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignees: AISIN CORPORATION, WHETRON ELECTRONICS (SUZHOU) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chiaki Sumi, Takaaki Nakamura, Toshihito Nagai, Gaoyang Hong
  • Patent number: 11686831
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a Sonar device (1) for detection of underwater objects. The sonar device (1) comprises a body element (2) comprising a piezo electric element (3). The sonar device further comprises a holder (4) adapted to hold the piezo electric element (3). The holder (4) is arranged to centre the piezo electric element (3) within said body element (2). The holder (4) is arranged such that the piezo electric element (3) is held firmly in place and also provide for that detection can be made omni-directionally. A method for manufacturing a holder (4) and a sonar device (1) is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SAAB AB
    Inventor: Oskar Viklund
  • Patent number: 11683104
    Abstract: A first computing device is configured to broadcast a first audio token comprising a first identifier over a first audio frequency channel, activate a first microphone component, and receive a first audio response token generated by a second computing device via the first audio frequency channel. A second computing device is configured to receive an input indicating a request to receive data, activate the second microphone component, receive the first audio token over the first audio frequency channel, receive one or more other audio tokens over one or more other audio frequency channels, determine that the received first audio token comprises a valid audio token, restrict the range of received audio inputs to comprise only the first audio frequency channel, generate the first audio response token, and communicate the first audio response token to the first computing device via the first audio frequency channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Arjita Madan, Sumit Kanhaiyalal Gwalani
  • Patent number: 11668823
    Abstract: A system is provided for imaging an underwater environment. The system includes a transducer assembly with at least one transmit transducer element and an array of receive transducer elements. Each receive transducer element is configured to receive sonar returns and form sonar return data. A sonar signal processor is configured to receive the sonar return data from each receive transducer element and generate sonar image data. The sonar return data from all of the receive transducer elements may be summed and used to form a high-definition 1D (e.g., time-based) sonar image. The sonar return data from only a subgroup may be summed and used to form a lower-definition 1D sonar image. In some systems, an array of series-connected transmit transducer elements can be used. The orientation of the emitting faces of the array may vary slightly to mimic a curved surface for increased beam coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Navico, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Antao, Alan Proctor, Jayme Caspall
  • Patent number: 11667247
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes: an ultrasonic element provided to transmit or receive an ultrasonic wave propagating along a directional axis; and an element housing case that includes a case diaphragm having a thickness direction along the directional axis. A resonant space is defined between the case diaphragm and the ultrasonic element for the propagating wave, by housing the ultrasonic element while separating the ultrasonic element from the case diaphragm. A horn shape is defined in the element housing case in which a width of the resonant space in a direction orthogonal to the directional axis is reduced as the resonant space extends in an axial direction parallel to the directional axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kamiya, Itaru Ishii, Tomoki Tanemura, Takashi Aoki, Tetsuya Katoh
  • Patent number: 11668818
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a position sensor system that includes a fluid effector that includes a housing having an inner surface defining a cavity, and a moveable body having a first face and a second face opposite the first face and configured to contact the inner surface and subdivide the cavity to define a first chamber and a second chamber, an acoustic transmitter system configured to emit a first emitted waveform toward the first face, and emit a second emitted waveform toward the second face, and an acoustic receiver system configured to detect a first reflected waveform based on a first reflection of the first emitted waveform based on the moveable body, and detect a second reflected waveform based on a second reflection of the second emitted waveform based on the moveable body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Woodward, Inc.
    Inventors: Jordan Loren Loos, Gregory Warren Pulley
  • Patent number: 11668824
    Abstract: Provided is an obstacle determination apparatus including: a first determiner determining a difference in a propagation distance or a propagation time between a first round-trip path of a detection wave and a second round-trip path of a detection wave; and a second determiner determining whether the object is an obstacle based on a determination result of the first determiner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Nakamura, Ryutaro Seno, Shingo Kawahara, Toru Chikamitsu
  • Patent number: 11668819
    Abstract: A method for locating and quantifying obstructions in a pipe is described. The method comprises the steps of emitting at one end of the pipe, by means of a loudspeaker, an emitted signal comprising a wave train at a first frequency, the waves being of an acoustic type; receiving at the same end of the pipe, by means of a microphone, a reflected signal, resulting from the reflection of the wave train from obstructions in the pipe; determining a position of each of the obstructions according to a delay measured between the wave train of the emitted signal and the wave train of the reflected signal received by the microphone; and determining, for each of the obstructions, its degree of obstruction by extrapolating the energies of the emitted, reflected and transmitted signals. A system comprising the loudspeaker, the microphone, a processor, and a memory for performing the above method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: HYDRO-QUÉBEC
    Inventors: André Roman Taras, Mathieu Soares
  • Patent number: 11668821
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to a method of correcting sensor position. The method comprises transmitting one or more first pulses of a first frequency range towards a first portion of a seabed and one or more second pulses of a second frequency range towards a second portion of the seabed, and receiving a first set and second set of backscattered data. The method further includes processing the first and second set of backscattered data to form a first and second set of image data and comparing the first set and second set of image data. The method further includes creating one or more error vectors between the first set and second set of image data, and updating the first set of backscattered data based on the one or more error vectors to produce an updated set of image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Fugro N.V.
    Inventors: Carl James Sonnier, Eric Carroll Lissard
  • Patent number: 11671736
    Abstract: An audio capture device for a submersible camera including a supporting structure to prevent a waterproof membrane from deflecting beyond a point that will cause damage to the membrane. A microphone assembly includes a microphone for detecting ambient sound and generating an electrical signal representing the ambient sound. The microphone assembly is covered by a waterproof membrane to prevent water from reaching the microphone assembly. One or more supporting rings near the waterproof membrane prevents the waterproof membrane from deflecting more than a threshold deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: GoPro, Inc.
    Inventor: Magnus Hansson
  • Patent number: 11662435
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a chip-scale LiDAR device can include a chip with three layers. The first layer includes a number of micromechanical system (MEMS) mirrors. The second layer includes a laser source; a beam splitter connected to the laser source; a number of waveguides, each connected to the beam splitter; and a number of beam deflectors, each beam deflector coupled with one of the number of waveguides. The third layer includes a receiving unit for receiving and processing reflected laser signals of one or more laser beams from the laser source. The first layer, the second layer, and the third layer are vertically attached to each other using either wafer bonding and/or solder bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: LITUREX (GUANGZHOU) CO. LTD
    Inventor: Yunpeng Song