Patents Examined by Hovhannes Baghdasaryan
  • Patent number: 11520016
    Abstract: A LiDAR system which includes an optical system that encompasses a first lens, which is preferably statically positioned, and a second lens, which is preferably rotatably supported in relation to the first lens. The first lens and the second lens are situated along a shared optical path, and at least either the first lens or the second lens is configured to be set into rotation in order to bring about a beam deflection from the optical path in at least one spatial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Matthias Baier
  • Patent number: 11514777
    Abstract: A method of transmitting data comprises modulating data symbols for transmission onto a sonic carrier signal and transmitting the modulated data using an electroacoustic transducer. The modulated data is transmitted by transmitting a portion of the modulated data for a first duration; pausing transmission for a second duration; and repeating the transmitting and pausing with further portions of the modulated data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Sonos, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Frank
  • Patent number: 11513196
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods involving Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR or lidar) systems. Namely, an example method includes causing a light source of a LIDAR system to emit light along an emission vector. The method also includes adjusting the emission vector of the emitted light and determining an elevation angle component of the emission vector. The method further includes dynamically adjusting a per pulse energy of the emitted light based on the determined elevation angle component. An example system includes a vehicle and a light source coupled to the vehicle. The light source is configured to emit light along an emission vector toward an environment of the vehicle. The system also includes a controller operable to determine an elevation angle component of the emission vector and dynamically adjust a per pulse energy of the emitted light based on the determined elevation angle component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventor: Mark Alexander Shand
  • Patent number: 11506764
    Abstract: Method and system for performing ranging operation are provided. In one example, a transmitter is configured to transmit a first signal having a first signal level and a second signal having a second signal level, the second signal being transmitted after the first signal, the first signal and the second signal being separated by a time gap configured based on a minimum distance of a range of distances to be measured by the LiDAR module. The first signal level and the second signal level are configured based on the range of distances to be measured by the LiDAR module, a range of levels of reflectivity of a target object to be detected by the LiDAR module, and a dynamic range of a receiver circuit to receive the first signal and the second signal. Ranging operation can be performed based on the time-of-flight of at least one of the first signal or the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Beijing Voyager Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Vipul Chawla, Yue Lu, Yibo Yu
  • Patent number: 11506785
    Abstract: The present invention provides an asymmetric optical sensor device comprising: a light emitting unit for outputting light; a light receiving unit which receives the light reflected by an external object, and consists of a plurality of pixels which correspond to regions of different angles with respect to the light emitting unit and are arranged in a row; and a lens unit for diffusing the light from the light emitting unit. The light amounts received by the plurality of pixels are light amount values which are asymmetric with respect to the center of the light receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Bolam Kim, Seonghong Park, Sangkeun Lee, Pilwon Jeong, Yongho Cho
  • Patent number: 11493630
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (lidar) device includes: a lower base; an upper base; a laser emitting unit for emitting a laser in a form of a point light source; a nodding mirror for transforming the laser in the form of the point light source to a line beam pattern which is perpendicular to the lower base, wherein the nodding mirror reflects the laser emitted from the laser emitting unit; a polygonal mirror for transforming the line beam pattern to a plane beam pattern and receiving a laser reflected from an object; and a sensor unit for receiving the laser reflected from the object via the polygonal mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: SOS LAB CO., LTD
    Inventors: Ji Seong Jeong, Jun Hwan Jang, Dong Kyu Kim, Sung Ui Hwang, Gyeong Hwan Shin, Bum Sik Won
  • Patent number: 11487031
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a MEMS-based rotation sensor for use in seismic data acquisition and sensor units having same. The MEMS-based rotation sensor includes a substrate, an anchor disposed on the substrate and a proof mass coupled to the anchor via a plurality of flexural springs. The proof mass has a first electrode coupled to and extending therefrom. A second electrode is fixed to the substrate, and one of the first and second electrodes is configured to receive an actuation signal, and another of the first and second electrodes is configured to generate an electrical signal having an amplitude corresponding with a degree of angular movement of the first electrode relative to the second electrode. The MEMS-based rotation sensor further includes closed loop circuitry configured to receive the electrical signal and provide the actuation signal. Related methods for using the MEMS-based rotation sensor in seismic data acquisition are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Maxime Projetti, Olivier Vancauwenberghe, Nicolas Goujon, Hans Paulson
  • Patent number: 11486975
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system that includes a first beam splitter to multiplex a first optical beam and a second optical beam into a combined beam having orthogonal linear polarizations. The system also includes lensing optics to emit the combined beam towards a target and collect light returned from the target in a return optical beam to be received by the first beam splitter. The first beam splitter demultiplexes the return optical beam into a first return beam and a second return beam having orthogonal linear polarizations. The system also includes an optical element to generate a first beat frequency from the first return beam and to generate a second beat frequency from the second return beam. The system also includes a signal processing system to determine a range and velocity of the target from the first beat frequency and the second beat frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Aeva, Inc.
    Inventor: Shijun Xiao
  • Patent number: 11480676
    Abstract: A distance detector comprising: a laser transmitter and receiver for generating a laser beam to irradiate an object and to receive return light reflected in response from the object, an image detection system for generating an image of a view, the image detection system including an objective lens for collecting light from the view, an image sensor for receiving light collected by the objective lens and for generating the image therefrom, and a digital display for displaying the image such that the digital display displays a real-time image of the view, a laser beam indicium on the digital display or a laser beam indicium generator configured to display laser beam indicium on the digital display, wherein the laser beam indicium indicates a direction of the laser beam, and a range-finding system for determining the distance to an object irradiated by the laser beam using return light and for displaying distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: MGI Golf Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Ian Stuart Edwards
  • Patent number: 11473419
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for obtaining a flexural-attenuation measurement for cement evaluation that may be effective even for wells with relatively thick casings. A method includes emitting an acoustic signal at a casing in a well that excites the casing into generating an acoustic response signal containing acoustic waves, such as Lamb waves. The Lamb waves include flexural waves and extensional waves. The casing may be relatively large, having a thickness of at least 16 mm. The acoustic response signal may be detected and filtered to reduce a relative contribution of the extensional waves. This may correspondingly increase a relative contribution of the flexural waves. The filtered acoustic response signal may be used as a flexural-attenuation measurement for cement evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew Hayman, Christoph Klieber, Jean-Luc Le Calvez, Thilo Brill
  • Patent number: 11467284
    Abstract: A LiDAR sensor (41) is configured to sense information of an outside of a vehicle. An ultrasonic sensor (42) is configured to sense information of the outside of the vehicle in a different manner from the LiDAR sensor (41). A first bracket (43) supports the LiDAR sensor (41) and the ultrasonic sensor (42). A first sensor actuator (44) is configured to adjust a sensing reference position of the LiDAR sensor (41) relative to the first bracket (43). A second sensor actuator (45) is configured to adjust a sensing reference position of the ultrasonic sensor (42) relative to first bracket (43). A first bracket actuator (46) is configured to adjust at least one of a position and a posture of the first bracket (43) relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Teruaki Yamamoto, Yusuke Kasaba, Takashi Hori, Yoshiaki Fushimi
  • Patent number: 11467259
    Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source, a substrate, a reflection member, a drive unit, and a controller. A scanning mirror and an attitude detector are integrated with substrate. An attitude detector outputs a first signal according to an attitude angle of substrate. A reflection member reflects a light beam reflected by scanning mirror. A drive unit can adjust an inclination of reflection member with respect to a main surface of substrate. A controller controls drive unit based on first signal. For this reason, an outgoing angle of light beam from optical scanning apparatus with respect to a horizontal surface can stably be maintained regardless of the inclination of optical scanning apparatus with respect to horizontal surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiko Ito, Nobuaki Konno, Yoshiaki Hirata
  • Patent number: 11454707
    Abstract: An asymmetric whispering gallery mode resonator device is described. The resonator device includes an asymmetric whispering gallery mode resonator disk (e.g., transparent material, electrooptic material). The resonator disk includes an axial surface along a perimeter of the resonator disk, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A first midplane passes through the axial surface dividing the axial surface into symmetrical halves. The top surface and the bottom surface are substantially parallel, and a second midplane is substantially equidistant between the top surface and the bottom surface. The first midplane and the second midplane are non-coextensive. The asymmetric whispering gallery mode resonator disk can further include a first chamfered edge between the top surface and the axial surface, and a second chamfered edge between the bottom surface and the axial surface. Moreover, the resonator device includes a first electrode on the top surface and a second electrode on the bottom surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: GM CRUISE HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Ivan Grudinin, Vladimir Ilchenko, Lutfollah Maleki, Sergio Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11454708
    Abstract: A LIDAR device is described including a beam source for emitting electromagnetic radiation in an emission path, in which at least one holographic optical element is situated for diffracting the emitted electromagnetic radiation, and a detector for detecting incident electromagnetic radiation in a reception path, an optical bandpass filter being connected upstream from the detector. Depending on a wavelength of the emitted electromagnetic radiation, the holographic optical element effectuates a diffraction by at least one angle of reflection which is matched to the shift of the wavelength of the incident electromagnetic radiation with the aid of the bandpass filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Annette Frederiksen, Stefan Spiessberger, Stefanie Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11454724
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) device includes a pixel, a mirror, and a birefringent material. The pixel is configured to emit light having a first polarization orientation. The mirror is configured to reflect the light to a surface. The birefringent material is disposed between the pixel and the mirror. The birefringent material introduces an offset in a position of the emitted light having the first polarization orientation propagating through the birefringent material. The birefringent material shifts a reflected beam in space horizontally back on the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: OURS Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Steil Michaels, Sen Lin
  • Patent number: 11448756
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for configuring architectures for a sensor, and more particularly for light detection and ranging (hereinafter, “LIDAR”) systems based on ASIC sensor architectures supporting autonomous navigation systems. Effective ASIC sensor architecture can enable an improved correlation between sensor data as well as configurability and responsiveness of the system to its surrounding environment and avoid any unnecessary delay within the decision-making process that may result in a failure of the autonomous driving system. It may be essential to integrated multiple functions within an electronic module and implement the functionality with one or more ASICs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: VELODYNE LIDAR USA, INC.
    Inventors: David Hall, Anand Gopalan, Matthew Rekow, Pravin Kumar Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 11448765
    Abstract: An adaptive filtering method of photon counting Lidar for bathymetry is provided in this invention, which includes steps: step S1: adaptively acquiring parameters of elliptic filtering for water surface photon signals; step S2: determining a relationship between filter parameters and elevation of underwater photon signals, and obtaining parameters of the elliptic filtering for photon signal in water column; and step S3: filtering and fitting the water surface photon signals and the underwater photon signals to acquire continuous bathymetry results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: China University of Geosciences
    Inventors: Lizhe Wang, Yifu Chen, Yuan Le, Gang Chen, Weitao Chen
  • Patent number: 11440052
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a plurality of CMOS control elements arranged in a two-dimensional array and a plurality of MEMS devices. Each CMOS control element of the plurality of CMOS control elements includes at least one of a low voltage semiconductor device, a high voltage PMOS semiconductor device, and a high voltage NMOS semiconductor device. Each MEMS device of the plurality of MEMS devices is associated with a CMOS control element of the plurality of CMOS control elements. The plurality of CMOS control elements are arranged in the two-dimensional array such that low voltage semiconductor devices are only adjacent to other low voltage semiconductor devices, high voltage PMOS semiconductor devices are only adjacent to other high voltage PMOS semiconductor devices, and high voltage NMOS semiconductor devices are only adjacent to other high voltage NMOS semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: InvenSense, Inc.
    Inventors: James Christian Salvia, Michael H. Perrott, Marian Voros, Eldwin Ng, Julius Ming-Lin Tsai, Nikhil Apte
  • Patent number: 11442197
    Abstract: A system to improve calibration of geophone and hydrophone pairs is described. The system generates first and second phase shifted data by applying a first and second phase shift to first seismic data acquired by the geophone. The system generates a first upgoing wavefield by summing the first phase shifted data and second seismic data acquired by the hydrophone, and a second upgoing wavefield by summing the second phase shifted data and the second seismic data. The system generates a first downgoing wavefield from a difference of the first phase shifted data and the second seismic data, and a second downgoing wavefield from a difference of the second phase shifted data and the second seismic data. The system determines ratios of the upgoing wavefields and the downgoing wavefields for each phase shift to identify the highest ratio, and selects the phase shift corresponding to the highest ratio for calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Fairfield Industries Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth Lawrence Craft, Carsten Udengaard
  • Patent number: 11435164
    Abstract: A boresighting device to equip a turret provided with a barrel and one or several sight system(s) each with an optical system includes: a deflection target intended to be positioned outside the barrel, at a muzzle brake of the barrel; a housing intended to be positioned outside the barrel, at a shaft of the barrel. The housing includes: a first optics system provided with a deflection camera, the first optics system being used to determine a parallelism error between a firing line from the shaft and that from the muzzle brake; and a second optics system provided with a boresighting camera, the second optics system being used to determine a parallelism error between the firing line from the shaft and an optics line from the sight system(s). The deflection target integrates a geometric figure serving as a reference point for the first optics system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: CMI DEFENCE S.A.
    Inventors: Bernard Clermont, Pierre Balthasart, Igor Loiselle, Tristan Lilet, Philippe Laurent