Abstract: The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a system and method for improved target object detection in a vehicle equipped with a laser detection and ranging LIDAR system by transmitting a light pulse for a known duration and comparing a duration of the received pulse to the transmitted pulse in order to determine an orientation of a surface of a target.

Abstract: A vehicle, detection system and method for detecting a location of an object with respect to a vehicle is disclosed. The method includes transmitting, at the vehicle, a structured light pattern at a selected frequency into a volume that includes the object and receiving, at a detector of the vehicle, a reflection of the light pattern from the volume. A processor determines a deviation in the reflection of the structured light pattern due to the object in the volume and determines a location of the object in the volume from the deviation.

Abstract: An array lidar system on a platform and a method of operating an array lidar system on a platform including a plurality of illuminators in an array transmitting through a lens includes establishing an initial arrangement of the plurality of illuminators among each other and an initial arrangement of the plurality of illuminators relative to the lens to define an initial field of view of the array lidar system. The method also includes controllably changing the initial field of view to a second field of view.

Abstract: A multi-wavelength array lidar system and a method of designing an array lidar system include arranging a plurality of lasers in an array to transmit a respective plurality of beams, arranging a lens to disperse the plurality of beams at a respective plurality of angles, and arranging a band pass filter to filter a plurality of reflections received at a respective plurality of incident angles resulting from the plurality of beams transmitted by the plurality of lasers at a respective plurality of transmit angles. Selecting a transmit wavelength of each of the plurality of beams is based on the respective plurality of transmit angles to ensure that a receive wavelength of each of the plurality of reflections is within a narrower range than a range of the transmit wavelengths.

Abstract: A communication system on a platform and a method of performing optical communication using an array lidar system comprising a plurality of illuminators on a platform include transmitting beams from a first set of the plurality of illuminators, receiving reflections resulting from the beams to perform target detection, and transmitting modulated optical signals from a second set of the plurality of illuminators. Receiving the modulated optical signals is done to perform the optical communication.

Abstract: The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a system for improved target object detection in a vehicle equipped with a laser detection and ranging LIDAR system by simutaneously transmitting mutliple lasers in an array in response to a previously determined reception time, such that detection of light pulses from each laser are received in nonoverlapping time intervals.

Abstract: A method of performing ranging and detection with an array lidar system and the array lidar system include a first illuminator to transmit a first pseudorandom binary sequence of pulses, the first pseudorandom sequence of pulses resulting in first reflections, and a second illuminator to transmit a second pseudorandom sequence of pulses, the second pseudorandom sequence of pulses being transmitted at least partly concurrently with transmission of the first pseudorandom sequence of pulses, the second pseudorandom sequence of pulses resulting in second reflections. A receiver receives the first reflections and the second reflections and associates the first reflections with the first illuminator based on a result of correlating the first reflections with the first pseudorandom sequence of pulses and a result of correlating the first reflections with the second pseudorandom sequence of pulses, the receiver includes an optical detector array and a processor.

Abstract: The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a system for improved target object detection in a vehicle equipped with a laser detection and ranging LIDAR system by simultaneously transmitting multiple lasers at different wavelengths. The multiple lasers are detected and separated by wavelength in order to decrease acquisition time and/or increase point density.

Abstract: The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a system for improved target object detection in a vehicle equipped with a laser detection and ranging LIDAR system by simultaneously transmitting multiple lasers in an array and resolving angular ambiguities using a plurality of horizontal detectors and a plurality of vertical detectors.

Abstract: The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a system for improved target object detection in a vehicle equipped with a laser detection and ranging LiDAR system by using a double convex lens or a spherical lens in order of realize a greater field of view for a LiDAR detector array.

Abstract: The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a system for improved target object detection in a vehicle equipped with a laser detection and ranging LIDAR system by simultaneously transmitting multiple lasers in an array and resolving angular ambiguities using angle sensitive detection techniques.

Abstract: An optical device includes a light source, which is configured to emit a beam of light, and a sensor having a detection area. At least one scanning mirror is configured to scan the beam across a target scene. Light collection optics include a collection lens positioned to receive the light from the scene that is reflected from the at least one scanning mirror and to focus the collected light onto a focal plane, and a non-imaging optical element having a front surface positioned at the focal plane of the collection lens and a rear surface in proximity to the sensor and configured to spread the light focused by the collection lens over the detection area of the sensor.

Abstract: The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a system and method for improved target object detection in a vehicle equipped with a laser detection and ranging LIDAR system by transmitting a light pulse for a known duration and comparing a duration of the received pulse to the transmitted pulse in order to determine an orientation of a surface of a target.

Abstract: The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a system for improved target object detection in a vehicle equipped with a laser detection and ranging LIDAR system by affixing a laser transmitter to an oscillating member such that a small deviation in scan angle is realized as a resut of the displacement of the laser transmitter.

Abstract: An array lidar system on a platform and a method of operating an array lidar system comprising a plurality of illuminators on a platform include controlling a first set of the plurality of illuminators to transmit for a first duration, and controlling a second set of the plurality of illuminators to transmit for a second duration. The method also includes receiving and processing reflections resulting from the first set of the plurality of illuminators and the second set of the plurality of illuminators.

Abstract: An array lidar system and a method of assembling an array lidar system comprising a plurality of illuminators and a plurality of detectors includes designing a plurality of hexagons of a same size such that no gaps remain between adjacent ones of the plurality of hexagons, and designing an arrangement of the plurality of illuminators or the plurality of detectors according to a hexagonal construct, the designing including arranging one or more illuminators of the plurality of illuminators or one or more detectors of the plurality of detectors within respective ones of the plurality of hexagons, wherein the one or more illuminators or the one or more detectors is at a same position within each of the respective ones of the plurality of hexagons. Implementing the design is done by disposing the plurality of illuminators or the plurality of detectors according to the arrangement.

Abstract: The present application generally relates communications and hazard avoidance within a monitored driving environment. More specifically, the application teaches a system and method for improved target object detection in a vehicle equipped with a laser detection and ranging LIDAR system by employing a variable LIDAR pulse rate.

Abstract: A MEMS auto focus miniature camera module includes an image sensor and an optical train including at least one movable lens and one or more fixed lenses or fixed lens groups on either side of the movable lens. The movable lens provides an auto focus feature of the camera module. A MEMS actuator translates the movable lens through an auto focus range to adjust focus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for imaging occupants are provided. The apparatus includes a reflective surface; an imaging sensor configured to capture an image of the reflective surface; and a controller configured to process the captured image and control to perform a function based on the captured image. The method and apparatus may be implemented in a vehicle to detect occupant movement and behavior.

Abstract: A light sensor includes a primary lens, and a light device spaced from the primary lens. A control structure is disposed between the primary lens and the light device. An actuator is coupled to the control structure to move the control structure relative to the primary lens and the light device to control the passage of light between the primary lens and the light device. The light sensor may include a light emitting sensor having an array of individual light emitters, or a light detecting sensor having a light detector. The control structure may include an array of secondary bi-telecentric lenses for use with the light emitting sensor, or a plate having an aperture extending therethrough for use with the light detecting sensor.