Patents by Inventor Brent Fisher

Brent Fisher 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).

  • Patent number: 12222454
    Abstract: A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) apparatus includes a detector having a first pixel and a second pixel configured to output respective detection signals responsive to light incident thereon, and receiver optics configured to collect the light over a field of view and direct first and second portions of the light to the first and second pixels, respectively. The first pixel includes one or more time of flight (ToF) sensors, and the second pixel includes one or more image sensors. At least one of the receiver optics or arrangement of the first and second pixels in the detector is configured to correlate the first and second pixels such that depth information indicated by the respective detection signals output from the first pixel is correlated with image information indicated by the respective detection signals output from the second pixel. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Sense Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Hod Finkelstein, Dietrich Dehlinger, Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher
  • Patent number: 12204052
    Abstract: A LIDAR apparatus includes an emitter array having a plurality of emitter pixels configured to emit optical signals, a detector array having a plurality of detector pixels configured to output detection signals responsive to light incident thereon, and a circuit that is coupled to the detector array. The circuit is configured to perform operations including receiving the detection signals output from the detector array, where each of the detection signals includes component measurements defining a respective phase vector, generating a combined vector based on the component measurements of a plurality of the detection signals, and identifying a distance range of a target from which the optical signals were reflected based on an angle of the combined vector. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: Sense Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dietrich Dehlinger, Hod Finkelstein, Neil Woodhouse, Brent Fisher
  • Publication number: 20240410983
    Abstract: A LIDAR system includes an emitter array configured to illuminate a field of view, a detector array configured to image the field of view, and a control circuit. The emitter array includes one or more emitter elements that are configured to emit respective optical signals responsive to respective emitter control signals. The detector array includes one or more detector elements configured to output respective detection signals responsive to light incident thereon. The control circuit is configured to generate the respective emitter control signals based on the respective detection signals and respective spatial correlations of the one or more emitter elements and the one or more detector elements with respect to the field of view. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2024
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Inventors: Hod Finkelstein, Scott Burroughs, Russell Kanjorski, Brent Fisher
  • Patent number: 12123769
    Abstract: A laser diode includes a semiconductor structure of a lower Bragg reflector layer, an active region, and an upper Bragg reflector layer. The upper Bragg reflector layer includes a lasing aperture having an optical axis oriented perpendicular to a surface of the active region. The active region includes a first material, and the lower Bragg reflector layer includes a second material, where respective lattice structures of the first and second materials are independent of one another. Related laser arrays and methods of fabrication are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Sense Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher, James Carter
  • Patent number: 12085675
    Abstract: A LIDAR system includes an emitter array configured to illuminate a field of view, a detector array configured to image the field of view, and a control circuit. The emitter array includes one or more emitter elements that are configured to emit respective optical signals responsive to respective emitter control signals. The detector array includes one or more detector elements configured to output respective detection signals responsive to light incident thereon. The control circuit is configured to generate the respective emitter control signals based on the respective detection signals and respective spatial correlations of the one or more emitter elements and the one or more detector elements with respect to the field of view. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Sense Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Hod Finkelstein, Scott Burroughs, Russell Kanjorski, Brent Fisher
  • Publication number: 20230194679
    Abstract: A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) apparatus includes a detector having a first pixel and a second pixel configured to output respective detection signals responsive to light incident thereon, and receiver optics configured to collect the light over a field of view and direct first and second portions of the light to the first and second pixels, respectively. The first pixel includes one or more time of flight (ToF) sensors, and the second pixel includes one or more image sensors. At least one of the receiver optics or arrangement of the first and second pixels in the detector is configured to correlate the first and second pixels such that depth information indicated by the respective detection signals output from the first pixel is correlated with image information indicated by the respective detection signals output from the second pixel. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Hod Finkelstein, Dietrich Dehlinger, Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher
  • Patent number: 11598857
    Abstract: A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) apparatus includes a detector having a first pixel and a second pixel configured to output respective detection signals responsive to light incident thereon, and receiver optics configured to collect the light over a field of view and direct first and second portions of the light to the first and second pixels, respectively. The first pixel includes one or more time of flight (ToF) sensors, and the second pixel includes one or more image sensors. At least one of the receiver optics or arrangement of the first and second pixels in the detector is configured to correlate the first and second pixels such that depth information indicated by the respective detection signals output from the first pixel is correlated with image information indicated by the respective detection signals output from the second pixel. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventors: Hod Finkelstein, Dietrich Dehlinger, Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher
  • Patent number: 11536804
    Abstract: A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) apparatus includes one or more optical elements configured to direct incident light in one or more directions, and a detector array including a plurality of detector pixels configured to output detection signals responsive to light provided thereto by the one or more optical elements. The light includes scattered light that is redirected relative to the one or more directions. A circuit is configured to receive the detection signals and generate corrected image data based on the detection signals and an expected spread function for the light. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Inventors: Brent Fisher, Dietrich Dehlinger
  • Patent number: 11467286
    Abstract: A Light Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) apparatus includes a pulsed light source to emit optical signals, a detector array comprising single-photon detectors to output respective detection signals indicating times of arrival of a plurality of photons incident thereon, and processing circuitry to receive the respective detection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventors: Hod Finkelstein, Brent Fisher, Scott Burroughs, Russell Kanjorski
  • Publication number: 20220229159
    Abstract: A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) apparatus includes an optical aperture, an emitter array including emitter elements arranged and configured to output optical signals through respective sub-regions of the optical aperture to illuminate respective portions of a field of view, and an optical element in at least a portion of the optical path of the optical signals. The optical element is configured to divert a first subset of the optical signals away from the respective portions of the field of view without substantially altering a second subset of the optical signals. Related optical elements and methods of fabrication are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Inventors: Brent FISHER, Russell KANJORSKI
  • Publication number: 20220120866
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a detector structure. The detector structure includes an integrated circuit on a substrate, and a photo detector on an upper surface of the integrated circuit that is opposite the substrate, where the substrate is non-native to the photo detector. A System-on-Chip apparatus includes at least one laser emitter on a non-native substrate, at least one photo detector on the non-native substrate, and an input/output circuit. The at least one photo detector of the second plurality of photo detectors is disposed on an integrated circuit between the at least one photo detector and the non-native substrate to form a detector structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher, James Carter
  • Publication number: 20210396851
    Abstract: A laser diode includes a semiconductor structure of a lower Bragg reflector layer, an active region, and an upper Bragg reflector layer. The upper Bragg reflector layer includes a lasing aperture having an optical axis oriented perpendicular to a surface of the active region. The active region includes a first material, and the lower Bragg reflector layer includes a second material, where respective lattice structures of the first and second materials are independent of one another. Related laser arrays and methods of fabrication are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Inventors: Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher, James Carter
  • Patent number: 11187789
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a detector structure. The detector structure includes an integrated circuit on a substrate, and a photo detector on an upper surface of the integrated circuit that is opposite the substrate, where the substrate is non-native to the photo detector. A System-on-Chip apparatus includes at least one laser emitter on a non-native substrate, at least one photo detector on the non-native substrate, and an input/output circuit. The at least one photo detector of the second plurality of photo detectors is disposed on an integrated circuit between the at least one photo detector and the non-native substrate to form a detector structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Sense Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher, James Carter
  • Publication number: 20210356564
    Abstract: A laser array includes a plurality of laser diodes arranged and electrically connected to one another on a surface of a non-native substrate. Respective laser diodes of the plurality of laser diodes have different orientations relative to one another on the surface of the non-native substrate. The respective laser diodes are configured to provide coherent light emission in different directions, and the laser array is configured to emit an incoherent output beam comprising the coherent light emission from the respective laser diodes. The output beam may include incoherent light having a non-uniform intensity distribution over a field of view of the laser array. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventors: Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher, James Carter, Russell Kanjorski
  • Publication number: 20210293965
    Abstract: A laser array includes a plurality of laser emitters arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on a substrate that is non-native to the plurality of laser emitters, and a plurality of driver transistors on the substrate adjacent one or more of the laser diodes. A subset of the plurality of laser emitters includes a string of laser emitters that are connected such that an anode of at least one laser emitter of the subset is connected to a cathode of an adjacent laser emitter of the subset. A driver transistor of the plurality of driver transistors is configured to control a current flowing through the string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher, James Carter
  • Patent number: 11125862
    Abstract: A laser diode includes a semiconductor structure of a lower Bragg reflector layer, an active region, and an upper Bragg reflector layer. The upper Bragg reflector layer includes a lasing aperture having an optical axis oriented perpendicular to a surface of the active region. The active region includes a first material, and the lower Bragg reflector layer includes a second material, where respective lattice structures of the first and second materials are independent of one another. Related laser arrays and methods of fabrication are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Sense Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher, James Carter
  • Patent number: 11105899
    Abstract: A laser array includes a plurality of laser diodes arranged and electrically connected to one another on a surface of a non-native substrate. Respective laser diodes of the plurality of laser diodes have different orientations relative to one another on the surface of the non-native substrate. The respective laser diodes are configured to provide coherent light emission in different directions, and the laser array is configured to emit an incoherent output beam comprising the coherent light emission from the respective laser diodes. The output beam may include incoherent light having a non-uniform intensity distribution over a field of view of the laser array. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Sense Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher, James Carter, Russell Kanjorski
  • Publication number: 20210263137
    Abstract: A LIDAR apparatus includes an emitter array having a plurality of emitter pixels configured to emit optical signals, a detector array having a plurality of detector pixels configured to output detection signals responsive to light incident thereon, and a circuit that is coupled to the detector array. The circuit is configured to perform operations including receiving the detection signals output from the detector array, where each of the detection signals includes component measurements defining a respective phase vector, generating a combined vector based on the component measurements of a plurality of the detection signals, and identifying a distance range of a target from which the optical signals were reflected based on an angle of the combined vector. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Dietrich Dehlinger, Hod Finkelstein, Neil Woodhouse, Brent Fisher
  • Patent number: 11061117
    Abstract: A laser array includes a plurality of laser emitters arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns on a substrate that is non-native to the plurality of laser emitters, and a plurality of driver transistors on the substrate adjacent one or more of the laser diodes. A subset of the plurality of laser emitters includes a string of laser emitters that are connected such that an anode of at least one laser emitter of the subset is connected to a cathode of an adjacent laser emitter of the subset. A driver transistor of the plurality of driver transistors is configured to control a current flowing through the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Sense Photonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher, James Carter
  • Publication number: 20210208254
    Abstract: A laser diode includes a semiconductor structure having an n-type layer, an active region, and a p-type layer. One of the n-type and p-type layers includes a lasing aperture thereon having an optical axis oriented perpendicular to a surface of the active region between the n-type and p-type layers. First and second contacts are electrically connected to the n-type and p-type layers, respectively. The first and/or second contacts are smaller than the lasing aperture in at least one dimension. Related arrays and methods of fabrication are also discussed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Scott Burroughs, Brent Fisher, James Carter