Patents by Inventor Changho Chong

Changho Chong 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).

  • Publication number: 20230251354
    Abstract: Mechanisms and systems for compact beam steering disclosed. A beam scanning device can include a first scanner mirror that receives a beam of light generated by a light source, and steers the beam of light through a reflection mechanism. The beam scanning device can include a second scanner mirror that receives the beam of light from the reflection mechanism. The beam scanning device can include a set of gears coupled to the first scanner mirror and the second scanner mirror that, when driven, rotate the first scanner mirror and the second scanner mirror at predetermined speeds. The beam scanning device includes an actuator that rotates the set of gears, the first scanner mirror, and the second scanner mirror at the predetermined speeds, causing the beam of light to reflect across the first and second scanner mirrors in a predetermined scanning pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Santec Corporation
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Patent number: 11513228
    Abstract: System and methods for Light Detecting and Ranging (LIDAR) are disclosed. The LIDAR system includes a light source that is configured project a beam at various wavelengths toward a wavelength dispersive element. The wavelength dispersive element is configured to receive the beam and direct at least a portion of the beam into a field of view (FOV) at an angle dependent on frequency. The system also includes a detector that is positioned to receive portions of the beam reflected from an object within the FOV and a processor that is configured to control the light source and determine a velocity of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Changho Chong, Masayuki Okano
  • Patent number: 11486792
    Abstract: Systems and methods for alignment and testing of a photonic device include a light source, an interferometer, a detector, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit may generate control signal(s) for the light source to project a beam through the interferometer to a device under testing (DUT). The interferometer may receive an interference beam from an optical fiber of the DUT. The processing circuit may align optical fiber(s) for the DUT, determine one or more characteristics for the DUT, and so forth based on the interference beam and a reference beam generated by the interferometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Publication number: 20220334260
    Abstract: System and methods for Light Detecting and Ranging (LIDAR) are disclosed. The LIDAR system includes a light source configured to generate a tunable beam, an optical beam steering device positioned to receive at least a portion of the beam and configured to sweep the beam over a range of angles in a field of view (FOV) wherein each discrete frequency of the beam corresponds to a different angle in the FOV, a detector configured to generate an interference signal based on the received portions of the beam, and a processor communicably coupled to the detector. The processor is configured to cause the light source to tune the tunable beam from a first frequency to a second frequency and to calculate a range of an object corresponding to either the first frequency or the second frequency within the FOV.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Masayuki Okano, Changho Chong
  • Patent number: 11213200
    Abstract: An OCT system is arranged to capture a three-dimensional (3D) OCT scan of a target. The OCT system projects a beam scan towards the target, and the OCT system generates data corresponding to the beam scan. Additionally, an image sensor is arranged to capture an image of a trace of the beam scan on a surface of the target. Using the image of the trace, various characteristics of the target are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Publication number: 20210381820
    Abstract: Systems and methods for alignment and testing of a photonic device include a light source, an interferometer, a detector, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit may generate control signal(s) for the light source to project a beam through the interferometer to a device under testing (DUT). The interferometer may receive an interference beam from an optical fiber of the DUT. The processing circuit may align optical fiber(s) for the DUT, determine one or more characteristics for the DUT, and so forth based on the interference beam and a reference beam generated by the interferometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Publication number: 20210278538
    Abstract: System and methods for Light Detecting and Ranging (LIDAR) are disclosed. The LIDAR system includes a light source that is configured project a beam at various wavelengths toward a wavelength dispersive element. The wavelength dispersive element is configured to receive the beam and direct at least a portion of the beam into a field of view (FOV) at an angle dependent on frequency. The system also includes a detector that is positioned to receive portions of the beam reflected from an object within the FOV and a processor that is configured to control the light source and determine a velocity of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Changho CHONG, Masayuki OKANO
  • Patent number: 11067671
    Abstract: A LIDAR sensing system includes a light source that is controlled to project a collimated beam at various wavelengths. An interferometer receives the collimated beam and projects an object beam corresponding to the collimated beam at a diffraction grating. The object beam is diffracted from the diffraction grating at different angles corresponding to the wavelength of the collimated beam. As a result, the LIDAR sensing system generates a vertical scan (e.g., a two-dimensional scan) of the external environment. Various components of the LIDAR sensing system are then configured to rotate to produce multiple vertical scans, thus generating a three-dimensional scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Publication number: 20210063549
    Abstract: A LIDAR sensing system includes a light source that is controlled to project a collimated beam at various wavelengths. An interferometer receives the collimated beam and projects an object beam corresponding to the collimated beam at a diffraction grating. The object beam is diffracted from the diffraction grating at different angles corresponding to the wavelength of the collimated beam, creating a two dimensional scan along a first axis. The object beam is also controlled along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. As a result, the LIDAR sensing system generates a horizontal and vertical scan (e.g., a three-dimensional scan) of the external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho CHONG
  • Patent number: 10869623
    Abstract: Methods and devices for accurate noninvasive measurement of blood analyte concentrations are disclosed. In an example process, optical properties of a blood vessel proximate to the surface of an exposed body part, for example, the sclera or the backside of the eye lid, is measured. Analyte concentrations are determined based on the measured optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Patent number: 10838047
    Abstract: A LIDAR sensing system includes a light source that is controlled to project a collimated beam at various wavelengths. An interferometer receives the collimated beam and projects an object beam corresponding to the collimated beam at a diffraction grating. The object beam is diffracted from the diffraction grating at different angles corresponding to the wavelength of the collimated beam, creating a two dimensional scan along a first axis. The object beam is also controlled along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. As a result, the LIDAR sensing system generates a horizontal and vertical scan (e.g., a three-dimensional scan) of the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Patent number: 10677580
    Abstract: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) systems using a polarization switch and/or a polarization beam splitter are generally described. In an example, an OCT system includes a light source configured to emit a beam and an interferometer configured to receive the beam. The interferometer includes a reference path and an interferometer sample path. The OCT system further includes a polarization switch configured to selectively change a polarization state of the beam and a lens system that includes a first sample path and a second sample path. The polarization switch is further configured to direct the beam onto the first sample path upon selection of a first polarization state and to direct the beam onto the second sample path upon selection of a second polarization state that is different from the first polarization state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Patent number: 10548520
    Abstract: Methods and devices for accurate noninvasive measurement of blood analyte concentrations are disclosed. In an example process, optical properties of a blood vessel proximate to the surface of an exposed body part, for example, the sclera or the backside of the eyelid, is measured. Analyte concentrations are determined based on the measured optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Patent number: 10502546
    Abstract: An optical system includes a light source, an interferometer, and a detector. The interferometer includes a scanner and a lens system disposed downstream of the scanner. The scanner is configured to direct a portion of the optical beam along one of a plurality of different directions within a scanning range. The lens system is configured to project the portion of optical beam to an imaging area defined by a field of view of the optical system, the lens system comprising a first lens, wherein an aspect of the first lens is adjustable so as to render the field of view adjustable without adjusting the scanning range of the scanner. The detector is configured to receive a reflected portion of the optical beam that reflects from an object placed within the imaging area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Publication number: 20190317194
    Abstract: A LIDAR sensing system includes a light source that is controlled to project a collimated beam at various wavelengths. An interferometer receives the collimated beam and projects an object beam corresponding to the collimated beam at a diffraction grating. The object beam is diffracted from the diffraction grating at different angles corresponding to the wavelength of the collimated beam. As a result, the LIDAR sensing system generates a vertical scan (e.g., a two-dimensional scan) of the external environment. Various components of the LIDAR sensing system are then configured to rotate to produce multiple vertical scans, thus generating a three-dimensional scan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventor: Changho CHONG
  • Publication number: 20190317199
    Abstract: A LIDAR sensing system includes a light source that is controlled to project a collimated beam at various wavelengths. An interferometer receives the collimated beam and projects an object beam corresponding to the collimated beam at a diffraction grating. The object beam is diffracted from the diffraction grating at different angles corresponding to the wavelength of the collimated beam, creating a two dimensional scan along a first axis. The object beam is also controlled along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. As a result, the LIDAR sensing system generates a horizontal and vertical scan (e.g., a three-dimensional scan) of the external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventor: Changho CHONG
  • Patent number: 10426336
    Abstract: An optical coherence tomography (OCT) system combining multiple wavelengths is generally described. In an example, the OCT system includes a first light source configured to emit a first beam having a first wavelength. The OCT system further includes a second light source configured to emit a second beam having a second wavelength. The OCT system further includes an interferometer. The first beam and the second beam are configured to be directed into the interferometer. The interferometer includes a reference path and an interferometer sample path. The OCT system further includes a first beam splitter configured to divide, from an output of the interferometer sample path the first beam into a first sample path, and the second beam into a second sample path. The OCT system further includes a second beam splitter configured to combine the first beam and the second beam into a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Patent number: 10426337
    Abstract: A method for imaging includes scanning a B scan of a sample N times at a first slice of a sample. N is greater than or equal to 2. The B scan includes a plurality of A scans. A pixel of the first slice has an M number of A scans within the pixel. Each of the A scans have a spectrum range less than a full spectrum range of the light source. A number of pixels per B scan is an approximate B scan length divided by a lateral resolution size of the pixel. The method further includes determine a flow image of the sample using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) signal reflected back from the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho Chong
  • Publication number: 20190290123
    Abstract: An OCT system is arranged to capture a three-dimensional (3D) OCT scan of a target. The OCT system projects a beam scan towards the target, and the OCT system generates data corresponding to the beam scan. Additionally, an image sensor is arranged to capture an image of a trace of the beam scan on a surface of the target. Using the image of the trace, various characteristics of the target are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventor: Changho CHONG
  • Patent number: 10408600
    Abstract: An OCT system includes a light source configured to generate an optical beam, a Fizeau-type interferometer configured to receive the optical beam and produce an interference pattern, a detector configured to receive the interference pattern and produce an image signal, and a processing circuit including a processor and a memory, the memory being structured to store instructions that are executable by the processor to cause the processor to receive the image signal from the detector and generate an OCT image based on the image signal. The Fizeau-type interferometer includes a scanning element configured to receive the optical beam and direct the optical beam in a plurality of directions towards a sample and a reflective element configured to divide the directed optical beam into a reference beam and a sample beam that reflects off of a surface of a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SANTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Changho Chong