Patents by Inventor Donald Baxter

Donald Baxter 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: 20240028667
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a histogram output from a detector sensor, and calculating a median point of a pulse waveform within the histogram. The pulse waveform has an even probability distribution over at least one quantization step of the histogram around the median point. A corresponding apparatus can include a detector sensor and a co-processor coupled to the detector sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: John Kevin Moore, Sam Lee, Pascal Mellot, Donald Baxter, Stuart McLeod, Kenneth Dargan
  • Publication number: 20240015400
    Abstract: A method includes dividing a field of view into a plurality of zones and sampling the field of view to generate a photon count for each zone of the plurality of zones, identifying a focal sector of the field of view and analyzing each zone to select a final focal object from a first prospective focal object and a second prospective focal object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2023
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Inventors: Darin K. Winterton, Donald Baxter, Andrew Hodgson, Gordon Lunn, Olivier Pothier, Kalyan-Kumar Vadlamudi-Reddy
  • Patent number: 11797645
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a histogram output from a detector sensor, and calculating a median point of a pulse waveform within the histogram. The pulse waveform has an even probability distribution over at least one quantization step of the histogram around the median point. A corresponding apparatus can include a detector sensor and a co-processor coupled to the detector sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited, STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventors: John Kevin Moore, Sam Lee, Pascal Mellot, Donald Baxter, Stuart McLeod, Kenneth Dargan
  • Patent number: 11800224
    Abstract: A method includes dividing a field of view into a plurality of zones and sampling the field of view to generate a photon count for each zone of the plurality of zones, identifying a focal sector of the field of view and analyzing each zone to select a final focal object from a first prospective focal object and a second prospective focal object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics SA, STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Darin K. Winterton, Donald Baxter, Andrew Hodgson, Gordon Lunn, Olivier Pothier, Kalyan-Kumar Vadlamudi-Reddy
  • Publication number: 20230079355
    Abstract: A method includes dividing a field of view into a plurality of zones and sampling the field of view to generate a photon count for each zone of the plurality of zones, identifying a focal sector of the field of view and analyzing each zone to select a final focal object from a first prospective focal object and a second prospective focal object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Darin K. Winterton, Donald Baxter, Andrew Hodgson, Gordon Lunn, Olivier Pothier, Kalyan-Kumar Vadlamudi-Reddy
  • Patent number: 11528407
    Abstract: A method includes dividing a field of view into a plurality of zones and sampling the field of view to generate a photon count for each zone of the plurality of zones, identifying a focal sector of the field of view and analyzing each zone to select a final focal object from a first prospective focal object and a second prospective focal object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS SA, STMICROELECTRONICS, INC., STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Darin K. Winterton, Donald Baxter, Andrew Hodgson, Gordon Lunn, Olivier Pothier, Kalyan-Kumar Vadlamudi-Reddy
  • Publication number: 20220196834
    Abstract: A method can be used to detect the presence an object within a field of view of a time-of-flight sensor. A histogram generated by the time-of-flight sensor is obtained. The histogram includes a number of bins associating a number of detected photons to a given acquisition time. A portion of the bins of the histogram is transformed into points in a transformed domain that features a first area containing only points associated to bins representative of the presence of the object and a second area having only points associated to bins not representative of the presence of the object. The bins of the histogram representative of the presence of the object are identified from the points located in the first area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Olivier Pothier, Philippe Legeard, Donald Baxter, Edward Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20220191402
    Abstract: A method includes dividing a field of view into a plurality of zones and sampling the field of view to generate a photon count for each zone of the plurality of zones, identifying a focal sector of the field of view and analyzing each zone to select a final focal object from a first prospective focal object and a second prospective focal object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Darin K. Winterton, Donald Baxter, Andrew Hodgson, Gordon Lunn, Olivier Pothier, Kalyan-Kumar Vadlamudi-Reddy
  • Publication number: 20210382964
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a histogram output from a detector sensor, and calculating a median point of a pulse waveform within the histogram. The pulse waveform has an even probability distribution over at least one quantization step of the histogram around the median point. A corresponding apparatus can include a detector sensor and a co-processor coupled to the detector sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: John Kevin Moore, Sam Lee, Pascal Mellot, Donald Baxter, Stuart McLeod, Kenneth Dargan
  • Patent number: 11120104
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a histogram output from a detector sensor, and calculating a median point of a pulse waveform within the histogram. The pulse waveform has an even probability distribution over at least one quantization step of the histogram around the median point. A corresponding apparatus can include a detector sensor and a co-processor coupled to the detector sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED, STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SAS
    Inventors: John Kevin Moore, Sam Lee, Pascal Mellot, Donald Baxter, Stuart McLeod, Kenneth Dargan
  • Patent number: 10796191
    Abstract: An example device has optical emitters for emitting incident radiation within a field of view and optical detectors for receiving reflected radiation. Based on the incident radiation and the reflected radiation, a histogram indicative of a number of photon events that are detected by the optical detectors over time bins is generated. The time bins is indicative of time differences between emission of the incident radiation and reception of the reflected radiation. The device further includes; a processor programmed to iteratively process the histogram by executing an expectation-maximization algorithm to detect a presence of objects located in the field of view of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics SA, STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Francois De Salivet de Fouchecour, Stuart McLeod, Donald Baxter, Olivier Pothier, Thierry Lebihen
  • Publication number: 20200097752
    Abstract: An embodiment device includes: a plurality of optical emitters configured to emit incident radiation within a field of view of the device; a plurality of optical detectors configured to receive reflected radiation and to generate a histogram based on the incident radiation and the reflected radiation, the histogram being indicative of a number of photon events detected by the plurality of optical detectors over a plurality of time bins, the plurality of time bins being indicative of a plurality of time differences between emission of the incident radiation and reception of the reflected radiation; and a processor configured to iteratively process the histogram by executing an expectation-maximization algorithm to detect a presence of objects located in the field of view of the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Francois De Salivet de Fouchecour, Stuart McLeod, Donald Baxter, Olivier Pothier, Thierry Lebihen
  • Patent number: 10222456
    Abstract: A range detector device may include a pulsed light source configured to emit pulsed light to an object, a detector configured to receive reflected pulsed light from the object, and a processor cooperating with the pulsed light source and the detector. The processor may be configured to generate a measured range value to the object, and generate an estimated statistical value for a spread of possible range values based upon a characteristic of the pulsed light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Stuart McLeod, Donald Baxter, Sam Lee
  • Publication number: 20180253404
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a histogram output from a detector sensor, and calculating a median point of a pulse waveform within the histogram. The pulse waveform has an even probability distribution over at least one quantization step of the histogram around the median point. A corresponding apparatus can include a detector sensor and a co-processor coupled to the detector sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: John Kevin Moore, Sam Lee, Pascal Mellot, Donald Baxter, Stuart McLeod, Kenneth Dargan
  • Patent number: 9995928
    Abstract: A circuit may include a first circuit configured to generate a voltage signal for generating an optical pulse, the voltage signal being generated based on a phase control signal, and an array of single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) cells configured to detect a phase of the optical pulse. The circuit may include a phase control circuit configured to generate the phase control signal based upon a target phase value and the detected phase of the optical pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SAS, STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Pascal Mellot, Donald Baxter
  • Publication number: 20170315217
    Abstract: A range detector device may include a pulsed light source configured to emit pulsed light to an object, a detector configured to receive reflected pulsed light from the object, and a processor cooperating with the pulsed light source and the detector. The processor may be configured to generate a measured range value to the object, and generate an estimated statistical value for a spread of possible range values based upon a characteristic of the pulsed light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart MCLEOD, Donald BAXTER, Sam LEE
  • Publication number: 20160291316
    Abstract: A circuit may include a first circuit configured to generate a voltage signal for generating an optical pulse, the voltage signal being generated based on a phase control signal, and an array of single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) cells configured to detect a phase of the optical pulse. The circuit may include a phase control circuit configured to generate the phase control signal based upon a target phase value and the detected phase of the optical pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Pascal MELLOT, Donald BAXTER
  • Patent number: 7940317
    Abstract: The image sensor includes an array of pixels, each pixel having a photo-diode, for providing a pixel voltage, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operable to convert the pixel voltage to a digital value and a memory for storing the digital value. Read circuitry is included for reading out the digital values from the pixels of the array in a predetermined order. The image sensor may be configured such that a counter incorporates the memory, and the counter may be adapted to operate as a shift register. The counters of two or more pixels may be connected to form one or more chains such that digital values can be read out in a bit-serial manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Donald Baxter
  • Patent number: 7687756
    Abstract: An image sensor power distribution arrangement includes a sensing portion having a first contact at a first edge thereof and a second contact at a second edge thereof, and a control portion. A first power supply supplies power to the sensing portion via the first contact. A second power supply supplies power to the sensing portion via the second contact, and to the control portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
    Inventors: Justin Richardson, Donald Baxter
  • Publication number: 20080251696
    Abstract: An image sensor power distribution arrangement includes a sensing portion having a first contact at a first edge thereof and a second contact at a second edge thereof, and a control portion. A first power supply supplies power to the sensing portion via the first contact. A second power supply supplies power to the sensing portion via the second contact, and to the control portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limite
    Inventors: Justin Richardson, Donald Baxter