Patents by Inventor Emil Kadlec
Emil Kadlec 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).
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Publication number: 20240094401Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple functions of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes receiving a second optical beam generated by the laser source or a second laser source, wherein the second optical beam is associated with a second local oscillator (LO); splitting the second optical beam into a third split optical beam and a fourth split optical beam; transmitting, to the optical device, the third split optical beam and the fourth split optical beam; receiving, from the optical device, a third reflected beam that is associated with the third split optical beam and a fourth reflected beam that is associated with the fourth split optical beam; and pairing the third reflected beam with the second LO signal and the fourth reflected beam with the second LO signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11921219Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple functions of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes receiving a second optical beam generated by the laser source or a second laser source, wherein the second optical beam is associated with a second local oscillator (LO); splitting the second optical beam into a third split optical beam and a fourth split optical beam; transmitting, to the optical device, the third split optical beam and the fourth split optical beam; receiving, from the optical device, a third reflected beam that is associated with the third split optical beam and a fourth reflected beam that is associated with the fourth split optical beam; and pairing the third reflected beam with the second LO signal and the fourth reflected beam with the second LO signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11892543Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple functions of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes receiving a second optical beam generated by the laser source or a second laser source, wherein the second optical beam is associated with a second local oscillator (LO); splitting the second optical beam into a third split optical beam and a fourth split optical beam; transmitting, to the optical device, the third split optical beam and the fourth split optical beam; receiving, from the optical device, a third reflected beam that is associated with the third split optical beam and a fourth reflected beam that is associated with the fourth split optical beam; and pairing the third reflected beam with the second LO signal and the fourth reflected beam with the second LO signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: AURORA INNOVATION, INC.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11858533Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to cause a transmitter to transmit a transmit signal from a laser source. The one or more processors are configured to cause a receiver to receive a return signal reflected by an object. The one or more processors are configured to cause one or more optics to generate a first polarized signal of the return signal with a first polarization, and generate a second polarized signal of the return signal with a second polarization. The one or more processors are configured to calculate a value of reflectivity based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value of the first polarized signal and an SNR value of the second polarized signal. The one or more processors are configured to operate a vehicle based on the value of reflectivity.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Stephen Crouch, Zeb Barber, Emil Kadlec, Ryan Galloway, Sean Spillane
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Patent number: 11841441Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a laser source, a first scanner, and a second scanner. The first scanner receives a first beam from the laser source and applies a first angle modulation to the first beam to output a second beam at a first angle. The second scanner receives the second beam and applies a second angle modulation to the second beam to output a third beam at a second angle.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2022Date of Patent: December 12, 2023Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Zeb William Barber, Stephen C. Crouch, Ryan Moore Galloway, Edward Joseph Angus, Emil Kadlec
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Publication number: 20230384447Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control system may include one or more processors configured to receive an electrical signal generated based on a returned optical signal that is reflected from an object. The one or more processors may determine a Doppler frequency shift of the returned optical signal over a first duration of the electrical signal. The one or more processors may generate a corrected electrical signal based on the Doppler frequency shift. The one or more processors may determine a range to the object based on the corrected electrical signal over a second duration that is shorter than the first duration. The one or more processors may control at least one of a steering system or a braking system based on the range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2023Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLCInventors: Stephen C. Crouch, Zeb William Barber, Emil Kadlec, Krishna Rupavatharam
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Patent number: 11709267Abstract: A system and method for enhanced velocity resolution and signal to noise ratio in optical phase-encoded range detection includes receiving an electrical signal generated by mixing a first optical signal and a second optical signal, wherein the first optical signal is generated by modulating an optical signal, wherein and the second optical signal is received in response to transmitting the first optical signal toward an object, and determining a Doppler frequency shift of the second optical signal, and generating a corrected electrical signal by adjusting the electrical signal based on the Doppler frequency shift, and determining a range to the object based on a cross correlation of the corrected electrical signal with a radio frequency (RF) signal that is associated with the first optical signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2020Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLCInventors: Stephen C. Crouch, Zeb William Barber, Emil Kadlec, Krishna Rupavatharam
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Publication number: 20230176224Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple functions of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes receiving a second optical beam generated by the laser source or a second laser source, wherein the second optical beam is associated with a second local oscillator (LO); splitting the second optical beam into a third split optical beam and a fourth split optical beam; transmitting, to the optical device, the third split optical beam and the fourth split optical beam; receiving, from the optical device, a third reflected beam that is associated with the third split optical beam and a fourth reflected beam that is associated with the fourth split optical beam; and pairing the third reflected beam with the second LO signal and the fourth reflected beam with the second LO signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2023Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11656343Abstract: A LIDAR system including one or more processors configured to receive a plurality of electrical signals that are respectively associated with (i) a plurality of optical signals provided by a laser and (ii) a plurality of returned optical signals that are responsive to the plurality of optical signals provided by the laser; determine an internal reflection signal; determine a range to an object by adjusting a third electrical signal of the plurality of electrical signals using the internal reflection signal; and operate a vehicle based on the determined range to the object.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2020Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLCInventors: Stephen C. Crouch, Emil Kadlec, Krishna Rupavatharam
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Publication number: 20220390561Abstract: In some implementations, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a laser source configured to provide an optical signal at a first signal power, an amplifier having a plurality of gain levels, at which the amplifier is configured to amplify the optical signal, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to, based on the first signal power and a duty cycle of the optical signal, vary a gain level of the amplifier from the plurality of gain levels to generate a pulse signal, transmit the pulse signal from the amplifier to an environment, receive a reflected signal that is reflected from an object, responsive to transmitting the pulse signal, and determine a range to the object based on an electrical signal associated with the reflected signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Applicant: Aurora Operations, Inc.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Reibel, Devlin Baker, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11428789Abstract: In some implementations, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a laser source configured to provide an optical signal at a first signal power, an amplifier having a plurality of gain levels, at which the amplifier is configured to amplify the optical signal, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to, based on the first signal power and a duty cycle of the optical signal, vary a gain level of the amplifier from the plurality of gain levels to generate a pulse signal, transmit the pulse signal from the amplifier to an environment, receive a reflected signal that is reflected from an object, responsive to transmitting the pulse signal, and determine a range to the object based on an electrical signal associated with the reflected signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Aurora Operations, Inc.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Reibel, Devlin Baker, Emil Kadlec
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Publication number: 20220260695Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system including a laser configured to output a beam, an amplifier, and an optical network. The amplifier may be configured to receive a plurality of optical signals that are generated based on the beam and are respectively associated with a plurality of phases. The amplifier may be configured to generate a plurality of amplified optical signals based on the plurality of optical signals. The optical network may be coupled to the amplifier. The optical network may be configured to receive the plurality of amplified optical signals. The optical network may be configured to generate an optical signal based on the plurality of amplified optical signals. An amplitude of the optical signal may correspond to a combined amplitude of the plurality of amplified optical signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2021Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy R. Reibel, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11415699Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes one or more components that include at least one of an electrical circuit, an electro-optical component, or an optical component. The one or more components are configured to receive an optical beam generated by a laser source, split the optical beam into a plurality of optical beams, transmit the plurality of optical beams through a first subset of optical paths. The one or more components are configured to in response to transmitting the plurality of optical beams, receive a reflected beam through a second subset of the optical paths, generate a first output signal based on a first local oscillator (LO) signal and the reflected beam, and generate a second output signal based on a second local oscillator (LO) signal and the reflected beam.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Publication number: 20220244363Abstract: A method for controlling a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor system includes determining a code that has a first set of symbols having a first number of symbols. An optical signal generated based on the code is transmitted to an environment. The first set of symbols are transmitted as part of the optical signal in a first duration. In response to transmitting the optical signal, a returned optical signal that is reflected from an object in the environment is received. A second number of symbols to be sampled is determined, the second number of symbols being different than the first number of symbols. A second set of symbols having the second number of symbols is sampled in a second duration based on the returned optical signal. A range to the object is determined based on the second set of symbols.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Applicant: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLCInventors: Zeb William Barber, Stephen C. Crouch, Emil A. Kadlec
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Publication number: 20220171072Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for a vehicle, includes a laser source configured to generate light signals, a transceiver, and a fiber array coupled to the transceiver and including a plurality of output channels. The transceiver is configured to receive one or more light signals from the laser source through a first group of output channels of the fiber array, receive one or more local oscillator (LO) signals through a second group of output channels of the fiber array, transmit the one or more light signals into an environment of the vehicle, receive a first returned light reflected from one or more objects in the environment, and output the first returned light and a first LO signal of the one or more LO signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2022Publication date: June 2, 2022Applicant: Aurora Innovation, Inc.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Publication number: 20220146643Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a laser source, a first scanner, and a second scanner. The first scanner receives a first beam from the laser source and applies a first angle modulation to the first beam to output a second beam at a first angle. The second scanner receives the second beam and applies a second angle modulation to the second beam to output a third beam at a second angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2022Publication date: May 12, 2022Applicant: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Zeb William Barber, Stephen C. Crouch, Ryan Moore Galloway, Edward Joseph Angus, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11327161Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes one or more processors, and one or more computer-readable storage mediums storing instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine a code that has a first number of symbols, transmit, to an environment, an optical signal generated based on the code such that the first number of symbols are transmitted in a first duration, in response to transmitting the optical signal, receive a returned optical signal that is reflected from an object in the environment, sample, from the returned optical signal, a second number of symbols in a second duration, the second number being different from the first number, and determine, based on the second number of symbols, a range to the object.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLCInventors: Zeb William Barber, Stephen C. Crouch, Emil A. Kadlec
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Patent number: 11280909Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a transceiver, a laser source coupled to the transceiver, a time-division multiplexing (TDM) circuit, and one or more processors. The TDM circuit is configured to generate a plurality of first signals. The one or more processors are configured to control the laser source to provide an optical beam to a first input optical channel of a plurality of input optical channels of the transceiver during a first time slot, based on the optical beam provided to the first input optical channel, control the transceiver to send a first reflected beam and a second reflected beam to the TDM circuit through a first output optical channel of a plurality of output optical channels of the transceiver, and based on a control signal provided to the TDM circuit, control the TDM circuit to select the plurality of first signals during the first time slot.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11262455Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a laser source, a first scanner, and a second scanner. The first scanner receives a first beam from the laser source and applies a first angle modulation to the first beam to output a second beam at a first angle. The second scanner receives the second beam and applies a second angle modulation to the second beam to output a third beam at a second angle.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2021Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Zeb William Barber, Stephen C. Crouch, Ryan Moore Galloway, Edward Joseph Angus, Emil Kadlec
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Publication number: 20220024487Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to cause a transmitter to transmit a transmit signal from a laser source. The one or more processors are configured to cause a receiver to receive a return signal reflected by an object. The one or more processors are configured to cause one or more optics to generate a first polarized signal of the return signal with a first polarization, and generate a second polarized signal of the return signal with a second polarization. The one or more processors are configured to calculate a value of reflectivity based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value of the first polarized signal and an SNR value of the second polarized signal. The one or more processors are configured to operate a vehicle based on the value of reflectivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2021Publication date: January 27, 2022Applicant: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Stephen CROUCH, Zeb Barber, Emil KADLEC, Ryan Galloway, Sean Spillane