Patents by Inventor Erin Eppard

Erin Eppard 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: 20220196891
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to optical systems and vehicles, which may incorporate lidar sensors. An example optical system includes a light-emitter device configured to emit emission light. The optical system also includes an optical element including a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface includes a diffusing surface configured to diffuse the emission light to form diffused light. The second surface includes a focusing surface. A combination of the first surface and the second surface are configured to provide an intensity profile of light emitted within a field of view of the optical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Michael Brickner, Hui Son, Chandra Kakani, Erin Eppard
  • Publication number: 20220082660
    Abstract: Example embodiments relate to light detection and ranging (lidar) devices having a light-guide manifold. An example lidar device includes a transmit subsystem. The transmit subsystem includes a light emitter. The transmit subsystem also includes a light-guide manifold optically coupled to the light emitter. Further, the transmit subsystem includes a telecentric lens assembly optically coupled to the light-guide manifold. The lidar device also includes a receive subsystem. The receive subsystem includes the telecentric lens assembly. The receive subsystem also includes an aperture plate having an aperture defined therein. The aperture plate is positioned at a focal plane of the telecentric lens assembly. Further, the receive subsystem includes a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) positioned to receive light traveling through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Droz, Ralph H. Shepard, Augusto Tazzoli, David Hutchison, David Schleuning, Nathaniel Golshan, Nathaniel Quillin, Andrew Abo, Caner Onal, Michael Tom, Robert Lockwood, Kelvin Kwong, Daiwei Li, Drew Ulrich, Simon Ellgas, Chandra Kakani, Erin Eppard, Samuel Lenius, Justin Andrade, James Dunphy