Patents by Inventor Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig

Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig 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: 11796640
    Abstract: A time-of-flight depth camera includes a VCSEL array, an optical arrangement, an evaluator and a light detector having at least one detector pixel. The VCSEL array or the optical arrangement are arranged to provide different illumination patterns in a reference plane in a defined field-of-view of the time-of-flight depth camera. The light detector is arranged to detect the different illumination patterns and the evaluator is arranged to reconstruct a depth image of the field of view with a resolution of a predefined number of pixels P based on the detected different illumination patterns. A number of the detected different illumination patterns N is at least 5% of the predefined number of pixels P, preferably at least 10% of the predefined number of pixels P and most preferred at least 20% of the predefined number of pixels P.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: TRUMPF PHOTONIC COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Matthew John Lawrenson, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig, Holger Joachim Moench, Nicholas Walker, Jan Jasper Van Den Berg
  • Patent number: 11692925
    Abstract: A laser sensor module for detecting a particle density of small particles with a particle size between 0.05 ?m and 10 ?m includes a first laser configured to emit a first measurement beam, a second laser configured to emit a second measurement beam, and an optical arrangement configured to focus the first measurement beam to a first measurement volume and to focus the second measurement beam to a second measurement volume. The optical arrangement includes a first numerical aperture and a second numerical aperture arranged to detect a predetermined minimum particle size. The laser sensor module further includes a first detector configured to determine a first self-mixing interference signal of a first optical wave, a second detector configured to determine a second self-mixing interference signal of a second optical wave, and an evaluator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: TRUMPF PHOTONIC COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Hendrikus Maria Spruit, Alexander Marc Van Der Lee, Petrus Theodorus Jutte, Holger Joachim Moench, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig, Roy Ovink
  • Patent number: 11428819
    Abstract: The invention describes a laser sensor or laser sensor module (100) using self-mixing interference for particle density detection, a related method of particle density detection and a corresponding computer program product. The invention further relates to devices comprising such a laser sensor or laser sensor module. It is a basic idea of the present invention to detect particles by means of self-mixing interference signals and determine a corresponding particle density. In addition at least a first parameter related to at least one velocity component of a velocity vector of the particles is determined in order to correct the particle density if there is the relative movement between a detection volume and the particles. Such a relative movement may for example be related to a velocity of a fluid transporting the particles (e.g. wind speed). Furthermore, it is possible to determine at least one velocity component of the velocity of the particles based on the self-mixing interference signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: TRUMPF PHOTONIC COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Hendrikus Maria Spruit, Alexander Marc Van Der Lee, Gerben Kooijman, Okke Ouweltjes, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig, Arnoldus Johannes Martinus Jozeph Ras, Petrus Theodorus Jutte
  • Patent number: 11187643
    Abstract: A laser sensor for detecting a particle density includes: a laser configured to emit a measurement beam, an optical arrangement being arranged to focus the measurement beam to a measurement volume, the optical arrangement having a numerical aperture with respect to the measurement beam, a detector configured to determine a self-mixing interference signal of a optical wave within a laser cavity of the laser, and an evaluator. The evaluator is configured to: receive detection signals generated by the detector in reaction to the determined self-mixing interference signal, determine an average transition time of particles passing the measurement volume in a predetermined time period based on a duration of the self-mixing interference signals generated by the particles, determine a number of particles based on the self-mixing interference signals in the predetermined time period, and determine the particle density based on the average transition time and the number of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: TRUMPF PHOTONIC COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Petrus Theodorus Jutte, Johannes Hendrikus Maria Spruit, Alexander Marc Van der Lee, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig, Roy Ovink, Ralph Engelbertus Theodorus Gudde
  • Patent number: 11119021
    Abstract: The invention describes a laser sensor module (100) for detecting ultra-fine particles (10) with a particle size of 300 nm or less, more preferably 200 nm or less, most preferably 100 nm or less, the laser sensor module (100) comprising: —at least one laser (110) being adapted to emit laser light to at least one focus region in reaction to signals provided by at least one electrical driver (130), —at least one detector (120) being adapted to determine a self-mixing interference signal of an optical wave within a laser cavity of the at least one laser (110), wherein the self-mixing interference signal is caused by reflected laser light reentering the laser cavity, the reflected laser light being reflected by a particle receiving at least a part of the laser light, —the laser sensor module (100) being arranged to perform at least one self-mixing interference measurement, —the laser sensor module (100) being adapted to determine a first particle size distribution function with a first sensitivity by means of at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: TRUMPF PHOTONIC COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Hendrikus Maria Spruit, Alexander Marc Van Der Lee, Petrus Theodorus Jutte, Cornelis Reinder Ronda, Pascal De Graaf, Holger Moench, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig
  • Patent number: 11093031
    Abstract: A display apparatus configured to be coupled to a movable object includes at least a first laser sensor module and a display device configured to display a field-of-view. The first laser sensor module is configured to determine, by self mixing interference measurements, movements of the movable object with respect to a reference object mechanically coupled to the movable object. The first laser sensor module is configured to emit at least three measurement beams in three different spatial directions to the reference object when the display apparatus is coupled to the movable object and the first laser sensor module is configured to determine velocity vectors or distances collinear to the spatial directions. The display device is configured to integrate at least one virtual object in the field-of-view in accordance with the determined movements of the movable object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: TRUMPF PHOTONIC COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Joachim Moench, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig
  • Patent number: 11092531
    Abstract: The invention describes a laser sensor module. The laser sensor module comprises at least a first laser (111) being adapted to emit a first measurement beam (111?) and at least a second laser (112) being adapted to emit a second measurement beam (112?). The laser sensor module further comprises an optical device (150) being arranged to redirect the first measurement beam (111?) and the second measurement beam (112?) such that the first measurement beam (111?) and the second measurement beam enclose an angle between 45° and 135°. The laser sensor module comprises one detector (120) being adapted to determine at least a first self-mixing interference signal of a first optical wave within a first laser cavity of the first laser (111) and at least a second self-mixing interference signal of a second optical wave within a second laser cavity of the second laser (112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: TRUMPF PHOTONIC COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Henrikus Maria Spruit, Petrus Theodorus Jutte, Alexander Marc Van Der Lee, Holger Joachim Moench, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig
  • Patent number: 10866083
    Abstract: The invention describes a laser sensor module (100) for particle density detection. The laser sensor module (100) comprising at least one first laser (110), at least one first detector (120) and at least one electrical driver (130). The first laser (110) is adapted to emit first laser light in reaction to signals provided by the at least one electrical driver (130). The at least one first detector (120) is adapted to detect a first self-mixing interference signal of an optical wave within a first laser cavity of the first laser (110). The first self-mixing interference signal is caused by first reflected laser light reentering the first laser cavity, the first reflected laser light being reflected by a particle receiving at least a part of the first laser light. The laser sensor module (100) is adapted to reduce multiple counts of the particle. The invention further describes a related method and computer program product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: TRUMPF PHOTONIC COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Marc Van Der Lee, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig, Johannes Hendrikus Maria Spruit, Holger Moench, Cornelis Reinder Ronda, Koray Karakaya
  • Publication number: 20200309661
    Abstract: The invention describes a laser sensor module. The laser sensor module comprises at least a first laser (111) being adapted to emit a first measurement beam (111?) and at least a second laser (112) being adapted to emit a second measurement beam (112?). The laser sensor module further comprises an optical device (150) being arranged to redirect the first measurement beam (111?) and the second measurement beam (112?) such that the 5 first measurement beam (111?) and the second measurement beam enclose an angle between 45° and 135°. The laser sensor module comprises one detector (120) being adapted to determine at least a first self-mixing interference signal of a first optical wave within a first laser cavity of the first laser (111) and at least a second self-mixing interference signal of a second optical wave within a second laser cavity of the second laser (112).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: JOHANNES HENRIKUS MARIA SPRUIT, PETRUS THEODORUS JUTTE, ALEXANDER MARC VAN DER LEE, HOLGER JOACHIM MOENCH, JOACHIM WILHELM HELLMIG
  • Publication number: 20200292435
    Abstract: The invention describes a laser sensor module (100) for detecting ultra-fine particles (10) with a particle size of 300 nm or less, more preferably 200 nm or less, most preferably 100 nm or less, the laser sensor module (100) comprising: —at least one laser (110) being adapted to emit laser light to at least one focus region in reaction to signals provided by at least one electrical driver (130),—at least one detector (120) being adapted to determine a self-mixing interference signal of an optical wave within a laser cavity of the at least one laser (110), wherein the self-mixing interference signal is caused by reflected laser light reentering the laser cavity, the reflected laser light being reflected by a particle receiving at least a part of the laser light,—the laser sensor module (100) being arranged to perform at least one self-mixing interference measurement,—the laser sensor module (100) being adapted to determine a first particle size distribution function with a first sensitivity by means of at lea
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventors: JOHANNES HENDRIKUS MARIA SPRUIT, ALEXANDER MARC VAN DER LEE, PETRUS THEODORUS JUTTE, CORNELIS REINDER RONDA, PASCAL DE GRAAF, HOLGER MOENCH, JOACHIM WILHELM HELLMIG
  • Patent number: 10732091
    Abstract: The invention describes a laser sensor module (100) for particle size detection. The laser sensor module (100) comprises at least one first laser (110), at least one first detector (120), at least one electrical driver (130) and at least one evaluator (140). The first laser (110) is adapted to emit first laser light in reaction to signals provided by the at least one driver (130). The at least one first detector (120) is adapted to determine a first self-mixing interference signal (30) of an optical wave within a first laser cavity of the first laser (110). The first self-mixing interference signal (30) is caused by first reflected laser light reentering the first laser cavity, the first reflected laser light being reflected by a particle receiving at least a part of the first laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: TRUMPF PHOTONIC COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Marc Van Der Lee, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig, Johannes Hendrikus Maria Spruit
  • Publication number: 20200217931
    Abstract: A time-of-flight depth camera includes a VCSEL array, an optical arrangement, an evaluator and a light detector having at least one detector pixel. The VCSEL array or the optical arrangement are arranged to provide different illumination patterns in a reference plane in a defined field-of-view of the time-of-flight depth camera. The light detector is arranged to detect the different illumination patterns and the evaluator is arranged to reconstruct a depth image of the field of view with a resolution of a predefined number of pixels P based on the detected different illumination patterns. A number of the detected different illumination patterns N is at least 5% of the predefined number of pixels P, preferably at least 10% of the predefined number of pixels P and most preferred at least 20% of the predefined number of pixels P.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew John Lawrenson, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig, Holger Joachim Moench, Nicholas Walker, Jan Jasper Van Den Berg
  • Publication number: 20200160566
    Abstract: A display apparatus configured to be coupled to a movable object includes at least a first laser sensor module and a display device configured to display a field-of-view. The first laser sensor module is configured to determine, by self mixing interference measurements, movements of the movable object with respect to a reference object mechanically coupled to the movable object. The first laser sensor module is configured to emit at least three measurement beams in three different spatial directions to the reference object when the display apparatus is coupled to the movable object and the first laser sensor module is configured to determine velocity vectors or distances collinear to the spatial directions. The display device is configured to integrate at least one virtual object in the field-of-view in accordance with the determined movements of the movable object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Inventors: Holger Joachim Moench, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig
  • Patent number: 10641695
    Abstract: A method for determining operating conditions of a particle detector that includes a multimode Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) includes providing an electrical drive current to the multimode VCSEL such that a laser beam is emitted by the multimode VCSEL and varying the electrical drive current within a predefined range of electrical drive currents. The method further includes determining, as a function of the electrical drive current, an intensity signal of an optical wave within a laser cavity of the multimode VCSEL, determining, as a function of the electrical drive current, a noise measure of the intensity signal, determining a range of electrical drive currents for which the noise measure is below a predefined threshold noise measure value, and determining operating conditions of the particle detector by choosing an electrical drive current for particle detection out of the determined low noise range of electrical drive currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: TRUMPF PHOTONIC COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Ulrich Weichmann, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig, Alexander Marc Van Der Lee, Holger Joachim Moench
  • Publication number: 20190383717
    Abstract: A method for determining operating conditions of a particle detector that includes a multimode Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) includes providing an electrical drive current to the multimode VCSEL such that a laser beam is emitted by the multimode VCSEL and varying the electrical drive current within a predefined range of electrical drive currents. The method further includes determining, as a function of the electrical drive current, an intensity signal of an optical wave within a laser cavity of the multimode VCSEL, determining, as a function of the electrical drive current, a noise measure of the intensity signal, determining a range of electrical drive currents for which the noise measure is below a predefined threshold noise measure value, and determining operating conditions of the particle detector by choosing an electrical drive current for particle detection out of the determined low noise range of electrical drive currents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Ulrich WEICHMANN, Joachim Wilhelm HELLMIG, Alexander Marc VAN DER LEE, Holger Joachim MOENCH
  • Publication number: 20190346360
    Abstract: A laser sensor for detecting a particle density includes: a laser configured to emit a measurement beam, an optical arrangement being arranged to focus the measurement beam to a measurement volume, the optical arrangement having a numerical aperture with respect to the measurement beam, a detector configured to determine a self-mixing interference signal of a optical wave within a laser cavity of the laser, and an evaluator. The evaluator is configured to: receive detection signals generated by the detector in reaction to the determined self-mixing interference signal, determine an average transition time of particles passing the measurement volume in a predetermined time period based on a duration of the self-mixing interference signals generated by the particles, determine a number of particles based on the self-mixing interference signals in the predetermined time period, and determine the particle density based on the average transition time and the number of particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Petrus Theodorus Jutte, Johannes Hendrikus Maria Spruit, Alexander Marc Van der Lee, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig, Roy Ovink, Ralph Engelbertus Theodorus Gudde
  • Publication number: 20190285537
    Abstract: A laser sensor module for detecting a particle density of small particles with a particle size between 0.05 ?m and 10 ?m includes a first laser configured to emit a first measurement beam, a second laser configured to emit a second measurement beam, and an optical arrangement configured to focus the first measurement beam to a first measurement volume and to focus the second measurement beam to a second measurement volume. The optical arrangement includes a first numerical aperture and a second numerical aperture arranged to detect a predetermined minimum particle size. The laser sensor module further includes a first detector configured to determine a first self-mixing interference signal of a first optical wave, a second detector configured to determine a second self-mixing interference signal of a second optical wave, and an evaluator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Johannes Hendrikus Maria SPRUIT, Alexander Marc VAN DER LEE, Petrus Theodorus JUTTE, Holger Joachim MOENCH, Joachim Wilhelm HELLMIG, Roy OVINK
  • Publication number: 20190285753
    Abstract: The invention describes a laser sensor or laser sensor module (100) using self-mixing interference for particle density detection, a related method of particle density detection and a corresponding computer program product. The invention further relates to devices comprising such a laser sensor or laser sensor module. It is a basic idea of the present invention to detect particles by means of self-mixing interference signals and determine a corresponding particle density. In addition at least a first parameter related to at least one velocity component of a velocity vector of the particles is determined in order to correct the particle density if there is the relative movement between a detection volume and the particles. Such a relative movement may for example be related to a velocity of a fluid transporting the particles (e.g. wind speed). Furthermore, it is possible to determine at least one velocity component of the velocity of the particles based on the self-mixing interference signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: JOHANNES HENDRIKUS MARIA SPRUIT, ALEXANDER MARC VAN DER LEE, GERBEN KOOIJMAN, OKKE OUWELTJES, JOACHIM WILHELM HELLMIG, ARNOLDUS JOHANNES MARTINUS JOZEPH RAS, PETRUS THEODORUS JUTTE
  • Patent number: 10416289
    Abstract: The invention describes an illumination device (100) for illuminating a three dimensional arrangement (250) in an infrared wavelength spectrum. The illumination device (100) comprises at least a first group of laser devices (110) comprising at least one laser device (105) and at least a second group of laser devices (120) comprising at least one laser device (105). The first and the second group of laser devices (110, 120) are adapted to be operated independent with respect to each other. The first group of laser devices (110) is adapted to emit laser light with a first emission characteristic and the second group of laser devices (120) is adapted to emit laser light with a second emission characteristic different from the first emission characteristic. The invention further describes a distance detection device (150) and a camera system (300) comprising such an illumination device (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: PHILIPS PHOTONICS GMBH
    Inventors: Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig, Pieter Hoeven, Robert Van Der Kloet, Holger Moench
  • Patent number: 10379028
    Abstract: The invention describes a laser sensor module (100) which is adapted to detect or determine at least two different physical parameters by means of self-mixing interference by focusing a laser beam to different positions. Such a laser sensor module (100) may be used as an integrated sensor module, for example, in mobile devices (250). The laser sensor module (100) may be used as an input device and in addition as a sensor for detecting physical parameters in an environment of the mobile communication device (250). One physical parameter in the environment of the mobile communication device (250) may, for example, be the concentration of particles in the air (air pollution, smog . . . ). The invention further describes a related method and computer program product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: PHILIPS PHOTONICS GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Hendrikus Maria Spruit, Alexander Marc Van Der Lee, Gerben Kooijman, Okke Ouweltjes, Joachim Wilhelm Hellmig, Arnoldus Johannes Martinus Jozeph Ras, Petrus Theodorus Jutte