Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for measuring a reference beam and a corresponding returned beam from a target in a measurement system using a single sensor array. The system is configured such that the location of the reference beam is space apart from the location of the returned beam on the sensor array. A first set of sensor elements on the sensor array corresponding to the reference beam is dynamically activated based on a laser beam scanning control signal. The detection signal from the first set of sensor elements is used to determine a location and/or a pattern of the reference beam, which are then used to estimate a location and/or a pattern of the corresponding returned beam on the same sensor array and dynamically select and activate a second set of sensor elements on the sensor array based on the estimated location and/or pattern of the corresponding returned beam.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for affecting the resolution of an optical scanning system. More specifically, a receiver of the optical scanning system includes a set of photodetectors and an optical beam directing subsystem. The optical beam directing subsystem is configured to, in each scan step of a plurality of scan steps, receive light reflected from a target region illuminated by a scanning beam and including a plurality of areas, and direct light reflected from each area of the plurality of areas to a corresponding photodetector in the set of photodetectors. Each photodetector of the set of photodetectors receives light reflected from a corresponding area of the plurality of areas to generate a detection signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for light beam scanning in a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system. The LIDAR system includes a beam shaping subsystem configured to generate an illumination pattern elongated in a first direction, and a scanning subsystem configured to direct the elongated illumination pattern towards a plurality of positions along a second direction different from the first direction. The LIDAR system further includes a sensor configured to generate a detection signal in response to detecting light reflected by a target object illuminated by the elongated illumination pattern, and a processor configured to determine a characteristic of the target object based on the detection signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for dynamically forming an optical component that automatically aligns with and changes positions with a scanning light beam to modify the wave front of the scanning light beam, such as collimating the scanning light beam. More specifically, a patterning beam that aligns with the scanning light beam may be scanned together with the scanning light beam to form the self-aligning and travelling optical component in an electro-optic material layer that is connected in serial with a photoconductive material layer to a voltage source, where the patterning beam optically modulates the impedance of the photoconductive material layer and therefore an electric field within the electro-optic material layer, the modulated electric field causing localized changes of refractive index in the electro-optic material layer to form the self-aligning and travelling optical component.

Abstract: Example methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for on-screen optical fingerprint capture for user authentication are presented. These allow for the authentication of a fingerprint where the fingerprint image is propagated in a glass layer before being captured by a camera. In some examples, such propagation can result in multiple fingerprint images resulting from total internal reflection within the glass layer. Feature information can then be determined from the captured image of the fingerprint, which can include multiple fingerprint images. The amount of feature information can then be reduced. A histogram associated with the captured image based on the reduced number of features can be generated, and a user can be authenticated based on the histogram.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for cover-glass optical isolation for optical touch and fingerprint sensing are presented. One disclosed display assembly includes a cover glass layer; a low refractive index (LRI) layer coupled to a surface of the cover glass layer; a display layer coupled to the LRI layer; a prism structure; and a camera comprising an image sensor optically coupled to the prism structure to capture an image of a fingerprint based on light reflected from a fingertip and propagated within the cover glass layer and directed towards the camera using the prism structure, wherein the cover glass layer defines an overhang region that extends beyond the LRI layer and the display layer, and wherein the prism structure is coupled to the surface of the cover glass layer on the overhang region.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for affecting the resolution of an optical scanning system. More specifically, a receiver of the optical scanning system includes a set of photodetectors and an optical beam directing subsystem. The optical beam directing subsystem is configured to, in each scan step of a plurality of scan steps, receive light reflected from a target region illuminated by a scanning beam and including a plurality of areas, and direct light reflected from each area of the plurality of areas to a corresponding photodetector in the set of photodetectors. Each photodetector of the set of photodetectors receives light reflected from a corresponding area of the plurality of areas to generate a detection signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for dynamically forming an optical component that automatically aligns with and changes positions with a scanning light beam to modify the wave front of the scanning light beam, such as collimating the scanning light beam. More specifically, a patterning beam that aligns with the scanning light beam may be scanned together with the scanning light beam to form the self-aligning and travelling optical component in an electro-optic material layer that is connected in serial with a photoconductive material layer to a voltage source, where the patterning beam optically modulates the impedance of the photoconductive material layer and therefore an electric field within the electro-optic material layer, the modulated electric field causing localized changes of refractive index in the electro-optic material layer to form the self-aligning and travelling optical component.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for multi-tier light-based ranging are presented. One example method includes determining a first operating environment; selecting a first set of laser emitters from a plurality of sets of laser emitters based on the first operating environment, the first set of laser emitters having a first angular FOV and a first effective range; detecting one or more objects within the first angular FOV based on detected reflected laser light; determining a second operating environment different from the first operating environment; selecting a second set of laser emitters from the plurality of sets of laser emitters based on the second operating environment, the second set of laser emitters having a second angular FOV narrower than the first angular FOV and a second effective range greater than the first effective range; and detecting one or more objects within the second angular FOV based on detected reflected laser light.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for light beam scanning in a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system. The LIDAR system includes a beam shaping subsystem configured to generate an illumination pattern elongated in a first direction, and a scanning subsystem configured to direct the elongated illumination pattern towards a plurality of positions along a second direction different from the first direction. The LIDAR system further includes a sensor configured to generate a detection signal in response to detecting light reflected by a target object illuminated by the elongated illumination pattern, and a processor configured to determine a characteristic of the target object based on the detection signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for measuring a reference beam and a corresponding returned beam from a target in a measurement system using a single sensor array. The system is configured such that the location of the reference beam is space apart from the location of the returned beam on the sensor array. A first set of sensor elements on the sensor array corresponding to the reference beam is dynamically activated based on a laser beam scanning control signal. The detection signal from the first set of sensor elements is used to determine a location and/or a pattern of the reference beam, which are then used to estimate a location and/or a pattern of the corresponding returned beam on the same sensor array and dynamically select and activate a second set of sensor elements on the sensor array based on the estimated location and/or pattern of the corresponding returned beam.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for outputting light are presented. A method includes outputting, via a propagation wave source and toward a field of view (FOV), at least one propagated wave at a first power, receiving, via a sensor, a reflection of the at least one propagated wave at the first power reflected off one or more objects within the FOV, classifying, via a processor, one or more areas within the FOV into safe areas and unsafe areas based at least in part on the received reflection of the propagated wave at the first power, wherein the safe areas are deemed to be safe to receive at least one propagated wave at a second power, and outputting, via the propagation wave source and toward the safe area, the at least one propagated wave at the second power. The first power may be a lower power than the second power.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for biometric imaging are presented. The biometric imaging can include emitting light, using a light emitter, wherein the emitted light passes through a display comprising quantum dots. The quantum dots can be configured to emit non-visible light. The biometric imaging can further include sensing, using a sensor, the non-visible light emitted from the quantum dots and reflected from an object to be imaged.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for cover-glass optical isolation for optical touch and fingerprint sensing are presented. One disclosed display assembly includes a cover glass layer; a low refractive index (LRI) layer coupled to a surface of the cover glass layer; a display layer coupled to the LRI layer; a prism structure; and a camera comprising an image sensor optically coupled to the prism structure to capture an image of a fingerprint based on light reflected from a fingertip and propagated within the cover glass layer and directed towards the camera using the prism structure, wherein the cover glass layer defines an overhang region that extends beyond the LRI layer and the display layer, and wherein the prism structure is coupled to the surface of the cover glass layer on the overhang region.

Abstract: Example methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for on-screen optical fingerprint capture for user authentication are presented. These allow for the authentication of a fingerprint where the fingerprint image is propagated in a glass layer before being captured by a camera. In some examples, such propagation can result in multiple fingerprint images resulting from total internal reflection within the glass layer. Feature information can then be determined from the captured image of the fingerprint, which can include multiple fingerprint images. The amount of feature information can then be reduced. A histogram associated with the captured image based on the reduced number of features can be generated, and a user can be authenticated based on the histogram.