Patents by Inventor Laurence Watkins
Laurence Watkins 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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Patent number: 11967798Abstract: A VCSEL device includes a substrate and a laser cavity that includes a gain section disposed between first and second reflectors. The VCSEL device is operable to emit light through a first end of the VCSEL device. The VCSEL device includes an anode surface mount contact and a cathode surface mount contact, each which is disposed at a second end of the VCSEL device opposite the first end of the VCSEL device.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: ams Sensors Asia Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Laurence Watkins, Jean-Francois Pierre Seurin, Chuni Ghosh
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Patent number: 11527868Abstract: A multilayer interconnect is described which enables electrically connecting a complex distribution of VCSEL or other light emitter elements in a large high density addressable array. The arrays can include many groups of VCSEL elements interspersed among each other to form a structured array. Each group can be connected to a contact pad so that each group of light emitter elements can be activated separately.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Princeton Optronics, Inc.Inventors: Chuni Ghosh, Jean-Francois Seurin, Laurence Watkins, Guoyang Xu
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Publication number: 20220037856Abstract: A device includes an illumination device for emitting an illumination beam. The illumination device includes an emitter array including multiple light emitters; and a micro-lens array (MLA) including multiple micro-lenses. The MLA is positioned to receive light emitted from the emitter array. Light from the MLA forms the illumination beam. A first region of the MLA is offset from the emitter array by a first offset amount, and a second region of the MLA is offset from the emitter array by a second offset amount different than the first offset amount.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2019Publication date: February 3, 2022Inventors: Chuni Ghosh, Jean-Francois Seurin, Laurence Watkins, Baiming Guo, Markus Rossi
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Publication number: 20210384703Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source operable to produce light having a wavelength, an optical component disposed over the light source so as to intersect a path of light produced by the light source, and at least one electrically conductive trace on a surface of the optical component. A drive controller is operable to regulate optical output power of the light source. The at least one electrically conductive trace is coupled electrically to the drive controller, which is operable to monitor an electrical characteristic of the at least one electrically conductive trace, and to reduce the optical output power of the light source if a value of the electrical characteristic is indicative of a possible eye-safety hazard.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Laurence Watkins, Maik Scheller, Baiming Guo, Qing Wang, Peng Gao
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Publication number: 20210320478Abstract: The present disclosure describes various linear VCSEL arrays, as well as VCSEL array chips incorporating such linear VCSEL arrays, and modules, host devices and other apparatus into which one or more of the linear VCSEL arrays are integrated. Implementations can include, for example, varying the aperture size of the VCSELs, tapering the shape of the transmission line, and/or changing the density of the VCSELs.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2019Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: AMS SENSORS ASIA PTE. LTD.Inventors: Robert Van Leeuwen, Laurence Watkins, Maik Scheller
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Patent number: 11128100Abstract: A VCSEL illuminator package includes one or more VCSELs in a substrate. The one or more VCSELs are operable to generate a VCSEL output radiation beam. An encapsulant covers the one or more VCSELs, and an optical structure is integrated in the encapsulant. The optical structure is disposed in a path of the VCSEL output radiation beam and is operable to change at least one of a propagation characteristic or intensity distribution of the VCSEL output radiation beam exiting the encapsulant.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Princeton Optronics, Inc.Inventors: Baiming Guo, Qing Wang, Laurence Watkins, Jean-Francois Seurin
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Publication number: 20210218231Abstract: A multilayer interconnect is described which enables electrically connecting a complex distribution of VCSEL or other light emitter elements in a large high density addressable array. The arrays can include many groups of VCSEL elements interspersed among each other to form a structured array. Each group can be connected to a contact pad so that each group of light emitter elements can be activated separately.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Chuni Ghosh, Jean-Francois Seurin, Laurence Watkins, Guoyang XU
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Publication number: 20210203131Abstract: A VCSEL device includes a substrate and a laser cavity that includes a gain section disposed between first and second reflectors. The VCSEL device is operable to emit light through a first end of the VCSEL device. The VCSEL device includes an anode surface mount contact and a cathode surface mount contact, each which is disposed at a second end of the VCSEL device opposite the first end of the VCSEL device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2019Publication date: July 1, 2021Applicant: ams Sensors Asia Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Laurence WATKINS, Jean-Francois Pierre SEURIN, Chuni GHOSH
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Publication number: 20200333131Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques to improve the resolution and reduce the distortion of structured light projection in miniature wide-angle VCSEL array projection modules used for 3D imaging and gesture recognition. The projector module includes a chief ray corrector optical element, which directs the VCSEL beams along the projector lens chief ray paths. The VCSEL structured illumination projector using the chief ray optical element corrector can create a high resolution, low distortion structured light pattern over an extended distance range greater that the projector lens image focal range. The corrector element is placed close to the VCSEL array. The corrector element can be implemented in various ways including, for example, a refractive lens, diffractive lens or microlens array, depending on the specific application requirements and optical configurations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2018Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Princeton Optronics, Inc.Inventors: Baiming GUO, Jean-Francois SEURIN, Chuni GHOSH, Laurence WATKINS
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Patent number: 10707650Abstract: A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) includes a reflecting surface of the VCSEL. A gain region is positioned on the distributed Bragg reflector that generates optical gain. The gain region comprises a first and second multiple quantum well stack, a tunnel junction positioned between the first and second multiple quantum well stack, and a current aperture positioned on one of the first and second multiple quantum well stack. The current aperture confines a current flow in the gain region. A partially reflective surface and the reflective surface forming a VCSEL resonant cavity, wherein an output optical beam propagates from the partially reflecting surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Princeton Optronics, Inc.Inventors: Chuni Ghosh, Jean-Francois Seurin, Delai Zhou, Laurence Watkins
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Publication number: 20200067264Abstract: A VCSEL illuminator package includes one or more VCSELs in a substrate. The one or more VCSELs are operable to generate a VCSEL output radiation beam. An encapsulant covers the one or more VCSELs, and an optical structure is integrated in the encapsulant. The optical structure is disposed in a path of the VCSEL output radiation beam and is operable to change at least one of a propagation characteristic or intensity distribution of the VCSEL output radiation beam exiting the encapsulant.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2018Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Baiming Guo, Qing Wang, Laurence Watkins, Jean-Francois Seurin
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Patent number: 10353215Abstract: A coded pattern projector apparatus comprises a surface-emitting array of emitters comprising a plurality of emitters where each of the plurality of emitters generates one of a plurality of optical beams in response to an electrical drive signal applied to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters. A first optical element projects each the plurality of optical beams generated by the surface-emitting array of emitters. A second optical element collimates the plurality of optical beams in a first dimension and diverges the plurality of optical beams in a second dimension such that the plurality of optical beams form at least one stripe patterns. A controller has electrical outputs, each of the electrical outputs is connected to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters. The controller generates electrical drive signals that produce a coded stripe pattern.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2018Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Princeton Optronics, Inc.Inventors: Tong Chen, Chuni Ghosh, Laurence Watkins
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Patent number: 10290993Abstract: A VCSEL illuminator module includes a module forming a physical cavity having electrical contacts positioned on an inner surface of the module that feed through the module to electrical contacts positioned on an outer surface of the module. A VCSEL device is positioned on the inner surface module and includes electrical contacts that are electrically connected to the electrical contacts on the inner surface of the module. The VCSEL device generates an optical beam when current is applied to the electrical contacts. An optical element is positioned adjacent to an emitting surface of the VCSEL device and is configured to modify the optical beam generated by the VCSEL device.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Princeton Optronics, Inc.Inventors: Tong Chen, Chuni Ghosh, Qing Wang, Alexey Kovsh, Laurence Watkins
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Publication number: 20190067909Abstract: A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) includes a reflecting surface of the VCSEL. A gain region is positioned on the distributed Bragg reflector that generates optical gain. The gain region comprises a first and second multiple quantum well stack, a tunnel junction positioned between the first and second multiple quantum well stack, and a current aperture positioned on one of the first and second multiple quantum well stack. The current aperture confines a current flow in the gain region. A partially reflective surface and the reflective surface forming a VCSEL resonant cavity, wherein an output optical beam propagates from the partially reflecting surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Princeton Optronics, Inc.Inventors: Chuni Ghosh, Jean-Francois Seurin, Delai Zhou, Laurence Watkins
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Publication number: 20180203247Abstract: A coded pattern projector apparatus comprises a surface-emitting array of emitters comprising a plurality of emitters where each of the plurality of emitters generates one of a plurality of optical beams in response to an electrical drive signal applied to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters. A first optical element projects each the plurality of optical beams generated by the surface-emitting array of emitters. A second optical element collimates the plurality of optical beams in a first dimension and diverges the plurality of optical beams in a second dimension such that the plurality of optical beams form at least one stripe patterns. A controller has electrical outputs, each of the electrical outputs is connected to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters. The controller generates electrical drive signals that produce a coded stripe pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Applicant: Princeton Optronics, Inc.Inventors: Tong Chen, Chuni Ghosh, Laurence Watkins
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Patent number: 9946089Abstract: A coded pattern projector apparatus comprises a surface-emitting array of emitters comprising a plurality of emitters where each of the plurality of emitters generates one of a plurality of optical beams in response to an electrical drive signal applied to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters. A first optical element projects each the plurality of optical beams generated by the surface-emitting array of emitters. A second optical element collimates the plurality of optical beams in a first dimension and diverges the plurality of optical beams in a second dimension such that the plurality of optical beams form at least one stripe patterns. A controller has electrical outputs, each of the electrical outputs is connected to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters. The controller generates electrical drive signals that produce a coded stripe pattern.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: Princeton Optronics, Inc.Inventors: Tong Chen, Chuni Ghosh, Laurence Watkins
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Publication number: 20170353004Abstract: A VCSEL illuminator module includes a module forming a physical cavity having electrical contacts positioned on an inner surface of the module that feed through the module to electrical contacts positioned on an outer surface of the module. A VCSEL device is positioned on the inner surface module and includes electrical contacts that are electrically connected to the electrical contacts on the inner surface of the module. The VCSEL device generates an optical beam when current is applied to the electrical contacts. An optical element is positioned adjacent to an emitting surface of the VCSEL device and is configured to modify the optical beam generated by the VCSEL device.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Applicant: Princeton Optronics, Inc.Inventors: Tong Chen, Chuni Ghosh, Qing Wang, Alexey Kovsh, Laurence Watkins
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Publication number: 20170256915Abstract: A Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) includes a reflecting surface of the VCSEL. A gain region is positioned on the distributed Bragg reflector that generates optical gain. The gain region comprises a first and second multiple quantum well stack, a tunnel junction positioned between the first and second multiple quantum well stack, and a current aperture positioned on one of the first and second multiple quantum well stack. The current aperture confines a current flow in the gain region. A partially reflective surface and the reflective surface forming a VCSEL resonant cavity, wherein an output optical beam propagates from the partially reflecting surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2017Publication date: September 7, 2017Applicant: Princeton Optronics, Inc.Inventors: Chuni Ghosh, Jean-Francois Seurin, Delai Zhou, Laurence Watkins
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Publication number: 20170115497Abstract: A coded pattern projector apparatus comprises a surface-emitting array of emitters comprising a plurality of emitters where each of the plurality of emitters generates one of a plurality of optical beams in response to an electrical drive signal applied to a respective electrical input of each of the plurality of emitters. A first optical element projects each the plurality of optical beams generated by the surface-emitting array of emitters. A second optical element collimates the plurality of optical beams in a first dimension and diverges the plurality of optical beams in a second dimension such that the plurality of optical beams form at least one stripe patterns. A controller has a plurality of electrical outputs, each of the plurality of electrical outputs is connected to a respective electrical inputs of each of the plurality of emitters. The controller generating desired electrical drive signals that produce a desired coded stripe pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: Princeton Optronics, Inc.Inventors: Tong Chen, Chuni Ghosh, Laurence Watkins
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Patent number: 9038883Abstract: A process to bond VCSEL arrays to submounts and printed circuit boards is provided. The process is particularly suited to large area thin and ultra-thin VCSEL arrays susceptible to bending and warping. The process integrates a flatness measurement step and applying appropriate combination of pressure prior to bonding the VCSEL array to the submount or a printed circuit using a vacuum flux-less bonding process. The process is very promising in making very good quality bonding between the VCSEL array and a submount or a printed circuit board. The process is applied to construct optical modules with improved flatness that may be integrated with other electronic components in constructing optoelectronic systems.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Princeton Optronics Inc.Inventors: Qing Wang, Jean-Francois Seurin, Chuni Lal Ghosh, Laurence Watkins