Patents by Inventor Mark A. McCord

Mark A. McCord 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: 12313784
    Abstract: A LiDAR system includes a fixed frame, a first platform, an electro-optic assembly including one or more laser sources and one or more detectors mounted on the first platform; a flexure assembly flexibly coupling the first platform to the fixed frame; a drive mechanism configured to translate the first platform with respect to the fixed frame in two dimensions in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the LiDAR system; and a controller configured to cause the drive mechanism to translate the first platform in a first direction with a first frequency and in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction with a second frequency that is different from the first frequency, acquire a point cloud, and output the point cloud at a frame rate that is an integer times a difference between the second frequency and the first frequency, the integer being greater than one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2025
    Assignee: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dongyi Liao, Jun Pei, Mark A. McCord
  • Publication number: 20250035886
    Abstract: An oscillating mirror for lidar has a mirror coupled with a rotor. The rotor is arranged to rotate about a pivot using one or more bearings. A mirror is coupled with the rotor and arranged to reflect light emitted from a laser. A first magnet is coupled with the rotor. A second magnet is coupled with a base. The second magnet is arranged to limit an angular rotation of the rotor by a pole of the second magnet facing a similar pole of the first magnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2024
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicant: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Cullumber, Chang Shin, Si Tan, Jun Pei, Liqun Han, Dongyi Liao, Mark A. McCord, Chao Gu
  • Patent number: 12117569
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a LiDAR sensor mounted on a vehicle includes storing a reference three-dimensional image acquired by the LiDAR sensor while the LiDAR sensor is in an expected alignment with respect to the vehicle. The reference three-dimensional image includes a first image of a fixed feature on the vehicle. The method further includes, acquiring, using the LiDAR sensor, a three-dimensional image including a second image of the fixed feature, and determining a deviation from the expected alignment of the LiDAR sensor with respect to the vehicle by comparing the second image of the fixed feature in the three-dimensional image to the first image of the fixed feature in the reference three-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dongyi Liao, Zukai Wang, Mark A. McCord, Chao Gu
  • Patent number: 12007480
    Abstract: A LiDAR system includes one or more light sources configured to emit a set of light pulses in a temporal sequence with randomized temporal spacings between adjacent light pulses, one or more detectors configured to receive a set of return light pulses, and a processor configured to: determine a time of flight for each return light pulse of the set of return light pulses; and obtain a point cloud based on the times of flight of the set of return light pulses. Each point corresponds to a respective return light pulse. The processor is further configured to, for each respective point of the set of points in the point cloud: analyze spatial and temporal relationships between the respective point and a set of neighboring points in the set of points; and evaluate a quality factor for the respective point based on the spatial and temporal relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Day Allen, Dongyi Liao, Mark A. McCord
  • Publication number: 20240183950
    Abstract: A scanning lidar has an illumination source comprising a plurality of lasers and a mirror system. The mirror system reflects light from the illumination source into an environment within a field of view. The mirror system includes a mirror arranged to rotate to reflect light from the illumination source to scan light from the plurality of lasers horizontally within the field of view of the system. The mirror system reflects light from the illumination source to position light, in discrete vertical steps, from the plurality of lasers vertically within the field of view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Pei, Si Tan, Liqun Han, Dongyi Liao, Roger D. Cullumber, Chang Seok Shin, Mark A. McCord
  • Patent number: 11994631
    Abstract: A method of calibrating a LiDAR sensor mounted on a vehicle includes positioning the vehicle at a distance from a target including a planar mirror and features surrounding the mirror. The vehicle is positioned and oriented relative to the mirror so that an optical axis of the LiDAR sensor is nominally parallel to the optical axis of the mirror, and the target is nominally centered at a field of view of the LiDAR sensor. The method further includes acquiring, using the LiDAR sensor, a three-dimensional image of the target including images of the features of the target and a mirror image of the vehicle formed by the mirror. The method further includes determining a deviation from an expected alignment of the LiDAR sensor with respect to the vehicle by analyzing the images of the features and the mirror image of the vehicle in the three-dimensional image of the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dongyi Liao, Zukai Wang, Mark A. McCord, Chao Gu
  • Patent number: 11899110
    Abstract: A LiDAR system includes one or more light sources configured to emit a set of light pulses in a temporal sequence with randomized temporal spacings between adjacent light pulses, one or more detectors configured to receive a set of return light pulses, and a processor configured to: determine a time of flight for each return light pulse of the set of return light pulses; and obtain a point cloud based on the times of flight of the set of return light pulses. Each point corresponds to a respective return light pulse. The processor is further configured to, for each respective point of the set of points in the point cloud: analyze spatial and temporal relationships between the respective point and a set of neighboring points in the set of points; and evaluate a quality factor for the respective point based on the spatial and temporal relationships.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Day Allen, Dongyi Liao, Mark A. McCord
  • Patent number: 11835656
    Abstract: A method of three-dimensional imaging includes scanning a LiDAR system in a first direction with a first frequency and in a second direction with a second frequency that is different from the first frequency, so that a laser beam emitted by each laser source of the LiDAR system follows a Lissajous pattern. The method further includes emitting, using each laser source, a plurality of laser pulses as the LiDAR system is scanned in the first direction and the second direction; detecting, using each detector of the LiDAR system, a portion of each laser pulse of the plurality of laser pulses reflected off of one or more objects; determining, using a processor, a time of flight for each respective laser pulse from emission to detection; and acquiring a point cloud of the one or more objects based on the times of flight of the plurality of laser pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Pei, Mark A. McCord, Roger David Cullumber, Yupeng Cui, Dongyi Liao
  • Publication number: 20230375674
    Abstract: In a multi-source LiDAR, light from a first illumination source is reflected by rotating mirror into a first field of view, and light from a second illumination source is reflected by the rotating mirror into a second field of view. The second field of view can be arranged to partially overlap the first field of view to provide higher resolution in a region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun PEI, Si Tan, Liang Zhou, Mark A. McCord
  • Publication number: 20230375675
    Abstract: A rotating mirror for LiDAR has a first side and a second side of unequal width. As the rotating mirror spins, light from an illumination source scans different widths of a field of view. By scanning different widths of a field of view, higher resolution can be arranged in a region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Pei, Si Tan, Liang Zhou, Mark A. McCord
  • Patent number: 11822020
    Abstract: A scanning LiDAR system includes a base frame, an optoelectronic assembly, and a lens assembly. The optoelectronic assembly includes one or more laser sources and one or more photodetectors, and is fixedly attached to the base frame. The lens assembly includes one or more lenses. The one or more lenses have a focal plane. The scanning LiDAR system further includes a first flexure assembly flexibly coupling the lens assembly to the base frame. The first flexure assembly is configured such that the one or more laser sources and the one or more photodetectors are positioned substantially at the focal plane of the one or more lenses. The first flexure assembly is further configured to be flexed so as to scan the lens assembly laterally in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the emission lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Pei, Mark A. McCord, Ying Xu
  • Publication number: 20230358893
    Abstract: A system for detecting road debris using LiDAR includes an illumination module and a detection module. The illumination module and the detection module are arranged on a vehicle. The illumination module in contained in a first housing, and the detection module is contained in a second housing. The first housing is separated from the second housing so that the detection module is offset from the illumination module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Pei, Mark A. McCord
  • Publication number: 20230341522
    Abstract: Rotational, reciprocal scanning is used in a scanning LiDAR system. A laser is mounted to a platform. A first bar and a second bar couple the platform with a pivot mount. The pivot mount is coupled with a base. The platform is arranged to rotate about the pivot mount in an arc while the laser transmits light pulses into an environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aman Chhabra, Jiawei Liu, Sergio Guevara, Mark A. McCord
  • Publication number: 20230341521
    Abstract: A double-sided flexure is used in a scanning LiDAR system. The scanning LiDAR system includes a base and a platform. The platform has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. An optical component is mounted on the platform. A first flexure extends from a first mounting location to the platform. The first flexure is fixedly coupled with the base at the first mounting location. The first mounting location is closer to the first side of the platform than the second side. Aa second flexure extends from a second mounting location to the platform. The second flexure is fixedly coupled with the base at the second mounting location, and the second mounting location is closer to the second side of the platform than the first side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aman Chhabra, Jiawei Liu, Sergio Guevara, Mark A. McCord
  • Publication number: 20230341519
    Abstract: A folded flexure is used for in a scanning LiDAR system. An optical component is mounted on a platform. The platform has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A flexure couples the platform to a base. The base is closer to the second side than the first side. The flexure extends forward of the first side to a fold in the flexure, and the flexure extends backward from the fold toward the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Aman Chhabra, Jiawei Liu, Sergio Guevara, Mark A. McCord
  • Patent number: 11592530
    Abstract: A lidar system includes a laser source, an emission lens configured to collimate and direct a laser beam emitted by the laser source, a receiving lens configured to receive and focus a return laser beam reflected off of one or more objects to a return beam spot at a focal plane of the receiving lens, and a detector including a plurality of photo sensors arranged as an array at the focal plane of the receiving lens. Each photo sensor has a respective sensing area and is configured to receive and detect a respective portion of the return laser beam. The lidar system further includes a processor configured to determine a respective time of flight for each respective portion of the return laser beam, and construct a three-dimensional image of the one or more objects based on the respective time of flight for each respective portion of the return laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. McCord, Jun Pei, Dongyi Liao
  • Patent number: 11592527
    Abstract: A headlamp module of a vehicle includes a housing including a window, an illumination submodule disposed inside the housing and configured to provide illumination light to be transmitted through the window toward a scene in front of the vehicle, and a first LiDAR sensor disposed inside the housing and laterally displaced from the illumination submodule. The first LiDAR sensor includes one or more laser sources configured to emit laser beams to be transmitted through the window toward the scene, the laser beams being reflected off of one or more objects in the scene, thereby generating return laser beams to be transmitted through the window toward the first LiDAR sensor and one or more detectors configured to receive and detect the return laser beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Inventors: Mark A. McCord, Jun Pei, Liqun Han, Dongyi Liao, Wei Wei
  • Patent number: 11585902
    Abstract: An optical system includes a laser source having an emission area that has a first width in a first direction and a first height in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the first width being greater than the first height. The optical system further includes a cylindrical lens having a negative power and positioned in front of the laser source. The cylindrical lens is oriented such that a power axis of the cylindrical lens is along the first direction. The cylindrical lens is configured to transform the emission area of a laser beam emitted by the laser source into a virtual emission area having a virtual width and a virtual height, where the virtual width is less than the first width. The optical system further includes an rotationally symmetric lens positioned downstream from the cylindrical lens and configured to collimate and direct the laser beam towards a far-field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. McCord, Jun Pei, Dongyi Liao
  • Patent number: 11513431
    Abstract: A light projection system includes a base, a lens, and a set of flexures flexibly attaching the lens to the base. The light projection system further includes a board fixedly attached to the base, and a light source mounted on the board and spaced apart from the lens along an optical axis of the lens. The light source is configured to emit a light beam to be projected by the lens toward a scene. The light projection system further includes a driving mechanism configured to scan the lens via the set of flexures in a plane substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens, thereby scanning the light beam emitted by the light source over the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Wei, Dongyi Liao, Mark A. McCord
  • Patent number: 11374041
    Abstract: An imaging system includes a base, an imaging lens fixedly attached to the base, a board, a first set of flexures flexibly attaching the board to the base, and a detector mounted on the board and positioned at an image plane of the imaging lens. The imaging system further includes a driving mechanism configured to scan the board via the first set of flexures in a plane substantially perpendicular to an optical axis of the imaging lens, thereby scanning the detector to a plurality of image positions in the image plane. The imaging system further includes electronic circuitry configured to read out a respective electrical signal output by the detector as the detector is scanned to each respective image position of the plurality of image positions in the image plane, and generate an image based on the electrical signals read out from the detector at the plurality of image positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Cepton Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Pei, Dongyi Liao, Mark A. McCord