Patents by Inventor Michael R. Matthews

Michael R. Matthews 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: 20240393461
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification relates to a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. In at least one implementation, the LiDAR system comprises a first signal source; a second signal source; a combiner to generate a hybrid transmission signal from signals generated by the first signal source and the second signal source; a first photodetector to measure a first component of a reflection signal related to range of a target; and a second photodetector to measure a second component of the reflection signal related to velocity of the target, wherein the system is configured to derive the range and velocity of the target from the first component and the second component, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2024
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Inventors: Bernard Fidric, Pierre-Yves Droz, Michael R. Matthews, Pablo Hopman, John Lam
  • Patent number: 12117292
    Abstract: A system for atom interferometry includes one or more lasers disposed to 1) generate a first pair of beams that are initially spatially separated and later overlapped to follow a common path to intersecting an atomic cloud interaction region, wherein the first beam of the pair of beams acts as a first MOT beam and the second beam of the pair of beams acts as a first Raman beam; and 2) generate an additional beam, wherein the additional beam is multiplexed to be used alternately as a second MOT beam and as a second Raman beam, wherein the additional beam follows an opposing path to the common path when intersecting the atomic cloud interaction region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2024
    Assignee: AOSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Miroslav Y. Shverdin, Matthew Cashen, Micah Ledbetter, Michael R. Matthews, Alexander F. Sugarbaker
  • Patent number: 12055630
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification relates to a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device that comprises, in some implementations, a pulsed-laser source configured to generate a pulsed optical signal, a continuous wave (CW) laser source configured to generate a CW optical signal, one or more optical amplifier circuits configured to amplify at least the pulsed optical signal, a combiner configured to combine the pulsed optical signal and the CW optical signal into a hybrid transmission signal, and at least one photodetector configured to receive a reflection signal produced by reflection of the hybrid transmission signal by a target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Bernard Fidric, Pierre-Yves Droz, Michael R. Matthews, Pablo Hopman, John Lam
  • Publication number: 20230023043
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, systems and methods of optical sensing that utilize optimized processing of multiple sensing channels for efficient and reliable scanning of environments. The optical sensing includes multiple optical communication lines that include coupling portions configured to facilitate efficient collection of various received beams. The optical sensing system further includes multiple light detectors configured to process collected beams and produce data representative of a velocity of an object that generated the received beam and/or a distance to that object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2021
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Chase Salsbury, Michael R. Matthews
  • Patent number: 11456086
    Abstract: A high bandwidth gravimeter or accelerometer includes laser(s), modulator(s), and an atomic interferometer. The laser(s) and modulator(s) produce four laser frequencies. A first and second pair of laser frequencies are each separated by wm. The first and second pair are offset by wshift. A first laser frequency of the first pair and a second laser frequency of the second pair are separated by wm+wshift. A second laser frequency of the first pair and a first laser frequency of the second pair are separated by wm?wshift. The first pair is routed to arrive from a first direction at atoms in an interaction region, and the second pair from a second direction. The first pair are phase stable with respect to the second pair. wm is adjusted so that wm+wshift or wm?wshift corresponds to a Raman resonance for the atomic interferometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: AOSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Miroslav Y. Shverdin, Matthew Todd Cashen, Micah P. Ledbetter, Martin M. Boyd, Michael R. Matthews, Alexander F. Sugarbaker, Adam T. Black, Akash Rakholia, Igor Teper
  • Publication number: 20220187468
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, systems and methods that enable lidar channel multiplexing using optical locking of separate lasers while simultaneously imparting different frequency offsets to beams output by different lasers. As a result, received beams reflected from various objects, which are present in an outside environment, can have Doppler-shifted frequencies that do not overlap, facilitating concurrent identification of distances to and velocities of multiple objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Michael R. Matthews, Bryce Remesch, John Lam
  • Publication number: 20220187458
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, systems and methods of optical sensing that utilize time and frequency multiplexing of sensing signals. Described are, among other things, a light source subsystem to produce a first beam having a first frequency and a second beam having a second frequency, a modulator to impart a modulation to the second beam, and an optical interface subsystem to receive a third beam caused by interaction of the first beam with an object and a fourth beam caused by interaction of the second beam with the object. Also described are one or more circuits to determine, based on a first phase information carried by the third beam, a velocity of the object, and then determine, based on a second phase information carried by the third beam and the first phase information, a distance to the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Alexander Piggott, Bryce Remesch, Michael R. Matthews, David Sobel, Imam Uz Zaman
  • Publication number: 20220120900
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification relates to a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) device that comprises, in some implementations, a pulsed-laser source configured to generate a pulsed optical signal, a continuous wave (CW) laser source configured to generate a CW optical signal, one or more optical amplifier circuits configured to amplify at least the pulsed optical signal, a combiner configured to combine the pulsed optical signal and the CW optical signal into a hybrid transmission signal, and at least one photodetector configured to receive a reflection signal produced by reflection of the hybrid transmission signal by a target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Bernard Fidric, Pierre-Yves Droz, Michael R. Matthews, Pablo Hopman, John Lam
  • Patent number: 10444016
    Abstract: A system for an atomic interferometer includes a laser control system and a feedback control system. The laser control system controls a first pointing angle of a first interrogating laser beam. The first interrogating laser beam and a second interrogating laser beam interrogate a pair of almost counter-propagating laser cooled atomic ensembles. The feedback control system adjusts the first pointing angle based at least in part on an inertial measurement using the atomic interferometer to bias an output of the atomic interferometer to compensate for the effects of rotations. The pointing angle of the laser beam, which is linearly related to a frequency used to drive an acousto-optic deflector, is linearly related to the rotation rate of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: AOSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Kasevich, Michael R. Matthews, Micah Ledbetter, Ying-Ju Wang, Martin M. Boyd
  • Patent number: 10330459
    Abstract: A light pulse interferometer includes a first atom source and a first laser. The first atom source is configured to direct a first group of atoms in a first direction. The first laser is configured to generate one or more interferometer laser beam pairs. The one or more interferometer laser beam pairs interact with the first group of atoms in an interferometer sequence of three or more pulses to produce atom interference. A first laser beam pair of the one or more interferometer laser beam pairs is disposed to interact with the first group of atoms to perform 1D-cooling and velocity control of the first group of atoms prior to the interferometer sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: AOSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Matthews, Adam T. Black, Mark A. Kasevich, Micah Ledbetter
  • Patent number: 10036558
    Abstract: A conveyor oven having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation is provided. The conveyor oven generally includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a conveyor movable to convey the food through the oven chamber, a burner to generate heat for the oven chamber, at least one blower to circulate air within the oven chamber, and a controller. The burner has a combustion airflow rate, and operates at a first output during the first mode of operation and at a second output that is greater than the first output during the second mode of operation. The blower operates at a first speed during the first mode of operation and at a second speed that is faster than the first speed during the second mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: The Middleby Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Wiker, Frank Carbonara, Gregory J. Tomko, Michael R. Matthews, Jr., Theodore James Chmiola
  • Patent number: 10024548
    Abstract: A conveyor oven having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation is provided. The conveyor oven generally includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a conveyor moveable to convey the food through the oven chamber, a burner to generate heat for the oven chamber, the burner having a combustion airflow rate, at least one blower to circulate air within the oven chamber, and a controller. The blower operates at a first speed during the first mode of operation and at a second speed that is faster than the first speed during the second mode of operation. The controller is responsive to at least one of a burner output and an internal temperature of the oven chamber, and adjusts the combustion airflow rate based in part on at least one of the burner output and the internal temperature of the oven chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: The Middleby Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Wiker, Frank Carbonara, Gregory J. Tomko, Michael R. Matthews, Jr., Theodore James Chmiola
  • Publication number: 20160183356
    Abstract: The device for producing laser-cooled atoms comprises a two dimensional trap or a three-dimensional trap, or a combination of two- and three-dimensional traps. The two-dimensional trap comprises: three or more permanent magnets arranged around a perimeter of a loop, wherein a plane of the loop is perpendicular to a free axis of the two-dimensional atom trap, and the three or more permanent magnets bracket an internal volume of the two-dimensional atom trap; and one or more laser beam input ports enabling access for one or more laser beams to the internal volume of the two-dimensional atom trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Thomas H. Loftus, Artyom Vitouchkine, Michael R. Matthews, Adam T. Black, Igor Teper, Leo W. Hollberg, Todd L. Gustavson, Brent C. Young
  • Patent number: 8921764
    Abstract: The device for producing laser-cooled atoms comprises a two dimensional trap or a three-dimensional trap, or a combination of two- and three-dimensional traps. The two-dimensional trap comprises: three or more permanent magnets arranged around a perimeter of a loop, wherein a plane of the loop is perpendicular to a free axis of the two-dimensional atom trap, and the three or more permanent magnets bracket an internal volume of the two-dimensional atom trap; and one or more laser beam input ports enabling access for one or more laser beams to the internal volume of the two-dimensional atom trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: AOSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Loftus, Artyom Vitouchkine, Michael R. Matthews, Adam T. Black, Igor Teper, Leo W. Hollberg, Todd L. Gustavson, Brent C. Young
  • Publication number: 20140061454
    Abstract: The device for producing laser-cooled atoms comprises a two dimensional trap or a three-dimensional trap, or a combination of two- and three-dimensional traps. The two-dimensional trap comprises: three or more permanent magnets arranged around a perimeter of a loop, wherein a plane of the loop is perpendicular to a free axis of the two-dimensional atom trap, and the three or more permanent magnets bracket an internal volume of the two-dimensional atom trap; and one or more laser beam input ports enabling access for one or more laser beams to the internal volume of the two-dimensional atom trap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: AOSense, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas H. Loftus, Artyom Vitouchkine, Michael R. Matthews, Adam T. Black, Igor Teper, Leo W. Hollberg, Todd L. Gustavson, Brent C. Young
  • Patent number: 8413646
    Abstract: A self-cleaning, gas-fired tunnel oven is provided. One embodiment of the oven provides a self-cleaning, gas-fired tunnel oven for cooking food products. The oven includes a control system that regulates oven temperature during a pyrolitic, self-cleaning procedure for incinerating contaminants that accumulate inside; a burner for cooking food products and incinerating contaminants; a modulating air and fuel control system arranged for proportionally delivering air and fuel to the burner; a plurality of convection air fingers for directing heated air toward the food products; a collapsible conveyor, capable of fitting into the oven when collapsed, for passing the food products through the oven; a plurality of blowers, each having a dedicated speed controller; a floating cooking chamber; and a vent system that maintains a negative pressure in the oven during the self-cleaning procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Middleby Corporation
    Inventors: John H. Wiker, Frank Carbonara, Gregory J. Tomko, Michael R. Matthews, Jr., Theodore James Chmiola
  • Publication number: 20130000628
    Abstract: A conveyor oven having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation is provided. The conveyor oven generally includes an oven chamber in which food is cooked, a conveyor moveable to convey the food through the oven chamber, a burner to generate heat for the oven chamber, the burner having a combustion airflow rate, at least one blower to circulate air within the oven chamber, and a controller. The blower operates at a first speed during the first mode of operation and at a second speed that is faster than the first speed during the second mode of operation. The controller is responsive to at least one of a burner output and an internal temperature of the oven chamber, and adjusts the combustion airflow rate based in part on at least one of the burner output and the internal temperature of the oven chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: John H. Wiker, Frank Carbonara, Gregory J. Tomko, Michael R. Matthews, JR., Theodore James Chmiola
  • Publication number: 20090223503
    Abstract: A self-cleaning, gas-fired tunnel oven is provided. One embodiment of the oven provides a self-cleaning, gas-fired tunnel oven for cooking food products. The oven includes a control system that regulates oven temperature during a pyrolitic, self-cleaning procedure for incinerating contaminants that accumulate inside; a burner for cooking food products and incinerating contaminants; a modulating air and fuel control system arranged for proportionally delivering air and fuel to the burner; a plurality of convection air fingers for directing heated air toward the food products; a collapsible conveyor, capable of fitting into the oven when collapsed, for passing the food products through the oven; a plurality of blowers, each having a dedicated speed controller; a floating cooking chamber; and a vent system that maintains a negative pressure in the oven during the self-cleaning procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: John H. Wiker, Frank Carbonara, Gregory J. Tomko, Michael R. Matthews, Jr., Theodore James Chmiola
  • Patent number: 7477060
    Abstract: A detection system for monitoring an engineered structure includes an array of sensors disposable in a predetermined pattern on the engineered structure and disposable between a surface of the engineered structure and a protective coating substantially covering the surface. The detection system also includes a data acquisition system in communication with the array of sensors for retrieving data from the sensors. The array of sensors can provide data corresponding to at least one of a degree of cure of the protective coating, a health of the cured protective coating, and a corrosion rate of the engineered structure at each of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Steven Y. Yu, Michael R. Matthews, Gary A. Shreve
  • Publication number: 20080289619
    Abstract: Charbroilers, such as conveyorized and batch charbroilers, are disclosed wherein a single pilot flame receives gas from a gas line and is operable to ignite a plurality of burners. The charbroiler may include a housing, a conveyor removable from the housing and a shielding member removably connectable to the housing or burner and positioned between the burner and food product. The shielding member may be coated with a ceramic material and may have a color relating to a property of at least one of the shielding member and the ceramic material. In addition, the charbroiler may include a first burner and a second burner having different heating capacities. The charbroiler may also include an upper burner and lower burner positioned respectively above and below the food product and each of the upper and lower burners includes a ceramic diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
    Inventors: William S. Schjerven, SR., Theodore James Chmiola, Frank J. Coleman, John H. Wiker, Frank Carbonara, Gregory J. Tomko, Michael R. Matthews, JR.