Patents by Inventor Nicola Pfeffer

Nicola Pfeffer 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: 11378694
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described. A method includes driving a first light source to generate a visible light pulse having a first intensity for a first duration to illuminate a scene. An image sensor is used to record a visible-spectrum image of the scene illuminated by the first light pulse. A second light source is driven to generate a second light pulse having a second intensity that exceeds the first intensity by at least 100% for a second duration that is at most 10% of the first duration to illuminate the scene during the first duration. An image sensor is used to record a monochrome image of the scene illuminated by the second light pulse. Image processing is performed on a visible-spectrum image and the monochrome image to obtain the digital image of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Arjen Van Der Sijde, Nicola Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 11302732
    Abstract: The invention describes a light emitting diode array module comprising at least two light emitting diodes and a lens, wherein the lens comprises one common lens segment, wherein the common lens segment comprises a multitude of sections at least partly encompassing an axis perpendicular to the lens, wherein the sections shape an uneven surface of the lens, wherein the light emitting diodes are arranged to illuminate at least two non-overlapping target areas in a reference plane, and wherein the sections are arranged such that at least one light emitting diode illuminates one respective target area of the target areas. The invention further describes a flash light comprising at least one light emitting diode array module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: LUMILEDS LLC
    Inventors: Arjen Van Der Sijde, Nicola Pfeffer, Emanuel Nicolaas Hermanus Johannes Stassar
  • Patent number: 11137665
    Abstract: A device includes a light-emitting device (LED) having at least two vertical light-emitting sides, and a ring-shaped light guide having a bottom side, a top side comprising a light-emitting surface, an inner sidewall, and an outer sidewall defining an indentation having at least two vertical in-coupling surfaces mated to the at least two vertical light-emitting sides of the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Varun Dev Kakkar, Arjen Van Der Sijde, Erno Fancsali, Chunxia Feng, Nicola Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 11076145
    Abstract: The invention describes a depth map generator comprising an array comprising a plurality of individually addressable array elements, wherein an array element comprises a semiconductor emitter or a reflector arranged to reflect light emitted by a semiconductor emitter; a driver realised to switch an array element according to a predefined illumination pattern; a number of image sensors, wherein an image sensor is arranged to detect light reflected from a scene irradiated by the irradiation pattern; and a processing unit realised to compute a depth map of the scene on the basis of a light pattern detected by an image sensor. The invention further describes an irradiation arrangement for use in such a depth map generator; a method of generating a depth map of a scene; and a device comprising such a depth map generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Arjen Van Der Sijde, Nicola Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 11003051
    Abstract: A device includes a light-emitting device (LED) having at least two vertical light-emitting sides, and a ring-shaped light guide having a bottom side, a top side comprising a light-emitting surface, an inner sidewall, and an outer sidewall defining an indentation having at least two vertical in-coupling surfaces mated to the at least two vertical light-emitting sides of the LED.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Lumileds Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Varun Dev Kakkar, Arjen Van Der Sijde, Erno Fancsali, Chunxia Feng, Nicola Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 10895800
    Abstract: A segmented light or optical power emitting device and an illumination device are described. The segmented device includes a die having a light or optical power emitting semiconductor structure that includes an active layer disposed between an n-layer and a p-layer. Trenches are formed in at least the semiconductor structure and separate the die into individually addressable segments. The active layer emits light or optical power having a first color point or spectrum. At least one wavelength converting layer is adjacent the die and converts the light or optical power to light or optical power having at least one second color point or spectrum and limits an energy ratio of the pump light or optical power that passes through the at least one wavelength converting layer unconverted to total light or optical power emitted by the light or optical power emitting device to less than 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Arjen Gerben Van Der Sijde, Quint Van Voorst Vader, Nicola Pfeffer
  • Patent number: 10873011
    Abstract: The invention describes a semiconductor die comprising at least a first light-emitting diode and a second light-emitting diode, wherein the first light-emitting diode comprises a first diode formed in a first die area and a first phosphor layer deposited over the first die area; the second light-emitting diode comprises a second diode and a second phosphor layer deposited over the second die area; the first diode and the second diode are electrically connected in anti-parallel; and wherein the optical properties of the second phosphor layer differ from the optical properties of the first phosphor layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Arjen Van Der Sude, Nicola Pfeffer, Pieter Johannes Quintus Van Voorst Vader, Peter Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10771717
    Abstract: The image capture system of the present disclosure comprises an illuminator comprising at least one infrared light LED or laser and one visible light LED, an image sensor that is sensitive to infrared light and visible light, a memory configured to store instructions, and a processor configured to execute instructions to cause the image capture system to emit infrared light, receive image data comprising at least one infrared image, and determine depth maps, visible focus settings, or infrared exposure settings based on the infrared image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Arjen Van Der Sijde, Nicola Pfeffer, Charles Schrama
  • Publication number: 20200166646
    Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described. A method includes driving a first light source to generate a visible light pulse having a first intensity for a first duration to illuminate a scene. An image sensor is used to record a visible-spectrum image of the scene illuminated by the first light pulse. A second light source is driven to generate a second light pulse having a second intensity that exceeds the first intensity by at least 100% for a second duration that is at most 10% of the first duration to illuminate the scene during the first duration. An image sensor is used to record a monochrome image of the scene illuminated by the second light pulse. Image processing is performed on a visible-spectrum image and the monochrome image to obtain the digital image of the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Applicant: LUMILEDS HOLDING B.V.
    Inventors: Arjen VAN DER SIJDE, Nicola PFEFFER
  • Patent number: 10602074
    Abstract: A method according to embodiments of the invention includes creating a three-dimensional profile of a scene, calculating a relative amount of light for each portion of the scene based on the three-dimensional profile, and activating a light source to provide a first amount of light to a first portion of the scene, and a second amount of light to a second portion of the scene. The first amount and the second amount are different. The first amount and the second amount are determined by calculating a relative amount of light for each portion of the scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Lumileds Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Arjen Van Der Sijde, Nicola Pfeffer, Quint Van Voorst-Vader, Yourii Martynov
  • Publication number: 20200045297
    Abstract: The invention describes a depth map generator comprising an array comprising a plurality of individually addressable array elements, wherein an array element comprises a semiconductor emitter or a reflector arranged to reflect light emitted by a semiconductor emitter; a driver realised to switch an array element according to a predefined illumination pattern; a number of image sensors, wherein an image sensor is arranged to detect light reflected from a scene irradiated by the irradiation pattern; and a processing unit realised to compute a depth map of the scene on the basis of a light pattern detected by an image sensor. The invention further describes an irradiation arrangement for use in such a depth map generator; a method of generating a depth map of a scene; and a device comprising such a depth map generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Lumileds Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Arjen VAN DER SIJDE, Nicola PFEFFER
  • Publication number: 20200036914
    Abstract: The image capture system of the present disclosure comprises an illuminator comprising at least one infrared light LED or laser and one visible light LED, an image sensor that is sensitive to infrared light and visible light, a memory configured to store instructions, and a processor configured to execute instructions to cause the image capture system to emit infrared light, receive image data comprising at least one infrared image, and determine depth maps, visible focus settings, or infrared exposure settings based on the infrared image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Arjen VAN DER SIJDE, Nicola PFEFFER, Charles SCHRAMA
  • Publication number: 20200036877
    Abstract: The image capture system of the present disclosure comprises an illuminator comprising at least one infrared light LED or laser and one visible light LED, an image sensor that is sensitive to infrared light and visible light, a memory configured to store instructions, and a processor configured to execute instructions to cause the image capture system to emit infrared light as a pre-flash, receive image data comprising at least one infrared image, and determine infrared exposure settings based on the infrared image data. Although the image capture system of the present disclosure is described as having an illuminator configured to emit infrared light, the illuminator may be configured to emit other invisible light. For example, in an alternate embodiment, the illuminator is configured to emit UV light during pre-flash. In such an embodiment, the image sensor is configured to detect UV light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Applicant: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Arjen VAN DER SIJDE, Nicola PFEFFER, Charles SCHRAMA
  • Publication number: 20200028035
    Abstract: The invention describes a semiconductor die comprising at least a first light-emitting diode and a second light-emitting diode, wherein the first light-emitting diode comprises a first diode formed in a first die area and a first phosphor layer deposited over the first die area; the second light-emitting diode comprises a second diode and a second phosphor layer deposited over the second die area; the first diode and the second diode are electrically connected in anti-parallel; and wherein the optical properties of the second phosphor layer differ from the optical properties of the first phosphor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Lumileds Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Arjen VAN DER SIJDE, Nicola PFEFFER, Pieter Johannes Quintus VAN VOORST VADER, Peter SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20190383465
    Abstract: The invention describes a light emitting diode array module comprising at least two light emitting diodes and a lens, wherein the lens comprises one common lens segment, wherein the common lens segment comprises a multitude of sections at least partly encompassing an axis perpendicular to the lens, wherein the sections shape an uneven surface of the lens, wherein the light emitting diodes are arranged to illuminate at least two non-overlapping target areas in a reference plane, and wherein the sections are arranged such that at least one light emitting diode illuminates one respective target area of the target areas. The invention further describes a flash light comprising at least one light emitting diode array module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicant: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Arjen VAN DER SIJDE, Nicola PFEFFER, Emanuel Nicolaas Hermanus Johannes STASSAR
  • Patent number: 10484616
    Abstract: A method includes capturing a first image of a scene, detecting a face in a section of the scene from the first image, and activating an infrared (IR) light source to selectively illuminate the section of the scene with IR light. The IR light source includes an array of IR light emitting diodes (LEDs). The method includes capturing a second image of the scene under selective IR lighting from the IR light source, detecting the face in the second image, and identifying a person based on the face in the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Arjen Van der Sijde, Nicola Pfeffer, Quint Van Voorst-Vader, Yourii Martynov, Charles Schrama
  • Publication number: 20190324350
    Abstract: A segmented light or optical power emitting device and an illumination device are described. The segmented device includes a die having a light or optical power emitting semiconductor structure that includes an active layer disposed between an n-layer and a p-layer. Trenches are formed in at least the semiconductor structure and separate the die into individually addressable segments. The active layer emits light or optical power having a first color point or spectrum. At least one wavelength converting layer is adjacent the die and converts the light or optical power to light or optical power having at least one second color point or spectrum and limits an energy ratio of the pump light or optical power that passes through the at least one wavelength converting layer unconverted to total light or optical power emitted by the light or optical power emitting device to less than 10%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Arjen Gerben VAN DER SIJDE, Quint VAN VOORST VADER, Nicola PFEFFER
  • Patent number: 10222681
    Abstract: A segmented light or optical power emitting device and an illumination device are described. The segmented device includes a die having a light or optical power emitting semiconductor structure that includes an active layer disposed between an n-layer and a p-layer. Trenches are formed in at least the semiconductor structure and separate the die into individually addressable segments. The active layer emits light or optical power having a first color point or spectrum. At least one wavelength converting layer is adjacent the die and converts the light or optical power to light or optical power having at least one second color point or spectrum and limits an energy ratio of the pump light or optical power that passes through the at least one wavelength converting layer unconverted to total light or optical power emitted by the light or optical power emitting device to less than 10%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Limileds LLC
    Inventors: Arjen Gerben Van Der Sijde, Quint Van Voorst Vader, Nicola Pfeffer
  • Publication number: 20190033688
    Abstract: A device includes a light-emitting device (LED) having at least two vertical light-emitting sides, and a ring-shaped light guide having a bottom side, a top side comprising a light-emitting surface, an inner sidewall, and an outer sidewall defining an indentation having at least two vertical in-coupling surfaces mated to the at least two vertical light-emitting sides of the LED.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Applicant: Lumileds Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Varun Dev KAKKAR, Arjen VAN DER SIJDE, Erno FANCSALI, Chunxia FENG, Nicola PFEFFER
  • Publication number: 20180324343
    Abstract: A method according to embodiments of the invention includes creating a three-dimensional profile of a scene, calculating a relative amount of light for each portion of the scene based on the three-dimensional profile, and activating a light source to provide a first amount of light to a first portion of the scene, and a second amount of light to a second portion of the scene. The first amount and the second amount are different. The first amount and the second amount are determined by calculating a relative amount of light for each portion of the scene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Arjen Van Der Sijde, Nicola Pfeffer, Quint Van Voorst-Vader, Yourii Martynov