Patents by Inventor Prafulla Masalkar

Prafulla Masalkar 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: 11770598
    Abstract: A device for providing even illumination to a user’s hand or other object to acquire images of the object for biometric identification of a user, includes a camera, a first light module positioned on a first side of the camera, and a second light module positioned on a second side of the camera. The camera is positioned closer to the second light module. The second light module emits light with a lesser intensity than the first light module. Light bending films positioned adjacent to the light modules redirect emitted light toward opposite edges of the field of view of the camera. Diffusers in the path of the emitted light diffuse portions of the emitted light along the edges of the field of view. Polarizers positioned in the path of the emitted light polarize the emitted light to facilitate visualization of particular features of the hand or other object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Rui Zhang, Markus Stefan Duelli, Umer Shahid, Baomin Wang, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Patent number: 11579014
    Abstract: An optical detector system provides beam positioning data to an optical tracking system to facilitate optical communications. The optical detector system comprises a plurality of optical photodetectors. For example, a two-by-two array may be used. Incoming light passes through one or more optical elements, such as a lens and a dispersive optical element. A first portion of the beam entering the optical elements is directed into a first spot having a first area on the array. A second portion of the beam entering the optical elements is dispersed to form a second spot having a second area on the array that is larger than the first area. This combination of first portion and second portion of the beam incident on the array provides unambiguous information in the output of the photodetectors that is indicative of a position of the incoming beam with respect to the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: AMAZON TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Rui Zhang, Jeff Clark Adams, Markus Stefan Duelli, Donald Mitchell Cornwell, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Patent number: 9891309
    Abstract: Various embodiments of TOF depth cameras and methods for illuminating image environments with illumination light are provided herein. In one example, a TOF depth camera configured to collect image data from an image environment illuminated by illumination light includes a light source including a plurality of surface-emitting lasers configured to generate coherent light. The example TOF camera also includes an optical assembly configured to transmit light from the plurality of surface-emitting lasers to the image environment and an image sensor configured to detect at least a portion of return light reflected from the image environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Mark Hudman, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Publication number: 20170188016
    Abstract: A depth camera includes an illumination module and an image detector module. The illumination module outputs structured light that illuminates a capture area. The image detector module captures an image of the structured light as reflected from object(s) within the capture area. The illumination module includes a VCSEL array and optical element(s), such as projection optics, an MLA or DOE, or combinations thereof. Projection optics receive a light pattern emitted by the VCSEL array and project the light pattern. An optical element, downstream from the projection optics, can cause a total number of features included in the structured light to be greater than the number of features included in the light pattern projected by the projection optics. In an embodiment, a pitch of an MLA is offset relative to a pitch of the VCSEL array. Various structures can include alignment elements to aid manufacture of the illumination module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Patent number: 9456201
    Abstract: Various embodiments relating to a time-of-flight (TOF) depth camera including a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a TOF depth camera includes a heat sink having a mounting surface, an illumination module mounted to the mounting surface, and an image sensor mounted to the mounting surface. The illumination module includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a VCSEL array device configured to generate illumination light to illuminate an image environment, and a driver configured to deliver an operating current to the VCSEL array device. The VCSEL array device and the driver are mounted to the PCB. The image sensor is configured to detect at least a portion of illumination light reflected from the image environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Prafulla Masalkar, Marshall T. DePue, Zhaoming Zhu, Sridhar Canumalla, Eric Paul Filer, Blair Madison Kent, John W. Mensonides
  • Patent number: 9443310
    Abstract: A depth camera includes an illumination module and an image detector module. The illumination module outputs structured light that illuminates a capture area. The image detector module captures an image of the structured light as reflected from object(s) within the capture area. The illumination module includes a VCSEL array and optical element(s), such as projection optics, an MLA or DOE, or combinations thereof. Projection optics receive a light pattern emitted by the VCSEL array and project the light pattern. An optical element, downstream from the projection optics, can cause a total number of features included in the structured light to be greater than the number of features included in the light pattern projected by the projection optics. In an embodiment, a pitch of an MLA is offset relative to a pitch of the VCSEL array. Various structures can include alignment elements to aid manufacture of the illumination module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Publication number: 20160195610
    Abstract: Various embodiments of TOF depth cameras and methods for illuminating image environments with illumination light are provided herein. In one example, a TOF depth camera configured to collect image data from an image environment illuminated by illumination light includes a light source including a plurality of surface-emitting lasers configured to generate coherent light. The example TOF camera also includes an optical assembly configured to transmit light from the plurality of surface-emitting lasers to the image environment and an image sensor configured to detect at least a portion of return light reflected from the image environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Mark Hudman, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Patent number: 9297889
    Abstract: Various embodiments of TOF depth cameras and methods for illuminating image environments with illumination light are provided herein. In one example, a TOF depth camera configured to collect image data from an image environment illuminated by illumination light includes a light source including a plurality of surface-emitting lasers configured to generate coherent light. The example TOF camera also includes an optical assembly configured to transmit light from the plurality of surface-emitting lasers to the image environment and an image sensor configured to detect at least a portion of return light reflected from the image environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Mark Hudman, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Publication number: 20150229912
    Abstract: Various embodiments relating to a time-of-flight (TOF) depth camera including a vertical-cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) array device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a TOF depth camera includes a heat sink having a mounting surface, an illumination module mounted to the mounting surface, and an image sensor mounted to the mounting surface. The illumination module includes a printed circuit board (PCB), a VCSEL array device configured to generate illumination light to illuminate an image environment, and a driver configured to deliver an operating current to the VCSEL array device. The VCSEL array device and the driver are mounted to the PCB. The image sensor is configured to detect at least a portion of illumination light reflected from the image environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Prafulla Masalkar, Marshall T. DePue, Zhaoming Zhu, Sridhar Canumalla, Eric Paul Filer, Blair Madison Kent, John W. Mensonides
  • Publication number: 20150200220
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to image sensing systems configured to sense visible and infrared light. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides an image sensing system comprising an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels, an optical path extending from an exterior of the image sensing system to the image sensor, and an infrared filter array positioned along the optical path. The infrared filter array is configured to transmit the infrared light to a first subset of pixels of the image sensor, and to filter at least a portion of the infrared light to reduce an amount of infrared light reaching a second subset of pixels of the image sensor relative to an amount of infrared light reaching the first subset of pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew K. Juenger, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Publication number: 20150097947
    Abstract: A depth camera includes an illumination module and an image detector module. The illumination module outputs structured light that illuminates a capture area. The image detector module captures an image of the structured light as reflected from object(s) within the capture area. The illumination module includes a VCSEL array and optical element(s), such as projection optics, an MLA or DOE, or combinations thereof. Projection optics receive a light pattern emitted by the VCSEL array and project the light pattern. An optical element, downstream from the projection optics, can cause a total number of features included in the structured light to be greater than the number of features included in the light pattern projected by the projection optics. In an embodiment, a pitch of an MLA is offset relative to a pitch of the VCSEL array. Various structures can include alignment elements to aid manufacture of the illumination module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Patent number: 8985455
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to the use of active tag codes that change as a function of time to incorporate a greater amount of data into the tag code compared to a static tag code of similar configuration. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method of presenting an active tag code to a receiving device. The method includes presenting a first portion of the active tag code at a first time, the first portion of the active tag code encoding a first subset of information of a set of information encoded in the active tag code. The method further includes presenting a second portion of the active tag code at a second, later time, the second portion of the active tag code encoding a second subset of information of the set of information encoded in the active tag code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Plagge, Prafulla Masalkar, Dawson Yee, Tommer Leyvand
  • Publication number: 20150070489
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are optical modules for use with depth cameras, and systems that include a depth camera. The optical module spreads out a laser beam, output by a laser source of the optical module, so that the laser beam output by the optical module does not look bright, and thus, does not draw attention to the laser light. Such an optical module can include an optical structure that modifies the laser beam so that its horizontal and vertical angles of divergence are substantially equal to desired horizontal and vertical angles of divergence, and so that its illumination profile is substantially equal to a desired illumination profile. This is beneficial since a scene should be illuminated by light having predetermined desired horizontal and vertical angles of divergence and a predetermined desired illumination profile in order for a depth camera to obtain high resolution depth images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joshua Hudman, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Publication number: 20140239069
    Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to the use of active tag codes that change as a function of time to incorporate a greater amount of data into the tag code compared to a static tag code of similar configuration. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method of presenting an active tag code to a receiving device. The method includes presenting a first portion of the active tag code at a first time, the first portion of the active tag code encoding a first subset of information of a set of information encoded in the active tag code. The method further includes presenting a second portion of the active tag code at a second, later time, the second portion of the active tag code encoding a second subset of information of the set of information encoded in the active tag code.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Plagge, Prafulla Masalkar, Dawson Yee, Tommer Leyvand
  • Patent number: 8730212
    Abstract: An integrated vision and display system comprises a display-image forming layer configured to transmit a display image for viewing through a display surface; an imaging detector configured to image infrared light of a narrow range of angles relative to the display surface normal and including a reflection from one or more objects on or near the display surface; a vision-system emitter configured to emit the infrared light for illuminating the objects; a visible- and infrared-transmissive light guide having opposing upper and/or lower face, configured to receive the infrared light from the vision-system emitter, to conduct the infrared light via TIR from the upper and lower faces, and to project the infrared light onto the objects outside of the narrow range of angles relative to the display surface normal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Karlton Powell, Prafulla Masalkar, Timothy Large, Steven Bathiche
  • Patent number: 8724887
    Abstract: A method of depth imaging includes acquiring a depth image from a depth camera, identifying an environmental factor invalidating depth information in one or more portions of the depth image, and outputting an environmental modification to mitigate the environmental factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Prafulla Masalkar, Alan Leach
  • Publication number: 20140049610
    Abstract: Various embodiments of TOF depth cameras and methods for illuminating image environments with illumination light are provided herein. In one example, a TOF depth camera configured to collect image data from an image environment illuminated by illumination light includes a light source including a plurality of surface-emitting lasers configured to generate coherent light. The example TOF camera also includes an optical assembly configured to transmit light from the plurality of surface-emitting lasers to the image environment and an image sensor configured to detect at least a portion of return light reflected from the image environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joshua Mark Hudman, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Patent number: 8384694
    Abstract: Various embodiments related to infrared vision for a liquid crystal display (LCD) device are disclosed herein. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a display system, comprising an LCD device and a display backlight configured to illuminate the LCD device by directing visible light toward an interior surface of the LCD device. The display system further comprises a wavelength-selective reflector disposed between the display backlight and the LCD device and having a smooth surface facing the interior surface of the LCD device, where the wavelength-selective reflector has a wavelength-selective coating configured to cause incident visible light from the display backlight to be transmitted through the wavelength-selective reflector to the LCD device, and cause incident infrared light reflected from an object on or near an exterior surface of the LCD device to be reflected off of the wavelength-selective reflector and directed to an infrared vision subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Karlton Powell, Zhiqiang Liu, Prafulla Masalkar
  • Patent number: 8330822
    Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed for setting a depth camera light source operating temperature in a thermal tuning mode executed during a depth camera manufacturing process. One embodiment of a method includes illuminating a target with light from a light source at a plurality of light source temperatures; for each light source temperature, sensing an intensity of reflected light received at a light sensor through a light filter positioned intermediate the target and the light sensor; approximating a frequency response relationship between a light filter cutoff frequency and a light source emission wavelength based on a comparison of the sensed intensities and stored reference data; generating a temperature set point so that the light source emission wavelength does not overlap the light filter cutoff frequency by more than a predetermined overlap threshold; and programming a temperature controller to control the light source to the temperature set point during depth camera operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Scott McEldowney, Prafulla Masalkar, Yun Fang
  • Publication number: 20120201424
    Abstract: A method of depth imaging includes acquiring a depth image from a depth camera, identifying an environmental factor invalidating depth information in one or more portions of the depth image, and outputting an environmental modification to mitigate the environmental factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Prafulla Masalkar, Alan Leach