Patents by Inventor Qing Chao

Qing Chao 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: 12372797
    Abstract: An eye-tracking system includes a substrate transparent to visible light and configured to be placed in a field of view of an eye of a user, a plurality of waveguides on the substrate, a light source optically coupled to the plurality of waveguides, and a plurality of polarization volume holograms (PVHs) in the field of view of the eye of the user. Each PVH of the plurality of PVHs is optically coupled to a respective waveguide of the plurality of waveguides and is configured to couple a respective light beam out of the respective waveguide towards the eye of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hao Yu, Qing Chao, Lu Lu, Xinqiao Liu
  • Publication number: 20250159316
    Abstract: Imaging systems, cameras, and image sensors of this disclosure include imaging pixels that include subpixels. Diffractive optical elements such as a metasurface lens layers or a liquid crystal polarization hologram (LCPH) are configured to focus image light to the subpixels of the imaging pixels. Microlens regions of the diffractive optical elements may focus the image light to the subpixels of the imaging pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: May 15, 2025
    Inventors: Qing Chao, Lu Lu, Xinqiao Liu, Hao Yu, Junren Wang
  • Patent number: 12231749
    Abstract: Imaging systems, cameras, and image sensors of this disclosure include imaging pixels that include subpixels. Diffractive optical elements such as a metasurface lens layers or a liquid crystal polarization hologram (LCPH) are configured to focus image light to the subpixels of the imaging pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Chao, Lu Lu, Xinqiao Liu, Hao Yu, Junren Wang
  • Publication number: 20250028389
    Abstract: Imaging signals are generated in response to image light. Event signals are generated in response to receive the imaging signals from imaging pixels. A Region of Interest (ROI) of the imaging pixels is identified from a spatial concentration of event signals in the ROI of imaging pixels within a time period. An ROI portion of the imaging pixels in the ROI are driven to capture an ROI image frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2024
    Publication date: January 23, 2025
    Inventors: Qing Chao, Robert Dale Cavin, Guillaume Lestoquoy, Mohammadhossein Daraeihajitooei, Xinqiao Liu, Raffaele Capoccia, Sascha Hallstein, Ziyun Li
  • Patent number: 12147596
    Abstract: An eyebox region is illuminated with a fringe illumination pattern. An event sensor is configured to generate event-signals. Eye motion is determined from the event-signals. Eye-features are extracted from data generated by the event sensors and a predicted gaze vector is generated from the eye-features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Chao, Robert Dale Cavin, Guillaume Lestoquoy, Mohammadhossein Daraeihajitooei, Xinqiao Liu, Raffaele Capoccia, Sascha Hallstein, Ziyun Li
  • Publication number: 20240340404
    Abstract: A system for three-dimensional object sensing using fringe-projection profilometry with Fourier transform analysis is described. A fringe-projection profilometry (FPP) projector simultaneously transmits a frequency signal pattern (i.e., modulated or AC signal) and a zero-frequency signal pattern (i.e., unmodulated or DC signal) onto an object's surface. Alternatively, the projector projects two frequency signal patterns phase-shifted by 180 degrees. A dual readout sensor captures reflections of both signals from the object's surface as adjacent frames, and the DC signal is extracted by subtraction of addition to obtain an enhanced signal. The enhanced signal is used to generate a wrapped phase map through Fourier transform profilometry (FTP). The resulting wrapped phase map is unwrapped, and three-dimensional reconstruction of the object's surface is generated by converting phase from the unwrapped phase map to three-dimensional coordinates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2023
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Applicant: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Song CHEN, Qing Chao, Yi Zheng
  • Publication number: 20240223919
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure include a digital image sensor pixel configured to perform digital correlated double-sampling (D-CDS) operations to compensate for fixed pattern noise (FPN) induced by comparator propagation delay variation across a digital pixel array. The pixel and D-CDS operations also support quantization of incident light using two pixel memory banks. The pixel includes data retention logic coupled to selectively lock and unlock the output of a comparator. The output of the comparator is combined with memory bank write enable signals to convert photodiode charge into digital pixel values stored in the two memory banks. The digital pixel values stored in the memory banks may be added or subtracted to generate an FPN compensated digital pixel value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: Song Chen, Xinqiao Liu, Tsung-Hsun Tsai, Qing Chao, Michael Hall, David Maurice Moore, Sharvil Shailesh Talati
  • Publication number: 20240175676
    Abstract: According to examples, a depth sensing apparatus may include an illumination source to output a light beam onto a polarizing beam separation element (PBSE). The PBSE may generate a right hand circularly polarized (RCP) beam and a left hand circularly polarized (LCP) beam to be projected onto a target area, in which the RCP beam and the LCP beam may create an interference with respect to each other. The depth sensing apparatus also includes an imaging component to capture an image of the target area with the RCP beam and the LCP beam projected on the target area, in which the captured image is to be analyzed for depth sensing of the target area. The depth sensing apparatus further includes a polarizer that may increase an intensity of the interference pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Publication date: May 30, 2024
    Applicant: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yun-Han LEE, Scott Charles MCELDOWNEY, Lu LU, Mantas ZURAUSKAS, Qing CHAO
  • Publication number: 20240093984
    Abstract: An optical system is configured to support eye tracking operations in a head mounted device. The optical system includes a transparent layer, a laser, and first and second output couplers. The laser is configured to emit light into the transparent layer. The first output coupler is configured to out-couple a first portion of the light from a first location of the transparent layer. The second output coupler is configured to out-couple a second portion of the light from a second location of the transparent layer. The first and second output couplers are in the field-of-view of a user. A combination of the first portion of the light and the second portion of the light out-coupled from the first output coupler and the second output coupler is configured to generate a fringe pattern, for example, on an eye of a user of the head mounted device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Guohua Wei, Petr Markov, Qing Chao
  • Patent number: 11924396
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) for depth sensing of a local area. The DCA includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a controller. The transmitter illuminates a local area with outgoing light in accordance with emission instructions. The transmitter includes a fine steering element and a coarse steering element. The fine steering element deflects one or more optical beams at a first deflection angle to generate one or more first order deflected scanning beams. The coarse steering element deflects the one or more first order deflected scanning beams at a second deflection angle to generate the outgoing light projected into the local area. The receiver captures one or more images of the local area including portions of the outgoing light reflected from the local area. The controller determines depth information for one or more objects in the local area based in part on the captured one or more images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, Qing Chao, Byron Taylor, Xinqiao Liu
  • Publication number: 20230328401
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) determines distances between the DCA and objects in a local area within a field of view of the DCA. The DCA projects a series of sinusoidal patterns into the local area DCA and captures images of the sinusoidal patterns via a sensor. Each pixel of the augmented sensor includes a plurality of charge bins, and charge accumulated by a photodiode of a pixel during different time intervals (e.g., times when different sinusoidal patterns are emitted) is stored in a different charge storage bin. Charge may be retrieved from different charge storage bins to determine depth from the DCA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Michael Hall, Qing Chao
  • Patent number: 11781913
    Abstract: In one example, an apparatus comprises a plurality of sub-pixels arranged sideway, a shared optical element positioned over the plurality of sub-pixels, the shared optical element being configured to direct light originating from a same location in a scene to each sub-pixel in the plurality of sub-pixels; one or more polarizers positioned between the shared optical element and one or more first sub-pixels of the plurality of sub-pixels and configured to selectively pass one or more components of the light having one or more pre-determined polarization states, to enable the photodiodes of each of the one or more first sub-pixels to generate signals based on intensities of the one or more components; and one or more processors configured to generate polarimetric measurements of the received light based on signals obtained from the photodiodes of the one or more first sub-pixels and polarization properties of the one or more polarizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Charles McEldowney, Xinqiao Liu, Qing Chao
  • Patent number: 11756978
    Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus comprises: a first photodiode to sense a first component of light associated with a first wavelength, and a second photodiode configured to sense a second component of the light associated with a second wavelength, the first component and the second component being associated with, respectively, a first wavelength and a second wavelength. The apparatus further comprises a first optical structure and a second optical structure positioned over, respectively, the first photodiode and the second photodiode. The first optical structure is configured to increase a propagation path of the first component of the light within the first photodiode and has a first optical property based on the first wavelength. The second optical structure is configured to increase a propagation path of the second component of the light within the second photodiode, and has a second optical property based on the second wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Chao, Xinqiao Liu
  • Patent number: 11716548
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) determines distances between the DCA and objects in a local area within a field of view of the DCA. The DCA projects a series of sinusoidal patterns into the local area DCA and captures images of the sinusoidal patterns via a sensor. Each pixel of the augmented sensor includes a plurality of charge bins, and charge accumulated by a photodiode of a pixel during different time intervals (e.g., times when different sinusoidal patterns are emitted) is stored in a different charge storage bin. Charge may be retrieved from different charge storage bins to determine depth from the DCA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Hall, Qing Chao
  • Patent number: 11686935
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) has a light source assembly, a mask, a camera assembly, and a controller. The light source assembly includes at least one light source. The mask is configured to generate an interference pattern that is projected into a target area. The mask has two openings configured to pass through light emitted by the at least one light source, and the light passed through the two openings forms an interference pattern across the target area. The interference pattern has a phase based on a position of the light source. The camera assembly is configured to capture images of a portion of the target area that includes the interference pattern. The controller is configured to determine depth information for the portion of the target area based on the captured images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qing Chao, Zhaoming Zhu
  • Publication number: 20230194882
    Abstract: An eye-tracking system includes a substrate transparent to visible light and configured to be placed in a field of view of an eye of a user, a plurality of waveguides on the substrate, a light source optically coupled to the plurality of waveguides, and a plurality of polarization volume holograms (PVHs) in the field of view of the eye of the user. Each PVH of the plurality of PVHs is optically coupled to a respective waveguide of the plurality of waveguides and is configured to couple a respective light beam out of the respective waveguide towards the eye of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Hao YU, Qing CHAO, Lu LU, Xinqiao LIU
  • Publication number: 20230037261
    Abstract: Imaging systems, cameras, and image sensors of this disclosure include imaging pixels that include subpixels. Diffractive optical elements such as a metasurface lens layers or a liquid crystal polarization hologram (LCPH) are configured to focus image light to the subpixels of the imaging pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Qing Chao, Lu Lu, Xinqiao Liu, Hao Yu, Junren Wang
  • Publication number: 20230008674
    Abstract: An image sensor includes imaging pixels and a patterned liquid crystal polarizer (LCP). The imaging pixel include subpixels. The patterned LCP is disposed over the subpixels and configured to direct a particular polarized portion of imaging light to particular subpixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Publication date: January 12, 2023
    Inventors: Qing Chao, Hao Yu, Lu Lu, Scott Charles McEldowney, Xinqiao Liu, Eric Fest
  • Publication number: 20220413284
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly (DCA) has a light source assembly, a mask, a camera assembly, and a controller. The light source assembly includes at least one light source. The mask is configured to generate an interference pattern that is projected into a target area. The mask has two openings configured to pass through light emitted by the at least one light source, and the light passed through the two openings forms an interference pattern across the target area. The interference pattern has a phase based on a position of the light source. The camera assembly is configured to capture images of a portion of the target area that includes the interference pattern. The controller is configured to determine depth information for the portion of the target area based on the captured images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2019
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Inventors: Qing Chao, Zhaoming Zhu
  • Patent number: 11516457
    Abstract: A switchable fringe pattern illuminator includes an optical path switch configured to receive light and dynamically control an amount of light that is provided to a first waveguide and an amount of light that is provided to a second waveguide. A first projector configured to generate a first fringe pattern using light from the first waveguide. The first fringe pattern illuminates a first portion of a target area. A second projector configured to generate a second fringe pattern using light from the second waveguide. The second fringe pattern illuminates a second portion of a target area. The illuminator may be part of a depth camera assembly (DCA). The DCA is configured to capture images of a portion of the target area. The DCA is further configured to determine depth information for an object in the target area based in part on the captured images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Zihe Gao, Michael Hall, Qing Chao, Zhaoming Zhu, Tin Komljenovic