Patents by Inventor Raymond LIOU
Raymond LIOU 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).
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Patent number: 11808891Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a Gallium Nitride (GaN) based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC), an illumination source, and a return signal receiver IC are mounted to a common substrate. The illumination driver IC provides a pulse of electrical power to the illumination source in response to a pulse trigger signal received from the return signal receiver IC. In another aspect, the GaN based illumination driver IC controls the amplitude, ramp rate, and duration of the pulse of electrical power based on command signals communicated from the return signal receiver IC to the illumination driver IC. In a further aspect, illumination driver IC reduces the amount of electrical power consumed by the illumination driver IC during periods of time when the illumination driver IC is not providing electrical power to the illumination source.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Velodyne Lidar USA, Inc.Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Marius Paul Dumitrean
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Patent number: 11796648Abstract: LIDAR measurement systems employing a multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC) are described herein. In one aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC selectively couples each illumination source associated with each measurement channel to a source of electrical power to generate a measurement pulse of illumination light. In one aspect, each pulse trigger signal associated with each measurement channel is received on a separate node of the IC. In another aspect, additional control signals are received on separate nodes of the IC and communicated to all of the measurement channels. In another aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC includes a power regulation module that supplies regulated voltage to various elements of each measurement channel only when any pulse trigger signal is in a state that triggers the firing of an illumination pulse.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Velodyne Lidar USA, Inc.Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Pravin Kumar Venkatesan
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Patent number: 11703569Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a return signal receiver generates a pulse trigger signal that triggers the generation of a pulse of illumination light and data acquisition of a return signal, and also triggers the time of flight calculation by time to digital conversion. In addition, the return signal receiver also estimates the width and peak amplitude of each return pulse, and samples each return pulse waveform individually over a sampling window that includes the peak amplitude of each return pulse waveform. In a further aspect, the time of flight associated with each return pulse is estimated based on a coarse timing estimate and a fine timing estimate. In another aspect, the time of flight is measured from the measured pulse due to internal optical crosstalk and a valid return pulse.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2020Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: VELODYNE LIDAR USA, INC.Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Anand Gopalan, Pravin Kumar Venkatesan
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Publication number: 20200292678Abstract: LIDAR measurement systems employing a multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC) are described herein. In one aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC selectively couples each illumination source associated with each measurement channel to a source of electrical power to generate a measurement pulse of illumination light. In one aspect, each pulse trigger signal associated with each measurement channel is received on a separate node of the IC. In another aspect, additional control signals are received on separate nodes of the IC and communicated to all of the measurement channels. In another aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC includes a power regulation module that supplies regulated voltage to various elements of each measurement channel only when any pulse trigger signal is in a state that triggers the firing of an illumination pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2020Publication date: September 17, 2020Applicant: VELODYNE LIDAR, INC.Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Pravin Kumar Venkatesan
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Patent number: 10712434Abstract: LIDAR measurement systems employing a multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC) are described herein. In one aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC selectively couples each illumination source associated with each measurement channel to a source of electrical power to generate a measurement pulse of illumination light. In one aspect, each pulse trigger signal associated with each measurement channel is received on a separate node of the IC. In another aspect, additional control signals are received on separate nodes of the IC and communicated to all of the measurement channels. In another aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC includes a power regulation module that supplies regulated voltage to various elements of each measurement channel only when any pulse trigger signal is in a state that triggers the firing of an illumination pulse.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: VELODYNE LIDAR, INC.Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Pravin Kumar Venkatesan
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Publication number: 20200191915Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a Gallium Nitride (GaN) based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC), an illumination source, and a return signal receiver IC are mounted to a common substrate. The illumination driver IC provides a pulse of electrical power to the illumination source in response to a pulse trigger signal received from the return signal receiver IC. In another aspect, the GaN based illumination driver IC controls the amplitude, ramp rate, and duration of the pulse of electrical power based on command signals communicated from the return signal receiver IC to the illumination driver IC. In a further aspect, illumination driver IC reduces the amount of electrical power consumed by the illumination driver IC during periods of time when the illumination driver IC is not providing electrical power to the illumination source.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2019Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Marius Paul Dumitrean
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Publication number: 20200166613Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a return signal receiver generates a pulse trigger signal that triggers the generation of a pulse of illumination light and data acquisition of a return signal, and also triggers the time of flight calculation by time to digital conversion. In addition, the return signal receiver also estimates the width and peak amplitude of each return pulse, and samples each return pulse waveform individually over a sampling window that includes the peak amplitude of each return pulse waveform. In a further aspect, the time of flight associated with each return pulse is estimated based on a coarse timing estimate and a fine timing estimate. In another aspect, the time of flight is measured from the measured pulse due to internal optical crosstalk and a valid return pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2020Publication date: May 28, 2020Applicant: VELODYNE LIDAR, INC.Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Anand Gopalan, Pravin Kumar Venkatesan
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Patent number: 10627491Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a Gallium Nitride (GaN) based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC), an illumination source, and a return signal receiver IC are mounted to a common substrate. The illumination driver IC provides a pulse of electrical power to the illumination source in response to a pulse trigger signal received from the return signal receiver IC. In another aspect, the GaN based illumination driver IC controls the amplitude, ramp rate, and duration of the pulse of electrical power based on command signals communicated from the return signal receiver IC to the illumination driver IC. In a further aspect, illumination driver IC reduces the amount of electrical power consumed by the illumination driver IC during periods of time when the illumination driver IC is not providing electrical power to the illumination source.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2019Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Velodyne Lidar, Inc.Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Marius Paul Dumitrean
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Publication number: 20200088851Abstract: LIDAR measurement systems employing a multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC) are described herein. In one aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC selectively couples each illumination source associated with each measurement channel to a source of electrical power to generate a measurement pulse of illumination light. In one aspect, each pulse trigger signal associated with each measurement channel is received on a separate node of the IC. In another aspect, additional control signals are received on separate nodes of the IC and communicated to all of the measurement channels. In another aspect, the multiple channel, GaN based illumination driver IC includes a power regulation module that supplies regulated voltage to various elements of each measurement channel only when any pulse trigger signal is in a state that triggers the firing of an illumination pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Pravin Kumar Venkatesan
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Patent number: 10582854Abstract: A method and system for determining thermistor resistance have been disclosed. The method comprises providing a temperature sensor network within a wireless sensor device, wherein the temperature sensor network includes a driver device and a receiver device, coupling the driver device to the receiver device using a dual bond wire system, determining at least one output voltage using at least one input current flowing through the dual bond wire system, and determining the thermistor resistance using the at least one output voltage. The system comprises a wireless sensor device including a temperature sensor network that comprises driver and receiver devices, and a dual bond wire system that couples the driver device to the receiver device, wherein at least one output voltage is determined using at least one input current flowing through the dual bond wire system, further wherein the thermistor resistance is determined using the at least one output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2016Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Vital Connect, Inc.Inventors: Raymond Liou, Arshan Aga, Steve Fang
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Patent number: 10545222Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a return signal receiver generates a pulse trigger signal that triggers the generation of a pulse of illumination light and data acquisition of a return signal, and also triggers the time of flight calculation by time to digital conversion. In addition, the return signal receiver also estimates the width and peak amplitude of each return pulse, and samples each return pulse waveform individually over a sampling window that includes the peak amplitude of each return pulse waveform. In a further aspect, the time of flight associated with each return pulse is estimated based on a coarse timing estimate and a fine timing estimate. In another aspect, the time of flight is measured from the measured pulse due to internal optical crosstalk and a valid return pulse.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Velodyne Lidar, Inc.Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Anand Gopalan, Pravin Kumar Venkatesan
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Publication number: 20190361092Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a Gallium Nitride (GaN) based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC), an illumination source, and a return signal receiver IC are mounted to a common substrate. The illumination driver IC provides a pulse of electrical power to the illumination source in response to a pulse trigger signal received from the return signal receiver IC. In another aspect, the GaN based illumination driver IC controls the amplitude, ramp rate, and duration of the pulse of electrical power based on command signals communicated from the return signal receiver IC to the illumination driver IC. In a further aspect, illumination driver IC reduces the amount of electrical power consumed by the illumination driver IC during periods of time when the illumination driver IC is not providing electrical power to the illumination source.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Marius Paul Dumitrean
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Publication number: 20190339365Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a Gallium Nitride (GaN) based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC), an illumination source, and a return signal receiver IC are mounted to a common substrate. The illumination driver IC provides a pulse of electrical power to the illumination source in response to a pulse trigger signal received from the return signal receiver IC. In another aspect, the GaN based illumination driver IC controls the amplitude, ramp rate, and duration of the pulse of electrical power based on command signals communicated from the return signal receiver IC to the illumination driver IC. In a further aspect, illumination driver IC reduces the amount of electrical power consumed by the illumination driver IC during periods of time when the illumination driver IC is not providing electrical power to the illumination source.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Marius Paul Dumitrean
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Patent number: 10386465Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a Gallium Nitride (GaN) based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC), an illumination source, and a return signal receiver IC are mounted to a common substrate. The illumination driver IC provides a pulse of electrical power to the illumination source in response to a pulse trigger signal received from the return signal receiver IC. In another aspect, the GaN based illumination driver IC controls the amplitude, ramp rate, and duration of the pulse of electrical power based on command signals communicated from the return signal receiver IC to the illumination driver IC. In a further aspect, illumination driver IC reduces the amount of electrical power consumed by the illumination driver IC during periods of time when the illumination driver IC is not providing electrical power to the illumination source.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Velodyne Lidar, Inc.Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Marius Paul Dumitrean
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Publication number: 20180321360Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a return signal receiver generates a pulse trigger signal that triggers the generation of a pulse of illumination light and data acquisition of a return signal, and also triggers the time of flight calculation by time to digital conversion. In addition, the return signal receiver also estimates the width and peak amplitude of each return pulse, and samples each return pulse waveform individually over a sampling window that includes the peak amplitude of each return pulse waveform. In a further aspect, the time of flight associated with each return pulse is estimated based on a coarse timing estimate and a fine timing estimate. In another aspect, the time of flight is measured from the measured pulse due to internal optical crosstalk and a valid return pulse.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2018Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Anand Gopalan, Pravin Kumar Venkatesan
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Publication number: 20180284227Abstract: Methods and systems for performing three dimensional LIDAR measurements with an integrated LIDAR measurement device are described herein. In one aspect, a Gallium Nitride (GaN) based illumination driver integrated circuit (IC), an illumination source, and a return signal receiver IC are mounted to a common substrate. The illumination driver IC provides a pulse of electrical power to the illumination source in response to a pulse trigger signal received from the return signal receiver IC. In another aspect, the GaN based illumination driver IC controls the amplitude, ramp rate, and duration of the pulse of electrical power based on command signals communicated from the return signal receiver IC to the illumination driver IC. In a further aspect, illumination driver IC reduces the amount of electrical power consumed by the illumination driver IC during periods of time when the illumination driver IC is not providing electrical power to the illumination source.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2018Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: David S. Hall, Raymond Liou, Oren Milgrome, Marius Paul Dumitrean
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Publication number: 20180035889Abstract: A method and system for determining thermistor resistance have been disclosed. The method comprises providing a temperature sensor network within a wireless sensor device, wherein the temperature sensor network includes a driver device and a receiver device, coupling the driver device to the receiver device using a dual bond wire system, determining at least one output voltage using at least one input current flowing through the dual bond wire system, and determining the thermistor resistance using the at least one output voltage. The system comprises a wireless sensor device including a temperature sensor network that comprises driver and receiver devices, and a dual bond wire system that couples the driver device to the receiver device, wherein at least one output voltage is determined using at least one input current flowing through the dual bond wire system, further wherein the thermistor resistance is determined using the at least one output voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2016Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Raymond LIOU, Arshan AGA, Steve FANG