Patents by Inventor Sean Spillane

Sean Spillane 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: 20240230855
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (lidar) system for a vehicle may include an input optical path, a first optical path, a plurality of second optical paths, a first optical amplifier, and a plurality of second optical amplifiers. The input optical path may be configured to receive a beam from a laser source. The first optical path and the plurality of second optical paths may be respectively branched from the input optical path. The first optical amplifier may be coupled to the first optical path and configured to output a local oscillator (LO) signal. The plurality of second optical amplifiers may be respectively coupled to the plurality of second optical paths, one of the plurality of second optical amplifiers being selectively turned on to modulate the beam received through a second optical path and output a modulated optical signal of the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Aurora Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Reibel, Sean Spillane
  • Patent number: 11921236
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (lidar) system for a vehicle may include an input optical path, a first optical path, a plurality of second optical paths, a first optical amplifier, and a plurality of second optical amplifiers. The input optical path may be configured to receive a beam from a laser source. The first optical path and the plurality of second optical paths may be respectively branched from the input optical path. The first optical amplifier may be coupled to the first optical path and configured to output a local oscillator (LO) signal. The plurality of second optical amplifiers may be respectively coupled to the plurality of second optical paths, one of the plurality of second optical amplifiers being selectively turned on to modulate the beam received through a second optical path and output a modulated optical signal of the beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Ray Reibel, Sean Spillane
  • Publication number: 20240053449
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (lidar) system for a vehicle may include an input optical path, a first optical path, a plurality of second optical paths, a first optical amplifier, and a plurality of second optical amplifiers. The input optical path may be configured to receive a beam from a laser source. The first optical path and the plurality of second optical paths may be respectively branched from the input optical path. The first optical amplifier may be coupled to the first optical path and configured to output a local oscillator (LO) signal. The plurality of second optical amplifiers may be respectively coupled to the plurality of second optical paths, one of the plurality of second optical amplifiers being selectively turned on to modulate the beam received through a second optical path and output a modulated optical signal of the beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Aurora Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Ray Reibel, Sean Spillane
  • Patent number: 11858533
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to cause a transmitter to transmit a transmit signal from a laser source. The one or more processors are configured to cause a receiver to receive a return signal reflected by an object. The one or more processors are configured to cause one or more optics to generate a first polarized signal of the return signal with a first polarization, and generate a second polarized signal of the return signal with a second polarization. The one or more processors are configured to calculate a value of reflectivity based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value of the first polarized signal and an SNR value of the second polarized signal. The one or more processors are configured to operate a vehicle based on the value of reflectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Crouch, Zeb Barber, Emil Kadlec, Ryan Galloway, Sean Spillane
  • Patent number: 11619716
    Abstract: A device may include an input optical path, a first optical path, a plurality of second optical paths, a first optical amplifier, a plurality of second optical amplifiers, and a control circuit. The input optical path may receive, at one end thereof, a beam from a laser source. The first optical path and the second optical paths may be respectively branched from at the other end of the input optical path. The first optical amplifier may be coupled to the first optical path. The second optical amplifiers may be respectively coupled to the second optical paths. The control circuit may selectively turn on one of the second optical amplifiers to output a modulated optical signal of the beam. The control circuit may turn on the first optical amplifier, in synchronization with turning on any one of the second optical amplifiers, to output a local oscillator (LO) signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Ray Reibel, Sean Spillane
  • Patent number: 11409043
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a laser, a transceiver, and one or more optics. The laser source is configured to generate a beam. The transceiver is configured to transmit the beam as a transmit signal through a transmission waveguide and to receive a return signal reflected by an object through a receiving waveguide. The one or more optics are external to the transceiver and configured to optically change a distance between the transmit signal and the return signal by displacing one of the transmit signal or the return signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: BLACKMORE SENSORS AND ANALYTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Evan Rogers, Ryan Galloway, Zeb Barber, Sean Spillane
  • Publication number: 20220024487
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to cause a transmitter to transmit a transmit signal from a laser source. The one or more processors are configured to cause a receiver to receive a return signal reflected by an object. The one or more processors are configured to cause one or more optics to generate a first polarized signal of the return signal with a first polarization, and generate a second polarized signal of the return signal with a second polarization. The one or more processors are configured to calculate a value of reflectivity based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value of the first polarized signal and an SNR value of the second polarized signal. The one or more processors are configured to operate a vehicle based on the value of reflectivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen CROUCH, Zeb Barber, Emil KADLEC, Ryan Galloway, Sean Spillane
  • Patent number: 11161526
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to cause a transmitter to transmit a transmit signal from a laser source. The one or more processors are configured to cause a receiver to receive a return signal reflected by an object. The one or more processors are configured to cause one or more optics to generate a first polarized signal of the return signal with a first polarization, and generate a second polarized signal of the return signal with a second polarization. The one or more processors are configured to calculate a value of reflectivity based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) value of the first polarized signal and an SNR value of the second polarized signal. The one or more processors are configured to operate a vehicle based on the value of reflectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Crouch, Zeb Barber, Emil Kadlec, Ryan Galloway, Sean Spillane
  • Publication number: 20210325610
    Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a laser, a transceiver, and one or more optics. The laser source is configured to generate a beam. The transceiver is configured to transmit the beam as a transmit signal through a transmission waveguide and to receive a return signal reflected by an object through a receiving waveguide. The one or more optics are external to the transceiver and configured to optically change a distance between the transmit signal and the return signal by displacing one of the transmit signal or the return signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLC
    Inventors: Evan Rogers, Ryan Galloway, Zeb Barber, Sean Spillane
  • Patent number: 11079546
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a transceiver and one or more optics. The transceiver is configured to transmit a transmit signal from a laser source in a transmission mode and to receive a return signal reflected by an object in a receive mode. The one or more optics are configured to spatially separate the transmission mode and the receive mode by optically changing a distance between the transmit signal and the return signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLC.
    Inventors: Evan Rogers, Ryan Galloway, Zeb Barber, Sean Spillane
  • Patent number: 10960900
    Abstract: An autonomous vehicle control system includes one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to cause a transmitter to transmit a transmit signal from a laser source. The one or more processors are configured to cause a receiver to receive a return signal reflected by an object. The one or more processors are configured to cause one or more optics to generate a first polarized signal of the return signal with a first polarization, and generate a second polarized signal of the return signal with a second polarization that is orthogonal to the first polarization. The one or more processors are configured to operate a vehicle based on a ratio of reflectivity between the first polarized signal and the second polarized signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: AURORA INNOVATION, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Crouch, Zeb Barber, Emil Kadlec, Ryan Galloway, Sean Spillane
  • Publication number: 20200333533
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a transceiver and one or more optics. The transceiver is configured to transmit a transmit signal from a laser source in a transmission mode and to receive a return signal reflected by an object in a receive mode. The one or more optics are configured to spatially separate the transmission mode and the receive mode by optically changing a distance between the transmit signal and the return signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Inventors: Evan Rogers, Ryan Galloway, Zeb Barber, Sean Spillane
  • Patent number: 8039845
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods for coupling semiconductor-based photonic devices to diamond. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photonic device is optically coupled with a diamond structure. The photonic device comprises a semiconductor material and is optically coupled with the diamond structure with an adhesive substance that adheres the photonic device to the diamond structure. A method for coupling the photonic device with the diamond structure is also provided. The method comprises: depositing a semiconductor material on the diamond structure; forming the photonic device in the semiconductor material so that the photonic device couples with the diamond structure; and adhering the photonic device to the diamond structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Charles Santori, Sean Spillane, Marco Fiorentino, David Fattal, Raymond G. Beausoleil, Wei Wu, Theodore I. Kamins
  • Patent number: 7844649
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed optical-based quantum random number generators. In one embodiment, a quantum random number generator includes an input state generator that generates a first optical quantum system and a second optical quantum system in an entangled state, a detector that measures the state of the first optical quantum system and the state of the second optical quantum system, and a system control that evaluates a result obtained from measuring the state of the first optical quantum system and state of the second optical quantum system to determine whether or not to append a number associated with the result to the sequence of random numbers. The quantum random number generator also include state controllers, located between the input state generator and the detector, that are operationally controlled by the system control to maintain the entangled state, based on results obtained from previous measurements performed on the first and second optical quantum systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Marco Fiorentino, William J. Munro, Raymond G. Beausoleil, Sean Spillane, Charles Santori
  • Patent number: 7805826
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a nanometer slot waveguide comprises applying a spacer layer to a first waveguide structure, wherein the first waveguide structure includes a waveguide layer and a substrate layer and the waveguide layer has a refractive index greater than the substrate layer. A second waveguide structure is applied to the spacer layer, wherein the second waveguide structure includes a waveguide layer and a substrate layer, and the waveguide layer has a refractive index greater than the substrate layer. The substrate layer of the second waveguide structure is removed to create an intermediate waveguide structure and portions of the intermediate waveguide structure are removed to create a nanometer slot waveguide structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Sean Spillane
  • Patent number: 7778501
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to integrated circuits having photonic interconnect layers and methods for fabricating the integrated circuits. In one embodiment of the present invention, an integrated circuit comprises an electronic device layer and one or more photonic interconnect layers. The electronic device layer includes one or more electronic devices, and the electronic device layer is attached to a surface of an intermediate layer. One of the photonic interconnect layers is attached to an opposing surface of the intermediate layer, and each of the photonic interconnect layers has at least one photonic device in communication with at least one of the electronic devices of the electronic device layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond G. Beausoleil, Scott Corzine, Sean Spillane, Wei Wu, R. Stanley Williams
  • Patent number: 7639953
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to compact systems for generating polarization-entangled photons. In one embodiment of the present invention, a non-degenerate, polarization-entangled photon source comprises a half-wave plate that outputs both a first pump beam and a second pump beam, and a first beam displacer that directs the first pump beam into a first transmission channel and the second pump beam into a second transmission channel. A down-conversion device converts the first pump beam into first signal and idler photons and converts the second pump beam into second signal and idler photons. A second beam displacer directs both the first signal and idler photons and the second signal and idler photons into a single transmission channel. A dichroic mirror directs the first and second signal photons to a first fiber optic coupler and the first and second idler photons to a second fiber optic coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Sean Spillane, Charles Santori, Marco Fiorentino, Raymond G. Beausoliel
  • Patent number: 7609932
    Abstract: A nanometer slot waveguide includes a nanometer slot waveguide structure with vertically stacked layers. The vertically stacked layers include a substrate, a first waveguide layer defining a first rail, a spacer layer defining a slot, and a second waveguide layer defining a second rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Sean Spillane
  • Patent number: 7546013
    Abstract: A nanoparticle is able to emit single photons. A waveguide is coupled to the nanoparticle and able to receive the single photons. A backreflector is optically coupled to the waveguide and configured to reflect the single photons toward the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company
    Inventors: Charles Santori, Sean Spillane, Raymond G. Beausoleil, Marco Fiorentino
  • Publication number: 20090140275
    Abstract: A nanoparticle is able to emit single photons. A waveguide is coupled to the nanoparticle and able to receive the single photons. A backreflector is optically coupled to the waveguide and configured to reflect the single photons toward the waveguide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Charles Santori, Sean Spillane, Raymond G. Beausoleil, Marco Fiorentino