Patents by Inventor Sergiu Goma

Sergiu Goma 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: 11563873
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to depth sensing using a device. An example device includes a first light projector configured to project light towards a second light projector configured to project light towards the first light projector. The example device includes a reflective component positioned between the first and second light projectors, the reflective component configured to redirect the light projected by the first light projector onto a first portion of a scene and to redirect the light projected by the second light projector onto a second portion of the scene, and the first and second portions of the scene being adjacent to one another and non-overlapping relative to one another. The example device includes a receiver configured to detect reflections of redirected light projected by the first and second light projectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jian Ma, Sergiu Goma, Biay-Cheng Hseih
  • Patent number: 11297258
    Abstract: A high dynamic range solid state image sensor and camera system are disclosed. In one aspect, the solid state image sensor includes a first wafer including an array of pixels, each of the pixels comprising a photosensor, and a second wafer including an array of readout circuits. Each of the readout circuits is configured to output a readout signal indicative of an amount of light received by a corresponding one of the pixels and each of the readout circuits includes a counter. Each of the counters is configured to increment in response to the corresponding photosensor receiving an amount of light that is greater than a photosensor threshold. Each of the readout circuits is configured to generate the readout signal based on a value stored in the corresponding counter and a remainder stored in the corresponding pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Sergiu Goma, Biay-Cheng Hseih
  • Publication number: 20210321021
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to depth sensing using a device. An example device includes a first light projector configured to project light towards a second light projector configured to project light towards the first light projector. The example device includes a reflective component positioned between the first and second light projectors, the reflective component configured to redirect the light projected by the first light projector onto a first portion of a scene and to redirect the light projected by the second light projector onto a second portion of the scene, and the first and second portions of the scene being adjacent to one another and non-overlapping relative to one another. The example device includes a receiver configured to detect reflections of redirected light projected by the first and second light projectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Jian Ma, Sergiu Goma, Biay-Cheng Hseih
  • Patent number: 11037966
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an image sensor that includes a first sensor portion and a second sensor portion. The second sensor portion may be positioned relative to the first sensor portion such that the second sensor portion may initially detect light entering the image sensor, and some of that light passes through the second sensor portion and may be detected by the first sensor portion. In some embodiments, one more optical filters may be disposed within the image sensor. The one or more optical filters may include at least one of a dual bandpass filter disposed above the second photodetector or a narrow bandpass filter disposed between the first photodetector and the second photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Biay-Cheng Hseih, Todor Georgiev Georgiev, Jian Ma, Sergiu Goma
  • Patent number: 10969668
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for active depth sensing. An example device includes a light projector. The light projector includes a light source to emit light and a diffractive element. The diffractive element is configured to receive the emitted light that is polarized, project a first distribution of light when the received light has a first polarity, and project a second distribution of light when the received light has a second polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jian Ma, Sergiu Goma
  • Patent number: 10901310
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a device for active depth sensing with an adjustable distribution of light projected. An example device includes a light projector. The light projector includes a light source configured to emit a light and a diffractive element. The diffractive element includes a first diffractive optical element having a first refractive index and configured to project a first distribution of light, a second diffractive optical element having a second refractive index and configured to project a second distribution of light based on a refractive material between the first diffractive optical element and the second diffractive optical element, and the refractive material located between the first diffractive optical element and the second optical element. The refractive material is adjustable to have a second refractive index for the first mode and a third refractive index for the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jian Ma, Sergiu Goma
  • Patent number: 10802382
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an adjustable light projector for active depth sensing and flood illumination. An example device includes a light projector that includes a light source to emit a light along a first direction and a diffractive element positioned in a path of the emitted light along the first direction. The diffractive element includes a diffractive optical element having a first refractive index and configured to project a distribution of focused light from the emitted light during a first mode. The diffractive element also includes a diffusion element having a second refractive index and configured to diffuse the emitted light during a second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Jian Ma, Sergiu Goma
  • Patent number: 10771768
    Abstract: Methods and systems disclosed provide improved depth sensing for an imaging device. In some aspects, a plurality of transmitters including a first transmitter are configured to generate a structured light pattern with a first depth of field at a first resolution and a second structured light pattern with a second depth of field at the first resolution, wherein the second depth of field is wider than the first depth of field. A receiver, such as an imaging sensor, is configured to focus within the first depth of field to receive the first structured light pattern and capture a first image representing the first structured light pattern and to focus within the second depth of field to receive the second structured light pattern and capture a second image representing the second structured light pattern. An electronic hardware processor is configured to generate a depth map of the scene based on the first image and the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kalin Atanassov, Sergiu Goma, Stephen Michael Verrall
  • Patent number: 10732285
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for structured light (SL) depth systems. A depth finding system includes one or more processors and a memory, coupled to the one or more processors, includes instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to capture a plurality of frames based on transmitted pulses of light, where each of the frames is captured by scanning a sensor array after a respective one of the pulses has been transmitted, and generate an image depicting reflections of the transmitted light by combining the plurality of frames, where each of the frames provides a different portion of the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Kalin Atanassov, Sergiu Goma, James Nash
  • Publication number: 20200096640
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for structured light (SL) depth systems. A depth finding system includes one or more processors and a memory, coupled to the one or more processors, includes instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to capture a plurality of frames based on transmitted pulses of light, where each of the frames is captured by scanning a sensor array after a respective one of the pulses has been transmitted, and generate an image depicting reflections of the transmitted light by combining the plurality of frames, where each of the frames provides a different portion of the image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Kalin Atanassov, Sergiu Goma, James Nash
  • Publication number: 20200033713
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to systems and methods for active depth sensing. An example device includes a light projector. The light projector includes a light source to emit light and a diffractive element. The diffractive element is configured to receive the emitted light that is polarized, project a first distribution of light when the received light has a first polarity, and project a second distribution of light when the received light has a second polarity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Jian Ma, Sergiu Goma
  • Publication number: 20200033711
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an adjustable light projector for active depth sensing and flood illumination. An example device includes a light projector that includes a light source to emit a light along a first direction and a diffractive element positioned in a path of the emitted light along the first direction. The diffractive element includes a diffractive optical element having a first refractive index and configured to project a distribution of focused light from the emitted light during a first mode. The diffractive element also includes a diffusion element having a second refractive index and configured to diffuse the emitted light during a second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Jian MA, Sergiu GOMA
  • Publication number: 20200033710
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a device for active depth sensing with an adjustable distribution of light projected. An example device includes a light projector. The light projector includes a light source configured to emit a light and a diffractive element. The diffractive element includes a first diffractive optical element having a first refractive index and configured to project a first distribution of light, a second diffractive optical element having a second refractive index and configured to project a second distribution of light based on a refractive material between the first diffractive optical element and the second diffractive optical element, and the refractive material located between the first diffractive optical element and the second optical element. The refractive material is adjustable to have a second refractive index for the first mode and a third refractive index for the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Publication date: January 30, 2020
    Inventors: Jian MA, Sergiu GOMA
  • Publication number: 20190096932
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to an image sensor that includes a first sensor portion and a second sensor portion. The second sensor portion may be positioned relative to the first sensor portion such that the second sensor portion may initially detect light entering the image sensor, and some of that light passes through the second sensor portion and may be detected by the first sensor portion. In some embodiments, one more optical filters may be disposed within the image sensor. The one or more optical filters may include at least one of a dual bandpass filter disposed above the second photodetector or a narrow bandpass filter disposed between the first photodetector and the second photodetector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Biay-Cheng HSEIH, Todor Georgiev GEORGIEV, Jian MA, Sergiu GOMA
  • Publication number: 20180176542
    Abstract: Methods and systems disclosed provide improved depth sensing for an imaging device. In some aspects, a plurality of transmitters including a first transmitter are configured to generate a structured light pattern with a first depth of field at a first resolution and a second structured light pattern with a second depth of field at the first resolution, wherein the second depth of field is wider than the first depth of field. A receiver, such as an imaging sensor, is configured to focus within the first depth of field to receive the first structured light pattern and capture a first image representing the first structured light pattern and to focus within the second depth of field to receive the second structured light pattern and capture a second image representing the second structured light pattern. An electronic hardware processor is configured to generate a depth map of the scene based on the first image and the second image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Kalin Atanassov, Sergiu Goma, Stephen Michael Verrall
  • Publication number: 20170099422
    Abstract: A high dynamic range solid state image sensor and camera system are disclosed. In one aspect, the solid state image sensor includes a first wafer including an array of pixels, each of the pixels comprising a photosensor, and a second wafer including an array of readout circuits. Each of the readout circuits is configured to output a readout signal indicative of an amount of light received by a corresponding one of the pixels and each of the readout circuits includes a counter. Each of the counters is configured to increment in response to the corresponding photosensor receiving an amount of light that is greater than a photosensor threshold. Each of the readout circuits is configured to generate the readout signal based on a value stored in the corresponding counter and a remainder stored in the corresponding pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Inventors: Sergiu Goma, Biay-Cheng Hseih
  • Patent number: 8873581
    Abstract: A graphics multi-media integrated circuit (GMIC) is connected to a host processor over two serial links: a half duplex bi-directional serial link which accords to a display serial interface protocol, and a uni-directional serial link which accords to a camera serial interface protocol. The GMIC receives packets from the host over the half duplex bi-directional serial link and processes these packets. The GMIC sends packets over the uni-directional serial link. A packet from the host can request a processing operation by the GMIC or can initiate a memory operation at the memory of the GMIC. The GMIC can also send packets to the host to initiate a host memory operation and may be connected to a display over a bi-directional serial link and to a camera over a uni-directional serial link and a bi-directional control link allowing the host to control the display and camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Fariborz Pourbigharaz, Sergiu Goma, Milivoje Aleksic, Andrzej Mamona
  • Patent number: 8769384
    Abstract: To derive a Hamming code to manage data errors a set of at least four parity bit positions is selected for parity bits which will protect a set of data bits (where each data bit has a data bit position in the data bit set). A syndrome is determined for each data bit position. This involves selecting a unique sub-set of at least three parity bit positions. The unique sub-set shares at least one parity bit position with at least one other unique sub-set of at least three parity bit positions. A parity bit value may then be calculated for each parity bit position based on the determined syndromes. The header of a packet may be provided with a word which defines the length of the packet and an error management code generated utilizing this word so that errors in the word may be detected and, possibly, corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Sergiu Goma, Milivoje Aleksic
  • Patent number: 8667375
    Abstract: To derive a Hamming code to manage data errors a set of at least four parity bit positions is selected for parity bits which will protect a set of data bits (where each data bit has a data bit position in the data bit set). A syndrome is determined for each data bit position. This involves selecting a unique sub-set of at least three parity bit positions. The unique sub-set shares at least one parity bit position with at least one other unique sub-set of at least three parity bit positions. A parity bit value may then be calculated for each parity bit position based on the determined syndromes. The header of a packet may be provided with a word which defines the length of the packet and an error management code generated utilizing this word so that errors in the word may be detected and, possibly, corrected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: ATI Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Sergiu Goma, Milivoje Aleksic
  • Publication number: 20130010168
    Abstract: A graphics multi-media integrated circuit (GMIC) is connected to a host processor over two serial links: a half duplex bi-directional serial link which accords to a display serial interface protocol, and a uni-directional serial link which accords to a camera serial interface protocol. The GMIC receives packets from the host over the half duplex bi-directional serial link and processes these packets. The GMIC sends packets over the uni-directional serial link. A packet from the host can request a processing operation by the GMIC or can initiate a memory operation at the memory of the GMIC. The GMIC can also send packets to the host to initiate a host memory operation and may be connected to a display over a bi-directional serial link and to a camera over a uni-directional serial link and a bi-directional control link allowing the host to control the display and camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: ATI TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: Fariborz Pourbigharaz, Sergiu Goma, Milivoje Aleksic, Andrzej Mamona