Patents by Inventor Zeb Barber
Zeb Barber 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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Publication number: 20240094401Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple functions of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes receiving a second optical beam generated by the laser source or a second laser source, wherein the second optical beam is associated with a second local oscillator (LO); splitting the second optical beam into a third split optical beam and a fourth split optical beam; transmitting, to the optical device, the third split optical beam and the fourth split optical beam; receiving, from the optical device, a third reflected beam that is associated with the third split optical beam and a fourth reflected beam that is associated with the fourth split optical beam; and pairing the third reflected beam with the second LO signal and the fourth reflected beam with the second LO signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11933901Abstract: A light detection and ranging (lidar) system for a vehicle may include a receiver layer, a transmitter layer coupled to the receiver layer through an adhesive layer in a first direction, and one or more optics. The transmitter layer may receive, at a first side of the transmitter layer, a transmit signal from a laser source, and transmit the transmit signal through the one or more optics. The receiver layer may receive, through the one or more optics, a return signal reflected by an object in an environment of the vehicle, and output the return signal at a first side of the receiver layer. The first side of the transmitter layer and the first side of the receiver layer may be apart from and parallel to each other in a second direction crossing the first direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2022Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stefan Heinemann, Randy Reibel
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Publication number: 20240085562Abstract: A light detection and ranging (lidar) system for a vehicle may include a receiver layer, a transmitter layer coupled to the receiver layer through an adhesive layer in a first direction, and one or more optics. The transmitter layer may receive, at a first side of the transmitter layer, a transmit signal from a laser source, and transmit the transmit signal through the one or more optics. The receiver layer may receive, through the one or more optics, a return signal reflected by an object in an environment of the vehicle, and output the return signal at a first side of the receiver layer. The first side of the transmitter layer and the first side of the receiver layer may be apart from and parallel to each other in a second direction crossing the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2022Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: Aurora Operations, Inc.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stefan Heinemann, Randy Reibel
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Patent number: 11921219Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple functions of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes receiving a second optical beam generated by the laser source or a second laser source, wherein the second optical beam is associated with a second local oscillator (LO); splitting the second optical beam into a third split optical beam and a fourth split optical beam; transmitting, to the optical device, the third split optical beam and the fourth split optical beam; receiving, from the optical device, a third reflected beam that is associated with the third split optical beam and a fourth reflected beam that is associated with the fourth split optical beam; and pairing the third reflected beam with the second LO signal and the fourth reflected beam with the second LO signal.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11921236Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2023Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Ray Reibel, Sean Spillane
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Publication number: 20240061088Abstract: A system and method for scanning of coherent LIDAR. The system includes a motor, a laser source configured to generate an optical beam, and a deflector. A first facet of the plurality of facets has a facet normal direction. The deflector is coupled to the motor and is configured to rotate about a rotation axis to deflect the optical beam from the laser source. The laser source is configured to direct the optical beam such that the optical beam is incident on the deflector at a first incident angle in a first plane, wherein the first plane includes the rotation axis, wherein the first incident angle is spaced apart from the facet normal direction for the first facet. A second facet of the plurality of facets includes an optical element configured to deflect the optical beam at the first incident angle into a deflected angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Applicant: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLCInventors: Ryan GALLOWAY, Edward ANGUS, Zeb BARBER
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Publication number: 20240053449Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2023Publication date: February 15, 2024Applicant: Aurora Operations, Inc.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Ray Reibel, Sean Spillane
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Patent number: 11892543Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple functions of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes receiving a second optical beam generated by the laser source or a second laser source, wherein the second optical beam is associated with a second local oscillator (LO); splitting the second optical beam into a third split optical beam and a fourth split optical beam; transmitting, to the optical device, the third split optical beam and the fourth split optical beam; receiving, from the optical device, a third reflected beam that is associated with the third split optical beam and a fourth reflected beam that is associated with the fourth split optical beam; and pairing the third reflected beam with the second LO signal and the fourth reflected beam with the second LO signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2021Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: AURORA INNOVATION, INC.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11858533Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 5, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Stephen Crouch, Zeb Barber, Emil Kadlec, Ryan Galloway, Sean Spillane
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Publication number: 20230176224Abstract: A system and method for combining multiple functions of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes receiving a second optical beam generated by the laser source or a second laser source, wherein the second optical beam is associated with a second local oscillator (LO); splitting the second optical beam into a third split optical beam and a fourth split optical beam; transmitting, to the optical device, the third split optical beam and the fourth split optical beam; receiving, from the optical device, a third reflected beam that is associated with the third split optical beam and a fourth reflected beam that is associated with the fourth split optical beam; and pairing the third reflected beam with the second LO signal and the fourth reflected beam with the second LO signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2023Publication date: June 8, 2023Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11619716Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 15, 2022Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Ray Reibel, Sean Spillane
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Publication number: 20220390561Abstract: In some implementations, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a laser source configured to provide an optical signal at a first signal power, an amplifier having a plurality of gain levels, at which the amplifier is configured to amplify the optical signal, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to, based on the first signal power and a duty cycle of the optical signal, vary a gain level of the amplifier from the plurality of gain levels to generate a pulse signal, transmit the pulse signal from the amplifier to an environment, receive a reflected signal that is reflected from an object, responsive to transmitting the pulse signal, and determine a range to the object based on an electrical signal associated with the reflected signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Applicant: Aurora Operations, Inc.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Reibel, Devlin Baker, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11428789Abstract: In some implementations, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a laser source configured to provide an optical signal at a first signal power, an amplifier having a plurality of gain levels, at which the amplifier is configured to amplify the optical signal, and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to, based on the first signal power and a duty cycle of the optical signal, vary a gain level of the amplifier from the plurality of gain levels to generate a pulse signal, transmit the pulse signal from the amplifier to an environment, receive a reflected signal that is reflected from an object, responsive to transmitting the pulse signal, and determine a range to the object based on an electrical signal associated with the reflected signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Aurora Operations, Inc.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy Reibel, Devlin Baker, Emil Kadlec
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Publication number: 20220266853Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a laser source, a first lens, and a second lens. The laser source is configured to output a first beam. The first lens includes a planar portion and a convex portion. The first lens is configured to receive the first beam and output a second beam responsive to the first beam. The second lens includes a concave portion and a planar portion. The second lens is configured to receive the second beam and output a third beam responsive to the second beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Applicant: Blackmore Sensors & Analytics, LLCInventors: Edward Joseph Angus, Zeb Barber, Ryan Moore Galloway
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Publication number: 20220260695Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system including a laser configured to output a beam, an amplifier, and an optical network. The amplifier may be configured to receive a plurality of optical signals that are generated based on the beam and are respectively associated with a plurality of phases. The amplifier may be configured to generate a plurality of amplified optical signals based on the plurality of optical signals. The optical network may be coupled to the amplifier. The optical network may be configured to receive the plurality of amplified optical signals. The optical network may be configured to generate an optical signal based on the plurality of amplified optical signals. An amplitude of the optical signal may correspond to a combined amplitude of the plurality of amplified optical signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2021Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Zeb Barber, Randy R. Reibel, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11415699Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes one or more components that include at least one of an electrical circuit, an electro-optical component, or an optical component. The one or more components are configured to receive an optical beam generated by a laser source, split the optical beam into a plurality of optical beams, transmit the plurality of optical beams through a first subset of optical paths. The one or more components are configured to in response to transmitting the plurality of optical beams, receive a reflected beam through a second subset of the optical paths, generate a first output signal based on a first local oscillator (LO) signal and the reflected beam, and generate a second output signal based on a second local oscillator (LO) signal and the reflected beam.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11409043Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: BLACKMORE SENSORS AND ANALYTICS, LLCInventors: Evan Rogers, Ryan Galloway, Zeb Barber, Sean Spillane
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Publication number: 20220171072Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system for a vehicle, includes a laser source configured to generate light signals, a transceiver, and a fiber array coupled to the transceiver and including a plurality of output channels. The transceiver is configured to receive one or more light signals from the laser source through a first group of output channels of the fiber array, receive one or more local oscillator (LO) signals through a second group of output channels of the fiber array, transmit the one or more light signals into an environment of the vehicle, receive a first returned light reflected from one or more objects in the environment, and output the first returned light and a first LO signal of the one or more LO signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2022Publication date: June 2, 2022Applicant: Aurora Innovation, Inc.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11280909Abstract: A light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system includes a transceiver, a laser source coupled to the transceiver, a time-division multiplexing (TDM) circuit, and one or more processors. The TDM circuit is configured to generate a plurality of first signals. The one or more processors are configured to control the laser source to provide an optical beam to a first input optical channel of a plurality of input optical channels of the transceiver during a first time slot, based on the optical beam provided to the first input optical channel, control the transceiver to send a first reflected beam and a second reflected beam to the TDM circuit through a first output optical channel of a plurality of output optical channels of the transceiver, and based on a control signal provided to the TDM circuit, control the TDM circuit to select the plurality of first signals during the first time slot.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: AURORA OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Zeb Barber, Stephen Crouch, Emil Kadlec
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Patent number: 11260881Abstract: A LIDAR system includes a laser source, a first lens, and a second lens. The laser source is configured to output a first beam. The first lens includes a planar portion and a convex portion. The first lens is configured to receive the first beam and output a second beam responsive to the first beam. The second lens includes a concave portion and a planar portion. The second lens is configured to receive the second beam and output a third beam responsive to the second beam.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2021Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: BLACKMORE SENSORS & ANALYTICS, LLCInventors: Edward Joseph Angus, Zeb Barber, Ryan Moore Galloway