Of A Simulation Or Test Patents (Class 356/4.02)
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Patent number: 12001217Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining sensor degradation by actively controlling an autonomous vehicle. Determining sensor degradation may include obtaining sensor readings from a sensor of an autonomous vehicle, and determining baseline state information from the obtained sensor readings. A movement characteristic of the autonomous vehicle, such as speed or position, may then be changed. The sensor may then obtain additional sensor readings, and second state information may be determined from these additional sensor readings. Expected state information may be determined from the baseline state information and the change in the movement characteristic of the autonomous vehicle. A comparison of the expected state information and the second state information may then be performed. Based on this comparison, a determination may be made as to whether the sensor has degraded.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David I. Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu
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Patent number: 11852752Abstract: An electronic device for reducing noise occurring in measuring a distance to an external object is provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2020Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ilyoung Kim, Hyunju Yang, Kihuk Lee
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Patent number: 11762072Abstract: An optical testing apparatus is used in testing an optical measuring instrument. The optical measuring instrument provides an incident light pulse from a light source to an incident object and receives a reflected light pulse as a result of reflection of the incident light pulse at the incident object. The optical testing apparatus includes two or more testing light sources, two or more optical penetration members, and a wave multiplexing section. The two or more testing light sources each output a testing light pulse. The two or more optical penetration members each have an optical penetration region and receive the testing light pulse from each of the two or more testing light sources for penetration through the optical penetration region. The wave multiplexing section multiplexes the testing light pulses penetrating through the two or more optical penetration members for provision to the optical measuring instrument.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: ADVANTEST CORPORATIONInventors: Toshihiro Sugawara, Takao Sakurai
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Patent number: 11630190Abstract: An electronic device comprising circuitry configured to sample, in a calibration phase using a known time-of-flight ?D, a first set of differential mode measurements ?cal (n??E,?D) according to a first sampling strategy tEcal, and to determine Fourier coefficients Mk of the first set of differential mode measurements ?cal(?E,n,?D) based on the known time-of-flight (?D) used in the calibration phase, and to determine a cyclic error (fCE(?1,?(?D);x)) based on the Fourier coefficients (Mk).Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2020Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions CorporationInventors: Jeroen Hermans, Victor Belokonskiy, Fabian Krome
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Patent number: 11624811Abstract: An apparatus for increasing a lidar sensing distance may include a controller having a signal processor to process a noise signal. In particular, the signal processor includes: an amplifier which amplifies the noise signal, a comparator which is connected to the amplifier and receives the amplified noise signal to compare the amplified noise signal with a threshold, a digital-to-analog converter which inputs the threshold to the comparator, and an analog-to-digital converter which is connected between the amplifier and the comparator and receives the amplified noise signal from the amplifier to input the received amplified noise signal to the controller. The controller may control the digital-to-analog converter on the basis of the amplified noise signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2019Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.Inventor: Young-Kyun Kim
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Patent number: 11598875Abstract: A multipath light test device for a time of flight (TOF) module includes: a light-splitting plate configured to split light emitted from the TOF module; a first reflector plate connected to the light-splitting plate and forming a first angle with the light-splitting plate; and a second reflector plate disposed on one side opposite to the first reflector plate and forming a second angle with the first reflector plate; one part of the emitted light from the TOF module is returned to the TOF module along a first optical path after being reflected by the light-splitting plate with a first reflectivity; and the other part of the emitted light from the TOF module is transmitted through the light-splitting plate and incident to the first reflector plate and then returned to the TOF module along a second optical path.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO., LTD.Inventor: Shu Chen
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Patent number: 11502755Abstract: A system for creating an adjustable delay in an optical signal. The system has an input interface for receiving an optical input signal. The system has a first optical modulator configured to shift the frequency of the optical input signal depending on a setting of the first optical modulator, thereby generating a modulated optical signal. The system includes at least two frequency selective reflectors configured to reflect the modulated optical signal, thereby providing a reflected signal. The system has a control circuit that adapts the setting of the first optical modulator such that a frequency shift of the optical input signal introduced by the first optical modulator is set by the control circuit. The frequency shift introduced by the first optical modulator corresponds to an operational frequency of one of the at least two frequency selective reflectors associated with the setting of the first optical modulator.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Benedikt Simper, Martin Vossiek, Christian Carlowitz, Peter Tschapek
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Patent number: 11488409Abstract: An entertainment device safety system includes a video camera configured to capture video of an entertainment device and a user of the entertainment device and a video analytic module to perform real-time video processing of the captured video to generate non-video data from video. A computer receives the video and the non-video data from the video camera analyzes the video or the non-video data to determine a user position in relation to the entertainment device. The user position is compared to a user position rule to determine whether the user position violates the user position rule. A notification is transmitted in response to a determination that the user position violates the user position rule.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Inventor: James Carey
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Patent number: 11372088Abstract: An optical distance meter configured to carry out a distance measurement in a first measuring mode, in which the distance meter is set for distance measurement on a retroreflective target, and a second measuring mode, in which the distance meter is set for distance measurement on a diffusely scattering target. In this case, a first aperture of the receiving channel is set in the first measuring mode, which is smaller than an aperture set in the second measuring mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2018Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Simon Bestler, Rainer Wohlgenannt, Jürg Hinderling
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Patent number: 11327501Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining sensor degradation by actively controlling an autonomous vehicle. Determining sensor degradation may include obtaining sensor readings from a sensor of an autonomous vehicle, and determining baseline state information from the obtained sensor readings. A movement characteristic of the autonomous vehicle, such as speed or position, may then be changed. The sensor may then obtain additional sensor readings, and second state information may be determined from these additional sensor readings. Expected state information may be determined from the baseline state information and the change in the movement characteristic of the autonomous vehicle. A comparison of the expected state information and the second state information may then be performed. Based on this comparison, a determination may be made as to whether the sensor has degraded.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David I. Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu
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Patent number: 11279035Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for using Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) safety rings. An robotic apparatus may include a moveable component having a longitudinal central axis spanning between a first end and a second end, a transceiver positioned at the first end of the moveable component to emit and receive light, and a reflective surface at the first end of the moveable component. The reflective surface may reflect light signals emitted by the transceiver toward the second end, and may reflect returning light signals toward the transceiver. The robotic apparatus may include at least one processor to determine, based on the returning light signals, that an object is within a distance of the moveable component, and to change an operation of the robotic apparatus based on the object.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Felipe De Arruda Camargo Polido
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Patent number: 11272157Abstract: An image processing system for time-of-flight depth imaging includes a processor for determining depth measurements using different modes of operation. The processor determines depth measurements in a first set of frames using a second set of frames. The first mode is a continuous wave modulation mode without depth linearization and the second mode is a continuous wave modulation mode with depth linearization. The depth estimates collected in the second mode using depth linearization are used to correct the depth estimates collected in the first mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: ANALOG DEVICES INTERNATIONAL UNLIMITED COMPANYInventors: Nicolas Le Dortz, Jonathan Ephraim David Hurwitz, Erik D. Barnes
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Patent number: 11061120Abstract: A system and methods are described for calibrating one sensor with respect to another. A method includes: determining a depth-motion vector using a first sensor; determining an optical-motion vector using a second sensor; and calibrating the first sensor with respect to the second sensor by minimizing a cost function that evaluates a distance between the depth-motion and optical-motion vectors.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2018Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Juan Enrique Castorena Martinez, Gintaras Vincent Puskorius, Gaurav Pandey
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Patent number: 11022682Abstract: The invention relates to a simulation apparatus for a rotating lidar light measurement system having a lidar light reception sensor (1), wherein the lidar light reception sensor (1) rotates through 360° about a shaft (11), wherein a light transmitter strip (14) is present in the plane of the lidar light reception sensor (1).Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Konrad GmbHInventor: Michael Konrad
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Patent number: 10897575Abstract: A system performs calibration of sensors mounted on a vehicle, for example, lidar and camera sensors mounted on a vehicle, for example, an autonomous vehicle. The system receives a lidar scan and camera image of a view and determines a lidar-to-camera transform based on the lidar scan and the camera image. The system may use a pattern, for example, a checkerboard pattern in the view for calibration. The pattern is placed close to the vehicle to determine an approximate lidar-to-camera transform and then placed at a distance from the vehicle to determine an accurate lidar-to-camera transform. Alternatively, the system determines edges in the lidar scan and the camera image and aligns features based on real-world objects in the scene by comparing edges.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2020Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: DEEPMAP INC.Inventors: Mark Damon Wheeler, Lin Yang
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Patent number: 10776936Abstract: A method comprising: providing a first 3D point cloud and a second 3D point cloud about an object obtained using different sensing techniques; removing a scale difference between the 3D point clouds based on a mean distance of points in corresponding subsets of the first and second 3D point clouds; arranging the 3D point clouds in a two-level structure, wherein a first level is a macro structure describing boundaries of the object and a second level is a micro structure consisting of supervoxels of the 3D point cloud; constructing a first graph from the first 3D point cloud and a second graph from the second 3D point cloud such that the supervoxels represent nodes of the graphs and adjacencies of the supervoxels represents edges of the graphs; matching the first and second graph for obtaining a transformation matrix; and registering the 3D point clouds together by applying the transformation matrix.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2017Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Nokia Technologies OyInventors: Lixin Fan, Xiaoshui Huang, Qiang Wu, Jian Zhang
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Patent number: 10655962Abstract: A system is disclosed that comprises a camera module and a control and evaluation unit. The camera module is designed to be attached to the surveying pole and comprises at least one camera for capturing images. The control and evaluation unit has stored a program with program code so as to control and execute a functionality in which a series of images of the surrounding is captured with the at least one camera; a SLAM-evaluation with a defined algorithm using the series of images is performed, wherein a reference point field is built up and poses for the captured images are determined; and, based on the determined poses, a point cloud comprising 3D-positions of points of the surrounding can be computed by forward intersection using the series of images, particularly by using dense matching algorithm.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 19, 2020Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBHInventors: Knut Siercks, Bernhard Metzler, Elmar Vincent Van Der Zwan, Thomas Fidler, Roman Parys, Alexander Velizhev, Jochen Scheja
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Patent number: 10643379Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to facilitating imagery and point-cloud based facility modeling and remote change detection. A computing device may receive collected data for a facility. The collected data may include spatial image data obtained from light detection imaging and ranging systems (LiDAR), multispectral data, and thermal data. The computing device may then analyze, based on software models generated for previously collected data for the facility, the collected data to determine changes in the previously collected data. The computing device may then update the models upon determining changes in the previously collected data. Finally, the computing device may generate an alert based on the updated models when any changes in the previously collected data are above a predetermined threshold corresponding to a current security or operational condition associated with the facility.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2018Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Quantum Spatial, Inc.Inventors: Scott Nowicki, David Brandt, Richard Armstrong, Seth Hill
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Patent number: 10591924Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining sensor degradation by actively controlling an autonomous vehicle. Determining sensor degradation may include obtaining sensor readings from a sensor of an autonomous vehicle, and determining baseline state information from the obtained sensor readings. A movement characteristic of the autonomous vehicle, such as speed or position, may then be changed. The sensor may then obtain additional sensor readings, and second state information may be determined from these additional sensor readings. Expected state information may be determined from the baseline state information and the change in the movement characteristic of the autonomous vehicle. A comparison of the expected state information and the second state information may then be performed. Based on this comparison, a determination may be made as to whether the sensor has degraded.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David I Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu
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Patent number: 10502833Abstract: In one general aspect, an apparatus can include a first laser subsystem configured to transmit a first laser beam at a first location on an object at a time and a second laser subsystem configured to transmit a second laser beam at a second location on the object at the time. The apparatus can include an analyzer configured to calculate a first velocity based on a first reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the first laser beam. The analyzer can be configured to calculate a second velocity based on a second reflected laser beam reflected from the object in response to the second laser beam. The first location can be targeted by the first laser subsystem and the second location can be targeted by the second laser subsystem such that the first velocity is substantially the same as the second velocity.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: DSCG Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Richard Sebastian
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Patent number: 10310509Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining sensor degradation by actively controlling an autonomous vehicle. Determining sensor degradation may include obtaining sensor readings from a sensor of an autonomous vehicle, and determining baseline state information from the obtained sensor readings. A movement characteristic of the autonomous vehicle, such as speed or position, may then be changed. The sensor may then obtain additional sensor readings, and second state information may be determined from these additional sensor readings. Expected state information may be determined from the baseline state information and the change in the movement characteristic of the autonomous vehicle. A comparison of the expected state information and the second state information may then be performed. Based on this comparison, a determination may be made as to whether the sensor has degraded.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2018Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Inventors: David I. Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu
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Patent number: 10197673Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mobile terminal including: a reproducing section adapted to reproduce a first distance measurement signal; a recording section adapted to record the first distance measurement signal and a second distance measurement signal output from other mobile terminal; a time difference measurement section adapted to measure a first difference between recording start times of the first and second distance measurement signals; a communication section adapted to receive a second difference between recording start times of the first and second distance measurement signals from the other mobile terminal, the second difference being measured by the other mobile terminal; and a distance calculation section adapted to calculate a distance to the other mobile terminal by multiplying the subtraction result between the first and second differences by the speed of sound.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT INC.Inventors: Kazuyoshi Horie, Hideyuki Sasaki
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Patent number: 10120068Abstract: Automatic calibration of laser sensors carried by a mobile platform, and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A representative method includes determining an overlapping region of point cloud data generated by laser sensors, comparing surface features of the point clouds within the overlapping region, and generating calibration rules based thereon.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kanzhi Wu, Lu Ma
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Patent number: 10048359Abstract: A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar subsystem and images from a video subsystem to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory of a target. The video subsystem and the lidar subsystem may be aligned with one another by mapping the measurements of various facial features obtained by each of the subsystems to one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: StereoVision Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Anatoley T. Zheleznyak, Chris Roller, Gavin Rosenbush, Richard L. Sebastian
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Patent number: 9927813Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining sensor degradation by actively controlling an autonomous vehicle. Determining sensor degradation may include obtaining sensor readings from a sensor of an autonomous vehicle, and determining baseline state information from the obtained sensor readings. A movement characteristic of the autonomous vehicle, such as speed or position, may then be changed. The sensor may then obtain additional sensor readings, and second state information may be determined from these additional sensor readings. Expected state information may be determined from the baseline state information and the change in the movement characteristic of the autonomous vehicle. A comparison of the expected state information and the second state information may then be performed. Based on this comparison, a determination may be made as to whether the sensor has degraded.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2017Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Waymo LLCInventors: David I. Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu
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Patent number: 9744756Abstract: A method, an apparatus and a computer readable medium for producing a prototype diagram of a three dimensional (3D) object are provided. In the method, an object in a 3D diagram is scanned to determine transections and intersections at which each of the transections overlaps with the object are determined in order. Then, whether each of the intersections is supported on a neighbor transection of the transection is determined. If the intersection is not supported on the neighbor transection, a support frame is disposed on the location of the intersection between the transection and the neighbor transection. At last, all the transections are combined to produce a prototype diagram of the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Wistron CorporationInventors: Yu-Wei Chiu, Chih-Hong Chu
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Patent number: 9618620Abstract: A method for measuring and registering 3D coordinates has a 3D scanner measure a first collection of 3D coordinates of points from a first registration position and a second collection of 3D coordinates of points from a second registration position. In between these positions, the 3D measuring device collects depth-camera images. A processor determines first and second translation values and a first rotation value based on the depth-camera images. The processor identifies a correspondence among registration targets in the first and second collection of 3D coordinates based at least in part on the first and second translation values and the first rotation value. The processor uses this correspondence and the first and second collection of 3D coordinates to determine 3D coordinates of a registered 3D collection of points.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: FARO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Oliver Zweigle, Bernd-Dietmar Becker, Reinhard Becker
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Patent number: 9618619Abstract: Laser radar systems include a pentaprism configured to scan a measurement beam with respect to a target surface. A focusing optical assembly includes a corner cube that is used to adjust measurement beam focus. Target distance is estimated based on heterodyne frequencies between a return beam and a local oscillator beam. The local oscillator beam is configured to propagate to and from the focusing optical assembly before mixing with the return beam. In some examples, heterodyne frequencies are calibrated with respect to target distance using a Fabry-Perot interferometer having mirrors fixed to a lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignees: Nikon Corporation, Nikon Metrology NVInventors: Mina A. Rezk, Anthony R. Slotwinski, Daniel G. Smith, Eric Peter Goodwin, Alexander Cooper, Thomas M. Hedges
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Patent number: 9453907Abstract: A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar subsystem and images from a video subsystem to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory of a target. The video subsystem and the lidar subsystem may be aligned with one another by mapping the measurements of various facial features obtained by each of the subsystems to one another.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Digital Signal CorporationInventors: Anatoley T. Zheleznyak, Chris Roller, Gavin Rosenbush, Richard L. Sebastian
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Patent number: 9274525Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for determining sensor degradation by actively controlling an autonomous vehicle. Determining sensor degradation may include obtaining sensor readings from a sensor of an autonomous vehicle, and determining baseline state information from the obtained sensor readings. A movement characteristic of the autonomous vehicle, such as speed or position, may then be changed. The sensor may then obtain additional sensor readings, and second state information may be determined from these additional sensor readings. Expected state information may be determined from the baseline state information and the change in the movement characteristic of the autonomous vehicle. A comparison of the expected state information and the second state information may then be performed. Based on this comparison, a determination may be made as to whether the sensor has degraded.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: March 1, 2016Assignee: Google Inc.Inventors: David I. Ferguson, Jiajun Zhu
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Patent number: 9046600Abstract: A method of multi-beam Lidar intensity measurement calibration including determining, by a positioning device, position information of a moving platform within a global reference frame, collecting a plurality of data points, each data point including the position information and intensity information from a plurality of beams, segmenting the plurality of data points into a plurality of voxels, based on the position information associated with each data point, finding a subset of voxels in the plurality of voxels that include a point corresponding to a certain beam in the plurality of beams and an intensity value in a predetermined neighborhood of a certain intensity value, estimating a probability density based on the subset of voxels, and generating a calibration map that maps the certain intensity value of the certain beam to a calibrated intensity value for the certain beam, based on the probability density and a prior density.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Michael R. James
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Patent number: 8996082Abstract: A radiation passing layer has a top surface and a bottom surface below which a proximity sensor is positioned. A visible light opaque layer covers the bottom surface of the radiation passing layer except for an opening therein that allows radiation from the emitter to pass, and scattered radiation to pass to the detector. A radiation shield is between the emitter and the detector, and extends to the bottom of the radiation passing layer. A cold mirror is between the shield and the bottom surface of the radiation passing layer, covering the opening in the opaque layer. A radiation absorber being a separate piece and a different material than the shield provides a radiation seal between the top surface of the shield and the bottom surface of the cold mirror. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2010Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventor: Ching Yu John Tam
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Patent number: 8665427Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for testing the boresight of a gimbaled camera and laser system, such as an infrared countermeasures (IRCM) system, in extreme environments. Light simulating a target is reflected through an optics system to the camera, with a portion of the light reflected back from a corner cube reflector through the optics system as a reference. A laser beam from the laser is received through the same optics system, and a position of the corner cube reflected reference and laser beam are compared in order to determine whether the camera and laser are properly aligned. A spherical shell adapted to position the camera at its geometric center keeps misaligned laser pulses from reflecting back into the camera.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: DRS RSTA, Inc.Inventors: Daniel D. Young, Dharmesh G. Panchal, Alan A. Rakes
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Publication number: 20140049765Abstract: A system uses range and Doppler velocity measurements from a lidar subsystem and images from a video subsystem to estimate a six degree-of-freedom trajectory of a target. The video subsystem and the lidar subsystem may be aligned with one another by mapping the measurements of various facial features obtained by each of the subsystems to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: February 20, 2014Applicant: Digital Signal CorporationInventor: Digital Signal Corporation
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Patent number: 8619239Abstract: A technique for providing range correction values in a laser rangefinder range processor uses return pulse width (rather than return pulse amplitude) for correcting amplitude (range walk) and speed of light problems. A plurality of range correction values may be generated in a test setup (by simulating return pulse delays) and stored in a lookup table based on return pulse width, nominal range (time of return), and other factors such as temperature and pressure. The technique is also capable of correcting other problems such as receiver delay. The technique allows for the use of a saturating preamplifier with the increased sensitivity that it offers, and is relatively simple to implement, as it may be embedded within a digital processor (DSP) or gate array that is normally present for a basic range counter implementation.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2011Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: Analog Modules Inc.Inventors: Ian D. Crawford, Noal T. Chandler
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Patent number: 8587771Abstract: A phase-based TOF system preferably generates an optical waveform with fast rise and fall times, to enhance modulation contrast, notwithstanding there will be many high order harmonics. The system is preferably operated with an odd number of phases, to reduce system bias error due to the higher order harmonics, while maintaining good modulation contrast, without unduly increasing system memory requirements. Preferably the system can dynamically calibrate (and compensate for) higher order harmonics in the TOF generated optical energy waveform, over time and temperature. Within the optical energy transmission channel, or within the optical energy detection channel, detection amplifier gain may be modified, and/or detector signal integration time may be varied, and/or digital values may be employed to implement calibration and error reduction The resultant TOF system can operate with improved phase-vs-distance characteristics, with reduced calibration requirements.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Microsoft CorporationInventors: Zhanping Xu, Travis Perry, Gage Hills
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Patent number: 8576402Abstract: A system for optical navigation includes a light source and an imaging system. The light source illuminates a navigation surface. The navigation surface reflects light from the light source. The imaging system is located approximately within a path of the reflected light. The imaging system includes a lens, a mask, and an image sensor. The lens receives reflected light from the navigation surface. The lens focuses a specular portion of the reflected light to a focus region. The mask is located at approximately the focus region. The mask filters out substantially all of the specular portion of the reflected light and passes at least some of a scatter portion of the reflected light outside of the focus region. The image sensor generates a navigation signal based on the scattered portion of the light that passes outside the focus region and is incident on the image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2010Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventor: Omid Momtahan
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Patent number: 8576383Abstract: The present invention provides a laser rangefinder and a method of activating the laser rangefinder to measure distance. The laser rangefinder has a first sensing to sense whether the user is aiming the laser rangefinder at a target and a second sensing device to sense an acceleration of the laser rangefinder and the acceleration has to be smaller than a preset value. The laser rangefinder will be automatically activated to measure distance when both of the first sensing device and the second device are checked.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: Asia Optical Co., Inc.Inventor: Jung-Ching Wang
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Patent number: 8514375Abstract: A distance-measuring device is utilized for measuring a measured distance between a measured object and the distance-measuring device. The distance-measuring device reduces the effect of a background light and a flicking light by removing the part corresponding to the background light and the flicking light from light-sensed signals generated by an image sensor of the distance-measuring device. In addition, the distance-measuring device calculates a calibrating parameter for calibrating an assemble-error angle of the distance-measuring device, according to an imaging location of a reflective light obtained by measuring a calibrating object with a predetermined distance. In this way, the distance-measuring device can correctly calculate out the measured distance.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.Inventors: En-Feng Hsu, Chi-Chieh Liao, Chih-Hung Lu, Tsung-Yi Su
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Patent number: 8390795Abstract: An optical system including a plurality of selectably directable mirrors (38) each arranged to direct a laser beam (41) to a selectable location within a field, a plurality of mirror orientation sensors (45) operative to sense the orientation of the plurality of selectably directable mirrors and to provide mirror orientation outputs and an automatic calibration subsystem (47) for automatically calibrating the plurality of selectably directable mirrors, the automatic calibration subsystem including a target (40) being operative to provide an optically visible indication of impingement of a laser beam thereon; the target being rewritable and having optically visible fiducial markings (54, 56), a target positioner (42) for selectably positioning the target, an optical sensor (44) operative to view the target following impingement of the laser beam thereon and to provide laser beam impingement outputs and a correlator (36) operative to provide a calibration output.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Orbotech Ltd.Inventors: Zvi Kotler, Boris Greenberg, Peter Grobgeld
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Patent number: 8242948Abstract: Methods and systems for generating a raster file in a raster file format for use in a Digital Radar Landmass Simulator (DRLMS). A file in the raster file format defines synthetic aperture radar (SAR) scenery for use in generating a runtime database. The raster file contains a plurality of texture elements (texels) that define the SAR scenery. Each texel may have a material identifier, which identifies a material composition of a respective surface region of the SAR scenery; a surface height identifier, which identifies a surface height with respect to a bare earth elevation (BEE) value of the respective surface region; and a BEE identifier, which identifies a BEE of the respective surface region. A method for determining surface height identifiers based on digital surface model (DSM) elevation data is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: John Burky, Sharon Shahan
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Publication number: 20120194798Abstract: A technique for providing range correction values in a laser rangefinder range processor uses return pulse width (rather than return pulse amplitude) for correcting amplitude (range walk) and speed of light problems. A plurality of range correction values may be generated in a test setup (by simulating return pulse delays) and stored in a lookup table based on return pulse width, nominal range (time of return), and other factors such as temperature and pressure. The technique is also capable of correcting other problems such as receiver delay. The technique allows for the use of a saturating preamplifier with the increased sensitivity that it offers, and is relatively simple to implement, as it may be embedded within a digital processor (DSP) or gate array that is normally present for a basic range counter implementation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: ANALOG MODULES INC.Inventors: Ian D. Crawford, Noal T. Chandler
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Patent number: 8149390Abstract: A simulation system for predicting a likelihood of whether a target object positioned in an environment will be detected by a detection system when illuminated by a laser source. The simulation system may be used for a laser rangefinder application and a laser designator application. The simulation system may provide a detection probability of the target object at a specified range to the detection system or a plurality of detection probabilities as a function of the range to the detection system. The simulation system may provide an indication of an overlap of the beam provided by the laser source on the target object. The simulation system may determine the effect of vibration on the detection of the target object at a specified range.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Jerry G. Brown
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Patent number: 8107812Abstract: An optical keyless entry sensor system and method includes an optical sensor in association with a mirror that reflects light transmitted from the optical sensor, wherein reflected light is detectable by the optical sensor. An attenuation filter can be located between the mirror and the optical sensor, wherein the attenuation filter is configured to simulate a contamination of the optical sensor in order to determine an exact level of attenuation representative of contamination that causes a performance failure of the optical sensor, thereby providing data which is indicative of a dynamic range of the optical sensor, such that the dynamic range is utilized to enhance the performance of the optical keyless entry sensor system.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2005Date of Patent: January 31, 2012Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Wenwei Zhang
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Publication number: 20120013887Abstract: A phase-based TOF system preferably generates an optical waveform with fast rise and fall times, to enhance modulation contrast, notwithstanding there will be many high order harmonics. The system is preferably operated with an odd number of phases, to reduce system bias error due to the higher order harmonics, while maintaining good modulation contrast, without unduly increasing system memory requirements. Preferably the system can dynamically calibrate (and compensate for) higher order harmonics in the TOF generated optical energy waveform, over time and temperature. Within the optical energy transmission channel, or within the optical energy detection channel, detection amplifier gain may be modified, and/or detector signal integration time may be varied, and/or digital values may be employed to implement calibration and error reduction The resultant TOF system can operate with improved phase-vs-distance characteristics, with reduced calibration requirements.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATIONInventors: Zhanping Xu, Travis Perry, Gage Hills
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Patent number: 7990415Abstract: Provided is an image input device which includes a laser range finder and a camera, and is capable of automatically calibrating the laser range finder and the camera at an appropriate timing without using special equipment. The image input device includes the laser range finder which measures distance information of an object by using invisible light and the camera which measures color information of the object. In order to detect a calibration error between the laser range finder and the camera, an invisible light filter which blocks visible light and transmits invisible light is automatically attached to a lens of the camera by a switching operation between two kinds of lenses. By the camera to which the invisible light filter is being attached, a pattern of the invisible light projected onto the object from the laser range finder is photographed as a visible image.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Kosei Matsumoto, Toshio Moriya, Tsuyoshi Minakawa
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Publication number: 20110069299Abstract: A distance-measuring device is utilized for measuring a measured distance between a measured object and the distance-measuring device. The distance-measuring device reduces the effect of a background light and a flicking light by removing the part corresponding to the background light and the flicking light from light-sensed signals generated by an image sensor of the distance-measuring device. In addition, the distance-measuring device calculates a calibrating parameter for calibrating an assemble-error angle of the distance-measuring device, according to an imaging location of a reflective light obtained by measuring a calibrating object with a predetermined distance. In this way, the distance-measuring device can correctly calculate out the measured distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: En-Feng Hsu, Chi-Chieh Liao, Chih-Hung Lu, Tsung-Yi Su
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Publication number: 20100328643Abstract: An optical system including a plurality of selectably directable mirrors (38) each arranged to direct a laser beam (41) to a selectable location within a field, a plurality of mirror orientation sensors (45) operative to sense the orientation of the plurality of selectably directable mirrors and to provide mirror orientation outputs and an automatic calibration subsystem (47) for automatically calibrating the plurality of selectably directable mirrors, the automatic calibration subsystem including a target (40) being operative to provide an optically visible indication of impingement of a laser beam thereon; the target being rewritable and having optically visible fiducial markings (54, 56), a target positioner (42) for selectably positioning the target, an optical sensor (44) operative to view the target following impingement of the laser beam thereon and to provide laser beam impingement outputs and a correlator (36) operative to provide a calibration output.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: ORBOTECH LTD.Inventors: Zvi Kotler, Boris Greenberg, Peter Grobgeld
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Patent number: 7826040Abstract: The invention relates to an electro-optical measuring device, in particular a hand-held device (10) for contactless distance measurement, comprising an optical transmission path (28), which has a first optical axis (72) and which has at least one optical transmitter (20) for emitting a measurement signal, and also comprising a reception path (29) having a second optical axis (74), which is spaced apart from the first optical axis (72), with at least one reception optic (32) for focusing a measurement signal in the direction of a receiver (26), and also comprising an optical near range element (60) for parallax compensation. It is proposed that the near range element (60) be embodied rotationally symmetrically with respect to the second optical axis (74).Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2006Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Peter Wolf, Uwe Skultety-Betz, Gunter Flinspach, Clemens Schulte, Joerg Stierle, Cedric Pahud, Bjoern Haase, Kai Renz
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Patent number: 7812932Abstract: A test station for testing a laser range finder is disclosed. The test station may be a mobile test station. The test station may include an optical system having a first portion which aligns an eyepiece of the test station to the laser range finder, a second portion which aligns the eyepiece to a first range target spaced apart from the test station, and a third portion which aligns the laser range finder to the first range target.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2008Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Larry G. Bedwell, Michael E. Zimmer