Of Pulse Transit Time Patents (Class 356/5.01)
  • Patent number: 10184979
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a device holder including a device placement area configured to hold an electronic device, and a shoulder extending peripherally around the device placement area; a laser line generator configured to generate a laser line that includes (i) a device placement area laser line portion, and (ii) a shoulder area laser line portion; a camera configured to obtain an image of at least the laser line; and a processor configured to: receive the image from the camera, determine (i) an angle of the device placement area laser line portion, and/or (ii) an offset between the location of the device placement area laser line portion and the location of the shoulder area laser line portion, and determine whether an electronic device is positioned in the device placement area or positioned incorrectly in the device holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Delta Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Kexiang Ken Ding, Chris Do, James Frandsen
  • Patent number: 10185032
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a time measurement circuit for an incoming signal. In some embodiments, the time measurement circuit has a comparator stage, for generating a comparator output signal depending on a fulfillment of a criterion by the incoming signal, wherein exceeding or falling below a threshold value is defined as the criterion. Furthermore, a digitization stage is provided, for sampling, which is performed at a defined sampling rate, of an input signal fed to the digitization stage and converting it into digital data containing sampled values for the input signal, and an evaluation unit for determining a chronological location for the incoming signal by evaluating the digital data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY CENTER GMBH
    Inventors: Reto Stutz, Simon Bestler, Rainer Wohlgenannt, Jürg Hinderling
  • Patent number: 10173641
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method (70) for preparing an operating signal for a motor vehicle (1), the method involving the following steps: (a) obtaining a signal indicating that an authorized user (10) has been authenticated; (b) monitoring an actuating region (22) located outside the motor vehicle (1) by means of an optical sensor system (30); (c) measuring a distance (a) between an object (18) in the actuating region (22) and an optical sensor (50) by means of the optical sensor system (30); (d) comparing the distance (a) with a default by means of the optical sensor system (30); and (e) preparing an operating signal if the default is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Huf Hülsbeck & Fürst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Christof Hache, Helmut Schumacher, Norbert Heller, Oliver Müller, Bernd Ette, Nadine Sticherling, Alexander Ziegler, Jean Malabo Yomkil, Stefan Mönig, Iko Lindic, Mirko Schindler
  • Patent number: 10168426
    Abstract: A system for generating video data comprising a mobile radar system operating on a processor and configured to generate vertically tilted radar frame data for a plurality of vehicles. A mobile video system operating on a processor and configured to generate video data of the plurality of vehicles. A dynamic plane rotation system operating on a processor and coupled to the mobile radar system and configured to map the vertically tilted radar frame data onto a flat plane parallel to a roadway to generate mapped data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: APPLIED CONCEPTS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert S. Gammenthaler, Alan B. Mead
  • Patent number: 10162057
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to a method for capturing a relative position of at least one first spatial point by means of a portable distance measuring device, the method comprising positioning a known reference object, which has known features which may be captured by optical means, said features being arranged in a pattern designed for a resection, at least one first measuring process, comprising measuring a first distance to the first spatial point, and recording a first reference image linked in time with measuring the first distance, the reference object being imaged in the first reference image, and ascertaining the position and orientation of the distance measuring device relative to the reference object comprising identifying the reference object, recalling stored information about the known features of the identified reference object and identifying positions of known features of the reference object in the first reference image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Metzler, Beat Aebischer, Knut Siercks, Siegfried Wiltsche
  • Patent number: 10142572
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus comprises a pixel array. The pixel array comprises a first pixel comprising a first radiation-sensitive region and at least one associated charge storage region for collecting electrical charges from the first radiation-sensitive region. The pixel array also comprises a second pixel comprising a second radiation-sensitive region and at least one associated charge storage region for collecting electrical charges from the second radiation-sensitive region. Furthermore, the imaging apparatus comprises control circuitry configured to generate a common compensation signal being common to the first and second pixels. The common compensation signal mitigates a saturation of the respective charge storage regions of the first and second pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Markus Dielacher, Martin Flatscher, Stefan Gansinger, Michael Mark, Josef Prainsack, Hartwig Unterassinger
  • Patent number: 10139475
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a distance detection apparatus for acquiring distance information having variable spatial resolution and an image display apparatus having the same. A distance detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a light source unit for outputting an output light to detect a distance to an external object, a scanner for performing first direction scanning and second direction scanning to output an output light to an external scan area, a light detection unit for receiving an input light from the scan area, and a processor for detecting a distance to an external object within the external scan area on the basis of the output light and the input light, wherein the processor makes a control to change a frame rate of the scanner and acquires distance information having varied spatial resolution of the external object in accordance with the change in the frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Pil Won Jeong, Sang Keun Lee
  • Patent number: 10133080
    Abstract: A remotely directable luminaire with an improved color LED homogenization system for LED luminaires employing a plurality of LED arrays where an array employs a plurality of discrete peak LED groups and dichroic mirrors maximized for transmission/reflection of around the groups of LED's discrete peaks to generate a directional homogenized color light beam with additive color mixing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Robe Lighting s.r.o.
    Inventors: Pavel Jurik, Josef Valchar
  • Patent number: 10132921
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method that includes generating a decoded output signal that corresponds to reflected light received by a plurality of single photon avalanche diodes (SPAD) by removing ambient light from a plurality of SPAD array output signals. The removing of ambient light including synchronizing the plurality of SPAD array output signals by using a plurality of parallel time to digital converters, each time to digital converter outputting a synchronized SPAD array output signal, determining a plurality of flexible thresholds for each one of the synchronized SPAD array output signals, comparing current data on the synchronized SPAD array output signals with the respective ones of the flexible threshold in a filter, and outputting the first output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LTD
    Inventors: Neale Dutton, John Kevin Moore
  • Patent number: 10121813
    Abstract: To detect light from light pulses at the operating wavelength of a light source in a lidar system, a thin-film notch filter is directly deposited on a photodetector or a lens via vacuum deposition or monolithic epoxy. The thin-film notch filter may include an anti-reflective coating such as a pattern-coated dichroic filter having an optical transmission of 90% or greater at in-band wavelengths and less than 5% at out-of-band wavelengths. To deposit the filter onto the photodetector without disrupting electronic connections between the photodetector and an application-specific integrated circuit, the area surrounding the electrodes on the photodetector is kept open using photolithography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LUMINAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jason M. Eichenholz, Scott R. Campbell, Joseph G. LaChapelle
  • Patent number: 10114112
    Abstract: Communicating service information from one light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system to another LIDAR system is disclosed. In one aspect, a method for receiving information from a LIDAR system is provided. The method includes transmitting, by a first LIDAR system, a first light signal modulated to include a first identifier associated with the first LIDAR system into an environment. A second light signal is received from the environment. The second light signal is decoded to extract a second identifier. It is determined that the second identifier is associated with a second LIDAR system. Service information is extracted from the second light signal. An action is performed based on the service information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Volodimir Slobodyanyuk
  • Patent number: 10104365
    Abstract: The methods and systems disclosed herein improve upon previous 3D imaging techniques by making use of a longer illumination pulse to obtain the same or nearly the same range resolution as can be achieved by using a much shorter, conventional laser pulse. For example, a longer illumination pulse can be produced by one or more Q-switched lasers that produce, for example, 5, 10, 20 ns or longer pulses. In some instances, the laser pulse can be longer than the modulation waveform of a MIS-type imaging system and still produce a repeatable response function. The light pulse generation technologies required to achieve longer pulse lengths can be significantly less expensive and less complex than known technologies presently used to generate shorter illumination pulse lengths. Lower-cost, lower-complexity light pulse sources may facilitate lower-cost, commercial 3D camera products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Inventors: Paul S. Banks, Bodo Schmidt, C. Stewart Tuvey
  • Patent number: 10083616
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for an unmanned aerial system inspection system. One of the methods is performed by a UAV and includes receiving, by the UAV, flight information describing a job to perform an inspection of a rooftop. A particular altitude is ascended to, and an inspection of the rooftop is performed including obtaining sensor information describing the rooftop. Location information identifying a damaged area of the rooftop is received. The damaged area of the rooftop is traveled to. An inspection of the damaged area of the rooftop is performed including obtaining detailed sensor information describing the damaged area. A safe landing location is traveled to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: UNMANNED INNOVATION, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Patrick Bauer, Brian Richman, Alan Jay Poole, Bernard J. Michini, Jonathan Anders Lovegren, Brett Michael Bethke, Hui Li
  • Patent number: 10063221
    Abstract: Equivalent time sampling of a signal may be performed by using an embedded system to create trigger pulses for data acquisition (DAQ) system to record the response. The trigger pulse to the DAQ system may be propagated through digital delay chips controlled by the embedded system. The exemplary embodiments allow the DAQ system to be triggered from locally generated trigger pulses or from external or remote sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Trueblood, Brian Matthew Wihl
  • Patent number: 10048941
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a light emitting diode (LED) and a phototransistor configured to receive light from the LED and generate an electrical signal comprising shot noise. An amplifier is coupled to the phototransistor and configured to amplify the electrical signal. Sampling circuitry is coupled to the amplifier. For a plurality of temporally spaced sample pairs each defined by two consecutive time points in the amplified signal, the sampling circuitry is configured to determine a difference in amplitude of the amplified signal at each of the two consecutive time points and output a differential sample value indicative of the amplitude difference. The differential sample values for the plurality of sample pairs define a plurality of random numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Inventor: Waleed Sami Haddad
  • Patent number: 10044936
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing a video is provided. The method includes detecting a feature point from a first frame; predicting a location of the feature point in a second frame based on a location of the feature point in the first frame and a predetermined parameter; detecting the feature point from the second frame; determining a distance between the predicted location and a location of the feature point detected from the second frame; and updating the parameter based on a location difference between the feature point detected in the first frame and the feature point detected in the second frame, in response to determining that the distance is within a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Hanwha Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeongeol Ryu, Sangji Park, Junho Cha, Seungin Noh
  • Patent number: 10043283
    Abstract: A process tracking laser camera with non-eye-safe and eye-safe operating modes is disclosed. The camera has an image sensor with a field of view covering a target area of a workpiece. The camera also has first and second laser units for projecting respectively non-eye-safe and eye-safe laser beams towards the target area. A control unit has laser drivers for driving the laser units, a cut-off circuit operatively connected to the laser driver of the first laser unit for disabling its operation depending on a control signal, and a control circuit for controlling the laser drivers depending on a cut-off condition of the cut-off circuit controlled by a switch device so that the first laser unit is enabled and the second laser unit is disabled in the non-eye-safe operating mode while the first laser unit is disabled and the second laser unit is enabled in the eye-safe operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Servo-Robot, Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Boillot, Éric Bureau, Jacques-André Gaboury
  • Patent number: 10037041
    Abstract: The foregoing is directed, in one embodiment, to a system for optimizing the continuous monitoring of targets by a collection of mobile sensor platforms comprising a plurality of mobile sensor platforms equipped with a processor, at least one imaging device and a communication device, wherein in the processor of each of the mobile sensor platforms is configured, though code executing therein, to communicate with the other plurality of mobile sensor platforms in order to assign each member of the plurality to obtain image data of a member of a set of targets in response to the receipt of target selection data, and a remote computing device configured to receive imaging data from one or more of the plurality of the mobile sensors and generate a target selection data for transmission to the plurality of mobile sensor platforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: BIO CELLULAR DESIGN AERONAUTICS AFRICA SA
    Inventors: Jayant Ratti, Kamal M. Benjelloum, Roderick Hynes
  • Patent number: 10033988
    Abstract: An exemplary depth capture system (“system”) emits, from a first fixed position with respect to a real-world scene and within a first frequency band, a first structured light pattern onto surfaces of objects included in a real-world scene. The system also emits, from a second fixed position with respect to the real-world scene and within a second frequency band, a second structured light pattern onto the surfaces of the objects. The system detects the first and second structured light patterns using one or more optical sensors by way of first and second optical filters, respectively. The first and second optical filters are each configured to only pass one of the structured light patterns and to block the other. Based on the detection of the structured light patterns, the system generates depth data representative of the surfaces of the objects included in the real-world scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Smith, Syed Meeran Kamal, Yongsheng Pan, Lama Hewage Ravi Prathapa Chandrasiri, Sergey Virodov, Mohammad Raheel Khalid
  • Patent number: 10025384
    Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) includes an eye tracking system that determines user's eye tracking information based on combining structured light information and time-of-flight information. The eye tracking system includes an illumination source, an imaging device and a controller. The illumination source modulates a structured light by a carrier signal and illuminates a user's eye with the modulated structured light. The imaging device includes a detector that captures the modulated structured light. The detector comprises a plurality of pixel groups, each pixel group receiving a control signal determining when a pixel group captures light, the control signal causing pixel groups to capture light at different times relative to other pixel groups. The controller determines phases of the carrier signal based on intensities of light received by different pixel groups and generates depth information related to surfaces of the user's eye, which is used to model and track the user's eye.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Oculus VR, LLC
    Inventor: Nicholas Daniel Trail
  • Patent number: 10012729
    Abstract: Systems and methods for tracking subjects within a three-dimensional physical environment are presented herein. A ranging sensor is mounted at a sensor location in the environment. The ranging sensor generates sensor output. The sensor output includes detected ranges of surfaces present in the environment as a function of orientations of the ranging sensor. Characteristics of the surface are determined using the detected ranges and orientations as polar coordinates of the surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Kyle G. Freeman
  • Patent number: 10007001
    Abstract: A lidar system operates as an active short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera system to determine a four-dimensional image at each point in a two-dimensional field of regard. The camera system includes a short-wave infrared spectrum scanner that transmits a pulse of light at a particular position or coordinate in a two-dimensional field of regard and a receiver that detects return pulses scattered from a target in the field of regard coincident with the particular position. The receiver includes a detector that detects the returned pulse, a range determination unit that determines, based on the timing of the returned pulse, a distance to the target at the particular position, and an intensity measurement unit that determines the magnitude, amplitude, or intensity of the returned pulse, which information provides an indication of the relative, or in some cases, absolute reflectivity of the target at the particular point in the field of regard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: LUMINAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph G. LaChapelle, Jason M. Eichenholz
  • Patent number: 9995928
    Abstract: A circuit may include a first circuit configured to generate a voltage signal for generating an optical pulse, the voltage signal being generated based on a phase control signal, and an array of single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) cells configured to detect a phase of the optical pulse. The circuit may include a phase control circuit configured to generate the phase control signal based upon a target phase value and the detected phase of the optical pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE 2) SAS, STMICROELECTRONICS (RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Pascal Mellot, Donald Baxter
  • Patent number: 9998678
    Abstract: A camera device acquires optical properties in two or more different wavelength ranges as well as spatial structure properties of an object. The device includes a beam splitter for splitting light coming from an object into the two or more different wavelength ranges. A first image sensor generates a first sensor signal related to a first predetermined wavelength range. A first signal processing device generates a first intensity image signal and a distance image signal using information about the temporal modulation of illumination light (M) and the first sensor signal. At least one second image sensor generates a second intensity image signal for a second predetermined wavelength range. A second signal processing device generates a color image signal from the first intensity image signal and the second intensity image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Karl Storz SE & Co. KG
    Inventors: Beat Krattiger, Martin Leonhard
  • Patent number: 9978799
    Abstract: There is provided a solid-state image sensor including a semiconductor substrate in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, and a wiring layer stacked on the semiconductor substrate and formed in such a manner that a plurality of conductor layers having a plurality of wirings are buried in an insulation film. In the wiring layer, wirings connected to the pixels are formed of two conductor layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Toshifumi Wakano
  • Patent number: 9958546
    Abstract: A laser rangefinder includes: a MEMS mirror that changes a traveling direction of laser light; a first photodetector that reflects a portion of the laser light directed in a predetermined direction by the MEMS mirror and receives another portion of the laser light; a second photodetector that receives first reflected light that is reflection of the laser light from a target object outside an enclosure and second reflected light that is reflection of the portion of the laser light from the first photodetector; and a signal processor that calculates a distance from the laser rangefinder to the target object by subtracting, from a first distance from the laser diode to the target object calculated using the first reflected light, a second distance from the laser diode to the first photodetector calculated using the second reflected light, and calculates a direction of the target object with respect to the laser rangefinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignees: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD., KYOTO UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shingo Setono, Ryusuke Horibe, Manabu Murayama, Yuichiro Masuda, Tomohisa Hirai, Atsushi Mushimoto, Fumitoshi Matsuno
  • Patent number: 9933514
    Abstract: LADAR systems and methods are disclosed. LADAR systems include a LADAR transmitter configured to emit a laser signal from a platform and a LADAR receiver configured to detect the laser signal returning from a target moving relative to the platform. The LADAR receiver includes a dynamic receiver filter with a receiver bandwidth (which may be about equal to the linewidth of the laser signal) and a tunable receiver center wavelength. The LADAR receiver is configured to adjust the receiver center wavelength to a wavelength that is Doppler-shifted due to the target velocity. Methods include transmitting a laser signal from a platform, returning the laser signal from a moving target, adjusting a dynamic receiver filter to a receiver center wavelength that is based upon the center wavelength of the returned laser signal (that includes a Doppler offset due to the relative velocity of the target), and receiving the returned laser signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Vytas Thomas Gylys, Michael C. Cates, Richard A. Niksch, Paul J. Rodney, Peter Durkin
  • Patent number: 9935514
    Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) includes a first plurality of conductive paths having first ends at an inner radius of the PCB and second ends at an outer radius of the PCB. The PCB further includes a second plurality of conductive paths having first ends at an outer radius of the PCB and second ends at an inner radius of the PCB. The PCB further includes a first plurality of conductive vias that pass through the PCB at the outer radius of the PCB and couple second ends of the first plurality of conductive paths to first ends of the second plurality of conductive paths. The PCB further includes a second plurality of conductive vias that pass through the PCB at the inner radius of the PCB and electrically couple second ends of the second plurality of conductive paths to first ends of the first plurality of conductive paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: WAYMO LLC
    Inventors: Samuel William Lenius, Paul Karplus, Alexander Danilo Zbrozek
  • Patent number: 9917640
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical coupler device, especially for monitoring purposes in an optical point-to-point transmission link, which includes a first, a second and a third optical port and is configured to transmit a first optical signal received at the first optical port to the second optical port and to transmit a second optical signal received at the second optical port to the first and third optical port according to a monitoring split ratio with respect to the optical power of the second optical signal, the first and second optical signal having a wavelength lying in a first optical band. The device is further configured to transmit a third and a fourth optical signal received at the third and the second optical port to the respective other optical port, the third and fourth optical signal having a wavelength lying in a second optical band. The device is controllable with respect to the monitoring split ratio and includes a control means adapted to receive a control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Adva Optical Networking SE
    Inventor: Klaus Grobe
  • Patent number: 9903941
    Abstract: A time of flight (TOF) camera device and a method of driving the same are provided. The TOF camera device includes a pulse generator configured to generate a pulse signal, and generate a first photo gate signal and a second photo gate signal; a light source configured to irradiate an object with light emitted in synchronization with the pulse signal; and an image sensor configured to receive light reflected from the object in synchronization with the first photo gate signal during a first frame, and receive light reflected from the object in synchronization with the second photo gate signal during a second frame. The pulse generator is further configured to modulate the pulse signal so as to use a frequency of the light as a single frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong-Yeong Jeong, Kyu-Min Kyung, Tae-Chan Kim, Kwang-Hyuk Bae, Shung-Han Cho
  • Patent number: 9897687
    Abstract: A lidar system may have a light source configured to emit pulses of light along a field of view of the light source and a scanner to scan the light source field of view in a scanning direction across a plurality of pixels located downrange from the lidar system. The scanner can direct a pulse of light, which is emitted by the light source along the light source field of view, toward a pixel and can scan a field of view of a first detector. The first detector field of view can be scanned in the scanning direction across the plurality of pixels and the scanning speed of the first detector field of view can be approximately equal to the scanning speed of the light source field of view. The first detector can detect a portion of the pulse of light scattered by a target located at least partially within the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: LUMINAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Scott R. Campbell, Jason M. Eichenholz, Lane A. Martin, Matthew D. Weed
  • Patent number: 9874629
    Abstract: A receiver unit includes at least one single photon avalanche detector element of a Geiger mode and a time-to-digital converter circuit. Each single photon avalanche detector element is enabled to detect a photon in at least one time-gated window, and each single photon avalanche detector element is configured to output an electric pulse in response to detection of a photon of optical radiation within the at least one time-gated window. The time-to-digital converter circuit provides timing data associated with said electric pulse for determination of a distance of a target on the basis of the timing data provided by the time-to-digital converter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: OULUN YLIOPISTO
    Inventor: Juha Kostamovaara
  • Patent number: 9869544
    Abstract: A mobile communication device includes a processor operably coupled to a memory and to a wireless communication subsystem operable to send and receive data, a camera operably coupled to the processor, a sensor operably connected to provide to the processor a distance between the camera and an element viewable by the camera. Instructions are stored in the memory; when these instructions are executed by the processor, the mobile communication device takes an image with the camera, uses the sensor to determine a distance between the camera and at least one object recorded in the image, receives a request for a desired measurement comprising one of a desired length measurement and a desired area measurement of an element in the image, calculates the desired measurement, and provides the desired measurement to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Antanas Matthew Broga, Arnett Ryan Weber, Yu Gao
  • Patent number: 9869793
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiband common-optical-path image-spectrum associated remote sensing measurement system and method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Huazhong University of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tianxu Zhang, Xiaobing Dai, Xiangyan Liu, Jianfei Ji, Xudong He, Pengcheng Gao
  • Patent number: 9864341
    Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) is disclosed for time-to-digital conversion with a latch-based ring. In example aspects, the IC includes a ring, a counter, an encoder, and time-to-digital converter (TDC) control circuitry. The ring includes multiple ring stages and propagates a ring signal between successive ring stages. Each respective ring stage includes latch circuitry to secure a state of the ring signal at the respective ring stage. The ring provides a ring output signal using the latch circuitry of each of the ring stages. The ring is coupled to the counter. The counter increments a counter value responsive to the ring signal and provides a counter output signal based on the counter value. The encoder is coupled to the ring and the counter. The encoder generates a TDC output signal based on the ring and counter output signals. The TDC control circuitry operates the ring responsive to a TDC input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Jingcheng Zhuang
  • Patent number: 9860519
    Abstract: A method for correcting an image phase of a depth camera with a lens is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: a) selecting a first reference point on an optical axis of the lens and a second reference point on an object, wherein a distance between the first and second reference points is the shortest than others; b) calculating the distance in the step a) to serve as a standard distance; c) selecting sample points on the object other than the second reference point and calculating distances between the sample points and the first reference point; d) calculating offsets and angles between a line through the first and second reference points and lines through the first reference point and sample points; and e) calculating real distances between the first reference point and sample points by values from the step d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: LIPS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ling-Wei Liu, Hung-Chang Tsai
  • Patent number: 9851433
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed cause one or more processors to perform a process. The process can include producing emitted electromagnetic radiation based on a frequency pattern and receiving reflected electromagnetic radiation reflected from an object. The process can include defining combined frequency data based on a frequency of the emitted electromagnetic radiation and a frequency of the reflected electromagnetic radiation. The process can also include defining a set of spectral bins, based on a Fourier transform, in a frequency domain based on the combined frequency data, and can include identifying a subset of the set of spectral bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: DSCG Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Sebastian, Kendall Belsley
  • Patent number: 9847617
    Abstract: A laser according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a pump laser outputting laser light, and a laser resonator including a laser crystal and an acoustic optical modulator and resonating the laser light output from the pump laser, wherein the pump laser is a Nd:YAG, and the laser crystal is Ti:Sapphire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: UNIST(ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)
    Inventors: Sung Chul Bae, Timothy Kwan Mo Yang
  • Patent number: 9841495
    Abstract: A lidar system may have a light source configured to emit a pulse of light and a scanner that scans a field of view of the light source in a forward-scanning direction across a plurality of pixels located downrange from the lidar system. The scanner can direct the pulse of light toward the second pixel and scan a field of view of a first detector. The first-detector field of view can be offset from the light-source field of view in a direction opposite the forward-scanning direction. When the pulse is emitted, the first-detector field of view can at least partially overlap the first pixel and the light-source field of view can at least partially overlap the second pixel. The first detector can be configured to detect a portion of the pulse of light scattered by a target located at least partially within the second pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Luminar Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Campbell, Jason M. Eichenholz, Lane A. Martin, Matthew D. Weed
  • Patent number: 9832357
    Abstract: A time of flight camera system is described. The time of flight camera system includes an illuminator. The illuminator has a movable optical component to scan light within the time-of-flight camera's field of view to illuminate a first region within the field of view that is larger than a second region within the time-of-flight camera's field of view that is illuminated at any instant by the light. The illuminator also includes an image sensor to determine depth profile information within the first region using time-of-flight measurement techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Chung Chun Wan, Jamyuen Ko
  • Patent number: 9832434
    Abstract: A method for activating a deflection device comprising at least one deflection unit, for a projection device for projecting trajectories upon a projection surface, wherein the deflection device deflects electromagnetic radiation which is directed upon it, for producing trajectories, and the at least one deflection unit is activated by way of an activation signal delivered from a control device, for producing oscillations in each case with a turning amplitude at a direction change of the oscillation, about at least one deflection axis, wherein in the case of resonance, the oscillations have a maximal amplitude, at which the produced trajectories reach an edge of the projection surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Ulrich Hofmann, Frank Senger, Thomas von Wantoch, Christian Mallas, Joachim Janes, Manfred Weiss
  • Patent number: 9798005
    Abstract: In the present disclosure, a structure of a 3-dimensional space measurement device is maximally simplified to be easily carriable by a user to measure a 3-dimensional spatial data. For simplifying the structure, a light transmission unit and a light reception unit are fixed to a support plate, and the support plate is fixed to a rotation unit. Provided are a 3-dimensional space measurement device capable of adjusting a rotation angle of the rotation unit and a tilt angle of the support plate to efficiently measure a distance and space, and a measurement method of a distance and space for making 3-dimensional spatial data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sungjin Cho, Jeonguk Lee, Gyeongeon Lee, Soowhan Jeoung, Hyerim Kim, Sunghoon Cha, Jejong Lee, Hyunseok Shin
  • Patent number: 9797996
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the distance from a distance-measuring-device to an object by sending a light-pulse from a light-emitting component toward the object by passing a current pulse through the component. A value based on the current or voltage across the component is used to determine the reference-time T0 when the value exceeds a first threshold-value, and determines first-time T1 when the value is reduced to a second threshold-value THL2. T1 is used to define two time-windows when intensity of reflected light is integrated to provide two values (Q1/Q3 and Q2/Q4) to determine a time of flight for the light-pulse based on the two values (Q1/Q3 and Q2/Q4), the difference between T0 and T1 (T1-T0), and the speed of light, c.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: DELPHI INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS LUXEMBOURG S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Markus Heinrich
  • Patent number: 9784572
    Abstract: A measurement device for measuring the angular positions of a blade element of a rotorcraft, the blade element being arranged to be movable relative to a hub of a rotor in pivoting about at least one pivot axis. The invention also relates to a rotorcraft fitted with such a measurement device and to a corresponding measurement method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: AIRBUS HELICOPTERS
    Inventor: Julien Hocquette
  • Patent number: 9753462
    Abstract: A vehicular collision avoidance system comprising a system controller, pulsed laser transmitter, a number of independent ladar sensor units, a cabling infrastructure, internal memory, a scene processor, and a data communications port is presented herein. The described invention is capable of developing a 3-D scene, and object data for targets within the scene, from multiple ladar sensor units coupled to centralized LADAR-based Collision Avoidance System (CAS). Key LADAR elements are embedded within standard headlamp and taillight assemblies. Articulating LADAR sensors cover terrain coming into view around a curve, at the crest of a hill, or at the bottom of a dip. A central laser transmitter may be split into multiple optical outputs and guided through fibers to illuminate portions of the 360° field of view surrounding the vehicle. These fibers may also serve as amplifiers to increase the optical intensity provided by a single master laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Continental Advanced Lidar Solutions US, LLC.
    Inventors: Patrick Gilliland, Roger Stettner, Laurent Heughebaert, Barton M. Goldstein
  • Patent number: 9753127
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus measuring a flight time of a search wave corresponding to a time after the search wave is emitted and before a reflected wave is received is provided. The measurement apparatus includes a transceiver, a memory portion, a sampling portion, a measurement portion, and a determination portion. The transceiver emits the search wave and receives the reflected wave. The sampling portion generates a sampling data and causes the memory portion to store the sampling data. The sampling portion includes a first processing unit and a second processing unit. The first processing unit causes the memory portion to store the sampling data as a first signal data. The second processing unit causes the memory portion to store the sampling data as a second signal data. The measurement portion measures the flight time and generates a measurement value of the flight time. The determination portion determines a sampling period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hirofumi Yamamoto, Shinichirou Taguchi, Akira Miki
  • Patent number: 9753126
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed toward measuring a three dimensional range to a target. A transmitter emits light toward the target. An aperture may receive light reflections from the target. The aperture may direct the reflections toward a sensor that comprises rows of pixels that have columns. The sensor is offset a predetermined distance from the transmitter. Anticipated arrival times of the reflections on the sensor are based on the departure times and the predetermined offset distance. A portion of the pixels are sequentially activated based on the anticipated arrival times. The target's three dimensional range measurement is based on the reflections detected by the portion of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Gerard Dirk Smits
  • Patent number: 9720225
    Abstract: A processing system including a laser beam source which generates a laser beam, a galvano scanner which includes a mirror for reflecting the laser beam and a servo motor for rotating the mirror and which emits the laser beam to a workpiece, and an operation control device which controls the operation of the servo motor in accordance with a sinusoidal drive command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Fanuc Corporation
    Inventors: Naoto Sonoda, Yukio Toyozawa
  • Patent number: 9720076
    Abstract: A time of flight imaging system includes a light source coupled to emit light pulses to an object in response a light source modulation signal generated in response to a reference modulation signal. Each pixel cell of a time of flight pixel cell array is coupled to sense light pulses reflected from the object in response a pixel modulation signal. A programmable pixel delay line circuit is coupled to generate the pixel modulation signal with a variable pixel delay programmed in response to a pixel programming signal. A control circuit is coupled to receive pixel information from the time of flight pixel array representative of the sensed reflected light pulses. The control circuit is coupled to vary the pixel programming signal during a calibration mode to synchronize the light pulses emitted from the light source with the pulses of the pixel modulation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Guo, Rui Wang, Tiejun Dai
  • Patent number: 9716121
    Abstract: The invention relates to a majority current assisted detector device, comprising a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type epitaxially grown on a semiconductor substrate, at least two control regions of the first conductivity type, at least two detection regions of a second conductivity type opposite to the first conductivity type, and a source for generating a majority carrier current in the semiconductor layer between the two control regions, the majority current being associated with an electrical field. The detection regions surround the control regions, thereby forming at least two taps. The device is configured for backside illumination and further comprises a well of the first conductivity type between the two detection regions for insulating the detection regions. The well comprises pixel circuitry elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: SOFTKINETIC SENSORS NV
    Inventors: Kyriaki Korina Fotopoulou, Ward Van Der Tempel